Personal Note: This story is based on Victoria Shepard, the same one who was involved in "The Distance Between Two Stars", another one of my tales. It might be a good idea to read that story first to get some context. Also, I am well aware I wrote an epilogue for the entire romance at the end of my first story, but this one takes place shortly after the events of "Two Stars". I have great intentions for this story, including introducing my version of the Reaper's motives and furthering the romance of Liara and Shepard…please let me know what you think thus far!
Of Songs and Seals
Tranquil Beginnings
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."
Shepard lay in bed, staring upwards through the well placed window above her Quarter's. At her side, Liara T'Soni slept, her chest gently rising and falling as she breathed. She looked so peaceful, so at ease. Shepard liked to watch Liara like this. It was in a person's sleep that they were most vulnerable and all facades, all masks that they wore, fell away. Moments such as these were the most intimate two people could share, and Shepard was overjoyed she could spend them with someone she cared for so much and after so long being apart.
After death and resurrection, the Collectors, and dealing with the Shadow Broker, one might expect there would be time for rest and reflection, but this night Victoria Shepard was brooding. She had just read a message that had caused her great distress. A data pad, bringer of such tidings, had been thrown to the floor. She might have shot this very same electronic messenger out of frustration if not for the risk of waking her partner.
The Council, increasingly more interested in public relations than policy, was balking at the evidence found by Shepard and her team on the Collector Base. Not even a clear picture of the squid-like Harbringer as well as data mined from the Prothean-turned-Collector databases was enough. They wanted physical proof and even sending out a ship through the Terminus systems to the Omega IV Relay seemed too much for them.
What more proof could they want? A fleet of ten thousand ships bearing down on their worlds, perhaps then they might realize the magnitude of the threat albeit too late? Shepard was torn as to her next steps. Fly to the Citadel and argue and politick with the likes of an ever more sarcastic Turian councilor or try to dig at some more evidence on her own? Where to start was the question. The Illusive Man had pointed out to her that throughout the Galaxy there were dead worlds that showed signs of life even older than the Protheans themselves. One might find important information recorded on one, even something leading as far back as to the origins of the Reapers themselves and a way to lead to their undoing. She didn't have time to visit dozens of worlds though and she had not even the slightest idea about where in the damned Galaxy to begin. She knew one thing though, if the Council wouldn't act, she must not let that deter her.
She felt like just staying in bed for hours longer. Why get up with no clear path to lead her crew on?
Suddenly, the interjection of the now familiar blue orbed avatar of EDI broke her introspection.
"Commander, during the data mining of information given to use by the Shadow Broker, cross-referenced with what the Illusive Man has provided, I have indications as to where we might orient ourselves next."
The AI, despite attempting to be more "personable" still had not learned the value of introductory statements and oftentimes would cause Shepard to jump as she popped up, immediately relaying information without regard to what the Commander was engaged in. Whether involved in an amorous situation with Liara or in the shower, EDI could always be relied upon to get her message across, no matter how inappropriate the timing.
The Commander, in this case, was frustrated enough already.
"EDI, don't hold me in suspense here. What data are we talking about?"
Liara opened a single eye, roused by the conversation around her. She raised herself up slightly to listen in even as she clung to the sheets covering her. She was holding on to some modesty before an AI that wouldn't have been fazed by the Asari's unclothed body anyway.
"Commander," EDI continued, "A scanning signature indicating a large dark energy concentration like that discovered during Tali's mission was found on a human colony world. The local miners were attempting to gain access to what was thought to be element zero on the planet, but instead they found ruins. Not long after, contact gradually lessened until now the world has not been heard from for two weeks…"
"Two weeks?! Does no one follow up on things anymore?!"
"Commander, intercepted Alliance communications indicate a squad was sent out to investigate, but no word yet on their progress. More interesting is the fact that orbital scans had always indicated what appeared to be signs of ancient superstructures, but only when the human effort took root on the world did the…"
"Set course for the planet. This is at least a start and betting than watching that damn Turian make quotation marks with his fingers…"
Shepard rose out of bed, reenergized with a new purpose. It may not be much, but if nothing else it was a mystery worth looking into. Liara followed her lead, jumping up out of the covers and heading for her own desk, probably to begin accessing and reviewing the very data EDI was referring to.
"Commander…" EDI said. It seemed as if she had one last morsel of information to relay.
Shepard stopped her movement, anxiously awaiting EDI's next words.
"I would recommend Dr. T'Soni clothe herself as for strictly hygienic purposes it is unwise to sit o…"
"Damn it, EDI!"
The AI took the cue and immediately her avatar contracted and disappeared.
Shepard looked over at Liara and shook her head.
"That AI is getting far too comfortable with us. I can't tell if she is being provocative or is simply blissfully unaware of how she comes off…"
Liara just smiled and reached for some clothing she had laid out for herself. They finally had something to occupy themselves and not a lot of time to do it.
Wasting Away
Shepard had gathered her team in the briefing room. Before them was a holographic image of the planet itself. It was an unappealing world, with several large clay colored land masses.
"The planet is largely arid and rocky. Its main resource is large amounts of highly concentrated element zero…"
EDI had been giving them a rundown of the planet for some time.
"The colony was placed here, close to a large amount of what was thought to be element zero…"
The image of the dusty looking planet suddenly zoomed in. A bird's eye view of a simple human colony appeared.
"It looks about the size of Feros…" Garrus said.
"Population of the colony is estimated to be 3500 permanent residents and a garrison of 300 soldiers…"
"They must have not expected much trouble with that ratio of citizen to soldier." Shepard said.
So far there was nothing remarkable about the planet or the mission. According to EDI the whole set up on the planet was rather ragtag, with the colonists given a limited budget for infrastructure to maximize profit from the mines. It would not be unheard for a company to skimp on the technology and have communications break down as a result of old and reused parts.
Still, two weeks was a long time to repair a comm relay.
"So there has been no word from the garrison OR the team that was sent to investigate?" Jacob said. He was looking frustrated, perhaps because there had been so little activity recently and more so that the current mission ahead of them looked to be a boring affair.
"None since they landed." EDI responded flatly.
"Well everyone…" Shepard began, "I know it seems hard to live up to the excitement of raiding an ancient enemy base or rescuing ailing ships, but it is a start. Until we can get the Council to come around we have to follow every lead possible."
"What about the ruins that brought us here?" Miranda was standing, arms crossed, looking perplexed. For a ship noted for such glorious deeds, the Normandy seemed to be embarking on such a trivial affair.
"Orbital scans indicate the outlines of what appear to be a large structure 20 kilometers from the colony. We have no visual confirmation of such, but I believe once a team reaches the planet we will be able to confirm or deny their existence."
"Thank you EDI," Shepard said, "We have the information we need. When the ship docks, Garrus, Liara, and Grunt, you are with me. Miranda, you keep watch over the ship."
Shepard was beginning to doubt even herself. Her initial enthusiasm was wearing off. She didn't know what to expect planetside, but so far everything was telling her bumbling colonists and bad tech was the root of the problem.
The trip to the planet did not take long. The docking procedure was automated, initiated by a signal sent by EDI. As the Normandy touched down and Shepard and her team emerged, they looked outside as the docking area closed. A dusty, windy planet that looked like Mars but somehow was remarkably less interesting was all that could be seen.
It was eerily quiet. No one was out to meet them and not a single person could be seen. You might expect even a small docking area to have some activity. As Shepard moved forward, she was on her guard. Something felt wrong, yet everything, despite the lack of humans, seemed in order. Lights were blinking on consoles and automated routines were continuing that allowed docking and refueling for the Normandy.
Suddenly, a figure began lurching toward them from behind several crates. Shepard stopped, and in an instinctual reaction put out her hand in front of Liara as to come to her protection. Grunt and Garrus drew their weapons and aimed…
A pathetic sight was walking towards them. A human, but frighteningly thin, with bones jutting out as if only the barest layers of flesh still clung to him. His face was gaunt, his beard disheveled, and his eyes deeply set with a wild look in them.
"You came!" the figure exclaimed, "We knew you would come Shepard! We knew it!"
The man drew closer. Grunt and Garrus looked to Shepard as if wondering if they should fire. She raised her hand and they dropped their weapons slowly.
"Who are you? How do you know me?" Shepard tried to say the words slowly. She wondered if the person in front of her even possessed the ability to understand her.
The man crept forward, his every step indicated as if the very act of walking was overcoming a great burden. He wore a toothy grin on his face, seemingly excited by the sight of Shepard.
"You…came! We were waiting for you…you came!" He repeated.
Suddenly a powerful voice rang out.
"Mark, get back. Leave them alone."
A well muscled man in the armor of an Alliance soldier stepped forward. He looked like a giant in comparison to the shriveled man in front of him.
"Mark, you shouldn't be here." The soldier said.
He looked then at Shepard and her team.
"Commander Shepard, we were expecting you…"
Shepard looked him over. From afar you might think him an imposing sight, but up close you could see weariness about him. His armor was dented and worn and he had dark circles around his eyes.
"Expecting me? Who are you?" Shepard answered.
"Forgive me…common pleasantries have been lost with exhaustion. I am Second Lieutenant Salazar. We were the team sent to check out the situation on this world and assist…" With that he looked at the emaciated man beside him, "and we have not done a good job of it, as you can see."
"What is going on here? Why is this man starving?" Shepard was completely confused. To see a tired, but seemingly well fed soldier and then a withering man beside him raised some unpleasant questions.
Salazar sighed. "Mark, get back to the facility. Now." The thin man's face dropped into a sad, defeated look. He turned and shuffled away.
"Shepard…you and your team follow me."
They walked for some time through what appeared to be a ghost town of a colony. All around were signs of what might have passed for frenzied activity, but now machines, tools, everything lay quiet.
They saw a large, domed structure.
"This…this is the facility where the colonists are…" Salazar said. He seemed anxious. "Prepare yourself Shepard."
As a large door whooshed open, Shepard and her team were treated to a horrific site. In a large, open building there were what looked to be about one thousand humans. They were cramped together, skeletal men and women mulling about. There were low moans of pain, probably hunger, emanating from the crowd. The wretched stench of such massed and sad humanity assaulted the noses of Shepard and her team, hitting them like a terrible wind.
"This is wrong! What is happening here! What did you do to these people?!" Liara's eyes were narrow, her voice heightened by the injustice she saw.
"This is what is left of the colonists. A thousand out of three times that number." Salazar responded. "We found them wasting away. The crops they were growing in greenhouses failed repeatedly. Their water resources somehow became polluted. We have been trying to share what food we have with us and various emergency rations, but it is hard to split up a thousand ways and still keep my men and those able to fight alive to…well, to face what is out there."
"What is out there? Where are your men?" Shepard inquired. She still was recovering from the shock of what she was seeing.
"Holding the barricades outside the colony. I had three hundred, now I have half that with two hundred more colonists who are still in some shape to hold a gun. You must see it for yourself, where this nightmare began. There I will explain to you what has happened."
As they walked away from the entrance, the door closed quickly. Shepard felt relieved as she couldn't imagine looking at such a sight much longer. That feeling was short lived.
As they walked they came upon several long trenches. The closer they came, the realization of what was half buried there hit the squad.
"Oh…Goddess!" Liara cried. She turned away quickly, grabbing at Shepard's arm and trying to bury her face in the Commander's chest to escape the sight. Shepard wrapped her arms around her as they walked slowly forward. She herself felt sick to her stomach. Grunt merely shook his head and Garrus look briefly and turned away.
In the trenches were layers and layers of human corpses. Eyes wide, frozen expressions of terror and pain on the faces. They were also emaciated, the very outline of their skeletons poking through their skin. The smell of decaying flesh was overpowering. Men, women, children, thrown as if they were trash and hastily covered with earth. Some women's bodies looked as if they were cradling the little ones as if trying to protect them from their agony. A tumbled mess, arms and legs jutting out, bodies contorted.
"They starved," Salazar said flatly, as if unaffected by the sight, "a mercy in the scope of things."
"How can you say that?!" Liara hissed.
"You will see."
They walked on. Finally they came to rows of makeshift barricades facing an open plain. They saw the soldiers, faces wearing an expression of overwhelming exhaustion. They looked as if they would fall over at any moment. None moved to greet the Commander and her squad.
Salazar stopped. Then he pointed out towards the plain.
"Eighteen kilometers that way is where the mines were supposed to be, among some hills identified by orbital scans as containing valuable eezo. What the colonists found instead, and what we have become trapped by, is…well…"
Salazar couldn't finish the sentence, as if he were grasping at words to describe what he saw.
"What did you see?" Shepard asked. She wondered if she even wanted to know the answer.
"It…it is a dark, black…thing. Massive. Tentacles as arms. They excavated it for over a month, thinking it would be worth something. They must have…have activated something. Since then everything has gone wrong. We walked right this mess. We are trapped here…with awful things and visions…"
Shepard knew what they had found. She couldn't believe it.
"The visions…" Salazar continued, "They haunt us in our dreams. Screeching metal. Explosions. Then…you…your face, your name. It was calling for you, demanding you."
"I don't like this, Shepard…" Liara had a look of concern on her face. Her voice sounded strained, almost as if she was a child asking her mother if she could go home now.
Shepard's mind was buzzing. What the hell was happening here? How could they have found something like that? It couldn't be. No, it didn't make sense. Here, in the Milky Way? How?
Salazar broke her train of thought.
"The colonists found an old temple buried around here as well. They considered it a curse. They destroyed it. All but this…"
He motioned to a small box on the ground behind a barricade. He moved to open it. As he did, the soldiers suddenly grimaced; each one now had a look of terror on their faces. As Salazar opened the ornate box, Shepard saw a small, purple cloth covering the inside. He carefully picked up the cloth and it seemed to be wrapped around something. Slowly he removed the covering and turned and showed her what he had.
It was a small statue. Shepard was expecting worse, but as she stared at it she suddenly became very uneasy. It had the body of a man, but the head of a lion. Talons, four wings, and its right hand was pointing upward. A tongue was carved sticking out of its mouth. It seemed to stare back at her.
Suddenly her uneasiness became abject terror. Voices began to whisper in her head. The whispers became words…she couldn't make out who was talking or what they were saying yet. The voices grew louder. Then, she heard her name.
"Shepard."
With one motion she grabbed the cloth out of Salazar's hand and covered the statue, proceeding to throw it on the ground. She gasped for air as if she couldn't breathe. Liara comforted her, she must not have felt what she had.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Shepard said breathlessly.
"You have come now. That is what it wanted. Maybe we will find out. We shouldn't stay here long, as there is dan…"
Suddenly, a soldier rose up and cried, "Look! Something is coming! Someone!"
Out in the distance, a human shape was shambling towards the barricades. The rows of soldiers drew their guns and aimed. It continued forward, drawing ever closer.
Shepard looked out. The full horror of what was happening here had yet to reveal itself.