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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Sept 24, 2012 2:22:23 GMT 1
Chapter 16 Shepard’s suit comms sparked into life, it was Ish from the Normandy, it was twenty minutes since the call from Garrus, and the trip from Afterlife to the fire fight had taken around fifteen minutes. “Commander, hope this helps, sending you information on the ground layout that won’t show on Omega schematics. Most of Omega is a maze of alleys and streets, as you know, but around the warehouse district this is replicated with internal corridors and access through one room to another. It won’t be exact but the principle will be the same.” The Salarian finished and signed off. Shepard was aware that Ish had spent some time in his younger days working for an information broker on Omega, before she had a chance to finish the thought another voice, this time Kasumi. “We’re here Commander just landing in the shuttle area, with you in under two minutes.” Shepard smiled and gave herself a fraction of a moment to feel proud of her team, fast deployment, lateral thinking, everyone trying to contribute what they could without having to be asked… they were going to a match for anything that came their way, but right now they had ‘marines’ to rescue and she was dammed if she was going to lose anyone in this glorified den of thieves and slavers… the hell she would. Now at full strength and with local intel Shepard and the team put together a quick and dirty extraction plan, priority one was getting half the fire team to Garrus’s position at the same time hitting the Suns from their rear. She sent Ash with Kasumi and half the marines to flank the Blue Suns, they would clear out any pockets of resistance that they met as they worked their way through the rooms and internal corridors but their main purpose was to get through to the besieged team. Shepard would set up in a defensive position behind the Suns, just forward from the current position, and would commence firing as soon as Ash’s team started working towards Garrus. It wasn’t the best position, there was little cover, Liara and a couple of the marines who were biotics would provide barriers, but that reduced their firepower. If the Suns called up reinforcements Shepard’s team would be in a pretty open position caught in crossfire. They had to make it quick and Shepard was wondering just how keen the mercs in front of her actually would be to face down a well-trained, well-disciplined marine squad for any length of time. On her mark the team opened fire, getting off two rounds of kill shots, scoped to the head, before the mercs even realised they were being shot at from a different direction. Shepard’s team laid down a vicious and deadly fire using a mix of assault and sniper weapons. The kill rate was high as the mercs were now in crossfire between both Shepard’s team and Garrus’s. Ash was making good progress, they had met a couple of groups of mercs, took them out quick and quiet, but they had arrived at the area that would give them access to the gallery Garrus was defending just in time. “Looks like someone has some brains even if they can’t fight for shit” Ash’s voice came over Shepard’s suit comms, “they’re fixing to blast their way in and we’re looking at ten to take down.” Ash finished “Copy that Ash, Garrus did you get that,” they were all patched through but Shepard wasn’t taking any chances at this point. “Loud and clear, looking forward to seeing you Ash we have a lovely view and some comfy chairs after your long walk,” he continued “you’re thinning them out nicely Shepard, just watch your back.” “Will do old man,” she smiled and then listened as Ash counted in her team to take down the mercs at Garrus’s back door. “We have acquired the position skipper,” Ash’s voice over comms “two wounded in security team, one badly, my team one wounded not serious.” “Secure wounded and then proceed to take the merc position we will move forward on your mark,” Shepard didn’t want to wait for the balance to change, they would squeeze them now with all the fire power of squad, except for those stood out to both tend to and protect their wounded. The ‘go’ command came only a couple of minutes later and both team’s opened up unremitting fire and began to move forward. The merc’s realised their ‘back door team’ had been neutralised and lost quite a few more men in panic and then promptly surrendered. Shepard swiftly secured the scene moving everyone including their prisoners down to the shuttle area. She ordered an evac of the wounded and then turned her attention to what seemed like the leader of the merc team. They found a large room close by, another cut down storage area, and took him there. Shepard was joined by Wrex and Garrus. “Do you realise how much shit you’re going to be in when Tarak finds out some Alliance bitch has just fucked around with him on Omega” the Batarian snarled. Just as he finished speaking he was lifted bodily off his feet and slammed into the back wall by a biotic slam from Wrex. “I should watch you manners if you want to get out of her in one piece” Garrus snarled at him. “Ah that’s ok, you see fuckwit here doesn’t realise that the world of pain that he thinks is coming to me will be raining down all over him when his boss realises he couldn’t even kill four Turians in an ambush, lost shit loads of men, and then… oh he’s gonna love this… oh yeah surrendered like some little piss pants coward,” she gave the Baratrian, who was just starting to get up off the floor, one of her most annoying know it all grins. “That why you didn’t call in help,” Wrex let out a low rumbling laugh. She moved forward so fast the Batarian actually jumped a little, when she reached him Shepard pinned him to the wall with one hand by his neck and pulled her pistol and shoved it in his face. “No, you are going to call your boss down here to show him the interesting stuff you found when you took down the nasty, nosy… why did you go after my team anyway?” “Asking too many questions about my boss’s business… then one of them got tagged as CSec “he said with a struggle due to the strangle hold on his neck. “Fair enough,” she said lightly and then with venom oozing from every word “so as I was saying, you’re going to call your boss down here… important… vital he sees it now… you squared away the problem all secure kind of thing. You walk, I’m happy we all go home.” “Mad fuckin bitch he will kill me” the Batarian was now fully aware of his situation but Shepard felt duty bound to ‘rub it in’. “Yep really bad day for you huh… let me put it this way… you agree to do this, convincingly, or I pop you now and work through the rest of your guys until one of them is more scared of dying right now than dying if Tarak gets to them… yes you notice if… well this may also be your lucky day… if this goes the way I think it will your boss will not be walking away from me… no one will know you dropped him in a trap… and maybe you move up your slippery pole to even greater scumbag glory. Are you reading me now… die now… possibly not die later.” Shepard let him go and stepped back. She could see him trying to work an angle, see a way out, the only chance he had of surviving was with more time, if he wanted to live, and at the end most sentient beings did, he would choose to call his boss, because also like most sentient beings he believed today was not the day he would die. The Batarian was actually quite high up in the Suns command structure; Salkie was responsible for logistics and also maintained Tarak’s gunship. He was convincing when he got through to the Omega Blue Suns leader, even managing to convey the urgency. Tarak would be there in twenty minutes and they would meet where Garrus had been pinned down. Shepard made her arrangements. Merc prisoners under guard in the room they had used for ‘persuading’ Salkie to help them, half the marine squad under Ash’s command would wait in there until Tarak had passed through the shuttle area and then they would re-secure it. Shepard would use the other half of the marine team to secure the run from the shuttle area to the building designated for the meeting. In the building itself, concealed until Tarak was well inside their trap, Shepard would have, Wrex, Garrus, Kasumi, Liara and the two unwounded security team members, and of course, a very, very nervous Salkie on display. Tarak arrived with only a couple of mercs in tow; of course Shepard already knew this as they had been ‘checked’ by the team at the shuttles. Well, why would Tarak think he was in any danger, meeting one of his lieutenants, on his home turf, and that’s what the plan was meant to deliver. Shepard hoped she would never lose her sixth sense, or gut feeling or whatever it was that gave her a prod when she seemed to walking into unseen trouble. Tarak had no such ‘gut feeling’ and once his men were taken out he offered no resistance, Shepard went for cooperation first. “This can go quick and easy Tarak, I’m only interested in one thing, I don’t care about anything your into, and I’m not going to play games with you,” Shepard was sitting opposite the Suns leader with Wrex leaning against a wall behind him. “Get on with it,” Tarak was a short breath away from exploding in anger and fury, but he was smart enough to know how limited his options were, he definitely wasn’t going to die today, he wanted to tear this Human apart with his bare hands and for that he needed to survive. “Who is behind the assassination attempt on the Batarian Ambassador, I need names, current locations and the details of the attack…” Shepard broke off as Tarak had started laughing. “Want to share,” she said voice and eyes cold as steel. He stopped laughing and spoke quickly “All right don’t do anything stupid, I don’t care about fucking politics even Batarian politics anything we do with those terrorists is strictly business. If I tell you all I know you will let me walk out of here?” he suddenly woke up to the fact that even if he told her he was still at her mercy. “You tell me what I want to know now, and it better be the truth or you die now and I get my hacking expert and the new ‘you’ to find out for me. Which will take longer so my convenience is the only thing keeping you alive at this point… don’t piss me around… and my word is something you can trust, give me what I want and you walk out of here in one piece? Clocks ticking,” she finished. “The Ambassador Jath’Amon is the leader of the terrorists and he will deliver a deadly virus which I assume he has with him at the full Council meeting at some point while he is on the Citadel… I know nothing else… no other members of the group are on the Citadel,” he didn’t bother to hide the naked hate and fury that he was feeling. Shepard looked at Wrex and gave him a short nod; Wrex moved forward and hit Tarak out cold. Shepard called up comms to the Normandy… it wouldn’t be a secure line but she didn’t have time to mess around, she had no idea of the timing of meetings, she would just have to risk Aria, and anyone else that was monitoring their comms, hearing the message. “Joker get me as secure a line as you can direct to Hackett and the Council at the same time but get me through to them now,” Shepard kept the channel open and could hear Joker calling up both Arcturus and the Citadel with priority codes and call signs. In less than two minutes she had both Hackett and Councillor Tevos on the line. “I have solid intel that the terrorist is the Batarian Ambassador himself, Jath’Amon, I repeat the terrorist is Jath’Amon and he has a killer virus concealed somewhere with him for release, do you copy?” Shepard finished. “Are you certain Commander, do you believe the information you have? If we are wrong the political ramifications would be difficult,” Councillor Tevos asked. “Yes Councillor, I know this looks bad, but I would stake my life on it, even if you have doubts you must at least keep the Ambassador isolated until confirmed one way or the other,” Shepard knew the Councillor would want to be sure, but she also felt that out of the three Council members Tevos had always had more respect for Shepard’s judgement and opinions. “Agreed Commander,” Tevos said and continued “Admiral Hackett we will liaise security functions, I know this may cause you problems later but perhaps your commando team could deal with Jath’Amon, I suspect they will be best placed to deal with a biological threat quickly and discretely?” Hackett spoke for the first time; Shepard knew he had to wait for the Council to make any decision. “I am sending instructions immediately Councillor Tevos, I have also instructed the doubling of the security cordon around each Council member and will contact you immediately we have the terrorist in custody. Good work Commander there was no way we would have picked this up from our end.” “Yes once again Commander the Council is in your debt.” The comms link closed but Joker was still online, “Joker we’re on our way back, send the shuttle and make ready to leave the minute we get on board.” “Aye, aye Commander.” Shepard turned her attention back to the room and looked at the slumped Tarak, she looked across at Wrex. “I would love to either put a bullet in that bastards brain or take him back to Alliance space to face charges, attacks on human colonies, slaving, piracy… and all I said was I’d let him walk out of here on his own two feet, so he could walk on his own two feet into the Normandy brig. But if I do that I may fuck my ability to come and go on Omega, I think I could get away with killing him easier than taking him to face justice.” Shepard finished. “He is going to kill Salkie but who cares… But he will make it a personal vendetta against you Shepard, he won’t stop till one of you is dead,” Wrex was concerned and although he couldn’t understand why she ever hesitated to kill an obvious enemy whenever she got the drop on them, he respected that she had her own set of rules and code, he would just do his best to take out as many of her enemies as possible to save her having to make the choice. “Yeah let’s put him on the list, it’s a long list but I agree he will be pretty much at the top… Least I can do is give Salkie a fighting chance, who knows maybe they take each other out, but I never seem to get that lucky,” and with a wistful grin she walked over and slapped Tarak back to life and pulled him to his feet. Outside they joined the others and Salkie was looking both furious and scared, she knew why, he was fully expecting Shepard to kill Tarak whatever the outcome of their ‘conversation’. “So you two have a little problem and I can’t help but think I may be in some way to blame,” Shepard said looking at the two Batarian’s who were now focussing on each other. She could see Ash smiling and Garrus’s mandibles twitching that told her he was ‘smiling’ too, hell it had been a long day she was entitled to a bit of fun. “Not sure how you guys are considering resolving your little problem but… I’ve seen enough merc blood and guts today, so here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to stand back to back, I’m gonna give you a pistol each with one pulse in it, on my mark you walk ten paces then turn and fire,” she was unreadable and for a split second Ash and Garrus thought she might be serious. Liara looked completely confused, Wrex knew he didn’t get that lucky either, and Kasumi was still too hard for Shepard to read. Both the Batarian’s started to shout at her at the same time, insults flying, lots of insults questioning every aspect her both as a woman and a marine… and definitely cursing her to a miserable and painful death. “OK, OK, I get it,” she held her hands up and started laughing, “fuck you two are thick though, if you were as good as any of my team you’d have taken the offer and both of you would have fired at me and taken your chances with the others... I don’t know you can’t give anyone a fighting chance these days,” her team gave out a combination of roars of laughter, huge grins and exasperated sighs, the sigh accompanied by a smile was from Liara. “Well you can just sort yourselves out… I’m not leaving you any weapons and you’re not getting your comms back, and if either of you leave this building before my team are safely on our shuttle my concealed sniper will put a bullet in each one of your eyes.” And, knowing the issue of weapons and comms had already been dealt with by her team; she turned her back on them and walked out. She wasn’t going to leave a sniper. It would take longer than the walk back to their extraction point for those two to kill each other, whoever got the upper hand first was going to make the other pay for everything Shepard had just done to them. The trip off Omega was uneventful. Once they jumped through the relay and were on course for Citadel, Shepard checked on the wounded, then the rest of the team. She made a trip to thank Ish for his insight which had made a huge difference to their casualties. Shepard finally ended up in the lounge and ‘bought’ drinks all round, they all deserved at least a few hours of R&R. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Normandy was only a day out from the Citadel, Shepard was needed to give her evidence in person against Jath’Amon although from the reports of his arrest when confronted and taken down by the Alliance under cover team he had ranted a very detailed, useful and self-incriminating confession. Shepard was in the comms room in a meeting with Liara, Kasumi and the whole science team undertaking a full review of the information, intelligence and theories they had put together during their trip. “Confidential priority call from Councillor Anderson for you skipper,” Ash’s voice cut across the discussion in the room. “Thanks Ash, could I have the room please,” Shepard said but people were already making a move to leave, “I’ll come and find you when I’m done,” Liara was passing behind her chair on the way out deep in conversation with Dr Goto but as she passed by trailed her hand across Shepard’s neck an obvious sign of affection and connection. They were discreet but they shared a cabin and as Liara was not Alliance no regulations were being broken. Always professional and formal on duty they still lived aboard the Normandy and, like quite a few others on board who were personally involved, off duty they had a right to their relationship. Alliance regulations allowed and encouraged the development of relationships, where else would personnel meet, they were often deployed ‘permanently’ on the larger ships, it was work and home. The regulations that existed were related to rank for obvious reasons. “Councillor what can I do for you,” Shepard asked Anderson who looked hugely concerned. “Commander I would like you to take a detour to Grissom Academy and pick up Kahlee Sanders and bring her to the Citadel. I… we need to talk to her about the experience she’s just had at the hands of Cerberus. There seems to be a tie in with your investigations regarding the Collectors.” He finished but Shepard had the distinct impression he was considering saying more. “Of course, will she want to come?” “She knows she needs to be de-briefed, she won’t be expecting that it will be me,” he smiled, “Dr Sanders and I are friends, she has just been through a terrible ordeal and I… well I would also like to see her to make sure she’s ok.” So that was it Shepard thought and smiled to herself. “Consider it done Councillor, we should be with you in around thirty six hours,” Shepard snapped a salute; he would forever be her commanding officer in uniform or out of it. “Thank you Shepard.” He smiled before closing the comm link. “Ash we need to head to Grissom Academy to pick up a passenger for transport to the Citadel, can we make it as snappy as possible.” “Will do skipper.” They reached the Citadel just twenty four hours before the three day official ‘new year’ holiday period started. She gave the crew a day’s liberty and most of them headed straight for the shops for last minute gifts, Shepard wished them well, she would rather fist fight a Krogan than a holiday shopping expedition to place which would be full of fraught, angry and crazy, with holiday preparation stress, shoppers. She hadn’t had much time to get to know Kahlee Sanders but the couple of conversations over food or coffee in the mess left Shepard with a good opinion of the woman. Anderson had met them at the dock and suggested they carry out the de-briefing aboard the Normandy in the comms room. It soon became apparent that Kahlee Sanders had indeed had a rough time of it. She was trying to protect a young girl, who was also a powerful biotic, and a student at the Academy, from being taken away by Cerberus where Sanders was convinced they would run disgusting and brutal experiments on the child. Being on the run and still ending up being kidnapped and held hostage. Shepard became even more alert when Kahlee mentioned the name of the Cerberus agent that had captured them, Golo, the Quarian with connections to the Collector deal on Omega. She and the girl were rescued by a Quarian on his pilgrimage by the name of Lemm, who had taken them for safety to the migrant fleet. But Cerberus had followed and very nearly managed to grab the young girl and Kahlee and blow up the Idenna which would have cost thousands of Quarian lives. There had been the added complication that the girls ‘father’ was a Cerberus agent but at the last minute on the Idenna choose not to give her back to Cerberus He killed Golo and defused the bomb on the Quarian life ship. “I suspect that Grayson was given Gillian as a baby and told to treat her as his own, he seems to have done a good job until Cerberus sent her to us at the Academy. He seemed to find it hard to cope and became addicted to red sand, but in the end he did what was best for his daughter.” She paused and then went on, “if… well no almost definitely when, the Illusive Man catches up with him it won’t be an easy end.” Kahlee almost shuddered at the thought; her description of the torture of another Quarian to get the migrant fleet access codes had been disturbing even to Shepard’s strong stomach. The girl was safely out of the reach of the Illusive Man, at least for now; she had joined one of the Quarian deep space exploration missions searching for a new home world… “Or a dead Reaper” Kahlee said “some of the Quarians are convinced if they can find the right Reaper technology they could re-gain control of the Geth.” “Oh that’s not good… I like the searching for a new home world part, but as if we didn’t have enough people running around looking for Reaper tech like it’s some kind of magic button to power… did anybody listen to the bit about indoctrination and control by the Reapers… I haven’t seen anything working the other way so far.” Shepard suddenly felt exhausted, it seemed every time they had a small victory, and a small step forward something huge would kick them back into touch. “How likely is it they’ll find anything, there can’t be that many Reapers just lying around the place,” Anderson asked. “Well it would be a long shot but not if a Reaper was looking to get found, Quarians could be very useful to have under their control as an asset. But it also means they’ll probably start looking for tech here in the known galaxy as well as in the uncharted territories. Which means we now have a list of people that we know who are looking for the biggest trouble you could possible walk into.” Shepard finished and some part of her wishes she hadn’t gotten out of bed that morning. They discussed the implication of the Cerberus activity and finished by talking about the course of action the Quarians might take, there were clear divisions within their leadership which would clearly impact on any preparation to fight the Reaper threat. It was time to give her evidence to the Council and Anderson, as a Council member, needed to attend as well. Shepard gave Anderson and Sanders a couple of minutes and waited on the dock. They walked together to the Council Chamber. “So is she rushing back to Grissom?” Shepard asked her old commander. “No, I thought she might but she’s agreed to spend the holiday here with me,” he smiled, “I really do think this whole thing shook her up a lot, I’ll be pleased to make a bit of a fuss of her. Your off to you family gathering on Arcturus?” “Yep heading off in the morning, Liara is going with me, Goddess help her,” Shepard smiled broadly and Anderson was struck that whenever she talked about Liara Shepard looked more like her old self before Saren and all that weight she now had to carry. “The rest of the crew scattering to the wind?” “More or less, I asked Wrex to join the me on the station, but he has a few things to take care of,” she smiled and shook her head, “that will involve lots of alcohol and probably fighting if things to his plan. Ash is doing her family thing, but Garrus accepted so I have one of my wing men with me.” They chatted on until they reached the Council Chamber. Shepard gave her evidence, now pretty much confirmed out of the ex-Batarian Ambassadors own mouth. Which was fine by her as it gave Councillor Sparatus no opportunity to be snide or sarcastic at her expense, and she didn’t need to lose any more ‘holiday spirit’. 2183 was drawing to a close so the next morning the Normandy headed for Arcturus Station where her crew would disperse, most of them remaining on the station, to find their families or friends for the three day celebrations that would start with the new year eve. Wrex, Kasumi, her science team and security team all made their farewells from the Citadel. They would rendezvous after the holiday and Shepard thought they should probably complete their scanning in the Omega Nebula with a quick visit to the Amada system… but that was for after the holiday. For now her mission was to ease Liara into the kind of family celebration that she was sure her shy and often retiring lover had never been part of, to introduce Liara into her family, making Shepard feel immensely proud and happy and at the same time feeling like a Pyjak caught in the headlights of a very big Tomkah heading straight at her. A/N So can Shepard avoid her fated meeting in the Amada system, has her path already changed, or are some points in time always fixed
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 2, 2012 20:10:39 GMT 1
Chapter 16
Shepard's suit comms sparked into life, it was Ish from the Normandy, it was twenty minutes since the call from Garrus, and the trip from Afterlife to the fire fight had taken around fifteen minutes.
"Commander, hope this helps, sending you information on the ground layout that won't show on Omega schematics. Most of Omega is a maze of alleys and streets, as you know, but around the warehouse district this is replicated with internal corridors and access through one room to another. It won't be exact but the principle will be the same." The Salarian finished and signed off.
Shepard was aware that Ish had spent some time in his younger days working for an information broker on Omega, before she had a chance to finish the thought another voice, this time Kasumi.
"We're here Commander just landing in the shuttle area, with you in under two minutes."
Shepard smiled and gave herself a fraction of a moment to feel proud of her team, fast deployment, lateral thinking, everyone trying to contribute what they could without having to be asked… they were going to a match for anything that came their way, but right now they had 'marines' to rescue and she was dammed if she was going to lose anyone in this glorified den of thieves and slavers… the hell she would.
Now at full strength and with local intel Shepard and the team put together a quick and dirty extraction plan, priority one was getting half the fire team to Garrus's position at the same time hitting the Suns from their rear.
She sent Ash with Kasumi and half the marines to flank the Blue Suns, they would clear out any pockets of resistance that they met as they worked their way through the rooms and internal corridors but their main purpose was to get through to the besieged team.
Shepard would set up in a defensive position behind the Suns, just forward from the current position, and would commence firing as soon as Ash's team started working towards Garrus.
It wasn't the best position, there was little cover, Liara and a couple of the marines who were biotics would provide barriers, but that reduced their firepower. If the Suns called up reinforcements Shepard's team would be in a pretty open position caught in crossfire. They had to make it quick and Shepard was wondering just how keen the mercs in front of her actually would be to face down a well-trained, well-disciplined marine squad for any length of time.
On her mark the team opened fire, getting off two rounds of kill shots, scoped to the head, before the mercs even realised they were being shot at from a different direction.
Shepard's team laid down a vicious and deadly fire using a mix of assault and sniper weapons. The kill rate was high as the mercs were now in crossfire between both Shepard's team and Garrus's.
Ash was making good progress, they had met a couple of groups of mercs, took them out quick and quiet, but they had arrived at the area that would give them access to the gallery Garrus was defending just in time.
"Looks like someone has some brains even if they can't fight for shit" Ash's voice came over Shepard's suit comms, "they're fixing to blast their way in and we're looking at ten to take down." Ash finished
"Copy that Ash, Garrus did you get that," they were all patched through but Shepard wasn't taking any chances at this point.
"Loud and clear, looking forward to seeing you Ash we have a lovely view and some comfy chairs after your long walk," he continued "you're thinning them out nicely Shepard, just watch your back."
"Will do old man," she smiled and then listened as Ash counted in her team to take down the mercs at Garrus's back door.
"We have acquired the position skipper," Ash's voice over comms "two wounded in security team, one badly, my team one wounded not serious."
"Secure wounded and then proceed to take the merc position we will move forward on your mark," Shepard didn't want to wait for the balance to change, they would squeeze them now with all the fire power of squad, except for those stood out to both tend to and protect their wounded.
The 'go' command came only a couple of minutes later and both team's opened up unremitting fire and began to move forward.
The merc's realised their 'back door team' had been neutralised and lost quite a few more men in panic and then promptly surrendered. Shepard swiftly secured the scene moving everyone including their prisoners down to the shuttle area. She ordered an evac of the wounded and then turned her attention to what seemed like the leader of the merc team.
They found a large room close by, another cut down storage area, and took him there. Shepard was joined by Wrex and Garrus.
"Do you realise how much shit you're going to be in when Tarak finds out some Alliance bitch has just fucked around with him on Omega" the Batarian snarled.
Just as he finished speaking he was lifted bodily off his feet and slammed into the back wall by a biotic slam from Wrex.
"I should watch you manners if you want to get out of her in one piece" Garrus snarled at him.
"Ah that's ok, you see fuckwit here doesn't realise that the world of pain that he thinks is coming to me will be raining down all over him when his boss realises he couldn't even kill four Turians in an ambush, lost shit loads of men, and then… oh he's gonna love this… oh yeah surrendered like some little piss pants coward," she gave the Baratrian, who was just starting to get up off the floor, one of her most annoying know it all grins.
"That why you didn't call in help," Wrex let out a low rumbling laugh.
She moved forward so fast the Batarian actually jumped a little, when she reached him Shepard pinned him to the wall with one hand by his neck and pulled her pistol and shoved it in his face.
"No, you are going to call your boss down here to show him the interesting stuff you found when you took down the nasty, nosy… why did you go after my team anyway?"
"Asking too many questions about my boss's business… then one of them got tagged as CSec "he said with a struggle due to the strangle hold on his neck.
"Fair enough," she said lightly and then with venom oozing from every word "so as I was saying, you're going to call your boss down here… important… vital he sees it now… you squared away the problem all secure kind of thing. You walk, I'm happy we all go home."
"Mad fuckin bitch he will kill me" the Batarian was now fully aware of his situation but Shepard felt duty bound to 'rub it in'.
"Yep really bad day for you huh… let me put it this way… you agree to do this, convincingly, or I pop you now and work through the rest of your guys until one of them is more scared of dying right now than dying if Tarak gets to them… yes you notice if… well this may also be your lucky day… if this goes the way I think it will your boss will not be walking away from me… no one will know you dropped him in a trap… and maybe you move up your slippery pole to even greater scumbag glory. Are you reading me now… die now… possibly not die later." Shepard let him go and stepped back.
She could see him trying to work an angle, see a way out, the only chance he had of surviving was with more time, if he wanted to live, and at the end most sentient beings did, he would choose to call his boss, because also like most sentient beings he believed today was not the day he would die.
The Batarian was actually quite high up in the Suns command structure; Salkie was responsible for logistics and also maintained Tarak's gunship. He was convincing when he got through to the Omega Blue Suns leader, even managing to convey the urgency. Tarak would be there in twenty minutes and they would meet where Garrus had been pinned down.
Shepard made her arrangements. Merc prisoners under guard in the room they had used for 'persuading' Salkie to help them, half the marine squad under Ash's command would wait in there until Tarak had passed through the shuttle area and then they would re-secure it.
Shepard would use the other half of the marine team to secure the run from the shuttle area to the building designated for the meeting. In the building itself, concealed until Tarak was well inside their trap, Shepard would have, Wrex, Garrus, Kasumi, Liara and the two unwounded security team members, and of course, a very, very nervous Salkie on display,
Tarak arrived with only a couple of mercs in tow; of course Shepard already knew this as they had been 'checked' by the team at the shuttles. Well, why would Tarak think he was in any danger, meeting one of his lieutenants, on his home turf, and that's what the plan was meant to deliver.
Shepard hoped she would never lose her sixth sense, or gut feeling or whatever it was that gave her a prod when she seemed to walking into unseen trouble.
Tarak had no such 'gut feeling' and once his men were taken out he offered no resistance, Shepard went for cooperation first.
"This can go quick and easy Tarak, I'm only interested in one thing, I don't care about anything your into, and I'm not going to play games with you," Shepard was sitting opposite the Suns leader with Wrex leaning against a wall behind him.
"Get on with it," Tarak was a short breath away from exploding in anger and fury, but he was smart enough to know how limited his options were, he definitely wasn't going to die today, he wanted to tear this Human apart with his bare hands and for that he needed to survive.
"Who is behind the assassination attempt on the Batarian Ambassador, I need names, current locations and the details of the attack…" Shepard broke off as Tarak had started laughing. "Want to share," she said voice and eyes cold as steel.
He stopped laughing and spoke quickly "All right don't do anything stupid, I don't care about fucking politics even Batarian politics anything we do with those terrorists is strictly business. If I tell you all I know you will let me walk out of here?" he suddenly woke up to the fact that even if he told her he was still at her mercy.
"You tell me what I want to know now, and it better be the truth or you die now and I get my hacking expert and the new 'you' to find out for me. Which will take longer so my convenience is the only thing keeping you alive at this point… don't piss me around… and my word is something you can trust, give me what I want and you walk out of here in one piece? Clocks ticking," she finished.
"The Ambassador Jath'Amon is the leader of the terrorists and he will deliver a deadly virus which I assume he has with him at the full Council meeting at some point while he is on the Citadel… I know nothing else… no other members of the group are on the Citadel," he didn't bother to hide the naked hate and fury that he was feeling.
Shepard looked at Wrex and gave him a short nod; Wrex moved forward and hit Tarak out cold.
Shepard called up comms to the Normandy… it wouldn't be a secure line but she didn't have time to mess around, she had no idea of the timing of meetings, she would just have to risk Aria, and anyone else that was monitoring their comms, hearing the message.
"Joker get me as secure a line as you can direct to Hackett and the Council at the same time but get me through to them now," Shepard kept the channel open and could hear Joker calling up both Arcturus and the Citadel with priority codes and call signs. In less than two minutes she had both Hackett and Councillor Tevos on the line.
"I have solid intel that the terrorist is the Batarian Ambassador himself, Jath'Amon, I repeat the terrorist is Jath'Amon and he has a killer virus concealed somewhere with him for release, do you copy?" Shepard finished.
"Are you certain Commander, do you believe the information you have? If we are wrong the political ramifications would be difficult," Councillor Tevos asked.
"Yes Councillor, I know this looks bad, but I would stake my life on it, even if you have doubts you must at least keep the Ambassador isolated until confirmed one way or the other," Shepard knew the Councillor would want to be sure, but she also felt that out of the three Council members Tevos had always had more respect for Shepard's judgement and opinions.
"Agreed Commander," Tevos said and continued "Admiral Hackett we will liaise security functions, I know this may cause you problems later but perhaps your commando team could deal with Jath'Amon, I suspect they will be best placed to deal with a biological threat quickly and discretely?"
Hackett spoke for the first time; Shepard knew he had to wait for the Council to make any decision.
"I am sending instructions immediately Councillor Tevos, I have also instructed the doubling of the security cordon around each Council member and will contact you immediately we have the terrorist in custody. Good work Commander there was no way we would have picked this up from our end."
"Yes once again Commander the Council is in your debt."
The comms link closed but Joker was still online, "Joker we're on our way back, send the shuttle and make ready to leave the minute we get on board."
"Aye, aye Commander."
Shepard turned her attention back to the room and looked at the slumped Tarak, she looked across at Wrex.
"I would love to either put a bullet in that bastards brain or take him back to Alliance space to face charges, attacks on human colonies, slaving, piracy… and all I said was I'd let him walk out of here on his own two feet, so he could walk on his own two feet into the Normandy brig.
But if I do that I may fuck my ability to come and go on Omega, I think I could get away with killing him easier than taking him to face justice." Shepard finished.
"He is going to kill Salkie but who cares… But he will make it a personal vendetta against you Shepard, he won't stop till one of you is dead," Wrex was concerned and although he couldn't understand why she ever hesitated to kill an obvious enemy whenever she got the drop on them, he respected that she had her own set of rules and code, he would just do his best to take out as many of her enemies as possible to save her having to make the choice.
"Yeah let's put him on the list, it's a long list but I agree he will be pretty much at the top… Least I can do is give Salkie a fighting chance, who knows maybe they take each other out, but I never seem to get that lucky," and with a wistful grin she walked over and slapped Tarak back to life and pulled him to his feet.
Outside they joined the others and Salkie was looking both furious and scared, she knew why, he was fully expecting Shepard to kill Tarak whatever the outcome of their 'conversation'.
"So you two have a little problem and I can't help but think I may be in some way to blame," Shepard said looking at the two Batarian's who were now focussing on each other. She could see Ash smiling and Garrus's mandibles twitching that told her he was 'smiling' too, hell it had been a long day she was entitled to a bit of fun.
"Not sure how you guys are considering resolving your little problem but… I've seen enough merc blood and guts today, so here's what we're going to do. You're going to stand back to back, I'm gonna give you a pistol each with one pulse in it, on my mark you walk ten paces then turn and fire," she was unreadable and for a split second Ash and Garrus thought she might be serious. Liara looked completely confused, Wrex knew he didn't get that lucky either, and Kasumi was still too hard for Shepard to read.
Both the Batarian's started to shout at her at the same time, insults flying, lots of insults questioning every aspect her both as a woman and a marine… and definitely cursing her to a miserable and painful death.
"OK, OK, I get it," she held her hands up and started laughing, "fuck you two are thick though, if you were as good as any of my team you'd have taken the offer and both of you would have fired at me and taken your chances with the others... I don't know you can't give anyone a fighting chance these days," her team gave out a combination of roars of laughter, huge grins and exasperated sighs, the sigh accompanied by a smile was from Liara.
"Well you can just sort yourselves out… I'm not leaving you any weapons and you're not getting your comms back, and if either of you leave this building before my team are safely on our shuttle my concealed sniper will put a bullet in each one of your eyes." And, knowing the issue of weapons and comms had already been dealt with by her team; she turned her back on them and walked out.
She wasn't going to leave a sniper. It would take longer than the walk back to their extraction point for those two to kill each other, whoever got the upper hand first was going to make the other pay for everything Shepard had just done to them.
The trip off Omega was uneventful. Once they jumped through the relay and were on course for Citadel, Shepard checked on the wounded, then the rest of the team. She made a trip to thank Ish for his insight which had made a huge difference to their casualties. Shepard finally ended up in the lounge and 'bought' drinks all round, they all deserved at least a few hours of R&R.
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The Normandy was only a day out from the Citadel, Shepard was needed to give her evidence in person against Jath'Amon although from the reports of his arrest when confronted and taken down by the Alliance under cover team he had ranted a very detailed, useful and self-incriminating confession.
Shepard was in the comms room in a meeting with Liara, Kasumi and the whole science team undertaking a full review of the information, intelligence and theories they had put together during their trip.
"Confidential priority call from Councillor Anderson for you skipper," Ash's voice cut across the discussion in the room.
"Thanks Ash, could I have the room please," Shepard said but people were already making a move to leave, "I'll come and find you when I'm done,"
Liara was passing behind her chair on the way out deep in conversation with Dr Goto but as she passed by trailed her hand across Shepard's neck an obvious sign of affection and connection.
They were discreet but they shared a cabin and as Liara was not Alliance no regulations were being broken. Always professional and formal on duty they still lived aboard the Normandy and, like quite a few others on board who were personally involved, off duty they had a right to their relationship.
Alliance regulations allowed and encouraged the development of relationships, where else would personnel meet, they were often deployed 'permanently' on the larger ships, it was work and home. The regulations that existed were related to rank for obvious reasons.
"Councillor what can I do for you," Shepard asked Anderson who looked hugely concerned.
"Commander I would like you to take a detour to Grissom Academy and pick up Kahlee Sanders and bring her to the Citadel. I… we need to talk to her about the experience she's just had at the hands of Cerberus. There seems to be a tie in with your investigations regarding the Collectors." He finished but Shepard had the distinct impression he was considering saying more.
"Of course, will she want to come?"
"She knows she needs to be de-briefed, she won't be expecting that it will be me," he smiled, "Dr Sanders and I are friends, she has just been through a terrible ordeal and I… well I would also like to see her to make sure she's ok." So that was it Shepard thought and smiled to herself.
"Consider it done Councillor, we should be with you in around thirty six hours," Shepard snapped a salute; he would forever be her commanding officer in uniform or out of it.
"Thank you Shepard." He smiled before closing the comm link.
"Ash we need to head to Grissom Academy to pick up a passenger for transport to the Citadel, can we make it as snappy as possible."
"Will do skipper."
They reached the Citadel just twenty four hours before the three day official 'new year' holiday period started. She gave the crew a day's liberty and most of them headed straight for the shops for last minute gifts, Shepard wished them well, she would rather fist fight a Krogan than a holiday shopping expedition to place which would be full of fraught, angry and crazy, with holiday preparation stress, shoppers.
She hadn't had much time to get to know Kahlee Sanders but the couple of conversations over food or coffee in the mess left Shepard with a good opinion of the woman.
Anderson had met them at the dock and suggested they carry out the de-briefing aboard the Normandy in the comms room.
It soon became apparent that Kahlee Sanders had indeed had a rough time of it. She was trying to protect a young girl, who was also a powerful biotic, and a student at the Academy, from being taken away by Cerberus where Sanders was convinced they would run disgusting and brutal experiments on the child. Being on the run and still ending up being kidnapped and held hostage.
Shepard became even more alert when Kahlee mentioned the name of the Cerberus agent that had captured them, Golo, the Quarian with connections to the Collector deal on Omega.
She and the girl were rescued by a Quarian on his pilgrimage by the name of Lemm, who had taken them for safety to the migrant fleet. But Cerberus had followed and very nearly managed to grab the young girl and Kahlee and blow up the Idenna which would have cost thousands of Quarian lives.
There had been the added complication that the girls 'father' was a Cerberus agent but at the last minute on the Idenna choose not to give her back to Cerberus He killed Golo and defused the bomb on the Quarian life ship.
"I suspect that Grayson was given Gillian as a baby and told to treat her as his own, he seems to have done a good job until Cerberus sent her to us at the Academy. He seemed to find it hard to cope and became addicted to red sand, but in the end he did what was best for his daughter."
She paused and then went on, "if… well no almost definitely when, the Illusive Man catches up with him it won't be an easy end." Kahlee almost shuddered at the thought; her description of the torture of another Quarian to get the migrant fleet access codes had been disturbing even to Shepard's strong stomach.
The girl was safely out of the reach of the Illusive Man, at least for now; she had joined one of the Quarian deep space exploration missions searching for a new home world… "Or a dead Reaper" Kahlee said "some of the Quarians are convinced if they can find the right Reaper technology they could re-gain control of the Geth."
"Oh that's not good… I like the searching for a new home world part, but as if we didn't have enough people running around looking for Reaper tech like it's some kind of magic button to power… did anybody listen to the bit about indoctrination and control by the Reapers… I haven't seen anything working the other way so far."
Shepard suddenly felt exhausted, it seemed every time they had a small victory, and a small step forward something huge would kick them back into touch.
"How likely is it they'll find anything, there can't be that many Reapers just lying around the place," Anderson asked.
"Well it would be a long shot but not if a Reaper was looking to get found, Quarians could be very useful to have under their control as an asset. But it also means they'll probably start looking for tech here in the known galaxy as well as in the uncharted territories.
Which means we now have a list of people that we know who are looking for the biggest trouble you could possible walk into." Shepard finished and some part of her wishes she hadn't gotten out of bed that morning.
They discussed the implication of the Cerberus activity and finished by talking about the course of action the Quarians might take, there were clear divisions within their leadership which would clearly impact on any preparation to fight the Reaper threat.
It was time to give her evidence to the Council and Anderson, as a Council member, needed to attend as well. Shepard gave Anderson and Sanders a couple of minutes and waited on the dock. They walked together to the Council Chamber.
"So is she rushing back to Grissom?" Shepard asked her old commander.
"No, I thought she might but she's agreed to spend the holiday here with me," he smiled, "I really do think this whole thing shook her up a lot, I'll be pleased to make a bit of a fuss of her. Your off to you family gathering on Arcturus?"
"Yep heading off in the morning, Liara is going with me, Goddess help her," Shepard smiled broadly and Anderson was struck that whenever she talked about Liara Shepard looked more like her old self before Saren and all that weight she now had to carry.
"The rest of the crew scattering to the wind?"
"More or less, I asked Wrex to join the me on the station, but he has a few things to take care of," she smiled and shook her head, "that will involve lots of alcohol and probably fighting if things to his plan. Ash is doing her family thing, but Garrus accepted so I have one of my wing men with me."
They chatted on until they reached the Council Chamber. Shepard gave her evidence, now pretty much confirmed out of the ex-Batarian Ambassadors own mouth. Which was fine by her as it gave Councillor Sparatus no opportunity to be snide or sarcastic at her expense, and she didn't need to lose any more 'holiday spirit'.
2183 was drawing to a close so the next morning the Normandy headed for Arcturus Station where her crew would disperse, most of them remaining on the station, to find their families or friends for the three day celebrations that would start with the new year eve.
Wrex, Kasumi, her science team and security team all made their farewells from the Citadel. They would rendezvous after the holiday and Shepard thought they should probably complete their scanning in the Omega Nebula with a quick visit to the Amada system… but that was for after the holiday.
For now her mission was to ease Liara into the kind of family celebration that she was sure her shy and often retiring lover had never been part of, to introduce Liara into her family, making Shepard feel immensely proud and happy and at the same time feeling like a Pyjak caught in the headlights of a very big Tomkah heading straight at her.
A/N So can Shepard avoid her fated meeting in the Amada system, has her path already changed, or are some points in time always fixed
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 2, 2012 20:11:47 GMT 1
Chapter 17
Shepard felt the edge of consciousness drift over her and a warm body moulded into her, blue arm laying loosely across her side and belly.
Opening her eyes she saw an unfamiliar bedside table and then bulkhead, she felt Liara's breath on the back of her neck, the Asari was mirroring Shepard's body with her own and the feel of breasts and thighs brought a feeling of peace and contentment.
They had arrived at Arcturus the day before and decided to move into the accommodation provided for them rather than stay on the Normandy. Shepard had been given a suite of rooms with exterior views from the lounge area although she didn't know if that was because of all the recent hype around the Citadel battle, that she was a Spectre and therefore a Council guest or if it was something to do with Liara being the daughter of a once powerful Matriarch. If it had just been Shepard she would have asked to be bunked in standard Alliance officer accommodation but she really wanted to make this short break with Liara as special as possible.
Shepard moved Liara's arm gently and slid off the bed, it was early, but it didn't matter if she was on duty or leave this was the time she woke up and it was too early to wake Liara, she considered it, but they had had a 'late' night.
She smiled thinking about their love making; Shepard was still surprised that she was so comfortable using the word 'love' in any context about herself. It wasn't that she didn't want to have, one day, what she saw other people experiencing, particularly what her parents shared, no it was more that she couldn't see how that would work with her life choice.
She was a Marine, an Alliance officer and now Council Spectre. Apart from the dedication and commitment she felt and the focus needed to fulfil the duties she had accepted, there was also the constant danger of death or serious permanent injury which put any thoughts of allowing a serious personal relationship on the other side of a boundary that she had maintained without much difficulty until she met Liara.
There had always been room for casual liaisons, fun, and certainly she cared about the women she had been intimate with, but always at a distance, it was never going anywhere. Until now, the worst possible timing, the most dangerous and demanding time of her life, a most dangerous time for the whole galaxy.
Shepard threw on some loose sweats, found the kitchen, made coffee, and settled herself in the lounge. She looked out the large window that formed the whole of the outer wall and looked past the range of frigates and cruisers 'parked' around the station, to the glimmers of distant stars and the drifting Milky Way.
She was feeling more and more convinced she wanted, no needed, to take a huge next step in her relationship this holiday. But Shepard wanted to be sure her timing wasn't being driven by the intensity of the responsibility she felt for leading the charge against the Reaper's and their followers, or the war they had just been through.
Shepard wanted to ask Liara to, well what? Get engaged? Did Asari culture have some kind of pre-bonding thing? She really had meant to ask Liara what the Asari customs were. Shepard had meant to find out, properly, not from an extranet search, quite some time ago, but with one thing or another it just didn't get done.
She had studied and knew a great deal about the Asari culture, politics, religion and their military of course. All necessary information to be a good 'galactic' citizen and definitely needed to be an effective Alliance officer and Spectre, she had studies every race Humanity now shared the galaxy with. But there was no need to learn about mating rituals, certainly not how to ask an Asari to become your 'bondmate'.
She was considering seeing the Consort on the Citadel for advice, she didn't really know any other Asari apart from Councillor Tevos and that would be inappropriate or Aria T'Loak and amusing though that conversation would be Shepard wouldn't do that to Liara who would hate to find out Aria had been privy to her possible future before she was herself.
Now, if she started that conversation with Liara, it would feel last minute and end up with Shepard telling her lover why she was asking about bonding rituals and then no big moment... she smiled at herself. 'Shepard thinking about big romantic moments, what the fuck has gotten into you', and she suddenly thought about the reality of the next few days.
'Shit this is the first time I have ever been with anyone, let alone in a 'relationship', at any kind of family thing. She had no idea how to do it'... and she had to make sure Liara was OK, and Liara had even less experience of this stuff than she did.
Shepard didn't have any such worries about their life together on the Normandy, which was ordinary life, where they 'lived'. And together, when they were on their own they were great, it was natural, comfortable.
But this was a particular social situation and... well... she should have thought this through before now. It was too late to run away but that was suddenly what felt like an outstanding plan. Just the two of them, that was certainly all Shepard needed and if she was honest, all she really wanted.
It would be too much, laying on a big moment in the pressure cooker that would be a full on family new year's, 'Shepard don't go all soppy on me… big moment… what the…' Shepard decided in that moment, she would wait until their next leave together and then ask. There was time, the pressure dropped, and she decided to go back to bed and maybe see if Liara was anywhere near being awake…
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Shepard had found Liara awake when she had returned to bed and they had picked up where they had left of the previous night. Falling asleep an hour or so later their bodies intertwined.
As Shepard woke up for the second time she noticed she was alone and could hear voices coming from the lounge. Slipping out of bed and throwing on her sweats she ventured from the bedroom already recognising the second voice in the room.
"Garrus," she said with a smile "did you settle in OK, are your quarters good enough?"
"Yes I'm just down the corridor same setup, I think they have me mistaken for someone important," his mandibles twitched as was his way when he was 'smiling'.
"Oh but Garrus you are very important to us… that is, not just to us but..." Liara gave up and smiled.
"Thank you Liara and yes for some reason you both seem to have taken to me, for which I am honoured if not a little baffled."
"Ah maybe your just the little brother I never had," Shepard laughed and then suddenly said, "hey what the hell is the time, Liara how long have you been up, I was sleeping so soundly I didn't even notice you leave."
That was more than unusual it was unheard of as Shepard was a light sleeper and always somewhere alert to any danger that may come at her, it was very much a soldiers trait, especially one who had been in the kinds of prolonged campaigns that Shepard had.
Liara smiled warmly at her lover and said, "It is nearly eleven, I left you soundly sleeping oh must have been, a couple of hours ago. Garrus has been her only around ten minutes.
I was not going to disturb you, it is the most peaceful I think I have ever seen you asleep." Liara leaned into Shepard who, after getting herself a coffee, had sat down next to Liara on one of the long sofas.
"Have to say Shepard you do look more relaxed than I think I can remember seeing you and a little younger… maybe we should re-think this 'younger' brother thing,"
Garrus was pleased to see the change in Shepard he had been becoming more and more worried about not only the stress that she had to carry but also the recurring headaches that seem to have resulted from her interactions with the beacons.
"Well I reckon I'm going to need it, you know what they saw about family events," Shepard looked at her two companions who looked back blankly and the lack of shared cultural reference points surprised her for a split second, she really did forget most of the time about the 'being non humans' thing.
"Ah yes well may just be a human thing, but they are usually quite stressful, family politics, feuds, treading on eggshells…anyway… it won't be that bad my lot are fairly decent. But I will make sure you guys have a great time and…" Liara cut Shepard's conversation off and said.
"Yes on that point both Garrus and I are agreed that we do not want you to feel as if you need to… 'Babysit' us… and," at this point Liara leaned back a little and with a firm edge to her voice looking directly at Shepard said,
"I do not need you to worry about me. I know I can be a little awkward in social situations but that does not mean I do not enjoy them.
My life has changed beyond recognition since I met you and came to live on the Normandy. You have all…," at this point she looked at Garrus, "been extremely kind and given me the confidence to stop hiding away from people. I am looking forward to meeting you family Shepard and if you think for one moment that Asari families do not have their fair share of difficulty and politics you haven't yet really understood what living with my mother was like."
As she finished Liara smiled, as did Garrus, Shepard shrugged her shoulders in acceptance and grinned widely. Shepard also gave a small laugh as she put her arm around Liara's shoulders and pulled her into her side in a hug and said.
"Point taken T'Soni, no cotton wool, you're on your own, well to a point, you can't stop me wanting you to have a good time… but maybe I can make sure you always end the evening on a high."
Shepard went to get showered and dressed in readiness for lunch with her mother and a few family members that would also serve as a small introduction for Liara and Garrus.
The rest of the time they spent chatting and exchanging family stories which cheered Shepard up no end as it seemed they had much more in common than she had thought, considering their cultures developed across a galaxy under very different 'suns'.
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Captain Hannah Shepard answered the door to her quarters and greeted her daughter, Liara and Garrus, showing them in and introducing them to the small gathering.
Her parents, LV's grandparents, had traveled from Earth for the holiday. Hannah's sister and brother-in-law, their eldest son and his partner with their new born baby, a couple of close friends and their daughter who was an archaeological scientist and who she hoped would be someone that Liara would find interesting.
They were all from Hannah's side of the family the Skorsgaard's; the Shepard clan was much larger and they were going to join up with LV's closest relatives on that side of the family for dinner that evening.
Hannah watched her daughter saying her hello's and introducing Liara and Garrus, giving her grandparents big hugs and going soft over the baby, holding it so gently in her arms as if it would break.
She saw the affection, no it was clearly love, between her daughter and Liara and it filled her with happiness that LV had found someone that she could, would let in. They reminded her of her own relationship with LV's father and she wished he could see how their girl had turned out.
She had been such a serious child, not lacking in humour and with a well-developed sense of mischief, but it was as if she had always been preparing to take on the life of service and duty.
It certainly wasn't because Hannah or John had wanted her to follow them into the military, after all John had started life on an academic path and they would have been happy for LV to choose that as a career.
But there was a fire, clarity of purpose in the child, the young girl and then the young woman that left no one in any doubt that her path would be to serve Earth, humanity, the Alliance and now the galaxy. All those things that sometimes sound pompous but for LV it was all about being somewhere she could protect the weak, punish the wrong doers and live a life bounded by duty and honour.
And Hannah suddenly remembered the look that would pass between her and her husband, which was a combination of pride, frustration and resignation, when they heard the prophetic words from their daughter 'but that isn't fair' which would shortly be followed by Livvie's attempts to 'make it fair' whatever the issue was and however big.
The lesson that was the hardest for them to help her understand was that sometimes things just are not fair and there isn't anything anyone can do about it.
She was so proud of the woman her daughter had become and so afraid that she was now carrying too much responsibility, too much weight but she also knew her daughter would never shirk her responsibilities or her duty whatever the cost, she was her parent's child.
"Shepard I had no idea you had such a soft centre," Garrus whispered 'smiling' as he stood next to her nursing the few week old baby in her arms.
"Yeah well you mention this to anyone on board and you'll be 'calibrating' using a different orifice," she whispered and smiled back at him then said "reckon I'm scoring points with Liara… not that… I mean, just…" she trailed off realising how her comment may have sounded. Although it sounded exactly as Shepard had thought it.
"Hell Shepard you're getting broody," he had to stifle a full laugh pretending to cough, Shepard could see his eyes watering, but she fixed him with a look and he said holding one hand up in surrender "wiped from my mind, anything you said after we walked in the room, no idea what we just talked about," but he was still struggling to keep from laughing.
"Yeah alright smart ass, maybe just a bit, aw shit look at this little fella, how awesome would it be to watch one of your own grow up. Teach them stuff."
Garrus looked down at the bundle in Shepard's arms and said, "You have a point, not felt the pull yet myself, but I can see you and Liara are solid enough to consider it. When are you going to ask her?" Garrus looked up at Shepard and saw the troubled look on her face.
Shepard had talked to Garrus about asking Liara to get engaged or pre bonded, he was, after all, her best friend and she really did think of him as family. When they weren't in banter or teasing mode they seemed to give each other good advice. And even if his experience of relationship was patchy at least he had some experience to draw on unlike Shepard.
Shepard's eyes drifted to where Liara was sitting in deep and animated conversation with her grandparents and her mother's friend's daughter who seemed to be an archaeologist.
"I thought about it and I think this leave is just so… I don't know crowded… and I wanted to make it special… somewhere maybe we could go back to and that just isn't going to be Arcturus," she realised it sounded like a combination of a cop out and also looking for a bit of a cheesy romantic moment, again. "What the hell has that woman done to me Garrus… somewhere we could come back to for a romantic anniversary of when I asked… I'm fucked, truly lost to love or whatever this is." She grinned giving up all attempts at trying to hide just how much she was in love with her Asari.
"Shepard seriously, yes you are totally lost to that woman and who could blame you, also she feels the same way... the gods only know why," he smiled and squeezed her shoulder, "you're so right for each other and it's a sight for tired jaded old eyes… but you do know I'm going to tease the shit out of you at some point in the future with all this…"
They both laughed out loud and many eyes around the room looked at LV Shepard and were warmed by the sight of her relaxed and happy and safe, at least for now, in the heart of her family, old and new.
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Where the lunchtime gathering organised by her mother was small with close family only, the evening would be a much larger affair. Of course Shepard's family didn't fall neatly into the two clans of Shepard and Skorsgaard; there were the matriarchal lines, the married in and their non-blood related extended family.
But amongst the larger number Shepard's family the close members who were to be present included her father's sister and two brothers and their children. Her only surviving grandparent, her grandmother, on that side of family was not able to attend as she was on duty in Vancouver.
Her mother had warned her that her Uncle Lucas and his son would be there and he seemed to be even more than usually irritated at any mention of Shepard's name, and it could be connected to the number of ships he lost at the battle of the Citadel. Rear Admiral Lucas Mikhalovich was the commander of the 63rd Scout Flotilla.
Shepard had last seen him some months ago when he attempted to board the Normandy to conduct and inspection and Shepard had denied him access as the Normandy was in effect a Council ship. He had only wanted to list the things about the build that were 'wrong' and had started by saying he didn't agree with sharing Alliance military secrets with the Turians. She had cut him dead and he was furious, it had felt good, she despised everything about him from his over reliance on rigid rules to his attitude towards non humans and the Council.
"Babe," Shepard had decided to warn Liara about the possible, or rather probable, awkwardness with her Uncle if they found themselves face to face. "Not all my family feel that I make the… well, they don't all approve of the way I… conduct myself as an Alliance officer. The Butcher of Torfan thing stuck with quite a few humans and a considerable number of those within the Alliance."
Shepard was sitting on one of the sofa's looking across at Liara who had just entered from their bedroom, she looked stunning in a form fitting but silky palest blue trouser suit, the top appearing to flow like water as she moved. The top was cut a little a very old Earth style from ancient China, Shepard could do nothing but stare in wonder at this elegant beauty.
"I am aware of the small element who choose not to accept you made the best military decsion you could being the 'one on the ground', is that the right way to put it," Liara tilted her head slightly to the side as she asked her question, a gesture that was so familiar to Shepard, who nodded, "you will always search your conscience to make the right decision Shepard guided by your moral compass. If people can not accept that or you then they are not worth being concerned over."
Liara had moved in front of Shepard and reached out her hands to cup her lovers face and as she starred down into stunning, captivating, fascinating green eyes she continued, "and they certainly don't know how much each and every one of the decisions and lives cost you."
Shepard felt the surge of love and tenderness and understanding from her Asari through the light meld Liara had initiated in order to convey the strength of her support for the love of her heart.
Shepard stood up, into Liara's waiting arms and they kissed a long, slow, loving, tender kiss. When they broke apart Shepard stood back a little to be able to fully appreciate the view.
"Goddess you are absolutely gorgeous Liara, I feel totally unworthy to be seen with you," Shepard was smiling but there was an edge of still not really understanding how she had managed to capture the heart of someone so… well… perfect.
Liara had seen her lover dressing earlier but appraised her fully for the first time. Shepard was dressed completely in black apart from her trousers leg stripe. Varen leather riding boots that came to just below her knee, black trousers with the red stripe down the sides of the legs and a short Varen leather jacket over a very soft and fitted crepe shirt.
" Oh I think Commander that there will be as many eyes enjoying you this evening as will be looking at me, I certainly find nothing to complain about," Liara and Shepard laughed. "
"And irresistibly attractive though you look I am already a little impatient to be watching you take them all off… slowly" Liara finished by kissing Shepard and this time it was full of passion and need.
As they left the room Shepard couldn't help but allow herself to feel she was the luckiest woman in the galaxy, hell, probably the universe and she had never been so happy and content in her life.
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The evening was going well. Shepard was very much at home in the heart of the family and Liara saw a new and different side to her. It was as if Shepard could allow the heavy weight of leadership and responsibility drop away, she could be just one of her generation within the family, with older, wiser heads above who she could defer to; and a younger generation who she could just have fun with and not feel responsible for them.
Shepard and Liara spent time chatting with her cousins most of whom were in the Alliance in some capacity or other or in roles that supported the work of the Systems Alliance in the political sphere. Liara could see that Shepard not only had their love and respect but they also enjoyed her company.
In this relaxed and comfortable environment and away from her day to day responsibilities Shepard was very much the life and soul of the party and seemed comfortable, for once, being the centre of attention. Liara was fully aware of just how charismatic Shepard was, but had only ever seen it in a 'work' sense, either in the execution of her mission or her duty as the Commander of the Normandy.
But of course, Shepard was charismatic, amusing, interesting, clever, entertaining… in fact exactly the kind of personality and company that people seek out, for obvious reasons. Not least because Shepard had a way of making everyone around her, everyone she was including in her circle, making them all feel just as amusing and clever and interesting as she was.
Liara couldn't help but feel proud and a little disconcerted that Shepard had found her worthy to share her life and her heart with, and she thanked the Goddess for whatever quirk of timing and fate that had brought them together. Young though she was by Asari standards, and unusual as it was, Liara knew she was with the love of her life, her bondmate, her soulmate and the thought warmed her and terrified her a little at the same time.
Then it happened, despite the best efforts of all those present who were aware of the tensions between Shepard and her Uncle they ended up face to face across one of the buffet tables. Shepard decided to turn and walk away but the Admiral spoke to her back.
"I hear you did it again," he said, and his voice always stung Shepard as his tone was closest out of his brothers to her father's, she could really hear an echo or perhaps more of a shadow of the voice she missed so much.
"Did what," she turned to face him, Liara at her side looking concerned.
"Killed another unarmed prisoner in cold blood, is that really how your father raised you," his sneer and distaste was evident in his voice and on his face.
Shepard's tone was quiet, but cold and the fury in her eyes would have made a Krogan battle master gird his loins before approaching, and she said.
"That bastard tortured a brave and honourable soldier to death personally, what the fuck would you have liked me to do with him?"
"You have no right to pass judgement you should leave that to your betters who have a clearer sense of what's right and wrong. The more they encourage you with rewards and medals the more you set yourself above the law, above your orders, your duty; you dishonour your uniform and your father's memory." His eyes were burning with anger and his fist balled at his side.
"I dispense justice when it's the only and last option… you know what would have happened to that Cerberus bastard he would have been out in a matter of months one way or another to kill or torture again… I won't have that on my conscience, those deaths would have been on me…" her voice was raised now the anger and frustration taking hold, if it was anyone else, a stranger she wouldn't rise to the bait but this was her father's brother, he knew her, watched her grow up and she couldn't bear when he used her father's opinion against her.
"And how do you justify letting hostages die just so you could kill another Batarian, you are dangerous Livia you can't even see that you defer to no one, you now only have to report to that all interfering Council that looks down on all things human, and you turned your back on everything your father believed in for more power to be able to kill whenever you feel the need to act like God." He was shouting now too and red with anger in the face.
They began to move towards each other as they were shouting but people were moving between them and while some stood next to Mikhalovich others stood next to Shepard trying to calm her down.
Liara was beyond furious she wanted to tear the man's head off, but she was working really hard to maintain control and to get Shepard to move away, she knew that if this escalated her human would feel terrible about it once her rage and pain had subsided.
Yes unexpectedly Liara was sensing not only the anger and rage so easy to see but also deep pain and sorrow, she would talk to Shepard about this later and try to understand where the pain was coming from.
"Yeah well when you've the balls to fight face to face with killers and slavers, when you've held dying children who've been tortured and had control chips put in their heads… if you ever have the guts to come out of that ivory tower of yours and get down in the dirt well… then maybe… maybe you'd understand why if you get the shot you take it to save lives down the line… but you don't do you… fuckin coward…"
They were both shouting insults at each other at the same time but with Shepard's last sentence the area in between the two groups seemed to explode with movement as a young man, around Shepard's age, broke through the crowd and slammed into Shepard and landed a punch in the face.
"Don't you call my father a coward you fucking bitch." He stood red faced with his fist still raised as he watched Shepard, who had been caught off guard, slammed backwards onto the floor.
Shepard was hardly down before she was back on her feet and she slammed her cousin in the face with a head butt to the nose and he toppled backward and flat out on the floor.
At the same moment Liara, Shepards Aunt Cathy and three of her cousins all surrounded her and started walking her away. She went with them suddenly exhausted, dazed and close to tears.
"Come on LV, let's get you out of here, come back to our accommodation, come on," her Aunt was talking in soothing tones and as they moved through the room they were joined by a larger group of family members all trying to show their support for Shepard and all determined to leave with her.
"Liara," Cathy said across Shepard's chest as they were walking on either side of her, "do you think we should call Hannah to join us in my quarters?"
"I believe that may be a good idea, I shall put a call in…" but before Liara could finish her sentence they saw the hurrying figure of Hannah Shepard coming straight towards them. They were in the corridor now and they could all see she did not look happy in fact Liara could clearly see where her Shepard got her 'murderous' look from.
'Hannah it just came out of nowhere we were watching like hawks, kept them apart all evening and then," Cathy said as they came together and to a stop, Shepard was still in the daze that had descended on her after the fight.
"I am fighting every instinct I have to go in there a punch that man in the face myself, but what the hell good would it do, he is an evil, mean, miserable bastard. He will have a piece of my mind but not tonight." She looked across the group behind and around her daughter, "thank you all for looking out for her, thank you Cathy, I think she needs quiet. If it's ok with you I think Liara and I will take her back to my quarters and we'll catch up in the morning."
With thanks and assurances of support, pats on the back from many hands and goodnights all-round the group split with Hannah and Liara flanking and guiding Shepard off towards the accommodation block.
Once out of earshot Hannah said "I think we should take her back to your quarters Liara and just put her to bed, I'm sure she would rather just be with you, " Hannah smiled at her daughters lover who smiled appreciatively back, "let me know when you are both up and awake and she feels up to me coming over."
"Thank you Hannah I will and I will take care of her," they were outside their door and Hannah moved towards Liara and pulled the Asari into a hug and said,
"Of that I can be absolutely certain Liara and I thank you for it," Hannah Shepard turned and gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek and finished, 'see you in the morning get some sleep."
Shepard seemed to only just notice her mother and she nodded. They moved inside the rooms and within ten minutes Shepard was in bed and asleep but not the quiet, peaceful sleep of the night before, this sleep was full of restless torment.
As Liara sat on the edge of the bed watching over her love she decided she would get to the bottom of the bad feeling between Shepard and her Uncle, she would find out where the source of Shepard's pain was and try to help her heal it.
But for now she would try to soothe Shepard's sleep with a light meld and hold her safely in her arms through the dark night.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 3, 2012 2:49:55 GMT 1
Chapter 18
Shepard was brooding on the events of the night before and despite Liara's best efforts she refused to talk about what had happened.
Even when her mother arrived Shepard continued to slouch on the sofa and stare without really seeing at the movie playing out its story on the large vid screen on the wall.
Liara and Hannah exchanged a look and as Liara switched of the screen Hannah Shepard sat down opposite her daughter and spoke to her.
"He is a complete shit Livia and I have never understood why he can affect you so much, for god's sake he's only your father's half-brother and a more pompous, uptight, irrelevant ass it is difficult to meet this side of a political convention," she was watching her daughter intently and was rewarded with a wan smile.
"I feel so embarrassed, I'm so sorry Liara, Mum, I really let you down, everything he says I am… the worst of who I am I laid out for him on a plate for everyone to see… just to prove him right." Shepard had looked at both of them as she apologised and then went back to staring at the now blank screen.
"But why Shepard, this has to be more about what you are hearing and not what he is saying," Liara said gently and stroked Shepard's arm.
Hannah leaned forward and said more softly, "Liara's right and the only reason I can think he has such and effect on you is because you think he is saying what your father would say if he was here," as Hannah watched her daughter she could see pain forcing its way onto her face. That confirmed her suspicions and Shepard's mother knew it was time to have this long overdue conversation.
"Look," Shepard suddenly sat up and her voice was now stronger as she spoke she looked from Liara to her mother, "whatever you think of him he was Dad's older brother and they were close, Dad rated him even if they saw some things differently.
They were close, Mum and there's no good you shaking your head, you know they were. So why shouldn't he know what… he will have known a different side of Dad and you can't tell me any different." Shepard leaned forward and with her elbows on her knees she held her head in her hands.
"But it's more than that, " Shepard's voice was lower and it was clear to the two women sitting with her it was also full of emotion, "what if he is just flat out right, for fucks sake when did I get the monopoly on knowing, really knowing, taking away someone's life certainty of knowing, what the right or the wrong thing to do is… dressing it up like I'm just trying to even the scales of justice when maybe it's just the red haze of battle fury, or worse the cold calculating fury of personal hate.
Do you honestly think I did the right thing hunting down every last one of those slavers and pirates on Torfan, even after we knew we'd beaten them, just so we could say we killed them all? I already lost a quarter of my squad before we chased them into their underground bunkers; I only came out with a handful of marines. Sent the Major mad with the knowledge we killed prisoner's… that was me… I did that… you look me in the eye and tell me you're proud of what I did that day." Shepard looked up and stared her mother square in the eyes.
"You know instead of whining about what it cost you marine you need to remember what your mission was," Hannah Shepard's words may have been harsh but her voice and her demeanour remained gentle, "your orders were to take any and all measures to end the threat from Batarian and other criminal elements who had not only carried out the Skyllian Blitz but who were continuing to attack Alliance settlements killing, torturing and stealing men, women and children to sell as slaves.
Your nightmares and the weight you carry come with the uniform and the rank, you know that. I know it and your father certainly knew it."
Liara leaned in towards Shepard and said, "I know that because of the action the Alliance took on Torfan that Batarian's started retreating from all across Citadel space which meant a lot of other worlds, settlements and colonies were also made safe."
Shepard flashed a look at Liara and a small nod to acknowledge the truth of what had been said, but turned back to her mother and asked, "but can you, hand on heart, tell me that Dad would have done the same thing, or that he wouldn't be ashamed of me?"
"Yes, I can," Hannah's voice was now powerful and her face stern and a little foreboding, "and I knew your father better than Lucas ever did. You forget sometimes Liv how much your father always tried hard to see the good in people, and especially with family he forgave them a lot. Lucas always had a chip on his shoulder, always felt he was better than his half brothers and sisters and he let them know it.
The Mikhalovich name and legacy is all he used to brag on about, worried that the Shepard blood would water down the family greatness… oh god I had no patience for him then and less now… yes his father died before Lucas was even born but plenty of kids lose their parents and turn out decent, but he is twisted inside and you can't see it because you think he has a direct line to your father well he doesn't." Hannah stood up suddenly and looked extremely upset.
"I won't have it, do you hear me, no more of this soul searching and second guessing. Your father would have been proud of you no matter what, he may have disagreed with some of your choices, though I can't say I can think of one so far, and you are more like him even than you realise." She had Shepard's full attention and when she spoke she looked from her daughter to Liara and asked,
"Answer me this, who knows you better than anyone else in the galaxy, who knows your mind and your heart and could answer best what you would might think about something if you weren't around to ask… if you and Liara are ever blessed with children who would you want your kids asking about what you may or may not feel or think about them… someone like Lucas… or your partner Liara, the mother of your children." As she finished speaking she had tears in her eyes and Shepard jumped off the sofa and wrapped her arms around her mother.
Shepard was shocked on so many levels by her mother's outburst but it had the desired effect, it snapped her out of whatever black hole of doubt and despair that the shadow of her father's voice had sent her into to.
Liara also looked wide eyed and decided the best thing to do was to make some tea for everyone. And when she returned with the drinks Shepard and her mother were sitting down and Hannah Shepard was once more composed and looking a little embarrassed.
"Asari tea, it is very soothing, can I get you anything to eat," Liara said as she busied herself with pouring the drinks.
"Tea will be lovely Liara," Hannah said, "well I don't think I've been that upset since, well, since my daughter nearly died on Elysium, or was it the time she nearly died on the Friezlan campaign, no it may have been…" she was cut by Shepard who through laughter said.
"Hell Mum you make me sound like a crap marine can't go anywhere without getting smashed up."
"Oh you should hear what Doctor Chakwas says about her," Liara joined in and they settled into some easy conversation which ranged from the number and style of concussions that Shepard had managed to rack up last year alone and how many times she broke something as a child growing up pushing her limits.
In the back of Shepard's mind she was trying to process how Liara had reacted to her mother talking about them having children and wondered how she herself felt about it.
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Although New Year's eve started badly for Shepard after getting straightened out by her mother and spending the day with Liara, Garrus, family and friends, by the time they were dressing to go out to the big party her happy mood was fully restored.
Shepard was also guaranteed not to bump into Admiral Mikhalovich, as she was now going to think of him, he was no kin to her any longer. He had been taken to task by pretty much most of the family present on the station and decided to leave taking his son, who did indeed have a broken nose, with him.
Shepard also reminded herself of how he had treated his daughter, her cousin and probably best friend as they were both growing up. Tasha and Shepard had joined the Alliance together, been at boot camp together and served in the 103rd Division where Tasha had then gone on to train and serve in the Special Forces.
She had run into some problems, Shepard never really knew what had happened, but Tash ended up being court martialled and was thrown out of the Alliance. Her father banned her from the family, disowned her, he was a complete bastard about it.
Shepard hadn't seen or heard from her since before all the trouble, she sometimes wondered if she should try to find her and see if she was ok, but there was always another mission, or prep for one, or some other duty that took her time up.
Shepard was broken out of her memories as Liara, dressed for their evening out, made her entrance into the lounge from the bedroom. Shepard wanted to do nothing but stand there for ever and enjoy completely the sight of her Asari lover's entrance… and what an entrance.
Liara was wearing a long dress, again made of some kind of material that hugged her figure accentuating the curves of her body, but also gave the impression of being liquid.
The dress was also cut so that it showed off her back and scooped in around her waist, she was also showing a little cleavage, and all in all it was a very sexy and sensual dress just about covering a very sexy and sensual body.
Shepard actually couldn't speak and just stood, giving the impression of her mouth hanging open, staring, at the most beautiful vision in the galaxy.
"Outstanding," was all she could manage as she held out her arm for Liara as they headed for the door. Shepard's dress blues a perfect foil for the silver of her Asari's dress.
It was a military dance as all the families and friends groups who were spending the holiday on Arcturus would all be celebrating together. There was even a rumour that Hackett himself may attend, Shepard wondered if Anderson would turn up with his Doctor in tow.
The evening was a huge success. Shepard and Liara had a fantastic time, Garrus had bonded with a small group of her single relatives and they were already into war stories and drinking games before the evening was warmed up.
The music was provided by a live band and a live dj doing alternate sets so most musical tastes were catered for.
As the evening got late the band took over completely and they played a lot of twentieth century jazz which seemed to be a favourite with a lot of Alliance officers, including Shepard. Her father had a big collection that predated his joining up and they got played a lot as she was growing up, she knew most of them off by heart.
They were dancing to a song called 'East of the Moon' and Shepard was quietly singing along close to Liara's ear. Shepard knew her limitations and couldn't really sing but up close and more whispering than singing Liara seemed to be enjoying the experience very much.
"Shepard," Liara said leaning back a little to look into her lovers eyes, "I believe there is an old Earth custom where couples choose a particular song that has meaning for them. Is this true?" Liara looked about as cute as Shepard had ever seen her look and couldn't help but drift in and kiss her briefly before answering.
"Well now have you been getting relationship tips or is this more research into the foibles of human courtship rituals?" Shepard smiled and then went on, "yes darling they do, and I'm afraid I already have one picked out for us… so I better let you in on it at some point, maybe." Shepard said in a teasing tone.
"But Shepard it will never be 'ours' if you do not share it with me. And why to you get to choose," with her last comment Liara playfully pushed Shepard's shoulder.
"Ah well we're not limited to just one… you could choose a piece of the equivalent of Asari opera that you make me sit through for hours on end, with me not understanding anything but it's still all very romantic and whenever it plays I think of my ass going numb but that no sacrifice is too great so long as it makes you happy,"
They laughed together and resumed their closer dancing. When the next song came on it was a slow version of 'I've got you under my skin'.
Shepard immediately gave Liara a very broad grin and said, "How's that for timing, this is the song that reminds me of you, of us. I was listening to some music not long after we met and I realised you really had gotten under my skin, I couldn't stop thinking about you," Shepard leaned in and kissed Liara.
Liara's eyes were glazed with tears but she looked so happy, "sing it to me Shepard" and they carried on dancing close until the night finally drew to a close.
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The following couple of days were pretty busy. As the holiday drew to a close the final day was filled with saying goodbyes and arranging to keep in touch.
Then back to the Normandy to prepare for the crew's return with a trip to the Citadel to pick up their science, tech and security teams and the rest of Shepard's specialist team.
As they made final check's before leaving the Citadel Shepard called a planning meeting of her team in the comms room.
"Well we need to just finish off the last system in the Omega Nebula but that will be quick and then we're going to head into Batarian space. The Alliance want us to look for any build-up of pirate activity, there have been merchant ships attacked in the area particularly close to the Arahot system.
But we're also heading there because I'm pretty sure that's where at least the dead Reaper was taken and probably the Artifact as well." She finished and threw it open to discussion and they chewed over the finer details of avoiding detection by the Batarian's in their home system.
When the meeting finished Shepard gave Joker his orders, "Set course for the Amada system Joker get us there quick as you can our real business is with the Batarians."
"Aye, aye Commander," and Joker eased the lithe, sleek and beautiful ship away from the dock and headed out to the relay.
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Shepard and Garrus had just sat down at the mess table with their lunch tray. They had almost finished scanning the Amada system, this was the last cluster and it was only a 'drive by'.
Joker came loud and clear over the comms at almost the same time an emergency alert started to sound throughout the ship, the alert was only amber but Joker's voice was giving a different message.
"Commander a very large ship has just dropped out of FTL directly in front of us, unknown signature, they know we're here," he was cut off by Pressley coming on the comms.
"We are in full stealth mode Commander they can't possibly know…." Before he could finish Ash's voice came over the comms.
"Commander they are powering some form of weapon, Joker full evasive…" and again before she could complete her sentence they all felt the ship jerk and shudder.
"Hit on engineering FTL drive offline… going to try to get behind this moon," Joker said calmly but the edge in his voice clear to all.
"Joker send highest priority, SOS Delta, to Alliance, keep repeating and launch a beacon we will not be sending from the escape pods do you hear me?" Shepard spoke into her ear comms directly to Joker.
"Copy that Commander, SOS, abandon ship, Delta 5 Gamma," Joker answered.
At that moment Liara and Chakwas came out of the medbay, they had been meeting about something and Shepard couldn't think what, then she snapped into action.
Moving swiftly to the gear lockers and activating a control console located above them, she began pulling on her heavy armour which was also a full pressure suit as she keyed in the automated abandon ship order. She also spoke over the ship wide comms system.
"Listen up this is a direct and immediate actionable order… do not go to red battle stations… do not go to red battle stations… abandon ship… abandon ship… go immediately to the nearest escape pod… do not activate homing beacons or any comms system until you are contacted by an Alliance rescue call… I repeat safety protocol Delta 5 Gamma… protocol Delta 5 Gamma… abandon ship immediately... Shepard out"
She turned to look at Liara, Chakwas, Garrus and the group of other crew who had been in the mess hall who were all gathering around her.
"Delta 5 Gamma means no comms not even suit to suit, whoever this is they managed to find us in stealth, they'll be able to pick everyone off via comms or emergency beacon signals, they're here to kill we will not make it easy for them.
The Alliance has already had our ship distress call they will come for us." She looked at Liara first and then the others "what the fuck are you all standing around for get to the pods on this level and get off this ship."
With that everyone apart from Liara and Garrus ran to the far bulkhead and started unlocking the emergency escape pods, another shudder and ship seemed to lurch again.
"I am staying Shepard what do we need to do," Liara said, by this time Shepard had gotten on her armour and Garrus was just beginning to grab his out of the lockers.
"Both of you now into a pod," she looked at Garrus, "get her into a pod and keep her safe Garrus that's a direct order."
"No Shepard I will not leave…" Shepard cut Liara off and touched her cheek then said "I'm just going to run up to CIC and grab a pod from there, I need to make sure I get as many of my crew out as possible, now please Liara for me so I don't have to worry, go" and with that Shepard snapped on her helmet and began running across the mess hall and towards the stairs.
She looked behind just as she was about to turn the corner and saw Garrus almost pulling Liara towards the escape pods and saw the Doc joining Garrus and helping to cajole Liara in the right direction.
Shepard switched on her suit comms "sit rep Joker, Ash anyone."
"Second hit took out CIC Commander… I only have manoeuvring thrusters still trying to make it to the nearest moon for cover…"
"Get out Joker you heard the command get to an escape pod now that's an order mister."
She had now reached CIC and it was a mess, blasted and twisted consoles, the galaxy map command deck was chewed up and hull breaches from side to side, only flickering fields of blue energy keeping out the cold dark vacuum of space, but they wouldn't last long.
Shepard tried hard not to wonder how many made it to the pods and she gave a cursory check to the few bodies lying around, but even from a distance they were clearly dead and some almost unrecognisable.
"Spencer was hit in the first blast Commander and I can't get to him, sorry but I also think I broke my leg…" Joker broke off and Shepard now headed at a pace for the cockpit. As she got closer she was walking under an open sky; looking up she saw the planet huge and so close she could make out its surface, and a moon drifting closer, her boots automatically switching to mag mode.
As she approached the cockpit she saw more flickering blue and passing thorough it went straight to where Spencer was slumped over the console, head covered in blood, and hauled him up, dragging him into the cockpit escape pod. Next she went to Joker and as she was just starting to lift him out of his chair he said.
"Shit Commander they're coming around for another hit," they both fixed their eyes on the ship that was indeed turning again to fire on the now completely disabled and slowly disintegrating Normandy.
She redoubled her efforts to get her pilot out of his seat and lifted him bodily knowing she was probably breaking more bones but there was no other way.
"Sorry Commander, I couldn't… they were so quick… I" she cut him off.
"You did great Joker; you did everything I would have expected; now let's get into that fucking escape pod."
"Shit someone really wants you dead huh Commander," Joker was trying to mask the pain as she passed him through the door and he slumped into the seat inside the pod.
Just as Joker was settled inside another blaze of light smashed into the Normandy causing it to twist and shudder and an explosion tore through what was left of the bulkheads around the pod blasting Shepard backwards through space.
She grabbed the wall and looked into Jokers face he was shouting from inside the door of the pod but she couldn't hear him, she had switched of her comms and the pods were all automatically disabled until reset… she looked to where her left hand was on the wall and saw the pod release control.
She hit it and saw the door close just as another blast hit and she felt herself being punched with great force backwards along with the other loose debris from the cockpit and CIC.
Shepard steadied her breathing and tried not to panic, she looked at the scene lighting up her faceplate, the Normandy flashing with fire and explosions, torn to pieces and breaking apart, the enormous unknown vessel that had taken her ship and who knew how many of her crew.
She saw a few of the small emergency pods being blasted away from danger and hoped all of them were full, they were safe unless their attackers decided to just start blasting at the wreckage, they were too small to pick out of the mass of debris that was now littering the area.
Somewhere in one of those was Liara, safe, mad as hell, she was going to really get an earful when they were reunited. She felt calmer, she was in a full pressure suit, the only question was would her air last until a rescue ship turned up and was she going to get caught in the gravity well of either that fucking big planet or the equally dangerous moon.
Then she heard it, a soft but persistent bleep, and red flashing light on her HUD. She was losing oxygen, the gauge was falling as she was looking at it, every breath out was lost to space and not being recycled, but worse than that there was also a leak from air reserves tank. She tried to feel the pipes but it was no good, she would only be able to feel if there was a clear break or crack and the damage was obviously smaller but no less deadly.
"Well what did you expect Shepard if it's going to go wrong it fucking will… yeah Joker someone really wants me dead and it looks like they managed it… fuck.. this is so fucking not fair" she allowed her panic and fear to move into anger, what else could she do.
The pain and the real fear started as she saw the gauge hit empty, she struggled to breath to get a breath despite knowing logically there was no air, it was instinctual, she had no control, she was human you kept trying to live even when you know you're dying.
She felt dizzy then realised she couldn't see the light around her anymore, not even the fires that still burned on parts of the Normandy, she couldn't remember what she was trying to do and then nothing.
If anyone could have seen Shepard at that moment they would have seen her body going into convulsions while drifting amongst debris from her ship towards the gravity wells of the planet and the moon.
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In one of the escape pods Liara was sitting between Doctor Chakwas and Garrus, with the rest of the eight spaces also filled with crew from the mess deck.
Liara was sick with worry she had such a bad feeling, she was mad at Shepard for making her leave, at Garrus and Karin for somehow getting her into the pod, but most of all she was angry with herself for not staying to help and make sure her love got of the ship.
Some in the pod were looking out of the small port holes watching as their ship disintegrated, but Liara didn't dare, Shepard could still be on it, or racing for a pod with the thing falling apart around her.
"Shepard will be fine Liara she will have seen the damage to the CIC and jumped straight into a pod, she was probably out the airlock before we were," Garrus tried to force his voice to be positive.
"You don't know that Garrus, but… thank you for trying to…" she stopped speaking as a strange, physical feeling swept through her body.
Liara had never felt anything like it before; she felt absolute panic and then couldn't breathe. Chakwas and Garrus turned with concern and then worry as they saw the young Asari struggling.
"Lay her down on her side," the Doctor said and with Garrus and another crew member helped move Liara gently onto the floor, "Liara it's alright you're having a panic attack I think, just try to breath normally."
And then suddenly it stopped, she could breathe again, and the panic had stopped, but something else was there… nothing… a cold, empty space we're she could always feel her connection with Shepard.
"No… no… she's not there… she's… Shepard" Liara sat up and moved so that she could look out of the nearest port hole and as the rest of her companions in the pod looked on Liara broke down into hysterical crying staring out at the scene of devastation, her hands scrapping at the window as if in an attempt to get out.
"Garrus pass me that medical kit I'm going to sedate her," Chakwas said as she moved to try to hold and soothe Liara, who on the Doctors touch turned to face her, eyes wild she looked out of her mind with grief.
"She's gone Karin… inside me… the connection… she's not there… you don't understand… Shepard is gone" and then Liara lapsed into incoherent sounds full of pain and misery.
"I'm going to give you something to help, and I do understand, I am so sorry Liara," Karin Chakwas gave Liara the sedative and the grieving Asari began to quieten and they made her comfortable on a sleep pad on the floor.
Garrus and the rest of the crew in the pod all looked at the Doctor for some kind of assurance, something, they had all worked out what Liara had felt and what it might mean.
With a very heavy heart and grief beginning to take her as well Doctor Chakwas looked around and said,
"Their bond is strong and I'm afraid to say if Liara can no longer feel it then we have lost not only dear friends and our ship but we have also lost our Commander." She sat back in her seat her eyes glazed with tears.
The rest of the crew also sat back in shock, with loss and grief for everything that had just happened washing over them.
Garrus felt broken, he had no idea how he would deal with the loss of such a close and good friend and how he could help Liara who was devastated.
As deeply as Shepard's life had touched them all so would her death, Garrus just hoped he had the strength to follow through on his Commanders final orders, 'keep her safe Garrus that's a direct order.'
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 7, 2012 3:02:05 GMT 1
A/N We are going to spend a little time with Liara this chapter but don't worry Shep will be back.
And just to say I really do value any feedback that you guys want to give me.
Welcome and thank you to our new joiners and thank you for those of you who are sticking with the story.
Chapter 19
Liara didn't remember much about the arrival of the rescue vessels, or their time in the pod, as Doctor Chakwas kept her under light sedation for the young Asari's wellbeing.
The slowly drifting silver lifesaving capsules, their mass fields protecting the precious lives within, were still almost impossible to pick out amongst the debris field. But when the first rescue ship arrived on the scene the call and response of coded signals, activated automatically, allowed for rapid recovery.
The crew in the pods were alerted to their imminent rescue as their emergency beacons and comms systems came to life. Many faces gathered around port holes searching for their rescuers and conversations started about which ship it would likely be given they were in a far flung corner of the Terminus system and a long way from Citadel space.
To some surprise the vessel was not Alliance but Asari. The Normandy, after all, was both an Alliance and a Council ship. When Arcturus had received the distress call's and the notification of the Gamma protocol all Alliance ships in the Terminus system, which included a small scout flotilla, were directed to the Normandy's coordinates.
Admiral Hackett had taken the decision to kept notification outside the Alliance at an extremely high security level and contacted Councillor Tevos personally only because he knew an Asari science vessel was within ten hours of the Normandy's location and the nearest Alliance vessel was twenty four hours away.
He wanted to know more about the 'unknown' attacker and 'how the hell they even knew the Normandy was in that system let alone how they bypassed the ships full stealth mode' and until his crew had been secured he was going to keep both the destruction of the Normandy and knowledge of survivor's as highly classified and protected information.
Once safely aboard the Asari ship the surviving crew were able to reunite and begin to count the full cost of their loss. Doctor Chakwas spent a little time with the crew before disappearing to the Asari medical centre to oversee the care of her injured crew. Liara had also been taken directly to the med centre Garrus at her side steadfastly refusing to move further than a few feet away and never letting her out of his sight.
They had lost over half the fifty crew compliment. No emergency pods had even been launched from CIC and only one from the lowest level on the engineering/storage deck.
The first hit on the Normandy was targeted on engineering and it killed everyone on duty. It also ripped through the storage deck killing most of the marine and security team, injuring others, destroying both the Mako and Kodiak as it tore gaping holes in the hull of the ship.
The only survivors owed their lives to Wrex who managed to carry three injured marines into an emergency pod before another hit decimated what was left of the storage area, including one full emergency pod just before it managed to deploy. Only Wrex and the three marines got away and one had already died while they were waiting for rescue.
Kasumi and a good number of the science team made it out and those lucky enough to be on the mess deck which included Liara's team. But they lost everyone from CIC incuding Ash and Pressley who were still at their posts.
When Garrus found out they had also lost Ash he was surprised he was able to actually feel more wretched than he already did. He was thankful that Wrex was ok and said so when the Krogan came to see him in the med centre.
"Yeah," the big Krogan said sadness etched into his body language and easily heard in his voice, "glad to see you too," and he gave Garrus a small pat on the shoulder. Then he turned to look at Liara who, despite the remains of the sedation, appeared to be restless and troubled in her shallow sleep.
"How did she take it?"
"Badly, she was… is… inconsolable," Garrus said now also turning to the fragile looking Asari, "they were so close Wrex, and this… so sudden… I don't know… it's going to be hard for her. But I have my orders from Shepard and I won't let either of them down." Garrus finished, his voice almost breaking.
Wrex turned and nodded slowly "anything you need from me, you got it, you take good care of that little girl, and it's all we can do for Shepard now.
But I'm going back to Tuchanka to try to get my people ready for the Reapers. If there's one thing Shepard taught me it's that we're going to have to work together to beat them and dammit if she didn't make me feel like I should give my people another chance to be better than they are."
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The Asari ship sat in an orbit around the nearest moon and waited for the rendezvous with Alliance vessels racing to the coordinates. The Asari crew made the Normandy survivors as comfortable and welcome as possible giving up their beds so that the more exhausted could try to get some rest.
Once the Alliance arrived the crew and the escape pods were transferred to the SSV Budapest for the journey back to Arcturus Station. Other Alliance ships were on the scene searching, in name at least, for survivors; although it was bodies they knew they would find.
And they searched for answers, although that would be a race against time as the wrecked Normandy was caught in the gravity well of the planet Alchera and was in a degrading orbit, a lot of the smaller pieces of wreckage and detritus was already hitting the edge of the planet's atmosphere.
On the journey to Arcturus Liara remained in the officer's cabin she had been assigned not even leaving for meals. She was exhibiting symptoms of psychological shock, detached and distant, hardly saying a word.
The Asari ship's counsellor, a Siari priestess, was travelling back to Arcturus with Liara at her request. She spent a lot of time with the young Asari trying to encourage her to meditate and talking to her of the effects of losing a bondmate.
Shepard and Liara had not formerly, officially, acknowledged their joining as such but the reality was they had indeed formed a deep and fully joined bond, that much was very clear to the Priestess which caused her grave concerns.
Priestess D'Leet discussed the implications with Doctor Chakwas at the Doctor's request. Karin still felt completely responsible for Liara's health and wellbeing and she wanted to understand what was happening to her friend and, still, crew member.
"The strength of such a bond needs a maturity not only of the mind and spirit but also of the body. It will be difficult for a non-Asari to understand but Doctor T'Soni is still very young, yet we have to accept she is mature enough to have made the bond." The Priestess looked and sounded troubled.
"Yes I have to admit I am not as familiar as I ought to be with Asari physiology unless it's in terms of injury, what does this mean for Liara?"
"You say she seemed to experience something akin to what the Commander may have been experiencing at her death," Karin nodded her assertion and D'Leet continued, "this is not uncommon in long lasting deep bonding's, but with experience and maturity the actual physical effects are contained or blocked at an unconscious level.
To have that experience on top of losing a bondmate at such an young age and what I have sensed was such a powerful bond then Liara will not find the grieving and loss process in any way straightforward.
She should go back to Thessia and spend time within a Temple with an Atamna; it is how we describe groups of our high priestesses."
"Has she been affected physically?" Doctor Chakwas pressed D'Leet as she still didn't feel she understood what was or would continue to happen to Liara.
"She will continue to feel the after effects of the physical 'sharing' of her bondmates death, but they will fade reasonably quickly. The emotional loss will take its course, she will find her way as we all do along the path of grief, but it is the psychological and spiritual damage that concerns me. These young bonding's happen so rarely and losing a bondmate in these circumstances even more rare, almost unheard of, well, as I said she will need the support of our most experienced and knowledgeable spiritual guides."
Both women sat in silence both thinking about the terrible and painful journey the young Asari was going to have to go through.
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As soon as Admiral Hackett had set in motion the search and rescue operation for the Normandy, and had spoken to Councillor Tevos, his next call was to the SSV Kilimanjaro.
Since assuming command of the Alliance Navy Hackett had needed to make Arcturus his base. But Captain Hannah Shepard remained the XO on his old flagship combining her special duties leading the intelligence unit and her duties on board.
When he told her of the distress call from the Normandy she was obviously concerned but she was the consummate professional Alliance officer and until they had a sit rep she would remain confident that the Normandy's Commander had made a successful evacuation of her ship with her crew.
When Hackett got the report from the Asari Captain and he had the opportunity to have a very brief word with Lieutenant Moreau to ensure absolutely that Commander Lydia Vega Shepard had been killed in action, he was ready, but deeply saddened, to make the second call to his former XO.
"Admiral I assume the rescue teams have reached the Normandy coordinates," Hannah Shepard was standing, alone, in the Kilimanjaro's QEC room, ram rod straight her uniform and her rank providing a shield to her emotions.
"Hannah," on hearing Hackett use her first name she knew it would be the worst news, it wasn't the first time he had used it, they had known each other for years after all, were friends, but he only used it in the most informal of situations or…
"I have confirmation that LV was killed while saving two of her crew in the final moments before the Normandy was destroyed completely.
There is little room for doubt; we have data from both the Normandy systems and the escape pod that she loaded her crew members into. You have my deepest sympathies Hannah. Shepard…"
As Hackett used the name that was more usual for him Shepard's mother felt her composure slip just a little, he continued "… is a huge loss for the Alliance and for humanity, she died as she lived, bravely putting her life on the line to save others. Little comfort that she will be put forward, and receive, a posthumous medal for bravery."
"What were the overall losses," Captain Shepard needed to stop the Tsunami of emotion that was beginning to build momentum with her, "Liara?"
"We lost around twenty six crew, including members of the special teams. I am expecting accurate figures shortly; Liara is alive but not doing well by all accounts.
The Budapest should be on scene within ten hours to pick up the survivors and return them to Arcturus." Even to those who had known him since he was a young man Hackett was hard to read but she saw sorrow in his eyes as he spoke.
"I would like permission to meet them there Admiral," Hannah knew from her own experience what Liara would be going through. In that moment she felt her barriers weaken as she thought of the last time her world had crashed around her ears when she received the news of the death of her husband.
"Of course Hannah, I'll make all the necessary arrangements; we'll talk when you get here, Hackett out." The figure of Admiral Hackett turned and the image broke up.
Hannah Shepard sent a brief message to her Captain, who was aware of the situation, removing herself from duty and she went to her cabin.
Once inside she could let the barriers between Alliance officer and mother dissolve and allow the heart rending sobs, tears, despair and pain overtake her.
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As they were docking Liara made a request to Admiral Hackett through Doctor Chakwas and Karin realised just how important it was given that Liara had hardly said twenty words since Shepard's death.
So two hours after disembarking Liara finally found herself walking into the bedroom she had shared with Shepard on their visit to Arcturus merely a week ago. The last week of her life that she would feel truly alive and whole.
Liara moved over to edge of the bed and tried to visualise the last time Shepard had been laying in it, the last words they had said to each other in this room. She didn't want to think about the last words Shepard had said to her on the Normandy, that was to final, to… painful.
She had a sudden urge to have something, anything of Shepard's, clothes, something that had touched her love, smelt of her… the sheets, pillows all newly laundered… it was as if Shepard had been washed out of the galaxy.
And then it came, the distance she had managed to hold in place shattered to pieces with the realisation it was over, Shepard was not coming back, there was nothing she could do or say to change it… nothing.
Liara fell to her knees next to the bed as the emotion swept through her and she was finally able to let it out, inhabit it. A low pain sodden, wracking howl ripped from her very soul and she wrapped her arms around herself tightly either for comfort or to hold herself together she couldn't tell; gut wrenching sobs physically rocking her body, as she entered a state of absolute loss, pain and anger.
In the lounge Garrus stood looking out the long window not seeing the ships slowly manoeuvring towards or away from the docking bays, each howl of pain from the bedroom cutting though him like a jagged blade.
On the dining table Priestess D'Leet was laying out a small alter whilst offering small chants, affirmations and prayer to release soothing and calming energy. She was also readying herself for when she would be called to try to explain, even justify, why the Goddess had been so cruel.
The Priestess would need to help Liara remember that Shepard's death meant the merging of her spiritual energy back into the greater universal consciousness. And whilst Liara may well accept and believe that to be the case it would offer no comfort of peace for her, yet, not at this, the most acute, moment of loss.
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The week that followed had a momentum of its own that seemed unstoppable. Shepard's mother arrived and despite her own grief and obvious pain did everything she could to support Liara. They became very close and Hannah made sure that Liara was involved in every aspect of the planning of Shepard's memorial service and any other arrangements that were needed or required an opinion on.
Despite the cost Liara put herself back together at times so that she could do the things she knew Shepard would want her to do. She visited the crew to see how they were doing and to wish them well, they were still Shepard's crew and in a bizarre way the only 'thing' that was physically left of her human lover, at least until they were all reassigned.
The one person she did not want to visit was Joker, not because she blamed him in any way. She knew from speaking to Karin that he blamed himself terribly, he was also still in the hospital as he had suffered extensive injury.
No it wasn't because she had any animosity towards him, but she would have to ask, she wouldn't be able not to… what happened… exactly… every detail… every word… until the door of the pod shut, until Joker watched as the life signs flat lined on the pod's scanner.
And she desperately wanted to know… and she didn't… because she knew she would just play it over and over again to torment herself. She already knew more than Joker, more than anyone ever could or would, she shared the last moments with Shepard, the last moments…
"Jeff," Liara said quietly sitting next to the bed.
He looked haggard, not the joking, wisecracking pilot of old. He could barely look her in the eye, pain, guilt and remorse clear to be seen in his eyes and on his hollow face.
"I'm real sorry Liara… feel like such a useless… if… but I… we were both injured and you know the Commander she just… well you know Shepard," he trailed off eyes now fixed on the bed sheets.
"Yes Jeff I do know Shepard and so do you and she would not want you to take any responsibility for what happened, you know that and you must be kind to yourself and get well." Liara reached over and laid her hand across his.
He looked at her and gave a small nod but looked a little less fraught. Then she asked the question and he told her step by step, word for word, action for action. Liara could tell he had been down the path she was about to tread, he sounded like a man who had relived those final minutes over and over again.
The memorial service for Shepard and the rest of the crew who had been lost was to be held on Earth in Vancouver. There were to be services for Shepard held across Citadel space at the same time and on places like Elysium, Eden Prime, Terra Nova and many more like them, places Shepard had made a difference, saved lives, and restored peace.
The main galactic wide ceremony would be on the Citadel. There was some pressure to only hold one official ceremony and for it to be on the Citadel but Shepard was Alliance, one of their own, she was an Alliance hero before she was a Council one. Vancouver home of the Alliance Navy was where they would say goodbye to her.
Captain Hannah Shepard and Doctor Liara T'Soni were chief mourners and guests of honour. For the ceremony, like most things she had to do that involved her not being on her own, she dropped back into detachment and distance.
When she was alone she didn't have to hold back the tide and she had only allowed Hannah Shepard in to that space, accepting the comfort of being held through a particularly sudden and violent breakdown.
So for Liara the ceremony was an unfocussed dreamlike memory even as it was happening. Hannah suggested that Liara collect Shepard's medal but the young Asari felt that that honour must belong to Shepard's mother.
Eventually it was over and in the hotel room afterwards she said goodbye to both the Priestess D'Leet and Hannah Shepard. Liara and Garrus had talked about his conviction to stay by Liara's side and she understood it was out of a deep caring for her and his need to fulfil his promise to Shepard.
Truth be told she had grown used to his quiet presence and he did a surprising amount of organising and crown control to ensure she had as easy a time a possible.
Garrus was also something else of Shepard's that was left to her, it seems that her lover's legacy would be people and her connection with them, and that thought made her proud and made tears fall slowly down her cheeks at the thought of what they had all lost to the dark embrace of space.
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When it was time to leave Earth Liara had no idea where she wanted or needed to go. She had considered returning to Hasperos, perhaps even setting up home there, they had been so happy and spent so much time together, she would find Shepard there.
But that would not work, she knew she wouldn't find Shepard, only painful reminders at every turn of what she had and lost. No she wanted to have Hasperos as a perfect memory she did not want to taint it with her grief. She remembered suddenly her laughing at Shepard on the journey to the Phosphorus system, because at times her lover sounded just like a tour guide.
They had laughed together about it and Shepard had made the effort to sound even more like a 'tour bus driver' which Liara never quite understood but it amused Shepard which was enough for her.
No, she would go home, the only home she would ever know now, to Thessia, and her mother's, no her, estate. So she asked Garrus to make the arrangements.
On their arrival Liara decided she would stay in one of the guest houses scattered across the extensive grounds, one that gave her a view and easy access to the lake. She didn't want to live in the main house, yet, and perhaps never would.
Garrus choose to also stay in another of the guest houses he really didn't want to be alone with only the servants for company. Garrus had not only been watching over Liara and doing what he could to keep her safe since the loss of the Normandy; he had also started talking to people in Palavan about the threat from the Reapers.
Even trying to persuade his father that this was something the Hierarchy needed to take seriously. Garrus may well have fallen out with his father, or rather his father had practically disowned him, over his career choices but the time spent with a 'galactic hero' and the medal for his role in the Battle for the Citadel seemed to have impressed his father enough to warrant at least a reopening of their relationship.
Garrus swung from feeling if it was ok to trade on all that stuff, which he didn't actively do but didn't challenge his father about it, as it meant his father was willing to open doors for him with influential members of Turian military life.
And then felt really angry and wished he could tell his father that he was the same man with or without a piece of tin and Shepard was a decent human who saw something in Garrus that his father never had and was worth two of him and she shouldn't be treated like some kind of trophy.
He had no idea if he was or would get anywhere but he was going to try and if it meant having a dent in his pride or having to bite his tongue with his father he'd do that to, maybe Shepard had helped him grow up, he thought with a sad smile, as well as all the other things she had shown him he could be.
They quickly fell into a routine on the T'Soni estate. Garrus would join Liara for breakfast as would Matriach T'Joan still the housekeeper of the estate and Liara's former nanny. They would eat breakfast and watch the quiet, distant young Asari eat very little.
Liara would then take up her place on a chair on the small rise overlooking the lake, not far from her guest house, where she would sit, with a soft blanket wrapped across her shoulders. She would take lunch by the lake and often miss dinner completely.
The days turned into a week and apart from conversations with Garrus about any progress he was making, which he firmly believed she was making out of politeness and wouldn't remember any of what they talked about if you had asked her ten minutes later; and conversations with Matriarch T'Joan about what Liara would like to do with the estate and business's now that she was back, which Liara did not engage with at all, she spoke to no one.
But both Garrus and T'Joan agreed it was very early days and the rest at least must be doing Liara good.
A few days later as the afternoon was running into evening the Matriarch called through to Garrus on the estate comms system.
"Mr Vakarian Liara has just had a visitor arrive and I think it may be a good idea if you decided to join them," Matriarch T'Joan sounded her usual calm and efficient self but there was a clear instruction in her words.
"Who is it?" he asked curious to see who could ruffle someone he thought impermeable to the vagaries of everyday life.
"I believe you may have met her Shiala, she was one of the Lady Benezia's closest and most ardent followers. She appeared to have something specific to speak to Liara about, this is not entirely social."
"On my way," Garrus did indeed know Shiala, they had met on Feros when the team went to investigate Geth activity. That creature, plant, whatever the hell it was still gave him a shiver down his spine.
He nodded hello and joined Liara and Shiala around the small table set just outside the guest house and helped himself to some Asari tea which he was getting frighteningly accustomed to.
The first thing he noticed was how animated Liara was, it was the most… well… alive he had seen her since they lost Shepard. Then she spoke and he also heard the anger in her voice.
"Tell Garrus what you just told me," not only anger but her voice was hard as were her eyes, Garrus was now worried, whatever this was it wasn't good.
Shiala seemed to hesitate and gave Liara a questioning look.
"Garrus is my friend Shiala I trust him with my life as did Shepard," her voice and demeanour was more commanding than he had ever heard her be, 'that was pure Benezia," he thought.
"I have been working as an information broker on Illium for the Shadow Broker and some information has come to me regarding Commander Shepard..." Liara interrupted her abruptly.
"Get on with it Shiala, Garrus the Shadow Broker has sent mercs to find Shepard's body to sell to the Collectors, and Shiala believes they have found her and that the exchange is going to happen very soon on Omega… we must tell the Alliance or the Council or someone," she looked completely distraught.
"Hell, are you sure… which mercs Shiala and how close are they to finding… to… recovering the Commander," Garrus's mind was racing he knew how hard it was going to be to get the Alliance to act quickly and if the deal was going down soon…
"No, if a whisper leaks that someone knows about the exchange they will change the details and you will never find them…" Shiala looked from Garrus to Liara, "if you want to stop this you are going to have to act quickly and without alerting the Shadow Broker, it's the Blue Suns," she said turning to Garrus, "but the bigger problem is that Tazzik is overseeing the operation and the exchange."
Before Garrus could say anything Liara stood up and said, "Then that is what we will do. Shiala I want you to have a small squad of Asari commando's ready to leave with us in four hours. Garrus hire a small ship, fast and with firepower, ready to leave in four hours for Omega." When she had finished speaking she began walking into the house, they were dismissed.
"Tazzik is a mean son of a bitch this is not going to be easy, did you really think it was a good idea bringing this to her the state she's in?" Garrus said not hiding his annoyance at Shiala.
"She is the daughter Lady Benezia T'Soni she will not let a loss even of someone like Shepard stop her from doing anything she wants, and what would she have said if I had not told her?" as Shiala spoke there was a brief flash of something in her eyes that Garrus couldn't quite work out but it worried him.
Meanwhile Liara had called up T'Joan to organise armour and weapons for herself, Garrus and Shiala, and to make sure they both had the resources they needed to make the arrangements she had given them.
Everything was ready exactly as she had ordered and the small scout ship left Thessia five hours after Liara had been told that her beloved Shepard was in danger of falling into the hands of the Collectors, which was something that she would not allow.
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On a Blue Suns merc ship heading at speed for the Amada system the Captain tasked by Tazzik to recover Shepard's body is talking to his team about their latest commission from the Shadow Broker.
"We have a stasis pod on board so as soon as we pick up the body and drop it in the pod we head back to Omega, this is easy credits," he said with a greasy grin.
"Yeah but we got to find it first… it's a big moon" one of his men snarled.
"Nah somebody did a lot of calculating to find out where the dumb fuck landed so we won't have to search for long."
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Dr Miranda Lawson walked into her meeting with the Illusive Man's and was so distracted she didn't even notice the raging, boiling sun that filled the glass wall behind his chair.
"Miranda, kind of you to join me," he said in a kindly voice, "Dr Ortega feels that with the length of time between death and recovery our attempts will prove futile," he finished and took a look inhale on his cigarette.
"He's wrong the Lazarus Project calculations has allowed for a longer period after death than this for a viable result, we have no idea about the state of the body, if the suite was punctured then she would have been in a vacuum from very early on which means there will be no decomposition.
My concern is the amount of damage from entry; if it's true they located her on the moon then that may also work in our favour. We can't not try, surely, she was a bloody icon, and we should at least try to get her back."
"My thoughts exactly Miranda," TIM said through another cloud of smoke, "Doctor Ortega lacks your skill and expertise, and perhaps he would rather not have you outshine him, petty, but very human.
We have a problem though, the Shadow Broker does not want to sell the body to us, and he had an altogether better buyer, the Collectors. Our network is not strong in the Terminus system and Omega particularly, so I am sending you and a small team.
If you don't retrieve Shepard's body then we will never know if you could have revived our human hero. Don't fail."
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On a cold, dark moon, in a vast crater, a crumpled shape stands out from the background; the pale almost white dust that covers the surface a perfect backdrop for the black armour plates and signature red stripe of Shepard's hard suit.
Faceplate smashed off and helmet cracked on impact, blank eyes stare up into the dark of space, oblivious to the continuing interest in her dead or alive.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 7, 2012 23:40:56 GMT 1
A/N So we go way to the left of cannon for a few of the threads of our story in this chapter. Hope you like the turns. Shepard will be joining us in the nest chapter and be prepared for a bumpy ride. This chapter is a bit dark... did I say a bit...
Chapter 20
On the way to Omega Liara gave a great deal of thought as to how and from what angle she should approach Omega's pirate queen.
The young Asari had no idea whether Aria T'Loak would be helpful or obstructive, whether she would even take her seriously, Liara was smart enough to know she couldn't trade on Shepard's obviously 'friendly' arrangement with Aria.
Liara was also smart enough to know that she might as well be honest and open from the start, even if it put her at a disadvantage from the outset, as she was no match for the wily, astute and very experienced Matriarch who ruled Omega and whose influence snaked across Citadel space.
After discussing how to find out the exact timings and location of the handover it was decided that Shiala and Garrus would start looking for Tazzik and work the problem from the Blue Suns end. Liara was going to talk to Aria with just a couple of her Asari commandos in case of trouble, the other six would remain on the ship, as she did not want to tip her hand in case anyone was watching.
As soon as the ship docked they each went to their tasks and Liara made straight for Afterlife.
She was a little surprised to be met at the front door by one of Aria's men, a tall Turian, who said that his boss was expecting her and he would take her straight through.
They moved quickly through the main floor of the club and instead of going up to Aria's usual haunt they passed through a door in the wall underneath her balcony and on up a corridor coming out in a hallway. He indicated the door in front of them and said 'she will see you alone," nodding at the two Asari with her.
"Wait here for me," she said to her commando's and then moved to enter the room, only pausing momentarily, fighting back the urge to knock and feeling as if she was about to enter her mother's study to explain herself for some wrongheaded notion.
Aria was sitting behind a desk but got up as Liara entered the room. It just wasn't what she had imagined, something as ordinary as an office, but it made sense, Aria ran a business empire and at some point she must have to do more than just talk to people.
"I was sorry to hear about Shepard, I was looking forward to sparring with her," and as Aria spoke she stood in front of Liara and put a hand to the young Asari's cheek, then as if catching herself moved back and gestured towards a couple of sofa's.
Liara sat on the very edge of the sofa, confused by Aria's apparent kindness and her gesture, perhaps her reputation was undeserved, but she pulled her thoughts together and started to speak.
"I… thank you for seeing me… I… well" and not wanting to annoy the regal, powerful and frankly scary Matriarch in front of her when she continued it was at a run. "The Shadow Broker has engaged the Blue Suns to find Shepard's body and will sell it to the Collectors and the exchange will happen on Omega, and they have found her and the exchange will be soon and… I… well need to tell you I will not let it happen… and if you could help with…"she trailed off.
As Liara had been speaking she noticed Aria stiffen, standing up and turning her back on Liara until there was silence in the room. Still with her back to Liara she said.
"What do you want me to do about it," her voice this time was the haughty and cold voice Liara had been familiar with as Aria continued "business is business, you should stay out of it, and after all, Shepard won't know any different."
The last sentence cut through Liara like acid and she leapt to her feet all thoughts of diplomacy and keeping Aria onside gone.
"How dare you think of Shepard as something to buy and sell… she gave everything to serve the galaxy, she was brave and fearless and she deserves, will get respect, I will not allow her to be given to these Collectors for whatever experiments… they… I will not allow it do you hear me," Liara's voice, strong and angry to start with faded as tears seared her eyes and sobs caught in her chest.
She absolutely didn't want to break down in front of this monster but it was all she could do to keep as much control as she was. To Liara's shock and surprise Aria turned and in one smooth movement was in front of Liara and pulled her into a hug.
When Aria spoke this time it was softly and gently, "I understand, we can talk about what can be done, calm yourself now. Your no match for the Shadow Broker or the Collectors Liara these are very dangerous enemies to make, even I would rather not make an enemy of the Shadow Broker." Aria pulled away a little to look into the young Asari's face and then walked them both to one of the sofas, once they were sat down Aria continued.
"But the Collectors are already on my shit list and if they step foot on Omega and I know about it they leave out an airlock," she smiled down at Liara who was still shocked by Aria's kindness, exhausted by her emotional outburst and worried that she still hadn't made the older Asari understand what needed to be done.
"But I have to stop them," she said quietly "I have to stop what they want to do with… Shepard," and tears once again began to fall slowly down her cheeks.
"We will make an arrangement Doctor T'Soni," Aria said and although her words were business like she still had an arm around Liara and her voice was gentle, "I will help but you must tell no one, not even anyone you are working with, not Garrus and certainly not Shiala." She smiled at Liara's surprised expression, "information one of my more important business's Liara and don't forget that I am Omega," she said it with a smile and was rewarded by a small one back from Liara.
Aria continued "At some point in the future you will repay my help through whatever mean's I decide is a fair exchange, do we have a deal?" Aria knew the young Asari would agree to terms that even the most inept of negotiators would kick back at, she only hoped it was because of the situation and her current state and not a permanent weakness, she was after all Benezia's daughter.
"Of course whatever I need to do, but why are you…" but before Liara could finish asking just why Aria was, well being so nice to her and helping her, the pirate queen stood up and moved back behind her desk saying as she went.
"Oh sometimes I am just capricious in my decisions Liara, it keeps everyone on their toes" she spoke dismissively but then more seriously "but I also told you the Collectors do not get to use my station for any of their dirty trading, they have been warned, and there is only one rule on Omega."
Liara didn't need to hear it and Aria didn't need to say it… nobody fucks with Aria.
"Go back to your ship and I will contact you directly on a secure and private channel when I have news and a plan," she put up a hand to silence whatever disagreement Liara was about to raise, "yes Liara we will work to my plan but your crew will be out in front, I will need to keep my… involvement in this secret." When Aria finished speaking she picked up a data pad and began working and Liara left the office without another word.
Alone in the room and staring at the closed door Aria's thoughts went to Liara's mother whom she had known well if only for a short time.
'It's good to know she has fire," Aria thought to herself, 'I see Benezia in her and maybe even perhaps a little… no, enough, don't even think it… you need to be careful around Benezia's daughter, you can't let her get to you' she chastised herself 'she can never know, no one must ever know.'
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Back on the ship it wasn't long before, good as her word, Aria contacted Liara to tell her that the Blue Suns crew who were recovering Shepard's body were still searching. That meant they had a little more time to organise and Aria asked that Shiala and Garrus stop 'stumbling around in the dark' and that she, Aria, would tell Liara where to 'point' them.
Aria would make sure they found the same information that she was passing directly to Liara so no questions would be thought, let alone asked, as to how the young Asari archaeologist had become so adept that she was able to thwart the Shadow Broker himself.
Aria, despite herself, made another attempt to ask Liara to stay out of it completely and leave it to the her, but to no avail. Liara was adamant she would not only stop the Shadow Broker from getting hold of Shepard's body but would let him know he had made an enemy of her.
Hot headed was not a description that Aria had ever heard used about Doctor T'Soni before and Aria had kept fully informed of the young Asari's life, from a distance, and very, very, discretely.
So it was the next thirty six hours was spent with Liara relaying Aria's instruction's to Shiala and Garrus and hearing the information she already knew fed back to her when they returned from their investigations.
The call she had been waiting for finally came through, the Blue Suns were on their way back and would be docking in around eight hours.
The plan was a simple one. Liara and her team would get to the exchange location, which was to be a docking bay in the lowest depths of the station which offered the most privacy as they were practically unused, ahead of time and conceal themselves.
They would pick their moment and attack the Blue Suns before the Collectors turned up for their rendezvous, take Shepard and leave. Or, as Liara thought to herself as the plan was unveiled by Aria, 'we go in we get what we went for we kill anyone that gets in our way'. The thought made her smile and incredibly sad at the same time.
Aria would have some of her trusted people but also hired guns, who would have no idea who was paying or what the deal was about, more deeply hidden to provide support and cover if needed, but more importantly to take down the Collectors when they arrived.
What could go wrong...?
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Liara had just finished the briefing with her team and was about to give the order to drop the ship down to the lower levels, they were going hide it not too far from the rendezvous point for a very quick exit, when a call came in from her pilot.
"There is a Doctor Lawson who needs to see you very urgently waiting dockside, she would like to come aboard." Her Asari pilot awaited instructions.
Liara looked at Garrus and he said "she has to be here about Shepard might be good to know all the players in this before make our move," he finished.
"Agreed, Landise have her escorted here to my office please. Garrus please stay, Shiala you can start to get the team ready." Liara finished leaving no room for the objections that Shiala had been trying to make since the pilot had told them of their visitor.
Shiala looked angry but said nothing and left as she had been instructed.
They waited in silence each nursing their own thoughts until the door opened and a young human woman walked into the room, she was stunningly attractive, and when she spoke to Liara's ears it was with an Earth accent she recognised as being Antipodean.
"You are a hard woman to get in touch with Doctor T'Soni," she said and continuing as she sat down where Liara had indicated, "Time is short but by now you know that.
I am not going to beat around the bush, I know what you're trying to do and I want to help. We have been trying to find the Commander's body to ensure this didn't happen.
We would also have intercepted the Blue Suns if we had found out about it… but I can help now, well once you have recovered Shepard's body." She finished and waited for the inevitable questions.
"Who do you work for?" It was Garrus who asked, he had remained standing, in one of his typical poses leading against a wall with his arms crossed, he hadn't taken his eyes of the women and he didn't trust her one inch.
Instead of answering Garrus she spoke to Liara and she leaned forward as she did, "Please Doctor hear me out before you dismiss what I'm about to ask. I work for Cerberus but I have complete autonomy to work on my project and the work I do is about restoring life using a combination of nano tech and implants.
The length of time that the… subject has been brain dead is important but we are within time… we may be able to bring the Commander back." She paused searching the other woman's face and could almost see the battle between hope, disbelief and hatred against Cerberus playing itself out.
"Shepard would never want anything to do with Cerberus she hated them for what they do and what they are," again it was Garrus who spoke and he had pushed himself upright to enforce the point.
"Garrus is right… Shepard would never… do you really think there is a chance?" Liara looked Miranda Lawson in the eyes and she knew in that moment that if Liara T'Soni did manage to recover Shepard's body she would hand it over.
"Yes I do," Miranda wanted to have the discussion with Liara on her own but that wasn't going to happen here so she said, "look let's get Shepard back first, I am happy to join you when you face the Blue Suns I am a powerful biotic, I have a team with me but I am willing to turn off my comms and come alone.
Then we can talk after and you can decide what you want to do." Miranda waited knowing her chances of securing Shepard's body would go up if the Asari let her go with them.
Garrus made to speak but Liara cut him off, "That is acceptable, please deactivate your OT, I will have someone check if you have done so. Perhaps you would like to wait outside for me." And Liara called in the commando who had escorted Miranda from the dock.
"Doctor Lawson will be coming with us please keep her company until I join you."
When they were alone again Liara cut Garrus off, "I cannot talk about this now Garrus, the most important thing is getting Shepard back, which is all I have strength for."
He nodded and left her to her thoughts. Liara reflected for a moment on why she had allowed the Lawson woman to stay, of course the fantastical dream of getting Shepard back was part of it, but the woman had shown more respect to Shepard than any other stranger she had met since it happened.
But what she had said to Garrus was the truth; she only had the strength and the focus to fight this next and probably her last battle with and for Shepard, to get her back, to bring her home.
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The first thing that went wrong as they were in their ambush positions was the arrival of the Collector ship at the same time Tazzik arrived with around a platoon strength of the Shadow Broker's army.
The Blue Suns rumbled in very shortly after. Liara knew that other troops were hidden in the depths of the docking bay but had no idea if they would help or only clean up after. The agreement was for Liara to leave with Shepard so that Aria could deal with her priority, the Collectors.
Liara was also not a military tactician and faced with this new and very deadly combined force she had no idea what to do, bigger problem was she was trying to manage three people who were all convinced they knew exactly what to do and none of them could agree.
The Cerberus officer, the C-Sec officer and her mother's commando officer all trying to talk to her at once and bickering with each other; Liara felt like spacing all three of them and if they hadn't needed to be extremely quiet she would have screamed as much at them.
Really how did Shepard do this all the time, it was exhausting… and the feeling as if she had missed a step as her stomach did a strange drop, at the realisation that Shepard would never do this again, brought her back to the moment.
And then a voice in her ear over the secure comms came to her aid. It was Aria's voice, which had now become very familiar to her, that said "tell them to shut the fuck up before they screw up the whole thing," Liara did immediately and told her three tormenters to wait a moment while she thought.
"Good, now, this is what we're going to do," and Aria went on to tell Liara where to best deploy her people now the situation had changed and that they would attack on her, Aria's mark, and at the same time she would also send in her troops starting with snipers and biotics taking out the Collectors at a distance.
Once everything was in place Aria gave the word, Liara passed it on, and all hell broke loose falling on the heads of Collector, Blue Sun and Shadow Broker soldier alike.
Liara had told Shiala and Miranda to concentrate, as she would, on the Collectors. Aria had told her how difficult they had been to kill when she confronted them the last time they were on the station.
The fight went on for a long time, at least it felt that way to Liara, and they were still only half way through the enemy on the ground.
Her team had noticed immediately that there were others, behind them, who seemed to be attacking their enemy but it unnerved them for a moment until she shouted through comms that she knew they were there, it had been an added precaution she had taken.
She knew Garrus would be hurt that she hadn't confided in him and she would try to explain later but now she had to conserve her energy, she was tired and finding it hard to concentrate and nearly found herself in the firing line but twice already someone had thrown a barrier in front of her just in time, she was grateful but worried she was becoming more of a liability than a help.
But then something changed, everything changed and she found strength and fire and power from somewhere deep inside her. As they had fought their way closer and closer to the open landing area where the three ships were moored, she saw it, the bio container, Shepard's body.
And she saw that even during the battle the business haggling was going on between Tazzik and one of the Collectors but it looked as if they had reached agreement and the Collector was beginning to move the container towards it's shuttle.
"No, you will not take her" Liara's voice boomed across the large echoing space and she fired warp after warp at the Collector trying to move Shepard's body, Tazzik leapt back and into cover as the power of the warp fields almost caught him in their wash.
"Stop him," she shouted and her team all focussed their attention on the unlucky Collector, he was torn apart by a combination of warp, reave and singularity.
The combination had proved to be so successful they worked as a team against the remaining Collectors and by the time they had taken the rest of them down, the Shadow Broker troops were severely thinned out and they decided to make a run for their shuttle, the Blue Suns were down to two men. Tazzik was nowhere to be seen.
A shout from the other side of the docking bay, Anto one of Aria's faithful lieutenants was calling "all of them, kill all of them, no one gets to leave."
It was over and Liara walked slowly over to the container which was bio sealed and stood looking down at its blank metal front, there was no viewing window but she wasn't sure she wanted to see.
She was joined by Garrus and Miranda. And once again Liara pulled herself together to deal with what was in front of her. Even though every part of her mind was begging for the release of detaching from this awful empty reality and immersing herself back into the memory space that had been her only comfort since this nightmare began.
"I would like to suggest that you come with me to my laboratory, it's on a Cerberus station, and I can explain what we will try to do. And we can discuss how you feel about leaving the Commander with us, with me." Miranda said in an even, matter of fact tone.
"I want Garrus to come with us," Liara said, "that is not negotiable."
"Very well, shall I call my shuttle?" Miranda said trying to remain calm, the Illusive Man would be more than impressed he would be happy that she had repaid all the trust he had shown in her.
"Yes" and again she waved Garrus's obvious objections away.
She also had to do the same to Shiala but she too gave in and took charge of getting the team back to their ship to await Liara's instructions.
Anto came up to her and indicated he wanted a word away from the others and when they were a distance from Garrus and Miranda said "we'll clean up down here, Aria said to be very careful of Cerberus and it was a pleasure doing business with you, she will be in touch for payment." With that he turned and walked away.
She felt the stirring of something that at first she couldn't quite identify and then she caught it, disappointment, she was disappointed that Aria hadn't said goodbye herself.
She could understand, but, Liara still felt… she was feeling completely alone again, she realised she had felt less alone while she had been working with Aria… but that was not quite it…
Her thoughts were interrupted with the arrival of the Cerberus shuttle and as some of its crew came across to move the container on board Liara took up position once again as close to Shepard as she could get and she would not leave her side again until a decision was made about what next.
Liara walked wearily, and showing the weight of grief she was carrying, onto the shuttle her mind in turmoil now struggling with the question that faced her, to which she already knew her answer.
High up in the docking bay on one of the service walkways Aria stood out of sight watching over Liara as she had done throughout the battle. She had been right to come herself, Liara was only just holding everything together and had not been fast enough a few times during the battle to get out of trouble.
Aria's biotics were extremely powerful and worked just as well in defence as they did attack. She was deeply worried about the young Asari but had done all she felt she could. 'Why the fuck did you get yourself killed Shepard and leave her on her own with all this,' Aria thought to herself as she turned to go.
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The moment had come and Liara was standing over the container in the bright, clean, well equipped laboratory with Miranda and Garrus.
Miranda had run through some of the theory and research and the basics of what they would have to do, most of which Liara either didn't understand or didn't have the energy to really listen to. Although she made sure she looked as if she was listening.
But Doctor Lawson had also been honest about the chances which were slim to none and would depend on the type and amount of damage Shepard had been subjected to.
And if they didn't have any success she would contact Liara who had insisted on being able to have Shepard's remains back for burial.
Although Liara had not actually said yes yet there was little doubt she would. Garrus had been adamant that on both counts, firstly being given to Cerberus and secondly being the subject of medical experiments, would 'have Shepard turning in her grave is she was ever granted the decency of being given one'.
And he was vehement in his conviction that he didn't believe for one moment that 'Lawson could raise the dead'.
This had really hurt and upset Liara but she needed and wanted to hear it. Garrus was probably one of a very few people who really could predict fairly accurately how Shepard would feel or what she was likely to do in most usual situations.
"I need to see her," Liara said quietly into the silence that had settled between them, arguments all played out.
"Oh Liara are you sure, wouldn't you want to remember… would she…" Garrus was now back in protection mode, he knew he had lost the argument but he knew exactly why and he really didn't blame Liara. No he blamed Cerberus and Lawson for bringing Liara an impossible hope to turn down.
"I think for the first time I may actually agree with Vakarian, we have no idea what state the…" but Liara cut her off speaking quietly.
"I need to see her, to say goodbye."
Miranda motioned to a couple of colleague who were obviously waiting until the visitors had left to come in and begin work on the Commander.
As the lid was swung back white mist drifted up as the stasis gasses dispersed into the room, revealing the outline of a black shape, a human shape, the hard suit badly damaged.
Liara noticed first that half a leg seemed to be missing and most of Shepard's left arm, as she drew her eyes up the body in front of her she could see burn marks, scoring and dents and huge areas where the armour and hard suit was missing completely.
The she looked at Shepard's face, her head still encased in her helmet although the faceplate had been ripped off. Liara reached down and touched the side of Shepard face, it was cold, freezing cold, and the damage although considerable did not make her love unrecognisable.
But Shepard's eyes, those green pools of passion that really did offer a window on her lovers' soul were blank and glassy, she was gone, and this was just a shell as everyone had told her a dead body was.
Shepard had joined the universal consciousness and it made Liara beyond angry she was furious that the woman she loved, who said loved her had given up her life for nothing, when she could easily have joined Liara an escaped.
This is where Shepards' sense of duty and honour had brought her and Liara hated her for it and loved her for it.
"Take me home Garrus," Liara said with an audible sigh and she turned away from the empty shell that was and would remain her soul mate, and walked towards an empty and painful journey that would help her find a way to cope with that loss.
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Miranda Lawson flashed into being on the QEC pad in front of the Illusive Man's chair, "Good evening Miranda, what news" he said as he lit up a fresh cigarette.
"Better than we hoped for. My predictions were correct, the anomalies on the scans we were forward from the Alliance medical records are nanites, Prothean nanites.
In time we will be able to learn if they were implanted every time she used a beacon or if it was the massive download from the AI on Ilos. But some of them changed function at the point of Shepard's brain death and created a stasis field not only around but throughout the brain."
"So providing you can restart the brain and rebuild her body there should be little or no brain damage." He asked now through a haze of smoke.
"That's the theory; of course I will need to find a way to turn the stasis field and therefore those nanites off. I have to completely rebuild the body including all internal organs and the nervous system. This will not be a quick." She hoped he truly understood the magnitude of what lay before them, and the cost.
"Take whatever time you need, and whatever it costs, you will have it." He watched the end of his cigarette as he flicked ash into a container on the arm of his chair, "oh and Miranda no more talk of a control chip or alterations to Shepard's mind of any kind.
I need her exactly the way she was, exactly. Not only is she a charismatic leader with a personality that will stop at nothing to achieve her objectives, but she is also a human hero and saved many human lives. She is also willing to kill any who threaten us.
The Collectors have also marked her out as an adversary so I need her to keep doing whatever it is she is doing to keep up their interest. I am sharing my thinking with you Miranda as you need to know how important this is to humanity and to me personally. Don't let me down." And with that he cut the connection.
Yes he needed Shepard exactly as she had been, she held a great fascination for the Collectors and he needed to know he could get to them, find a way through the Omega 4 relay, he was convinced they had technology that would put humanity out in front where they should be in the galaxy.
He was willing to sacrifice anything to make humanity great, even its greatest hero, he would rather not, particularly as it was going to be very expensive to bring her back… but everyone was expendable… for the greater good. It was such a pity so few could see what the greater good was, it was lucky for humanity that he could.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 14, 2012 18:37:37 GMT 1
A/N Ok so stay with me on this, trust me this is a Shepard Liara romance, but sometimes love needs to struggle to make it stronger… apparently suffering is good for the soul, or this could just being going really dark… feedback on the severely left of cannon turns in this chapter would really be appreciated.
And apologies for the delay getting this one to you, as you can imagine it took a bit of plotting and I had to edit down quite severely. Next chapter will be with you double quick time.
Chapter 21
Nine months after recovering Shepard's body – T'Soni estate Thessia
Liara opened her eyes and looked around her bedroom. She had moved into her old suite of room's and had updated them, well Matriarch T'Joan had organised it all; including clearing Liara's flat on the Citadel and trying her best to make at least some of the rooms feel more like the young Asari's.
But Liara wasn't thinking about the room or the long shadow cast by her mother. Liara was feeling, once again, as if she had betrayed Shepard and everything they had together. Last night she had slept with Shiala, and not for the first time.
It had started a few weeks after she had walked away from Shepard in that cold, sterile laboratory, any real hope of a miracle gone. Shepard was dead, she wouldn't be coming back. Liara had gone into free fall, and was literally stuck at the moment she 'felt' Shepard leave her, the moment of death she had shared with her love.
Shiala had been her constant companion, helping with light melds to give Liara some peace and meditating together. Liara woke one night, as she often did, not being able to breath and Shiala had joined with her to try to calm the panic, and from nowhere a wave of need and desire took hold of Liara and the joining turned into sex.
Liara was clear that what happened between her and Shiala was just sex, and she was also aware of why she seemed to keep doing it. She actually felt the smallest part alive while in the join, rather than existing in the void of anything other than loss and grief that she was overwhelmed by the rest of the time.
And the feelings that came after, the sense of betrayal, disgust and anger at herself for being weak despite being negative gave some form of distorted sense of relief to the ever present sense of despair.
It was also nothing that connected her to Shepard; it was a pure Asari sexual join, Liara wasn't trying to recreate what she had, that could never be done and she was only 'sharing' and very specific part of herself.
Liara had made progress since those first terrible weeks, with the help of her local temple and the priestess's, but how she had started to put herself back together was causing huge concern to those who could see what was happening.
She was now essentially two versions of herself. The 'old' Liara was stuck in grief and loss and was making progress towards healing much more slowly than would be expected due to the psychological and spiritual damage done when Shepard died.
The 'new' Liara, the one that could function, the face the world dealt with was harder, focussed, not unfeeling but distant, colder, and to some who knew her mother, much more like Benezia.
This was the Liara that on occasion allowed her mother's devoted follower into her bed and this was the Liara that was aware that Shiala wanted much more than just sex.
As soon as Liara was able she turned all her attention and resources towards taking down the Shadow Broker. Not just for trying to give Shepard's body to the Collectors but she had also found out it was the Shadow Broker who gave the location of the Normandy to them. She was also trying to find out where the Broker got that information, whoever had betrayed her soul mate she would deal with personally, with her own hands.
Liara had set up as an information broker, using her mother's extensive contacts and influence, which passed to Liara as her heir and incorporated Shiala's network which gave her connections into the murkier world of mercs and disreputable corporations.
The main house was certainly big enough to accommodate the equipment needed and she had hired a small team of expert information, intelligence and tech experts and persuaded Doctor Kasumi Goto lead the team.
Liara hadn't completely forgotten the Reapers, she instructed that part of the team and her resources remained focussed on that threat, and particularly trying to identify anyone who may be a Reaper supporter or indoctrinated follower.
Aria had been right that making an enemy of the Shadow Broker came with consequences. Several attempts had been made to kill Liara and the only place she was truly safe was inside her estate which had re-established its commando training school and has heavily fortified and guarded by handpicked Asari, Turian (picked by Garrus) and Krogan (sent by Wrex) teams.
She rarely travelled, even on Thessia, and then only for official functions or private meetings which helped to cement her position in Asari society, essential to maintain her connections and influence.
Liara could only trade on her mother's name for so long; luckily her part in saving the council and also re-instating the good name of her mother had put her in high standing in her own right.
Her plan was simple enough, impossible, but very… Shepard. Find the Shadow Brokers base, attack it, kill him and kill anything that got in her way. It was Garrus that added they should also blow it up as a tribute to Shepard's love of 'blowing stuff up'.
While she was working on that she did her best to thwart any and all plans the Broker had, she was also in direct competition with him and although his network would always be unrivalled she was able to hurt his business and was gathering a steadily growing client list who dealt with her in preference to the Broker.
Aria also continued, occasionally, to provide help and sometimes advice. They had not spoken directly again but she received recorded transmissions on their secure comm link and Aria's information was always surprisingly relevant to whatever problem that Liara was currently working on.
While grateful and certainly a huge advantage for Liara, she still didn't understand why Aria had been or continued to be so kind and helpful to her, despite the pretence, as Liara now saw it, of it being a 'business' arrangement.
Sometimes in the darkest moments of the night the young, shy, insecure and socially awkward Liara would feel the ravage of jealousy as thoughts of just how close Shepard and Aria had been came unbidden into her mind, there seemed no other explanation as to why the queen of Omega would continue to be so helpful.
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As Shiala walked away from Liara's bedroom she thought about the previous night and wondered if there was any change. It had been as aggressive and violent as ever, but was there a slightly deeper connection?
She would not rush things, she had time, they had time. Shiala had played her hand well so far and she was exactly where she wanted to be; back in her position as Captain of the T'Soni commando's team and the school; more recently Liara's official escort for public occasions and access to her bed. Shiala was the right hand of Benezia's daughter, which meant her old mistress's legacy was all but assured. Shiala could see Liara growing more like her mother every day.
Even if this war against the Shadow Broker was ill advised and a legacy of her misplaced affection for Shepard it was training the young Asari and giving her focus, it would do for now, until Liara got the loss of her human out of her system.
And, with time, Shiala was confident affection would follow, she had after all initiated the sexual join at just the right moment and yet Liara was convinced it had been her own. Shiala's plan to be not only Liara's right hand but also her bondmate was only a matter of good planning and timing.
Shiala was a skilled and practised manipulator, she had learned from the best, but Liara was also vulnerable to anyone who could get inside her barriers, and Shiala had done that easily by betraying the Shadow Broker and bringing news of Shepard's body to the grieving young woman.
But Shiala knew she needed to remain careful there were still too many wary eyes and until she could get rid of the likes of Vakarian and Goto she would progress her plans slowly.
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Twelve months after recovering Shepard's body – Top secret Cerberus facility, Attican Traverse
"Thank you Wilson send the results through to my private office," Miranda Lawson was looking across at the bio bed inside the sterile glass pod housing the work in progress that was Commander Shepard, "let's call it a day. I want to run a full nervous system test in the morning first thing," she finished now looking at Doctor Wilson and the two other scientists in the laboratory.
Miranda left them and entered her private office. This was a very secure mini laboratory to which only Doctor Lawson had access and within which she was developing nanite tech specifically for Shepard based on the Prothean nanites that she now had access to.
She had set the lab up to keep even the Illusive Man's prying eyes out; with false feedback loop and non-networked systems for ultimate privacy. Miranda Lawson did believe in what Cerberus was doing, she believed that humanity needed to be strong and be able to hold their own against the other races, but she wasn't always convinced about the methods.
But she owed ''TIM' everything, he had given her protection from her father and was even now protecting her sister so that she could have a normal ordinary life out of the reach of the monster that 'created' both his daughters from his own genetic material.
Her personal loyalty was unwavering, but that didn't mean she couldn't retain some areas of her work, which was after all her life, wholly under her control. And the other project she was working on in secret absolutely had to remain out of the reach of the Illusive Man, at least for now.
She sat down at her console and opened her private and confidential log.
"We have completed the integration of the genetically modified and enhance nervous system. In body testing will begin tomorrow and if performance is as expected we will be able to re-introduce internal organs as the next step but fully integrating into the circulatory system will take at least eight weeks work.
Facial reconstruction has been completed; I have decided to use Shepard's own cloned eyes rather than a tech replacement. It is vital that on waking the Commander feel's as much her as possible and to that end I have also retained the facial scarring."
Miranda stood up and walked across to her un-networked system and checked the latest readout of results from 'experiment double X', and then resumed with her log entry.
"I am now in a position to move forward with the double x project… but… am I any better than my father if I do this," Miranda had lost the terse discipline of the scientist making her data fuelled progress reports, this was an altogether more 'confessional' tone.
"I took the material as a backup in case we lost Shepard… but was that really the only reason… and now… I have a unique opportunity to create life, as my father did, but not for the same reasons and certainly not for the same ends," Miranda pulled herself together and continued in her more usual clinical style.
"The genetic manipulation has been a success and the integration of a small amount of my own genetic material providing biotic abilities is now complete. The only decision remaining is do I move to the next stage and if so tank bred or implanted."
Miranda sat deep in thought before finally turning off the log. 'I will never have a child of my own,' she thought, 'it would always carry to much of my father's genetic material… but this… opportunity… and it would be safer, no lab to protect and hide.' Her thoughts drifted on even as she walked back into the main lab now empty and quiet except for the hum of machines.
"Good evening Shepard," she only ever 'spoke' to Shepard when they were alone, "I have a decision to make and I can only image what your answer would be." Miranda stood looking into the now more recognisable, despite the bruising and red glow from still exposed cybernetics, face of the Commander.
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Twenty months after recover of Shepard's body – T'Soni estate, Thessia
"What the hell happened," Garrus was rushing out from the house as two shuttles landed on the front lawn, "I knew it was a mistake letting you go in person Liara." He had now reached the doorway of the first shuttle and moved from speaking through comms to speaking directly to Liara herself as she disembarked.
She had cuts on her face and her armour was covered in blood, she waved him off and walked swiftly into the house and headed straight for the information hub. The now depleted squad of commando's that had gone with her were also disembarking, it looked to Garrus's eyes that they had lost eight of the twenty with three being stretchered of the shuttles.
Then it struck him, no Shiala, he turned and hurried after Liara. He caught up with her as she was frantically trying to direct her intelligence team to search for any indication as to where her attackers had headed after they left the scene of the fight.
"Liara we have been searching since you called in from the location and we will continue to search for them but you need to get that armour off and checked over… please Liara," it was Kasumi who was speaking in soft calming tones and who gently began to lead the wild eyed Asari toward the door and the waiting Matriarch T'Joan.
Once Liara was safely on her way for medical attention Garrus asked for as much information as Kasumi had on what now appeared to be a well-executed and deadly ambush.
"The contact was real enough and I'm convinced the Shadow Broker didn't have the location of the meeting until the last minute… we were betrayed by Vasir but that will be impossible to prove to the satisfaction of the Council."
"But where's Shiala? She wasn't on the shuttles and how the hell did Liara get into any kind of danger." Garrus continued, "I knew it was a mistake all too convenient, location of the Shadow Broker my ass, and having to meet in person, even if it was on Thessia."
Garrus felt both angry and guilty for being talked out of going with Liara who wanted to make sure the estate would be properly protected if this was a ruse to split their forces and so insisted he stayed behind.
"From the comms traffic I've managed to work out roughly what happened," Kasumi said and led him across to one of the consoles. As she played back vid cam footage from a variety of sources including Shiala's own and she talked him through the highlights.
"It seems as soon as Liara and the team arrived at the rendezvous an explosion took out the building and almost immediately the Shadow Brokers men arrived.
Liara insisted on going inside to try to find the contact so they fought their way in still thinking Vasir was helping. By the time they reached the contact Shiala realised it was actually a trap, but she fought off Vasir for the data got it to Liara and ordered the bulk of the team to get her to safety while she stayed with a handful of her team to protect the escape.
We were able to keep connection up until they were overrun and from suit readouts all the other commando's in Shiala's squad were killed but she was taken alive."
They both continued to study the now repeating vid feed from the attack and realised just how hard Liara would be taking this loss. And despite Garrus's feelings about Shiala's personal relationship with Liara all of which were negative, he freely admitted Shiala's loyalty to the young Asari was absolute. She would be a huge loss and Garrus feared Liara would be in danger of becoming reckless in her efforts to get Shiala back.
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Twenty one months after the retrieval of Shepard's body - Top secret Cerberus facility, Attican Traverse
"We will be reviving her later today, I'm just having her moved to a room in the medical facility so that she wakes up in a hospital bed rather than in a laboratory," Miranda was talking to a tall, muscular woman with short blonde hair and steel grey eyes, who was standing next to her.
They were both looking into the lab through a one way mirror at the resting form of Commander Shepard now lying on an ordinary bed having been moved from the bio bed and sterile room over a week previously.
"I suggest I make my appearance after you've dealt with her anger when you tell her you work for Cerberus," Tasha Mikhailovich said with a smile, "you tell her you've employed me to help her transition she may be less suspicious that way."
"Are you telling me that she has no idea you were caught spying for Cerberus while you were still in the Alliance and have worked for us ever since?" Miranda had only met Agent Mikhailovich an hour ago and had the barest of briefings.
"The Illusive Man has very powerful supporters within the Alliance, a deal was made and the records were… altered," she smiled again, "it was always his intention that I should be rehabilitated back into the Alliance when certain people were no longer… around… but this seems like a much quicker route. I'll wait for you call."
Miranda watched as the woman walked away and felt completely torn between her loyalty to The Illusive Man and the work that Shepard had been brought back for and her loyalty, yes… it was loyalty she was feeling, for Shepard. 'Remember what's at stake Miranda, remember where the power is', she thought to herself and left to make the final arrangements to 'wake' Shepard up.
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Shepard was aware light on her closed eyelids and of feeling warm and comfortable, but very, very strange.
"Commander, my name is Doctor Miranda Lawson, you're safe and in a medical centre. You have had extensive surgery for you injuries so try to relax and once you are completely awake I will answer any questions you may have." Miranda was alone in the room with Shepard but aware that they were being recorded and that the Illusive Man may well even be watching the 'event' live.
The voice Shepard heard was a woman's, 'was that an Australian accent, easy on the ear whatever it was,' she thought, 'last thing Shepard what was the last….'
"My ship, Liara… crew…" the memory, her last memories came flooding back to her and as she spoke she heard her voice gravelly and dry, she struggled to open her eyes and focus.
"Let yourself come around properly Commander and…, " but Shepard cut Miranda off now with her eyes open and trying hard to focus on the Doctors face.
"Liara is she ok… where is she," now struggling to sit up Shepard shot a hand out and clasped Miranda around the wrist forcing a gasp of pain from the Doctor.
"Steady Commander you're much stronger than you were before… before you… had your surgery." Miranda rubbed her wrist pleased at the strength and motor control the result of her work.
"Sorry… just need to know… stronger…" the last word was more of a question, but Shepard realised the futility of fighting against what must be the remnants of sedation. She relaxed back into the bed and began deep breathing to calm herself and took stock of her body trying to work out what felt off.
After around ten minutes, during which time the Doctor seemed to be checking read outs from the machines Shepard was hooked up to, she felt alert and awake and opened her eyes this time able to take in her surroundings and the woman in the room.
"Look the last thing I remember was being spaced and passing out from complete loss of oxygen, so were the readings fouled up or did I get grabbed by one of the escape pods?" Shepard said asking the question she had been running around in her head for the last five minutes, she had been toast, yet here she was, "and tell me right now about my crew and Doctor T'Soni please."
Shepard was pleased to find she was alive but her mood wouldn't last if she didn't get the answers she wanted. Every instinct in her mind and body was telling her this whole thing was wrong.
"I'll give you the short version and fill in the detail as you need me to," Miranda thought she might as well get it all out at once.
"There was no read out malfunction and you didn't get rescued, you died Commander, we tracked down your body and stopped it being handed over to the Collectors. I brought you here as my research was the only thing that was going to bring you back and allow anyone to rebuild you." Miranda could see the disbelief and confusion in those very green eyes, "that was around twenty one months ago, this is October 2185."
"Nearly two years… I'm having trouble getting my head around that… dead… but you can't bring someone back from the dead… that's… what the fuck have you done to me… what am I?" Shepard's voice although still rough was loud and anger was clear to see on her face and in her body language.
"Well in fact my project does theoretically have the ability to re-start the brain… but that doesn't matter because when I got you here I didn't need to… you did die but at the very point of death your brain was put into stasis and so when your body was rebuilt I was able to reverse the stasis field.
You are extensively rebuilt Commander, using your own genetic material, cybernetics and nanite technology, but who you are, is exactly the same… nothing about you has been changed… your brain, your mind was merely on pause." Miranda finished she was sure that once Shepard understood that fact she would be more comfortable with the situation and once Miranda explained just how enhanced her body was Shepard would be impressed and grateful.
"Liara? My crew?" Shepard was letting the information sink in … it wasn't sinking in very far, in fact she felt like a caged animal and the tension inside her head was mounting at an alarming rate.
"Doctor T'Soni survived the attack and is now living back on Thessia, with someone I think you know Shiala Galine, and is running the family estate. Your former team mates have all dispersed back to whatever they were doing before they joined your mission, they all survived.
I am sorry to tell you that your losses from the crew of the Normandy were considerable, twenty eight on the final count, and they included Ashley Williams. The Alliance declared you dead within twenty four hours of the attack. They gave you a medal and memorial service in Vancouver." Miranda had been told exactly what to say by The Illusive Man when it came to Liara T'Soni, he didn't want Shepard distracted from the mission by her former connections.
"Living with… as in together" Shepard had gone white and her voice was now quiet, "that can't be… how." Shepard turned looked at Miranda and their eyes met, the depth of pain and confusion was palpable, but there was nothing Miranda could do, she had her orders.
"I'm sorry Commander, for you it's been moments, minutes but for everyone else you died nearly two years ago. People move on.
Perhaps when you get to your quarters you want to look through the news vids and surveillance footage that I have pulled together covering the time you have been out of commission, that will allow you to see how your death was reported and there is coverage of your friends and family.
I have tried to replace as much as I could of your personal possessions and clothing to try to make you feel a little more at home here as well." Miranda was aware that the footage of Liara had been carefully edited, although showing her at the memorial service it jumped forward quickly showing her apparently happily getting on with her life Shiala on at her side at public functions on Thessia.
"So let me get this straight," Shepard said her voice now steady but anger evident in every syllable, "my partner is now happily living with someone else, everyone that ever knew and cared about me believes I'm dead, but what is it that you haven't told me so far to really make my day… this is not an Alliance facility, this is not a Council operation… so that only leaves one other organisation that would have the resources to pull this off and any reason to keep me out of the hands of the Collectors?" Shepard had been working through the angles, it had to be Cerberus. 'Not only in the arms of the enemy but re-fucking built by them,' she thought bitterly.
"Yes Commander this project is funded by Cerberus and I work for them, but I have complete authority here… I understand your history with Cerberus has not been a good one… but," Shepard cut Miranda off.
"Not good Doctor Lawson is the biggest understatement I think I've ever heard.
So I can add Alliance traitor to the list of things that are shit to wake up to.
Given the fact that my life, as I knew it, is a compete train wreck, and I am going to spend the next shit knows how long trying to convince the Alliance and Council that I had nothing to do with this and just fucking woke up to this nightmare… if they ever believe me… can you tell me why in the name of all the fucked up shit in the galaxy you bothered to bring me back from the dead… unless of course you think I'm going to stay here and work with terrorists?" Shepard began getting out of bed, Miranda could think of absolutely nothing to say.
"I need some time on my own and the use a gym… I need to get a feel for this new body you've given me," Shepard, with a monumental effort of self will had made the switch in her head to professional, Alliance officer mode working hard not to let any of her feelings leak out. "And keep anyone wearing a Cerberus uniform out of my eye line or I'll be testing my new found strength sooner rather than later." Shepard looked directly into Miranda's eyes and then into the camera that was overlooking the room.
This was a hostile environment she was sure of it and until she understood what was going on she was going to play it very safe.
"Of course Commander and your questions will all be answered when you meet the Illusive Man later. In the meantime perhaps you'd like to follow me to your quarters."
'So I get to be in the same room as Jack Harper do I, well this day could end better than I expected, I will kill that son of a bitch if it's the last thing I do', Shepard thought as she followed the Doctor out of the small hospital room to start her new life.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 16, 2012 18:54:18 GMT 1
Chapter 22
Shepard's accommodation was not so much a room but more akin to a hotel suite, which also included a small but well equipped gym.
Her workout had been partly about re-calibrating her control over her body but it was also a physical release to the storm of emotions running through her that she had to keep out of public sight and behind an internal barrier. She was not going to give whoever was watching, and Shepard would lay money on it being Harper, any ammunition they could use to manipulate her.
Before she hit the shower Shepard gave the rooms a quick look over and true to her word the Doctor had tried to make it feel as familiar as possible. Of course pretty much everything she owned had gone with the Normandy but her books her music and even some of the models she used to collect had been replaced.
Her civilian clothing was a good stab at her old wardrobe, but the 'work wear' she found was Cerberus issue complete with that hated insignia.
Through the noise of Shepard's confusion, anger and fear she recognised that this Doctor Lawson had really tried to make her transition into this strange new world as familiar as possible. 'She must have done a hell of a lot of research into me, probably knows more about me than I do,' Shepard mused as she stood under the shower, 'yeah well don't get to doughy eyed about it, probably a good psychological technique with a hostile participant.'
With the shower running she took up a familiar pose, her arms outstretched against one of the walls, leaning forward her head down allowing the water to hit the back of her head and neck.
Knowing it was the only place she would be unobserved she allowed the wall inside her to melt and her emotions in. Her thoughts immediately turning to Liara, Shepard cried as she hadn't done since her father died. Noticing for the first time the connection to her soul mate was not there, and only a deep, dark, painful and empty space where there had previously been love and completeness.
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Sitting in front of the console in sweats and a hoodie, coffee in hand, Shepard prepared to see the effects of her death on the people she cared about.
Running through the news vids, official statements and news conferences they all showed pretty much what she expected. There was only a very brief sequence of the survivors of the Normandy arriving back at Arcturus station, obviously filmed secretly, but Liara was nowhere to be seen.
The memorial gave her the first real look at both Liara and her mother. Shepard could see the pain and grief etched deep into both women but they both remained dignified and her mother looked to be supporting Liara through the whole process.
The rush of love and pride for the two people Shepard loved the most in the galaxy almost raised tears, but she kept her emotions fully in check. There were more memorial services, her mother attending everyone, all the places that Shepard had at some time or another served.
Shepard noticed the reporting and discussion faded away over a period of a few months. And it was around six months after that the feeds started to report occasional sightings of 'Doctor Liara T'Soni attending one of Larisa's major society events of the year with her new escort Shiala Galine. Liara T'Soni, who was once linked to the dead war hero Commander Shepard, is now following in the footsteps of her mother the renowned Matriarch Benezia T'Soni.'
All the news casts and other vid feed, that Shepard thought Cerberus had probably collected themselves, showed a very different Liara to the one Shepard had left on the Normandy. And without doubt Shiara was close to Liara and it did look as if they were on intimate terms.
She turned the console off and a rage overtook her that she couldn't hold back, ripping the console off the desk and throwing it across the room allowing it to smash into the wall.
Shepard reached out for anything that was moveable and threw it or smashed it up, when she ran out of inanimate objects she began punching the wall and wasn't even aware that someone had entered the room and was attempting to pull her out of punch reach of the offending wall.
"Commander you'll damage your hand, please, it's ok… Shepard," Miranda said Shepard's name finally in a very commanding and loud tone and finally broke through to the woman in front of her.
Shepard snapped out of the blood rage she had fallen into and realised Doctor Lawson was in the room with her, she felt the pain in her hand, and felt the dam break in her again sinking to her knees, tears silently marking her failure of self-control.
Miranda kneeled down next to Shepard and pulled the woman towards her and held her feeling silent sobs, "there are no cameras in your quarters Shepard… you have to vent your feelings… this… I have no idea how this must feel… I can help you if you let me, if you can try to trust me."
Shepard stayed where she was until she had regained control and then eased herself away, the kindness this woman was showing her didn't feel false, but she was nowhere near trusting anyone who worked for Cerberus, yet.
"Thanks," Shepard said now sitting on the floor and getting a look at the woman sitting opposite her noticing for the first time she appeared to be heavily pregant, "really no cameras… Harper wouldn't let you get away with that," she saw the slight look of confusion on the Doctors face and added, "your Illusive Man, his name if Jack Harper."
"I told you Shepard this project and this part of the facility is under my authority and control. I won't deceive you, all the other areas do have cameras and the feed is sent through and I presume monitored by the Illusive Man; I report to him, and of course I do work for Cerberus and support its aims.
But I have also been an admirer of you for some time, you're a hero Shepard, a bloody icon, and the best humanity has to offer so I would have worked with anyone to try to bring you back."
Miranda stopped dead she had had no intention of saying any of that and thought she sounded like a school girl with a crush, her cool, caustic, controlling exterior seemed to completely desert her whenever she got within close proximity to this woman and she didn't understand it.
"Well I think your pretty awesome for… re-starting my brain… look it's not your fault my life is fucked up… and I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier… bet anyone else in the galaxy you had given life back to would have thanked you first… you may not know me as well as you think you do," Shepard finished with a grin and stood up offering her undamaged hand to Miranda to help her up.
Shepard found herself staring directly into the eyes of another Doctor, they were so close for an instant she could feel the other woman's breath on her face. Shepard could see or was it sense something, she couldn't catch what it was but there was something about this woman.
"When are you due?" Shepard asked quietly feeling the other woman's belly against her.
"Anytime now," Miranda said a little breathlessly and had a sudden need to tell Shepard the truth.
Shepard stepped back and a blushing Miranda Lawson said "I think I should take a look at that hand Commander, come with me to my lab, and then the Illusive Man would like to meet with you."
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Shepard walked into the room expecting to see her quarry but it was empty and then she realised this was to be a meeting via QEC and her disappointment at not being able to actually get her hands on Harper took her back to a similar 'meeting' with Saren aboard the Normandy.
She stood on the comms platform and immediately the room around her changed and she was standing looking across a huge open space and through a full wall sized window filled with the boiling, broiling and brooding presence of a red dwarf sun.
And sitting on a chair, cigarette smoke streaming from his lips was Jack Harper. His blue eyes noticeable even in the darkness of the room.
"Commander Shepard it's truly good to see you back with us," Harper said in an even and friendly tone, "you no doubt have many questions."
Shepard didn't say anything for a few moments and finally said "I'm disappointed not to be seeing you in person… I was rather looking forward to tearing out the miserable excuse you must have for a heart." Her eyes were cold; she was completely in control, she finally had her enemy in sight and if she couldn't kill him now she'd learn as much as she could for later.
"I can understand you must feel that way Shepard, but the very nature of the organisation means that sometimes things are done in our name that perhaps we never sanction…" but Shepard cut him off.
"I'm disappointed, not even the balls to own what it is you do Jack… don't back pedal now... what is it 'don't judge us by our methods but by what we will achieve,' or some similar self-righteous crap you use to excuse every evil dirty deed you do.
Deliberately exposing people to Eezo to create biotic children, assassinating religious and political leaders until you get someone in control you can influence, experimenting on humans as well as non-humans, torturing and killing war hero's, undermining the work of the Alliance and killing good honest decent officers who get in your way… hey this is your link do you really want me to carry on… or shall we cut the crap and just find out what you want from me."
"Think what you want Shepard but we both want the same thing, for humanity and the Alliance to take its rightful place in the galaxy and for humanity to thrive and prosper… but let's not debate that," he cut across her and continued.
"There are a few things you should know and then you can decide whether you are going to take advantage of my offer. It was the Collectors who attacked the Normandy and killed your crew because they were trying to kill you. The Collectors are now attacking human colonies and taking entire populations back through the Omega 4 relay, for what purpose we do not know.
What I do know is that the Alliance and the Council are still publicly denying the existence of the Reaper threat and on that if nothing else Shepard we agree the Reapers are the greatest threat to humanity in the galaxy.
There is discord even inside the Alliance and Council and with your 'departure', and the lack of any further activity from the Reapers or their minions has increased the voices saying it really was just the Geth and Saren.
The voices that said, quietly and discreetly due to your hero's 'death', you were fooled or deliberately embellished the truth to give yourself a glorious mission grew until they drowned out others who pointed at evidence to the contrary.
You may not trust me, you may hate me and want me dead, but humanity needs you, the galaxy needs you to find out what the Collectors interest in humanity is and to stop them.
I have already started to create a short list of team members that will be useful for your mission, of course the final choice is yours.
I need you to work with me to find a way through the Omega 4 relay to destroy the Collector threat. A couple of days ago the human colony of Freedom's Progress was attacked by Collectors just like all the others, but this time we have first-hand information about what happened. A Quarian was in the settlement and although deeply disturbed by the incident recorded the Collector activity. I have sent you the report of his interrogation."
On the large virtual interface behind Harper vid streams began playing and although the images were fuzzy she could see 'Collectors' placing humans into what looked like stasis pods and taking them away, some sort of swarming birds, no they were flying insects were also present.
And then another image came rushing at her, from somewhere deep in her mind, so fast it should have shifted to infra-red… from the Beacon… the husks the Prothean's were fighting… looked exactly like Collectors… they were… she was convinced of it.
Harper had noticed the change in her attention and mood he checked his vid screen to see what had caught her attention. Shepard was determined not to share any information with him so relaxed back and decided to go off at a different angle.
"Where's the Quarian now?" she said looking back to Harper.
He actually looked confused for a split second but he recovered quickly and went back to unreadable. Something he had in common with her old boss.
"I believe he is now recovering..." she cut him off.
"I want him here by tomorrow morning and he had better be healthy." She continued, "Let's get some ground rules sorted out and these are my terms, they are not negotiable.
You keep any and all Cerberus employees out of my way, anyone I meet wearing one of your damned uniforms of spouting your philosophy I will treat as an enemy combatant.
I will not wear your insignia or have it worn by anyone working with me.
I'll look at your suggestions but I will choose my own team and anyone from Cerberus will have to pass my test and that will include not being a cheerleader for you.
Tomorrow lunchtime I am going to leave here in an un-tracked shuttle and I will spend two weeks thinking about your offer and getting my head straight, if I see anyone that even vaguely looks like one of your goons the deal is off.
And I decide when I reveal my resurrection if you start using me for your own ends I won't be coming back.
Are we in agreement?" she finished realising only then that she had absolutely no idea if she had any money to fund her personal mission.
"Agreed Commander, and as a good will gesture I will make an advance payment into an account for you… you will need to take care of your Quarian guest if nothing else" he had cut across her attempt to tell him to shove his money, which on reflection she was glad of, 'don't be too high and mighty Shepard this is the only game in town you know of right now,' she thought.
"Good then we're done," without waiting for a response she turned and walked out without even bothering to close the connection.
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Miranda had been called to see the Illusive Man straight after he had seen Shepard. She knew immediately his meeting had not gone well.
"Doctor Lawson our guest is a little more antagonistic than I would like, however I am sure she will take on the mission, particularly once she finds out the Alliance and the Council will not support any action against the Collectors right now.
It was a mistake that I didn't call a halt to our… interaction with her uncle.
But, I think we need to tie the Commander a little closer to our cause on a personal basis and so I need you to tell her that you are about to give birth to her genetically engineered child." He flicked ash from his cigarette and took another deep draw from it, the red glow from its end reflecting in his eyes.
Miranda was stunned; she thought she had managed to pass of her 'carefully chosen sperm donor' cover story completely. Miranda hadn't decided whether she would tell Shepard what she had done or that it had resulted in a child, and the last thing she wanted was for the Illusive Man to have this kind of hold over her.
She knew in that instant she had been a fool to think she could keep anything this big secret from him and she knew also that what she had done had been a monumental mistake.
"I… but how did you know… I haven't even decided if I want to tell her… and it may have the opposite effect that you're looking for," Miranda tried to calm herself and find an argument that would persuade him against using what was in fact Shepard's soon to be son as a bargaining chip.
"The timing was a little odd; it was bound to raise questions. It was your business however, I think I can understand, and you are a valuable asset to Cerberus therefore I give you a lot of autonomy and space to follow your own research the way you want to.
But you are still a Cerberus officer Miranda and you need to do all you can to keep this project on track, I understand the risk and Shepard may well be unforgiving to you but she will not abandon her child and I doubt she will steal her from her…. 'mother'."
He tilted his head on the side and took another draw on his cigarette and communicated very clearly his feelings as to whether Miranda was or would ever truly be a 'mother' to the child she was carrying.
"You know you may hate your father Miranda but you are much more like him than you want to admit." With a parting shot that was guaranteed to cut her to the bone he severed the connection and left Miranda in the dark.
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Shepard had not made up her mind one way or the other about working with Cerberus against the Collectors, but the chances went up considerably when she realised the Collectors had to be working for the Reapers.
She needed to know what her reception would be if she returned to the Alliance, she knew eventually everything would be squared away but how long would it take, and what resources would be at her disposal if Harper was right about the disarray the Council and Alliance were in around the Reaper threat.
Before she could begin to think about the best place to base herself while she was carrying out her own research the door buzzer sounded.
"Come in Doc" Shepard called out, it was a guess but she was pretty sure she saw Mirada heading towards a meeting with Harper and Shepard knew he would want to find out what she may be thinking.
"I was wondering if you would have dinner with me Shepard there is something of a personal nature I need to talk to you about." To Shepard's observant eye it looked as if the Doctor had been crying, she was definitely not her normal efficient and business like self.
"Yeah of course, I'm assuming it will be room service," Shepard smiled and invited Miranda to take a seat on one of the sofa's the room had to offer and Shepard sat on the other.
Shepard noticed that 'someone' had cleared up the mess she had made earlier but some damage was still evident including the lack of a control console.
"I took the liberty of ordering some food it should be here shortly," she had no idea of how to start the conversation or how to handle Shepard's reaction, she was a scientist, and this was completely outside her comfort zone.
"Tell me about yourself Doc, how'd you end up working for Harper and his terrorist network?" Shepard asked in a friendly tone.
"My father is a monster, and ego-maniac, Shepard; he carries out disgusting experiments to enhance human abilities and he is completely obsessed by his genetic destiny.
He used a modified copy of his own genome to genetically engineer his offspring, a specimen of human perfection… that was me… of course I wasn't the first, he disposed of the unworthy models… but nothing was ever good enough" Miranda tried to explain to Shepard what it was like growing up as an extension of someone like her father.
"In the end I knew I had to get away from him, but he has power and influence so I had to find somewhere that would protect me from him and that was the Illusive Man and Cerberus." She finished just as the food arrived.
They sat down to eat and Shepard talked about her childhood which was diametrically opposite to Miranda's, as she was talking her mother's face at the Vancouver memorial service came into her mind and Shepard felt a powerful need to speak to and see her mother both to relieve her grief and to ask for her counsel.
"So have you had any weird food cravings?" Shepard asked in an attempt to be normal in this most bizarre of situations, "one of my friends couldn't eat anything but salt beef and ice cream the last two weeks, and one of my cousins…" Miranda reached across the table and put a hand on Shepard's and said.
"I need to… confess… you need to understand," she faltered to a stop and withdrew her hand.
"Hey whatever this is about you shouldn't be getting upset, you know, with the… baby thing… and what else could you possibly tell me that could be worse than I'm already facing," but even as she said it Shepard realised she had just tempted the fate of any and all gods that she may have pissed off in her, already cut short once, lifetime.
Miranda drew a deep breath, sat up straight and looked Shepard straight in the eyes, "When we first examined your… you on arrival, I wasn't sure we could actually revive you. For some weeks it was unclear if the damage to your body was too extensive or if I could work out how to reverse the stasis protecting your brain.
I had to recover as much genetic material as I could, so that I could begin cloning cells, to build organs and… well… I can make a full technical report available to you so that you know how I put you back together," Miranda allowed herself a small smile, what she had achieved was incredible and nothing would take that away from her.
"I understand," Shepard said quietly giving Miranda her full attention and beginning to feel very uneasy about what was coming.
"Some of that genetic material I used to duplicate my father's work, the work that created me… if we hadn't been able to revive you, you would live on in your genetic… once I knew you were going to make it I shelved the project… but… later…"
Shepard's body language told Miranda that she didn't need to spell it out any further.
"So let me make sure I understand you… you stole my genetic material and created some kind of clone, that your about to give birth to?" Shepard's voice was quiet but deadly controlled and cold as were her eyes, she stood up and backed away from the table.
"No, not a clone… no an ordinary baby… just created from you, with only a small splice of my genome to provide the child with biotic abilities… this is no monster Shepard just a baby, created like many babies using science and…."
"Enough… just stop talking I need to think… what the fuck did you think you were doing… was this his idea… does he know? Do you have any idea what Cerberus does to children Miranda or are you completely blind to all the shit they pull?" Shepard's anger was palpable in the room and her voice was edged with fury.
"I… tried to hide it from him, and no he had nothing to do with this… this idea and its execution was just me, no one else… Shepard this wasn't… I didn't even know if I was going to tell you… but the Illusive Man suggested that I should be honest with you," she was now trying to do the impossible, be honest with Shepard and also not let her know that the Illusive Man was indeed willing to use a child in his plans.
"I have no fucking idea what I'm feeling right now… I can't get past the rage I feel at you for what you've done… I have no idea what to do about this… I need time to think and I need to do it away from here." Shepard stood silent for some minutes and then for the first time since she 'woke up' she squared her shoulders she had made her decision.
"You're leaving with me tomorrow, get in touch with Harper and tell him you are now part of my agreement with him, you come with me for at least part of the two weeks I'm taking and you better make sure you're untraceable.
We'll talk about where you need to be to give birth after we leave tomorrow. I need to be alone right now Doctor Lawson."
Miranda stood up and looked as if she was going to say something but the look on Shepard's face and in her eyes changed her mind.
Once Shepard was alone the thought she had been fighting to keep out of the conscious mind exploded like a grenade 'what the fuck will Liara think, how am I going to explain… shit Shepard she's with someone else why would she care.'
But Shepard could not, would not let go of the hope that perhaps things were not as they seemed, she wasn't ready to believe that the love they had was that easily forgotten… but this was a huge complication.
Shepard felt another emotion joining the anger, fear and grief… panic… this was all too much, she needed to talk it through with someone she could trust… her head felt like it would explode.
A line for a twentieth century poet came to mind and she thought '"Anything dead coming back to life hurts" she got that damn straight,' and then a quote her father often used drifted into her thoughts '"either with this or on this" those Spartans were tough bastards but where does that leave me… no death but no shield either.'
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Shepard didn't even bother trying to get some sleep; she had too much to think about, to come to terms with.
She spent a lot of time trying to meditate as she used to when she was still in training and as she and Liara had started to practice to help calm her nightmares.
The thought of actually having died was proving both hypnotic and world shattering. As a soldier, of course, she faced possible death every time she went on a mission. Had come very close to being killed many times, certainly knew fear, anyone who said they weren't scared before a battle was either stupid or lying.
But fear is a good companion, it has energy so long as you turn it into something else and don't let it own you. And the other thing about knowing you were walking into a near certain death situation was that, in reality, she always believed it wouldn't happen… not today… today may be a good day to die, and when she said it she believed it, but even more powerfully she believed that today would not be the day she would have to pay the price.
Her personal invincibility had now been proven false, she had died, some fucker had actually managed to kill her. That was something she was going to have to work hard on the next time she faced battle and had no idea if it would freeze her up, make her weak.
By the time morning finally came she was ready to make a run for anywhere, just to get out of this cursed place and take control back over her life.
A buzz on the door brought her back from her thoughts and when she answered she saw a Quarian, escorted by a couple of Cerberus men, although true to her agreement with Harper they were not wearing uniforms.
"Come in," she beckoned the young man in and shut the door in the faces of his guards, "my name is Commander Shepard and I am an Alliance officer you are now under my protection and your leaving with me in a little while."
"Please, they will come for me, the swarms… they find everyone… I'm sorry… thank you, I know your name… but your dead?" he had obviously been badly affected both by the attack and probably by his 'interrogation'.
"Yeah don't worry about the dead bit… do you need anything?" and as she was asking him she used the comms to contact Doctor Lawson.
"Yes Commander," Miranda voice was polite and professional revealing nothing of their conversation the previous night.
"I wonder if you would check out our Quarian guest and see what medical records you have for him, I think he may need some treatment."
"Certainly Commander would you like to bring him to my lab and I'll see what I can do before we leave."
'We leave… so I got everything I asked for, Harper must want my help badly' she thought to herself.
"What's your name?" she asked as they left her quarters and headed for the lab.
"Veetor'Nara… I was on my pilgrimage… don't like crowds… I don't know what to do" his voice sounded week and he was clearly disturbed.
"Don't worry Veetor leave it to me, we'll get you sorted out, I have work for a Quarian, and we can talk that when you're feeling a little better," she smiled at him and hoped she could indeed help this Quarian as she still had a huge debt to pay.
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After they had stowed what little gear they were taking with them, and Veetor was put to bed on one of the bunks, Shepard and Miranda took their positions in the cockpit of the shuttle.
Shepard headed away from the landing dock and out into dark space.
"Have you made any arrangements for giving birth?" Shepard asked without looking at the Doctor.
"I was going to head to Earth but I realise that was probably not where you were heading for, perhaps Ilium it will have all the services and facilities I need."
"Good choice that was going to be my destination," Shepard relented a little and looked across at Miranda asked in a slightly softer tone, "Are you feeling ok?"
"Yes Commander thank you." Miranda managed a small smile and Shepard returned it.
As Shepard headed the shuttle toward the relay she squared her shoulders and ran through the decisions she had made during her long night.
Shepard had her mission and she would not fail, whatever it took she would destroy the Collectors and whatever lay on the other end of the Omega 4 relay.
And she would stop them from taking any more human colonies if it was at all possible.
She would stand by her child regardless of how it was conceived and even if it hadn't been her child she was not going to let Harper anywhere near it.
She would get Liara back whatever it took, whatever had happened, she would fix it, Liara was her soul mate and she would not lose her, unless she heard Liara herself say it was over.
She repeated the same words, in her head, that had formed into a mantra through the night and was helping calm the panic and confusion, 'I'm the same Alliance officer, Council Spectre, the same fucking person I was before I got shot out of the sky and found myself spaced… this may be a major head fuck but I will get everything back on track… I'm coming for you Liara you better be ready.'
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 21, 2012 12:36:08 GMT 1
Chapter 23
The journey to Illium would take around forty hours and Shepard decided she would use the time to find out as much as she could about what 'work' had been carried out on her body and just what difference it would make to her.
But she started with a question that had been on her mind since being brought around from her 'death'.
"So my body ended up on one of Alchera's moons, Uluhu?" Shepard asked Miranda as soon as they had jumped through the relay. Miranda nodded her agreement and Shepard continued "but my ship is somewhere on Alchera, so how did I land up on the moon, and probably more importantly why was there anything left of me at all?
I mean I took some damage yes, and I understand once my suit de-pressurised and I became exposed to open space the vacuum and cold would have preserved me pretty much unaltered, desiccated maybe," Shepard allowed herself a smile, this was a truly disturbing conversation if she allowed herself to actually think about it.
"But to end up pretty much intact and not flamed… and how did the Shadow Broker work out where I was when the Alliance didn't seem to be able to," 'or they didn't bother trying', she thought bitterly.
"Once we heard that the Broker was looking for you and who his client was, Cerberus turned its attention to doing the same, to be fair we were getting to the same calculations but they had too big a head start.
It was all about the velocity you were travelling away from the Normandy; the blast that damaged your oxygen supply also put you on a path with the gravity well not of the planet but the moon because of the timing.
And the moon's very low atmosphere, combined with the effects of gravity assist and aerobraking gave the best possible outcome… but even with all those elements combining together you… well you were on a collision course with that moon and even if you hadn't lost your oxygen…" Miranda let the rest of the statement hang between them.
"So I finally have something to thank those bloody beacons for… maybe all the headaches they gave me were worth it," she smiled across at Miranda and noticed the woman relax a little, 'we will have the 'talk' about this baby thing but you need to remember she is still pregnant Shepard… with my kid… shit that's a real head fuck,' she thought.
"Ok so now run me through how the rebuild will affect me, I know what you did, I read your report, fair amount of it over my head once you moved into talking about nanites and bots and whatever…" Shepard asked and they spent the following hours talking about how improved not just strength but also stamina she was, quicker to heal, more resistant to damage… but Miranda stressed time and again that she was not indestructible, that she needed to truly find the edge of what was possible and what wasn't.
It was clear that Doctor Lawson had developed a lot of the cybernetics, genetic modifications and certainly the nano technology specifically for Shepard during the early life of the 'project'.
Shepard began to understand that Miranda Lawson had put a huge amount of herself into this work and perhaps this had blurred the lines around the whole creating new life as her father had... but Shepard was nowhere near forgiving and forgetting, they still needed the conversation.
During the trip Shepard also had a chance to talk to Veetor and understood the young Quarian's pre-existing problems of nervousness and what seemed to her to be a form of agoraphobia, which must have been unbearable on the migrant fleet.
He did seem to have a talent for comms and also security systems; and he was much more comfortable with technology than people.
"I have an offer to make you Veetor, I can't guarantee I'll be able to keep you out of trouble or danger, but I can make sure you have your own space and you won't have to mix with the rest of whatever team and crew I put together. If you want to go back to the fleet I'll be happy to take you… or anywhere else." Shepard knew it was a long shot and he may not be any help at all but she had a hunch and she almost always followed her hunches.
"Would not want to let you down Commander, I may not be able… would like to stay with you and see," Shepard reckoned that was as good as she would get.
"Good that's settled, when we get to Illium I have a job for you to do, nothing dangerous but I need a 'middle man' to get some information for me." She smiled at him and he seemed to relax a little to, Shepard wondered if she was just surrounded by nervous people or if she really was that intimidating.
Time would tell, but Shepard really couldn't think what else would happen to the young vulnerable Quarian if she didn't at least try to look out for him.
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They finally go themselves to the hotel, which was in a quiet but upmarket part of Illium, it was very late. Shepard and Miranda had made sure they had 'bought' enough privacy and anonymity even before landing on Illium and that included the clinic that Miranda had booked into for the birth.
Veetor went to his room almost straight away leaving Shepard and Miranda and a silence full of expectation.
"Let's start with how Miranda… as I understand it to carry out the genetic manipulation needed to pull this off you needed stem cells, but my body was dead which means my cells were dead, not a great start for creating life," Shepard had done some reading up on the subject so she could ask Miranda the right questions.
"That's true Commander," Shepard held a hand up and said,
"I don't need you to use my rank Miranda you are about to… give birth to my child, Shepard will be fine."
Miranda's face showed the hint of a blush as she continued, "yes, of course, and you're right about the stem cells but they can be harvested from the brain and they were alive and healthy.
I understand you have questions about the process but the most important thing, I think, you need to understand is that this process is not uncommon but the success rates are dependent on the skill and experience of the person providing the procedure.
And more importantly, what my father's process ensured was that the life created was truly individual, not in any way or shape a clone or copy, it is much more like the process used by Asari reproduction.
Your son is an individual in his own right; the only difference is that he has only your own and your families DNA. Well and a very small slice of mine only to provide biotic abilities, I was more assured of success using that method rather than using genetic modification from scratch." She stopped, Miranda was desperate to make Shepard understand that whatever the rights and wrongs of actually creating this child, the only thing unusual about it was its conception.
As Miranda had been speaking a single word had resonated around the inside of Shepard's skull… son… for some reason she had assumed the child would be female… a son, her son… then she felt her anger rising and stood up to try to keep herself calm.
She walked over to the window and looked out across the sparkling towers and cityscape of Illium with their many lights twinkling against the dark night sky, she watched sky cars fly past, and then shifted her vision to watch a single raindrop on the window as it drifted down past her face.
"Why the hell did you do this Miranda, do you have any idea how fucked up this is going to make my life," Shepard said quietly still watching the raindrop on its journey. "I'm a soldier; I would never have chosen to have a child of my own," unbidden a thought crept into her head 'yeah I wanted to have my children if any with Liara, fat chance of that given all that's happened,'
"Com… Shepard you would never have known if it hadn't been for the Illusive Man forcing my hand, well you wouldn't have known right now…" Shepard turned to face Miranda and cut her off.
"That's worse Miranda… I have no idea whether I'll feel anything towards this baby but it seems it is my child… do you have any idea what my enemies would do to get their hands on it.. him... and what Cerberus and Harper would be interested in doing to it to find out if they could replicate whatever it is they think that makes me tick… anyone connected with me right now seems to be fair game for the Collectors and the Reapers and you brought a fucking child into this mess… I don't get it Miranda if you wanted a kid of your own you could have done this without me… why, for the love of the goddess why did you do it?"
There it was the question that had plagued Shepard and there had better be a good answer.
Miranda looked down at her hands and spoke quietly, "your recovery, even after I had repaired your body, was never certain. I had no idea what the stasis had done to your brain," she looked up and held Shepard's eyes "you could have been completely changed or a vegetable… right up until I woke you it may not have truly been you I brought back.
I suppose I wanted the galaxy to have a plan b, the one thing that you and… Jack Harper," Shepard noted Miranda had used his name for the first time, with difficulty but she used it, "are in complete agreement about is the Reaper threat and that humanity has to mobilise, and you are a galactic hero for humanity.
Someone has to unite us, get us working together and you're it… but if you didn't come back… well I thought that your son could be our last hope."
"A baby… seriously Miranda…" but it was Miranda's turn to cut Shepard off.
"No only when he was an adult, my plan was to have him grow up with a human family but on Thessia where he would be trained to use his biotics and become a skilled commando, and then Alliance training… well that was about as far as I had progressed my planning"
"So you were never going to play families?" Shepard asked, still slightly disbelieving of Miranda's motives
"No Shepard, do you really see me as mother material… I would have been his guardian and protector… the only reason I decided to carry the baby rather than tank bred, which I would honestly have preferred, was about protecting his identify and it was the safest place.
In the end I failed on both counts… I should have thought it through more thoroughly and engaged someone else to carry the child." Miranda shifted her position in the chair and Shepard was once again reminded just how pregnant the woman was.
"Are you ok?" Shepard asked, Miranda nodded and smiled so she continued, "well I need to know what happens after the child is born, what do you intend to do?"
"I don't know what you mean?" Miranda looked puzzled.
"Well now he doesn't have the weight of saving the galaxy on his very small shoulders, as that particular 'honour' will find its way back to me pretty quickly, and his destiny isn't quite so pre-determined," Shepard couldn't keep the edge of anger out of her voice, the arrogance of determining and manipulating an entire life to fit your own plans, no matter how noble the cause, she found unacceptable… just another form of slavery, "what happens to him now you don't need your plan b."
Miranda understood the implications of what Shepard had said and seemed once again to be wrong footed and embarrassed, "well I can continue with the arrangements already in place or I could look for a permanent adoption so that he leads an ordinary life, but I rather thought that you would…" she trailed off realising that she had no idea what Shepard would want to do, that had always been the problem.
"I need to know everything about this family you've set up and I'm assuming they have no idea whose child it is?" Miranda shook her head and Shepard continued, "good, but Harper probably already knows about the arrangements, so we continue as if this will be the plan.
But Miranda you need to know two things… first is that family, blood and chosen, is part of my DNA and is as important to me as my duty. Second, Harper will never get anywhere near the child and if you give him any help or support in that direction I will hunt you down and kill you." Shepard's voice was calm and business like but Miranda knew she was deadly serious.
"You really have not concerns about that Shepard, I am not so naïve that I don't know about the worst excesses of the work of Cerberus, I am not a mindless sycophant, I am not proud of needing the protection that the… Illusive Man and Cerberus give me, but there is something other than my personal safety that I have had to consider.
But I will never trade one innocent for another, on that you will just have to trust me," and with that Miranda stood up and began walking towards her room, "forgive me Shepard but I have a difficult day ahead of me tomorrow I need to sleep, goodnight."
Shepard watched her go and wondered what that parting comment had been about, 'no doubt if she wants to tell you she will, but probably not feeling the love right now Shepard as you did just threaten to kill her… oh Garrus I miss you reminding me about my sunny disposition," Shepard thought and turned her mind to what she had planned for the next day while her son was being born.
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The next morning they all went their separate ways; Miranda to the clinic, Veetor to make contact with an information broker and Shepard to find a way of contacting her mother without alerting anyone else.
Shepard caught a sky car to one of the main shopping and entertainment zones and it was impossible for her not to think of the time she and Liara had spent here, not long ago.
In her timeline she had last slept with, kissed, made love to Liara merely days ago, and yet in this strange time warped world she had woken up in Liara seemed to be with someone else, getting on with her life, and had been for nearly two years.
Every fibre of Shepard's being since the moment she regained consciousness had been screaming at her to run to Liara, she needed Liara to make things right, to make her whole again… but something, a small niggling voice said wait, 'I need to know what's going on with you Liara before I come crashing back into your life... I won't hurt you any more than I already have' she thought and not for the first time.
It felt good to be back in control of her life, her destiny, and walking through the crowds she began to feel more normal and less science experiment. She spent some time picking up light armour to wear immediately and ordering a heavy set and Alliance surplus work wear for delivery to the hotel, whatever happened she was not wearing Harpers tags.
Shepard's next purchase completed her return to normality placing an M-6 Carnifex on her hip and an M96 Mattock on her back. They would do for now, but she would make upgrading her personal arsenal a priority once she got back to work proper.
She kept her baseball cap pulled low over her eyes and all contact to a minimum, then grabbed a sky car and headed for a much shadier part of Illium.
On the journey to Illium Shepard had tried to access her two secure accounts which contained large sums of credits, documentation that would get her in anywhere and with the highest security clearance and her personal database of all the research, data and information they had gathered in their search for the Reaper threat.
As a Spectre she was, would, be expected to work 'outside' any usual systems and so she needed to be self-reliant and her special ops training had instilled in her the need to have back up plans and redundancies so she had always had a highly secure and protected account providing both physical and virtual storage.
It would seem she learned well as no one had found either of these accounts and access to the resources within would allow her to start where she left off, only now her prime target where the Collectors.
But her priority at this moment was a Volus accountant who she had last seen being led away by his Alliance special ops handlers on Arcturus. They hadn't been exactly happy that Shepard had ripped one of their key assets out of his position and the Volus didn't look like he would shape up to be a big fan either.
Shepard had not bothered making an appointment, the offices were for show, Plunes didn't need any work, he was still the trusted and very busy accountant for major Blue Suns merc groups and a couple of state run Batarian Corporations; and no doubt still providing valuable information to the Alliance and to Aria as per Shepard's 'gift' to the pirate queen.
She walked into the outer office and was met by what could only be two security guards, a Batarian was sitting behind a small desk and a Turian was lounging on sofa.
"Get lost you come to the wrong place," the Batarian snarled as Shepard moved further into the room, she stopped with the Turian on her left and without looking knew he was getting to his feet.
She snapped our her left arm level and straight hitting the Turian hard in the throat, cracking what passed for his larynx and crushing his windpipe, before he had a chance to do more than begin to crumple she pivoted to her left and brought her right hand in a hard chop on the side of his neck just where the main artery to his brain passed over hard cartilage cutting off the blood supply completely.
Before he hit the floor she had leapt up onto the desk and kicked the Batarian up and under his chin knocking him out of the chair slamming him into the wall behind, following it up with a stamp to the head as she jumped down of the desk.
Satisfied neither would be in a position to interrupt her dealings with their boss she made her way into Vert Plunes office, at first she couldn't see him but then heard the familiar shoosh and click of the re-breather coming from under the large desk in front of the window.
"Is this any way to greet an old friend," she said in a cheery tone keeping a weather eye on where the Volus may appear, he could always pop up with a weapon, but that really wasn't his style.
"Commander… Shepard… but your… dead" and as he spoke he appeared behind his desk and sat back in his chair, "I, well, if it is you why are you here Earth clan…you have already made my life doubly difficult and dangerous... what more could you possibly want from me." His voice was petulant, whiney but also more than a little scared.
"Ah that's me the gift that just keeps giving," she pulled off her cap and walked to the desk sitting in a chair opposite the very nervous looking accountant. "So how you been keeping, I've had better times … there we're all caught up now to business.
I don't need anything from you, I need you to do something for me, and as a show of good faith I won't threaten to kill you slowly if you don't do it or if you screw it up… what I will say is that I may, just may, return the favour in the future… so long as it passes my personal ethics test."
She waited until he nodded his head slightly; he didn't survive this long in the game he was playing without both recognising and offer he couldn't refuse and one that may just be useful.
"Good, oh but deals off and I will hurt you very badly if you tell anyone about this or even dream in your sleep that I am in fact not dead, just so we're clear," she smiled a hard grin that didn't reach her eyes. He still worked for slavers and murderers even if the intel he was sharing was useful.
"It seems I am destined to be of assistance to you, Commander. I hope you remember how useful I am but to be very honest with you I sincerely wish we had never met."
"You may be surprised to learn I get that reaction a lot. This is what I need you to get done. You have to get a message to my mother that will get her here to Illium to meet with you about some financial stuff to do with me, I don't care make something up, but convincing and so that she comes immediately.
Get the message to her through your intelligence handlers and make sure it's her eyes only." Shepard finished, in truth she really didn't have any idea what bait would get her mother to Illium to talk to some strange double agent come accountant.
Plunes sat for a sometime obviously thinking hard and then said, "would you mother be interested in protecting your reputation Commander?" When Shepard gave a tentative nod he continued, "I may be able to spin a tale of financial misdealing's that seem to lead back to when you were a Spectre, misuse of Council funds… and I am such a big fan of yours I have found out who is trying to smear your name, do you think that would bring her?"
"Hell Plunes is this the kind of shit you have to dream up for your clients… that may just work… make sure she knows that unless something is done immediately a story will break on the extranet." Shepard could only hope the hook would be strong enough to get her mother to Illium.
"I am due to update my… colleagues this evening, where may I contact you to let you know if it has worked."
"Yeah I know it feels like we're best bud's right now but I'll contact you, no need for you to do house calls just yet." Shepard began to leave immediately but as she reached the door she turned and said, "remember what I said about keeping quiet about me, and that includes both the Alliance and Aria… oh and don't hire any more muscle till my piece of business with you if over." Without waiting for a reply she walked out through the door, pulled her cap back on, blended into the crowds on the street and headed back uptown.
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Shepard was sitting on a bench in one of the largest green spaces in the most exclusive resort area of the city, they had been here together, sat on the edge of the lake and dangled their feet in the water, not for long it was pretty cold, but she remembered the laughter, the joy, but only as a memory, there was no joy in her heart or her mind now.
'I don't know how to do this Liara, I need you… but how do I fix all this' she thought to herself feeling the weight of her confusion, anxiety and anger.
Her Omni-tool bleeped on the secure channel that only Miranda and Veetor had access to, it was Miranda, and she sounded tired when she spoke.
"Shepard I have had the surgery everything went without complication, perhaps you would like to visit?"
Would she like to visit, to meet her son, Shepard had no idea, well of course she wanted to, but would she feel any connection, or would her resentment at feeling like this had been forced on her impact on her relationship with the child.
'Well you've never shied away from difficult shit before Shepard so let's get on with this,' she said to herself while to Miranda she said "yes of course, I'll come straight away."
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Garrus could hear Liara through the door of her office, her voice cold, hard, commanding; she was the very essence of the Benezia that Garrus had met on Noveria.
"You do not want me as an enemy Lortal you will give me the information I have asked for or I will have your brought to me and I will personally reave and warp your nervous system, do you have any idea how painful and long a death I will make that for you if you stand in my way." Liara was standing in front of a screen her hands playing with a ball of blue biotic energy as if reinforcing her words.
"But L...Lady T'Soni… you have no idea… if the Broker found out I was… he will kill me and my… my family…" Liara cut across his words and pointed a finger at the terrified Salarian on the screen, a gesture that brought Shepard to Garrus's mind.
"If the Broker finds out it will be because of your incompetence I am guaranteeing your painful death if you do not hack into the Broker's systems and find me that information," Liara's voice was powerful and a slight blue haze lingered around her body, "you have three days Lortel not a moment more." She closed the connection and walked back behind her desk.
"Liara I'm worried about you, this obsession about finding the Shadow Broker base… you know that Shiala is very likely dead already and…"
Garrus's words were cut off as Liara lashed out with her arm sending a biotic wave across the office strong enough to push him back a little and brushing everything from the surface of the desk as she shouted.
"No I will not lose someone else that I care about do not question me," but almost as she was saying the words a look of absolute shock and horror passed across her face and she slumped into the chair.
"Oh Garrus I am so sorry… what am I doing… I don't seem…" she looked at him and tears were in her eyes, he moved to kneel beside her and put his arms around her shoulders.
"I know Liara, I know… but I see less and less of you these days, even when we're alone, the split is growing wider… I'm so afraid one day there won't be any 'you' left," the sadness was clear in his voice. He was, indeed, the only one who Liara showed her other self to, and he could see that beautiful kind and strong woman being taken over by a shadow of her mother.
"It's the only way I know that I can carry on and I have to Garrus I have to," she looked him full in the eyes and he could see the pain and the fear, "if I stop then there is nothing left for me, I have to destroy the being that made it possible for… who was responsible for Shepard's…I miss her every moment Garrus, when will this stop…" and as she leaned into the Turian he felt her body shaking and heavy silent sobs accompanying her tears.
"I know Liara, I know, perhaps you will be able to grieve properly once you've done what you set out to… we'll get it done Liara, just let us all help you," Garrus held her and tried his best to comfort her but he had no faith in his own words.
Without the focus of hunting the Shadow Broker he had no idea how Liara would cope. Problem was the thing that was keeping her functioning and together, at least on the surface, was the very thing destroying who she truly was.
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The Illusive Man spoke to the woman on the other end of his comms channel through a haze of smoke and with his usual awe inspiring backdrop.
"You have to be very, very, careful Tasha, if Shepard even gets a hint that we were behind this we will lose her from our cause. But if she reunites with T'Soni our control over her will be weakened." He flicked ash and brought the cigarette to his lips once more.
"She won't give up trying to get T'Soni back, I may not have spent time with her for years but I heard how they were together on Arcturus. The only way is to either make T'Soni unable or unwilling to allow Shepard back in her life. This may accomplish both.
From my sources the Doctor is not stable and completely obsessed with hunting down the Shadow Broker, if we were to help her with that information… well he is a powerful target to go up against… our problems may be solved by the Broker particularly if we can tip him when she is likely to attack." Tasha Mikhailovich gave the Illusive Man a smile.
"Yes that is something we can work on, we don't have the information but it's always possible it could fall into our possession, but I need more of a guarantee.
Somehow you have to make T'Soni believe Shepard 'woke up' some time ago and has been pursuing other things… including a child with another woman… and Tasha our friend may be more than a little compromised so I need you to remind her just how difficult it would be for her to protect her sister without our help."
"I'll start straight away… perhaps some false vid footage that can be 'discovered' which may also give T'Soni a big enough shock to her system to send her over the edge… and as for Doctor Lawson you need have no fear on that front I can keep her in line."
"See that you do Tasha, don't disappoint me." And he severed the comm link.
Turning he looked at the boiling sun outside the station and wondered if it wouldn't be easier if everyone just did what he asked in the first place as they always ended up doing what he planned in the end… one way or another.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Oct 23, 2012 2:55:53 GMT 1
A/N For those amongst us who also enjoy some action and adventure fear not we will be mission bound very shortly but Shepard has certain arrangements to make this chapter. And yes the trials and tribulations of true love continue…
Chapter 24
The Clinic was in a very up market area of the City and, to Shepard's surprise, it was Salarian run. She had assumed that Miranda would hold all the same views as Harper, humanity first, best, only.
'Yeah but Cerberus uses non human's when it suits their purposes and particularly when they are looking at disposable assets,' she thought as she walked up to the reception desk.
If the staff at the clinic thought anything about their arrangements were off or curious or downright suspicious no one showed the slightest interest. Miranda and Shepard had booked in false names, untraceable credits and a very private suite, to which Shepard was shown swiftly before she even finished telling the receptionist her 'name'.
Miranda was in a bed by a window, afternoon sunlight lying in shafts across white sheets. Next to the bed was a trolley supporting a transparent box and from where Shepard was standing she could see a very small still baby within.
She unclipped her weapons and removed her armour jacket and walked slowly over to the bed, Miranda's eyes were closed but opened as Shepard drew level to the baby's incubator.
"Hey, how you feeling," Shepard smiled down at Miranda and reached across to squeeze one of her exposed hands.
"Mmm, just a little sleepy from the anaesthetic, but I'll be up and around in a few hours," she smiled and began to sit up a little.
Shepard leaned in closer and helped her to sit up, their cheeks almost touched as she moved back and again she felt some kind of connection between them that was just out of her minds reach.
Looking down at the tiny baby Shepard's stomach gave a lurch. She had always enjoyed meeting and getting to hold babies in the past, she was fond of kids, so was this feeling any different.
She couldn't tell, but what she could feel was an almost overwhelming sense of responsibility and protectiveness to this small vulnerable bundle of life.
"You should pick him up Shepard," Miranda was smiling at her, "he is absolutely fine, strong and healthy."
Shepard said nothing but opened the side of the incubator, reached in and carefully picked up the baby, she held him with one hand supporting his head and upper body and her other hand under his well-padded bottom and lower back.
She brought him up to face her and he seemed to stretch in his sleep, little fists balling and uncurling.
"Hello mister," Shepard said quietly, studying the infant she was holding in her hands, "welcome to the universe, it's a hell of a ride, so you better shape up to meet it." She leaned forward and kissed the tiny forehead.
"You're going to be named for a very brave, honourable, kind and loving man, your grandfather John Shepard… probably gonna give you a couple of other names as well, history is important in this family so we kinda stick some in our naming ceremonies." Shepard caught herself smiling and realised she felt more than responsibility and worry, she felt connected to this small fragment of life.
Shepard realised that Miranda had been watching her and as she put the baby back in the incubator she turned to the other woman and said.
"Did you secure a nanny or is it nurse for the baby?" Shepard left her hand next to the baby's face and stroked it gently with one of her fingers.
"Yes I did she is one of the clinic team so comes with a lot of experience in confidential matters and high security rating. One of the reasons I chose this clinic is their reputation for dealing with… sensitive situations involving high profile people… and they are experts in any form of genetic birth defects or malfunctions."
"I thought you said all the scans you had on the baby were all clear?" Shepard asked concern edging her voice.
"Yes they were, but some tests just can't be done until the baby is born and I wanted to make sure we had the right expertise if we needed it. But as I said earlier he has had a complete all clear."
"So when can the two of you leave?" Shepard stood up straight and moved to the bottom of Miranda's bed.
"Well I could leave in a few hours, but I would like him to just stay overnight, just in case and I'll stay as well. I suggest we come back to the hotel first thing in the morning." Miranda was now looking much more like herself and began to get out of bed.
"Ok that's the plan then, keep in touch though and anything doesn't feel right don't bother calling just get the hell out and then call me to meet you." Shepard got a nod of the head from Miranda before she began putting on her armour jacket, picking up her weapons she gave one last look to the incubator, said goodbye to Miranda and left.
She would be spending the evening watching the unedited footage of what happened after the attack on the Normandy and the comprehensive dossier that Veetor was bringing back from the Information Broker that would tell Shepard what had happened to Liara since, including whatever was going on with Shiala.
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To say that Veetor was a quick learner denied his obvious talent and inherent ability. Shepard didn't know if Quarian physiology was in any way the same as human but the more she saw him work the more she was reminded of human savants.
He seemed to almost become one with the systems he was working within, almost a computational level of speed and understanding, for the first time Shepard could see how the Quarian's had created the Geth.
She had given him all her security access protocols and he had managed to hack into Arcturus and retrieve all the vid footage and reports relating to the Normandy 'incident', including de-brief interviews with crew and her team.
Shepard began with the recordings of the actual rescue and then right through the timeline including the de-briefings. The footage of Liara showed Shepard exactly how devastated and affected her lover had been and this was backed up by the medical reports from both Alliance and Asari sources.
The true extent of how much Liara had to be supported through the memorial ceremony was clearer in the now unedited footage as was the courage and strength of her crew, although Joker looked as if he was particularly struggling.
As Shepard watched the Alliance footage and then moved onto news vids and surveillance reports a picture unfolded around Liara's life after the Normandy; but something else crystallised for Shepard about the effect that her 'death' had had on her soul mate.
Losing Shepard had nearly destroyed Liara and it wasn't clear to her how much of true recovery the young Asari had made. As time moved forward the surveillance and news vids did indeed show Shiala as a close companion to Liara and a very occasional glimpse of apparent intimacy confirmed that there was something between them.
There were also bugged private conversations between Shiala and a close friend which left no doubt as to the relationship between her and Liara, even some talk of bonding.
Shepard also saw that Garrus was as much a fixture, apart from the social events, as Shiala was. Perhaps he should be her next conversation; Shepard could feel her self control slipping away and would have jumped a ship to Thessia that night if she didn't need to deal with matters relating to her mother and her son immediately.
Shepard also needed to do some considerable work on her anger management as whenever she saw an image of Shiala she felt murderous and wanted to smash something, anything… she wanted to tear Shiala apart with her bare hands.
What Shepard was studiously avoiding acknowledging was a deeply buried and not very noble feeling towards Liara that was boiling with anger at being betrayed by the woman she had given her heart and soul to… not more than a few months after she was out of the picture… but Shepard would not allow even herself to say a 'bad' word about the love of her life.
The pedestal that Shepard had firmly placed Liara on was holding for now, but somewhere in the back of Shepard's mind she knew there would be a reckoning, as like all pedestals it was only a matter of time before it sank into the sand upon which it was built.
'So you went back to Thessia but after only a few weeks you decided to set up as an information broker, why darling, what's going on… and why the secrecy around a visit to Omega… and the security… I'm missing something,' Shepard said to herself looking at vid footage of Liara attending some gala in the Thessian capital of Larisa.
Liara looked stunning in her long flowing evening dress, she was just as beautiful, but there was something very different, something about the look in her eyes, harder, cold even… 'I promise you Liara, whatever it takes I'll make this right, I'll fix this… fix what I did to you… even if it means you being with someone else.'
Shepard couldn't bare that thought and a huge part of her rebelled against even thinking it, 'but if you truly love someone you have to be able to let them go right… if that is what's best… wasn't that how it worked sometimes', Shepard thought 'yeah but you set people free so they can come back that's how it's supposed to work, but only if it's meant Shepard…. only if it's meant to be,' as she finished the thought she closed the vid feed and turned her attention to the rest of the report that Veetor had brought back from the Information Broker.
And there it was the answer to her question and the missing pieces of the puzzle and the information created a cold, hard fury to form and coalesce around a single being… and a new priority was born of the realisation that the Shadow Broker not only caused the death of her crew, the destruction of her ship, the grief to her soul mate, but that he had already tried to kill Liara several times and had a huge bounty out on her head.
Now here was something Shepard understood completely, this was clear cut, no questions… no second guessing… this fucker was going down and she was going to be the one to do it.
And now she understood what Liara was doing. Liara had started a war with the Shadow Broker as soon as she learned of his involvement with the recovery of her body, and then the destruction of the Normandy.
From the Information Broker's report Liara had proved to be a very skilful and dangerous Information Broker, who also engaged in direct action to wreck business or information deal's that would have maximum impact on the Shadow Broker.
Of course none of this would bring the Broker down and it seems Liara has made no secret of the fact that she was willing to pay anything for the location of the Broker so that she could kill him… a dangerous game to play and a dangerous enemy to choose.
Shepard would not for one moment deny how brave this was but she also knew it was reckless and could only end one way, unless Liara got a huge break, why the hell was Garrus, Shiala for that matter, letting her do this.
And how the hell was she not dead already, you really didn't survive a full bounty from the Shadow Broker, it rarely happened, there was no profit in it… but the resources and information at his disposal should have made it inevitable that at least one attempt would be successful.
Shepard read through the reports of the failed attempts and found small inconsistencies, nothing that would show unless you were looking for something and from a tactical perspective.
It was almost as if there was some kind of shadow protection around Liara that was a final defence, and the more she tried to work out how Liara had survived attempts the more she saw it.
The last report was of the most recent attack and when she read that Shiala had apparently been taken hostage by the Shadow Broker Shepard broke out into a cold sweat… she knew, or she believed she knew what Liara's reaction would be and it would be rash, foolhardy in the extreme and Liara would be ripe for a fatal ambush laid very carefully by the Shadow Broker.
Liara would not rest until she had freed Shiala, not only because of their connection but because of guilt. Shepard had to get to Thessia or to the Shadow Broker.
Shepard began pacing around the apartment, she had to finish her business here, she had to sort out whether to work with Harper of give herself up to the Alliance, whatever she decided she had to end the Collector threat and find out just how connected they were with the Reapers and she had to 'save' Liara from herself.
The weight of all that responsibility was dragging her down into a dark part of herself that was like a black hole of despair and exhaustion and failure. It was filled with all the lives she had failed to save, the lives she had been forced to take, the pain and suffering she had seen and often inflicted on others… it was a place of blood and death and destruction.
She pulled herself away from the edge of the abyss and called up a comms link to Plunes, action she needed to take action, he answered almost immediately.
"Ah Commander, yes I have had contact and your mother and she will be here by late tomorrow afternoon, she is somewhere in this area. I am to contact her when she lands at the port." Plunes sounded very pleased with himself and Shepard had to admit he had delivered exactly what she asked.
"Good, when she contacts you tell her to meet you at your office but I don't want you anywhere near there. I'll meet her myself." Shepard had a slightly different plan in mind but there was no need to share it with the accountant.
"Very well, can I assume I am then free to carry on about my business?" Plunes asked in a more tentative tone.
"Yes I won't be bothering you again… till the next time" Shepard smiled the last half of her sentence in a more amused tone than a threatening one, damn if she wasn't warming a little to the weasel.
"Well please take no offence Commander if I say I hope that our next meeting will not be for some considerable time, goodbye Commander… and… good luck." To Shepard's ears the 'good luck' sounded genuine; maybe they were growing on each other.
"Veetor are you busy, I have another job for you?" she called towards the young Quarian's room and he appeared within a few moments.
"What do you need Commander," he said as he walked into the room.
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Shepard didn't sleep again that night, a few naps on the sofa while she was waiting for information to come through from contacts, Veetor worked with her through the night, he had set up a small, portable but very effective VI assisted network in his room and a few times Shepard joined him to run through information of watch vid footage.
She hadn't slept on the shuttle journey here, so by her estimation her last good night's sleep was nearly two years ago, with Liara lying next to her, and Shepard was now feeling a little ragged around the edges.
Miranda arrived back at the apartment early in the morning and while the nurse was being settled into the last spare room, and the 'nursery' was being set up, Shepard took advantage of the break to sit in a chair looking out across the cityscape with her son in her arms.
Her mind was on the next couple of calls that she was expecting in when she felt the little body in the crook of her arm stir, looking down she saw clear signs of pressure building up in the small face that would soon be accompanied by wails and screams.
"So let's see how good a pair of lungs you have little guy," she smiled and her comment was almost cut off by a strong wail from the now open mouth.
"Is he due a feed," she shouted across the room, Shepard had done a fair amount of babysitting for friends and relatives and tended towards a functional approach to the smaller charges. They either needed food, changing or affection, worked every time in her experience.
As she watched the small, wrinkled face contorted in concentration as the baby sucked on its bottle Shepard felt just the edge of a feeling that she had only ever before found with Liara, a hint of peace, but as quickly as she felt it so evaporated.
"Shepard you have a call coming in from Thessia do you want to take it in Veetor's room?" it was Miranda speaking from just inside the Quarian's room.
"Yes," Shepard stood up and carefully passed the baby over the nurse with a smile of thanks, "I'll take the call on my own thanks" Shepard said as she walked into the room.
Once alone Shepard accepted the incoming call and when the connection was established a very surprised looking Asari matron scrutinised Shepard and said.
"Is this some kind of sick joke, sadly Commander Shepard is dead and when I find out what…" Shepard held up and a hand a said firmly but in a friendly tone.
"Vaninnth it is me and there is one way I can prove it, do you believe that Shepard would have kept her word about not telling a soul about the difficulties she helped you out with when you first met her, it was after she was made a Spectre?"
The Asari looked suspicious but answered, "no the Commander I knew, that we all knew, was a person of integrity."
"Then if I tell you that I dealt with a matter of blackmail to protect your reputation, that saved your career with the Council and status on Thessia… involving a very disreputable mercenary leader who you unfortunately got tangled up with in a web of sexual…." Vaninnth T'Joan cut across Shepard in a voice that conveyed a high level of embarrassment.
"Enough Commander, yes I… well as you know I was extremely grateful for your help… one mistake hundreds of years of service. But how this is possible what is going on Commander."
"First I believe congratulations are in order, your promotion from press secretary to Councillor Tevos's private secretary well done, and as for my return… well that will all become clear soon, it's a matter of science and luck.
But I have a huge favour to ask of you and also a request that you do not tell anyone that I am alive, I will be making that known but I have good reason to remain… incognito for a little while longer." Shepard waited for the answer this was taking a risk but she trusted T'Joan and she really had saved her from a very nasty little sting operation run by a very nasty specimen of criminal pond life.
"I will do anything I can to help you Commander and you have my word this will remain private between us," Vaninnth still looked a little shocked but Shepard was preparing herself to be confronted with that reaction later today when she met her mother.
"Your sister is Matriarch T'Joan who runs the T'Soni estate on Thessia?" Vaninnth nodded and Shepard continued, "I need to know if your sister would be willing to help me but I don't want Doctor T'Soni to be involved yet."
"My sister is devoted to Liara she would not do anything that would hurt her or be disloyal to her in any way," Vaninnth paused and then went on "perhaps it would be safer if you were to tell me what you needed to know or arrange and I could try to find out myself."
It was the offer that Shepard had wanted but felt was unreasonable to ask for "that would be really helpful, you're on Thessia now aren't you?"
"Yes Councillor Tevos is here for a series of meetings with the Matriarch's, I was planning on visiting my sister at some stage."
"If you could make that sooner rather than later that would help me, I need to know Doctor T'Soni's state of mind, whether she has any plans to conduct an attack on the Shadow Broker, if she has suddenly received information leading to his location, that kind of thing… and I need you to get a message to someone… Garrus Vakarian I need him to contact me on the secure channel I am sending you, but you must stress that he keeps this information to himself until he has spoken to me," Shepard keyed in the details of her OT secure channel into the console, "you can contact me on that line as well."
"Very well Commander, I will do my best, and I will make the visit at the latest within two cycles," Vaninnth gave Shepard a smile and added "I am very pleased that you are not… dead Commander, I believe we will be relying on you again as we once did." Vaninnth T'Joan gave Shepard an Asari parting blessing and Shepard returned it then closed the connection.
Her father had always said if you can help someone along the way always do it and she always tried to and not with any thought of repayment but living that way did seem to open doors and oil the wheels especially when she was in a tight spot.
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Veetor had hacked into the security footage at the port and linked it to their OT's. Both she and Miranda were at the port and had been for most of the day watching not for the arrival of her mother but for anyone else who may be turning up to interfere in their reunion.
Shepard was sure she could trust Plunes, but she would never bank her life on it, and there were plenty of other ears who could have heard the arrangements so she was not taking any chances.
She had Veetor monitoring the security cameras at the accountant's office and the streets around it. They were all set and her plan was to intercept her mother before she even left the port.
"Shepard I have eyes on a passenger coming through the diplomatic gates that looks very much like Captain Shepard," Miranda's voice came through her ear piece, "seems like a healthy distrust of stranger's runs in the family."
Shepard smiled to herself and began to make her way to intercept her mother from the gates at the furthest end of the passenger hall.
"I don't think she's alone… yes she is coming through with a man… no its Councillor Anderson," Miranda's voice again and this time it sounded as if she was hurrying to keep up with her targets.
"OK that's not a problem I trust Anderson, in fact he's a bonus… I see them, Miranda get to them now and get them to the room," as she spoke Shepard began to weave her way through the crowd, they had booked one of the small private waiting rooms to give them privacy.
The comm between then was open and she heard Miranda say "Captain Shepard, Councillor Anderson I know you are her to meet a certain Volus accountant I wonder if I may speak to you somewhere a little more private… I've booked a room just over here."
Shepard could just about here her mother's voice protesting a little and Anderson asking who the hell she was and what was going on but it sounded like they were going with Miranda.
When Shepard walked into the waiting room and pulled off her cap she was facing both her mother's and Anderson's backs who were both questioning Miranda as to what was going on.
"Mum it's me," Shepard said in as firm and controlled voice as she could, memories of her mother's grief fresh in her mind.
They both spun around on the spot and for a fraction of a second it felt as if they were all frozen in time and then her mother rushed at her and enfolded her in a huge bear hug. Then stepped back still holding onto her daughters shoulders and searched her face.
As they had previously agreed Miranda left the room and would meet them at the sky car.
"Is it really you Liddie… really…? I can't believe… but how long have you been back" her mother's voice was shaky and tears shone in her eyes.
"I think it's me… I worried I was some kind of clone or glorified AI but that was the woman that put me back together… I've seen the reports... could have watched the vid of the operations if I wanted nightmares… feels like me... still hate Cerberus… even if the bastards put me back together" Shepard glanced passed her mother to Anderson and saw he was smiling.
"Oh why have you still got those awful scars Liddie, Why did Doctor Lawson allow them to survive your reconstruction," but her mother was smiling.
Something clicked in Shepard's mind and she said "Hang on a minute… how long have I been back, you knew that was Doctor Lawson… you knew what was happening?"
Hannah Shepard looked at her daughter with concern and pulled her into another hug, "not for sure we didn't and it was only Admiral Hackett, David and me who saw the reports. We couldn't act on it either, we couldn't, can't compromise the source we have deep in Cerberus.
And we didn't know if it was some kind of misinformation or if it was a plan to put an imposter back into your life… but I hoped, and we only had confirmation that it had worked and they were going to revive you fully a month ago." Shepard relaxed into her mother's arms, this finally felt real, and she was back in her own life.
"I'm so sorry mum, for all the pain and grief, I saw the vids..." Hannah pulled back a little so she could look her daughter in the face.
"Don't you ever apologise for doing your duty and trying to save your crew Lydia, you will never have to apologise to me I am so proud of you," Shepard was pulled back into a final hug and then they parted.
"Shepard what can I say… your unstoppable" Anderson had come over to join them and slapped Shepard on the back smiling broadly, "but there is going to be a hell of a lot of paperwork to do when you eventually come back home," Shepard noticed the 'eventually' and guessed the implications of that tiny little word.
"Come on let's get to my hotel apartment I think I may have something to share with you that might actually be a surprise."
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Once Hannah Shepard had gotten over the shock of getting her daughter back from the dead she couldn't imagine anything else that would surprise her, but that was before she was confronted with a two day old baby, and also her grandson.
"How dare you steal DNA from my daughter, steal a child from my daughter, what kind of monster are you," Hannah Shepard was furious and she didn't pull any punches when she confronted Miranda in the Doctor's room.
Miranda did her best to explain as she had to Shepard but Hannah was having none of it.
"No Doctor Lawson I will not accept any excuse that you may have dreamt up to make this right in your head, you behaved appallingly, and the only reason your still standing and not being thrown in some deep brig of my own construction is that you brought my daughter back from the dead… but that doesn't give you a free pass with me."
Shepard knew better than to try to stop her mother from having her say, she had warned Miranda and also warned her that it would be over quicker if she just took it and didn't respond. Miranda seemed to have taken the advice as Shepard could only hear one voice from the bedroom.
They had explained the process and her mother seemed to accept the baby, even going so far as to say he did look very like Shepard had when she was born.
When her mother came back into the room a slightly nervous Shepard and Anderson were standing looking out the window hoping that the Captains fury would not somehow find them wanting in any of this, but thankfully she seemed to have run out of steam and now only wanted to sit and hold her grandchild and look at her newly returned daughter.
When all three of them were sitting down Shepard got straight to the point.
"Mum I need you to take the baby back to Earth and have him stay with gramma and pa until things get a bit clearer for me, do you think they would look after him, the nurse goes with him and can stay as long as they need her or until they make other arrangements?" it was the only plan Shepard had, because she felt that would be the safest place for him.
"Of course they will… you're not thinking of having him adopted are you Liddie?" Hannah had cried when Shepard told her she had named the baby for her father and seemed to have really taken the little mite to her heart already.
"No not at all, but I still have a fight on my hands, and I have to sort things out with Liara," Shepard couldn't hide the pain she felt whenever she thought of Liara and her mother could always read her like a book.
"Now don't you jump to any conclusions about these rumours of her with someone else, if I know one thing I know that she loves you, we nearly lost her when we lost you LV… anything she's has had to do to keep going is fine by me… so you give that girl a chance." Her mother's voice was soft mainly because the baby was asleep in her arms but Shepard had no doubt about the firmness of the sentiment and her mother's instruction.
"Yeah I know, I can't say it's not painful but I get it, I think, anyway I have to see her but she is all crazy shit on getting to the Shadow Broker and if I don't do something she may just get herself killed before I get a chance to… well you know… win her back or something." Shepard suddenly felt like a love sick teenager and a bit embarrassed in front of both her mother and Anderson and it was he who answered her.
"Yes we know she's been a target of his for some time now Shepard, I've tried to do what I can to help, and you know Garrus has stayed with her, Wrex sent trusted clan members as part of her security… but her luck will run out and there is no way she or you," Anderson said pointedly looking at Shepard, "will take the Broker down, you need to get her to change her course and you need to concentrate on the Collector threat."
"I'm sure once she knows you back you'll be able to get her to stop and then you have to get her to work with the Asari priestess's and doctors to heal the damage that breaking your bond caused when you died… I have been so worried about her but she won't listen to anyone apparently." Her mother's face showed real concern and her eyes showed Shepard that Liara had been accepted into her family as much as baby John had been.
"Well I'll try… but there's a bigger question I need answered… I don't want to work with Harper and Cerberus, I want to come back to the Alliance and take down the Collectors." Shepard was looking from one to the other and this time it was her mother who answered.
"Things aren't as straightforward within the Alliance or the Council right now, there are power struggles going on and although Admiral Hackett is still in charge there is an enormous amount of resistance to believing the Reapers are real.
And I'm afraid if you came back you would be months before you were reinstated, checked out, security de-briefings… and even after all that to get resources to chase an unknown enemy… well" Hannah's sadness and frustration showed in her voice and her body language.
"We're sorry to have to ask you this Shepard," Anderson spoke quietly "but we also need you to stay at Cerberus and find out as much as you can about Harper and his operations, you would be in a unique position, and it's true if you want to go after the Collectors… and don't get me wrong Admiral Hackett, your mother and I all feel that's what is needed, then you are going to have to use Cerberus resources." Shepard also sensed his sadness and frustration.
"If those are my orders sir, ma'am then consider it done," Shepard smiled at both of them but inside she felt a huge pang of loss, she wanted to go home, to the Alliance but if this is what her duty demanded she would not shirk it.
"It won't be for long" her mother smiled across at her "take them down, steal anything of any use from Cerberus then come straight home."
"Slightly amended version of the usual family motto… get in, get the job done, kill anyone that gets in the way," Shepard smiled at her mother she knew that they wouldn't ask her to, in effect, go rogue if there was any other way.
The following day saw Hannah Shepard, baby John and the nurse heading for Earth on a priority Alliance transport which would drop Councillor Anderson at the Citadel on the way and Miranda back to her lab and Cerberus.
It also saw a fully equipped Shepard, Veetor and a mixed squad of Asari commando's, Turian ex-military special forces and Krogan bounty hunters heading for Thessia in a long range shuttle for a rendezvous with Garrus and Vaninnth T'Joan and the start of operation's Shadow Broker and Liara.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Nov 1, 2012 10:32:15 GMT 1
A/N My apologies for the delay getting the next chapter out to you but I was ill with a nasty virus. But all fine now and hopefully will get another chapter out before the weekend.
Thank you for your continued support and comments
Chapter 25
The trip to Thessia took half a day and she spent the time speaking with each member of the squad she had put together. They had come highly recommended and all their security clearances had been triple checked which meant she didn't have any part time mercs or pirates to worry about.
A few of the Asari commando's Shepard had worked with before and one was even a survivor from the Normandy. Shepard had only revealed her identity once they had been hired and it hadn't seemed to put anyone off, on the contrary, Shepard's reputation had even calmed the unease about the secrecy of the 'job'.
She had hired a commercial long haul shuttle, more suited to carrying cargo, but it was all she could get hold of at short notice, it was fast but naked, it had no firepower. The plan was to see what ship Liara might have available or find something more suitable for hire on Thessia.
Shepard's private OT channel bleeped into life just as they were making their approach to the Larisa space port for her meeting with Vaninnth T'Joan.
"Commander," it was Vaninnth and she looked and sounded extremely worried, "I have just had a conversation with my sister and it appears Doctor T'Soni has just set off with her troops to confront the Shadow Broker, but she refused to tell anyone the destination until they were secure en-route with a comms blackout."
"Dammit, this is exactly what I was worried about," Shepard began to make her way to the cockpit to speak to her pilot, "I'm going to head for the T'Soni estate and find out what I can, I won't mention that you and I have been talking if that would make things difficult with your sister?" Shepard's mind was racing everywhere and particularly to scenario's where Liara was walking into a diverse range of ambush situations.
"Thank you for you discretion Commander but I just alerted Seninnth that you were on your way to Thessia she seemed pleased, I will let her know you're on your way to the estate."
Shepard had made it to the pilot's side and gave the order to head for the T'Soni estate and to put the shuttle down as close to the main house as possible. Shepard was cold with fear for her young, brave but reckless love.
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Before the shuttle had properly landed Shepard had jumped from the doorway and was heading at a jog across the lawn towards the house where an Asari Matriarch, who she assumed was Seninnth T'Joan, and Doctor Kasumi Goto were waiting.
"Matriarch, Kasumi what happened and why don't you know where she went," Shepard wasted no time as she got within speaking distance but noticed the look of shock on both their faces. 'I'm going to have to remember they all thought I was dead,' Shepard thought ruefully.
"Sorry Commander it's just a bit of a shock… well Liara had a private contact through her own secure channel that gave her the current location of the Shadow Broker, but given the recent security breaches she decided to have a comms blackout and so I, we have no idea where they were headed," Kasumi sounded anxious and continued, "I tried, Garrus tried and the Matriarch tried to persuade her that this was a bit to coincidental… but she said it was an absolutely trustworthy source."
"We have been trying to track the ship, I have asked for help from Councillor Tevos, and Doctor Goto has been trying to hack into Liara's secure feed in her office, I'm not sure what else we can do." The Matriarch was much harder to read, but Shepard did see worry and an edge of fear in her eyes.
"I have a tech expert who can help, Kasumi meet Veetor'Nara, Veetor go with Kasumi and get access to that message… anything that will tell us where she's headed."
"Matriarch as you can see my transport leaves a little to be desired do you have anything that would match what Liara is using, I presume she has a frigate of some description?"
"Yes Commander, under the circumstances I see no reason why you shouldn't use the second frigate, I will get it ready and get your squad set up on board, I will be coming with you." As she finished talking Matriarch T'Joan began walking towards Shepard's squad who had now disembarked the shuttle.
Shepard was left in no doubt that the Matriarch would be coming whatever Shepard's opinion may have been.
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It had been over three hours, Shepard had wandered around the house waiting… waiting… waiting. She was fit to explode, cold with fear for Liara's safety, frustrated she couldn't just get on with doing what she did best.
She found herself once again standing outside Liara's office looking in at Kasumi and Veetor who were trying to work their tech magic to find something… anything that would give them a clue as to where the trap had been set.
Looking to her right once again at what she knew was Liara's bedroom door, this time she walked towards it and went inside.
She couldn't really 'feel' Liara here, it was clearly her room, but not truly inhabited, Liara's apartment on the Citadel gave a much better insight into its resident's personality. This was sumptuous by comparison, elegant, with Liara's possessions and art scattered around but it didn't feel 'personal'.
Her thoughts came to an abrupt stop as she found herself standing at the bottom of a large an unmade bed; she saw the indent in the pillow from Liara's head.
Shepard was trying hard to keep an image from her mind but it crashed its way in with a force that almost physically rocked her. Liara and Shiala together, in that bed, having sex, making love, joining… whatever they named it Shepard saw something in her mind's eye that ripped her heart out.
She was surprised that she hadn't been thrown into her usual murderous rage when she thought about Shiala, but this was, a deep, deep sadness, it was hollow, painful and raw. Shepard moved to the side of the bed and sat on its edge, she picked up the indented pillow and brought it to her face and breathed in that familiar scent.
She buried her face in the pillow and let the feeling of despair and loss and hurt wash through her, deep sobs shook her body, but no tears, the feelings seemed to powerful even for tears.
Shepard had no idea how long she sat there but she became aware of someone in the room, it was Matriarch T'Joan who had walked in and stood facing Shepard's hunched form on the bed.
"You must not judge her until you know everything Commander," the Matriarch's voice was gentle but with an edge of steel.
"I know, I can't imagine… I've seen reports and vid footage and… I know what happened had a terrible impact on her… and with Asari relationships… well losing a partner… inevitable… in the end people move on… I'm trying to be glad that she found someone…" the Matriarch stepped forward and held up a hand to cut Shepard off and said.
"You much not think that what happened with Shiala is anything of consequence for Liara. And I am not sure that Liara was truly aware of how much she was being manipulated, Commander Liara was and I believe is still joined with you in love to the depth of a bondmate.
But she had to find a way to cope and she has constructed a version of herself using her mother as a template. This is truly worrying, Mr Vakarian and I are probably the only people who can see what this is doing to her, you must help her, and I believe you are the only one who can." Seninnth T'Joan was unable to hide her worry and fear from Shepard this time.
"We have to find her and keep her alive first," Shepard said her words weighing heavy on her heart.
"Commander," it was Kasumi's voice from the office, "Commander I've got something."
Shepard stood immediately, throwing the pillow back onto the bed, and followed the Matriarch out of the room.
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The frigate had run at the limits of its FTL drive for the entire trip and as soon as it emerged from the relay in the Osun system Shepard cranked up the speed again for the run to the Faryar system the planet of Alingon.
Shepard was once again in the debt of her friend Garrus Vakarian as without his short, coded message to Kasumi they would probably never have found the destination of what, Shepard was convinced, was the ambush. Somehow he had circumvented Liara's comms shut down, and he had sent the short burst directly to Kasumi's private channel.
"So what's the deal with the interference," Shepard asked her pilot and Kasumi as they stood in the cockpit watching the planet loom larger and larger as they approached.
"Only our environmental scanner is operational and it indicates high concentrations of active periclase in both the core and the crust of the planet which is interfering with scans and broadcasts, in effect Shepard there are no communications in or out, and scans are inoperative." Kasumi said as she checked more reports from the science console.
"So we go in completely blind, but they can't see us either?" Shepard asked and Kasumi nodded. Shepard opened a ship wide comm link.
"Ground teams make ready in the cargo bay, we are on approach and will hit groundside in T minus seven minutes," Shepard placed a hand on her pilots shoulder, she had worked with the young Asari before and trusted her skill and judgement. "Get us as close as possible Malania then keep the ship safe, move to another location if you need to but keep your eyes peeled for our return."
"Aye, aye Commander," Shepard smiled inwardly at the young Asari's use of Alliance language, picked up when she served on the Normandy; she was one of the survivors of the attack.
When she got to the cargo bay they were under a minute before touchdown and her squad of just over thirty were all 'locked and loaded for bear', she thought smiling to herself asanother of her father's mashed up sayings came to mind.
"Commander, I need to tell you that I have called in some help from a friend and I will wait here for those troops to arrive so that we can coordinate a little better," Matriarch T'Joan said, "I alerted them before we left Thessia and their ETA should be within an hour."
"Ah, the shadow protection," Shepard said quietly almost to herself and when the Matriarch looked questioningly at her she continued, "I'll explain later, but this isn't the first time you've called in help is it Matriarch.
Who should I be looking out for so I don't confuse them with the Shadow Brokers men?" Shepard asked.
"They are all Asari commandos' their commander is Liselle Lidanya and suggest I link her through on our secure channel?" The Matriarch had given nothing away about whom the commando's belonged to but Shepard had no time to think about anything other than finding Liara right now.
"Yes we're using that as the mission channel, let's hope we won't need the help but if we do I'll take anything that's on offer," with that Shepard turned to face the doors and felt a bump as the frigate hit the ground, with a swoosh the door was open and she led her team towards the only obvious entrance to the facility they could see.
They had had no time to prepare in any real way for the mission, Shepard had intended to do some training with the squad, split them into teams and make sure they functioned as a cohesive unit, but she would have to rely on their experience and ability to adapt on the battlefield.
She had split them into three teams, and a mix of commandos, Turian Special Forces and Krogan hunters. Shepard would lead one, and she would have Kasumi with her, Evictus the highest ranking Turian ex-officer on the team would lead another with Senna V'Siere, a very experienced Asari commando Captain taking the last team.
When they discussed the mission plan on the flight over they realised it was very simple, find the fighting, they would have to try to hack into systems to get some working knowledge of the complex they were walking into, and be prepared to meet high resistance from well trained and experienced troops.
Shepard speculated and the other agreed, that the most likely plan for the ambush would allow only light resistance when Liara and her team 'forced' their way into the complex; a breadcrumb trail would lead them deep inside to where the Shadow Broker was 'waiting'.
Once beyond the point of no return and in a well-planned kill zone they would face a prepared and heavily defended position whilst the trap would snap closed behind them when the force of troops Liara's team would have passed without interference mobilised.
So the plan was… simple… find out where all the noise and fighting was as quickly as possible. But on the way pick up as much intel as possible and lay some ordinance to protect their escape route.
They would use stealth as far as they could to give them the element of surprise at least until they jumped into the fight.
They had no resistance on entering the complex but found a handful of what looked like dead Shadow Broker troops, enough to make it feel real, 'certainly real enough for these poor bastards sacrificed as window dressing, Shepard thought coldly as they moved further inside.
"Evictus you check out the this section secure and hold, protect our extraction area, and make sure it's only friends who get past you" Shepard received a nod of agreement from Evictus, they needed all the firepower they could get but it would be pointless if they had no way to get out.
"Senna with me, Kasumi as soon as you see a likely comms or security console let me know and we'll wait while you hack into it, sure wish I knew what the layout of this place was."
They has moved from the entrance and began working their way up a long corridor which curved in a gently bend. It was carved out of the rock of the mountain the facility was set into giving it a tunnel like appearance although it was fully lit and with air units hanging from the ceiling.
Shepard led her team along one wall on one side of the corridor while Senna led hers on the other, it was Senna who raised a hand to indicate they should hold position and an instant later Shepard heard what had prompted her caution.
From somewhere around the bend ahead they could hear voices in conversation, two, sounded Turian, relaxed, stationary.
Shepard motioned to Senna to move up a couple of her commandoes who could take the two guards out using stealth but Shepard made it clear she wanted at least one of them alive.
Three minutes later they received the all clear from the two Asari's who had been sent to deal with the Guards and when Shepard got to the scene she saw both were alive but unconscious.
Shepard started slapping the nearest Guard around the face until he came around and although he was still groggy she got him standing up and stood toe to toe, her eyes hard, cold, and determined.
"You don't want to fuck with me soldier, this will go well for you if you answer my questions quick and honest… if not I will take the time to hurt you now despite my obvious need for speed." She could see in his eyes his attempts at working out if there was an angle and whether he could find a chance of surviving.
"Wake the other one up," she said over her shoulder, and one of the team got the other Turian on his feet. Shepard pulled her pistol out, took a step back and pointed it at the head of the first Turian.
"So which one of you is going to answer my questions and which one is going to get a face full of hot metal?" Shepard looked hard into the eyes of both men to ram home the point, but neither one said anything.
"Ok have it your way, cut their throats let's not risk giving away that we're here with too much noise," Shepard stepped back and two of the Turian's on her team stepped forward, she turned and began walking away when, as she expected, both her prisoners spoke almost in unison.
"Alright… but the Broker will kill us if he finds out we helped", "What do you want to know".
"Draw me a map of the complex, show me where the ambush is, how many troops and where they are deployed, and where the Broker will be." Shepard waited while they gave her and Senna as they answered the questions.
The complex had two entrances, there was another that mirrored this one coming in from the left, they both lead into a large working area giving access to offices, living accommodation and a central comms room which is where the Guards said visitors went to speak to the Shadow Broker.
The trap had closed on Liara's team as soon as they reached the main area, with Shadow Broker troops taking cover in the rooms leading off the main area leaving little protection or cover for those caught in the ambush.
"What about those two," Senna asked as they prepared to move out.
"Knock them out with a heavy sedative we can't spare anyone to babysit them," Shepard said, she had never had any intention of killing them but sometimes the fear of instant death was the only thing that loosened a stubborn tongue.
Shepard and Senna formulated a plan as they moved, now with more certainty towards the fire fight; Shepard would punch a hole through the outer ring and link up with Liara's team and Senna would take up position behind the ambush line and try to keep the escape route open.
They were now approaching the edge of the fighting and directly in front of them were a line of Shadow Broker troops behind a makeshift barrier that had been pulled across the end of the corridor.
"This is the position you need to hold Senna, this will be out route out, take them out quietly and continue to fire so that it looks as if this position is still intact," Shepard watched as a mix of commando and special forces troops moved forward and in one movement killed the ten troops firing from the barrier.
They seamlessly took up position on the barrier and started firing well over the heads of Liara's team.
"You three, sniper rifles and take out enemy troops, the rest keep firing over the top." Shepard heard Senna give out her instructions as she and her team moved passed through a gap in the barrier and began working their way towards the main fight.
The deception wouldn't last long but it would give Shepard's extraction team a chance to get as close as possible to Liara's position leaving as short a run as possible. From the barrier she could see they had barricaded themselves as best they could towards the far end of the area.
Then she saw Liara and another Asari at a door within the area they were holding it looked as if they were trying to get in the room and if the intel from her prisoners was accurate that would be the main comms room where the Shadow Broker would be found.
The level of noise was ear piercing, the sound reverberating off the rock walls that formed the huge cavern, even though Shepard had put her helmet back on. Senna was spotting Broker troops for Shepard and her team which had enabled them so far to take down two groups using grenades thrown into their positions.
Flashing of plasma weapons, shimmering of biotics, zipping and pinging of hot metal from a multitude of weapons all adding to the confusion and frenetic activity that was a full blown fire fight. The smell, the noise, the heat, stress, excitement, adrenaline… all so familiar to Shepard and she no longer had any fear that she would freeze in battle.
This was as familiar as breathing and she dropped into her familiar state of total concentration, every part of her, every atom in her body was now tuned to being just one thing… marine, with an objective, nothing would stop her except death itself, and she had even beaten that once.
They were now on the edge of the open space and the only thing between them and Liara's team was a fifty yard dash, but they needed to get contact otherwise they would be seen as the enemy and most likely get cut to pieces from both sides.
Kasumi had been trying all combinations without success and then the Shepard spotted Garrus who had taken a slightly elevated position and was picking off enemy troops with his trusted M-98 Widow.
Shepard took off her helmet and then fired a shot to get Garrus's attention and as she saw him taking up a line of sight on her, she prayed he took a proper look before squeezing the trigger.
She saw him stop look over his scope, back into the scope and then he lowered his rifle. Shepard made a hand gesture to her OT and again waited, watching Garrus work his own OT.
"Shepard… is that really you… what the fuck are you… never mind dumb question… what do you need me to do," Garrus's voice loud and clear into her comm link and she smiled.
"We have a path out, for the moment, and they don't know we're here yet, but we need to get across to you, so we can start blasting our way out together." Shepard said and continued, "Senna on my mark start to take out the Brokers troops," Shepard knew that as soon as her other team gave away their position they would become a target but there was nothing else for it, they needed the cover and the distraction.
"Garrus are your team ready to cover our arse?" Shepard said looking across to his position.
"On your mark Shepard."
She counted everyone in and on 'Go' her team ran for the relative safety of the defensive position, which also meant into kill zone that was the ambush.
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Liara had known it was a risk, known in all certainty it was a trap when they met little resistance on the way in, but that rational part of her held no sway with the rage and pain that seemed to control all her decisions since Shiala had been captured.
As her team did their best to fortify their position she would still not give up the hope that Shiala and the Shadow Broker were here within her reach. She left Garrus to organise the defence while she forced her way into the room she had been told would hold all she sought.
She entered the room alone, they needed every gun they had to protect their position, and without giving the sound of the door locking behind her a second thought she moved swiftly towards the imposing figure rising out of a large console at the very end of the room.
A deep, synthesised voice greeted her as she drew closer to the console.
"Congratulations Doctor T'Soni for following my instructions so well. You have been a small problem but the game is over and you lose." Now that Liara was close she could see the 'figure' before her was merely a holographic interface.
"Where is Shiala what have you done with her?" Liara's voice was filled with rage and venom her body glowed blue with biotic energy.
"She is proving to be an amusing pet, it is not comfortable for her, but she tolerates pain very well Doctor and you can take full responsibility for her situation. You are going to die here but her pain and suffering will go on, well how long do you Asari live, please take that as my gift to you." The mechanical voice was unable to relay any sense of his feeling but Liara could hear his malice and the taunting through his words.
"I am not finished Broker I will find you and…." He cut her off and said.
"Oh I think not Doctor T'Soni, even if you troops can break out of my little trap you will die in this room, when I am finished with you I will set off the explosives I have planted, I will make absolutely sure you will be no further threat to me.
But perhaps there is time to send you on your way with some good news, perhaps it will make your passing easier to know that Commander Shepard is alive and has been for some time. Strange that she did not bother to thank you for saving her from the Collectors, perhaps she has been too busy with her family, perhaps knowing that you had found someone else she was able to do the same."
As he was speaking images flashed up on the screen behind him and all the rage and hatred and focus Liara had been feeling melted away as she saw Shepard walking along some street with a very attractive woman who was obviously pregnant.
Then more images of Shepard inside what looked like a hospital bedroom reaching over and holding the woman and then holding a baby.
"Lies these are lies, you have faked the images, this… no…" Liara felt a rush of nausea, pain, despair; she was no longer in control, her mind frozen.
"And why would I bother Doctor T'Soni, but it makes no difference, you will never know but you will take those images with you into death. You really should not have…." He continued speaking but Liara was no longer listening.
A deep survival instinct took control and she began to run back to the exit door, when she couldn't get it open she looked for cover moving towards one of the many work consoles that lined the walls, then realised she had no idea where explosive devices might be placed.
It all seemed to happen at once a flash of light, out of the corner of her eye she saw the door crashing off its hinges; her biotics threw up a barrier and then blackness.
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Shepard had enough time to see where Liara was standing before the explosion knocked her backwards and the wall of dust, smoke and vaporised rock blew out of the doorway.
The Krogan and Asari who had been standing next to her held their feet and continued as long as they could to throw a biotic barrier around the disappearing figure of Liara T'Soni. As quickly as she had been knocked down Shepard was once again on her feet, and with her two companions made their way into the room.
"Get her out of here", Shepard was already picking up chunks of rock and pieces of shattered equipment.
"Stand back Commander we can use our biotics it will be quicker and safer," the big Krogan battlemaster said as he reached her side.
Reluctantly Shepard moved back and as she did her OT flashed into life.
"Commander we are now taking heavy fire, one dead and three wounded," it was Senna and Shepard could hear just the edge of stress in her voice.
"Evictus move down to support Senna's squad at the barrier we will be evacuating our position shortly."
"Affirmative Commander," Evictus's voice came loud and clear over the comms.
Shepard focussed her attention on the battle still raging outside the room and ducked behind cover to find Garrus.
"As soon as we get Liara out, we make a run for the barrier, we'll assign our most powerful biotics to give us some protection and we take our chances." Shepard said to Garrus as they fired around the cover that was being continually eaten away by round after round fired from almost every direction in front and to the sides of them.
"Agreed, " Garrus responded, flinching as a piece of metal hit his barrier at eye level, he focussed his attention on where the shot had come from lined up the shot and waited a split second until his target popped out to take another shot. Garrus squeezed the trigger and his Widow did the rest blowing a huge hole in the head of the Turian in his sights.
"Commander two shuttles have landed to the side of the mountain, it looks like you have more company," Malania's anxious voice sounded in Shepard's suit comm.
"Copy that," Shepard said and then turned to Garrus "more Broker troops on the way, looks like they are going to come in through the other entrance, down that corridor." Shepard indicated the only other entrance into the heart of the complex.
"And just when I thought our day couldn't get any worse," Garrus said still lining up shots with his rifle.
"I need three powerful biotics to me now" Shepard called through her OT, the noise of the battle made it impossible to hear what anyone was saying from anything more than a couple of feet.
Within a minute she had been joined by two commandos and one battlemaster from her team and two commandos from Liara's team. Not wanting to weaken their position any more than she had to she picked the battlemaster and one commando from each team.
"Right, one of you will give us barrier protection while we fight our way to the entrance of that corridor, we'll work our way around this back wall, once we get there I need you to bring the ceiling or walls down to block it, any questions." Shepard got nods of understanding from her squad and she turned to Garrus.
"Whatever happens Garrus I need you to..." Garrus turned and smiled at her as he cut her off.
"Yes Shepard I will do everything in my power to get her out and keep her safe," Shepard returned the smile and gripped his shoulder briefly before snapping on her helmet and moving out her squad following close behind her.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Nov 10, 2012 12:47:51 GMT 1
Chapter 26
She heard a rasping, gurgling sound in her ears and absolute panic surged through her brain. Shepard worked her lungs to try to clear the fluid that was constricting her airway, flooding her throat and blocking the back of her nose.
The pain from whatever damage she had done to her chest was excruciating but the struggle for breath was paramount, and finally the viscous veil of what she assumed was blood gave way and air once again flowed, albeit thinly, into her burning lungs.
'How long… out that time… must… unconscious for longer… shit… don't want… drown in my own blood… got to get out of here' Shepard's thoughts were disjointed.
"Get me… the… fuck… out of here..." Shepard said the words out loud but her voice was ragged, almost a whisper.
Shepard tried to move her right hand, tried to flex her fingers, something, was that some movement? Starting again she tried lifting her arm, feeling resistance, but she kept sending the message to move down organic and cybernetic pathways even though they felt burnt out.
She focussed all the attention she had left, after the monumental effort to keep breathing, on moving her damn arm.
Time had no relevance for Shepard in this tomb, this living hell, so she had no idea how long she had been trying when something seemed to give. Her arm jumped upwards as whatever had been pinning it down gave way, but with the movement can a searing, hot, flash of pain which pulsed across her shoulders and up into her neck.
Absolute exhaustion now flooded her system and she felt herself drifting once again away from the darkness, the pain, the confusion, despite her best efforts to fight it.
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Shepard was crouched in a doorway her team behind her, they had fought their way to within striking distance of the corridor down which more Shadow Broker troops would be streaming at any moment.
"On my mark I want you to focus all your energy on bringing that roof down, I know it means standing out from cover and we'll take heavy fire, but I'll provide what covering fire I can and Garrus will focus the team in this direction as well."
It had already cost them to get this far, Shepard's barriers had been overwhelmed twice by the ordinance directed at her, and had taken a hit that penetrated her hard suit. The Krogan had also taken some damage but, like Shepard, he was still fully operational.
On Shepard's mark they stepped out into the open as one, Shepard laying down covering fire from both the assault rifle in her right hand and the shotgun in her left. Her biotic squad knew exactly where to aim and in a coordinated and concerted effort they focussed all their energy on the roof just inside the corridor.
Shepard could hear the pings and hums and also feel the vibrations and jolts as time and time again she was hit by ordnance from the assembled troops on the barrier in the corridor. But to take their shots they had to expose themselves and she could see one after another dropping as sniper rifles fired from behind her.
With the barrier Senna's team held now reinforced by Evictus the firepower they were able to focus had increased creating some serious cross fire for Broker troops using the cover of offices and their doorways on both flanks of Garrus's stretched team.
With an almighty shuddering she could feel under her feet, and a wave of noise Shepard saw the roof of the corridor begin to break up, first dust, then small pieces of rock and then whole chunks of roof falling onto the Broker troops position who began to run back up the corridor away from the death raining down from above.
She looked at her squad and two members were down, the Krogan threw up a defensive barrier and as he picked up one of the commandos Shepard picked up the other and they both headed back to the limited safety of their defensive positions.
"Get these two some help, how are we for medi gel," Shepard asked of a young commando, tasked with corpsman duties, as she was taking off her helmet, "how are you Skark," she continued looking at the Krogan now crouching next to her and heaving heavy breaths.
"Don't worry about me Shepard… that was fun" he barked a laugh and slapped her on the shoulder, then moved to take up a position covering their right flank and immediately began returning fire and throwing biotic slams.
"Shepard you've been hit," it was Garrus who called across from his position, get some gel onto those wounds, don't want to have to carry the both of you out of here" he paused as he lined up a shot and pulled the trigger then continued with a twitch of his mandibles, "just wouldn't be dignified… and… you'd never live it down."
Shepard smiled and gave herself the once over. Plasma burns to her right side, open wound, probably with metal still inside, to her left chest. She could also feel a couple of creases where shots had grazed across her body but they were nothing.
She slapped some medigel on the open wound and assessed their situation. They had silenced a decent chunk of the Broker's troops by closing off that corridor, with the reinforcements on the barrier they held they were now holding their own and it was the Broker's troops who were being caught in cross fire.
But she had no illusions about their situation, those reinforcements would probably just try to get in through the only remaining entrance and unless they could finish of the troops here they would still have to make a dash for it, across open ground, under heavy enemy fire.
"Garrus get a team ready to get the wounded to Senna's position," Shepard called across and at the same time began to work her way back to the room where Liara was being rescued from the explosion that had buried her under a rock fall.
As she ducked back inside the room Shepard was just in time to see the remaining debris being removed from Liara's body.
"Liara," Shepard's voice was soft as she knelt down next to the obviously badly hurt Asari. Liara had a huge gash to her head, and what looked like a broken leg and arm on her left side. Most worrying was a small trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Shepard knew she needed to get Liara out of here now, she needed a medbay, a doctor… none of which they had on their ship… but priority number one was getting her out.
"Garrus, we're leaving now, form everyone into two groups, delegate half the biotics to form barriers, share the wounded between the two groups, we move all together in two minutes." Shepard barked her orders at Garrus and then said to Senna and Evictus.
"I need you to give us maximum fire cover we're coming out now as two groups, those reinforcements will be at your backs anytime soon. As soon as we hit the barrier Senna you pull back to protect the retreating teams with the wounded, Evictus you hold the barrier until we are out of the building." Shepard received confirmation of her orders as she was lifting Liara's limp body in her arms.
Just as she drew near to the door Shepard felt Liara stir, she looked down into blue eyes that barely flickered open.
"Hey baby I got you, it's all gonna be ok now…" Shepard smiled down and Liara's hand came up and just reached the side of Shepard's face, lightly touching it and then dropping back.
"Oh Shepard…" Liara's voice barely audible, filled with emotion that almost broke Shepard's heart on the spot, "…am sorry…" a flash of pain crossed Liara's face, and it felt to Shepard as if it was both physical and emotional.
"Hey none of that, save your strength darlin, I love you Liara you stay with me now," Shepard saw Liara's eyes flicker and then close, her body falling limp again.
Shepard fought to keep the tears out of her eyes. She squared her shoulders and made herself drop back into combat mode as she called Skark over to her.
"I want you to take Doctor T'Soni, I want you to protect her with your barriers and I want you to protect her with your life if you have to… anything you want from me you can have, I will owe you a debt that I will never be able to repay but get her onto that frigate and off this planet." Shepard finished speaking as she transferred Liara's body over the Skark.
"You are friend to the Krogan people Shepard, you are kin to Urdnot Wrex, I am Urdnot clan, you have my life if you need it," the big Krogan smiled showing his sharp teeth and gave another bark of laughter.
Shepard felt a rush of warmth towards this big Krogan and her friend Wrex… 'I owe you big time Wrex and anything I can do to repay you I swear I will do,' she thought as she returned Skark's smile and a nod of her head.
Her OT sparked up and she heard Matriarch T'Joan's voice through the static.
"Bad news Commander, we have another two shuttles inbound on this location from off planet and we can see another shuttle inbound this location coming around the mountain." Shepard heard anxiety in what she felt sure was the usually unruffled voice of the Matriarch.
"Yeah well it seems that's the only news I ever get, we're making a run for it, and Liara is badly hurt pull the frigate up as close as you can to the entrance, block the entrance if you can, keep me advised of numbers, Shepard out."
"Ready to move on your mark Shepard," Garrus was standing next to her but looking at Liara's limp body.
"I want you to go with the team taking Liara out, Garrus I want a wall of protection around her and don't stop till you get to the frigate. How many wounded do we have that need assistance?"
"Five, we have some walking wounded but they are still good to fight," Garrus turned and looked at Shepard "you need to lead the team and get Liara out, I'm not leaving you behind again, can you imagine the shit I would take from her if you died again." Garrus sounded deadly serious.
"Look I'm already asking troops to be a living, well some of them may end being a dying, shield around Liara… the least I can do is watch their six, this is not negotiable Garrus you and Skark get her out and onto that frigate… ready on my mark," Shepard spoke her last sentence into her OT comms.
"Go, Go, Go," Shepard yelled into her comms and to the troops around her, they all stood as one and formed into two groups. Barriers shimmered into life and a wall of ordinance issued from those tasked with protecting the teams.
Shepard once again used her Mattock and shotgun, attaching herself to the group protecting Liara, it was a relatively short run but everything seemed to slow down as she heard her barriers once again hum and ping, until her alarm sounded to warn her they were about to go down.
A Turian next to her had half his face blown off as Broker troops began to move from their cover and run towards their escaping prey. Shepard formed a line with six others and they focused their firepower on those troops who were getting dangerously close.
Forming a firewall the six were soon joined by five others and they began to move backwards but still concentrating their fire on the approaching enemy troops.
They needed to hold them off until both groups reached the relative safety of the barrier and its protection.
"Senna give me the all clear when the two groups have reached you," Shepard called through her suit comms, still firing and suddenly painfully aware that she hadn't replaced her helmet.
The line was being depleted even as it withdrew and those who went down were clearly beyond help as most of her teams barriers, both tech and biotic, had now been overwhelmed.
"Clear Commander, we have what's left of both groups this side of the barrier," Senna's voice came loud and clear through her comms and Shepard indicated to her team to speed up their withdrawal.
"Senna, get the wounded to the frigate, escort them out, now" Shepard managed before being hit full in the chest with a shotgun blast that knocked her off her feet. Dazed and winded Shepard picked up her Mattock and as she was about to get up a hand reached down and pulled her to her feet.
She nodded her thanks to the Turian and they both began again to move quickly backwards until they finally reached the safety of the barrier. Shepard could feel blood oozing under her shattered breast plate and her breathing was now tight and shallow.
"Sitrep Evictus" she called to the tall Turian who was concentrating his fire on the Broker troops who had chased Shepard and the remains of her squad into the corridor.
"We lost around a third across both groups and Senna's squad is down to half strength, my squad is down by two."
"How many biotics do we have here," Shepard called out to what was left of her rear guard team, she noted the three Asari and two Krogan.
"Right let's see if this trick works twice, concentrate your power on bringing that fucking roof down on their heads before we get swarmed… aim at the end of the corridor, we don't want to get caught under it," she smiled and nodded as the biotics flared and began bombarding the chosen target.
"Commander we have a problem, the frigate is still some distance from the entrance and we have a shuttle full of Broker troops heading straight for us," Senna's voice came over her suit comms and Shepard could hear the tell-tale sounds of battle begin to spark up in the background.
"Dig in Senna I'm heading your way," Shepard was watching the roof where her team were blasting but the rock in this area must have been more stable as they were making little inroad.
But the fear of another roof collapse had cause panic amongst their attackers and they were withdrawing.
"We need to get to the entrance now… everyone pull back… move out" Shepard called. And they began racing up the corridor taking advantage of the disarray in the Broker troops.
When they reached the entrance Shepard tasked Evictus and half his team to hold the corridor behind them. Joining Senna at the entrance she assessed the situation.
"There is around sixty of them Commander and we are expecting the other shuttle any moment, and there is still another coming from the other entrance." Senna looked at Shepard her question obvious.
"Yeah, how the fuck do we get out of this," Shepard smiled at Senna who seemed to relax a little, "well I'm all done with runs across open ground and through blistering enemy fire so we need another plan."
While Shepard was thinking they both watched as another shuttle landed just behind the first, Shepard noticed they looked different, but before she could finish the thought her OT comms sparked into life.
"Finally good news Commander our reinforcements have arrived, the second shuttle contains an Asari commando platoon," T'Joan's voice sounded relived and she continued, "Liselle's ship is also engaging the Shadow Broker vessel that is in orbit."
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With the arrival of a full platoon of Asari commando's the Broker's troops outside the complex were swiftly dealt with allowing Shepard to get her people onto the frigate. Shepard and her remaining able bodied team joined Liselle's platoon while they cleared out the remaining Broker troops inside the complex.
The other shuttle never materialised, changing course and heading back to the Broker ship, which in turn turned tail and jumped to FTL.
As soon as the ground was secure Shepard headed for the frigate with Liselle close on her heels. The frigate's medbay was little more than a first aid station and the wounded were overflowing into the corridor with some being cared for in the mess hall.
"How is she," Shepard asked Matriarch T'Joan and the medic attending Liara's wounds.
"She is seriously hurt Commander and needs the services of a properly equipped medical station and doctor's, most of the wounded need the same thing," T'Joan spoke looking Shepard and then shifted to look at Liselle, "I take it you have full facilities on your ship?"
"Yes I suggest we transfer all the wounded to my shuttle and run them up to the ship immediately," Liselle answered T'Joan but addressed her words to Shepard.
Shepard only hesitated a moment before saying, "agreed, but I'm coming with her, that is not negotiable." Shepard received a nod from Liselle who left to make the arrangements.
"You saved her Shepard for that you have my thanks, we would never have reached her in time," Matriarch T'Joan signed an Asari blessing of thanks and respect.
"Then you tell me who Liselle Lidanya is working for?" Shepard asked as she moved past the Matriarch to stand next to Liara's bed.
"I will not insult you by trying to deceive you but I am sworn not to reveal whose hand is moving behind Liara's protection," the Matriarch's tone was respectful but Shepard also heard the steely resolve not to answer any further questions on the subject.
"Answer me one thing, do you trust whoever is behind it, do you trust their motives?"
"Absolutely, now forgive me but I need to make arrangements for our return to Thessia. I will ensure we have the necessary medical help and equipment waiting for us on our return, I assume you wish to head back to the T'Soni estate Commander."
"Yes it's the safest place for her," and as the Matriarch left Shepard reached out and took one of Liara's hands in hers. For a moment Shepard thought she could feel a slight movement of Liara's fingers, her eyes searching her Asari's face for any signs of consciousness.
Shepard stepped back from the bed to make way for Liara's stretcher, and then followed it out to the waiting shuttle.
Shepard didn't leave Liara's bedside even as the Asari doctor worked on her. She knew she could have spent her time trying to find out who Liselle's boss was but Shepard couldn't bear to be parted from Liara. Shepard would find out one way or another, but for now protecting Liara was all that mattered.
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The shuttle that had brought Liara, Shepard and the rest of the wounded back to the T'Soni estate was readying to leave; its Captain was walking back across the lawn when Shepard called out to her.
"Captain Lidanya, Liselle..." Shepard caught her up as Liselle turned to look at Shepard and with a smile said.
"No doubt Commander you wish to know who I work for, but I will not tell you, just take care of Doctor T'Soni and try not to get killed this time," she smiled and there was something familiar in her tone and manner that Shepard couldn't quite place.
"Yeah I guessed that would be the case, but I just wanted to say thank you for getting us out of there, we were seriously screwed," Shepard smiled and offered a hand.
"Oh I think you were doing find without me, I'm sure you would have found a way, you certainly live up to your reputation, but I'm glad I could help," Liselle shook Shepard's hand and returned a smile that was both captivating and charming.
Shepard felt the Asari's sexual attraction and her personal power, if Shepard had not been completely in love with Liara she could imagine herself being very, very attracted to this woman.
Then the moment was broken as Liselle turned and jumped into the shuttle and Shepard headed back to the house at a fast pace, she tried to run but the pain in her chest reminded her she needed to see a medic herself.
Once she had satisfied herself that Liara was being treated and everything that was possible was also being done for the other wounded she allowed one of the medical team to treat her wounds.
Then Shepard, Garrus, Kasumi and Matriarch T'Joan met to look over the estates security and their troop losses.
"I'll leave the squad I recruited with you, transfer them over, that should help a little but you will need to replace and increase the numbers," Shepard said and continued, "unless we can remove Liara as a threat to the Shadow Broker."
Shepard looked around at the puzzled faces and so she continued.
"What if Liara died as a result of her wounds, that would be the best protection but would also mean the Shadow Broker might start to relax," comprehension now dawned on her companions and it was the Matriarch who spoke first.
"Her death would be very difficult to fake but a deep coma with little hope of recovery would be as good and much easier to manage," T'Joan looked around and was greeted by nods from everyone including Shepard.
"Can we trust everyone on the estate? The doctors and medics?" Shepard asked.
"I will keep only one doctor once the wounded have been treated as our own medics are fully capable of looking after everyone once there are stabilised. And the doctor I will keep is trustworthy; she was Matriarch Benezia's personal physician."
"And what about Liara, when she wakes up I'm not sure she will be willing to 'hide'," it was Garrus and he voiced the only problem with her plan that had already occurred to Shepard.
"You leave Liara to me," Shepard said with much more confidence than she actually felt.
They had a lot to talk about, a lot of water had passed under both their bridges that had to be dealt with, but Shepard was absolutely determined she would keep Liara safe whatever it took.
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It had been a couple of days since their return from the Shadow Brokers trap. Matriarch T'Joan had spoken to the Asari doctor, Matriarch My'rdden, who agreed completely to the plan.
All non-estate personnel had now left leaving only truly trusted and secure staff and troops. Kasumi and Veetor had started to 'leak' information about Liara's health in a way that would not arouse suspicion.
But Liara's health was causing concern; not her broken leg, arm and ribs, cuts and bruises which were all healing well; but the deep gash and attendant concussion had actually caused Liara to drop into a deep unconscious state that the doctor refused to call a coma, but looked exactly like one to Shepard.
"But she should have come around by now," Shepard was once again arguing with the doctor outside Liara's medbay room.
"Liara needs rest and all her other vital signs are good, there is nothing we can do but wait Commander," the doctor was obviously used to dealing with over anxious relatives but Shepard had personal experience of head trauma so she was less relaxed about it.
Shepard went back into the room and took up her place in the chair next to Liara's bed, then got back up and stood next to the bed looking down at her Asari, she reached out and stroked the soft warm cheek with her fingers.
Leaning in closer she kissed Liara on the forehead, sat down again in the chair and held one of Liara's hands in both of her own.
"Liara, I need you to wake up darling, I need you back, I know we have things to talk about… you may not… well… even if you don't feel the same way… I am here for you… please come back to me," Shepard lifted Liara's hand to her lips and kissed it and lapsed into silence.
She had spent most of the time since their return in this room, when they were on their own she talked to Liara, or just sat in silence willing the Asari to heal and wake up.
Shepard stood up once again and walked over to the window looking out across gardens to what looked like a wooded area and beyond that she knew was the ocean, she had noticed it both times she had headed in to land.
"I… thought it was a dream…Shepard it's truly you…" Shepard snapped around as she heard that familiar voice but it was soft, little more than a whisper.
"Liara… yes it's me… you were hurt, but your home now," Shepard took hold of one of Liara's hands and kissed her Asari again on the forehead, Liara reached out a hand to touch Shepard's face.
"So the Broker was telling the truth" Liara's eyes were filled with tears.
"How the hell did he… oh never mind… Liara I'm so sorry I left you," Shepard was kissing Liara's hand and tears were in her own eyes as she looked back her love.
"Why did you not let me know… I… even if you no longer wanted to be with me… and a child Shepard a new life with… was what I did so terrible that you would not tell me yourself.." Liara's voice still weak and quiet but still managed to convey pain and even an edge of anger.
"Wait how do you know about the baby, Liara I came as soon as I could, I just had to… Liara I was coming here to find you to tell you..." Shepard felt a flash of anger and bit it down but it still gave her next words an edge, "shit I've only been awake for less than a week, I got here as quick as I could."
Shepard immediately regretted her anger as she saw the pain on Liara's face and saw her tears flow down her cheeks.
"Only days… you have not been… not for a year… only days" Liara was sobbing now and Shepard leaned in to hold her and said softly.
"No Liara only days, why on earth would you think I could have been back a year and not come to find you… you need to rest baby, you shouldn't get upset… it's all ok we can sort it all out." Shepard kissed Liara's face and made to stand up again.
"No… it will not be all right Shepard, I have done something terrible, you will never forgive me, it will never be the same between us," and as she spoke Liara's sobs grew more intense.
"I know about Shiala and you… we can talk about this later when you're feeling stronger… if she… if you, aw hell Liara let's not do this right now." Shepard felt the situation running away from her, who the hell told Liara about the baby, and where the fuck did she get the idea Shepard had been 'awake' for an entire year.
'This isn't exactly the warm and fuzzy reunion I was looking forward to' she thought not a little moodily. But the thought and the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor and Matriarch T'Joan.
"You need to rest Liara, I'm going to give you a light sedative just to calm you, and allow you to have a little sleep. Commander perhaps you would like to return later?" the doctor spoke but both she and Matriarch T'Joan were looking at her as if she had deliberately upset Liara.
But before she could leave her OT sparked into life and Kasumi's voice sounded loud and clear in the room as she said.
"Commander we have an urgent request from Miranda Lawson for you to contact her, she is at your hotel suite on Illium."
Shepard turned a looked at Liara whose face was frozen in a mask of absolute rage.
"Liara it's not what you think… I don't know what you've been told… but just let me explain." Shepard's voice was calm but as she spoke Liara's biotics flashed into life and with a wave of her hand she sent the contents of the table next to her bed flying into the wall.
"Perhaps you should take that call Commander," Matriarch T'Joan spoke what to Shepard sounded very much like an order.
And as she left the room she heard Liara arguing with the doctor and the Matriarch about the need for a sedative or even remaining in bed.
In the corridor outside the room Shepard leaned against the wall and drew a breath she had never seen Liara like that before and she began to worry about how much her Asari had needed to change in order to cope.
'But she still cares enough to be jealous… that I can work with' Shepard thought and couldn't help allowing a small ray of hope that Liara did indeed still love her as she once had.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Nov 10, 2012 12:49:51 GMT 1
Chapter 27
Shepard needed time to think and Miranda's urgent wasn't necessarily hers. Leaving the house Shepard walked towards the tree line with the intention of making her way down to the beach.
As she passed into the cool shade her OT sparked up again and this time she took it as a vid call rather than just voice, it was Kasumi.
"I'm sorry to bother you again Shep, but Ms Lawson has called again and said it is very urgent that she speak to you," Kasumi's voice was apologetic.
"Can you patch her through to my OT and I'll take the call now," Shepard waited for the transfer and Miranda's face flashed up in her holo interface.
"Commander I have just found out that the information we secured and passed on to Doctor T'Soni about the location of the Shadow Broker will lead her into a trap, the information came from the Broker himself, we have only just managed to trace it back to its source. You need to stop her from acting on the information." Miranda looked worried and Shepard could here concern and urgency in her voice.
"Nicely timed, she already acted on it… your telling me that you're Liara's trusted source? I don't get it why would Liara trust Cerberus," Shepard's voice was cold and challenging.
"Hasn't she told you? Perhaps I should leave…" Shepard cut across Miranda sharply.
"You better tell me everything you know or my little deal with your boss is off."
"Very well Commander, it was Doctor T'Soni who secured your body from the merc's working for the Shadow Broker. She gave your body to me, to Cerberus. We have from time to time been able to help her with information. The Shadow Broker is no friend to Cerberus if he is working with the Collectors." Miranda finished.
"Is that everything, because by my calculation I still have the best part of a week before I start work for your boss," Shepard's voice was calm and business like.
"I hope Doctor T'Soni is safe Shepard, I would not want any harm to come to her, not only because I know how you feel about her, I will see you on your return." The holo image faded and disappeared.
Shepard noted the use of the work 'I' and the emphasis that Miranda had used, perhaps she didn't want harm to come to Liara but someone else did and when Shepard found out who it was they would go joint top of her shit list alongside the Shadow Broker.
Shepard carried on walking, passed a small chalet and then down a slight slope onto a sandy beach. The ocean was a stunning blue, the kind of blue that reminded her of Liara's eyes and her heart caught in her chest.
What if she couldn't fix what was amiss between them, what if she couldn't get Liara back, it would be her turn to grieve the loss of her soul mate.
Shepard sensed rather than heard anyone behind her and she spun around quickly to see Liara making her way unsteadily down the slope onto the beach; Liara had a tech assist cast on her leg but a normal flexi cast on her wrist and forearm, Shepard moved quickly to her side and offered an arm for support.
"You did not need to come all the way out here to talk to your… your… the mother of your child," Liara's words were angry but Shepard could hear the struggle to remain in control of her emotions.
"Liara stop this now… if you got your information about me from the Broker ask yourself what his objective would be… and have I ever lied to you? Come on let's sit down and I'll tell you everything I know, please," Shepard was relieved when Liara nodded and they both sat down on the warm sand.
Shepard ran through everything she had experienced, been told and had done since 'waking up' in Miranda's lab. The reason why she couldn't head for Liara immediately, needing to get her son somewhere safe, and Shepard's concern about just crashing back into her Asari's life and what damage it might do.
"I have no idea how you feel about Shiala, and I won't lie to you Liara it hurts knowing you are with someone else but I'm doing my best to understand…" Liara put a finger to Shepard's lips to silence her.
"Shepard I am not 'with' Shiala as you put it, we can talk later about what it was, but I love you, I always have and I always will. But I am changed, I fear you will not love me once you know who I have become… and to lose you twice… I would not survive," Liara turned her head and stared out across the ocean.
They sat in silence for a moment the only sound the waves gently rushing onto the beach, the sun warming them both, Shepard felt the sand run through her fingers.
"We all change with time and the experiences we live through Liara, we evolve as people, but something remains constant, our essence, our core, our souls… we've touched souls Liara, you're a part of me as I believe I'm a part of you.
We've forever changed each other, become more than we were individually, I feel as if I've loved you all my life and I know I always will… if there is anything after death then there too I'll be trying to find you… I'll never leave you out of choice, and I promise that I'll always come back to you, one way or another."
Shepard had no idea where those words came from, she wasn't one to talk about her emotions, yet they were true, she felt the honesty and the truth of them as she spoke.
When Shepard began speaking Liara had turned and faced her human and their eyes had locked.
"Oh Shepard… but I have done… you don't know," Liara's face showed the pain she was in and Shepard said as she reached out and took hold of Liara's shoulders.
"If you're talking about giving my body to Cerberus, I already know… you saved me Liara… you gave me the chance to come back to you… you don't have to say anything… tell me with your eyes that you will come back to me, that you'll give me the chance to make this up to you," Shepard searched her Asari's eyes for her answer and saw pain but she also saw love and longing.
"But you died…" and Liara broke down, deep sobs rending her body, tears flowing down her cheeks.
Shepard leaned in, wrapped her arms around Liara and pulled them both down onto the sand, Shepard flat on her back with Liara's face buried in Shepard's neck.
"I came back Liara… what does that tell you about the intentions of the universe… the will of the Goddess… the strength of our love… I came back to you," Shepard's eyes were also filled with tears but she felt joy, Liara was back where she belonged, in Shepard's arms.
"I missed you so much… the only thing that kept me going was hunting down the Shadow Broker… it is as you said Shepard, you are a part of me, but when you left me it was as if there was…" Shepard interrupted and kissed the top of Liara's head.
"As if there was a huge hole inside, just deep emptiness where all my happiness and joy used to be… a deep cold, dark pit of sorrow and pain…" Liara lifted herself onto her elbow so that she was looking down into Shepard's face.
"Yes that is exactly what it felt like," and in an instant Liara leaned down and found Shepard's lips.
They kissed first gently and then as if trying to slake a raging thirst, hungry, passionately, both their bodies responding to the deep siren call of desire.
Liara moved so that she was laying on top of Shepard, hands exploring each other's bodies, breath coming in short bursts in between long, deep kisses, tongues exploring, lost in each other.
"Join… with… me… Liara… need you…" Shepard said in between the kisses she was tracing along Liara's jawline and down her neck.
They looked at each other and Shepard saw Liara's eyes flash to the familiar black as she whispered…
"Embrace eternity..."
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Shepard felt Liara's breath, deep and regular on her neck. They had both fallen asleep after the join and Shepard could tell Liara was now exhausted.
She carefully moved from under Liara and positioned herself into a crouch over the still peacefully sleeping Asari, scooping her up Shepard stood and began carrying Liara off the beach.
Liara came to a little, blue eyes flickering open and filled with love, she put her arms around Shepard's neck and whispered something inaudible, but which sounded content to Shepard's ears, then drifted back to sleep, arms still entwined around her humans neck.
Shepard was almost to the house before being met by a concerned doctor and Matriarch who both appeared to have been kept in check by Garrus and Kasumi, as Shepard got closer Garrus spoke.
"Figured you only needed to ride out the storm and work your magic Shepard, no need for anyone to come rushing in to spoil the moment," he was more relaxed and happier than she had seen him since her return and the familiar twitching of his mandible's told her he was 'smiling'.
"Well that's all well and good Commander but Liara still needs rest and could have caused herself real damage," the Matriarch looked concerned.
"I'm going to take Liara to her room and she can continue to rest, the doctor can check on her… and Garrus it's good to know you have such faith in my sunny disposition," she smiled and continued into the house finally depositing Liara onto her bed.
When Shepard tried to pull away Liara stirred and held her strongly around her neck, "don't leave me Shepard" the young Asari whispered.
"I'll just be over by the window while the doc takes a few readings, you need to catch up on some sleep, I won't be far away," Shepard kissed Liara lightly on the lips and the moved back to make room for the doctor.
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As soon as Shepard was assured that Liara had fallen into a deep sleep she left the two Matriarchs with her and made her way to speak to Garrus.
The join on the beach hadn't been sexual, it was emotional, and a mind reconnection, but Shepard had still felt the edge of Liara's alter ego, the personality she had created to give her the strength to carry on.
Now she needed to know as much as she could about this 'other' Liara and she know Garrus would have been closest, apart from Shiala of course, and Shepard was pleased to feel the jealous rage rise up like bile in her mouth, she still had a score to settle with Shiala.
"Garrus I haven't had a chance to say thank you for protecting her and looking after her, you went way beyond anything I could rightfully have asked of you… I will be forever in your debt my friend…my brother," Shepard and Garrus were in a small sitting room and Garrus had just passed her a glass of Asari wine.
"We all played a part Shepard, Wrex, Kasumi, Anderson, Hackett most of all your mother… we were all in shock and grief at losing you but because of the bond Liara was in real trouble… and I don't think you coming back will fix everything.
The Priestess was really clear Liara needed to spend some time with them and work on her… well her boundaries and get control back… she has flashes of rage that seem to take her over." Garrus finished and took a long drink, he had been slightly dreading this conversation as he knew what was coming.
"Yeah, I'm going to speak to the head Priestess tomorrow with T'Joan, if that's what Liara needs to do then now is a good time while she's keeping a low profile.
But tell me about Shiala; T'Joan gave me the impression that she kinda manipulated Liara into what happened between them." Shepard left the implication hanging, that maybe Liara should have been protected from someone who wanted to take advantage of her.
"Shiala got straight in under Liara's defences; she was the one that brought the information about your body and the Collectors… I tried Shepard, the Matriarch too, but Liara somehow connected Shiala with the slim chance that you might be 'raised from the dead'… but you know, I think it was just… well not anything like you and Liara have," Garrus sounded guilty and embarrassed.
"Not your fault Garrus… Liara must have needed whatever Shiala was offering… but when I get a chance I will be asking Shiala what her game was," when Garrus looked puzzled Shepard continued, "oh I have to rescue Shiala or Liara will never forgive herself, and I fully intend to kill the Shadow Broker with my own hands for trying to kill Liara… yeah and working with the Collectors," Shepard smiled catching the fact that the Broker was at the top of her kill list more for the threat to Liara than to the galaxy.
They talked on and Garrus was able to share his experience of Liara's struggle with her grief and the struggle between her two 'personalities'.
Shepard knew that Liara was going to need a lot of help and support to recover, and that would probably include a lot of patience and love, what worried Shepard was the fact that she had a job to do and would have to leave Liara to do it.
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Shepard walked into the room and noticed the thin, white, floor length, curtains ruffling slightly in the soft breeze from the open veranda windows. The veranda ran the full length of Liara's bedroom and gave a view over the gardens to the sea in the distance, which was beginning to be tinted red by the Sun sinking fast towards the horizon.
Shepard could see Liara resting on a comfortable looking lounger on the veranda and she moved across the room to join her Asari.
"Hello Shepard, where did you go?" Liara gave Shepard a beaming smile from the lounger that allowed the Asari to keep her encased leg off the ground.
Shepard leaned in and kissed Liara and dropped into a lounger next to her lover and said.
"I wanted to catch up with Garrus, and to talk over a plan to deal with the threat you're under from the Shadow Broker.
The plan I have in mind puts out information that has you in some form of 'coma' and with no likelihood of recovery which will give us more time to track the Broker's base and may also result in him dropping his guard," Shepard stopped recognising that Liara's face had now clouded over and she had a hard edge to her voice when she spoke.
"I will not hide or stop my fight with the Shadow Broker and I will not rest until I have secured Shiala's freedom… Shepard you are back but I have my own work to do and until I have made the Shadow Broker pay the ultimate price it will not be over." Once again Shepard was looking into the eyes and face of a Liara she had never seen before.
"You can't do anything until you're fully fit and the Broker will be expecting you… and… you need to heal Liara, you need to spend time with the Priestess's…" Liara cut across Shepard and the Asari's eyes flashed as she spoke.
"Please do not think you can walk back into my life and assume control, I am not the timid Asari you left behind when you chose a pointless death rather than staying with me," Liara had waved away Shepard's attempts to challenge what was being said and Liara began to get unsteadily to her feet.
"Liara I have no intention of walking back into your life and telling you what to do… I thought you wanted to kill the Shadow Broker and rescue Shiala, but I can see now that you are determined to kill as many of your own troops as you can and die in some suicide mission to punish me or yourself or both of us…" Shepard had meant to be diplomatic and persuasive but the jibe about what happened on the Normandy stung.
Liara was standing now and looked a little taken aback as Shepard walked past her into the bedroom and towards the door to leave, and turned only as she had her hand on the door handle.
"Let me know if, when you get control of your temper, you would like an actual plan to achieve what you want. But don't wait too long I have my own work to do," and with that Shepard left the room and slammed the door behind her.
Shepard was shaking with a temper of her own but she was mad with herself and also upset, Garrus had tried to warn her but somehow Shepard thought that Liara wouldn't behave that way with her… not 'her' Liara… but this wasn't 'her' Liara… 'maybe it would have been better if I had stayed dead', she thought moodily and stormed out of the house to her 'borrowed' ship.
As soon as the door slammed behind Shepard, Liara sat on the edge of the bed and fought back tears; she was confused, upset, angry and had no idea why she had acted in such a cold and hurtful way to Shepard.
She knew some of the anger, perhaps it was even rage, towards Shepard for 'leaving her' was real enough and her's to own, but if she kept putting this hard, cold, calculating front up they would never be able to work through their problems.
There was a light knock at the door and before she could tell them to go away, Matriarch T'Joan came quietly into the room, on seeing her she began to let the tears flow. The Matriarch held her while she sobbed and Liara told her about the argument and her fear that the old Liara was more and more lost to her.
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Shepard had the ship to herself and went to her cabin, found some Asari wine, then discovered a bottle of hard Asari Liquor.
'Well I think I've earned not only a drink but a little oblivion from all the shit that seems to find me' Shepard poured a shot and drank it in one, 'oh yeah and welcome back Shepard.'
Three shots later Shepard heard the door swish open and Garrus walked into the room.
"You do realise this isn't your ship, so that's not technically your booze," he smiled and sat down opposite.
"Here," Shepard said as she pulled another bottle and shot glass from inside the drinks cabinet "Turian proof," she relaxed back and watched as Garrus poured himself a drink.
"So what happened, all I know is that you stormed out and Liara is currently being comforted by the Matriarch? And I wouldn't want to be in your shoes if she thinks you upset Liara she is worse than a she Varren protecting her young," Garrus knocked back the drink he had poured and prepared another one.
Shepard ran him through the conversation and finished by saying.
"I was so angry at myself for losing my temper, but I… well… look I'm having to deal with a load of shit and come to terms with a world that is almost two years further on but for me it's been days…
It's like I went to sleep and everything I was certain of, everyone I knew, including and especially Liara, turned into complete strangers… I'm still in the universe that existed when I left you guys on the mess deck of the Normandy…" she trailed off and poured another shot.
"Shepard I can't imagine how hard this is for you, and we haven't even talked about the part where you wake up to find you also have a son…" Garrus poured another shot and raised his glass in a toast, "and congratulations by the way, for your son and coming back from the dead… I missed you." There was real sadness in Garrus's eyes and Shepard saw for the first time how her death had also affected her friend.
"But I did warn you about Liara… and to be honest I thought you would have had more self-control Shepard, she is falling apart… or rather falling into this alternate version of herself and she doesn't know how to stop it.
You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself, or disappointed in Liara for not pulling herself together just because you've come back, and you need to be there for her, whatever it takes to get her well and healed." Garrus's voice was quiet but firm and Shepard felt ashamed at the way she had handled the set back with Liara.
Garrus was right, she needed to put aside her hurt feelings and pride and focus on Liara, this is how Shepard would eventually make and then keep Liara safe, as if reading Shepard's thoughts Garrus continued.
"My friend you can't always solve everything with a great big fucking explosion," Garrus once again filled his glass and held it forward for a toast.
Shepard raised her freshly filled glass and touched the two together saying.
"To friendship, honesty and loyalty… to you Garrus," they both drank their shots down in one.
Much later with two empty bottles on the table, many toasts, stories of battles and romantic exploits, the two were very, very drunk and only a little while later both the Human and the Turian had passed out where they sat, slow deep breathing the only sound in the cabin.
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Shepard dropped back into consciousness to be welcomed by a banging head ache, neck and back stiffness and the inside of her mouth was beyond disgusting. She actually moaned as she pulled herself upright, eyes falling on her Turian companion who was still out for the count.
Dragging herself into a standing position and feeling the blood pulse even more painfully through her skull, she found the small shower and stood under its quickly heated water until she felt partly human again, finishing by scrubbing her teeth as soon as she could stand the movement.
Riffling through the one bag she had brought with her she found some camouflage trousers, black t shirt and hooded sweat, once dressed she threw a pillow at Garrus's head and said loudly, "Garrus all hands to battle stations we have incoming."
Garrus jumped to his feet and buckled as if he had hit his head on a steel beam, he turned to see Shepard grinning broadly.
"You look like shit Turian," and she began to move towards the door, "get a shower I'll see you in the house, I'm going to find coffee."
"Yeah well you don't look so hot yourself… and you're the reason my head feels like a grenade went off between my ears… you're a bad influence Shepard," he said to Shepard's retreating back.
Walking up to the house Shepard put a plan together and once she had laced herself with coffee and something to stop the throbbing in her head she would take it to Liara and try to mend her fences.
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Shepard found Liara in the comms room looking through data at one of the terminals. She walked up alongside and reached out to touch Liara's arm.
"Oh, hello Shepard," Liara said with a wary smile as she turned a little unsteadily towards Shepard, "where did you go after we… well… after," she trailed off as Shepard held her eyes in a steady gaze.
"I need to apologise to you Liara, my behaviour yesterday evening was unacceptable. I had no right to say what I did and I had no right to get so mad at you. Could we go somewhere and talk if you have some time?" Shepard had put her hand under Liara's elbow to steady her; the Asari was still finding it difficult to keep her balance in the tech cast.
"No it is I who must apologise Shepard, please let us go and talk somewhere quiet, perhaps in the garden?" Liara had placed one hand on Shepard's shoulder and the other was stroking the side of her human's face.
"Come on then let me give you a lift, I'm going to miss this when you're back on both your feet," Shepard said as she scooped Liara up in her arms and headed for the front door.
Liara smiled at Shepard and held her around the neck, nuzzling her face into Shepard's neck, she said "I am surprised by how much I enjoy you doing this Shepard be careful I do not demand it even after my leg has healed" and she kissed Shepard's neck before squeezing herself as tight as she could into Shepard's body.
They found a table and chairs around the back of the house on the edge of the formal garden, and once settled Shepard began to talk.
"Liara I need you to know how much I regret having put you through my death and then having to deal with the aftermath… I… if I was in the same situation I'm not sure that I'd make a different decision… that's who I am… the same way I know that deep inside you understand that, and although you've got every right to be angry with me for leaving you, you wouldn't want me to change who I am.
And I know who you are, and not some timid Asari who I can impress or who will allow me to do their thinking for them. You are a strong, independent and fearless person, and you're also kind… you hate cruelty and would rather try to save someone than kill them.
You do more to change my actions and decisions than the other way around and that makes me a better person, a better leader, a much better soldier. And that's how I know that the personality that you brought into life is not truly who you are.
You fought hard to be the person you wanted to be, not a carbon copy of your mother, or her natural heir… not saying she was a bad person, but you didn't want the life she mapped out for you then so don't let it take you over now.
Liara believe me when I say that I love you and always will and I will stay with you, but I won't let you destroy yourself from the inside out, if you love me Liara" and Shepard leaned over and took both the Asari's hands in her own, "you will do what everyone who loves and cares about you has been begging you to do.
And I'm here now to help you with your mission, it's mine too, and we will do it together, but you need to heal yourself, you have to spend time with the Priestess's and we need time to plan how we take the Broker down.
Please Liara, think about it, consider it at least." Shepard kissed each of Liara's hands and moved so that she was kneeling on the ground in front of Liara.
"There was something that I wanted to do, should have done, on Arcturus, for me a matter of weeks ago, for you a whole world of pain and loneliness ago." Liara looked steadily into Shepard's eyes and the marine squared her shoulders, took a deep breath and continued.
"When I planned to ask you before I was pretty sure of the answer, but now I'm not sure of your answer, but it's how I felt then and it's how I feel now… so… Liara will you marry me, be my bondmate," Shepard added quickly as she was trying to read Liara's reaction, "I have a child now and regardless of how he came into being he is mine and will be part of my life… but… oh darling I so wanted any children that I would ever have to be ours, together…" Shepard faltered to a stop as Liara put a finger to her human's lips.
"My answer would have been yes to you Shepard, in fact I was considering the same question for you… but… now… I am not the woman you loved then… I may never be again," and she broke down as tears flowed down her cheeks but continued.
"It is so cruel Shepard, all I wanted all I held onto was that you might, by some miracle come back to me, but to survive I allowed some monstrous version of myself to take hold… what if I can't be truly myself again… you will end up hating me and I could not bear to see that in your eyes… I can not bear to lose you again Shepard."
"Then don't lose me Liara, I won't leave you and I'll be with you while you find your true self again, trust me my love… you don't have to say yes now, I'll wait, I'd wait an eternity for you Liara…" Shepard cupped Liara's face with her hands and kissed away the tears from her cheeks, her eyes and then kissed her tenderly on her lips.
"I will start today Shepard, can we go to the temple together and speak with the Lady El'Estrene?" Liara tried a wan smile which only made her look sadder and Shepard felt such a stab of pain it was almost physical.
"Yes of course, do you want to organise it with the Matriarch, or I could go and speak to her?" Shepard knew she needed to be very careful of Liara's feelings and didn't want to even give the appearance of trying to control the situation.
"Would you speak to the Matriarch please, I don't really want to speak to anyone, I will stay here and try to meditate," Liara reached out and held one of Shepard's hands as she stood up and looked up into her love's troubled face.
"And my answer is yes Shepard if I can be sure I can heal the rift inside me, my answer will always be yes."
On hearing the words Shepard couldn't help but break into a huge grin, she wanted to pick Liara up with the sheer joy she was feeling; instead she leaned down and kissed her Asari, then touched foreheads and said.
"I love you T'Soni, always will, so you better get yourself sorted out, we have a lot of living to do together," Shepard was rewarded with a real smile, 'her' Liara was smiling up at her and all was finally coming right this new universe.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Nov 19, 2012 12:44:26 GMT 1
Chapter 28
Leaving Liara sitting in the growing morning sunshine Shepard sought out Matriarch T'Joan who started to deliver a severe dressing down but Shepard cut her off saying.
"I accept anything that you wish to say to me Matriarch, you couldn't be harder on my than I am on myself… but can we do this later… Liara has agreed to go to see the Priestess and I want to strike while the iron is hot." Shepard noted the quizzical look on the Matriarch's face and said, "sorry, bit of an Earth saying, I mean let's get this done while she has the strength to face all her demons."
The Matriarch nodded, "I will contact the Lady El'Estrene, the Temple is only a five minute sky car drive, they will be ready when we get there." And with that the Matriarch walked away already sparking up her OT to make contact with the Temple.
As Shepard walked back towards the place Liara was still sitting, still looking out across the gardens, she felt a catch in her chest and a wash of fear ran through her mind. 'What if she can never truly heal her mind… her soul… whatever the hell damage you did to her, Shepard thought bitterly, 'well done Shepard, the one pure, good, shinning person you've ever had in your life and you almost kill her along with yourself.'
Shepard shrugged off her inner tirade before she placed her hand on Liara's shoulder; the Asari continued to look into the middle distance but covered Shepard's hand with her own.
"We can make our way over now, the Matriarch will have a sky car ready in front of the house," Shepard spoke tenderly.
"Thank you Shepard," Liara's voice was quiet and when she stood she looked directly into her Human's eyes.
Shepard lost herself in those oh so deep blue eyes, whose colour seemed to shift subtly with Liara's mood, right now Shepard saw pain and grief that tore at her own soul, but she saw the edge of something else, something harder.
"Shepard I need you to know that I meant what I said about not being able to come back to you unless I can once again be truly myself… no please let me finish… even at this moment I am struggling with a strong voice and will that can not see what is wrong with being who I have become… it is me Shepard not some outside force… this is another me, but know it is not who I want to be… I will fight to come back to you but you must continue on with your life…" Liara faltered as she spoke the final words as they both knew what she was saying.
Shepard drew Liara into her arms and kissed her with all the love and tenderness she had for her lovely, grieving, soft and kind Asari.
"You are the love of my life Liara... I'll be waiting for you my darling… but you need to put you front and centre… come on soldier let's get this done," Shepard's words were tender and she gave the best smile she could muster with her last words and was rewarded with a weak flicker of a smile from Liara despite the tears in both their eyes.
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They were shown into the High Priestess's office and Shepard felt seriously underdressed and very unworthy. She could almost feel the millennia of learning and spiritual 'muscle' that seemed to imbue everything, from the writings on the walls, the beautiful objects liberally scattered around, to the Asari Priestess's themselves.
When Lady El'Estrene entered the room Shepard could literally feel the power of the woman but instead of being stern and distant, which is what Shepard was expecting, the Asari Matriarch exuded a loving, calm and accepting presence.
Liara and the Matriarch T'Joan gave an Asari spiritual greeting to the Priestess, heads bowed and hands covering their hearts and then folding out; there was just a hint of blue energy playing around their hands and the area they had been covering just over their hearts. Shepard bowed her head to show her respect. The Priestess nodded but without any further ceremony walked straight up to Liara and enfolded her in a hug.
"Ah little wing why have you waited and struggled with this pain for so long," El'Estrene said in a warm and quiet tone but Shepard felt the strength of the love behind the words, "you are here now and that is what is important."
Liara continued to lean into the Priestess even after being released from the full hug El'Estrene kept an arm around the young Asari and spoke to Shepard.
"I apologise Commander but you see I was present at this little one's birth and I have watched over her, spiritually, all her life.
We must waste no further time in finding out what is amiss, Matriarch T'Joan would you leave us, blessings of the Goddess be upon you."
This time the Matriarch covered her face with her hands before opening them out, still head bowed, she left without a word.
It was only then that Shepard noticed that there were two other Priestesses' in the room and they now moved next to the High Priestess who continued, this time, looking between Liara and Shepard as she spoke to both of them.
"I need to initiate a meld with Liara and then with you Commander so that I have the fullest understanding of what may have happened to Liara, with your consent?" Lady El'Estrene directed her question at Shepard it was obvious that Liara knew what was required and coming here had automatically implied her agreement.
"Yes of course anything I can do… anything you need of me," Shepard was concerned and a little fearful, she had only melded with Liara, but she meant what she said, 'anything it takes will never even touch the sides of making it up to her', Shepard thought as her eyes were drawn to her love.
"Thank you Commander, I expected nothing less, now we will begin, are you ready little wing?" the High Priestess turned to face Liara who gave her a small nod and closed her eyes. From where she was standing she saw all three sets of eyes flash to black before being closed and then there was silence and stillness in the room.
Shepard didn't know how to describe what she was experiencing but it was as if small shadows of a dream, nightmare, were being remembered somewhere deep in her unconscious mind, but the emotions were rippling just under the surface.
Fear, grief, loss… anger… such deep, deep sadness, emptiness… the feeling that Shepard herself had when realising the bond between them had been lost… but that space had grown to blot out everything… Shepard felt emotionally exhausted, dead, broken.
Shepard only realised she had dropped to her knees when hands reached down to help her up, Liara had obviously been helped to sit in one of the large armchairs and was being attended to by one of the younger Priestess's.
The hands that helped her into another chair were those of the High Priestess herself.
"You felt an echo of the meld, what Liara was showing us?" it was a question but the High Priestess sounded as if she knew what the answer would be.
"Yes", Shepard was surprised at the roughness of her voice, as if she had been shouting for hours, and she was so exhausted.
"Are you ready for the meld Commander," Lady El'Estrene asked quietly.
"Yes, yes of course," Shepard said more strongly now and she stood up.
This time it was only the High Priestess who stayed close to Shepard and said.
"It will not be necessary for my sisters to join us, ready," and with a nod from Shepard the Priestess's eyes flashed to black and Shepard felt the presence of another in her mind.
It wasn't like any meld she had had with Liara, it was more chaotic, images and emotions streamed through her mind, she couldn't catch them all, fragments… some old… some she didn't even recognise, and then it was over.
When Shepard opened her eyes she saw a very puzzled and worried look on the High Priestess face, who moved away to sit in a chair facing Liara and indicated Shepard should sit next to the young Asari.
Lady El'Estrene considered them both for a moment and then began speaking.
"Whether you rely on faith, belief, science, logic or reason there is little doubt that everything in the universe is one and the same. That we are all made from the same material, and that everything, including our life force, energy, that which gives us our soul is never destroyed but merely recycled to continue to play a part in the universal consciousness."
Shepard thought that was the most elegant explanation of the basics of thermodynamics she had ever heard, 'although you could just have ingested a huge amount of the coolaid Shepard,' she thought to herself and then returned her focus to what the High Priestess was saying.
"I believe amongst Human's you have a branch of belief that speaks of reincarnation, but what our Asari teachings have speculated is something much more random, but that the energy that creates and fuels a beings individual identity, which we call have named 'soul', may not fall to the natural entropy of the universe but remain intact and thus when animating a new sentient being will carry, as molecular memory, a sense of its past self.
This is all pure theory of course, but Asari scientists as well as spiritual thinkers have worked on this hypothesis as a way of understanding some of the phenomena Asari's have experienced due to our ability to join.
Whatever we may 'think' or 'believe' about these postulations it would seem that something has happened to 'trigger' memories, connections, and experiences from a time period longer than Liara's life. Commander you also bear the signs that this is not the first time your 'soul' has manifested itself on this plain of existence.
It is as if a rift in the barriers that keep these 'older' manifestations of your existence has fractured in your soul Liara and when you reached for the strength to carry on you reached into that rift and by doing so you have forced it open, the rift was caused in the first place by the lifetimes strong connection you both seem to have with each other.
There is no other way I can describe what I have seen and felt. I realise this will be very hard for you to accept Commander, but if it helps there are perfectly good scientific theories for it." The High Priestess had picked up on the high level of scepticism that Shepard was trying to keep in check, it all sounded a bit 'out there' to her.
"It really doesn't matter what I think or believe my Lady but what is it that you need from me to help heal Liara," as Shepard spoke she reached out and held Liara's hand and felt a responding squeeze.
"Yes that is all that matters," the Priestess continued, "but it does mean that this is not ordinary spiritual injury and I can not make any promises about how this will end.
I do not know if we will be able to heal the rift, Liara you may have to accept that this 'other' you is what remains, but be sure that this is a version of yourself, and perhaps once fully embodied it may…" but Liara cut off the Priestess and turned sharply to look at Shepard.
"No… this is not who I am… I can not lose you again Shepard… you have to make this right my Lady, you must find a way…" Liara's silent sobs, the fear and confusion in her eyes and the tears rolling down her soft blue cheeks broke Shepard in two.
"Hey, it's ok, I'm not going anywhere, and we'll find a way… Lady El'Estrene will find a way, she's just doing the doc's equivalent of worse case... isn't that right my Lady," and Shepard looked across at the Priestess with a mix of pleading and demand in her eyes as she held Liara.
"Yes, we will find a way to… heal this Liara, now say goodbye to the Commander and then you can go and get some rest; I will have a final word about the arrangements with the Commander before she leaves."
The two younger Priestesses left the room and the Lady El'Estrene moved away from then to sit behind her desk. Liara stood up and Shepard held her in her arms, her Asari's head buried into her neck.
"I have only just noticed you hair Shepard," Liara said softly and sounding as if she had a head cold. "It is longer than you usually wear it." As she spoke Liara ran her fingers through the hair which was indeed much longer than Shepard wore it, touching her collar and falling almost into her eyes.
"Yeah you can see that it's got a big of a wave to it… but don't get used to it as soon as I get the time I'll find a hair shop and get it back in shape, " she smiled down into those compelling and mesmerising blue eyes which were as beautiful as ever even if a little bloodshot.
"I think I could get used to it," and Liara leaned in to kiss Shepard on the lips while gripping a handful of hair and tugging slightly.
Shepard gave her a smile when they broke apart and said.
"Ok T'Soni I'll make you a deal, as soon as you're out of here I'll grow it for you but only this length and only until you get bored with it," Shepard basked in the smile that Liara gave her and leaned in for another kiss.
Then they stood apart and with one last touch of her cheek Liara turned as if she carried the sadness of two worlds on her shoulders and left the room.
Shepard just stood and stared at the door until she was called back into the moment by the Priestess.
"Commander I will do everything in my power to make this right, but this is uncharted territory, it will not be long before Liara realises the danger she would put you in if she properly joined with you while she was in this state and I know she would not do anything to cause you pain."
"What do you mean danger… I feel ok… a bit strange… but then I have been dead," Shepard ended with a sarcastic tone aimed more at herself than the Priestess.
"Commander the potential rift exists within you also, you are both… I am not sure what it is yet, but you share the same connections, in short Commander you and Liara have 'been here before' to put it in Earth vernacular."
"Look even if I did believe this fantastical tale about souls reincarnating, or whatever it is, you're also asking me to believe that me and Liara have also been together before… I just… but like I said it doesn't matter what I believe… you have to make it right, even if she can't come back to me, but you've got to help her she's in so much pain that I can feel… and it's made no difference that I'm back…" Shepard finally said out loud what had been eating away at her since realising that she wasn't going to the silver bullet for Liara's recovery.
"Oh you are wrong to believe that Commander, without your return there would be no hope at all that Liara could heal herself in this life and that damage would, if we believe the theory, follow her into the future. No Commander you're coming back is the catalyst to her recovery but the rest is up to her and all of us at the Temple.
I have something I can give you before you leave, but I warn you it will be a painful gift but may help you become more synchronised within yourself." The Priestess watched Shepard from behind the desk, her eyes kind, intelligent, knowing, it was as if she could and did have the ability to look deep into Shepard's soul.
"I'm listening."
"I could meld with you and share in a more controlled way what Liara is experiencing but this would also sharpen the focus on your connections to your past history. I could also help you retrieve the 'memories' of the months that you were, shall we say, not completely alive; not clear memories or physical pain, more a sense of the passing of time."
Shepard thought for a while, she wanted to be in the same place as Liara, so long as it didn't debilitate her, she had a job to do after all… and she had to admit this weird time difference between herself and the rest of the universe made every moment somehow unreal at a certain level.
"Will I be able to function properly, I have to go back to work, I can't…" The Priestess interrupted Shepard and said.
"Commander you have one of the strongest, keenest minds and intellects I have ever met and your soul is, well, powerful in a way that I have only sensed in Asari who have spent all their life span on its development. You will be able to carry on normally, and with the understanding of how strong Liara is not to have collapsed completely from what has happened to her."
"I know how strong Liara is," Shepard said quickly her eyes shining.
Lady El'Estrene smiled and despite herself Shepard felt calmer and smiled back.
"Have no fear Commander I know without doubt how highly you hold Liara T'Soni in you esteem and how much you love her, body and soul, I have seen it and felt it. Know that your love and devotion is reciprocated."
The Priestess moved from behind the desk and stood in front of Shepard and again her eyes flashed to black and again Shepard felt her powerful but benign presence in her mind and this time she now also felt Liara.
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Shepard had told Matriarch T'Joan that she would walk back to the estate, she needed time to get hold of how she was feeling; the meld had been a real shock to her system.
It did give her an insight into what Liara had been struggling with, the terrible fight with her alter ego and what Shepard herself was now feeling. It was as if she could 'feel' an enormous stretch of time, a history, her history like a long road bringing her to this point in time and space.
'So I get the total weirdness of a sense of existing, living before I was born… but none of the bloody useful stuff, like why… or anything I learned along the way… great Shepard… worst of both worlds', she thought as she walked along a wooded path back towards the T'Soni house.
She stopped and leaned her back against one of the enormous trees, they were old, she could feel it, and a wave of absolute terror flooded her veins, it literally took her legs from under her and she slipped down the tree until she was sitting with her head in her hands.
'What happened… what did I do… so much blood… blood on my hands… I couldn't save them,' her thoughts were ragged, the words her own and she knew them to be true but not what they meant. The terror turned to a sense of failure the like of which she had never felt even when being hyper critical of herself, the failure was linked to whatever had terrorised her and to Liara, she felt rather than thought it… 'this is too fucking much… what the fuck am I supposed to do with this… she said it wouldn't stop me from… Reapers… Reapers… is this what it's about… why is it so freakin jumbled my head…' Shepard tried hard to find a link between what she was feeling and the return of the visions of the Reapers destroying the Prothean galaxy.
And as soon as the wave of failure ebbed away a heavy burden descended on her, she felt it settle as if it was a physical weight, on her shoulders, in her mind… she held out her hands in front of her and for a moment thought she saw the echoes of blood, red, blue, green, black.
'Yeah well if you're trying to tell me I have to fight the Reapers I didn't need a meld and a speech about space magic to convince me… I've known that since Eden Prime and the beacon… but why didn't the beacon fry my brain… I didn't have to take all this on, not really… why didn't I have a choice…it was like some switch was pushed, I pushed some switch inside…' Shepard sat for what seemed like hours turning everything over in her mind.
Lady El'Estrene had said she would also give Shepard the months that she had been 'not alive' back and she had. Shepard now felt as if real time had elapsed even though she had no real conscious memory of most of what happened, although there were fragments of Miranda's voice that she must have picked up towards the end of her time under sedation.
Shepard finally got up and began making her way back to the estate, the weight of responsibility she was already feeling seemed to have developed deep roots, she could feel them as she brought up memories of her life so far, subtle and perhaps even imagined… but it felt to Shepard, in that moment, that everything she had ever done, every decision made, had prepared her, honed her for being here, facing down an old, old enemy…
'The galaxy's old enemy is what I mean, for sure, not mine personally, don't get all mystical on my ass Shepard…'
She continued to tell herself she hadn't really been alive all that long; but she also accepted that she was certainly exhausted enough for more than one lifetime.
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Shepard had some final preparations to make at the T'Soni house and had decided she would head for Illium first thing the next day.
The security at the house was to be increased as if they were still protecting their sick mistress. Rumours and leaked medical information would continue to drip out for the Shadow Broker to pick up and Shepard knew she had to play her part or else he would not drop his guard.
She made most of the arrangements with the Matriarch as both Garrus and Kasumi wanted to leave with Shepard; everyone knew it could be a very long time before Liara was well enough to leave the Temple. They both wanted to continue where they had left off before the Normandy was attacked, and they also wanted to help Shepard bring down the Shadow Broker for Liara.
Liara had told Shepard exactly what the Shadow Broker had told her and more importantly what he had shown her, the footage from inside the clinic, which meant anyone there could be an agent for him.
Shepard put in a call to her Grandmother who had taken charge of Shepard's son and alerted her to the possible security risk. They decided to let the clinic nurse go, without arousing suspicion, and they would also increase security, just in case.
Shepard would also take Skark and Malania; Senna would stay and take charge of the estate security along with Evictus.
All of Shepard's team would stay and all security would focus on the estate, everyone, including Shepard knew that Liara was safe at the Temple. Not only because it was highly unlikely that the Broker would learn of their deception but because all the Priestess's were extremely powerful biotics, Lady El'Estrene would not let anything happen to Liara, Shepard was sure about that.
It was evening before Shepard felt she had done all she could to prepare the estate so that she could leave for Illium first thing.
"Shep would it be ok if I joined you, I thought you might want a little company," Kasumi's tone was light but Shepard knew the strain she was under had shown at dinner. Shepard had left before everyone, heading for the garden and the table she had last shared with Liara.
"Yeah of course… actually… I've missed our chats, Kas," Shepard was struggling with the overload of thoughts populating her tired mind and she knew she could talk in complete confidence to Doctor Goto.
"Come on, out with it… you look as if your head will explode if you don't empty it a little," Shepard had already filled Kasumi and Garrus in on the highlights of what happened at the Temple.
Garrus was his usual sceptical self which Shepard always appreciated as it spoke to a very strong part of her nature, he had no faith in anything he couldn't take to pieces and put back together again.
But Kasumi was both a scientist and a Buddhist, a belief system that had evolved since its origins way back in Earth history and was much more akin to the Asari faith, and as such she was much more open to those things that couldn't be explained, yet, by science.
"I wonder if we were to weight my heart Kas whether I would make it through to the afterlife," Shepard didn't bother with any preamble, she picked up a conversation that had taken place in the Normandy mess nearly two and half years ago
"Well you know the Ancient Egyptians also prized the heart over the brain so maybe they didn't know everything," Kas said trying to take the edge off but continued, "the very fact that you question your actions and feel the loss of every life you take… yes you do Shep… even the ones who didn't leave you a choice. I know you carry the responsibility for ending a life with you… surely that tells you something about who you are?"
"It tells me I give in to feeling sorry for myself occasionally…" Shepard gave Kas a weak grin and then felt the weight of all those times the Reapers had harvested her galaxy, "but there's blood on my hands… too much to ever wash off."
"Oh come on Shep you haven't killed that many, and you are a marine, it's what you have to do to protect those who can't protect themselves," Kas was now concerned she had never seen Shepard like this before.
"You don't understand Kas… it's the blood of all those I couldn't save… all those I won't be able to protect… I have this overwhelming sense that it's my responsibility… it's my fault…"
Kasumi Goto knew when to hold her tongue, when to just sit and be silently supportive, it was all she could do given the level of pain and grief that Shepard seemed to be in, and so they sat and both tried to find some peace in the warm darkness of the seemingly endless Thessian summer.
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"We are about leave, Matriarch T'Joan, Garrus said you wanted to speak to me?" Shepard was a little wary; she really wasn't in the mood for a telling off and didn't know if she could keep her temper. And as she had been summoned to Liara's bedroom it really couldn't be anything else.
"Commander I thought you might want to see this before you leave, its Liara's private meditation room, just here off her bedroom," the Matriarch was standing by a door that Shepard hadn't really noticed before.
"If it's her private space Matriarch I don't feel I should…" T'Joan cut her off saying.
"I know her well enough to be confident she would have shown you this herself if things had been… normal," the Matriarch opened the door and moved aside for Shepard to walk in.
It was a small room and without windows, the walls were covered with beautiful embroidered hangings depicting what Shepard assumed were stories from Asari spiritual teaching.
A low, narrow table at one end of the room was obviously the focus for meditation with candles, a statue of the Goddess and a few other small abstract pieces of sculpture and two images, not vid clips or stills, but black and white sketches. One was clearly of Benezia and the other was Shepard herself.
On one of the side walls there was also a small table upon which stood what remained of her N7 chest plate and her N7 helmet both much the worse for wear as she had been wearing them that fateful day on the Normandy.
Standing alongside and hung around the neck of another statue of the Goddess were Shepard's dog tags. Suddenly she could feel Liara's presence in this room, sensed the hours, days, weeks and finally months spent with one hope, one wish, that Shepard would come back… she knew without doubt in that moment how powerfully Liara had refused to let Shepard go, couldn't let her go, and so how tightly their fate was intertwined.
"Liara wore them for most of the first year and then as she found herself becoming more and more obsessed with the Shadow Broker, and no news came from Doctor Lawson, she felt she was losing the right to wear them," the Matriarch was looking at Shepard who was running her fingers over her tags, "she would want you to have them back Shepard."
Shepard couldn't remember the Matriarch calling her anything but 'Commander' before and she looked up at the older Asari and saw the pain in her eyes.
"It's been hard for you, losing Lady Benezia and then Liara coming home and nearly losing her," Shepard once again realised that the impact of her relationship with Liara and her 'death' had rippled out and touched many more lives than she would have imagined.
"Yes, they are both very dear to me… and what happened to Benezia well… that was not who she was Commander." They looked at each other for a few more moments and as Shepard squared her shoulders she picked up the dog tags and put them on.
The Matriarch walked Shepard out onto the lawn and looked as if she was trying to come to a decision, but when she spoke she was as inscrutable as ever.
"I suggest you visit Omega Commander, perhaps a talk with Aria T'Loak would be useful, although it is next to impossible to try to predict what frame of mind Matriarch T'Loak will be in one moment to the next," Shepard had never heard anyone call Aria Matriarch and in fact was sure she'd heard a rumour that the last person who did so found themselves threatened with being sent head first out of the nearest air lock.
Shepard nodded and said, "thank you for all your help Matriarch may the Goddess be with you and those you watch over," Shepard made a good attempt at an Asari parting sign and noticed a small smile tweak the corner of the Matriarch's mouth.
"We will make an Asari of you yet Commander."
The shuttle lifted off from the T'Soni estate and Shepard sat in the co-pilot seat for the whole journey to Illium, trying to wrangle her thoughts, but they were a mess.
'If I could just get some control over my fucking thoughts… my head's shot…' Shepard took a deep breath and then thought, 'well I'd better get my head straight before people start shooting at it… you've got a galaxy to save Shepard, for a very lovely and very beautiful, troubled young Asari'.
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Post by ddraigcoch123 on Nov 22, 2012 19:55:23 GMT 1
A/N The song that Shepard was listening to can be heard here www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_utFz2wmtE I use a lot of music while I'm writing and as a backdrop to particular scenes and I'll continue to mention the important ones as we go along. Chapter 29 "This is amazing Kas, how the hell did you find it so quickly," Shepard was standing in the middle of an large open plan apartment with almost floor to ceiling windows that formed two of the outer walls. Immediately to the right was a well equipped kitchen and the main space had three large sofas and another area that would clearly work as dinning space. "This is the very best neighbourhood Illium has to offer Shep just as you wanted, if you look up there is an open gallery that gives access to four bedrooms, bathrooms and the lift to the roof," Kasumi paused to enjoy the sight of Shepard's eyebrows raising and a look of amazement forming on her face. She continued, "Oh yes… this being the penthouse you are the only one with access to the roof and the sky car that comes with the apartment. Anyone who shouldn't be seen visiting or living here can access directly from above. I bought a five year lease, that was the shortest term they would give me… but" Shepard turned and gave Kas a hug and interrupted her by saying. "It's perfect, everything I asked for, show my upstairs, which one will work as the nursery," Shepard was already heading for the stairs as she noticed a door leading off the main area and before she could ask Kasumi smiled and said. "A decent sized study, you know Liara and her research," Shepard smiled again at Kas but this time there was an edge of sadness in her eyes, nothing was certain about Liara joining her here or anywhere else for that matter. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx It had been nearly a week since Shepard had returned to Illium. She kept the hotel rooms for show, but had in fact been settling into the penthouse apartment with her team. Shepard had decided that most of the time Veetor'Nara would work from the apartment so he had been spending most of his time and a large chunk of credits on equipping one of the bedrooms and a comms hub and his research lab. She offered him one of the bedrooms but he insisted that he was happy sleeping in the 'comms room', it was certainly big enough and it's where he felt most at home. Kasumi had paid a visit to Vert Plunes to 'ask' for his help on Shepard's behalf. When Kas reported back to Shepard about the meeting she said he seemed almost resigned to the fact that he would hear from Shepard on a regular basis. But Kasumi also said that he was helpful and sorted things out quickly. So if anyone went looking for anything that may be owned or leased by Shepard they would not find it, the lease was hidden amongst the assets of a certain merc group. The final piece in the jigsaw was Shepard's son. She wanted, needed, to take responsibility for him despite her dangerous and precarious lifestyle. The apartment had been put in place for that very reason. Once the idea formed Shepard could also see the advantage of having a 'base' that would not be under Cerberus control or scrutiny. There was one big problem, how she was going to care for her son while she was also chasing all over the galaxy hunting down the Collectors and the Shadow Broker. The situation had been solved by Shepard's mother and grandmother. Shepard's cousin Jamie had served one term in the Alliance but was now working in a crèche on the Arcturus station but agreed to join Shepard, to look after her son, as soon as he was approached by his aunt Captain Shepard. Jamie had been dispatched to Earth to pick young John up and bring him to Illium and they were due at the Illium space terminal in a couple of hours. Shepard had sent Garrus and Kasumi to meet them, now all that remained was for her to wait for the arrival of her son. She had a couple more days before she was due back at the Cerberus station to formerly enter her contract with Jack Harper and Miranda was already heading to Illium to pick her up. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx It was Shepard's last day and they had all congregated in the living area, dispersed around the sofas and all watching a game of baseball on the large screen. Shepard and Jamie had enjoyed themselves no end trying to explain the game to Garrus and Veetor who couldn't grasp the mechanics of the scoring system, or much else if truth be told. Kasumi at least understood the significance of the opening game of the 2185 season but not the choice of team that Shepard and Jamie were supporting. "So why are the two of you, with all your Vancouver connections following the fortunes of the Vladivostok Bears?" She asked looking across at Shepard who had young John fast asleep in the crook of her arm. "Family heritage," Shepard answered, "most of the families that make up the Shepard Skorgaard clan can trace a connection to the old Russian Empire. My family are connected to the Viking that laid the foundations for Russia and this little fella carries his name 'Oleg'." "You know Shepard I don't think you've given him enough names, the usual number for Turian society is around nine, to fully reflect the glorious heritage of the house this fine miniature human has been born into," Garrus was smiling and Shepard laughed in response remembering the first time Garrus had listed his ten names most of which she had forgotten. "Yeah well I reckon three is enough for anyone," she said and noticing Kasumi's questioning look continued, "well John, as you know for my father, Oleg for the warrior conqueror heritage in the family and Asoka who was a ruthless warrior but who then saw the light and became a kind and enlightened Buddhist king… kinda hoping to give him the best range of options when he's old enough to choose his own path," she smiled down at the sleeping infant. "You do realise the unifying factor amongst those all those names though Shepard… they were all warriors," Kasumi said with a huge smile. "Yeah well genes will out," Shepard answered and joined in the laughter as they all looked at the small human and the consummate warrior that cradled him. The game ended with the Bears winning eleven to four against the Detroit Tigers which was Shepard's cue to leave. Passing her son to Jamie and making her goodbyes she left with Garrus who was going to drop her off at the hotel where she would meet Miranda. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Shepard stood once more in the room that would connect her via QEC to Jack Harper and as he flickered into existence in front of her, with his familiar burning backdrop, she felt the same urge to strangle him with her bare hands. But she now needed to start playing a very different game. "So Commander I hope you have attended to all your personal matters and you're ready to start your mission to bring down the Collectors?" Harpers tone was friendly as he scrutinized her with his prosthetic steely blue eyes. "Indeed, it would seem that my coming back from the dead has caused a lot of questions to be asked and I'm damn certain I'm not going to be a lab rat for the Alliance while those responsible for destroying my ship and killing my crew are out there. You seem to have been right about the unwillingness of the Council and the Alliance to believe the Reaper threat is still very real… but don't get too comfortable with all this Harper, my enemies enemy doesn't necessarily make them a friend. This is a business arrangement and a way I can pay off my debt to you for bringing me back, I don't like being in anyone's debt let along a murdering, duplicitous bastard who I would still like to see dead." Her voice was hard and cold her stare unwavering. She would distance herself from the Alliance and play the part of a renegade but she would not cosy up to Harper or Cerberus that would be unbelievable and it was unnecessary. "I'm glad we can find common ground Shepard, you may not believe it or like it but I admire and respect you as a shining example of humanities courage and ingenuity, you embody the best that humanity has to offer the galaxy. You also have a unique relationship with the Reapers and therefore the Collectors which you will be able to exploit in order to bring them down." "You mean they want me dead or alive so as bait I won't have long till I find myself in a fight with them," she knew that was one of the reasons Harper had brought her back and not only because she had been instrumental in stopping the Reapers returning the last time they tried. "Perhaps we should move on to your preparations to meet the challenges the Collectors pose," it wasn't so much a question as a statement and so he continued. "You will find a set of dossiers that identify individuals that will be useful assets for your team. I am assuming you wish to include Doctor Goto and Mr Vakarian?" "I'll choose my own team Harper and my own crew and my condition about no Cerberus cheerleaders or uniforms still holds." She would negotiate if she had to so needed to start from a powerful position. "I'm afraid that Doctor Lawson is not negotiable and I will expect her to act as you XO, as for the crew, we have spent some time recruiting for this mission but you will, of course, have final sign off on crew members. Perhaps you should look through the dossiers you have and then decide, they are only suggestions but they all have unique experience or expertise that will enhance your team. It only remains for you to meet your pilot and take charge of your new ship; I look forward to hearing of your progress." And with those final words the comms link when dark. Shepard heard footsteps behind her and turned ready to be furious that Harper should presume to choose her pilot for her, but she immediately moved forward with a huge grin and placed her hands on the shoulders of a very wary looking Joker. "Commander I'm so sorry I got you… killed… if you don't want…" Shepard cut across his nervous and very un-Joker like tone. "Hell Joker you're the finest pilot I've ever seen, no one else I'd rather fly into a suicide mission with… they did tell you we will end up taking a trip through the Omega 4 relay," she beamed at him and some of his old self started to shine through. "Well with my flying and your ability to cheat death Commander I figure the odds of it not being a suicide mission just got a little higher." He smiled and they began to walk up the stairs Joker taking them one at a time. "So why did you leave the Alliance," she asked knowing what the answer was likely to be. "Well after you… you know died… the survivors of the old crew all got re-assigned and they wouldn't let me fly, said I was a liability. So when I got approached by Cerberus I jumped at the chance to fly again when they told me you would be the Commander… and I only found out this morning… but this is our ship." They had reached the top of the stairs and Joker switched the window to view mode, there sitting in the dock was an almost exact replica of the Normandy, it looked about twice the size, but still the same sleek lines. "I guess all we need to do is name her," Joker was still looking at the ship as he spoke and Shepard was pleased to note that she had no markings on her silver bodywork except a black SR2 in a couple of places. "Nothing else we could call her Joker, tell them to paint Normandy on her side and she will take revenge for her predecessors crew," Shepard's eyes blazed and realised she hadn't had time to begin to mourn the loss of her ship and so many of her crew, some of whom she counted as friends. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Shepard was in her new cabin on the Normandy, where Miranda had obviously had all her replacement 'possession's' installed, including her collection of replica's, or models as Liara had teased her. The thought of Liara burned her, she was not allowed to have any contact with her beautiful Asari as it was necessary for Liara to completely immerse herself in the therapy she was experiencing in the Temple. Her eyes immediately found the three photographs on her desk, two of Liara and one of them both from their short holiday on Hasperos. They looked so carefree, happy and in love, Shepard felt the loss of Liara keenly. Thinking about Hasperos and the Phosphorus system it was located within Shepard once again had a song come up in her mind. It was a favourite of hers and Liara's but there was a particular line in the song that seemed to nudge at something just below her conscious mind. She played it on her audio system… the song had been on her mind since 'coming back' and her realisation of just how badly hurt Liara was. Shepard remembered a conversation that had taken place in her old cabin on the SR1, Liara had said that when music bubbled to the surface it was sometimes our 'unconscious minds sending a message. Shepard had laughed and named it her internal DJ. There was probably no surprise about this particular song as it spoke of wanting to 'fix you', but it was also that one particular line was haunting the edges of her mind and hearing the song now she was able to bring it into focus, 'stay if you want to and we'll disappear…' 'That's it… disappear… the Protheans always had a backup plan, but it relied too much on technology… and they didn't allow for the indoctrinated amongst them… we need a plan… I have to talk to Hackett… and Liara… I need to talk to Liara… get real Shepard you don't just want to talk to her.' Shepard once again allowed her eyes to rest on the photos as she played the song over again this time letting the beat and the message roll through her mind. Before the song had finished the buzzer on her cabin door sounded and Shepard shut off the music. "Come in," Shepard stood up and waited for Miranda to enter the room. "Commander I hope everything is to your liking? You'll see the uniforms are just plain black with no insignia at all. Are you ready to sign off on the crew selection?" Miranda sounded as if she was walking on egg shells and Shepard knew they needed to clear the air. "Look Miranda you passed on intel that led Liara straight into a trap and as good as killed her, she's unlikely to recover and there's nothing I can do about that… but I need to know I can rely on you, and your Cerberus puppet master, on a few key issues. One is bringing down the Shadow Broker, he had footage of us in that clinic on Illium and so knows about my son, I need you to make sure that the Broker doesn't know I'm looking for him but I am going to destroy his arse just for being too interested in my private life… do you understand?" Shepard noted that Miranda looked truly shocked at the revelation that the Broker knew about the clinic and the birth. "Shepard you have to believe me when I say I had no intention of hurting Doctor T'Soni… is your son safe…" Shepard cut across her. "Yeah he is, safe and sound hidden on Earth and we let the nurse from the clinic go before we moved him… and maybe I believe you about Liara… we have a connection Miranda but it doesn't mean I'm just going to trust you," Shepard didn't like what she was going to do but smoke and mirrors at this point was all she had. "Look, we share a child, not in the usual sense but… you know… so let's try to get to know each other a little better… outside work… I need to know I can trust you," Shepard left her intention hanging between them. "I… that would be… a useful way for us to have a more productive working relationship Commander, thank you," Shepard smiled. "I've told you when we're off duty to call me Shepard. Look I've read through the files on the crew, they all seem fine, and very high number of ex-alliance and you know I won't have any Cerberus lackeys on my crew so I'll leave it to your judgment." Miranda looked pleased and nodded before making to leave the room. "As soon as they are all on board we leave for Omega, I've told Doctor Goto and Garrus Vakarian to join us there." "Yes Commander," Miranda answered and Shepard's eyes followed her as she left the room. 'Well it won't be a hardship flirting with her; she is easy on the eye… but remember what you mamma told you about playing with fire,' Shepard thought and then turned her attention back to reading the dossiers of her prospective team members. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Shepard slipped back easily into her on ship routine, it fit her like a second skin, eating all her meals in the mess, spending time with every crew member and familiarising herself with all areas of the ship. There were, as she had noted to Miranda, a fair number who were ex-alliance and who seemed to have signed up only because the mission was being run by Shepard. And the Cerberus members were of the 'wanting the best for humanity' ilk rather than 'all aliens are inferior and are only out to do humanity down'. When Joker called her on the ship comms that they were about to drop out of the relay jump and into the Sahrabarik system Shepard was already on her way up to the cockpit to take her usual place standing between the pilot and co-pilot chairs. The sight of the Omega station always thrilled her slightly; it was probably the most dangerous place in the galaxy, if you didn't know how to handle yourself and it was that edge that made her senses just that little bit sharper. "Joker if we're ever confronted with any kind of ship dropping out of FTL in front of us in future you have my permission to jump us to a safe distance without waiting to find out who it is," Shepard said to Joker from where she was standing behind his seat, her arms crossed in a familiar pose. "But mister the next time I order abandon ship I want you scrappy little arse to be one of the first hitting the seat in the nearest escape pod, do I make myself clear," she accompanied her words with a squeeze of his shoulder. "No need to worry about either of those circumstances Commander, there's absolutely no way I'm losing another ship," and he hung his head a little and continued in a quieter voice, "or another Commander." Shepard smiled to herself at the penitence of her usually flippant and back chatting Lieutenant, but as the ship drew closer to the station and Joker began talking to what passed for its docking control Shepard's mind moved to thinking about the meeting with Aria T'Loak and the recruitment of the first couple of members of her specialist team. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Shepard and Garrus were sitting in a booth on the middle floor of the Afterlife club watching Miranda and Kasumi at the bar, the pirate queen of Omega hadn't been in the club when they arrived so Shepard had decided they should settle in and have a few drinks. "You know Shepard, you have impeccable taste in women even when you're dead," Garrus's mandibles were twitching wildly and Shepard could hear the humour in his voice. "What can I say… I'm irresistible even completely comatose… that's a real handicap for you Vakarian… never gonna pull with me around," Shepard was smiling at her friend as they settled into their usual round of banter. "Well don't get too carried away… you haven't bedded her yet so I'm probably still in with a shot," Shepard turned and gave him a playful punch to the shoulder. "Hey that's the mother of my child you're talking about… well sort of," they settled back down from their laughter as the two women approached the table carrying drinks. "Want to let us in on the amusement," Kasumi asked her eyebrows raised as she sat next to Garrus while Miranda sat next to Shepard. "Oh just catching up with Garrus's woeful performance with the females of any species… poor guy needs dating tips from me and I've been dead for the best part of two years," Shepard raised a glass to Garrus who raised his in salute and said. "Touché, but this… competition is not over." The group spent the next couple of hours relaxing and chatting, it was important for Shepard to study Miranda in an off duty relaxed setting, Shepard really needed to know if or how much she could trust Miranda, and she also wanted to know what Cerberus had hanging over the Doctor's head. Aria T'Loak finally made an appearance and Shepard was summoned to join her, alone, on the balcony that Aria habitually occupied when she was in the club. Shepard stepped inside the almost invisible privacy barrier and found herself looking at Aria's back. "So tell me Shepard what was it like dying," Aria asked her still standing looking out over the crowded dance floor. "You get the prize Aria… the only person so far to ask me that… if you want the honest answer I was angry… felt it wasn't fair it should happen just as I found someone that I loved… then it was painful and frightening... then nothing," Shepard knew she was going to have to fence with Aria but decided to move things along a little more quickly. "Matriarch T'Joan suggested it might be… helpful if I came to Omega and talked to you," Shepard couldn't be sure but there may have been a slight tensing of shoulder… but it could have been her imagination. "Really... and just what do you need from me this time Shepard," Aria had turned around to look her in the eyes while answering. Aria sat down in a familiar pose with her arms along the back of the long bench seats that encircled the space. Shepard sat down and leaned back in her seat studying Aria in a way that the queen of Omega would find both irritating and disrespectful before long. "You know Liara would probably have been dead at least three times over if she hadn't had a guardian angel providing protection for her," Shepard thought she saw T'Loak's eyes narrow slightly. "What has this got to do with me, last time I checked babysitter wasn't on my list of job titles… from what I hear you were the one that… saved her last time… that is when you eventually got around to paying the supposed object of affection some attention." Shepard got the barb but wasn't going to be deflected, "Yeah well my life got a bit complicated after being dead and then being brought back… but I met the instrument of her protection at the Broker base… she seemed familiar to me so I did some digging… seems she works out of Omega and quite often for you." Shepard left her statement hanging but Aria made no comment, she was now completely inscrutable. "My concern is about the motives of anyone who is close enough to Liara both to protect her and… provide her with information that could also get her killed." "Why don't you spit it out Shepard, you think I've been helping poor little lost Liara after her great hero got herself killed… why would I put myself to that trouble, that expense, unless of course you already have a theory," Aria's words were cold as was her stare, Shepard could almost feel something else but couldn't make any sense of whatever it was. "I think there are very few people in the galaxy who could have pulled off that kind of protection and even fewer who would have the support and trust of someone as loyal to the T'Soni family as Matriarch T'Joan is. Why don't we stop shadow boxing Aria, you don't have to kiss and tell but I know your involved somehow, just so we're clear if you put Liara into any danger with the game your…." But Shepard's words were cut off as Aria jumped to her feet and with a biotic pulse from her hand lifted Shepard out of her seat and pinned her to the wall by her throat. "Don't ever think you can threaten me Shepard and don't ever presume you know what my business is… I think you're the one who left Liara in danger and exposed and if it wasn't for the fact that we both know how attached she is to you I would be strongly advising you to keep well away from her," Aria dropped her hands to her side and Shepard crashed to the floor. Shepard focused hard on not gasping for breath or coughing and as smoothly as possible got up off the floor and sat back down, looking across at Aria it was as if the shutters had come down and the previous display of anger was nowhere to be seen. "If there wasn't something going on between you and Liara you wouldn't hesitate to have put out an airlock if I pissed you off as much as it seems I just did, but I'm not looking to piss you off… I need your help. When Liara gets out of the Temple I want the problem with the Shadow Broker to have gone away and that will only happen if I kill him." "I thought you wanted everyone to believe Liara was practically dead, not spending time at the local Temple, what happened to your carefully laid deceptions," Aria was once again relaxed and sitting back in her seat her usual commanding self. "You seem to have a direct line inside the T'Soni inner circle so I won't insult you by pretending we don't both know that. Someone gave Liara information that led her into that trap and it came via Cerberus, I will find out who it was but I can't trust that they will help me with my Broker problem, I have a mission to carry out for them and they won't want me distracted. I'm looking but if you could help me I may have a chance to take him down sooner, we both know it isn't going to be easy tracking down his base." Shepard leaned forward as if to emphasize how important this was. Aria looked as if she was considering what Shepard had said and when she answered her tone was neutral and controlled. "I will provide you with any information that comes into my hands that relates to the Shadow Broker's base, on one condition, that you deal with the problem before Liara leaves the Temple… oh and it really wouldn't matter if the Shadow Brokers prisoner didn't make it out alive," when she finished speaking she touched her bracelet and Shepard felt the privacy barrier drop. Shepard stood up and nodded to the queen of Omega and turned to go but before she left she turned to Aria and said, "I won't allow anyone to hurt Liara or put her in danger." "Unless of course it's you Shepard and you have done both those things on too many occasions," Aria spoke without malice or coldness and if Shepard didn't think that it would be ridiculous she would have said there was an edge of sadness in the parting words from Omega's ice queen. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Arai watched Shepard walk away; it was all she could do not to explode with anger. 'When the fuck did she become an empath… I doubt she knows yet or she would have actually controlled it… fuck… what the hell happened to her…" Aria was doubly frustrated, she had no eyes inside the Temple and no eyes inside Cerberus, but she had to find out how this human had developed a very Asari trait, which was even rare amongst the Asari themselves. She had lost control and Aria never lost control, Shepard had come close without even knowing to uncovering the feelings that were so deeply hidden away inside Aria that sometimes she even forgot she had them. 'I need to know and I need to be better prepared for the next time we meet… you won't catch me out again Shepard,' as Aria finished that thought her second in command joined her and her mind was brought back to the business of running her empire. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx As Shepard walked down the stairs and began making her way back to the others at the table the music throbbed through her body and she felt a powerful urge to hit the dance floor. 'What the hell is happening to you Shepard… your meant to be working and you want to go fucking dancing… you think you can sense what Aria is feeling… did you bang your head somewhere along the way and I missed it… fuckin concentrate on what you're doing.." Shepard's thoughts were laced with anger, Aria's parting shot had hit its mark, it was absolutely true and there wasn't a damn thing Shepard could do about it. "Right you lot are we sober enough to go get our Professor?" Shepard asked when she got back to the table, meeting nods and an immediate shifting of bodies to standing positions she headed for the entrance. When they hit the street Shepard realised how much she was looking forward to what was going to be quite a fight to get to the clinic that the Salarian Doctor Mordin Solus had set up deep inside the quarantine zone in one of the lower habitation rings. "Ok we know there is a plague loose that seems not to affect human's but it's not stopping the Blue Suns and Blood Pack from fighting over territory, so we are likely to get caught in the crossfire and end up fighting both. Sorry Garrus but I'm not prepared to risk you catching this plague so you stay put here." Shepard saw that he was about to argue and to cut him off she gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder and continued, "Look you're too valuable to me to lose you to some bug, suck it up soldier." "Hum well I suppose… but I don't like it," Garrus's voice was quiet but Shepard could hear his concern. Leaving Garrus at the barrier Shepard, Miranda and Kasumi entered the quarantined district guns at the ready.
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