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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:22:43 GMT 1
Found this forum and thought I'd chuck my musing out here as well. 'Blue' is Verity Shepard and Liara T'Soni's early lives and how their lives converge in chaos. Rated M for occasional strong language and non-sexual adult themes. Enjoy! Here's the FF.net link for thems that prefer it: www.fanfiction.net/s/8162086/1/Blue
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:41:34 GMT 1
Chapter 1
The formerly white base of the shower cubicle now seems bluer than the little blue girl standing in it.
How is that possible? Hannah Shepard has been scrubbing her daughter's body for what seems like an age, but still she is a shocking blue colour, save for the flash of blonde hair on top.
"Verity, why didn't you ask daddy or me to help you? Or at least use a less permanent dye?"
Verity Shepard giggles.
"I wanted to surprise everyone!"
"Well," she can't help but laugh, "mission accomplished."
"Why are they mean to me, mommy?"
Hannah knows that the other children in the colony have been taught well by their bigoted parents, and their cruel taunts probably hurt her more than young Verity. It pains her to see her daughter playing alone, but at least she is happy and loving. Hannah doesn't want to sully her optimistic daughter's view of the galaxy.
"Well... remember you learned about the fighting with the Turians?"
"Yes. But I'm an asari, mommy. Asari never did anything to us."
She'd protected her daughter from the more brutal facts of the First Contact War. It was years before, but Hannah was well aware that the repercussions would be felt for decades. She didn't want her daughter to have any hate in her heart. She knows that eventually, all races will have to work together somehow. They have to.
"I know, I know, but sometimes, people have difficulty understanding difference, you know? Since we had our fight with the Turians, people have less trust for any of the aliens."
"But the asari are beautiful, how can anyone not like them? Folks are mean."
Defeated by the dye and not wanting Verity to dwell on this, Hannah changes the subject.
"Well, you may as well get out of there, this ain't coming off today."
The young Shepard jumps out of the cubicle giggling once more, gleeful that she can be blue for another day.
"You know that's 3 days now?"
"I wish I could be blue forever! Can I go to Thessia one day?"
Hannah doesn't really have a problem with her daughter's fascination with the asari. She has to agree, they are glamorous and beautiful and seem to have honourable intentions, and there are worse places to look for role models. It's the rest of the colony that she has issue with, or rather, has issue with her daughter. Even the adults seemed perturbed by the sight of a small girl dyed blue.
Idiots.
"Maybe some day, honey. But right now, it's bedtime."
Shepard wriggles around as her mother dries her.
"What is up with you tonight?"
"Can I be a biotic, mommy?"
"I really don't know, honey. Maybe..."
The bathroom door opens as a booming voice shouts, "Where's my asari commando?"
"Daddy!"
She was excited before, but now young Verity jumps up and down clapping and laughing. Then stops, and strikes a heroic pose. Charles Shepard knows this pose, and readies himself. In a well practised movement, Verity dramatically pushes her open hand towards him, while emulating a whooshing sound. Her father obligingly throws himself back into a heap on the floor. He'd made a point of learning what each of these actions meant so he could respond accordingly. She'd scolded him in the past when he'd mistaken 'throw' for 'warp' and he didn't like to disappoint his little girl.
She squeals with delight and runs on the spot excitedly. Verity knows that it's only pretend, but feels empowered by the action regardless. The man sits up, a huge smile spreading across his face at his daughter's reaction.
"Wo! That was a good one! Now. Guess what I've got?"
As he picks himself up, he pulls an OSD from his breast pocket, holding it up triumphantly. He doesn't need to say anything. Verity instantly recognises the logo on the case, and her big blue eyes widen as she takes a long intake of breath before pausing, then letting out another high pitched squeal.
"Yea! One of the guys at the power plant got it off some trader when they holidayed off-world."
Hannah isn't sure who is more excited. She knows why HE likes watching these vids.
"Oh Chuck, couldn't that have waited 'til morning? She'll never settle down now."
The asari had licensed informational vids to create a better understanding of their race, Serrice Council being one of the organizations who successfully bid to create them.
"Serrice Council..." Verity says, as though she's just found a glass of cool ice tea in the desert. She doesn't really know what the alien organization is, she just knows it means 'asari'.
"No. Bedtime now, you can watch that tomorrow."
Verity knows this tone, and that there is no point in arguing with her mother.
"Awwww, okaaay."
Her father grabs her, throws her over his shoulder and playfully slaps her naked blue bottom, causing further high pitched noises of joy as her little legs flap about.
"Come on my little blueberry, we'd better get you into bed."
'Blueberry'. When her father says it, it's nice. Lovely. She can feel the warmth in his words. She hates it when the other children say it. They almost spit the word at her. Verity hates that they have tried to steal the word from them. It's hers and daddy's word. How dare they?
"Verity, blueberry, Verity, blueberry," the children chant as she walks along the colony's make-shift high street on her way home from school.
"Alien lover!" one older boy shouts as a piece of the blue fruit slaps her on the cheek. It doesn't hurt and she tries not to flinch.
It had been eight years since she'd turned up at the school party dressed as an asari, but still the children would taunt and bully. Every new family that arrives at the colony hears the stories of the little blue girl. Would it ever go away? She tells herself to ignore them and keep walking. A singularity would be perfect right now. Shepard fights a smile as she imagines the bullies floating about helplessly.
Then strangely, the chanting just stops. Verity wipes the blue juice off her face with her hand as she turns to see why the mob has suddenly fallen silent.
"Who's that?" one voice enquires as they shield their eyes to look at the sky. Knowing of her knowledge of ships and aliens, one girl directs at Verity, "Do you recognise it, blueberry?"
It isn't often that larger ships enter the atmosphere of Mindoir, so this is a strange sight indeed. There's still a few weeks until the next supply drop.
"Ethan!" one parent shouts, "Get inside. Now!" followed by all the adults roll calling their children and hurried activity.
Turian? No. She would certainly know an asari ship if she saw one, so not that either. Salarian? No. Shepard had purposefully spent time learning the different ships of the Council races. No, it was definitely not one of them. It startles her as the siren suddenly blares.
"Verity!" Hannah screams from their porch. She's still a few hundred yards from their shelter when she hears her mother. She begins to jog towards their home. She looks over her shoulder at the ship steadily descending to see a white glow form on the underside. She begins to quicken her pace. A beam appears between the ship and the ground as the power plant explodes. The strength disappears from her legs and she falls to her knees.
"Daddy?"
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:42:30 GMT 1
Chapter 2
Shepard sucks hard on the high calorie energy pack's nozzle, desperate to get the liquid goodness inside her.
She'd been on the practice range earlier for far longer than the Alliance instructors' recommendations and is well and truly spent. But it was totally worth it. It was only the tiniest of singularities, but even seeing the smaller practice targets float briefly around the small dark hole in space was the most satisfying thing she'd ever seen. She'd created it. Verity is sure her dad would have been proud. She's not sure if it was audible to anyone else on the range, but she'd definitely made an involuntary little squeal when it happened.
Verity had the basic technique down now. It was only a matter of time and practice until she could sustain the singularity for longer and lift larger and more numerous objects. Or detonate it with a warp. But now she's getting ahead of herself.
She sits cross-legged on the floor of the dull grey corridor to the communal area, draining the last of the energy drink, watching the busy world pass by as she re-gains her strength. The sound of activity from the communal area down the way rings around the walls. The Alliance biotic training facility had been established only a few months earlier. She'd heard stories about the Jump Zero facility and was glad that she had avoided being sent there due to its closure. Jump Zero had sounded cold and unsupportive. It was only a couple of years ago that Verity had seen her parents killed.
She's nearly eighteen years old but Verity still needs encouragement and warmth after the events on Mindoir and it's not so bad here. She even likes the fatigues of the Alliance; they make her bum look good. The fact that they are blue is a bonus. Feeling replenished, Shepard rises, removes the dirt from her behind with a few swipes and makes her way towards her quarters with a bounce in her step.
A power nap should do, then she'd try to sneak some more time in on the range. The instructors had had words with her before about constantly draining herself, but she was making serious progress today and had to get back there. The corridors are busy with cadets making their way from this place to that for various reasons. Some are just hanging around socialising between training sessions. Verity hasn't really got to know anyone well yet but she was used to that. She still has trouble making new friends, but the biotic instructors are nice enough if she feels the need to chat. The combat and tactical instructors are still a little intimidating; they seem okay though.
Verity passes a group of newer cadets, all furiously chatting and laughing with the occasional exclamation of "No way!" or "That's awesome!" She only gets a few steps past the group of overexcited boys when one of the voices calls out.
"Wo! Blueberry?"
She stops in her tracks and freezes.
Verity recognises the voice but, surely not. Not here. Please, not him.
She slowly turns to look back at the group only to confirm her fears. Shit. It is him. And his stupid grinning face. Ethan Ramsay.
She was aware that he hadn't perished in the Mindoir attack, and he had been exposed to eezo in the same accident as her but why does he have to be here? Why today? Today is supposed to be a good day. Now he's ruining it. Verity walks back to the group.
"Long time eh, blueberry?"
"Ethan. Don't call me that."
"What? Oh, I don't mean anything by it. Come on. That was a long time ago."
His insincerity irks her. Asking why he's here would be too cordial, so she doesn't.
Ethan would be the first to befriend any new families arriving on Mindoir just so he could regale in the story of the little blue girl. It was Ethan who first called her 'alien lover' even before that incident and it was Ethan who led the packs of children in their cruel taunts and chants. Time had little to do with it.
"You still don't get it, do you Ramsay?"
"Don't be like that." He looks around his friends seeking encouragement and approval for his upcoming punchline. "Some of my best friends are asari!"
The group duly obliges with their inanities.
"Woo!"
"Damn straight!"
Verity knows he is just mocking her but can't help herself.
"You don't know any asari!"
"Woah there, blueberry! Don't have a fit! Can't you take a joke?"
All the incidents of Mindoir come rushing back to her like a hot flush.
"What did I just say? Don't. Call. Me. That. Name!"
She doesn't mean to scream the last word. It just happens. She can feel all the eyes in the corridor on her now.
"Ooooooh!" and "Uh-oh!" are among the sarcastic reactions of his new mob.
"Or what..?" The pause gestates as Ethan snickers towards his friends before looking her coldly in the eyes to birth it. "Blueberry."
Walking away would be the best course of action, but she can't leave it at that. One of her last thoughts before the attack on Mindoir was whether this kind of bullying would ever go away. She also remembers that had she been able to, she would have suspended the bullies in the air with a singularity. She might be able now though.
"Don't push me."
In response to the challenge, Ethan pushes Verity back with a hard shove. She stumbles and lands on her bottom with a jarring thud as the group whoops and laughs and high-fives.
"You were weird then, blueberry, and you're weird now!"
The humiliation is too much for Verity.
The girl jumps up with a feral look in her eyes and throws her arm out, forming a small dark sphere between the group. The looser parts of their clothing drift toward the singularity. But that's all.
"Oh no! My shoelaces! Whatever am I to do?" one boy scoffs. This incenses her further.
She throws her arm out once more, this time a warp attack. It's one of the first techniques learned by the cadets and Verity is good at warps. Perhaps a little too good.
An almighty deep bang echoes through the corridors when the warp detonates the singularity. In the briefest of moments the group of boys is scattered around the corridor, groaning and tending to their individual injuries. Despite the destruction, Shepard smiles wildly at the intensity and sound of the biotic explosion. Did she just do that? As a little girl, she used to play for hours as the adept asari. She'd done this a thousand times in her games and with her dad. But to see it for real, that she'd really done it, she has to be pleased with that.
"Cadet Shepard! Stand fast!" Captain Dumas strides down the corridor booming his orders, "Anyone with injuries, get to the infirmary! The rest of you. Disperse!"
Those not involved in the altercation had scattered before the Captain even issued the order. This was not the first time that Dumas had seen young cadets fighting, and no doubt, it would not be the last. The imposing man stands with a steady gait and his fists on his hips, scanning the area with a glare, overseeing his orders. None of the boys' injuries look life threatening, he knows they'll get over them. The Captain isn't there to train biotics or play nursemaid, that was the other instructors' job. He's there to take these young biotics and turn them into soldiers. Combat and tactical training. He'd come through the First Contact War a hero, and had 10 years of training experience behind him. Everyone knows he is not be trifled with.
"I think she broke my arm! You crazy bitch!"
"Ramsay! You want me to come over there and kiss it better?"
"Uuh, no sir!"
"Then get your ass to the infirmary! Do you find that funny, Shepard?"
Yes. Yes, she does.
"No sir!"
"Then wipe that smile off your face and follow me!"
"Yes sir!"
Verity has to double time her steps to keep up with the his powerful strides. He's a hard ass, but she likes the Captain.
The door swishes shut behind her as Dumas sits at his desk, a myriad of medals, trophies and memorabilia on the wall behind him. The insignia indicates to Verity that it's a chunk of Turian armour stuck on the centrepiece plaque.
Verity stands to attention looking at his name plate on the desk, wondering what the 'H' stands for in his name. 'Capt. H. Dumas' it reads. Henry? Harold? He doesn't look like a Harold.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Shepard?"
"Sorry, sir."
"You've been progressing well through the programme. Hell, girl, your marksmanship would put some of my old squad mates to shame! Knowledge of alien cultures: second to none. You have no idea how useful that can be in the field. Hacking and tech, way above average. I'd recommend comms and intel for you, but I know that would be a waste. Your scores on the tactical elements are the most impressive I've seen in years. And I hear that the biotic instructors have to almost drag you off the practice range to make you rest. And now this? Shit, what's going on? You know the rules: no biotics off the range. Why did you attack those boys?"
She can't tell him the truth. Verity knows if she tries to explain, she'll blub.
"I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again, sir."
"Is that it? Is that all I get? Now look here, cadet, you have to take responsibility for your actions. Your military life will throw all manner of difficult decisions at you. You have to know when to fight and when to walk away. When to shoot and when to talk. You can't fight your way out every situation. You get me, cadet?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I certainly hope so. I can already see that you have the potential to make one hell of a soldier, Shepard. I do not want you ending up back on Earth wasting your life when there's a whole universe out there to see. You could have a good career with the fleet if you keep up your good work. Is that something you want?"
"Yes, sir. And thank you, sir!"
"Good. Well, we'll have to see how those boys are before any action against you is decided but I reckon they'll be okay. Maybe a few days in the infirmary for a couple of them. I had wanted to put you forward for officer training once you complete the programme, so let's hope that this hasn't made that an impossibility."
Officer training? Wow. If nothing else, it's nice to know that someone has taken an interest in her progress. A feeling of guilt comes over her.
"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down again, sir."
"Hmmm. For now, you're confined to quarters, cadet. Dismissed, Shepard."
"Yes, sir! And thank you for your kind words, sir!"
His face changes to one she'd not seen before, a softer kinder face.
"Yea, well... Oh, and Verity?"
Verity? It was very rare for the combat instructors to ever use first names.
"Yes, sir?"
His voice lowers almost to a whisper, "Nice work, I think that boom damn well shook the whole facility."
Did she really just giggle?
"Sorry, sir."
He waves her away, "Get outa here."
"Yes, sir!"
Yes, Verity likes Captain Dumas.
It's not required of the cadets yet, but Shepard salutes the Captain before turning on the spot to leave the office.
She'd managed to keep to herself before. But now? Between Ethan's arrival and the rumours that would now be flying around the facility about the crazy girl, Verity couldn't be anonymous any more.
Doesn't the past ever just go away?
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:43:05 GMT 1
Chapter 3
Shepard smoothly vaults a crate with assault rifle in hand.
"Move up!" she shouts, with her squad of fellow cadets Ethan Ramsay and Donal Collins following up behind. They all take a few hits from the training mechs, with the familiar fizzing sound of their barriers failing.
She storms forward to the cover of the next block of crates several metres ahead, throwing out a singularity as she runs. The central two of the group of mechs begin helplessly orbiting around the dark sphere, while the surrounding five continue to bear down on the squad, servos and mechanics whirring.
"Ramsay! Warp!" Shepard orders.
"My barrier's down!"
Ethan stays low in the cover of the crates, fear in his eyes. This isn't the time for self-preservation, any time wasted is opportunity for the mechs to overpower them. Verity would do it herself, but she needs to recharge her powers.
"We need you, they're going to overrun us!"
"But..."
"Now, soldier!"
Where did that come from? Captain Dumas is overseeing the training arena from an observation balcony and is impressed with Verity's confidence in command. He allows himself a little pride.
It is six months since Shepard had attacked the mob of boys, and Captain Dumas has taken Verity under his wing. He'd seen the potential in her and wouldn't let it go to waste. Verity had had confidence and control issues that would affect any chances of succeeding in the command training that the Captain hopes she will pursue. In numerous one-to-one sessions, he'd pushed Verity very hard to this end, at times pushing her as hard as he thought she could take without breaking her.
"What are you going to do with unruly squad members, huh? What if I'm a squad member and I just plain don't feel like following your orders? What are you going to do about that, huh?"
The Captain purposefully punctuates his last word with a finger poke to her upper chest, causing the all too familiar signs to flare. Verity's hands become fists, her eyes become feral, her breathing intensifies.
"Come on, Shepard!" Dumas says with exasperation. "How many times do we have to go through this? Don't get mad, get serious! You don't have to like your squad. Damn, you can hate them for all I care. But when you're in the field, you might need to order them into situations they might not come back from. Without authority and respect, do you think that's going to happen?"
Verity finds it hard to cope when he is cold like this. Then the next predictable phase comes as her fists loosen and she drops her head to look at the floor.
"Don't you shut down on me, Shepard."
"No, sir. Sorry, sir."
Whenever possible, the Captain had put Verity and Ethan into the same squad for training exercises. While she still hadn't really made any friends per se, Verity had begun to gain the respect of her peers. Some would even seek her counsel when finding the learning material difficult or when they needed some pointers on the range. Her biotic abilities were much greater than most and her combat skills unmatched. She'd even received the odd positive nod of acknowledgement from Ethan after a good session on the range. But the Captain knows that Verity and Ethan still have issues that need to be overcome.
"You could get the best weapons and armour that credits can buy. You could be the most powerful biotic in the galaxy. But all that means shit if your squad isn't behind you. Do you think you've got time to be picking fights with squad members when the enemy is bearing down on you?"
"No, sir."
"Then what the hell are you going to do about it?"
Ethan pops his head out of cover, assesses, then throws out his warp, detonating Verity's impressive singularity just in time. The blast sends all seven mechs flying in broken pieces, clearing the way to their objective.
"Good work! Now with me!" Shepard orders as she traverses over the crate. "Collins! Do it!"
They run up the ramp to the awaiting console, Collins activates his omni-tool and begins hacking the console's security blocks. Shepard and Ramsay kneel behind him facing back across the large spacious arena, covering the position.
More mechs drop in with loud thuds from delivery hatches in the ceiling of the training arena. They rise from their hunched storage positions and move towards the squad's position.
"Incoming!"
Feeling the pressure, Collins cries out, "It's taking too long!"
Ethan expertly overloads two mechs with one attack, but three more are still stamping their way towards the squad. Their close formation is ideal. Verity is getting used to her new skill, but throws out a shockwave. As the biotic attack throbs its way through the mechs, they are scattered and suppressed.
"I dunno if I can..."
Before Collins can finish, Shepard interjects with support.
"Keep going! You can do it! We've got your back!"
All is quiet for a moment, save for the beeping of the omni-tool.
"Slap the omni-gel on it!" Ethan shouts.
"Delay that! You can hack it! We need that gel!"
Collins furiously tries this method then that, occasionally fumbling on his omni-tool with expletives flowing.
A large panel rises at the opposite end of the arena. A stocky, two metre mech looms out of the darkness, the heavy metallic thud of it's feet echoing around the arena. Verity locks her assault rifle on her back as it collapses itself to half size then grabs her now expanding sniper rifle. Ethan's assault rifle attacks ping off the mech's toughened exterior. The mech's VI needs a little time to assess and select its targets and Verity is well aware of this. She lines up her shot, placing the relatively small head of the mech in the sights of her rifle, and exhales. A powerful bang echoes around the arena as she pulls the trigger. The mech's head pops with a satisfying fizz and the machine spasms among intensifying beeping and flashing.
"She's gonna blow!" shouts Ethan with glee.
"I'm in!"
Collins barely gets his triumphant words out as the blast wave of the exploding mech rushes around their bodies.
"Got it! Let's do this!"
"Nice job. Move it!" Verity leads the group back to the far end of the arena, switching back to her assault rifle as they run. As they reach the locked exit, dozens more mechs drop in.
"Gel it!"
Collins applies the omni-gel to the door's lock while Shepard and Ramsay provide covering fire, mechs popping and fizzing as they fall with electrical sparks fountaining. The door slides open and they exit the arena into the staging area with gasps of relief.
"Good call, Shepard!" Donal grabs her hand and shakes it, then leans back against a wall wiping his sweated brow with the back of his hand.
Ethan just stands for a moment, slightly awkward. Then he holds out his hand towards Verity.
"That was damn good, blueberry."
She looks at him, then his hand. Verity grabs his hand and shakes it, squeezing as hard as she can. No rage, no loss of control, she knows now it's not worth it.
"Watch it, Ramsay, I can still kick your ass."
Ethan pulls his hand out of the handshake and steps back trying not to show the pain. Then, without any sign of irony or sarcasm, he stands to attention and salutes with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am!"
He slaps Collins on the back as they leave the staging area into the corridors.
"C'mon, I think we've earned a rest. My shout in the rec."
They saunter off down the corridor, regaling in the finer points of the exercise.
"Did you see that shot?"
"Shit, that big bastard barely got out of its bay."
Shepard turns to leave, only to see Captain Dumas striding towards her.
"Damn, Shepard, top draw. I knew you had it in you. Ramsay!"
The two boys stop and turn to face back down the corridor, their bravado deflated by the Captain's voice.
"Yes, sir?"
"When your squad leader gives you an order, you do it! You hear me, boy?"
"Yes, sir! Sorry, sir!"
"Now get outa here!"
The two boys run off around the corner before he thinks of another reason to berate. With the two boys now out of sight, he smiles.
"I am so damn proud of you, Verity."
Verity doesn't care if she blubs this time.
"Thank you, sir. It wouldn't have been possible without you. I appreciate everything that you've done for me, sir."
Years of life catch Verity unexpectedly. Her beautiful parents, the bullying, the attack on Mindoir, Ethan's appearance at the facility, intense sessions with the Captain, so many to cope with in this brief moment. She doesn't have to. Verity's tears begin to flow but the Captain isn't the harsh taskmaster right now.
"Come 'ere." he beckons.
She hugs him and he reciprocates. Verity's body shudders while she sobs with her head on his chest, releasing years of pain. Dumas might be the battle hardened soldier, but he knows about Shepard's past and her difficulty adjusting. He isn't a replacement, no-one could be; but the big man has certainly become like a father figure to her and the feeling is mutual.
"It's okay, let it all out," soothes Dumas as he strokes her hair. Verity hasn't felt comfort or warmth like this in a long time and despite the tears and sadness at the past, it's lovely.
Dumas loosens the hug to look Shepard in the eyes.
"Hamish," he simply states.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:43:41 GMT 1
Chapter 4
The blue girl stands in the shower, her mother scrubbing her little body.
"Why did you have go into the storm drains? It is offensive in those muddy tubes and quite dangerous."
"Well I am not going to discover prothean artefacts above ground, mother." Liara T'Soni states with impatience at her mother's flawed logic.
"Hmmm, well thank the goddess the smell is gone. Come, you may dry yourself now."
"Lady Benezia?" a voice calls from downstairs. "There is a communication from Matriarch Methia."
Methia is organizing a conference of Matriarchal debate and Benezia has been waiting for news of her progress.
"Thank you, Shiala. Please, come and help Liara prepare for bed."
"Of course, m'lady."
Benezia leaves the bathroom. A moment later Shiala appears at the doorway wearing only the black body suit of her commando armour. It is a comfortable outfit to relax in and being armed and ready for combat is not appropriate for a family home. She places her hands on her hips and grins at the young asari drying herself.
"So what trouble have you been getting yourself into now then, Li?"
"Shiala! I was searching for prothean artefacts in the big pipes in the park and slipped into the smelly mud."
"Still with the protheans eh?"
Liara's mother didn't really do playing, but Shiala always had time for her. Liara dresses herself in a loose flowing imperial-purple nightie.
"That is beautiful Li, is it new?"
"Yes, mother bought it for me when she last visited the Citadel."
"You are a lucky girl."
Shiala holds out her hand, "Come then, we had better get you to bed."
Liara places her little hand in her's, and they walk together along the short corridor to Liara's bedroom. As they reach Liara's bed, Shiala takes hold of her other hand and lifts the young asari high to gently throw her onto the bed.
"Weeeeee!" they say together, Liara laughing as she bounces onto the bed.
Although Liara is well loved and would want for little, Shiala is aware that Benezia does not play or laugh much with her daughter due to her reserved nature. Benezia does show love and affection to Liara, there is no question there. But there is always some important matter requiring the Matriarch's attention and she has little time for frivolous activity. But Shiala likes to give Liara at least a few moments of abandon when they meet.
"Can we please, Shiala?"
Liara doesn't need to explain further. There's only one thing that she would be referring to. Shiala looks to the doorway, pretending to make sure the coast is clear then sits on the edge of the bed.
"Come on, Li." she beckons.
Liara jumps off the bed then straddles one of Shiala's knees. Shiala steadies Liara by holding her hands then bounces her leg and in turn the giggling young asari. With the rhythm set by Shiala's bouncing leg, they begin.
"Turians like to, fight, fight, fight." Liara loudly joins in the last three words of each line. "Salarians sneak out of, sight, sight, sight, Hanar in the water go, swish, swish, swish, A homeworld is the Quarians', wish, wish, wish, But when the Krogan are around, All other species hit the ground, As the Krogan only like to, kill, kill, kill!"
They end with laughter as Shiala falls back onto the bed, giving Liara a hug.
"Really?" Lady Benezia has been watching from the doorway. "You know that I do not like that children's rhyme, it can breed prejudice. I might point out that the Krogan have been relatively tolerant considering their blight and have suffered much."
"As you always do, mother. I am well aware of the history, it is only a little fun."
Shiala rolls to place Liara back on the bed and stands as Benezia comes further into the room and to the bedside.
"My apologies, Lady Benezia, we were just..."
"My daughter can be quite persuasive, I know. But fine, I am sure a few stereotypes will not harm her."
The Matriarch is happy that her acolytes fulfil this playful role whenever possible. They all fuss over Liara. Benezia does secretly wish that she could elicit such happy responses from her daughter but at least Liara is bright, enthusiastic and positive, and they have a good relationship. Her interest in the protheans is at least a noble one.
"Well when you are done here, I need to go over the itinerary for the conference with you."
"Yes, m'lady, I will be with you momentarily."
"Goodnight, little wing. I will see you again with the dawn." coos Benezia as she strokes Liara's head.
"Goodnight, mother."
The Matriarch leaves.
"Oops!" says Shiala, holding her hand to her mouth and shrugging her shoulders with feigned guilt. "You'd better settle down to sleep before we get into any more trouble with the Matriarch."
Liara slides herself under the covers. Shiala leans over Liara to kiss her forehead.
"Goodnight, Li, sleep well."
"Goodnight, Shiala."
Neither is aware that this is their last farewell as Shiala shuts the door.
When Shiala enters the plush lounge area, the Matriarch has numerous datapads on the table in front of her. She picks one up, scans it, then compares to the one in her other hand, then puts it down, picks up another, scans that one, then looks back at the other. Shiala can tell already it's going to be one of those hectic and busy events.
"So. Shiala."
"Yes, Lady Benezia?"
"I need you to book passage to the conference and arrange accommodation. Everything you need to be aware of is here." She passes Shiala one of the datapads as she sits beside her on the long couch. "The conference will be at the Illium Sharblu Centre, so there should not be any foreseeable problems. And I would appreciate it greatly if you would contact my sister to arrange care for Liara while we are away."
"Of course, m'lady."
Tentatively, Shiala enquires, "Will Matriarch Aethyta be attending?"
"She has made her opinions of the Matriarchs very clear, I doubt she will now wish to further that debate."
"That is a shame."
"Is it really? How so, my young acolyte?"
The Matriarch gives Shiala her full attention for the answer.
"Despite her difference of opinion on the direction of the Matriarchs, she is good and wise. I do not think that her opinions should be dismissed entirely. I have followed at your feet for over a century now and like to think that I know you, m'lady. I think that you do miss her, and Liara has often asked me about her father..."
"You presume too much." Benezia says with annoyance.
"My apologies, but I do not enjoy lying to your young daughter when she asks about her father. I know my fellow followers feel the same."
"She is my daughter, Shiala. It is my decision to make. She will grow out of it eventually. That stubborn Matriarch would be a harmful influence on Liara with her brash ways. And I do not like the idea of my acolytes gossiping so. I have a feeling that my acolytes and I might be having a conference of our own on Illium."
"Yes, m'lady. I do not mean to..."
"Then do not."
"Yes, m'lady."
The Matriarch loses interest in the datapads and stares out of a window. Shiala is sure when she sees this distant look, Benezia is thinking about Aethyta. She sees the same look whenever the subject of Aethyta comes up and is quickly dismissed. She might hide behind the Matriarch's unorthodox opinions as an excuse, but she'd secretly love to meet up with the father of her child again. But, Shiala has pushed her opinion far enough today.
"Brandy, m'lady?"
"Goddess yes. Thank you, Shiala."
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:44:08 GMT 1
Chapter 5
"Mother?"
Liara's timid voice doesn't penetrate the busy activity in their lounge. She tries a little cough.
"Ahem, Mother?"
The lounge is filled with Matriarchs deep in debate, with arguments and counter-arguments flying back and forth. Despite standing quite evident at the base of the stairs, Liara may as well be another lamp-stand in the corner.
"What you fail to comprehend, Methia, is that unity is inevitable. What was the point of our work at the Citadel if not to this end?"
Benezia firmly believes that all the species of the galaxy should be working together, not squabbling over petty borders and ancient grudges. This was the intention when the asari helped form the first interspecies council.
"Mother?"
"But what of the Krogan, Benezia? What if a cure for the genophage is developed? As they are now, they are manageable but..."
"Manageable? They are not small children to be controlled. Such attitudes are outmoded and offensive. The Krogan have suffered much. They are a proud people and if given a place in galactic society, they would have more to contribute than most."
"Mother?"
"But as Matriarch Aethyta has said..."
"Matriarch? Ha! That one has chosen to stand apart from the Matriarchs. Her views have no place here."
The raised voices of Methia and Benezia, and the mention of Aethyta quietens the rest of the group for a moment.
"Mother?"
"What is it, Liara? Can you not see that we are very busy."
"Sorry, mother. I am just informing you that I will be retiring for the evening."
Benezia waves Liara away dismissively, without even looking at her.
"Yes, yes, goodnight." The Matriarch tuts as she tries to regain her train of thought.
Years of such treatment by her mother has taken its toll on Liara. She has become somewhat introverted. She had thrown herself into her studies when at the University of Serrice, with little time for parties or other fun activities that her fellow students enjoyed. While not completely socially awkward, she is not confident in her social skills. Liara is not quite yet an adult by asari standards, but she is nearly a young woman and able to make her own decisions in life.
The dismissive waving action of Benezia enrages Liara internally, but she doesn't have the confidence to confront her directly, not in front of the sea of overbearing Matriarchs. She pouts and huffs then turns to go up the stairs. Liara makes her feelings known by stamping heavily on each step as she ascends. She knows it is stupid and childish, but that doesn't stop her from also slamming her bedroom door shut as hard as she can. The following laughter drifting up from the group downstairs just adds to her annoyance.
"Well if I am just in the way here..." Liara mumbles to herself, grabbing a holdall from her wardrobe. "Hmph, laughing at me..." She begins filling it with clothes, datapads, and anything else she thinks she might need. "I'll show them..." With the holdall filled, she browses the extranet to book passage to Illium. "As good a place to start as any..."
Liara breathes in deep to calm herself before descending the stairs again with her holdall over her shoulder. She stands defiant at the base of the stairs into the lounge. The Matriarchs are quiet and certainly see her this time, looking at Liara and then Benezia and back again, all feeling the tension in the air.
"Perhaps everyone would like to sit on the veranda on this lovely evening, it seems my daughter and I have something to discuss." Benezia diplomatically states, elegantly ushering the Matriarchs towards the sliding windowed doors to the outside.
The room empties quickly, save for mother and daughter. Benezia waits until the doors are shut and seats herself again.
"What are you doing, Liara? Are you wilfully trying to embarrass me?"
"No, mother, but I have decided that it is time for me to stop only studying and researching, and organize my own expedition."
"Really. Well, children will inevitably rebel against their elders. Some independence will probably do you good, and I do appreciate that you are not yet equipped to follow me in my vocation."
"And who equipped me mother?" Liara folds her arms as she accuses.
"I beg your pardon? Explain yourself."
"You may have provided me with an excellent education and nurtured by biotic abilities, but me, as a person, I have always taken second place to your Matriarchal duties."
"Oh Liara, is that how you feel?"
"It is how it is, mother. Your duties and pride blind you to it."
The hurt is evident on Benezia's face, twinged with a little guilt.
"I know my duties as a Matriarch have kept me from being the attentive mother, but I did not..."
Benezia doesn't usually show uncontrolled emotion, but she cannot finish her words. As a tear rolls down the Matriarch's cheek, Liara puts down her holdall and sits closely next to her.
"Oh mother, what are we to do?"
"I will not attempt to dissuade you if this is what you want, but please Liara, know this: I will miss you terribly and please, be careful. I love you dearly and if anything were to happen to you, I do not know what I would do."
"It is not a question of love, mother. I love you too. But as I get older, I am pushed more and more to the periphery of your life as you busy yourself with your duties. It is time I began to make my own life. And please do not worry, I will be careful. I have booked passage to Illium for now, my transport leaves tonight. I already have some suitable planets to investigate and will attempt to find passage to them from there. It will be easier to do so from the space port at Nos Astra."
"It only seems like yesterday that you were digging up the park, searching for your beloved protheans' artefacts."
"And you encouraged me in my archaeological endeavours mother, I will never forget that. Thank you."
Liara throws her arms around Benezia and they hug.
"Please forgive me, Liara. I had not realised that my busy lifestyle had affected you so."
"I had better go. I have to catch a taxi to the space port."
"So soon? Shall I come to the space port with you?"
"It is not necessary, mother. Besides, you are entertaining the Matriarchs and I fear Methia is in need of your wise and considered counsel."
Benezia chuckles, "Yes, you read the Matriarchs well, my beautiful daughter. You are wise beyond your years. Perhaps as you mature with the years, you too will take your place among the Matriarchs. But please, I cannot bear the thought of you falling into that disgusting lifestyle of exotic dancing like your cousins."
"Mother! Really!"
They release their embrace.
"Very well, good luck Liara. I look forward to reading on the extranet about a young asari making galaxy changing discoveries."
Liara throws the large bag over her shoulder.
"Farewell, mother. I will write when I am able."
"Be safe, little wing."
As Liara exits, Benezia goes to the door to watch her daughter walk away down the avenue, passing their favourite park. The usually reserved and controlled Matriarch is now sobbing. Partly at the loss of her beautiful daughter, partly with remorse that she could not have been the perfect mother that Liara deserved. She knew this day would come eventually, but that does not make it any easier, nor does the haste with which this event has come about. As Liara turns the corner at the end of their avenue, Benezia slowly shuts the door, hopeful that this is not their last farewell. Unfortunately, it will not be.
Liara sits in her passenger transport seat, excited but quite nervous. She wonders now if this is such a good idea. With a field team, there is support. But alone?
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be transferring all passengers to another transport at the mining facility in the Omega system. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause." a voice comes over the internal address system.
Great, what a perfect start. Liara has heard of the crime-ridden Omega facility, and the asari Aria T'Loak has become quite notorious, controlling the facility with her iron fist regime. If she was nervous before, Liara is near terrified now. She attempts to calm herself, telling herself that people travel like this every day and most encounter no trouble at all.
The heavy doors of the ship slamming shut give Liara a start. She looks out of the small window at the large graceful buildings of her home city, shrinking as the transport rises above them.
"Goodbye mother." she whispers with her hand on the window. "Goodbye Thessia."
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:44:28 GMT 1
Chapter 6
"Forty-eight hours? What am I supposed to do for forty-eight hours? I was told it would be a direct transfer."
"I'm sorry princess, but there's nothing we can do. Why not go to the Afterlife Club over there? Maybe you can make some extra credits shaking that fine ass of yours."
"How dare... I am the daughter of Matriarch Benezia. I've never been so..."
But the Turian port administrator has already gone, laughing and mocking her in a squeaky voice as he walks away, "I'm the daughter of blah-de-blah-blah... ha! Brilliant."
Liara has no desire to stay on the Omega mining facility a second longer than she has to but forty-eight hours?
The public news address is blaring out one depressing sounding report after another, "Reports are coming in of Turian military activity near the infamous Relay 314, de-activated since the Rachni wars. No details have yet been released. Let's all hope it's not those pesky Rachni again. We'll keep you updated as we find out more!"
Liara stands with her holdall at her feet opposite the Afterlife Club, feeling very exposed. She doesn't like crowds at the best of times, but crowds of Turians, Batarians, all manner of species openly carrying weapons, and at this notoriously dangerous facility, she is quite petrified. And the place is filthy compared to Thessia or Illium. She sees two Batarians talking and is sure they keep looking over at her. She wants to leave, but where to? The Batarians start shiftily walking in her direction.
"Hey!" one of them shouts over. "You need help, little girl?"
As they get closer, an imposing looking asari exits from the club and heads purposefully in their direction.
"You two!" the asari shouts at the Batarians. "Yes, you two Batarians there. Leave, now."
"Uuuh, of course, whatever you say, we were just..."
"I can guess what you were doing. Go. Now!"
The Batarians scurry away.
The asari now paces more slowly, still moving towards Liara. She moves with precision and poise in black heels and sleek dark clothing, save for a stylish high-cut white jacket. She arrives at Liara's position and paces back and forth in front of her a few times, looking her up and down. This terrifies Liara further and she is sure that her nervous shaking is obvious. The asari finally speaks.
"You're not a very good spy."
"What?"
"Why else would the much respected Matriarch Benezia send her daughter here but to spy on me?"
"Oh, er... no. No! That is not why I am here. And you know who I am?"
"Of course I do, this is my facility. I know of everyone coming in and out. So why exactly are you here, Liara T'Soni?"
Liara is unsure if this asari knowing her is a good thing or a bad thing.
"I was trying to get to Illium, but we were re-directed here. I am supposed to wait for forty-eight hours but I am on my own and do not know this place, and... well... I suppose that is it really."
The asari laughs.
"Awww, so you're a lost little lamb. How sweet." She strokes Liara's cheek which causes her to flinch a little. "And you are a pretty thing, aren't you? Well, I'm a sucker for a charity case like you. You'd better come with me. Given half a chance, the sick bastards around here would eat you alive. Come."
She beckons Liara with a wave as she heads back to the club.
"Come on, little lamb. I won't bite."
Liara looks around her, picks up her holdall and quickly follows. This has to be better than hanging around outside. The dull throbbing of the club's music becomes more intense as the club door slides open into an initial lounge corridor, with images of flames flicking up sides. There are various groups seated on the couches, some drinking and chatting, others passed out or just unable to move.
"It is very loud." Liara comments.
The asari smiles, "You've not been to many clubs, have you?"
"No, and certainly none like this one."
They reach the next door. The wall of bass and drums nearly knocks Liara back when it opens. She wonders how anybody could enjoy this.
There are people everywhere, mostly intoxicated somehow and dancing to the primal rhythms. Semi-clad asari dancers are on top of nearly every available raised surface, all seductively moving their bodies to the music. As they pass one of the bars, the asari shouts, "Drink?"
"No. Thank you." Liara isn't even sure if her voice could be heard.
The asari leads Liara up a few short stairs and to a private area. There is a little protection from the worst effects of the music here. There are armed Batarians milling around, who straighten their bodies to attention when they see the two arrive. A couple more asari are dancing against the glass walls at the edges of the area. The imposing asari sits in the centre of a large couch like a queen holding court.
"Come." she taps next to her on the couch. "Sit."
Liara sits next to her clutching her holdall on her knee, her wide eyes darting about unable to take it all in.
"Are you Aria T'Loak?" she asks, finally plucking up the courage.
"Oh, so you have heard of me. I was beginning to think I'd have to do the whole Queen of Omega routine. Which, incidentally, I am." Aria puts on a little pretend menace.
Liara almost smiles.
"I had heard that you are in charge of this facility."
"And I suppose that you've also heard that I'm an evil bitch, willing to kill anyone who gets in my way. Well, that's equally true. Now normally, when a little lamb like you appears on my doorstep, I intend to have them dancing in my club within a week, whether they like it or not. But with you, the Matriarch's daughter, that's not in my interest. I don't need that kind of heat. Dumb mercs are one thing, but asari commandos? That's another."
"Thank you."
Thank you? Liara berates herself for thanking Aria for not abusing her.
"I suppose you'll need somewhere to stay? You'll use my quarters, I can find a bed anywhere. And to be honest, I usually do. Garka!"
One of the Batarian guards steps up.
"Yes, Aria?"
"My young friend here will be staying in my apartment for the next couple of days. So, and I'm going to make this very clear, if I hear that anyone has been anywhere near that door, they are fucking. Dead. No explanations, no talking, no excuses, just fucking. Dead. Is that clear enough for you Garka? You can be a stupid shit at times."
Liara was almost feeling a little calmer until Aria's explicit instructions.
"Of course, Aria. I'll make sure all the men know. There won't be any problems."
"There'd better not be."
Garka hurries off to ensure everybody knows so there are no accidents as Aria shouts after him, "Fucking. Dead. And not just the men. Anyone. And everyone." He knows that Aria is deadly serious.
Aria slaps the top of her thighs.
"So, now that's all sorted out. You want anything other than a drink? Hallex? Red sand? You name it, I can probably get it right now from one of these idiots dancing around down here."
"No!" Liara jerks. "Thank you."
"Okay, little lamb, no problem. You really are the real deal, aren't you? You really are as innocent as you appear."
"Umm, I suppose." Liara doesn't like to disagree with such an imposing woman, but feels the need to defend herself. "But I have a doctorate in archaeology, I went to the University of Serrice you know."
"Well, that might fly on Thessia, but it doesn't mean shit here, Dr T'Soni."
"No. It seems not." Liara looks down at the floor feeling exposed again, aware that she is way out of her depth.
Aria stands.
"Come on. I get the feeling you'd be happier in my quarters away from all this debauchery, hmm?"
"I would love a shower." Liara stands now as well.
"Maybe I can scrub your back eh?"
Liara's eyes widen in terror as she steps away from Aria.
"Oh come on, little lamb, don't you even have a sense of humour?"
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:44:57 GMT 1
Chapter 7
"I love your shade of blue, Ambassador Aneia."
"Ummm... really?"
In asari culture, complimenting skin tone is usually reserved for more intimate moments. By the asari's reaction, Verity Shepard can see that she has made some kind of faux pas, but she's not sure exactly what.
"Sorry, I've not met an actual asari before."
"Hmm, 'an actual asari'. What an interesting choice of words."
This is not going well. Shepard is alone with the first asari she's ever met while travelling on a passenger transport to see Captain Dumas. He has been taken ill and is being cared for on an Alliance medical frigate.
"Sorry, I've always been fascinated by the asari, and you're the first one I've met. I used to watch those Serrice Council vids when I was young."
"Oh, not those awful educational ones? I had hoped they were consigned to history by now, they are so condescending to us. I cannot imagine what they were thinking when they made them."
Great, they can't even talk about that.
"Sorry, I enjoyed them when I was little."
"You do apologise a lot, Commander. Is that a human trait?"
The ambassador is quite new to humans as well, and still learning their quirks and unique traits. She'd hoped that this was an opportunity to learn more, but the human is not making it easy. Verity is not sure what she can say now to save this conversation. Anything she can think of just sounds like worship or stupid questions. She isn't even sure if the asari is bored or just reserved.
"No. Sorry, I'm just a little nervous I guess."
"I appreciate that you seem to be in some kind of state, but please, there is no need to persistently apologise."
Verity begins to just blurt it all out.
"Look, I adored the asari when I was little. This is dumb, but I even hoped that some day I could just somehow become an asari. I played as an asari in my games, and pretended I was a biotic, you know, before I actually became one. Once, when I was about eight years old, I even dyed myself blue to be an asari. And now, with you, an asari, standing here, I just don't know what to say."
"How sweet you sounded. And do not worry. I am an ambassador, Commander, and have to be thick skinned. So do not be shy, what would you ask?"
"It's okay. I have to errr..."
"Yes?"
"I'll be back in a moment."
Shepard hurries down the passage of the transport to the rest room.
A real asari, just there, willing to answer any questions, and Verity just ran away. Could it have gone any worse? She finds the first cubicle, locks the door then begins slowly banging her head against it.
"Idiot. Idiot. Idiot." she says in time with the thuds of her head.
"Commander Shepard?" Aneia calls into the rest room. "Are you alright? I do not know human physiology well, but you seemed a little unwell when you left me. Shall I see if there is a physician aboard?"
"No! Thank you. I'm fine, I just needed... I'll be right out."
She unlocks the door and reluctantly leaves the protection of the cubicle.
"I was not aware that your species had the ability to change colour."
"What?"
"Excuse me for saying so, but your face is quite a reddish pink colour now, whereas just before, you were quite pale."
"Oh, I... we..."
Go on Verity, get out of this one.
"Certain emotional states can cause blood to rush to different areas of our body, usually the face, that's why I'm er... red."
"Really? So what emotional state causes this rush of blood to the face? Not anger I hope."
"No. Mainly, stupidity. Mixed with a little idiocy. Basically, I'm embarrassed."
"I see..."
"You seemed a bit annoyed when I mentioned your skin tone?"
"No, no. Not annoyed, just a little taken aback. In my culture, such compliments are normally reserved for one's partner."
"Oh. Oh! I didn't mean to... I mean, you are beautiful, but... no, wait, I don't mean..."
"Please, Commander, stop." Aneia laughs, "I am not offended by your words. And thank you. I am flattered by your compliment. I dare not count the centuries since I was last called beautiful. And, oh, Commander. You are quite a scarlet shade now."
The centuries? Just how old is this asari? Had Verity actually paid attention to the Serrice Council vids as a child, rather than just skipping to the images of heroics, beauty and biotics, she would have known that asari appear to age very little over time and can live for over a millennia.
Verity doesn't enquire any further about this though, she tries to avoid making a further fool of herself.
"I'm just going to freshen up a little."
Shepard begins washing her face in the sink.
"I shall leave you now then if you are alright. And please, do not feel embarrassed."
Shepard mocks herself in the mirror.
" 'I love your shade of blue, Ambassador Aneia.' Gah! You may as well have just ripped off your clothes and screamed 'take me now, you beautiful blue bitch!' And why did you have to mention the blue dye thing? Idiot."
It's not that Verity is lustful towards this asari, but the skin tone comment makes her feel like she just complimented a complete stranger's bossom in a lurid way. There's only about half an hour until they reach the medical frigate and Verity wonders if she could just hide here until then.
"Commander Shepard?" the captain of the transport comes over the comm on her omni-tool.
"Go ahead, captain."
"There's a communication for you from Alliance Command. If you'd like to make your way to the bridge, you can take it here."
"Thank you, captain. On my way."
Saved.
Verity walks into the hospital room to see Dumas lying in bed, looking very unwell with tubes sticking out of his nose and arm, surrounded by readouts and equipment. He looks a gaunt shell of his former great self. Upon seeing her, he attempts to sit up. He doesn't like to appear this way in front of Verity.
"Oh sir, just relax."
"Sir? Verity, not only do you outrank me, you call me Hamish. We're just friends here, no need to go all formal on me."
She might outrank the Captain now, but Verity still has great respect for the man.
"Sorry, Hamish."
"That's better."
His voice is weak and wheezy, not at all like the strong booming voice she used to know. Verity finds this all very hard to handle. He'd been there for her when she was at her lowest ebb. He'd made sure that she passed through officer training with flying colours. He'd comforted her when she needed it. She'd lost her biological father to the slavers on Mindoir, and now her 'surrogate' father looks very ill.
She helps the Captain sit up and arranges the pillows to support him.
"That okay? Do you need more pillows? I can go and ask..."
"Don't fuss. I'm still here, I'm not a complete invalid."
"So what's going on? Are you on treatment?"
"It's a degenerative disease. I won't bore you with the details but basically, there's not a lot they can do. It seems this is one thing the miracle of mass effect fields can't fix. They've done all they can but, Verity, I haven't got long."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, if I'd known it was this serious, I'd have visited earlier."
"Aaah, don't worry about that, I know what serving in the fleet is like. But I'm glad you have come. I don't have any family. Married to the fleet and all that. But you Verity, I wanted you to know, I really do feel like you're the daughter I never knew I wanted. When that angry orphan girl came to my facility, I knew I wanted to do all I could to help her. To make sure she doesn't feel alone any more."
"You don't need to say it, the feeling has always been mutual, my old friend."
She takes his hand and holds it in hers.
"And I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me when I was young. I would have ended up another biotic school reject, doing who knows what, if you hadn't helped me."
"It was my pleasure, Verity. I was paid back in spades when you passed out of the officer programme. And I was right, from what I hear you have become one hell of a soldier."
"Thank you, but that doesn't make losing my whole squad on Akuze any easier."
"Yea, I heard about that. Sorry, but sometimes even when you make the right call, there's nothing you can do to save your men. It's hard but true."
"I know, you tried to teach me that, but it still feels pretty raw. Sorry to talk shop but I thought you'd want to know, I got a communication from command on the way here. I've been offered a position on the N7 programme."
The Captain just smiles then grimaces a little with pain, he tries to hide it but it's obvious to Verity.
"Do you want me to get someone?"
"No, they've done all they can. I asked them to take me off those damn knock-out meds for your visit."
His voice has become increasingly weak over the conversation, at times fighting to breathe.
"Damn, N7 eh? Well I hope you've accepted already."
"I said I wanted to think about it, but yea, I think I'll do it."
"You'd better, or god help me, I'll make sure I come back to haunt you."
He tries to laugh but this becomes an uncontrollable cough.
"I'm getting someone."
Shepard heads into the corridor. She sees a medical assistant.
"Excuse me, my friend seems to be in a lot of pain."
"I'll be right over." the medic replies.
She heads back into the room. The captain is a disturbing pale colour, save for the red eyes from the tears rolling down his face, trying to catch his breath. She rushes over and wipes his face of the tears, and begins stroking his head, "It's okay Hamish, it's okay sir." She wants to make it all better, like he used to for her.
He forces some words out, with barely the strength to do so.
"I'm so proud damn of you Verity, I love you girl."
"I know. Don't speak, a medic is coming."
"Damn it, no. I want you to contact command right now, I want to know that before... that you..."
With a final wince, the life exits from his body.
"Captain Dumas? Sir? Oh Hamish, no..."
The medic enters the room and looks over the readouts and notes some details on his datapad. He conducts a few checks on the old man's pulse.
"No, I'm sorry, he's left us. Sorry for your loss. Will you be okay? Do you need to me to contact anyone?"
"That's alright, there's only him and me. I'll be okay. Thank you." She smiles as best she can as her tears break through, barely able to complete her words. "And thanks for everything you've done for him."
"I'll leave you for a moment."
As a ground force combatant, death might now be part of Shepard's life, but this is not the same. An old man, her brave but caring old man, dying in bed in pain. She knows what he was trying to say, and as soon as she is done here, she's going to contact command to take up their offer.
Verity holds his still warm hand and continues to stroke his hair. She kisses his hand and weeps.
"Goodbye, sir. I love you too. Thank you, Hamish. For everything."
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:45:25 GMT 1
Chapter 8
Liara is glad she is with Aria as they navigate the dark corridors of Omega. As Aria strides menacingly forward, everyone gets out of her way. Liara tries to keep up, staying as close as she can.
"Why are we going to the shooting range, Aria? I do not like guns, and Mother did not want for me to become a commando."
"Because, my little lamb, you need to grow some quads. When you're out there looking through ruins, you think biotics alone are enough to stop a gang of blood-thirsty mercs? The mercs have stepped up their tomb raiding operations, and they'll be going for the same sites as you. You're going to need a little extra protection, and I'm going to show you how."
"Oh."
They arrive at a plain but locked door. Aria presses the intercom and waits a moment, already annoyed by the length of time it takes for a response.
"What?" an impatient voice comes over.
"Ginka, it's me, Aria. So take that tone out of your voice before I take the voice out of your throat, and open the fucking door."
The door immediately opens. An old Batarian greets them, stooping and fawning.
"Sorry, Aria, I didn't know it was you."
"Well, if you actually looked at the security screens, then maybe you'd see it was me. I didn't spend good credits so you can ignore the security systems."
There are dull echoed thuds of shots being fired on the range, muffled by the walls and door. Aria walks past Ginka into a low lit store area, side swiping him on the shoulder as she passes. Liara sees all manner of weapons housed in glass counters. Aria stops and dramatically spins to face Ginka.
"Now. Empty this place. My friend here and I would like some time alone on the range."
"Of course, Aria. Just give me a minute to clear them."
Ginka shuffles to the door to the range, opens it and begins issuing Aria's instructions.
"Sorry fellas, you gotta go. Aria needs the range."
There are a few murmurings of disappointment, but the Turians and Batarians on the range begin to file out of the door without question. Ginka returns to his small office with a window overlooking the store, and starts reading a datapad.
"Thank you, boys." Aria smiles as they pass.
"Good shooting, Aria." one Turian says.
"Nobody likes a suck-ass, Churix."
Once they have all left Aria walks behind one of the counters and places both hands on it.
"Now, what would madam like?"
"I still do not know why we are here. Not really."
"What did I just say? You need more than a few biotics to survive out there. If I slapped your ass with a singularity, you wouldn't know what hit you. But I've learned, that's not always enough."
"Yes, you said. But why are you helping me like this?"
"Look here, when I found out that Benezia's daughter was on my station, I made sure that nothing was going to happen to you. If something happened to you at this facility, what do you think would happen?"
"Well, I think mother would be very sad."
"Sad? She'd be pissed. I can do without a Matriarch and her army of commandos coming here looking for answers, messing with my business. So, I made sure that doesn't happen."
"Yes, thank you but I could have just stayed in your apartment for that. Why are we here?"
"Yea, but..." Aria looks just a little uncomfortable. "You know what, Liara? I actually like you. You're frustratingly naïve at times, but you're alright. Chatting about the protheans and your plans, what's going on on Thessia at the moment, we've had a good laugh over the last day or so, right?"
"Yes, you have been very hospitable. I have enjoyed our chats."
"Exactly. So when you're out there, I'd like to know that the first group of mercs you meet isn't going to smack your blue ass from here to next week or use your body as the new clan plaything. Okay? Reason good enough now?"
Liara smiles and nods energetically.
"So, we should probably start small."
Aria reaches into the counter to bring out a pistol and places it on the counter.
"Whereas I..."
She grabs a sub-machine gun. She looks at her own choice with some satisfaction, pointing it up in the air with one hand and turning it. She then looks at Liara and gestures towards the pistol.
"Go on. Pick it up. Get the feel of it."
Liara picks up the pistol with both hands. It's lighter than she would have thought. Aria walks from behind the counter, and towards the range.
"Come on." she waves.
The range is a large hundred metre long warehouse. A half metre high bar spanning the thirty metre width of the room acts as the base line, with ten areas marked on the floor for patrons to shoot from. Aria walks to a central position.
"Now, come here."
Liara stands next to her.
"So, lesson one."
Aria points her gun at Liara's face with cold intent in her eyes. Liara's knees begin to wobble as she looks down the barrel and up to Aria's eyes. The pistol drops out of her hand onto the floor. A little urine trickles down her leg, along with a tear on her face. She can't speak, except for a few incomprehensible noises. Aria aggressively moves a little closer, shoving the gun at her.
"Guh, guh... buh."
"And now you know what that feels like, there'll never be a first time ever again."
She points down the range at the target fifty metres away and lets off a couple of short bursts. Every shot makes the score display ping. She smiles back towards Liara.
"You... you..." Liara is searching for something to insult her, but she's not really had much experience.
"That's it little lamb, let it out."
"You rotten thing. You made me wet myself!"
"Oh, I'm devastated. Next time, say 'you fucking bitch'. Try it."
"That's a horrible thing to say."
Aria points the gun at her again, Liara flinches only a little.
"I just pointed this highly dangerous weapon at you and made you piss yourself, and you don't want to be 'horrible' to me? Say it."
Liara stand firm, crosses her arms and pouts.
"No. I will not. I have never spoken such words in my life."
"See? Lesson one, learnt already. Now pick up your pistol, you can shower when we get back. Stand on that marker and let off a shot towards that target down there."
Liara picks up the weapon, pulling the wet patch away from her skin and moves into position.
"Keep your leading arm straight."
"Ummm..."
"Oh, come here."
Aria stands close behind her and holds Liara's hands and arms in a firing position.
"See? With this arm hold it straight, with this one provide support and steady the other. Okay then, squeeze the trigger slowly, get a feel for its tolerance, then fire."
Liara doesn't particularly aim beyond pointing in the general direction of the far end of the range. She squeezes on the trigger, feeling its resistance until it clicks into position. The bang echoes around the range as the gun kicks up a little, though not as much as she was anticipating. Years of development had lessened much of the kick in modern weapons.
"Good. You'll be a killer in no time."
"It is very loud. And I would hope that I never actually have to kill anyone." Liara shouts, the ringing in her head affecting her volume.
"Well, if the time comes and it's you or them, I think your survival instincts should kick in. Try and hit a target this time. Do you understand the sights? Put the little thing on the end of the barrel in the middle of the two at the other end. Line 'em up and put your target in the middle. That's simple enough for now."
Liara follows Aria's instructions, aiming at the twenty five metre target and fires. A register of a positive hit pings from the display above the target. It was the outer ring, but she's hit it.
"Did I hit it?" Liara asks excitedly.
"Sure did, killer."
They stay on the range for the next hour. Like all her skills learned over the years, Liara approaches it methodically, trying to improve her aim with each shot, ironing out flaws in her technique as she finds them. The fifty point central target pings. Liara jumps a little in celebration, very pleased with her achievement.
"Did you see that, Aria? I hit the centre!"
"Good one. On that high note, let's finish up. I've got one more life lesson to teach you."
They head back to the store area.
"I hope this one does not involve me needing a shower."
"No guarantees, Liara, no guarantees."
Liara hands the pistol to Aria, who places both the weapons back in the display area.
"We're done here, " she shouts through to Ginka, "you can tell your little friends they can play now."
"Pleasure as always, Aria, pleasure as always." he calls back with a wave without looking up.
The pair make their way back to Aria's apartment, Liara feeling a little more empowered this time. She walks quickly along side Aria, rather than chasing after her like a lost pet as she was earlier.
Liara steps out of the shower cubicle.
"Bag. Where's my bag?" Liara whispers to herself, before slapping herself on the forehead. On a rail is the smallest of towels. After drying what she can, Liara steps out of the bathroom holding the towel up against her front. It isn't large enough to wrap all the way around her body.
Aria is on the bed, lying on her front with her hands supporting her chin.
"You are the shy one. You know, it's a shame. You'd make a great dancer with that body of yours. Sure I can't tempt you?"
"No! Mother would be apoplectic if I took up dancing."
"Ha ha ha! You're so easy, little lamb."
She attempts to hide her exposed flesh, but there is little more towel to play with. Never facing away from Aria, she begins to kick her bag towards the bathroom.
"Oh, come here."
Aria gets off the bed and grabs the bag, throwing it into the bathroom, all the while Liara is fidgeting into position so Aria cannot see her behind. Aria then returns to the bed to sit.
"Done, now get dressed."
Liara backs into the bathroom and shuts the door. She emerges a few moments later, dressed in her green and white uniform from the university. It's comfortable and familiar to her. Aria is rummaging through one of her cupboards.
"Ah, here we are."
She pulls out a large bottle, evidently of some strong alcohol or other.
"I was saving this but I think it would serve you better for lesson two: not being so uptight. There's some glasses behind you."
Liara takes two tall narrow glasses from a shelf behind her and passes them to Aria, who fills each one from the bottle. She passes one back to Liara.
"Bottoms up!"
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:45:51 GMT 1
Chapter 9
She'd only just made it to the transport in time, but Liara gently sits down in her seat with a throbbing headache. She feels more sick than she ever has in her life. She's been tipsy before at one of her mother's events, but never outright drunk. This is her first proper hangover.
Aria's last life lesson involved alcohol. Lots of alcohol. As Liara sits in her seat, she occasionally has waves of embarrassment and guilt. She tries not to think about the previous night's events. Whenever she does, she half remembers something she'd rather not. Not exact details, just flashes of images or emotions that make her feel even more sick, if possible.
She remembers mocking Benezia, causing Aria to laugh hysterically. Then crying uncontrollably at how she'd left her family home and the unresolved issues with her mother. And. Stop. Stop remembering. But the images won't stop.
They went somewhere. Where did they go? No. Think about something else. Did she? Did she really? Surely Aria wouldn't do that to her, even if she had been as drunk as Liara. But the memories won't stop.
She sees herself and Aria, dressed only in their underwear. Aria had tried to loosen her up by teaching her to dance seductively. Liara had loved it at the time, but now? She wishes the ground would open up and swallow her. She can already hear the disappointment in her mother's voice. After she'd shown Liara some of the finer points of exotic dancing, Aria wobbled a bit, then shouted, "We nee' to fuggin' sho'off tha' ash of yoursh! Tchoo the clud!" with a heroic point to the door and one eye closed to focus. Liara dreads to think how they got from the apartment to the club, but she has a sneaking suspicion that they were no more dressed.
Occasionally, when she'd had too much to drink, Aria would climb a podium in the Afterlife Club to dance and show off what most could only dream of. She enjoyed watching all the revellers watching her, using her biotics to create waves of the blue biotic aura over her body. She used it as a reminder to all that Aria T'Loak is the Queen of Omega, and that there is indeed only one rule on Omega. She wanted Liara, just for once, to let go of her reserve completely. And did she ever.
In her drunken altered state, Liara had enjoyed the attention, she and Aria moving their bodies to the music with the Afterlife crowd watching in awe at the two beautiful asari. Liara had looked cool as ice with a nonchalant demeanour. She remembers now pulling down her bra strap in a sultry fashion at the crowd. But she hadn't stopped there. Most asari are quite comfortable about their bodies, but not Liara. Not usually anyway. Even when Aria had left the podium to berate her staff for no particular reason, Liara had continued to tease the crowd with her body, bending over to slap her buttocks or pushing her breasts together, using all the techniques just shown to her by her new friend. It just seemed like a bit of fun at the time.
"No, no, no, no, no, no." Liara says quietly to herself as she waits in her seat for the transport to depart. Despite its soreness, she slaps her forehead slightly with every word.
"Are you alright, miss?" an attendant asks.
"No!" Liara replies as she rushes out of her seat towards the rest room, barely making it. She's vomited before in her life when taken ill, but never like this. She's on her knees in front of the toilet, a pain in her chest as the vomit forces its way out with awful retching noises. She wishes she could just pass out. Or die. Liara begins to think that surely there can't be any more, but then she just starts throwing up bile with painful squealing sounds, coughing and the occasional strained "Goddess." After a few minutes more, she hasn't brought anything further up, and slowly stands to clean up in the sink. She catches her sick looking reflection in the mirror, tears pouring from her eyes from the exertion of expelling the poison, a little vomit still on her chin.
"Lovely." she says to herself.
Having freshened up, she coyly leaves the rest room, sure that everyone heard her episode. One Batarian passenger smiles a knowing smile at her as she makes her way back to her seat. She's not sure if it's just because of the noises that had emanated from the rest room, or if he was one of the patrons from the previous evening. Liara decides not to ponder that one any further in case anything else comes into focus. As she sits back down, she feels something in her pocket and pulls out a written note.
"Liara. Thank you for visiting my station, I had a ball. Your share from last night has been transferred to your account, you more than deserve it. It's not a bad sum of around 10k credits. The crowd must have been impressed. If the expedition doesn't work out, there'll always be a podium for you in Afterlife. Aria."
Liara stuffs the note back in her pocket and rummages through her bag for her coat. She pulls out the coat to use as a blanket, pulls it over herself and turns on her side. She's not sure how she feels about the dirty money in her account, but she'll worry about that later. Right now, sleep. If she can just sleep to ride out the worst effects of the hangover.
"Miss? Hello, miss? We've arrived." a transport assistant gently shakes Liara's shoulder.
"Mmmmm... goddess... oh, are we here?"
"Yes, miss. We're just on our final approach."
She's slept for the whole journey, feeling almost normal again now. The pangs of embarrassment and guilt have lessened slightly. It makes her feel even better when she looks out of the window to see the familiar skyline of Illium. Liara has been here many times with her mother, usually for Benezia's Matriarchal duties but sometimes just for a family trip. The transport swings into position and slowly approaches the dock. Liara packs away her coat, swings her bag over her shoulder and makes her way to the air lock. The Batarian from earlier is also waiting there, still grinning at Liara.
"Where else can I see that show?" he asks Liara.
"Oh. I do not normally... That will not be happening again. I was just..."
"Shame."
He looks her up and down, then turns away to end the conversation. Liara thanks the goddess that he doesn't comment on the actual details of the night's antics. What she knows already is enough. They rock slightly as the transport comes to a halt. A few thuds of docking clamps and the passenger tunnel later, and the air lock hisses open. As soon as possible, Liara hurries ahead of the Batarian down the tunnel, hoping not to see him again.
When she was dozing, Liara had decided what to do with her ill-gotten gains. As she makes her way to a trading area, a public address announcement is detailing some interesting news.
"It seems we have a new neighbour in the galaxy. The Turians are defending Relay 314 from a species known as 'human', who attempted to re-activate the notorious relay. Intense fighting still continues while an envoy of council delegates is on their way to try to resolve the dispute through diplomacy. Good luck guys, the Hierarchy isn't known for backing away from a good fight."
This excites Liara. A new space-faring species can mean only one thing: more prothean discoveries. She wonders what this new species looks like. Most species in the galaxy capable of space travel are bi-pedal, but not exclusively, so they could be anything. As she reaches the trading floor, there are mainly asari around with the occasional Volus or Salarian. Various consoles provide products to purchase, and Liara heads straight to one in particular. She browses the products looking for a now familiar item.
"Can I help you with your purchases, miss?" an asari assistant asks.
"No, thank you. I think I have found what I was looking for."
She enters her details and the name of the hotel she'd arranged from Thessia, and asks the assistant, "How long does delivery normally take?"
The assistant looks over at her choice.
"That should be delivered within the next twenty four hours, miss."
"Thank you. And it is 'doctor'."
"Sorry, doctor err..." she looks again at the console. "Doctor T'Soni."
Previously, she would never had confronted a stranger in that way. But the brief time with Aria has given her a new confidence. Pleased with her purchase and the respect given by the assistant on learning her title, she heads to her hotel. Liara doesn't need any more sleep, but she needs a shower and food. She is realising now that she is absolutely famished.
Alone in her room, Liara has eaten nearly everything delivered by room service. She'd ordered a lot and really pigged out and she is feeling quite satisfactorily bloated now. The internal communication buzzes.
"Hello?"
"Doctor T'Soni, a package has arrived for you. Would you like it sent up?"
"Yes, please. Thank you."
She lies back on the bed for a moment, holding her stomach. She feels herself drifting off when the door buzzes. Liara goes to the door to open it. An asari is standing at the door holding a box around half a metre square and a quarter deep. She passes it to Liara with a nod of respect.
"The manager asked me to ask you, will your mother be joining you on Illium? We can prepare a room for her right away."
"No, I'm travelling alone this time. Thank you for the package."
"Of course, doctor."
Liara shuts the door and places the package on the bed. She opens it's cardboard and cushioned exterior to reveal a handled case. Liara opens the case to find a pistol, the same model she'd practised with on Omega. She picks it up and looks it over. After a quick inspection and a point at the window, she places the weapon back in it's case and places it in her holdall. She sits back on the bed and returns to stroking her full belly.
"Liara, you greedy pyjak." she says to herself before drifting off again. She didn't think she was tired, but her body is beginning to tell her otherwise. She still needs to purchase star charts and seek out a ship to charter, but there's no hurry yet. The protheans have waited fifty thousand years for her to discover their secrets, a few hours more won't matter.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:48:25 GMT 1
Chapter 10
"Shep!"
"Quinn?"
Verity is on R&R a few months after succeeding in the N7 programme and is currently just relaxing in one of the communal areas of the Alliance SSV Spion Kop. She hasn't seen Chris Quinn since they passed out of the programme together. They'd formed a friendship when suffering some of the harsher squad training together, and shared anecdotes and borne their souls around camp fires in hostile environments.
The programme was indeed harsh, pushing all the candidates to their limits. One of the parts that Verity had hated most was zero gravity exercises. Stuck to the hull of a ship via magnetic boots was fine, but free space walking terrified her. To acclimatise the officers to being free in space, they would be put out of the ship and then left behind for up to twenty four hours. It's something that can easily happen in ship to ship fighting. The programme ensured that every N7 candidate experienced the feeling of being lost and alone, floating in space.
As soon as the ship left, Shepard had begun to panic. She'd look around, to see nothing but the massive void of space. All around, space. Alone. Very much alone. Only her own body's sounds to keep her company. Her heart became an enemy, banging in her chest, blood rushing through her ears. The faster her heart pounded, the more stressed she became. It was a vicious circle of distress. Despite the assurances from the instructors on the safety and monitoring of the exercise, it was still extremely disconcerting to be floating alone like this.
What if the ship has trouble and takes longer than twenty four hours? That's all the breather tank holds. What if a passing merc ship detects and enslaves her? Actually, that one would be preferable. At least aboard a hostile ship, she can fight.
Eventually, she gave in and administered the relaxants from the suit. She would have rather not, she thinks it will make her look weak to the assessors. The relaxants administered, Verity finds that she can think about things other than drifting towards planets or suns, or being forgotten by the programme. It would take her centuries to reach any body in space from this location, but rationality had long gone. It was administer the meds or risk her sanity.
"Hamish Dumas! If you're listening, I'm gonna kick your ass for making me do this!"
She wished he could reply. He'd have something to restore her, some words to allay her fears, a healing hug. Even though she rarely had chance to visit, just knowing that he was there used to be enough. She was truly more alone than she has ever been in that moment. But Verity found the resolve to suffer the experience and hold on.
After eighteen hours and the occasional burst of the relaxant, the ship had returned. Once retrieved and back on board, Shepard fell to her knees and cried hard. The programme's instructors had seen it all before. She's not the first to break down in this way at being rescued. That she could wait until now is enough for the exercise, as long as the candidates handled the experience at the time. Psych assessments would follow to assess how the candidates coped with it and any potential issues. Verity had passed the psych tests to continue the programme, but she hoped she would never have to put this training to use.
"So, what's been going on with you?" Shepard asks Quinn.
"I'm still waiting for an appropriate position to come up. In the meantime, I've been back with my old squad. It's been fun, all the guys ripping me for being the high and mighty N7 Class officer. What about you?"
"Well, its all hush hush, but there's talk of a new class of stealth ship. Alliance and Turian partnership are building it. State of the art."
"Shit. Never thought I'd see that in my lifetime."
"Yea, so, I've been earmarked for XO. They're still working out the details but it seems like I'm in."
"XO? Wow, congratulations Shep. Oh, aaaaand..." Quinn stands with pride. "Remember my girlfriend I said about? Rachel? The love of my life? Well, we're engaged!"
Shepard stands and they shake hands vigorously.
"Congratulations to you then, second in command to a wife eh? I'll stick with my ship thanks."
"Yea, she's a great girl, I couldn't be happier. But, what about you Shep? You still looking for Mr Right?"
"I've never really been looking."
"Well, how about Ms Right?"
"Nah, it's not that. I've just never found anyone I want to be that close to, you know?"
She has pondered this herself before now. Was her treatment on Mindoir the cause? She had loving parents who cared about her, so she didn't shun closeness. While platonic, her relationship with Dumas had been very close at times. But a relationship with a partner had never seemed important to her. Sure she has urges, biology dictates so, but she manages that herself. She's happy to keep busy with the fleet and just see what happens in that regard. It should be obvious to her, but she just doesn't see it.
"We should do something. Let's get wasted like green gilled cadets and hit the clubs! There's a good one on one of the nearby stations and there's a supply shuttle going there today. They have asari dancers..." he almost sings the last part to entice Verity, possibly knowing her better than herself.
"I dunno."
"Come on, we don't know when we might bump into each other next. We'll have a blast. My treat."
"Well..."
"I can't believe you talked me into this. We are not cadets any more."
Shepard and Quinn are on en route to the station, having convinced the supply shuttle's pilot to ferry them.
"Think of it as my bachelor party. We probably won't be able to meet up for the real one, so we're doing it now. Okay?"
"Fine."
"You guys going to the Nirvana Club? Man, I wish I could join you." the shuttle pilot pipes up. "I gotta head straight back after this drop. But don't worry, I'll be back to get you in twenty four. I've got off-duty time after that. Then, I'm heading straight back, hell yea!"
"Twenty four hours?" Shepard wasn't anticipating on being there quite that long.
"Don't worry, we can just get a massage and relax a while. I hear they have a great parlour there. And don't worry it's not a 'massage'," he finger quotes. "Then some food somewhere, check out the sights, all that stuff. I don't want to be drinking for the whole day either."
"Hmm, okay then."
As they arrive at the parlour, she notices the signs stating it is staffed exclusively by asari. This makes Shepard apprehensive.
"I dunno about this." she says, stopping before the steps to the parlour door.
"C'mon, Shep. Don't wimp out on me now, it's my bachelor party. It's literally just a massage."
"I told you what happened that time I met that asari ambassador, didn't I?"
"You don't have to speak, just relax and let her work out the stresses and strains of the fleet."
"Yea, I suppose."
"And you certainly haven't been your usual self since we met up, I think you need this. Just let the masseur do her work and forget about the fleet, Akuze, N7, everything. You'll thank me for this, I swear."
"It is your bachelor party I suppose." she reluctantly agrees.
"That's the spirit! Come on then, Shep!" he slaps her back.
There is soft ambient music playing inside. The asari receptionist greets them most pleasantly in almost ethereal tones.
"Aah, Alliance fleet officers, how divine to see you here. Please, do take a seat."
She offers a side area with an elegant wave of her arm and a few graceful steps, the area houses large comfortable looking chairs with a large window overlooking the docking area and the ships arriving and departing. Shepard and Quinn sit.
"What can we do for you today? A relaxing massage, perhaps?"
"That's what the doctor ordered!" Quinn laughs.
Verity cringes a little. She thinks that such brash behaviour is not befitting.
"Eeer... indeed. Is that a yes?" the asari responds, still in her mode of hospitality.
"Yes. Please. Thank you." Verity interjects before Quinn can say anything else and gives him a quick evil stare.
"If you would be as so kind as to wait here for just a moment, I will just see if Arina and Livia are free. Please, help yourself to the refreshments here." She directs with a further fluid gesticulation to the low tables, each weighed down with bottles, glasses, ice buckets and jugs of prepared fruit punch. Each table has a card, indicating which species should avoid which drinks.
As the receptionist glides through a doorway, Quinn helps himself to a glass of fruit punch, adds some ice, then a large glug of some alcoholic drink he's never heard of.
"Chris! I thought we weren't going to start early."
"Lighten up Verity, it's just a little hit to get me in the mood."
"I'm not babysitting a drunken idiot, so if you're lying face down later, unable to move, you're on your own."
The receptionist returns. "The girls are ready for you. When you are ready, please make your way through to the massage rooms."
Quinn downs the drink in one, "Hell yea, let's go."
Verity makes her way past the asari receptionist, smiling apologetically for her friend and fearful of saying anything in case she re-visits her previous asari encounter.
"You are on the left, my dear." the asari calls after her.
Verity enters. A massage table stands in the middle of the room with a bench on one side and several paintings of asari on the plain white walls, all quite abstract, colourful and exotic. Verity does like them and wonders where she might get some similar. She sits on the bench to take her boots off and then removes her fatigues. She strips as far as her knickers and vest and sits back down. After a few moments waiting and studying the paintings, an asari enters wearing a white robe, sleek, sheer and body hugging. She is as beautiful as any asari that Verity has ever seen.
"Hello, I am Livia, your masseur. If you would like to remove your vest and lay face down on the table, shall we begin?"
"Of course. Thanks. And, hi," she replies. "I'm Verity."
Was the last part necessary? Enough talking, she tells herself. She'd normally give her rank and surname, but for some reason she gave her 'civilian' name. Verity doesn't usually feel embarrassed about her body, life in the fleet means no-one can be precious about such things. But she suddenly feels uncomfortable in front of this asari masseur. She turns her back, lifts off the vest and manages to get on the table somehow while still covering her breasts.
"Verity? Hm, how lovely. Now please, relax."
The asari coats her hands in beautiful fruity fragrant oils then transfers the oils to Verity by sliding her hands up and down her back. The skin on her hands does not feel particularly dissimilar to human, something she had wondered. It feels relaxing.
Verity's back now coated in the sweet smelling substance, the asari begins to massage proper, squeezing Verity's flesh with her hands, pushing out the knots she finds, grinding the skin from her buttocks to her neck, massaging her shoulders and kneading her spine.
"I just need to..."
The masseur pulls Shepard's knickers down just a little to get more purchase with her long strokes.
"There we are."
Verity flinched a little but doesn't resist. She feels her face flushing and sweating. However, after a few minutes more, her face is not the only place on her body that is experiencing a rush of blood and moisture. A breathy but short inhale by Verity is the breaking point. Confused and frightened by her arousal, she panics. She almost leaps off the table, grabs her clothes and rushes out, "Sorry!"
"Verity? Are you alright?" the asari calls after her, concerned that she has offended in some way.
"I'm sorry! Please tell her she didn't do anything wrong!" Verity shouts towards the receptionist as she runs out with her clothes under one arm and boots in her other hand, still only wearing her knickers, her undress the last thing on her mind. "Um?" is as much as the receptionist can get out before Verity is out of the door.
Once outside, she pulls on her vest then sits on the steps of the parlour. She allows the cool air to quell the heat for a moment before dressing the rest of herself. Fortunately, there is no-one currently around to see her.
She places her head in her hands at what she had just learned about herself.
"Fuck..." Verity says in utter disbelief.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:48:51 GMT 1
Chapter 11
"I'm not lettin' some little girl get the best of me!"
"Well for the last three days, that's exactly what she's been doing. We've already had to send most of the men back to the ship due to injuries."
"Yea, and that damn well pisses me off! She doesn't even have the decency to kill 'em! It's humiliatin'. And maybe if you'd let me recruit and train the men like we'd agreed, we wouldn't be in this damn mess. These men are idiots!"
"I've seen vids of the asari commandos. Those space witches carry a load of hardcore weaponry too. She hasn't even pulled that shit out of the bag yet."
"I'm not leavin' 'til that little girl cries. Jessie wants blood!"
Zaeed Massani and Vido Santiago are taking cover behind a rock formation. They'd formed a partnership in crime to create a band of mercenaries, Zaeed providing the military know-how, Vido the ship and contacts. They thought they could make some easy credits tomb raiding, selling ancient artefacts to rich academics and collectors to fund their aims. The asari is covered by a further formation around twenty metres ahead of their position, and she is not making their plans easy.
"You and that old fucking rifle. Forget it. Lets just cut our losses and leave. This isn't worth a few dead alien's trinkets."
Zaeed grabs Vido by the arm, "I ain't leavin'."
Vido pulls his arm away, "One hour and the shuttle leaves, whether you're on it or not. You're a damn liability, Massani." Careful not to move into the line of sight of the asari, Vido makes his way back to the shuttle. "You hear me? One hour!" Vido shouts back.
Zaeed pops his head around the cover of the rocks. He knows the asari hasn't moved position yet. He expertly lobs a grenade, landing it just to the side of the asari's cover. As soon as the grenade explodes, he runs towards the rocks covering the asari, firing his rifle in short bursts. "Come on Jessie! Raaaaaaaaah!"
Once close enough, Zaeed rolls beyond the cover line then points his rifle at the asari, who he finds surrounded by a barrier of biotics, forming a shimmering blue bubble around her. He lets off a few shots, which fail to penetrate the barrier. The crater from his grenade is right next to the bubble, indicating that the barrier can withstand a lot of punishment.
"You'll 'ave to let that down at some point, girly."
"I can keep this up for longer than you think, much longer than one hour. I heard your friend, perhaps you should go to him before you are abandoned."
"You're bluffin', I ain't goin' anywhere."
"That is your choice, pirate. But you have seen what I did to your men. Once alone, do you assume that you will do better?"
She looks away from him towards the entrance to a cave up the mountainside a way, which has revealed an ancient structure within. Her expression is not one of fear or anger, she looks deep in thought and seems more interested in the structure than his threats. Zaeed paces back and forth for a moment, thinking, then places his rifle on his back with an affectionate little tap.
"Sorry, Jessie. Not today."
"Bye bye, Jessie." the asari mocks, amused that he has named his weapon so.
He was in the process of walking away, but this facetious comment by the asari stops him in his tracks. He gives her a dirty look and a growl, then continues on his way. He heads back towards the shuttle, occasionally looking back to ensure his safety. As he approaches Vido, he shouts, "Damn witch had some kind of biotic barrier. No chance. She really wants whatever's in that ruin."
"See? Told you they were tough bitches."
"Damn thing shimmered like the surface of some blue sun."
"Hm. Nice."
As she sees the shuttle rising, Liara lets down her barrier, then gives a little pat to the pistol on her hip, pleased that once again it had stayed in it's holster. So far, Aria's concerns had been for nothing. Liara's biotics have indeed been enough to defend herself against these gangs of pirates. They just don't expect such resistance from, in their eyes, a little girl. They rarely expect a singularity and are generally disturbed by her biotic prowess. She's learned to use this to her advantage, ensuring that any detonated singularities have maximum psychological effect on such groups. And in her experience, most scare easily. However, she always wears her pistol to the sites, just in case.
This had certainly been the most difficult of her encounters so far, evading the group through the forests and rocky outcrops of this planet for three days, with periodic skirmishes. Her transport would not be returning for two more days, and she was beginning to think that she might not be able to keep it up for much longer. But right now, she is more annoyed that she has less time to explore the ruins. First though, some hot food. Being on the run for three days meant she had to be careful about setting camp and had not been able to cook, only eating the ready to eat rations she had brought. They provide sustenance, but nothing beats a hot meal.
She removes her backpack and takes out her cooking implements and starts the burner. She'd found some edible fungi in the forest and a few root vegetables, harvesting them when able. She'd even found some bird's eggs and carefully checked them for life before taking any. She prepares something resembling an omelette and finds a suitable rock to sit on, before devouring the tasty hot dinner.
"Hm, not bad Liara." she congratulates herself on the meal. "Now, what is this then?"
She picks up an assault rifle that one of the pirates had dropped. It is quite larger and heavier than the pistol she has become used to. Liara emulates how she had observed the pirates holding the weapon, looking down the barrel in a tight close grip. She aims through the forest and squeezes the trigger. The weapon fires, lifting up with each shot. The barrel has gone beyond forty five degrees before she releases, with a beeping sound ringing from the gun. She looks at it, and sees the display registering it needs to cool down, with a bar indicating progress.
"Ah, I see."
Liara allows the weapon to cool, and points it again. This time she presses the trigger, then releases quickly to allow the barrel to return to its original position. Then, again. She does this several times, firing in short bursts. Liara then checks the display. It is registering about halfway to overheating again.
"Good. I shall name you... 'Flossy'!" she laughs to herself, still amused by 'Jessie' and Zaeed's reaction to her mocking.
Liara places the rifle next to her bag and takes a torch and datapad from it. She heads up towards the cave and awaiting ruins. Her previous investigations in such places had brought interesting data. There were vague clues, cryptic messages, incomplete texts, all implying that the protheans were not the first great civilization in the galaxy. A cyclic pattern was forming, but there was nothing solid, and any communications with the university had been quite condescending to her. Liara knows she is right, but the evidence thus far just isn't strong enough to support her theory. She needs more.
Two worn statues of prothean build guard the entrance. These types of statues still disturb her a little, with their unfamiliar form looking down on her, protecting these places for fifty millennia. Liara switches on the torch and cautiously progresses into the ruin.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:49:20 GMT 1
Chapter 12
While waiting for confirmation of the Executive Officer post, Verity is put through 'charm offensive' training. That's how she feels about it anyway. The council and the Turians would be monitoring their joint venture closely, and Shepard will most definitely be interacting with alien species. Command have moved Verity around, ensuring she has an invite to all the best Ambassadorial events.
Since her enlightenment with the asari masseur, Verity has been more at ease with herself and when meeting asari. Knowing now, she can relax and talk to asari like any other. She isn't trying to be clever, or force conversation, just official talk and honesty.
"So, are you familiar with my species, commander?" an asari hostess asks her at one dinner.
"Oh yes, ambassador, I've always had a fascination with the asari." Verity gushes, then returns to the language of diplomacy, "I think the goals of the asari and humans are not that dissimilar."
"Well I hope that our assistance in securing a human embassy has proven that we feel the same."
Shepard's heard it all before now. Every species' ambassadors are basically the same, they just manoeuvre slightly differently.
The humans had proved their strength in the First Contact War, the Turians taking heavy losses at their hands. Most species are still cautious of the humans; they are still unknown, and demanding. It's all just politics to Shepard and while she plays nice, she doesn't get too involved. She knows that once she gets onto the ship most of the aliens she meets will be military, and she can deal with that; soldiers are the same all over.
The Salarian delegates rarely discuss anything in any detail, favouring generalization and suggestion, so the listener is never quite sure. They say nothing very quickly. The Turian delegates seem okay to her. They usually just want to trade anecdotes, showing off prowess in battle. In most cases, they only describe their opponents as 'the enemy', never specifying which. Everyone knows what they mean, but nearly thirty years has passed since. It's a smallish gathering by some standards, of around twenty guests, in a large reception suite with foliage and water features. The asari hostess that Verity is speaking to receives a communication on her omni-tool.
"One moment please, I am sorry."
She leaves through the main entrance and returns a moment later, announcing to all, "Aah, it appears we have a further guest this evening, what a lovely surprise. May I introduce Captain David Anderson."
There's a few acknowledgements and murmurings, then everyone returns to their conversations.
"Sir." Shepard salutes.
"At ease, commander. It's dinner, not manoeuvres."
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
He moves in close to Verity with a smile.
"And er... less of the formalities tonight. We're just soldiers at a fancy dinner, okay?"
"Of course, Anderson."
"Good. Now, where do I get a drink?" he slaps and rubs his hands together.
They haven't actually met before, but the Captain is earmarked for captain's post on the new stealth ship and Shepard will be serving as his XO. So far, no complaints with the captain. She knows his background, he's quite well respected and renowned among the fleet. Now that she's met him briefly, he seems that he's also an amiable person.
Once they sit down to dinner, he just keeps talking. He has a story for everything, lubricated by a few choice wines. Not that he talked over anyone, he shows genuine interest when someone has something to interject with. The guests around the table are happy for him to keep going while he occasionally laughs at his own joke or anecdote. Not once does he veer onto the dangerous waters of politics. It seems that Anderson might well be someone Verity could not only serve under, but genuinely like.
After a couple of hours of different courses, wines and finally dessert, there is only the Commander, Anderson and some of the Turian delegates left around the table. One of the Turians comes to join their end of the long table.
"Captain. Commander. It seems we have time to talk."
Anderson looks over at Shepard and gives a little stare, with a slight wry smile and raise of eyebrows. She wonders whether this is why the Captain is here.
"What do you wish to talk about, Ambassador?" Shepard asks.
"It's okay," the Turian replies, "we can talk here."
"You mean about the project?"
"Yes. It seems the council have insisted already that a Spectre join the maiden voyage."
"A Spectre? Well, I suppose the council did enable this venture." concedes Shepard.
"Bullshit." says Anderson. He offers no further explanation.
"Hey, we're not happy either. Being assessed on a first mission, who knows what might go wrong? That's supposed to be the time to iron out the bugs."
"Just whose ship is this, then?"
"Not my department, you'd have to speak with Udina about that."
"Damn right I will. And sorry, thanks for the heads up."
"Yes, I thought you would want to know. The ship should be complete in the next three months, Captain. Good luck."
"Yes. Thanks." Anderson waits until the delegate returns to his group then growls. "Damn Udina, what's he up to now? Probably playing nice with the council, and offering the shiny new ship as his bargaining chip. It's supposed to be an Alliance craft, hm! Damn politicians. Oh, by the way. Normandy."
"Sorry?"
"The ship, it'll be named the Normandy."
"Oh, right. Okay," Shepard raises her glass, "to the Normandy."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but yea, I'll drink to that. Look forward to working with you, Shepard."
This evening indicates to Verity that Anderson does not enjoy the diplomatic minefield either, and that he will not be shy in letting anyone know what he thinks. It seems to her that he also just wants to get the ship under Alliance fleet colours and to work.
"You too, Anderson."
Shepard gazes through a ship's window at the planet below, stealing a few moments alone. She's had a very quick tour of the Normandy and been introduced to key personnel, including the Turian Spectre Nihlus. They are not hanging around and will be jumping through the relay as soon as pre-flight checks are completed.
Shepard and Anderson had spent quite a lot of time together in the build up to the ship being space worthy. They'd received instruction together on the Turian command design on the ship. The Turians favoured the senior officer of the deck to overlook the crew, rather than be amongst them. They reasoned that if in the centre, not all crew members could be seen at all times. If a crew member is not coping and needs support, then the officer may not see this. They know that few will want to report that they need assistance and the senior officer needs to be able to make the call, if necessary. Anderson had disagreed, arguing that an Alliance crew would never risk their crew mates in this way, and if assistance is needed they will inform the commanding officer for the good of the whole ship.
Verity reflects on her life in this moment just looking out of the window, now with a position of huge responsibility on her shoulders as the Executive Officer, ensuring the safety of the many lives aboard. She knows she is ready for it now.
The fleet has been good to her. After the attack on Mindoir, Verity knew she wanted to help the colonies in any way she could. While difficult at first, the discovery of her biotic aptitude and the Alliance's training enabled her to do that. This has given her a strong loyalty to the Alliance and the fleet. She has a desire to protect and advance the human race in galactic matters, but has always had respect for the other species. She doesn't recall where it came from, but Verity has learned well her mother's belief in unity. Verity strongly feels that true peace can only be achieved through co-operation, and this post has given her an opportunity to at least try to promote the notion.
Her life has not been an easy one. The raw feeling of her parents' deaths has never really gone away, but she's learned to cope with it and had had a good companion when she needed him. Akuze and the death of Dumas had been particularly hard. Captain Dumas and his support, both harsh and caring, still stay with her. He might not be here any more, but she still draws on his memory for strength. The Captain had made her the strong, respected officer that she is today and helped enable her passage through the fleet; she could never thank him enough for that.
The niggling elusive feeling at the back of her mind has finally been caught and examined. She feels she knows herself more completely now, or as much as any can. She is at ease with the knowledge that she will probably never find love. She'd like to thank Quinn for pushing her into having the massage that day, but it would be too strange a conversation. Verity smiles as she imagines the mail.
'Dear Chris, thanks for the asari massage, I now realise that they give me the hots and I can get on with the rest of my life. Cheers! Verity.'
Ethan Ramsay. She hasn't heard from Ethan in a long time. While they weren't really good friends, he'd insisted on keeping in touch, occasionally mailing her updates on his career progression. Verity didn't mind, it had been nice to occasionally receive a friendly mail. Last she heard, he'd applied for some kind of Alliance black ops group, but no word from him for over a year now. Verity does hope that he is alright and just too busy to write. For all they'd fought, he did become tolerable and sometimes even likeable, and they shared the childhood horrors of Mindoir. He'd tried to kiss her at one of the Cadets' more boozy events, but she'd laughed it off and he gracefully conceded defeat, commenting that she filled her uniform so well that he had to try. When he left to save his blushes, Verity is sure she saw a terrible look in his eyes of pain and distraught.
Now, Verity Shepard is ready for this. It may only be the maiden voyage to iron out the systems, but this starts now. The Normandy begins to move, preparations for the jump through the relay now complete.
She makes her way through the passages of the ship while the pilot, Joker, announces progress over the comm. Then through the busy Combat Information Centre, a nod of respectful acknowledgement from the navigator, Pressly, and on to the the flight deck. She arrives just in time to see the jump. Barely a generation of humans has experienced the relays, and each time is still quite exciting. The Council Spectre, Nihlus, is already monitoring activity, overseeing the pilot. The jump completed, Joker announces the drift as fifteen hundred metres. "Fifteen hundred is good. Your captain will be pleased." Nihlus simply states. With that, he leaves.
Waiting until Nihlus has gone, Joker comments, "I hate that guy."
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 10:56:43 GMT 1
Chapter 13
Liara runs, weapons fire pinging around her feet and past her body. There's no way back up to the lifts due to the broken walkways and the geth are supported by a Krogan warlord. Liara runs into an area with a prothean console and quickly begins trying to understand it. She recognises a few commands and activates the barrier curtain. With a satisfying whoosh, the barrier raises. A moment later, Liara feels herself raise off the floor slightly as a blue haze picks her up. She tries to struggle but the aura holds her fast.
"Well done, Liara." she congratulates herself.
The Krogan walks up to the barrier and tries a shot at it. The shot just causes the barrier to ripple with little impact. Despite being suspended in the ancient trap, Liara is glad that the Krogan and his geth army are the other side of this barrier. This isn't like fending off disorganised bands of pirates. The geth will continue to bear down regardless of the fallen, they are remorseless, and a Krogan warlord is enough to strike fear in the hardiest of combatants. Liara is not even a combatant. She's had some training from Aria, and had to learn to defend herself on digs, but nothing like this.
"We'll find a way in there, don't you worry." the Krogan taunts.
Liara ignores him, looking around for any kind of way to get out of this prothean device. She's glad they leave, she wouldn't want to de-activate the trap only to release the barrier curtain. When they first found her, the Krogan had shouted about her mother, saying that she was with them and that Liara should come. He'd said something about her joining Saren's cause, but she assumed these were just tricks to lure her out and so she ran. She was right to run, but now she fears that she might starve here.
"There has to be some kind of release here."
But no matter how she tries, the aura keeps her fixed in place. After a few minutes struggling, Liara finally relaxes and lets the aura just support her weight. She needs to save her energy, who knows how long she might be here for. After a while, she begins to feel hungry and light headed. Since arriving here, she's not been able to eat and after all the running she has drained her resources. Liara feels herself drifting off.
As she reaches a state between consciousness and sleep, she thinks she hears shots from above. She wonders whether she actually heard it or if it was just her half dreams. She's not sure how long she's been dozing for. There are a further few shots. They don't sound like the weapons of the geth, nor the heavy shotgun of the Krogan. Liara hopes that the owners of these other weapons are friendly and not just more pirates.
She begins to hear voices drifting down from the levels above. Are those human voices? While not geth, humans may or may not be a good thing in her experience. Most have previously tried to kill her on her expeditions.
She hears the elevator coming down, then footsteps and several jumping down the broken walkway to her level. She risks calling out.
"Er... Hello? Can somebody help me? Please?"
Finally the unknown humans walk into her sight. Alliance soldiers, thank the goddess. One has striking yellow-blonde cropped hair, a hair colour that Liara hasn't seen before. She thinks it looks quite cute, all bright, short and wild on top of the evidently experienced Alliance officer. She's not sure if they've actually seen or heard her as they survey the area.
"Can you hear me out there? I'm trapped. I need help!"
Shepard turns to see Liara, shimmering behind the barrier and trap. Are those pink freckles? They're about the cutest thing that Shepard has ever seen. She tries not dwell on this; they are there to bring her in if necessary and find out what she knows about Benezia's connections with Saren. But she is beautiful. Shepard feels straight away that this isn't the same way that she usually thinks asari are beautiful. Most would agree that they have yet to meet an asari who isn't so. But this asari, Dr Liara T'Soni, excites Shepard. She reassures Liara.
Liara is a little taken aback that they know her, the blonde one calls her by name and announces herself as Commander Shepard. Liara wonders what this is about but right now she needs to get out of the trap and explain her plight. Shepard quickly questions her about her mother and their involvement with the Spectre, Saren. This explains the Krogan's shouts earlier but she tells Shepard that she doesn't know why Benezia would have joined Saren. She hasn't seen her mother in person for nearly thirty years. She is too light headed to take all this in. The group of humans leaves to attempt to find a route to her.
She watches helplessly as they engage the geth below among the mining equipment. As a unit, they take down the geth with precision. Liara is quite impressed by the officer's biotic powers as Shepard throws out warps to weaken them, intermittently firing her pistol. The male human also has powerful biotic attacks. The dark haired female uses her sniper rifle to attack the geth and has precision aiming. Indeed, this blonde human and her squad would be a force to be reckoned with and Liara is glad that they are Alliance and not pirates.
The sound of gunfire dies down for a few minutes followed by a huge rumbling and the sound of heavy mining equipment. A few moments more and the group of humans appear behind her on a still working prothean elevator. Liara directs them to the panel that she is sure will release her. Shepard hits the switch and Liara falls to the ground, the trap now defeated. They return to the elevator to make their escape. Upon asking if the humans know why the geth are chasing her, the dark haired female makes a sarcastic comment about Liara, calling her 'Miss Prothean Expert'. She wants to confront her but without knowing human behaviour well, decides to let it pass.
Suddenly the whole facility shakes amongst deep grinding booms. The Commander contacts the ship's pilot to request immediate pick up and the group begin to ascend on the large elevator. Upon reaching the top, the Krogan warlord and his geth are waiting for them, demanding the asari doctor. Liara is surprised that Shepard fiercely defends her, she likes it. She doesn't like the ensuing skirmish as she cowers. Shepard and her squad make short work of these enemies and they rush towards the exit, as the facility begins to shake itself apart. They barely make it out in time.
Once aboard the Normandy, Liara gets the impression that not everyone aboard is happy with her appearance, particularly Ashley. As she tries to explain the mysteries of the protheans, some of the humans roll their eyes in boredom. They don't even try to hide it. The news of the protheans ultimate demise shocks her. She'd discovered the cycle in clues left by the protheans, but discovering that the Reapers had been the cause, wiping out sentient life every fifty thousand years, is overwhelming. The male human, Kaidan, recognises that she is tired and hungry, so they can't be all bad, she thinks. Shepard advises her to see Doctor Chakwas, just as a precaution.
Liara is slapping her forehead as she does when embarrassed.
"What are you doing, Liara? Most humans you have met so far tried to shoot your head off. You do not know anything about them."
Liara doesn't know quite why she has become so close to the Commander so quickly. While the rest of the crew seem either to not trust her or are only interested in her biotics, the Commander had come to see her and shown a real concern and interest in her. After working alone at dig sites for so long, it was nice to have someone to chat with who showed such attentiveness.
Fifty years of study at university and searching the galaxy for prothean clues, now this human has untold secrets from the prothean beacon locked in her mind. Liara internally debates whether this is her interest, rather than romantically. She is still new to this, but she thinks she feels a lot more than purely scientific intrigue. Perhaps the Commander is indeed correct, that these things do sometimes just happen when you least expect it. She hopes so, it feels nice.
It also feels terrifying. Liara is still quite young and inexperienced in matters of love, and tries not to think about the physical aspects. Her experience of sexuality so far entailed swinging her hips, teasing the crowd of the Afterlife club on Omega. She'd rather forget that experience anyway.
"One hundred and six, hmmm, one hundred and six." Verity says to herself in her quarters, pondering if there is any significance to the age difference.
Liara seems mature and intelligent, though a little reserved. When the asari had previously stated she was interested in studying the Commander, Verity couldn't resist the joke, and Liara's flustered reaction was priceless and endearing.
Shepard is still in elation that the beautiful young doctor has expressed an interest in her. She played it pretty cool at the time, saying sometimes these things just happen between two people. Despite only knowing Liara for a short time, Verity feels a warmth over herself unlike any she's felt before. It is all very overwhelming. Added to that the haste with which events have taken place, she is feeling quite confused. The attack on Eden Prime by the massive unknown ship, skirmishes on the Citadel investigating Saren, joining the ranks of the Spectres, and now finding Liara, it has been quite a week.
Verity has cautioned herself, to be certain that she is not just diving into the first asari relationship that presents itself for the wrong reasons. But there is a charm about Liara, she's sure that she does like that for the right reasons. More than that, she is attracted to the young asari. Her hurt about Benezia's alliance with Saren was evident in their conversations, and the Commander felt she wanted to comfort her and protect Liara from harm.
Is this the time to be looking for love, while Saren seeks to enable the Reapers to destroy all life in the galaxy? Would it be selfish to pursue this?
For now they both agreed that this would not be the time to allow themselves to give in to their urges, but both wish that circumstances were different, that they could discover so much more about each other with abandon.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:02:02 GMT 1
Chapter 14
Shepard is about to set the destination on the galaxy map when Joker comes over the comm.
"Commander, we have a distress signal from an asari passenger ship, civilian, in a nearby system. The signal reports that Batarian raiders have attacked."
"Punch in the destination, Joker."
"Aye aye, Commander."
"Shepard to Williams and Liara, meet me in the CIC."
She explains the situation to the pair.
"This is a rescue mission not an assault, so check your targets. We don't know if the raiders want resources or slaves, but we're to assume that at least some passengers are still alive."
"Aye aye, Commander."
"Of course, Shepard. I do hope so too."
Upon arriving at the asari ship, Joker scans the area and and announces that there is no Batarian ship in the system but the asari ship looks as though it's taken some fire.
"Making approach to dock." Joker reports.
Liara, Verity and Ashley await in the airlock. They hear the clunks and thuds of the Normandy making contact with the asari ship, then a green light that they can board. She hits the button to allow access and the door opens. They make their way through the connecting tunnel and reach the entrance to the asari ship.
"Be ready." Shepard orders.
They draw their weapons and Shepard opens the door. Always aiming ahead, the group moves slowly into the first small cargo area, with plentiful storage crates to provide cover for any enemies. Liara hangs back to provide cover while Shepard and Williams work their way across the room, checking behind each of the crates. Once satisfied this area is clear, they open the next door to progress further into the ship. Each area they check is empty, neither asari nor Batarians can be found. Ashley walks down the short corridor to the cockpit while Shepard reports their progress to the Normandy. Liara waits with Shepard.
Ashley finds the cockpit empty when she hears a noise from the medical bay. She pops her head around the doorway but sees nothing. She swings into the room with her weapon ready and hears a scuffling from a darkened corner. She switches on the weapon's lamp. A small asari girl stands there, with terror in her eyes. By human standards, she can be little more than a toddler. Ashley quickly points her weapon down, away from the young asari.
"Err... Commander?" Ashley calls out, then turns back to the girl.
The little asari runs towards her and wraps herself around Williams' leg.
"Oh. Er, hello."
She places her rifle on her back, manages to loosen the girl's grip and picks her up. The asari wraps herself around Ashleys neck and begins to cry.
"Ah no, I'm no good with this kind of thing. Commander?"
"You found something Williams?"
"You might say that." she replies as she returns to Shepard and Liara.
"Oh! I see. They must have enslaved the rest of the crew and passengers. How did you escape eh? Have you been hiding all this time?" the Commander smiles at the girl.
The asari girl grips tightly to Ashley, looking with distrust at Shepard and her tears abated.
"We'd better get her back to the Normandy."
"Wait a moment, Shepard." Liara says.
She walks to the cockpit and begins checking audio-logs and passenger lists.
"Hm, it seems this girl was on her way to the Citadel to meet up with her parents. Sha'li is her name. Thank the goddess for her that they were not aboard as well. Though I think it was her aunt who was travelling with her."
The girl begins crying again and cries out, "Auntie Mo-mo!"
"Sh sh sh sh, it's okay Sha'li, we'll look after you." Ashley comforts her.
"Poor thing." the Commander says, "Let's get her back to the Normandy. Doctor Chakwas should give her the once over."
Sure that there are no more aboard, they return to the Normandy.
"Liara," Shepard says, "Take her down to the doctor."
Liara attempts to take the youngster from Ashley but she tightens her hold.
"Come on, little one, it's okay."
She defeats the grip and carries the asari towards the stairs down to the medical bay, but the bawling and screaming is terrible as she holds her arms out towards Ashley.
"I think the Gunnery Chief should take her down, I think Sha'li would rather."
Liara hands the girl back to Ashley and the bawling ceases as she returns to gripping onto her.
"Come on, we'll go and see the nice doctor eh?"
The little girl smiles for the first time and Ashley can't help but smile back. They reach the medical bay and Ashley explains.
"Oh, isn't she adorable!" the doctor exclaims.
After a few more tears, they decide that it would be best if the girl sits on Williams' knee while the doctor conducts a few quick checks. Shepard enters the medical bay.
"How's our guest?"
"Apart from the obvious psychological effects, she'll be fine, no health issues."
"Good. I think it's best if you look after her until we get to the Citadel, Ash."
"Sure thing, Commander."
Ashley holds her again as she stands and the Commander moves in close to the little girl to offer some assurance.
"We're going to see your mommy and daddy. Would you like that Sha'li?"
The young asari nods with a slight smile and gently grabs some the tufts of Verity's hair, then strokes it. Liara has been watching from the doorway of the laboratory area at the back.
"I do not think she has seen much human hair in her life, and I would say certainly not that particular shade."
Shepard allows her to play with her head for a little while as it seems to calm her.
"I'd better file my report," Shepard eventually announces.
Ashley takes the girl to her workstation and places her on the ground, but she instantly wraps around her leg.
"I need to get out of my armour, I can't do that while you're grabbing me." she laughs as she detaches the girl.
Wrex and Garrus come over to see the special visitor.
"Hehehe, poor little mite."
"Showing your soft side eh, Wrex?"
"The young are precious Garrus, the Krogan learnt that the hard way."
The imposing figures of a Krogan and a Turian scare her and the girl hides behind the Gunnery Chief as she changes into her fatigues.
"So." Ashley says, "What shall we do?"
Seeing that these two are friends with Ashley, the girl relaxes a little. Her walking is still a little unstable due to her young age and she falls over several times as Wrex pretends to be a scary monster, chasing her around the hangar bay. She laughs and squeals, and occasionally hides behind Ashley when Wrex is a little too fierce. In the middle of this terrible time of Saren, geth and Reapers, it's nice to have a normal moment, just life living.
Not knowing what to do next, Ashley maintains the weapons, Sha'li passing lubricants and brushes from the table when she asks. Eventually, the young girl is too tired to stand and curls up on the floor. Ashley picks her up, places her in her cot and sits on the edge stroking her shoulder while Sha'li sleeps peacefully.
"You'll make a great mother, Ashley." Garrus observes.
"To be honest, I didn't even think I had any maternal instincts, but just these few hours looking after Sha'li have opened my eyes. I'm not saying I'm about to go out there and get knocked up, but you know, I don't think it would be as frightening as I imagined."
Ashley is a little disappointed when Joker announces they have reached the Citadel. She gently shakes Sha'li's shoulder to wake her, then picks her up in her arms. The sleepy girl is not grabbing quite so tight this time. They make their way to the airlock and open the door. Ashley sees an asari waiting at the end of the passageway and places the young asari on the ground, squatting to be at eye level with her.
"Okay, Sha'li, it's been lovely to meet you."
The little girl throws herself into a hug around her.
"Look!" she says, "there's mommy!"
"Sha'li!" her mother shouts.
The asari girl turns and toddles off towards her mother, who scoops her up among words of relief. Ashley walks to the pair.
"Thank you. I can never repay this debt, oh, my beautiful daughter, Thank you, thank you so much... er..."
"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams, ma'am."
"Thank you, Gunnery Chief Williams, thank you. May the goddess bless you, thank you."
As the asari carries the girl away, Sha'li looks over her mother's shoulder and waves a little wave. Ashley waves back and reaches a breaking point as she allows her tears to flow. She feel a hand of comfort on her shoulder.
"Thank you Ashley, what you did was really nice."
"Thanks, Liara. Yea, she's a great kid."
As mother and child enter the elevator, a human exits with a floating camera.
"Gunnery Chief Williams!" al-Jilani calls, "Gunnery Chief Williams, is this what we can expect from the Alliance now? Saving alien children while human colonies are attacked?"
It's one hell of a haymaker that Ashley connects sweetly with the reporters chin. She falls unconscious to the floor.
"She cannot say that she did not have that one coming," Liara comments with a few pats on Ashley's back.
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