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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:04:54 GMT 1
Chapter 15
Verity and Liara leave the consort's room with the trinket she gave in thanks for helping.
"Where did Williams go?" Shepard asks.
"Oh, I did not see her leave."
"She okay, you think? She's been a bit distant since Sha'li came and went."
"I saw Ashley playing with Sha'li. They bonded so quickly. It was quite beautiful."
"Maybe I should talk with her."
One of the consort's asari greeters calls across as they pass through the reception area.
"Verity? How lovely to see you here!"
Verity winces a little upon hearing the voice, she could never forget this particular asari. She feels a little panic. She hasn't revealed all to Liara regarding her past, particularly not the asari fascination and later realisation. Verity fears it will scare the young doctor off or possibly even disgust her.
"Livia, I... er... how are you?"
"I do hope I did nothing to offend you all that time ago, Verity. Our receptionist told me what you said, but it was still quite disconcerting to see you run from my room so, almost naked."
Liara looks at Shepard and raises an eyebrow with a look of anticipation at the following response. Verity asks herself how this can be happening right now. She's finally found herself, and even found someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with but now this asari who sparked it all might ruin it. She decides on half-truths and mis-direction.
"No, it wasn't your fault, Livia. I'd just been through some stressful times and needed some time alone. I shouldn't have gone, if anything it was my fault. I'm sorry if I frightened you."
"Thank you, Verity. You are most kind."
"Livia, this is my good friend Doctor Liara T'Soni. Liara, this is Livia, she was a masseur when I met her."
"Yes, sometimes I still practice my art for Sha'ira's guests but I offer many more talents now thanks to her. So pleased to meet you, Doctor T'Soni." Livia nods respectfully.
"Hmm, yes." Liara says dismissively. She doesn't like the way this glorified whore says 'Verity'. "We'd better find Ashley and move on, there is still lots to do."
Seeing the opportunity, Shepard agrees.
"Yes, we need to find crewman Williams. Nice to see you again, Livia."
"Please Verity, feel free to make an appointment with Nelyna if you ever feel you want to complete our session."
"Yes, thank you."
Verity is trying to get away, but the asari's cordial manner is making it difficult to do so politely. Finally, she releases them.
"Goodbye, Verity, I hope to see you again."
Grabbing Liara by the elbow, Verity rushes her out of the door. As they exit back to the Presidium commons Liara stops and frowns. Liara is still emotionally young and doesn't like this feeling of jealousy at Livia, but the feeling fuels her mouth.
"What was that all about? Running naked?"
"Oh, er... yea. remember I said about my friend Quinn?"
"Yes."
"Well, for his bachelor party we went for a massage. A real one, mind."
"I see."
"Dumas had not long died and I was still reeling from Akuze and the N7 training."
"Go on."
"So when I was in the small massage room I got panicked and ran."
"Really? That does not sound at all like you. I may have not known you very long Shepard, but I know that you are hiding something. We need to establish trust if we want to eventually act on our feelings. I thought we already had trust, but now?"
"Please Liara."
"This is not the place to continue this conversation. I will meet you back on the Normandy, I need some time alone to think."
Liara needed to get away. She doesn't like this horrible feeling or the horrible things she feels like saying. She doesn't want this feeling to control her and decided it would be best if she just left.
Ashley had seen her chance to break away from Shepard and Liara when they returned to the consort's chambers. She just couldn't leave this one alone, she needed answers and even more, she needed to help.
"Ah, one of Commander Shepard's crew, I believe."
"Save it Barla, I just need information."
"Oh, we are the confrontative one, aren't we?"
"Asari ship, attacked by Batarians, Fortuna, Horse Head Nebula, I need to know where they took the passengers and if they're still alive."
"That's quite a request, human."
"Gunnery Chief Williams."
"Quite. As I said, that's quite a request."
Ashley slams her palms on his desk and leans over the round, short Volus, "I know you can find out from your friend the Shadow Broker."
"It will not be cheap, human." Barla responds aggressively.
"That's not a problem. Active in the fleet, I've got nothing to spend my wages on anyway. Whatever it costs, I want that information."
"It will take time. Leave it with me, I will contact you if the information is available. We will arrange the price then, if you can afford it."
"Good."
"Nice doing business... oh."
Ashley has left before he can finish.
When Ashley recalls the little asari girl crying out for her aunt, it tears right through her heart. It was the only time Sha'li had spoken during her encounter with the Normandy crew. Her aunt obviously meant a great deal to her, and to see a close relative torn away by slavers must have been a horrific sight for one so young. Ashley wants nothing more than to re-unite them. She doesn't care that it might cost her all her savings, it would be worth every credit to bring some joy to Sha'li and she is almost looking forward to exacting revenge on the slavers. These are the type of scum that also attacked human colonies. Yes, they deserve all that they are going to get.
"Where did you go?" Shepard asks Ashley. They've met back up at the Normandy's docking area.
"I just needed a little time, the Presidium's a good place to reflect, you know?"
"Are you okay? You've been a little distant since..."
"I'm fine, Commander." Ashley interrupts. "I'm always ready for action."
"That's not what I mean, Ash."
"Really, Shepard, I'm fine. Come on, let's get back aboard."
Verity knows there is more to this, but lets it lie for now.
Ashley heads to the hangar bay on the Normandy to find a message on her console. She sees the name of the sender, but doesn't recognise it. Despite this, she excitedly knows exactly who it is from.
"Dear Gunnery Chief Williams, I cannot thank you enough for rescuing my sweet Sha'li, I know I can never return the favour. I said as much at the time, but I feel I must say it again. The goddess bless you, thank you. Please find attached an audio log and picture from Sha'li. Forever in your debt, Muthea Cha'se."
Ashley brings up the image. It is a typical child's drawing, crudely attempting to capture the Chief. Her hair is a lot more wild than her usual preferred bun. No matter the naivety of the drawing, it melts her heart. It is, in Ashley's mind, a masterpiece. She presses on the audio log.
"Thank you Ashey." a little voice says, almost singing.
Her mother prompts with an audible whisper, "Gunnery Chief Williams."
"Gunny Sheef Willums. I love you! Bye bye."
Ashley feels a warmth over herself, touched by this young voice. She wants to share what her special friend has done for her, but feels a little embarrassed by her feelings. Using the asari connection as an excuse, she heads to the medical bay and through to Liara's room.
"Gunnery Chief." Liara nods.
"I got a message from Sha'li, I thought you might be interested."
"Oh Ashley yes, thank you, that is so thoughtful."
"Yea, well..."
A cross between a laugh and "Awww." comes from Liara's mouth as she sees the picture and hears the message. She sees the look on Ashley's face re-listening to the lovely message and smiles.
"She really touched you."
Ashley shuffles her feet a little while looking at the ground. She doesn't want to express her feelings, it's not her style and she's not sure if she could without getting over-emotional. But she has something she feels she must say.
"Liara, I know I give you a hard time sometimes. I tease you and stuff but I want you to know, I wouldn't do that with anyone I didn't like, you know?"
"I know Ashley. You don't need to say it."
"I do though. I know I come off as the gung-ho alien killer but I'm a marine, that's what we do, it's just bravado. I don't hate aliens as much as I don't hate anyone I don't know. I'm glad you're part of the team, it doesn't matter that you're asari."
"Thank you, Ashley, that means a lot to me. I understand your guarded demeanour, humans have not had an easy time integrating into the galactic society. The First Contact War was terrible and the Council's attitude has not helped. That the humans' wish for positive change is far quicker than the other species can handle is admirable. I should not have to say it but I know you do not wish harm on those who do not deserve it, Ashley."
Ashley shuffles her feet a little more before Liara hugs her, just two comrades expressing friendship.
"I know what we should do!" Liara exclaims.
A few chats on the comms and the whole squad is assembled in the shuttle bay.
"C'mon people," Engineer Adams says, "bunch up."
Verity puts her arms around Ashley and Liara, flanked by the rest of the squad. Doctor Chakwas can't resist joining in as well, any chance for socializing and frivolity.
"Here we go!"
Wrex flexes and lets out a battle cry for the picture which Adams takes on his omni-tool. He brings up a preview.
"Yup, gorgeous as ever."
"Whatever, Wrex."
"Maybe one day Garrus, when you have enough battle scars, you'll be as beautiful as me."
"I don't plan on attracting Krogan females."
Wrex lets out a hardy laugh.
"Thanks everyone." Ashley says before reviewing the image. "Aw, she'll love this, thanks, really. Great idea, Liara."
The crew return to their stations, buoyed by the break in routine. When just Liara and Verity remain, Liara says, "We need to talk."
"Yea." Verity's shoulders slump a little and they head to her quarters.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:05:43 GMT 1
Chapter 16
Verity sits on her bed while Liara stands with her arms crossed. Shepard allows her to start the conversation.
"I sat on the Presidium to think and I was not fair. I cannot expect that you did not have any life before I met you. I am not used to... this. Any of it. I cannot demand to know everything about your life."
Liara is a woman of science and logic and finds it unacceptable that she had lost control. She'd spent time on the Presidium considering her feelings and couldn't stand that she had no control over them. She wanted to overcome her primal feelings but realised that she couldn't completely, though that doesn't mean that she must obey them. She wants control back.
"Liara, I have to explain."
"No, you do not."
"It's not what you think."
Liara is intrigued now and lets her curiosity get the better of her.
"How so?"
Shepard proceeds to explain her life and her confusion. The bullying on Mindoir, the Serrice Council vids, the blue dye incident, the attack on her colony, her difficulties at the biotic facility, Captain Dumas, Ethan, the asari diplomat, leading finally to Quinn, and Livia. She explains that she found that she did not have those kinds of feelings for humans, that she thought she was gay for a while, but while closer to the truth even that wasn't the case. Finally she admits that she seems only to be able to relate in that way to asari. It stuns Liara a little.
"Oh... er... I see." The fear kicks in again for Liara, "So you only want me because I am asari?"
"No. That's not fair. Does a straight woman want a man purely because he's the right gender? No. It's because they feel for each other beyond their primal urges."
"I see."
"I love YOU, Liara, not the asari."
"So what if you find a more attractive asari?"
"That's the fear no matter who you have a relationship with, but I don't believe there can be anyone else for me. Liara, you're intelligent, beautiful, caring, charming, I can keep going if you like."
"Try me." Liara teases.
"Sweet, adorable, sexy, I know that there can't be anyone else for me, we've only known each other a short time but I love you Liara. Nothing will change that."
Her words touch Liara deeply. No-one has ever declared such words to her. The provocative tone and look Verity gave her when she said "sexy" surprised the young asari a little, no-one has looked at her with that in their eyes before. It wasn't sleazy like the eyes of the crowd in the Afterlife club, it was filled with honest desire. She sits next to Verity.
"I wish you had told me earlier, it must have been so hard growing up with this."
"I'd spent my life like in a confusing fog, I didn't even realise until my encounter with Livia."
Liara's dark thoughts get the better of her again.
"So you did have feelings for her?"
"No! It's hard to explain. It took me by surprise at the time. As I said, I hadn't even realised until then that my er... orientation is what it is. I understand your feelings about this though, it's hard to imagine your love with someone else."
"So you were with her?"
"Liara!"
"I am sorry, I cannot get her over-familiar words out of my head."
"Are you... jealous?"
"Yes, yes I am. I am new to all this. You are the first person of any species I have had these feelings for and I feel betrayed already."
"Oh Liara, nothing happened."
"Well, I will trust you. I must. I am not going to pretend that this is nothing but I do understand. Please, you must have known this was big, do not ever hide something like this from me again."
"I was afraid. Afraid that this would scare you off. And I was almost right."
"That's not fair, it is not that you feel the way that you do, but that you kept it from me."
The jealous feeling still gnaws at Liara a little, but has been abated somewhat by Verity's words. The young doctor slips her hand into Shepard's and they just sit in silence for a while. Verity places her head on Liara's shoulder, feeling the warmth from her body.
"Are we okay?"
"We will be. And I am sorry for being so unfair, I let my jealousy get the better of me. From what you have just explained, this is all quite new and scary for you too. More so even."
Liara puts her arm around Verity, who in turn wraps her arms around her waist to cuddle her. Both would agree, it feels warm, comforting, wonderful, unlike any they'd experienced before. Liara kisses Verity on the forehead and strokes her arm, causing a humming sound of satisfaction from her.
They were diverted from heading to Noveria by the asari ship incident and Sha'li's visit but this must be their next destination. Liara's apprehension is understandable but Verity fears that if Benezia is in too deep with Saren, they might be forced to kill her. How this is going to affect Liara and their blossoming relationship is her main concern. She fears that it might drive a wedge between them. With the fate of the galaxy at risk it seems selfish and trivial but such things never truly are.
Eventually, duty calls and Shepard squeezes Liara a little tighter before releasing the hug and standing.
"We have to get to Noveria."
"Yes..." Liara resigns, knowing what this might mean.
Verity passes Kaidan on her way to the command deck. He'd expressed some interest in the commander in previous conversations, but she'd done nothing to encourage it. She likes Kaidan, but as a good team member and person, and he'd has similar difficulties with his biotic training just as she had, worse even. Verity hopes it doesn't become an issue, she could do without any more complications to her new relationship.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:11:30 GMT 1
Chapter 17
Before their mission is back on track, Ashley has asked to speak with Liara and Verity. They meet in the Commander's quarters.
"What's this all about, Chief?" Shepard asks.
"When we were on the Presidium, I spoke with Barla Von. He's provided me with the details of where the Batarian raiders took the asari passengers."
"You did what? Why?"
"I wanted to save the passengers. I'm sorry I went behind your back but I didn't want to say anything until I had something solid."
"Chief?" Verity prompts, knowing there is more to this.
Ashley's bottom lip quivers a little.
"I... oh man... I want Sha'li to have her Auntie Mo-Mo back."
It sounds stupid to her when she says it, but it doesn't stop her tears.
"Oh Ashley."
Liara rubs Ashley's shoulder to comfort her.
"The information from the Shadow Broker cost me nearly all my savings but I want to do this for Sha'li, I have to." Ashley regains some composure.
"I can reclaim the money for that from the Council, being a Spectre does have its perks."
"The money doesn't matter. I asked you here because I can't do this alone. I'd also need permission from you to pursue this."
"We can help. Where are they?"
"There's apparently a holding ship in the Chomos system. They're keeping the asari there, no doubt along with other captives. We'd be saving a hell of a lot of people by the sound of it, Commander. I already have some information. It's not heavily fortified, they only have a dozen or so mercs on duty at any time. The ship isn't military class, so there won't be any need for any ship to ship fire fights. It sounds like we'd have little trouble against them. The initial board might be a little intense, they'll know we're coming."
"Okay Chief, we can drop into Chomos and check it out. We're in the Terminus Systems anyway. Our stealth systems will give us the opportunity to scope out the dangers."
"I would like to help, if you will let me Ashley." Liara says.
"Of course, if that's okay with the Commander, I know this means a lot to you too. And thanks Shepard, this means so much to me."
"I know, Ash. I think we can all help."
Shepard assembles the squad and Joker in the meeting room to explain what they are doing in The Phoenix Massing cluster. All are quite supportive of the mission. She'd already contacted Admiral Hackett for clearance that they can pursue the venture. Hackett understood that these were innocents and only the Normandy could successfully perform the task. He advised that once the slaver ship was clear of hostiles, he would send an Alliance craft to collect them. Hackett also congratulated Shepard and thanked her for her compassion, something that can be lacking in some Commanders.
While the opposition are not in great numbers, Shepard has decided that it would be better to go in heavy handed to lessen the chance of any casualties. This isn't their main mission and she doesn't want that compromised by this with fallen squad members if they are overwhelmed. It is decided that they will form two squads, one of Shepard, Liara and Ashley, the other Wrex and Garrus with Kaidan as squad leader. Tali will provide support if needed. They have the layout of the Batarian ship and plan out the assault. Once agreed, the squad go to prepare their gear.
Joker drops out of FTL just before the Chomos system's outer limit and checks his scanners. There is a ship orbiting the outer planet of Lattesh. He brings the ship into orbit on the opposite side of the planet, avoiding a visual sighting from the Batarian craft.
"In position, Commander. Looks like we're undetected." he reports.
"Good job, Joker. We're ready. Do it."
Joker accelerates the Normandy to approach the Batarian ship from behind. The squad awaits around the entrance to the airlock.
"In visual range."
There are various clicks and hums as the squad ready their preferred weapons. They hear the sound of the Normandy's weapons fire.
"Engines disabled. Approaching to board."
Once the green light glows, Shepard looks at the squad.
"Be ready, they'll know we're coming now."
"Good. No cat and mouse." Wrex declares.
"Let's shoot us some bad guys." Garrus concurs.
Shepard hovers her hand over the door release and nods to Liara. Liara puts up a barrier to surround the first team and Shepard hits the button. As soon as the door opens weapons fire pings off the barrier. Realising the ineffectiveness of their attack, the Batarians pause for a moment in cover.
"Go, go, go!"
Shepard, Liara and Ashley run to the cover of storage crates while the second group move up to the doorway, Kaidan putting up a barrier to protect them. Liara and Verity throw out a singularity each to draw the enemy out of their cover. With a singularity at each side of the small cargo area, the Batarians float above the crates. Shepard fires her pistol at the floaters, joined by Liara and Ashley. The initial threat subdued, the second team move up as the first moves through the area checking for further threats.
"Clear." they shout as each finds no more Batarians.
"Next area." the Commander orders.
She opens the door to a short corridor to the door of a larger cargo area, as predicted by Ashley's information. Waiting until both teams are present, she opens the door. Directly in front is a stack of crates, creating immediate cover. They hear the Batarians shout orders at each other from deeper within. There is definitely fear in their voices. The two groups split, Shepard's heads left, Kaidan's right. The Batarians are not competent combatants and don't even wear armour. They stupidly allow themselves to be clear shots out of cover and fall easily and quickly to the experienced squad.
The group meets back up at the far end of the bay, heading towards the cockpit. Shepard opens the door to find a Batarian with his arms up and hands open. She looks at him. Her face turns red and the old feral look appears in her eyes. She steps forward and smashes his face with the butt of her pistol, putting him to the floor.
"Aagh, what the fuck?" the Batarian responds, holding his bloodied face.
Liara is concerned by this vicious act.
"Shepard?"
"I'm the captain, I'm unarmed. Please."
The Batarian attempts to stand only to be kicked back down by Verity.
"I didn't say you can get up."
In her rage, she doesn't hear Liara the first time.
"Shepard! What are you doing?"
Verity knows this Batarian, it's a face she cannot forget. The event replays in her mind.
Batarian slavers running amok through the colony, killing anyone who opposes them, dragging helpless children into cages. Hannah and Verity were hiding in their home when the door opened, still in shock at the death of Charles Shepard. Straight away, one of them rushes to her and drags the terrified young Verity by her hair. Hannah screams hysterically, "Please no! Not my baby!", she is pushed to the floor. Her maternal instincts kick in as she stands and reaches towards Verity to grab and pull her back. Another Batarian casually shoots Hannah in her face. Verity sees her fall instantly to the ground, her mother's face completely destroyed, an unrecognisable mess of blood and bone. He even laughs at his action.
"Mommy!" Verity screams as she is dragged to one of the cages.
It was this Batarian, now pleading for his life, who had killed her mother. Verity points her pistol at his face and fires without pause or hesitation.
"That's for my mom and dad. Sweep the ship for survivors." she coldly orders and walks away towards the bay back to the Normandy.
"Commander? Shepard? Verity?" Liara calls after her and following. Seeing that Verity isn't listening to her, she reluctantly gives up and returns to the group.
Verity doesn't want Liara to see this side of her. She hasn't seen it herself in a decade or so. She's completely lost control and just wants to get out of here.
"Commander? Are we..." Tali says as she passes her in the airlock. The Commander walks straight past her without a word or a look.
"Modenia? Modenia?" Ashley asks each of the asari as they are released from their cages in side cargo areas. One points to a cage, the occupant looking even more dejected than the rest. Ashley goes over to this cage and opens it, offering her hand.
"Modenia?" she asks.
The asari looks up at her, bruises on her face and arms.
"Are you here to rescue us? Did you find Sha'li? Please tell me you did or leave me here to die."
"She's safe with her parents, she misses you."
"Oh goddess, thank you." the asari breaks down.
Verity heads straight to her quarters, tears off her armour and stares at herself naked in the mirror, breathing heavily and still red with rage. Is this why you joined the Alliance? she asks herself. She picks up her pistol and briefly holds it to her head with a deep held breath, then throws it across the room with her long loud exhale. Is this what Dumas taught you? She punches and cracks the mirror, injuring her hand. Shooting an unarmed man in the face? She looks at the blood on her knuckles and follows with a scream and a volley of punches into the already broken glass until she's only hitting the board behind. Would your parents be proud of your callous revenge? She falls to the floor into the foetal position not even noticing she is lying in the glass, painfully sobbing and blood pouring from her hand.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:14:35 GMT 1
Chapter 18
"Well, at least there's no broken bones. I've lessened the swelling and bruising, but the stitches will need to stay in for a few days."
"It shouldn't affect my firing finger at least." Verity replies, dressing herself.
"I'm more concerned about your mental well being. Don't hate yourself for this, what's done is done."
Doctor Chakwas is seeing to Verity's hand in the med bay and she is forced to explain the wound. She'd heard the awful sounds from the Commander's quarters and investigated. She'd found Verity curled up on the floor among the broken mirror, clutching her wounded hand.
"I'm an Alliance officer, I should know better. Ironic that Hackett had just showered me with praise for my 'compassion', Yea! Thanks! I just shot an unarmed guy in the face."
"No-body's perfect, Shepard, your rage at this murderer is understandable. You're a Spectre, you don't need to justify this. It's not ideal I know but you need to stay focussed. If I thought this had broken you, I'd put a recommendation in to relieve you of duty. If you feel this way again, please, come and see me rather than taking it out on mirrors. Or even if you just want to chat, I'm here."
"Thanks doc. I'll be okay."
"You wouldn't be leaving if I didn't agree." the doctor smiles. She knows that the Commander understands exactly what she means. Much of officer training is coping with and recognising stress in your squad. Often on Alliance ships a more independent crew member would keep track of the commanding officer's stress levels, such as the ship's doctor.
The squad is beginning to return to the Normandy. Verity tries to cover her damaged hand with the other when Liara walks into the med bay and Chakwas leaves them to be alone. Shepard doesn't hide the wound well.
"Your hand! Shepard, what happened?"
"I er... lost control. I shouldn't have shot him, I know."
"But your hand, goddess, it looks awful."
"I was stupid, I took it out on my mirror. That was the bastard who shot my mother. I couldn't control myself and let my rage take over. I'm sorry if I scared you."
"Oh Shepard, that's terrible."
"I saw him do it, he laughed. I had mom's lifeless body and his laughing face in my mind and couldn't control what I wanted to do to him. He was technically a prisoner, he was unarmed, he should have been handed over to the authorities."
Liara kneels in front of the seated Commander and places her head on her lap, putting her arms around her.
"Watching your mother murdered before your eyes must be a horrible thing for a child and to find the one responsible, I cannot imagine the pain Shepard. I will not judge."
They'd been sidetracked once again by these events, but her words remind Verity of Benezia. She hopes that Liara doesn't have to suffer this horror as she strokes her back.
"I'm frightened Shepard..."
"What of?"
"Frightened that my mother has become a monster. We never parted on really good terms, I don't want to lose her without saying goodbye. I hope to see that loving look in her eyes, I have missed her all these years."
"Where Saren is concerned, I don't think we can count anything out. But I hope so too Liara, I really do."
"And her followers."
"What about them?"
"They were like my aunts when I was very young, they were so loving to me. But they will stop at nothing if they have to protect her."
"Oh Liara, you don't have to come to Noveria."
Liara straightens to look Verity in the eyes.
"No, I do. I want to know that my mother's life is safe, that no-one will misunderstand her. If she is wholly corrupted by Saren, then we must do what we must do for the safety of the galaxy. But I want to be able to make that call."
"Okay, only if you're sure."
"I am."
"I should tour the crew, let them know I'm alright."
"Of course."
First, Kaidan.
"You had me worried there, ma'am. I know what it's like to lose it like that. I presume he's the one that er..."
"Yea, I saw him do it right in front of me. I'll be okay though."
"Good."
When she gets to Garrus, she is a little surprised by his words.
"After everything you've said to me about process and justice, you shoot that Batarian in the face."
"Garrus, please. I know! I lost it, I watched him shoot my mother. This doesn't mean I don't still believe that process and justice is the right way."
"I can understand why you did it. I'd do exactly the same if anyone had harmed my parents."
"I'm in no position to argue with you this time Garrus."
Ashley.
"Chief."
"Commander. Permission to speak freely, ma'am."
"Always, Chief."
"Don't feel bad, that Batarian bastard deserved it. Ma'am."
"It's not that simple, Chief, but I did what I did. I just wanted you to know that I'm okay, ready for action."
"I wouldn't doubt it, Shepard. And we found Aunt Modenia. She's still shook up but she'll be fine." Ashley beams.
"That's great, Ash, nice work."
Wrex isn't apologetic at all.
"Well done! Ha! That showed those pirate bastards who's boss! Whatever is left of that band will think twice before kidnapping anyone else. We're all ready for this Shepard, just say the word."
"Thanks Wrex and for what it's worth, I'm okay."
He slaps her on the shoulder.
"Ha! Of course you are. It's good to kill someone who deserves it. Oooh, your hand looks bad. I've got my share of scars taking my anger out on inanimate objects, ha ha!"
She moves on through to engineering.
"Shepard." Tali says.
"Sorry about earlier."
"They said you shot the captain. I suppose he deserved it then."
"No, not really."
"Then you must have had your reasons."
"I suppose, but that doesn't make it justified."
"Not everything can be, I still trust you Shepard."
Everyone's understanding helps her. It heals the inner wounds a little. She heads to the CIC, steps up to the galaxy map and sets the co-ordinates: Noveria.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:16:07 GMT 1
Chapter 19
"Please. I... Don't leave. Fight him!"
Liara's desperate pleads to her mother as Benezia fights the mind control are painful for Verity and Ashley to hear. Benezia has been lucid for the last few moments and given Shepard the information she needs. She pleaded with Shepard to stop her, she knows she can't keep this up for long. Benezia had explained how Saren and his ship are able to control minds, bend their will to his desires, eventually completely and absolutely.
"You've always made me proud, Liara." Benezia says as she turns her back.
Liara had her wish that she would see her real mother again but she ignores the following word as that of Benezia.
"Die." the Matriarch says with no emotion, turning back around and charging up her biotics.
Liara must help kill her, she knows. She points and shoots her pistol, aiming at but not thinking about the target. A few more asari and geth run towards the group along the gangway. Liara captures some in a singularity and Shepard detonates it with her warp, scattering the rest. They return their focus to Benezia. Liara only fires a few more shots and her mother is down, but not yet dead.
The group rushes forward, the Matriarch just able to stand and lucid once more in her dying state. Shepard offers medical assistance but Benezia refuses, explaining that she can never be free of Saren's will, then falls.
"Mother!"
"Good night, little wing, I will see you again with the dawn... No light... they always said there would be a..." Benezia falls still with a final exhale.
Liara can't look any longer. Her mother had had the strength to break the hold long enough to help and long enough to be her mother again, if only for a brief moment. She isn't sure if her mother's dying words are significant, it doesn't matter. She knows she needs to stay focussed but it's not easy for the young doctor. Benezia had died in a lucid state away from Saren's control, as her mother. It was terrible for her to see.
When the rachni queen pleads for lenience, Liara tries to guide Verity towards mercy, conscious of her recent callousness. Ashley's mistrust raises it's ugly head as she reminds that the rachni wreaked untold damage on the galaxy and deserve to be wiped out. Neither viewpoint needs to be considered by Verity, she's already decided. She feels she must atone for her dark actions against the Batarian and releases the rachni queen.
After purging the hot labs of rachni soldiers at the request of the queen, they return to the Normandy. After a squad debrief and communication with the Council, Verity heads to check on Liara.
Liara claims to be fine, philosophically explaining that the person they killed wasn't Benezia so she can deal with that. She'll just remember what a beautiful and wise mother she had. Verity tries to coax her feelings out but Liara is adamant. They chat a little about the asari then Verity leaves to finish reports.
It's late. The Normandy crew tries to keep a day/night cycle for continuity, lowering the lighting in the quarters area during night time hours. Verity is almost asleep in her bed but is stirred when her door opens. Liara enters looking like a lost child with wide eyes of fear, holding her hands to her chest, wearing only her underwear. Shepard jumps out of bed.
"Liara?"
Liara steps slowly to Shepard.
"Hold me." she whimpers.
Verity takes Liara in a hug at which point she bursts into tears.
"Oh Liara."
"I know. I said I was fine but... I thought I was fine... I..."
"It's okay, it's okay."
"If not for you, I would be alone now."
"You don't have any more relatives?"
"Oh an aunt and a few cousins but we were never really close. I am so glad I found you Shepard, or rather, that you found me. And it is better that I was there, I would spend the rest of my life wondering if it had been necessary otherwise. I know that it was."
Liara steps out of the hug and shakes her body down a little with a big sigh.
"That doesn't make it any easier though, Liara."
"No, it does not. When she was lucid she was my mother again, that was really difficult. But I will be okay, honestly."
"I wish I had your strength."
Liara lets out a slightly sarcastic laugh.
"Is that a human joke?"
"I wish it was, Liara, I wish it was."
They sleep together, just holding each other for comfort. They both need it badly. They are still not truly a couple but simply holding each other like this is more than either could ask for. Right now, they don't need any more.
Liara wakes and reaches out for Verity. Finding no-one there she looks around the room then at the clock. Shepard has evidently already got up and started her shift. Liara looks across at the broken mirror.
"Tsk! Verity, you silly girl. Hmmm, breakfast calls." she says to herself as she rubs her empty feeling belly.
She gets out of bed looking for her clothes then slaps herself on the forehead, remembering she came in only her underwear. Hiding around the corner, she opens the door and pops her head out to see if anyone is around. She doesn't see anyone immediately and makes a break for it. She gets no further than a few yards when she catches Kaidan's figure out of the corner of her eye then looks at him. Seeing her, he turns his head away. At first she thinks he is just looking away politely due to her undress, but it seems like more when she thinks further. She looks back and he almost looks a little angry. She doesn't stop and makes her way past Chakwas nonchalantly, acting as though this is perfectly normal.
"Good morning, Doctor." she says on the way past.
"Liara." the doctor nods. Like a lot of the crew, Chakwas is aware of the blossoming love and has also noted Liara's shy and reserved nature so says nothing to make the young asari feel uncomfortable. As Liara dresses herself in the back room, the doctor shouts through.
"I'm just going to see Yeoman Ramsbottom to find out what's left for breakfast, do you want anything?"
Liara has come to like human food, particularly the fatty types like a good fried breakfast the yeoman makes. She pops her head out of the door.
"Ooh, yes please. Some bacon, sausage, whatever eggs are available but preferably scrambled and some tomatoes." she says enthusiastically.
"Anything else?" the doctor jokes, but it goes over Liara's head.
"Oh, fried bread if there is any."
The doctor passes through the doorway out of the med bay shaking her head when Liara shouts after.
"Or toast! And tea!"
The doctor returns a few minutes later with a heavily laden tray of greasy goodness, save for her own grapefruit and poached egg on dry toast.
"No scrambled, but I got you two fried."
"Mmmmm." Liara smacks her lips.
They eat together in the back room, seated at the long desk.
"Try breathing."
"Mmm? Mu-cher mnman grun." Liara replies, her mouth full of food.
"You'll give yourself indigestion like that. I must say Liara, you can't half pack it away."
"I need to keep my strength up for my biotics, I need a lot of calories."
"Calories are one thing, my dear, but when you get to my age, figuratively speaking of course, you'll wish you'd chosen a healthier diet." She prods Liara's waist. "All that fat's got to go somewhere."
Liara gasps a little as she swallows another large mouthful down.
"But you have a lovely figure, doctor, and not just for your age."
Liara dips the sizeable pieces of sausage and fried bread on her fork into the egg yolk and stuffs it into her now greasy mouth. She chews excitedly at the flavour with noises of satisfaction, slightly bobbing up and down in her chair.
"Thank you, but it's painful exercising every day I'm afraid as I cannot resist the odd bacon roll or a few beers to watch skyball. A moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips. And that's centuries for you, my girl."
"Yes, but goddess, a fry up tastes good." Liara says with a cheeky grin.
A quizzical look comes across Chakwas' face.
"Come to think of it... I don't think I've ever seen an overweight asari. Hmmm! Maybe you're right. Anyway, I'm glad to see you in high spirits Liara. You've been through a lot."
"Shepard helps me. I think we help each other really."
"Yes. I'm glad she has you to comfort her. I know it feels impossible right now but you two are wonderful together, I pray that there's some light at the end of the tunnel for you. Keep her safe, Liara, god knows she's been through a lot."
Liara pauses from her gluttony for a moment and just stares at her plate.
"I am still worried about her, I do not know if she is truly over all this."
"Oh, dear." Chakwas sees Liara's pain and strokes her shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine, particularly with you to look after her."
Liara smiles at the doctor, a little egg yolk has joined the grease on her mouth, then glugs from her mug of tea spilling a little out of the sides, now dribbling either side of her chin.
"You are a messy eater." the doctor playfully scolds.
This is why Doctor Chakwas is a medical officer aboard military craft. Good people, young and at the height of their powers, discovering the galaxy and themselves amidst good times and hardships. When it's good it's uplifting, but when it's hard, it's heartbreaking. It's what makes people and creates heroes and she's at the heart of it dispensing good will along with medical care. She loves her life in the fleet, Chakwas can't imagine doing anything else, nor would she want to.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:19:22 GMT 1
Chapter 20
Another trip to the Citadel and more come to Shepard for assistance. She does enjoy helping people, seeing the joy or closure in their eyes as she brings them the news that they have been waiting for. They've returned to the Flux club to see that Jenna has arrived safely after she quit the seedy Chora's Den gentleman's club where she'd been dangerously working undercover for C-Sec.
Jenna's sister, Rita, is less happy about her return than Shepard would have expected. It seems that Jenna knows how to work the punters well, gaining more tips and attention than her sister. But Verity is sure they'll be fine.
As they walk towards the exit, Verity grabs Liara by the hands and pulls her towards the dance floor with a grin while Tali looks on.
"C'mon, T'Soni, let's see those moves."
As they reach the dance floor, Verity just tries to keep time with her feet, her awkward arms flailing, like a drunk parent at a social event. Liara seductively pushes her arms out towards Verity, turning her head dramatically, swinging her hips to the music's beat. She glides back and forth, her body flowing and beautiful. Verity is quite taken aback by the fluidity and style with which Liara moves. Tali laughs from the sidelines and claps a little, partly at the spectacle of the asari's smooth moves, a little at how badly Verity awkwardly stamps about. They laugh as they leave the floor.
"Where did you learn to dance like that, Liara? It was great!" Tali says.
"Oh er... I will tell you about that some time."
"Tease." Verity whispers over her shoulder as she grabs her around the waist from behind. Liara laughs a little at the ignorant accuracy of her comment as she wriggles free of her grip.
"Okay, let's get over to the markets, see if anything new is in."
The merchant Morlan promises many great things, and indeed, upon checking his stock he has a suit of Quarian Colossus X armour, top of the line stuff. All the salvaging of equipment on their various missions has swelled the Normandy's coffers and Shepard doesn't hesitate in purchasing it for Tali.
"Do you have any idea the resources we'd have to pool back home to get something like this? Just its optimized environmental system would be envied back on the fleet, never mind the advanced armour and shields. This is amazing, Shepard."
"Got to keep my squad safe, Tali."
"Between this and the Spectre issue shotgun, I feel pretty invincible now!"
"It's just a shame that the best thing I can buy my friends right now is better weapons and armour. That said, we could still do with some better shield mods, but yea, we're pretty good to go. Just remember, you're not actually invincible."
"It's alright, I have Chiktikka to protect me."
"Err... who?"
"Oh, just a friend. You'll meet her eventually."
"Ooookay, you two head back, I have to see Anderson."
"I was going to meet Ashley at the Cha'se's."
"That'll be nice, say hello to Sha'li for me."
"I'll go watch the ships for a while."
Tali and Liara head off together while Shepard heads to the embassies.
Verity thinks young Tali is quite cute and quirky. She wonders if it's because of all the time spent studying AI's and ships. She ponders that possibly all Quarians are a little eccentric, just slightly offset from the norm. Tali is the first Quarian she's got to know well and their enjoyable chats had revealed the history of her species and the geth, and the young Admiral's daughter's past. She'd been a little home sick at first aboard the Normandy but Verity helped her realise that maybe that's part of The Pilgrimage's point. Remembering the fleet and what it means to Tali seemed to perk her up a little and had also brought a smile to Shepard's face.
"Good work, Shepard." Ambassador Udina says upon on her arrival at the human embassy. "Saving those asari and killing those slavers really helped our position in Citadel politics. Shows we're willing to do what it takes, no matter the cost. Keep it up! Anderson, I'll see you in my office later."
"Yes, Ambassador."
They wait until he has left before shaking hands.
"Shepard."
"Anderson."
"I saw the report on the assault on the slaver ship. Nasty business. The one who killed your mom, eh? That's pretty rough. I'd do the same."
"It didn't feel right. I did it for the wrong reasons."
"No! You did it for the right reasons! I bet the part of you that saw your family killed would do anything to get back at the one who did it. Don't dwell on this Shepard, we need you frosty."
"I'm okay."
"Good! Now, our business..."
"Did you manage to get one?"
"You have no idea how many favours I had to call in for this. What's the occasion?"
"Oh nothing really."
He hands her a white square, deep, cardboard box.
"Just a treat eh? Well. Enjoy." he grins.
Liara arrives at the Cha'se residence to see Ashley squatted to eye level with Sha'li, who is clutching a scale model of the Normandy. Sha'li had been much more relaxed this time, playing and showing Ashley this toy or that dress. Ashley was a little uncomfortable by the reserved nature of the adults, politely drinking herbal infusions and making idle chat. There's nothing wrong with Modenia and Muthea, but afternoon tea just isn't her scene. It was nice to see her interaction with Modenia and why she'd miss her loving aunt so much. Ashley has also quickly become 'Auntie Ashey' to Sha'li.
Liara approaches the pair.
"Hello there! Ooh, that is a nice model." she says to Sha'li.
"Thank you. It is a present from Auntie Ashey." the little asari replies.
"You are a lucky girl."
She gives Ashley a little smile at being called 'Auntie Ashey'.
"You remember Liara don't you?" Ashley prompts.
Sha'li nods, a little shy and embarrassed remembering crying so when Liara tried to help her. Ashley pulls Sha'li into a hug.
"I have to go now."
"Back to your ship?" Sha'li says looking at the model in her hand.
"Yes, back to the Normandy."
"Okay. Bye bye, Auntie Ashey." Sha'li says a little sadly.
"Bye, honey. Be good. I'll write when I can." Ashley stands and strokes her head a little.
Liara smiles and waves just with her fingers, causing the young asari to giggle slightly.
"Bye bye, Sha'li."
"Bye bye, Liara."
"Where DID you learn to dance like that, Liara? I was really impressed." Verity says.
Liara smiles as she thinks about her time with Aria. The two are just relaxing in Verity's room, lying back on the bed.
"Oh... an old friend. She helped me when I was younger, looked after me. She was very tough, I think you would like her. One drunken night in her apartment, she taught me how to dance like the exotic dancers in her club."
"Clubs? Exotic dancers? Drunken nights? I like where this is going!"
"I won't go into the details but basically she taught me how to dance, drink and shoot a pistol."
"Oh I want details. And she sounds like my kind of woman."
"Haha, probably more than you think. She was a powerfully attractive asari."
"Do you find asari attractive?"
"I know beauty when I see it."
Liara gives a suggestive look over her shoulder at Verity.
"So what happened?"
Liara shakes her head.
"Aah! It's embarrassing."
"Oh you so have to tell me now."
"Well... I was very drunk mind, but we went from her apartment to her nightclub in our underwear and umm... I danced on a podium with her for the crowd." she grins.
"Hahahahaha, really? Hahaha, you? Wait, wait, wait. You. The reserved Doctor Liara T'Soni, graduate of the University of Serrice, prothean expert and all round good egg, podium danced in your underwear? In a night club?"
The smile drops a little from Liara's face.
"Yes, as I said, I was very drunk and it was only the once. Are you making fun of me?"
"Oh come on, it's funny."
"It was fun at the time. I made ten thousand credits in tips and bought my first pistol with it." Liara says with pride. Probably misplaced she thinks as soon as she says it.
"And here I am out on the Citadel, hawking old weapons to make ends meet, when you could just do a few nights in Chora's Den and kit out the fleet?"
"Shepard! Don't be mean."
"Well one day T'Soni, you're going to have to show me this routine of yours."
Liara playfully slaps Verity's arm with a smile, then gives a sultry look.
"One day."
"Wait a minute. When were you at Serrice exactly?"
"Oh, it must be nearly fifty years ago now."
"So you wouldn't have had anything to do with the Serrice Council educational vids."
"Goddess no. Those silly propaganda films were nothing to do with me I am happy to say. I think they had the exact opposite effect of what they were supposed to be for. All posing and ridiculous ideals. We have spoken before about the misconceptions about my species and I think half of them came from those stupid vids."
"Oh. Hmm."
Verity is a little disappointed that whenever brought up with asari, the vids she loved so much as a child are derided so universally.
"Oh! Oh!" Verity says excitedly. "I got us a treat."
Her sudden excitement gets Liara a little excited now too.
"What is it?"
Verity gets the box from her desk.
"I was wondering what that is."
Shepard opens the lid, a waft of sweetness drifts up Liara's nose as she peeks in, her eyes now like saucers.
"It's a chocolate fudge cake." Verity explains.
"Oooooh, that sounds naughty."
"Oh. It is."
Verity grabs the two forks off the table and places the box between them on the bed, handing Liara one of the forks. She's about to get the two plates and knife, but Liara doesn't wait. She shoves her fork into the cake and pulls out a heaped mound, barely able to fit it into her mouth.
"Mmmmm..."
She's desperate to say how gloriously tasty it is, but is defeated by the mouthful of sticky chocolaty sweetness. Eventually she's able to swallow.
"Goddess that's good. Is it actually legal? I'm sure I'm getting a high."
Shepard laughs.
"Yes, it's quite legal. I knew you'd like it."
Verity only has a few forkfuls then leans back to snooze. She drifts off quite deeply.
A few hours pass and Verity wakes to the sound of Liara groaning. Shepard sees the empty cake box, with tell tale signs of a licked clean base. She looks at Liara holding her stomach, writhing a little, with chocolate smeared around her mouth.
"Oh, Shepard, I think I am dying."
"You ate the whole thing?"
"I feel really sick."
"I'm not surprised, you big fat pig!"
"Uugh, I tried to stop, Shepard, honestly I did. I said to myself 'this is the last forkful Liara, then no more', but...ooh!" she winces a little, "...it was just too nice. I just kept having 'one more forkful'. Then it was gone. Oooh."
Verity holds up the empty box.
"You licked. The base. Clean. You're one messed up asari, T'Soni."
Shepard begins to look a little teary eyed and choked up.
"I wanted to share it with some of the guys, too. It's really hard to get a cake like that off Earth. Both me and Anderson had to call in a lot of favours."
Seeing how much it means to Shepard to share something so wonderful makes Liara feel overwhelmingly guilty. That she has hurt Verity so much makes her teary now as well.
"Oh, Shepard." Liara manages to sit up, unable to stop licking her chocolate coated lips a little. "I am sorry, really I am. I feel terrible now. I wish you would have said."
"How was I supposed to know that you were going to eat the whole damn thing?"
Liara lies back down again.
"Oh goddess, I think I am going to be sick."
"Hm! Good! Serves you right."
"No, I am really going to be sick!"
Liara launches herself towards the sink.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:21:34 GMT 1
Chapter 21
Liara is lying fast asleep in her cot bed in the back room of the med bay. She is awoken by the bright main light being switched on.
"Mmmmmm... wuuuuu...wu?" she mumbles.
"Come on T'Soni, rise and shine."
Liara lifts her head to look at her clock, opening only one eye.
"Mmm! Five thirty? I don't think so." then puts her head back down on the pillow.
"But you said you'd come for a run with us, and god knows you probably need it."
"But I'm sleepy." she says, snuggling her head deeper into the pillow
"Ash and Kaidan are waiting, come on!"
Liara leans on one arm, allowing her legs to fall into a position to accentuate her hips and pulls the covers back just enough to display this, wearing only her knickers and vest.
"Or you could get in here with me and snuggle instead?"
Verity has to really resist the temptation and she adores Liara's sleepy face in the morning.
"Ah no, T'Soni, you're not getting out of it like that."
Liara humphs, pulls the covers back over herself and hugs her pillow.
"It's too early for exercise. I'm too sleepy."
"You need help, Commander?" Ashley calls through. "I can get a bucket of ice water if you like?"
"Ashley Williams! You would not dare!" Liara shouts back.
"Come on, you're awake now, we've found a great planet with a lake to swim in too."
"No! I will not." Liara smiles a little and looks Verity up and down. "But I like your running gear."
Verity wears tight white thigh length running shorts with blue trim and a matching cropped vest top, showing off her toned body. She's even slapped one of her N7 patches onto the vest to make it look smart, ever proud of the achievement. It's the responsibility of everyone in the fleet to look after their own bodies. The penalties can be quite harsh if an officer lets them self go, everyone should be ready for action at all times. Shepard has always looked after herself well, and it shows.
Verity turns around and slaps one of her firm buttocks.
"You don't want to see this in action?"
"It looks nice at it is from here." Liara says with a cheeky grin.
"Sorry guys, give us five minutes." Verity calls through to Ashley and Kaidan.
"Fine. We'll wait by the Mako."
Verity sits on end of the bed.
"You can't keep doing this, Liara. You're part of a team now."
"I am sorry, Shepard. I think it is because I was an only child. I could eat what I like when I like, sleep when I like for as long as I like, even when at university. And I spent decades alone on my expeditions. And I am not actually in the Alliance, but I will try harder, I promise."
The rest of the crew had already begun to talk a little behind Liara's back about her laziness and eating habits, with the occasional nickname.
"We get extra rations for our biotics, but you always seem to eat more than everyone else. On curry night, when Samesh sent over some of his home cooked food, you devoured way more than everyone else. You munched down those onion bhajis like no-one's business."
"Oh yes, they were good. And the samosas!" Liara says but then realises this isn't helping. "But I do not mean to be selfish."
"So will you come with us? Please? For me?"
"Oh fine!" she says shortly.
The Mako lands on the planet's surface with a bounce. It's quite a lush wild sunny planet, but they've found a flatter grassier section to run on, probably a former forest laid waste by natural fire. They all get out of the vehicle, Liara wearing an all white pair of shorts and vest. The three humans do warm ups while the only stretching Liara does is when she yawns, still waking up.
"Okay, we've scanned the area and there's no geth or varren or thresher maws or whatever so we don't need to carry weapons. It's around three k's that way to the lake, it's freshwater so should be good."
"Three kilometres?" Liara says in disbelief.
"What's the matter, Arbuckle? Too much for you?" Ashley taunts.
Liara looks at Verity for an explanation. She just shakes her head.
"Come on then."
They begin jogging, Ash and Kaidan running slightly ahead, Liara and Verity running side by side behind them. After a few hundred metres, Shepard asks, "You okay? Not too much for you?"
"I am fine." Liara responds with a little annoyance in her voice. "I'm not as unfit as you three would like to think. Asari physiology is different to yours, just as the doctor has said."
"Ah, no, I talked with her and that's not what she said. She wondered if it was the case, that's all."
"She's right though."
"About what?"
"You do not see overweight asari, so there must be some reason."
"Hm. Metabolism differences maybe? Or maybe all other asari just have more control than you. I dunno. Anyway, there's nothing wrong with a little exercise for any species."
"What's an Arbuckle, Shepard?"
"Ah, ahahaha, hm."
"What is this? The Mothers Union? You two running or what?" Ashley calls back.
A look of determination comes across Liara's face. She's going to keep up with the group, just to show them that she's still got it. She is impressed with both Kaidan's and Ashley's physiques in their tight black sports gear though, both obviously keep a good regime too. Kaidan seems deep in thought, just keeping his pace, staring ahead. Liara speeds up a little to catch up with the front pair and moves along side Ashley, looking at her with a smile. Ashley gives a wry smile back.
"Not bad, Liara. I thought you'd only get about two metres and collapse."
The lake comes into view, around another three hundred metres away. Ashley looks sideways at Liara and Kaidan occasionally until they reach around a hundred away.
"Race you!" she shouts.
The three humans run ahead, unable to resist the competition as Liara just keeps her steady pace. Kaidan is spent earlier than the girls, who run with fierce looks on their faces. As they reach the water's edge, Shepard has the lead, raising her arms in victory then slows down to stop and doubles over, breathing heavy. Ashley keeps going past Verity, bounding into the water and diving when deep enough then surfaces quickly.
"Woo! That's refreshing! Cold! But refreshing!"
Liara catches the group up as Kaidan walks into the water and just swims by himself. The three girls swim a little then splash and play in the water. They lay on some rocks to allow the sun to dry their clothes, looking like some unrealistic ideal from an advertiser's wet dream. As Kaidan continues swimming, Verity gestures towards him.
"Is he okay? He's been a bit off the last couple of weeks."
"I dunno Commander, he's always a little distant."
"Hmm, maybe I should talk with him when we get back."
"I am glad you talked me into coming, Shepard. I would not want to get out of bed this early every day, but I will come with you again though."
"Yea, maybe you'll grow some quads and race next time, which, incidentally, I won as first into the water." Ashley says.
"No way! I was first to the water's edge. Nothing was said about actually going in. Sour grapes, Williams."
"Oh of course, you'll never be better than Commander Shepard, pfft!"
"We should bring a picnic next time!" Liara enthuses.
Verity and Ashley look at each other, then burst into laughter.
"What?" Liara asks innocently.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:26:46 GMT 1
Chapter 22
The Thorian creature and its zombie-like creepers, geth, mind-controlled colonists attacking her squad, unfeeling corporate representatives with no regard for safety, the Feros mission had been very difficult. Shepard has the cipher now though, given to her by one of Saren's asari followers by way of some kind of mind meld. It brought some images into more clarity, but the prothean thoughts are still jumbled.
Upon the squad's return to the Normandy, Liara suggests that perhaps the cipher would reveal more prothean clues if she and Shepard melded. The Commander reluctantly agrees, still unsure about this asari mind technique. A familiar face from her past appears to Liara while she searches Verity's mind but this isn't what she is looking for and she continues to just try and make sense of the prothean images. There is little progress and the meld exhausts her so Shepard suggests she sees Chakwas.
After reporting back to the Council, Verity is about to leave the briefing room when she is confronted by Kaidan and a bewildered looking Liara. He is quite aggressive in declaring his feelings for Verity and this confuses her. Yes, she had spoken with him quite personally on a few occasions but only in friendship and for him to not realise about her and Liara's closeness astounds her. She is quite angry that Kaidan has dragged Liara into this awkward situation. She diplomatically declares her 'choice' as Liara, as if that was in any doubt. She wants to wade into Kaidan with words about his arrogance but just lets him leave.
Verity is about to also leave when Liara says, "I know that asari you know."
"Er... which asari?"
"The one on Feros. Shiala. She was one of my favourite 'aunts' when I was little, we did used to laugh so."
Shepard wouldn't believe Shiala's words on Feros, she was an indoctrinated tool of evil. Verity thought that the acolyte would say anything to save herself, so chose to disregard her words of regret. Shiala was one of the assistants in Saren's successes so far and contributed to Benezia's demise. She had to die for the safety of the colony. It was much more controlled than the time with the Batarian slaver, she thought she had reason on her side this time. Deep down when she looks inside, she wanted revenge for the hurt inflicted on her asari lover. To see Liara remember Shiala so fondly makes her think twice now. She is eager to get away, for fear of letting slip some sign of the truth.
"We had a funny rhyme that my mother did not like. Shiala would bounce me on her knee while we sang."
Liara recites the children's rhyme gleefully then laughs at her silliness.
"Oh I wish I could have joined you on Feros, it would have been so lovely to see her again."
"She wasn't herself, Liara, she was under the control of Saren like your mother. We had no choice."
"Oh, poor Shiala. She was one of mother's favourite acolytes too. They would bicker so sometimes, but only because they had become quite close. Mother tried to hide her feelings to remain impartial, but I know she really liked Shiala. That is sad. So many good people lost already to this terrible conflict."
"Yea, it was tough down there. I have to go."
Verity makes a hasty exit, now questioning her judgement. Maybe Shiala really had broken free of the control. It makes Verity feel even worse that she is now lying to Liara about the incident. She begins to realise now that for Shiala to accept her fate so freely should have indicated the truth but she'd allowed her darker side to prevail. She begins to question if she could have done more to stop the corporate representative Ethan Jeong without killing him, or if she could have saved more colonists when they attacked. She wants it all to just go away, but her life experiences have taught her that eventually the universe will toy with her, dragging up any and all difficult moments from her past. She inflicts this anger at herself on someone she feels deserves it.
"Are you stupid or just desperate, Alenko?"
"Sorry, Commander, I just thought it would be best to be open about it all."
"About what? Are you blind? The whole crew knows about Liara and me, except you it seems."
"I'd heard rumours, that's why I thought it best to be honest. Seems I misread the situation."
"No kidding? And dragging Liara into it like that, she did not deserve that. God only knows what she thinks we've been up to. This had better not get in the way of what me and Liara have got. I never indicated there was anything between us, Kaidan. Why didn't you just speak with me about your feelings?"
"I tried, but you always avoided it with ambiguity. I never knew where I stood, ma'am."
"But to try and deal with it like that? Gah! I'll see you later, Kaidan, I'm too angry right now."
"Ma'am."
Verity storms off to her quarters then just sits on her bed, her breath pumping. She wants to do something stupid again, but just closes her eyes and controls her breathing, calming herself.
"Idiot!" she says to herself at what she has done today.
Kaidan feels even worse now and begins to agree with the Commander. Has he really been that stupid? He'd seen Liara leaving Verity's quarters quite early in the morning, so that should have indicated the situation. He's been selfish in thinking that he could overcome that and also feels bad about confronting Liara in the way that he did. He thought he'd found a kindred spirit in Verity and is quite devastated, not only at the rejection, but also by the subsequent verbal attack. He hopes it hasn't ruined at least the friendship they've formed but now questions himself as to whether even that was real. Feeling a massive migraine coming on, he goes to see Doctor Chakwas.
Liara hums the tune that accompanies her favourite children's rhyme as she documents the day's prothean findings. She still feels sad about Shiala, but she's beginning to find that such sadness is a regular occurrence in the fight against Saren. Good people dying, the crew unable to save them all. There was something off about the Commander when she returned from the Zhu's Hope colony on Feros. Liara puts it down to the recent stresses and strains of their hunt and pushes it to the back of her mind. She hopes that one day, when this is all over, they can heal each other of all these events and terrible suppressed feelings, and live together as a couple. For now though they must soldier on, seeking out new horrors to deal with on every new mission.
The squad are sat around the table after dinner, Shepard studying a datapad.
"You want the last muffin, Liara?" Ashley asks.
"No, I have had sufficient, thank you." she lies badly.
"Oh, go on. You know you want it. It'll only go stale. It's double chocolate chip..."
"Ooh, double chocolate chip? If you put it like that, then yes please!"
Liara grabs the carton of milk from the table and begins alternately munching on the muffin then swigging from the carton.
"Oh do use a glass, please Liara!" Doctor Chakwas berates.
"Sorry..." Liara replies with a meek guilty voice as she obeys.
Unfortunately, a glass just gives Liara the opportunity for more spillage. Milk pours down her top as she glugs, attempting to drink faster than her mouth will allow, blocked also by a wedge of muffin.
"I thought the asari were elegant, poised and graceful but with you Liara, I don't know." Tali playfully taunts.
"I reckon she'd even give ryncol a try if hungry enough. Ha!" Wrex joins in.
"Oh don't be mean. But incidentally, you never did tell me what an Arbuckle is, Ashley."
"Hahahaha! Shepard hasn't told you yet?"
"I've been trying not to get into any of that thank you very much, Gunnery Chief Williams."
"It's probably best if you just watch an old vid of him."
"Him?"
"That's all I'm saying. You should find one on the Alliance network somewhere, there's a ton of old movies archived on there."
"Anyway," Shepard interjects, "we need to discuss equipment. I need everyone to give me a run down on anything we can do to improve or replace it. We've got a bunch of credits pretty much laying around now, so give it to me. Garrus?"
"Mods. I think that's the main concern for most of us. We've all got either Colossus or top Predator armours and now we have access to the Spectre grade weapons, that's it really: mods."
The group agree.
"I worried as much. Shield mods just seem to be hard to come by at the moment. Even our Requisitions Officer is having difficulty sourcing those. We'll just have to hope we pick some up along the way for now. At least we have good ammo mods for the geth, not the best but they still do a heck of a lot more damage than without."
"I still need a new shotgun..." Wrex says, almost like a child who missed out on a round of ice creams.
"Not a problem, Wrex. We're heading back to the Citadel anyway, we'll go down to the C-Sec Requisitions Officer there and access the rare stocks."
"Ha! Great! I thought I was getting left out here, and I've been eyeing up that Spectre one you got Tali."
"You'll love it, Wrex. I've grown quite attached to mine, haven't I dear?" she pats her weapon. "Yes, I have."
There is a momentary silence.
"What?"
"Anyway... Kaidan? You've been quiet. Anything you need?"
"No, ma'am. Like Garrus said, it's just the mods."
There is still tension there, but they are overcoming it to focus on the task at hand.
After dinner, Liara sits at her extranet terminal in the med bay's back room.
"Arbukel..? Aabucal..? Nothing for those... Arbuckle? Ah, here we are, some matches."
"Fatty? Fatty Arbuckle? Ashley you rotten sod."
Ashley was engrossed in her weapons maintenance in the hangar bay and didn't hear Liara storm up behind her and she nearly leaps out of her skin, then laughs heartily and quite evilly.
"Woo! Your face is a picture. Wait, let me set up my omni-tool."
"Hmph!" Liara turns and storms away.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:29:00 GMT 1
Chapter 23
"I know it is not easy but it was the right choice, Shepard." Liara says.
"I don't think there was a right choice, Liara, but thanks."
"We had to ensure the bomb destroyed that evil place, there was no choice really. But I am sorry about Kaidan."
"I wonder though. Ashley has become really close. For both of us. Is that the real reason? Did I choose friendships over tactics?"
"I would say in that situation, the result would be the same regardless."
"Maybe. But I'm having difficulty, Liara, I'm questioning every choice I make now. Could I have done better? Could I have saved more people? Should I have killed this person? Gah! It's getting overwhelming."
"That you question your actions proves that you are striving to do better. No-one can ask for more."
Verity kisses Liara on the cheek for her supportive words as they sit in her quarters. The fighting on Virmire was intense. Taking down the anti-aircraft towers to allow the Normandy safe passage was a task in itself, but to then make a ground assault just added to it all. She'd had to choose between saving the life of Ashley or Kaidan, a terrible choice to have to make for any Commander. But that she has become so involved with her squad made it all the harder.
"Thanks, Liara. I can't say I always do the right thing but at least I have you to help me stay grounded."
"I was worried when you had to confront Wrex though, that could have gone either way. It would be awful to have to kill a friend, for any reason."
"I can understand where he was coming from but thankfully he conceded that an army of Krogan slaves is bad for everyone. It's just a shame we couldn't salvage any genophage research, they deserve hope like any other species. I mean, look at Wrex. He's wandering the galaxy, avoiding his own people because without hope, they just in-fight to justify their existence, not knowing what else to do. That's a terrible fate."
"Yes, on both occasions, the turians and salarians have been quite short sighted. Uplifting the Krogan without considering the consequences, then the genophage and the problems that has caused. Astounding really when you consider the brilliant minds of the salarians."
"I wonder how the rachni queen is doing. She was quite candid about her species' past, I hope that was a sign of her honesty, otherwise we're going to need that genophage cure much sooner than we thought."
Liara links her arm with Verity's and pats it.
"One galactic threat at a time, Shepard, one galactic threat at a time."
"Talking of which, that Reaper nearly scared the pants off of me!"
"Goddess yes, the cold threats it made chilled me to the bone. And that voice! Brrr!"
"Well we know what we're dealing with now, but I'm not sure that makes me feel any better."
"I wonder now how long this has been going on for. Millions of years? Billions? Is it just our galaxy or any and all? It is impossible for them to have always existed as it claimed. Someone must have built at least the first one. Which also makes me wonder, just how early did sentience evolve in the galaxy? Many have calculated not for billions of years after the formation of the universe, but if that Reaper is correct... oh, it makes my head spin."
"I don't know if we'll ever have all the answers, Liara. But I do know that we're going to do everything in our power to stop them and end this cycle of destruction. For your mother, for Kaidan, for all the good people who have died to this conflict, we will stop them."
"Yes, we must."
"But then, if I play devil's advocate, what if stopping them is the wrong thing to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if they're right and we just can't understand why they'd do this? What if by stopping them, we allow an even bigger problem to emerge that they were suppressing?"
"Oh stop it, Shepard, this is difficult enough as it is."
Shepard's door buzzer sounds. She opens it to see a dejected looking Ashley.
"Hey, Commander. I er... can I just... hang out here? If you're not in the middle of anything, I can come back later if..."
"No, of course you can, Ash. But you're looking pretty low, anything we can do?"
"Nah, I'm okay. Just a bit down I guess."
She sits with her friends, needing a little affection, then lets her thoughts out.
"It feels like Eden Prime all over again, me surviving for no good reason while good men die. I sort of feel responsible, you know? Kaidan didn't deserve this, it should have been me."
"Oh Ashley, it is not your fault." Liara says sympathetically.
"Part of me I wishes you'd left me on Virmire."
"Don't say that, Ash. We had to save you to save the mission, no way we could leave that bomb exposed. I have to live with the choice, not you. You were only following orders, remember that."
"Yea, I suppose."
"Besides, without you, there's no 'girl squad'. You, me and Liara, saving the galaxy in style."
"Haha! Yea, we are pretty hot eh?"
"Damn straight, Williams. Although... if you like, we can drop you back at the radioactive wasteland that was once Saren's base. Tali would make a fine replacement with that ass of hers."
"Hey!" Ashley stands and turns her back to wiggle her behind at Liara and Verity. "What's the matter with this?"
"Fair do's, Williams, it's not bad. But have you seen Tali's? Even I have to resist giving it a slap when she's bent over working on the lower circuitry."
"Whatever floats your boat, Commander."
"Why would you want to do that, Shepard?" Liara asks.
"Oh, it's just a joke, Liara. Yours is quite slappable as well. If I slapped yours every time I felt like it, you'd be red raw, or blue raw. Purple...? Never mind."
"Oh. Hm." Liara says, unsure about this fascination with posteriors.
"Thanks guys. I needed some relief from all this mayhem. You always have something to make me feel a little better."
Liara takes on an almost motherly persona and holds Ashley's hand.
"Of course, Ashley. If you ever need some time, or a chat, or a shoulder, please, do not hesitate to see me, or Shepard, or both. We are both here for you."
Shepard stands dramatically, using her fingers as a makeshift pistol.
"Okay girl squad, sound off!"
Liara giggles and stands in an elegant pose letting her biotics shimmer up and down her body, then shouts, "Blue Angel!"
"Dark Destroyer!" Ashley joins as though holding her rifle.
"Blonde Bombshell!"
The three fall back onto the bed laughing. Liara has a quizzical look on her face.
"What would Tali be?"
"ASS-ASS-inator?" Ashley offers. "That's twice the ass too."
"Hell's Hiney?"
"Quarian Queen?"
"Too tame, T'Soni. 'Quarian Quirk' more like."
"I am not very good with nicknames. You humans seem to enjoy deriding each other's faults and quirks for fun."
"What? You mean like... oh I dunno... Arbuckle?"
Liara's face is one of annoyance but she's come to learn that such names are not an indication of dislike, usually quite the contrary.
"Hmmm, yes 'Auntie Ashey'."
"Hey, low blow! I do believe that you're beginning to find your evil streak, Doctor T'Soni."
Liara grins naughtily, quite pleased that she'd found it within herself to locate the right button to press.
All three had spent their former lives pretty much as loners in their fields until they joined the Normandy. To have such good friends means the world to them now. They never knew before that they'd needed such good company, camaraderie, love and affection. All three feel more complete than they had ever before in their lives. Ashley had her sisters and mother, but to be so far away from them all the time, it's lovely to have some new 'sisters' to support her.
Verity wishes that such fun times could last forever but once again, duty calls. They've been ordered back to the Citadel, hopefully to assist in the co-ordination of the fleets against Sovereign and the geth forces.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:30:50 GMT 1
Chapter 24
"These could be our last moments together." Liara declares to Verity in her room.
The crew are on their way to Ilos having stolen the Normandy. The Council and Udina had tried to prevent Shepard from doing the very thing they gave her Spectre status for: to stop Saren and his geth forces. But Shepard knows now that he is much more than just that. He is a puppet of the Reapers, one of whom is the very ship he travels in. The Reaper craft is Sovereign, self-proclaimed vanguard of destruction.
Once again, when she'd tried to make the Council understand how serious matters are, they just prevaricated and postulated, never deciding to take the action actually needed. Shepard must find the Conduit on Ilos, the key to Sovereign's plans but Udina kowtowed to the Council, grounding the crew and locking out their ship lest they become difficult. The crew had no choice but to take the Normandy back illegally to accomplish their task, but punching Udina to get to his console to release the lock out made Anderson feel good. Slimy little shit.
But right now as they travel to Ilos, Verity and Liara forgo their pact of celibacy to declare their love physically. Verity tries to brush off the potential of their doom but Liara wants to consummate their love as it could be their last chance. Both are quite apprehensive, but so gloriously excited. Liara has previously looked up texts on human anatomy and erogenous zones but it was all too much like biology and gave up quickly. She had begun to think it might ruin any surprises anyway.
Verity ensures that Liara is ready to take this step, then kisses her deeply. Verity wants this so much, it's like all her life has been building up to this point. She runs her fingers down Liara's spine and pulls her closer when she reaches the small of her back, causing Liara to gasp. They waste little time undressing each other, each astonished at how aroused they become just at the sight of their love in this heightened, naked state.
Physical contact is wondrous, but when Liara begins to meld their minds and nervous systems, Verity is almost overcome. Feeling what her lover feels as she pleasures her, being able to guide her own actions and experience the result, intensifying with each discovery, like a feedback loop of unimaginable ecstasy.
More so than the pleasure is the knowing. To know directly that her lover does indeed love her, without fears or doubts. Verity and Liara can see into each other's inner emotions of purest friendship, dedication and love. It is almost overwhelming, but thankfully, it is not.
It is bliss.
Liara and Tali solemnly sit, trapped but unharmed amongst the wreckage that was once the Presidium Tower, the seat of galactic politics. They do not speak for fear of confirming with each other that which they do not wish to. Did Shepard survive when massive parts of the defeated Sovereign smashed into the tower? Liara doesn't want to think about it, it would be too much to bear. They hear a rescue crew moving their trap and once a passage is formed, Captain Anderson stoops under it to meet them. He raises his eyebrows to ask the question, no words needed. The sorrowful look on Liara's face and Tali's lowered head tell him to expect the worst.
He catches a fleeting movement from deeper within the wreckage, spotted also then by Liara causing her heart to leap. Verity stumbles through the broken metal, evidently in pain but quite alive and with a huge grin on her face. They'd done it.
Verity is proud that she was able to convince Saren, no not convince, enlighten Saren that he was indoctrinated. She didn't even have to fire a shot. Once she heard Saren question himself, she was confident enough to stand out of cover to confront him, to plead for the galaxy's safety with words. It was almost sorrowful as he took his own life, his moment of clarity making him see what he had done and just how far he had fallen. He truly was devastated. All the terrible things he'd done, he was able to see with his own eyes, his own mind. It was too much for his weakened will to bear.
Despite the arrogance and stupidity of the Council, Verity even found it within herself to order the Alliance fleets to their saviour aboard the Destiny's Ascension, which was under heavy geth fire. It was at great risk to the overall effort of the combined fleets to destroy Sovereign, but Verity recognised that the Council is needed for continuity, to ensure mayhem does not prevail and divide the galaxy.
"Shepard!"
Liara rushes to her, throws her arms around Verity and kisses her cheek. Then the other one. Then on the lips. Then everywhere in between she hasn't kissed yet. She hugs Verity so tightly, it takes her breath.
"Alright, Liara, I'm okay!"
"Yes." She kisses her again. "Yes you are, oh Shepard, you are. Oh I am sorry I am being silly, but I do not know what I would do if I lost you."
She squashes her cheek against Verity's, feeling the beautiful warmth of her face and they just hug like this for a few moments. Eventually Shepard feels the eyes of the rescue team on them and releases the hug to link arms with Liara to exit this disaster zone, proud to have her love on her arm. No more clandestine meetings, they are just two wonderful people in love. Liara cannot help but beam with joy as they walk to Anderson. He smiles at the obvious happiness between his former XO and the asari doctor he'd sent her to find. But there is still more to do.
Shepard must speak with the Council once more. Now they laud her actions, thankful for their lives. When they offer a place on the Council for a human representative and ask for her input, Verity feels like laughing in his face when Udina tries to sway her with a meek, fawning, pathetic look. No, no more politicians. She suggests Anderson. He's not a politician and at least he will use sense to assess and decide the future, hopefully guiding the Council to the truth. It was worth it just to see the look on Udina's face and bumbling futile objection. The Council seem pleased with her choice, but the work is not over yet.
Shepard walks away even happier as she hears Anderson supporting her work, stating that all the galaxy must work as one to overcome this threat. They've stopped a Reaper, but only one. It was claimed by Sovereign that the Reapers would darken the sky of every planet with their numbers.
Soon, the politics returns and the Council overrides every human made decision. The Normandy is ordered to the Terminus Systems to hunt geth and investigate disappearing ships. The crew knows this is pointless, the geth aren't the real threat. They've become aware that the Council just wants them out of the way. The Council is uncomfortable with such influential individuals being free to spread the word about evil galaxy destroying robots. They're wasting precious time investigating every random blip on the scanners when they should be learning more about the Reapers, forming alliances, preparing in every way possible for the coming doom.
They fly into a high orbit around the planet of Alchera, another reported kidnapping site but again they find nothing. The flight deck crew bicker a little, a month of this pointless exercise beginning to grate on them.
An operative reports an incoming ship on the scanners. A massive but strange crusted ship looms out of the planet's orbit and immediately begins to intercept the Normandy. The crew speculate it's origin, Pressly confused that despite their stealth system the geth are alerted to their presence.
"It's not geth." Joker says. "Brace for evasive manoeuvres!"
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:32:23 GMT 1
Chapter 25
Verity finds herself adrift in space after the last blast on the Normandy from the massive unknown ship. Her N7 training was supposed to prepare her for this, but she is terrified as the planet looms closer. She panics further when she hears a leak spring from the back of her environmental helmet, grabbing at it in desperation. Her breathing has intensified, causing more panic as her heart pounds. This is the nightmare she feared during training. She's never feared death in combat, but this is a terrible way to go. Helpless, so alone and scared. Verity is fortunate that she has passed out from oxygen deprivation before fatally hitting the planet's atmosphere.
Liara waits in the hangar bay of the huge rescue transport, craning her neck each time a pod arrives and the occupants pass through. There can't be many more pods left to rescue now so she thinks she won't have to wait much longer. She looks at this current group walking towards her, bobbing her head up and down and standing on tip-toes in the hope that the one she seeks is just obscured by those in front. Whenever she sees blonde hair her heart leaps, only to be dashed as she realises it's not her Verity.
"Uh. Umm. Tsk. V... oh." she's desperate to shout her name in relief and be re-united, but again, she's not on this one.
Liara leans dejected against the wall, disheartened once more. She would have gladly stayed with Verity on the Normandy but like the rest of the crew, she had been ordered to the life pods by the Commander as she went back for Joker. Another pod is collected by the rescue crew. She can't see Shepard, but at least there's a friendly face this time.
"Doctor Chakwas!" she shouts, happy that one of her closer colleagues has arrived back safely. She rushes to Liara and they hold each other's hands.
"It's good to see you safe, Liara."
"Yes, you too, doctor."
"I dread to think who we might have lost."
"We lost Navigator Pressly on the bridge."
"Oh. Oh dear, poor Pressly. Are you... waiting...?" Chakwas gestures towards the pods.
"She has not come back yet, so I thought I would wait here for her."
"Oh Liara, I do hope she's safe."
Liara grins a little.
"Come on, doctor, this is Commander Shepard, first human Spectre, hero of Eden Prime, saviour of the Citadel."
"Yes. Well. I'm going to see what the hell's going on." The doctor knows that if wrong, Liara is setting herself up for a heartbreaking fall, but being hopeful for the best too, she says nothing and heads to the command deck.
"See you in a bit, doctor."
Liara waits for a long time for another pod to be rescued, never pondering the worst for more than a moment. To think such a thing is unbearable. Just one figure emerges, shuffling and awkward. It's the one that Verity went back for.
"Joker!" she shouts, running towards him with a face filled with optimism. She looks behind him to see no-one there, then back to him.
"Is she not with you?" she asks, now confused, her eyes darting between him and the empty pod.
"You haven't heard yet? Ah jeez, Liara." Joker's pained expression tells her more than she wants to know.
"Heard?" she begins to back away from Joker at what he would confirm, her hands tight against her chest, eyes filled with terror and lips quivering as she lets out an awful moan.
"No. Please, no. Oh goddess, Verity, no."
Despite his condition, Joker rushes to grab Liara before she collapses to the floor. To Liara, the bay spins just before she blacks out with echoes of Joker's desperate pleas to help her.
"Medic! Get me a god damn medic. Please!"
She doesn't know how long she's been in the hospital, nor does she really care. The counselling sessions bore her now, they're not going to help and she thinks going over it all again and again is making it worse. Post-traumatic stress they say, but she knows it's an irreparable broken heart. There's still no cure for that. But she craves alleviation. There's only one thing she thinks that can do that: revenge. She wants to find those responsible and hurt them. Hurt them horribly for what they've done.
Her asari doctor arrives.
"Hello Liara, how are you feeling today?"
Liara just stares at her from her bed, a slight look of disgust on her face. They don't know, they don't even care really.
"You have a visitor, isn't that nice?" the doctor says with grating brightness.
The asari Councillor enters and wastes no time with her speeches.
"Doctor Liara T'Soni, the Council wishes to offer its deepest sympathies at this..."
"Get out." Liara says coldly.
"Doctor T'Soni, we do understand that..."
"It's because of you, you stupid woman. Don't you see that? If you'd believed her rather than playing your stupid political games, we wouldn't have been chasing around after the geth pointlessly like that in the first place!"
"The Council cannot act on every..."
"Get out!"
"Well! As I was saying, the Council..."
Liara gets out of bed and stands facing the asari councillor, breathing heavily, her hands now fists by her sides. She scours her mind for something horrible.
"Get out, you fucking bitch."
"Really!"
"Get out!" her scream is shrill and piercing. She wants to punch this idiot but resists the temptation.
"Well I can see there is no point talking here." the Councillor says as she scurries away.
Liara looks around the room with manic eyes.
"Where's my armour? Where's my weapon?"
She begins trying to find them, despite it being obvious that there is nowhere in this sparse hospital room for them to be.
Her doctor returns with two large human orderlies.
"Come on, Liara, let's get you back into bed."
"My armour and pistol, where are they? I know I had them when I got here."
"Now now, you don't need those. You need to rest."
The orderlies approach the confused and scared Liara, their intent to restrain obvious. They back her into the corner to hold her while the doctor checks her syringe. The doctor is about to walk over to dispense the sedative when the orderlies fly back amidst biotics, crashing against the walls, Liara's hands now pushed forward. As she runs towards the door the doctor steps out of her way before hitting the emergency button.
Liara exits into one of the Citadel's commons dressed in only the open backed gown of the hospital, striding with purpose, knowing now exactly what she wants to do.
"Liara?"
Liara doesn't even see Ashley in her fog of despair. She stands in front of the asari and holds her by her arms.
"Liara? What are you doing?"
She looks at Ashley with no emotion in her eyes, resisting her grip.
"Liara, it's me, Ashley."
Liara's face contorts with tears.
"Oh Ashley. Verity..."
Her sobs are unbearable as she falls to her knees, Ashley joins her on her knees to hold her. She sees the orderlies running towards them over Liara's shoulder and stands. She steps around Liara to stand aggressively between them and her friend.
"Need something fellas?"
The two big men know this soldier is one of Shepard's crew.
"We don't want any trouble, ma'am, we just want to get her safe."
"It's okay, she's safe now. You'd better get back inside."
"She needs help."
"And she's going to get it, from a friend who actually cares. Go!"
The orderlies look at each other, nod, then return to the hospital. Ashley puts her arm around Liara and lifts her to stand.
"Come on, Liara, let's get you to my quarters."
They get a taxi to Ashley's temporary accommodation. Liara just stares blankly out of the window for the whole journey. Once they arrive at the apartment, Ashley gives her some Alliance fatigues to wear. Liara shakily dresses then sits on the couch and tries to regain some control.
"I did not like that place. Thank you, Ashley."
"They were only trying to help, but yea, I don't like hospitals either. Sorry Liara, I'd have come sooner if I knew things were this bad."
"Do not worry about that, Ashley, besides, there is nothing anyone can do to fix this."
"I hear you, Liara. We all miss her."
The door buzzer rings and a look of panic comes across Liara's face.
"Turn them away please, Ashley, I do not think I can face anyone right now."
She hears Ashley speaking to a gruff voiced male at the door. Ashley returns to the lounge area with a high ranking military official.
"Doctor T'Soni. Admiral Hackett. I thought I might find you here after Williams broke you out. Careful Chief, you're not a Spectre yet, but I've smoothed things over."
"Thank you, sir. Sorry, sir."
He turns to Liara with sympathetic eyes.
"I am sorry to bother you at this time."
Knowing the mutual respect Verity and the Admiral had for each other, she smiles and nods.
"I can't imagine what you're going through right now, but as Shepard's common law partner, I've authorised a payment from the Alliance widows' fund. I know it's not much compared to what you've been through, but the Alliance wants to recognise your contribution to the fleet in all this and I've been made aware that you meant the world to her. I wanted to deliver this message personally, I had the utmost respect for the Commander."
"Thank you. I appreciate the kind gesture, Admiral."
It won't bring Verity back, but she honestly does appreciate the thought. And if truth be told, she needs this kind of monetary backing to start her search for information on her lover's murderers. They'd consummated their love before the Ilos mission and continued a wonderful relationship during the following month, a real couple in love. Searching around the Terminus Systems for geth meant plenty of down time, most of which they'd spent discovering each other in Verity's quarters. She'd become a much more useful member of the crew and took pride in the crew's acceptance of her and her new found productive ways. All that's just memories now, like a beautiful dream.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to speak with Gunnery Chief Williams."
The Admiral and the Chief go into the kitchen. Liara can't quite hear everything being said, but Ashley becomes quite loud and aggressive.
"They what?" she hears her shout. "After all we've done? This is bullcrap and you know it, sir."
"I don't like it either, but this is out of our hands, Williams. Drop it." the Admiral responds.
A few moments later, the Admiral leaves and Ashley returns to the lounge angrily.
"They're splitting us all up, disbanding the crew with no replacement ship in the offing. We're all grounded."
"What? Why?"
"The Council doesn't want a band of soldiers spreading the word about the Reapers, so they're just going to get rid of the problem. This has Udina written all over it, damn him."
"I knew I should have punched that stupid asari Councillor. I said things to her that I never would have dreamt of. I even called her a 'fucking bitch' when I told her to get out." Liara says with guilty pride.
"Nice one, Liara. I wish I'd seen that. Man, what a shitty mess."
Ashley sits and puts her head in her hands.
"If the Council carries on like this, we're all screwed. Really screwed. Everyone."
"Well I am not going to sit idle, I am going to find out who did this. They might even have something to do with the Reapers."
"You sure, Liara? You ready for something like that?"
"No. Nor will I ever be. But I must."
Ashley puts her arm around Liara.
"I know what you mean, Liara. But please, be careful."
"Thank you, Ashley. For everything. You are a good friend. I thought I was alone in the galaxy again, but thank you for showing me that I am not."
"Good." Ashley looks over Liara's now softer face. "You know? I can almost see my silly old friend again in there."
They sit in silence for a moment, each recalling the lovelier moments they'd spent with their friend.
"Sorry, Liara, Hackett told me I've been posted to some colony in the middle of nowhere and I have to ship out in the morning. I hate to leave you like this but the apartment's booked as mine until the end of the week, so just use it as you like. I'll have a word with the caretaker."
"Thank you, I need a base of operations to begin my work. Just until I am able find somewhere more suitable. A few days should be plenty."
"Don't lose yourself in this, Liara. Contact me if you become overwhelmed or just want to talk, I'll drop anything to help and to hell with the consequences."
"I will be okay I think but if I need some extra muscle, I know where to come. Your life in the Alliance is important to you too, I do not want to ruin that by being silly."
Now with purpose, resources and the support of a friend, Liara begins to feel like her old self a little. There's a long way to go for her, grieving so heavily will take time to overcome, but the stabbing feeling in her heart has abated just slightly. In this moment, the desire to just breakdown and give up all hope has become less. For Verity, she will find strength and resolve.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:33:33 GMT 1
Chapter 26
Liara's first port of call had obviously been Barla Von, seeking information that the legendary Shadow Broker may have. It had been strange that the Broker had not been able to provide anything at all, not even a red herring. Barla had been almost protective of the Broker, making excuses for him. Liara thought it odd that he would allow himself to appear ignorant or inept. Barla put Liara in touch with a few low level sources for a fee and she began her trade in information, small at first but ever seeking greater influence.
She's traded with a new contact in a shady bar out in the back of beyond, where these exchanges always seem to happen. Some low level salarian she hasn't used before, but Barla had given his approval so she risked it. Liara is learning that a larger network of sources is needed, no matter how far down the chain. Even something seemingly innocuous can be worth massive amounts to the right buyer to fund her cause. The Council won't do anything about it, so Liara must.
She's still relatively new to all this, but Liara is beginning to learn the information business. To be wary when the source promises her everything she desires; she'd fallen for that a few times when starting out, losing large chunks of credits for nothing or needing to draw on her combat skills to resolve a situation. Most of these people are scum anyway, she loses no sleep over them. At one time, every life she took hurt her, regardless of their intent. To watch the light go out of their eyes by her own hand used to be difficult. But for now she ignores it, puts it to the back of her mind where all the unresolved emotions reside.
Analysing the data reminds Liara of her investigations into the protheans. Finding the right pieces to fit together to tell the tale. She gets a little rush when a few seemingly irrelevant pieces of information come together to tell of a political shift or a coming conflict, or something less drastic like a fixed sport event or impending high profile divorce. It's all there if you know how to analyse it, and Liara does. When it's significant, she can sell on the pieces for quite a price.
She leaves the bar where she met her contact and heads to the docking bay where her personal shuttle awaits. It seemed a little indulgent to her at first, but it has become very useful not having to rely on chartered flights. If she needs to get out fast, she can just jump in her craft and go. Liara is off to meet a high ranking mercenary, seeking any information on the unknown craft that attacked the Normandy, allegedly a leader of one of the emerging factions. The mercenary groups are beginning to form much more widespread and organized armies, such as the Blood Pack, Eclipse and Blue Suns. It's risky to pursue this, but she has come to learn that risks are an occupational hazard.
After a few checks on her shuttle's read outs, Liara backs the craft out of the bay and swings it around to head to the co-ordinates provided by her contact. Another bar on a fuelling station full of crooks and villains in a neighbouring solar system but Liara is used to protecting herself from such types now. Added to her experiences hunting prothean artefacts, her combat skills had been greatly heightened in her time with the Normandy squad. At times, when a deal is going bad or the holders of information she needs try to change the price, she has even drawn on the darker side she bore mourning Verity to do some threatening of her own to great effect. Not that her mourning has ended, she feels it never will, but she no longer dwells on it for it is too destructive for her. Another occupier of the back of her mind.
Liara enjoys piloting her own craft, an asari of means. Although her own craft is relatively small, she can understand now why Joker so enjoyed his work. She wonders what it must feel like to have such a massively powerful ship such as the Normandy under her control. Visiting so many locations now, her craft had needed a call sign and IFF for identification. The choice was easy for Liara.
"Traffic control, this is Blue Angel requesting permission to dock."
"Hold position while we find you a bay, Blue Angel."
"Acknowledged."
Calling out this name still makes her smile. While she sits waiting for her instructions, Liara scrolls up and down her music play list, including some human music she'd found in the archives when on the Normandy.
"Hm." she says to herself with a satisfied nod.
Over the speakers, a young woman wistfully describes the beautiful skies of her youth over an echoing melancholic harmonica. Phasing minimalist electronic notes cascade, following with an accompaniment of a deep four four bass drum. Liara sways her head in time with the music. Tinkles of a more acoustic nature echo around the stereo. A deep bass joins the ensemble of rhythmic trance causing Liara to smile.
"Blue Angel, this is control, please head to bay B12"
"Bay B12 acknowledged, thank you control. Blue Angel out."
She turns the music's volume up a little. When it comes to her favourite part, Liara joins the woman in the music in the most ethereal of asari tones, hinted with melancholy.
"Little fluffy clouds, little fluffy clouds..."
Liara stuffs a couple of the rare chocolates she keeps in the cockpit in her mouth, then sitting forward eagerly she banks the craft towards her bay, slurping to stop the drool pouring down her chin from sucking the tasty treats. She slows to a halt and the docking clamps secure her shuttle. Liara hops out of her pilot's seat, rhythmically walks to the music and into the back area that she's turned into a makeshift bedsit. She changes into her new armour, a comfortable and tight fitting white suit with protective overcoat and blue detail, making her feel much more like the scientist that she is. Liara also likes that it feels less militaristic and more feminine.
Popping another chocolate in her mouth, she fixes her weapon to her hip and checks herself in the full length mirror she has installed, giving herself a little saucy dance to the music. Liara was a little disappointed the first pistol she ever bought was lost aboard the Normandy, it had become like an old friend, a reminder of good times. She'd even kept 'Flossie' as a souvenir of her adventures, also lost in the attack. She now uses a sub-machine gun, not dissimilar to her mentor's choice.
After a few sways more she turns off the music and exits her craft, walking confidently towards the meeting place. This dark, dank place is much like Omega, she thinks, with various unsavoury types milling around, except that she's not cowering and vulnerable any more. She wonders how Aria is doing and if she ever thinks about the time her 'little lamb' came to visit. Liara looks more fondly on her time with Aria now, the embarrassment no longer burning. She is no little lamb any more.
She enters a bar and heads straight to the back, as indicated by her contact's details. The bar is mostly empty, except for the ones sat around the bar counter, obviously the regulars. She walks up to a batarian and stands looking around, coolly. Without looking at him she states, "I am expected." and the guard opens the door with a nod.
The door leads into a dark small room with a table in the middle, a single low hanging shaded light shines on the table but little up the walls. A figure in blue armour leans against a wall, his face obscured in shadow.
"So you've been looking for me?" he says with a sneering rough voice.
"Maybe. At least, someone like you at any rate."
"And what am I like?"
"A murdering pirate?"
"Hehe, maybe. So what do you want?"
She vaguely recognises this voice but can't recall exactly where from but she gets straight to the point.
"I want to know details of any mercenary organizations involved in kidnapping or attacks on Alliance craft."
"Well, that's not the Blue Suns' style, I can tell you that much. As for the other mercs, you'd have to ask them."
"I see. Then it seems like I've wasted our time here."
"Well we don't have to call it a total wash out. Why don't you stay and drink, we could get real cosy."
Liara lifts the low slung light to shine at his face but doesn't recognise it. That he is human is all she can assess. His voice had become more familiar with each utterance, but from where is eluding her.
"I don't think so." she says to his offer.
"Your call, babe." he says aloofly, shading his eyes from the light.
She leaves this back room and returns to the bar area. The mercenary leader begins berating his guard over some other matter. He speaks two words that instantly remind Liara of where she knows this pirate from.
"One hour! You said it'd be one hour! So where is it?"
She turns back to look at him, catching his sight and gives him a grin. Liara cannot resist.
"By the way." she shouts at Vido. "You needn't have worried, I was never a commando. And if you see your friend, tell him my barriers only last for twenty minutes, tops!"
"What the f..."
Vido walks towards to her, eyeing her up and down suspiciously, then laughs.
"If it isn't the blue sun, herself."
"The what?"
"Oh yea," he laughs a little to himself, "you wouldn't know. My er... 'friend' you just mentioned?"
"The silly pirate who named his rifle 'Jessie'?"
"Ha! Yea, him. Zaeed Massani. He said your barrier shimmered like a blue sun, he always was a lyrical bastard. I liked it. We became known as 'The Blue Suns."
"Really?" Liara says coyly, actually quite proud.
"Yea, really! But you're lucky he's not with the crew any more. You pissed him the hell off. Kept going on about being humiliated in front of Jessie, the crazy bastard. Hehe! It's a small old galaxy. See ya around, blue sun."
Liara is about leave when Vido turns back to her, stroking his chin a little. An asari ally might be quite useful now the Eclipse Sisters are forming, an asari sub-faction of the powerful rival mercenary group, Eclipse. This asari from his past also intrigues him, and he knows it would enrage Zaeed for him to help her, particularly as she had bluffed him so well. It never hurts to have another source of credits from a beautiful asari such as this. He has been summoned by the Shadow Broker anyway, so thinks he should be able to find out anything she needs and get her on side.
"I'm gonna go out on a limb here and see what I can dig up. I've still got some friendlies in other groups. Meet me back here in one week at the same time and we'll see what we've got."
"Thank you." she nods. "One week. And for your trouble?"
"We'll see what we've got when we've got it."
"Agreed, mister...?"
"Vido Santiago. But I ain't no 'mister'."
"Indeed." Liara agrees then holds out her hand. "Doctor T'Soni."
They shake on their vague deal, Vido smiling at her facetiousness.
"Doctor eh? We're always looking for good medics."
"Doctor of archaeology, not medicine."
"Shit, if you're only a college nerd, I'd hate to have to go up against some asari commandos. Do all asari kick ass?"
Liara turns to walk away, then stops to look over her shoulder at him.
"I am no ordinary asari, Vido. Until next week."
"Yea... see ya, blue."
Liara strides away, quite relieved that her taunts did not backfire. Risky, but he is a source now. She'd tested the waters and if he had wanted to try and kill her, he could have at any time on his home turf so she thinks it's at least worth probing further. The leader of a massive network of criminals and associates in other clans could possibly find the answers she seeks, or at least lay his hands on some lucrative information. Previously, Liara would have nothing to do with such scum, but her mission of revenge has darkened her soul somewhat. No price is too high to avenge her Verity. However, Liara will be having words with the Salarian, Ish, on his inaccurate information regarding Vido's immediate knowledge on the matter at hand, she can't allow for weak links in the chain.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:35:40 GMT 1
Chapter 27
Vido approaches the Shadow Broker's avatar, a brightly glowing humanoid shaped figure. The Broker has created an altar like area for his subjects to worship him at, he would never expose himself to direct contact with his minions. His facility on the planet of Alingon acts as his office, protected by fierce atmospheric conditions that make detection almost impossible, but he still prefers to deal with his agents and operatives via transmissions from afar.
"Vido." the Broker's deep electronic voice booms.
"What do you need?"
"Your organization will protect an important cargo that will be arriving at the Omega mining facility soon."
"Yea? How soon."
"This is yet to be determined. Tazzik will be attending."
"Taz? Shit, this must be serious."
"It is."
Tazzik is the Shadow Broker's notorious and deadly salarian hit man, huge and stocky by his peoples' standards.
"If Taz is involved, I presume we'll be rewarded accordingly?"
"Our arrangements will remain at the higher risk rate for this level of importance and I demand only your best men. Your lower ranks are... undisciplined."
"Yea, of course. Okay then."
"The specific details will be forwarded to you."
"Oh, by the way..."
"Doctor T'Soni."
"Err... yea. How'd you... never mind."
"You will guide Doctor T'Soni to Omega to meet Feron regarding her search for the ones who destroyed the Normandy. Suggest to her that a contact has information on Commander Shepard's unfortunate demise."
"Feron? You still using that drell backstabber?"
"He occasionally has his uses. He will lure Doctor T'Soni away. You will kill her."
"What about Feron?"
"He is expendable if necessary."
"She's tough, I'll give her that, but I know her tricks now. A few good men and she's going down. But why lead her to the very place you don't want her to be, I could take her out when we meet at my bar?"
"Control. I must be in control of events. Follow my instructions. Failure is not acceptable in this arrangement."
"Wait. I need to know what this cargo is, what the risks are."
"When you are contacted. Our conversation is concluded."
Vido walks away from the altar.
"Damn shame, blue. I reckon I could have tapped that."
"Doubtful."
The Shadow Broker's connection ends and the avatar dims to show the tame reality of a basic metal robot.
"So, blue. How've you been?"
"Enough, Vido, I'm not here for chit-chat. Did you find anything?"
They have met once again in the back room of the bar where Liara had met Vido before.
"Well, my sources aren't cheap and..."
"Here we go."
"What? I'm just explaining..."
"That this is going to cost me dearly. Indeed, that's not a problem. Now cry me a river and get to the point."
"Shit, blue. You're cold. Well, my sources tell me that you should head to Omega."
"What for? Who's there?"
"Information on Shepard is all I know, but your contact will know you and explain from there."
"Where did this information come from?"
"Come on, blue, you know I can't reveal that kinda shit."
"I warn you, Vido. If you're messing me about..."
"Just head to Omega."
Vido waves her away and, happy to leave, Liara walks out of the small room.
On her way back to her shuttle, Liara ponders her need to return to Omega. Her craft cannot travel through relays so she must rely on a chartered flight, preferably one with no questions.
After meeting on Omega, Feron takes Liara to an isolated location to discuss his information. Within moments, the Blue Suns attack with great force but operatives of the dark ops Cerberus organization assist in the fight and suppress the attackers. Liara begins to realise that having backstabbing associates such as Vido carries that very risk for herself. Feron has informed Liara that Shepard's body is coming through Omega but it seems that the Cerberus operatives wish to discuss the same. On a secret Cerberus facility, Liara is informed by the Illusive Man that the elusive and enigmatic species of the Collectors wish to purchase the body which the Shadow Broker has retrieved. All agree that this must not happen, and the Illusive Man is quite candid that Liara's vested interest in Verity is why he has approached her. Cerberus claim that they can bring Shepard back but Liara is unsure how she feels about this and whether this is what Verity would want.
For now, stopping the Collectors from buying the body, and whatever plans they have for it, come first. Liara and Feron return to Omega to speak with Aria T'Loak at the Afterlife club; if anyone knows what's going on on Omega, it will be her, and while they know the body is being transferred through Omega they do not know specifically where. Feron takes the lead in speaking with the asari 'queen'. Aria is completely enraged when she learns the full extent of the operation, particularly about the Collectors' involvement, but once Liara explains that as she gave Aria the information on the Collectors, Aria calms and return the favour by telling her where the body is going. She explains that the body is being taken to the lower levels.
"This meeting is over." Aria states with annoyance.
Liara is a little hurt that Aria has not acknowledged her whatsoever during their meeting, she had hoped that Aria might at least be pleased to see her.
"You were wrong, Aria." Liara states confidently.
"What?"
"I never had to use my pistol once against pirates, my biotics ARE enough."
Aria is visibly taken aback. That Liara's biotic prowess enables her to combat squads of hardened killers worries her slightly, if things turned nasty Aria is not certain she could stand up against her. But she is more taken aback that Liara has become so much more confident compared to the shivering little girl from all those years ago. Aria quickly regains her composure and stands strong once again.
"Well, well, the little lamb grew a pair. And I was worried you'd be dead in a week."
"Oh, so you do know me? I was beginning to think I'd have to do the whole biotic goddess routine. Which, incidentally, I am."
Liara stares down Aria.
"Haha! Very funny. I think I like this new you, and yea of course I remember you, but you seem to have forgotten the only rule of Omega."
"Of course I remember, 'Don't fuck with Aria '. But none of this is my fault, you do see that don't you?"
"You're part of bringing all this shit to my station, so I have to be cautious. We might go back a bit, Liara, but business is business and the rule applies to everyone. Everyone."
"I understand." Liara pauses a moment to allow the heat of the conversation to cool a little before smiling. "It is good to see you though, Aria."
Aria smiles back.
"Yea, you too Liara. Hey, you still look in pretty good shape, if you get a sudden urge to mount a podium..."
"Oh it would take more than a few drinks, Aria."
"Ha! Yea, but that was a good night, eh?"
Liara smiles coyly.
"I was so embarrassed when I remembered what we did, which reminds me..."
Liara steps forward and points at Aria.
"You fucking bitch. How could you do that to me? I was practically adolescent!"
"Ha! Yea and the crowd loved it, and if I recall correctly, so did you."
"I was drunk, and after you'd said you would not do that to me, you are lucky mother was not around long enough to hear about it."
"Yea, I heard about that with Benezia, that sounded tough."
"Yes, thank you, Aria. It was Saren and the Reaper Sovereign though, not Benezia. She wanted to try to steer Saren to a nobler path, but was indoctrinated, a kind of mind control, before she could act."
"I also heard the Council are suppressing information about Reapers, not really sure what any of that means, I just hope that Omega doesn't get caught up in it all."
Liara's face changes to one of deadly seriousness.
"Oh it will Aria, believe me it will. It will be everywhere, no-one will escape if no action is taken. Sorry, but that's the way it is. The Reapers will destroy all the organic life in the galaxy if we don't stop them, no exception. I've seen... goddess, the things I have seen... let us just say that I know."
"Fuck. You're not kidding are you?"
"I wish I was. We'd better go."
Feron nods and they walk out together.
"I would have let you do all the talking if I'd known you were friends." he jokes.
"I am not sure who is a friend at the moment, Feron, but for now, she has given us what we need."
Liara is angry that Vido had set her up, his organization not only trying to kill her but also assisting with the transfer of Shepard's body. She certainly feels the desire for revenge but she's not sure if she should or even can do anything about it, and for now there are more important matters to attend to. What could the Collectors possibly want with a human body, specifically, Shepard's body? Surely any human would do. The Cerberus group is a new twist in her investigations, she's not sure that she wishes to be associated with them after the terrible genetic experiments that she'd seen and the murder of Admiral Kahoku. But, if they provide useful, then she might be able to work with them. Finally, Feron. Trouble seems to be following this drell around and Liara suspects he is not being honest with her, or economical with all the facts at the very least. Liara is unsure who is a friend at all at this time.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:37:57 GMT 1
Chapter 28
A chorus of voices begin to sing with gusto.
"The Turians like to, fight, fight, fight!"
Shepard stands with her back to the airlock with Liara looking on in front of her.
"Salarians stay out of, sight, sight, sight!"
The airlock door blows out and Shepard is sucked towards the hole, but clings onto the edge of the doorway with the fingertips of one hand.
"Hanar in the water go, swish, swish, swish!"
Liara holds on to a pipe, stretching out to Verity's free hand, so close to touching, their fingers painfully close, but unable to fight the pressure of the air rushing out into space. She grunts and strains trying to reach Verity's hand.
"A home world is the Quarians', wish, wish, wish!"
Shepard can hold on no longer and is sucked out into space as Liara looks helplessly on, wailing painfully.
"But when Liara is around,
All other species hit the ground,
As Liara only likes to, kill, kill, kill!"
Liara wakes with a start in the bedroom of her large Illium apartment, another restless night. She looks over to Shepard's dog tags she'd recovered from the body when helping Cerberus and allows her self a little cry. It isn't often now that Liara will allow herself to lose control in this way, her harder persona unsympathetic. Liara finds it impossible to find her old self; constant combat as a Normandy squad member, killing her mother, the prothean visions, the Reapers, finding and losing Verity, her hunt for the murderers of her first and only love, the Shadow Broker, so many killings, Liara just cannot process it all. The young and optimistic asari has died, leaving only the sad, dark and lonely shell that she sees herself as now.
As much as she would like her back, even if Cerberus somehow do somehow pump life into her, would Verity even be the same person? Liara certainly isn't the same person she was, and this troubles her greatly. Her rage at the Shadow Broker's mercenaries caused her to enjoy the melee of battle, she revelled in the kills, at times screaming out in triumph. Would she even want a broken darkened soul such as Liara's now? Verity used to praise Liara for her integrity and kind nature.
With the discovery that the Collectors are the ones responsible, Liara realised her quest was at an end. Revenge on bands of pirates is one thing, but an unknown, massively powerful and advanced race such as the Collectors is too great a task for her. She has returned to the familiar and friendlier surroundings of Illium to start a new life as a full time information broker, having found an aptitude for it in her investigations into Shepard's death.
Falling. No. Can't breathe. A leak! No. Oh god, this can't be happening. Please. A light? Benezia didn't see a light.
"There on the monitor, something's wrong."
"She's reacting to outside stimuli. Showing an awareness of her surroundings. Oh my god, Miranda, I think she's waking up."
What? What is this place? The afterlife? Is Miranda an angel then? An angel wouldn't have black trim and insignia. Would they?
"Damn it, Wilson. She's not ready yet. Give her the sedative. Shepard, don't try to move. Just lie still. Try to stay calm."
She's talking to me. Knows my name. Don't recognise her badge. Is that my hand? I'm alive? Liara. Where's Liara? Heartbeat, painfully fast.
"Heart rate still climbing. Brain activity is off the charts. Stats pushing into the red zone. It's not working."
"Another dose. Now."
No. Liara...
"Heart rate dropping. Stats falling back into normal range. That was too close. We almost lost her."
"I told you your estimates were off. Run the numbers again."
Liara gets out of bed, puts on her dressing gown and descends into the living room, trying not to wake Nyxeris. Her fellow asari and information contact is sleeping on Liara's couch until she can find a place of her own. When she discovered that Liara was going to go into business in an official capacity, she insisted on acting as her personal assistant, which Liara has been thankful for. It means less time in dingy bars hanging around with scum, and more time to research, even sometimes time for some prothean studies.
Her main task at the moment is to rescue Feron from the Shadow Broker, and if possible, take the dark information specialist down. In the end, and despite her doubts about him, Feron had sacrificed himself for no personal gain to allow Liara to escape the Shadow Broker's forces with Shepard's body, allowing himself to be captured and imprisoned. Liara feels she needs to repay this debt and it has become her new obsession, a way to channel her darker feelings.
But there is still the matter of Vido. Liara has been biding her time with Vido, and she cannot devote as much time to this as she would like. She's just waiting for him to leave himself exposed, just once, and then, well. She hasn't quite decided what circumstance, or what revenge, she's just letting events play out, keeping an eye on his activities, and waiting for the opportunity to present itself. Zaeed could possibly be useful in all this, now that she has sought out the truth of that matter, that Vido took over the clan by attempting to murder his partner. However, she's not sure how long the old pirate might be able to carry a grudge, Vido having described his rage at being beaten and his later rantings. He might not be entirely stable.
"Do you ever sleep?" Nyxeris asks.
"Oh, sorry, did I wake you?"
"Oh, no, I'm still getting used to these new surroundings, don't worry about me, but you are one for wandering in the night. I mean, don't worry. I am the one imposing."
Nyxeris is unaware of the full extent of Liara's life, just odds and ends, a Normandy story here, the killing of a pirate there, and of course the recent events on Omega, but not the heart-wrenching truths. She just thinks Liara is a night-owl, and some people do do their best thinking in the small hours. She is quite pleased with herself, that she has kept up this polite and considerate persona for her new 'boss'. Nyxeris was flattered that the Shadow Broker chose her for this task, to monitor Liara in her new venture. Why the Broker has chosen not to just kill her is beyond Nyxeris, but his reasons are never known, there are always greater pictures that only he is privy to.
"I am sorry, Nyxeris, I've had a few restless nights. Some old problems coming to haunt me, nothing you need worry about. I'm just getting a glass of water then returning to bed."
"Okay, see you in the morning. I've got another few apartments to check out, let us hope this time they are suitable or not stupidly priced."
"Don't feel hurried, Nyxeris. And goodnight."
Liara ascends the stairs, hopeful she can get some less disturbing sleep.
Nyxeris could get any apartment she wanted but has delayed. She feels it would be more advantageous to get to know Liara better in less formal circumstances, sleeping on her couch being a perfect ruse. She needs to gain her trust, to let her guard down, to allow Nyxeris into her inner thoughts and what she is investigating. The Shadow Broker's location and his identity must be guarded, and she is in the front line, even though she has no idea of either. That she acts as a barrier to Liara making any progress in her endeavour is enough, and rewards from the Broker are potentially great. Nyxeris is correct in thinking that Liara is oblivious to her real motivations.
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Post by mrstoob on Oct 10, 2012 11:38:57 GMT 1
Chapter 29
Ashley is quite excited as her transport descends into the Illium atmosphere. Not only has she never been to Illium before, a beautiful planet with graceful towering cities, she is off to see her friend. She and Liara have not spoken much since Ashley was posted at the remote human colony, and she had felt bad about leaving Liara in her exposed and fragile state. It had taken Ashley a lot of effort to locate Liara's whereabouts but eventually, through Anderson, she found out and contacted her. Liara still kept in contact with Hackett when she had information she knew would be useful to the Alliance, so she assumes it must be through him that Anderson was able to relay the information. She feels a little bad for analysing the reasoning, but this is her work now, she must always know how things come about, particularly when it comes to information on herself. But it was nice to hear from her friend and welcomed the suggestion of a visit, even if she still isn't feeling too good about herself, and she cannot turn away Ashley, Liara's only real friend left in the galaxy.
Ashley has been moved around the colonies often, leaving her feeling dazed and unsettled. It'll be nice to see her funny old friend, let off some steam and have the chance to just relax and play. The asari are known for their relaxed attitude to life, possibly because of their long life-spans, and Ashley thinks Illium will be the perfect tonic for the stresses and strains of her recent career. At times, Anderson or Udina would need Ashley to perform more sensitive jobs; small squads, in and out, high risks and low survival odds. The kind of work that she used to do with Shepard, but she knows she's no Shepard. Working with Shepard had been the greatest learning experience of Ashley's career, no-one can compare to the determination she holds and inspires, improvisation in the field, tactics, every aspect of combat and command. Ashley is forgiving about the darker side of her former commander, putting it down to her upbringing and the strains of command.
The transport lands at the Nos Astra space port and Ashley follows the guide on her datapad to navigate this new place to Liara's apartment, careful with her holdall and its important cargo. It's a very busy place, mainly populated by asari, but many turians, volus and salarians have made their home here. Ashley is certainly out of her comfort zone with no human faces in sight at all. Ashley likes the familiar, the known, the comfortable; it's not that she dislikes the other races, but she's a traditional human and some of their practices or traditions conflict with her opinion. She still holds a live and let live attitude, she doesn't go out of her way to cause conflict with or avoid the aliens, but she prefers human colonies with bars, kids playing in the streets, churches, sports events, and every other cliché on the human check list.
Ashley arrives at the door of the apartment she thinks is Liara's, but looking at it half open, showing a dark dingy looking living room, she's not so sure. She looks at her pad, looks at the number on the apartment, then looks back the way she came, then peers back through the doorway.
"Liara?" she calls through.
She sees two figures on the couch, asari, laying half dressed, asleep and intertwined. Neither is Liara. She steps cautiously through the doorway into a large living room and a kitchen area to the right, the place certainly in need of a good clean and tidy. Ashley sees Liara sitting on a stool with her head on the breakfast bar, passed out by the look of all the empty bottles and phials on the counter.
"Liara!" Ashley now shouts, placing her bag on the floor.
"Hmmmm?"
Liara lifts her head and looks up, a dozy look on her face, barely able to keep her eyes open until she sees it's Ashley. Her eyes widen, a smiles comes across her face and she throws out her arms.
"Auntie Ashey!" Liara shouts, then laughs.
"Eeeer... are you alright? Who are the..?" Ashley gesticulates towards the asari on the couch.
"They're my friends!" Liara replies quite manically.
Ashley picks up one of the empty phials.
"Is this hallex? What are you doing, Liara? Who are these people?"
A voice chirps up from the couch, "Did someone say there is more hallex?"
Liara straightens her body and becomes quite po-faced.
"I'm a grown woman and you are not my mother. I killed my mother, you know."
"Okay, that's it." Ashley announces as she marches over to the asari on the couch. "You two. Out!"
"Liara?" they moan.
"You'd better go, sorry, it is for the best. I'll see you later."
"We can get more hallex for you if you like?" one says as she dresses herself.
"I don't think so." Ashley says.
Once the asari are dressed enough, Ashley ushers them out of the door, shuts it properly and turns to Liara with her arms crossed, evidently annoyed.
"I am sorry, Ashley, I meant to have this place ready for your visit but then I met... eer... Neesha? Aand... umm... Sumala! I knew I knew their names, but they helped me get the hallex. And well, I do not think I need to go into detail but, well, it seems we carried on longer than I had realised. It helps me sleep."
Pleased that she almost been coherent, Liara thinks she has resolved that issue.
"You take hallex to sleep?"
"Well, yes. Sort of. It helps me to... it just helps me, okay?"
It helps her to forget, but she doesn't want to release this all to Ashley. Just to speak about it in this way to her friend would break her control and release the demons, she can't go back to that. When Nyxeris had finally noticed that Liara's night time restlessness was more stress related, she had coerced Liara into trying some narcotics, just to take the edge off life. Liara's indulgent and addictive personality jumped in feet first after a few experimentations, having tried a few different experiences over the last few weeks. She enjoys the release of the first rush, able to just forget about her stress and loss, and the exhaustion of the experiences means she can sleep deep and long. A cunning plan by Nyxeris to render Liara vulnerable and almost useless at her role.
"Yea, and it seems it helps your scrounging hangers-one there too. I suppose they scored for you just so they could partake."
"It's okay, it's quite cheap and legal here. And I don't mind sharing with them, it's nice to have some company over and someone to get high with..."
Liara realises this isn't helping.
"When was the last time you ate? Or showered? Or even left this apartment?"
Liara eyes turn upwards, as though seeking divine inspiration.
"Ummm, well Nyxeris called two days ago, so it was before that... she's my assistant, you know. I have an office and everything."
"Jeez, Liara, you're a fucking mess!"
Her friend's harsh words break the seal as tears start rolling down Liara's face, unable to keep it in any more.
"I am sorry, Ashley. I kept trying to stop taking more and tidy up for you, I so wanted us to have a nice time for your visit, but I can't cope, I really can't. I try to bottle it up, but it always comes back and I started taking hallex to take away the pain. I'm so lonely. Oh goddess, I miss her so much."
Ashley seats herself on one of the stools and just places her hand on Liara's, allowing Liara to let her desperate sobs out. It is a good few minutes until Liara is able to speak again.
"I am sorry I've ruined your visit, Ashley, truly I am."
"Well..." Ashley eventually says, "it's small consolation but..."
She goes to her holdall, unzips it, and pulls out a familiarly styled white box with a smug smile. Liara wipes the tears from her eyes and stares at the box.
"It isn't?" Liara asks, knowing full well the answer, her eyes now widening and already reaching for a fork.
"Oh yea, it is. And you're not getting all of it this time, Arbuckle."
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