Shepard was growing impatient. He needed a the answer to his question and fast. Every second the VI spent explaining the details of the Reaper cycles thousands more died and that was just on Thessia. It didn't seem to care though nor notice the agitation in his voice as he pressed it further.
"There's still hope for this cycle!", he shouted. "The Crucible is complete we only lack the Catalyst. We can end this but we need to hurry! Tell me how to get the Catalyst!"
The VI's green interface flickered. "Very well, I was programmed to withhold knowledge of the Catalyst until the Crucible was complete." Apparently Shepard had said the key word or phrase that triggered the response he sought. He made a mental note to tell Javik that prothean technology was just as infuriating as a live prothean. The VI continued, "The Catalyst...alert, indoctrinated presence detected. Initiating security protocols."
His anger soared. Whatever "indoctrinated presence" that had cause the VI to flee and delay him even more was about to be turned into a pile of ash. Shepard drew his pistol and whipped around in one fluid motion. He was milliseconds from unleashing an incineration blast and a hail of bullets when the scene he beheld halted him.
Liara struggled against the assassin's hold. His sword was terrifyingly close to her throat. Kai Leng had somehow managed to sneak up on them and grab Liara while keeping her biotics at bay.
Shepard didn't think he could reach another level of angry. It felt like a volcano was going off inside of him.
"I wouldn't struggle so much, Dr. T'soni. My blade just might slip and well, that would be...unfortunate," a smug grin beamed back at Shepard. "Don't move a muscle, either of you, or your...is it bondmate now? Well, she'll suffer the same fate as Thane."
Garrus cast a glance at the commander trying to discern what plan he was formulating. He noticed Leng's gaze was focused on him, knowing the sniper rifle was a bigger threat then the pistol the Shepard favored. All he needed was a distraction. He was confident he could drop the assassin in a heart beat, especially if the commander overloaded the biotic-generated barrier first. Unfortunately, Shepard seemed frozen, unable or unwilling to risk an attack.
Liara locked her gaze on the commander. "Shepard, grab the VI and get out of here. It's the only thing that matters right now." She was trying to be brave but her voice had trembled. The commander didn't flinch. The skin on his neck had turned red, his jaw clenched tight.
"Oh yes, please do, Shepard. That would make things much more interesting. Before you do anything rash though, I believe someone wishes to speak to you," Leng's words dripped with scorn.
A small blue orb hover out from behind Leng. The device whirred and buzzed, then it began to project a holographic image. Shepard knew all to well who was generated before him. The man was proving to be as big as enemy as Harbinger. "Shepard, it's about time you showed up. The Reapers have almost over run this planet. Thank you for unlocking the beacon. Now, if you'll excuse us, we will take the prothean VI and be on our way. I can control the Reapers with it, Shepard. This is the key to stopping them and elevating humanity to its highest levels," the Illusive Man concluded enthusiastically.
"I don't know how you found out about this place, but you are NOT getting your hands on that VI," Shepard growled. Controlling the Reapers, the man was clearly delusional.
"We found it in the archives on Mars of course. Apparently your little asari play thing missed that piece of information. Perhaps she was...distracted?" The Illusive Man took a hit from his ever present cigarette, pleased with the insult he had placed on both of them.
The comment struck a little too close to home for Liara. She knew she had not fully focused on combing the Mars archive. Often she had let her mind wander to the commander. Guilt tugged at her, if only she had been more diligent. The opportunity was gone though, all she could do now was ensure he made the right choice. Cerberus had done...something to her, the feel of a foreign object on the back of her head the only indication. She had to get Shepard out of here before they could exploit it. "Shepard, listen to me. We can't fail in this. The stakes are so much bigger then us. Take him out, get the data on the Catalyst. You must do what is necessary," she pleaded.
Shepard swallowed hard. He wanted to grab the little blue orb and crush it. He wanted to obliterate Kai Leng, but what he needed to do though was get his emotions in check and think. She was right, but he wasn't ready to give up on her yet. He wasn't sure he could if it came down to it and that unnerved him. Breathing deeply, he tried to settle himself. All the cards weren't on the table yet, there was still time salvage this and get everyone out safely. The Illusive Man was trying to provoke him into something bold so he needed to stay focused. There was too much at stake to slip up now.
The Illusive Man continued, "I was pleased we had guessed correctly that you would bring the good doctor with you. I have to admit though, it was Leng's idea to take her hostage and use your loyalties against you. He's turned out to be a much better operative then you, focused on the goal and not so concerned about the methods. Honestly though Shepard, I thought you would have been wiser then this. Love only gets in the way, binds you to a certain path."
"It's the only thing that matters and keeps you focused on what is important," Shepard countered.
"Your idealism is...admirable, even useful at times, but a fatal flaw in the end. It is why I shield you from her during the Collector mission. I couldn't risk my investment," he admitted.
"You gave me the data on the Shadow Broker in the end, why?" He had to know.
"It's simple really," he paused to puff on his cigarette, "the mission was over. I had what I needed, so it was time to set up the next move. I considered that if you two reunited and fell in love again, I might be able to exploit it some day. And well, here we are." The smug look on his face boiled Shepard's blood.
He had been set up. The Illusive Man wanted to take the best thing in his life and make it the worst. He was trying to make Liara a weapon against him. The thought threatened to undo his last bits of self-control. He would not let this heartless bastard outwit him. He turned his attention to the assassin that held Liara.
"Release her, Leng. Take me head on. Fight me like a real man instead of hiding. Only the weak use such cowardly tactics," Shepard snarled at the assassin. He thought to use their tactics against them. Leng was vain and had a need to prove he was better then him. If he could just provoke Leng into coming after him. The assassin sneered back, his body language telling Shepard that he desired a head on battle. Good, he just needed to prod him a little more.
The Illusive Man was onto him though, "Really, Shepard? I didn't think you'd resort to barbarism so quickly. I thought you were the noble peacemaker now. Turians and Krogan working together, even the Geth and Quarians are playing nice. In honor of your diplomatic achievements, I offer my own deal."
Shepard ignored the hologram and focused on the man threatening Liara's life. "That's what I thought, Leng. Can't stand on your own? Have to be given permission from your master first?" He continued to jab at the assassin's pride. Leng fidgeted in place and scowled at Shepard.
The Illusive Man pressed their conversation forward, knowing the assassin's resolve was quickly crumbling. "I offer you this compromise: Leng will release the asari once he has secured the VI and your team will be allowed to leave without incident," the hologram flickered as he waited for Shepard's response. The shift in dynamic meant he was going to have make his decision soon.
"Hmm, that doesn't sound too bad. Once he takes the VI and we have Liara back we can just kick his punk ass. What do you think, Garrus?" Shepard gestured with is left hand, making a shape with his fingers that both Garrus and Liara would recognize.
Liara hissed in pain as the assassin flicked the razor sharp edge of his sword against her neck. The movement had split open her skin causing dark purple blood to gush from the wound. It wasn't deep enough to slice her windpipe or cut an artery but it was damn close. "I told you not to move! Next time she dies," Kai Leng barked.
Much to her credit, Liara did not cry out or panic. She simply grimaced in pain and slightly dipped her head to her right indicating that was the direction she would move once they unleashed their attack. Liara's eyes pleaded with Garrus, knowing she would be moving across his line of fire and could easily be his victim instead. It was the best thing should could do though. Garrus knew that once the signal word had been uttered Shepard would unleash an overload attack. The pain from overloading the barrier and shocking the nervous system would cause Leng to jolt forward, dipping his head down and forward. Liara would continue to pull him in that direction and towards his left as she braced his sword arm to keep him from slitting open her throat. He envisioned his shot, knew where he needed to aim. He would have to be lightning fast. He smirked slightly, when he landed this shot Shepard was definitely going to have to admit he was the better shot.
"Of course if you refuse my generous offer, Leng will be forced to detonate her nervous system. We haven't been able to fully test this new weapon yet, but the scientists believe if used on a biotic the action would cause the victim to internalize their biotic attacks. You can imagine the result," the Illusive man took a long drag on his cigarette this time, letting the threat sink in.
Shepard's skin crawled. It would be an agonizing death, like being eaten from the inside if it worked like he claimed. Even if it didn't fire off her biotics the damage to her nervous system would be horrific and leave Liara as little more then vegetable. He stared at her, but she would not look at him. It was the moment they had both dreaded, but never spoke about. Every time he took her on a mission it was a risk they took. He had told himself he was a solider first and foremost. The mission would be not compromised by his choice to love someone in his crew. Yet he was hesitating, even knowing that trillions of lives were depending on him. The truth was, he valued her life above them all.
Garrus could see the internal struggle raging inside. It was plain on the commander's face. He needed to buy Shepard some time. "How do we know you even have such a weapon? Sounds made up to me."
The Illusive Man smiled, "Now, now, that would be telling. The uncertainty is much more enjoyable. Besides, I wouldn't expect a simple turian to understand the science behind its design, so I won't waste my time."
Garrus scoffed, "I think you don't understand it either, if such a thing actually exists. Look, as much fun as ancient temples are to fight through, this one is special to a dear friend of mine, so I'd rather not make a mess of it. Why don't you just walk away and I won't have to turn your little pet into a headless husk?"
"Boldly stated, but hollow. My patience wears thin, Shepard. What do you choose? Will you spare your true love and allow me to save humanity? Or will you sacrifice her and entrust our fate to your blind faith in the Crucible being able to destroy the Reapers?"
He knew what he had to do. She knew what he was going to do. There had never been a choice really. This was his fate and the fate of those who followed him. Death was their constant companion and sacrifice their highest calling. So with resolution in his voice and the utmost trust in his friend and his love to do all they could to save each other, he uttered the signal phrase, "Go to hell!"
What happened next was a blur. There were bits and pieces he could recall but there was no sense of order to them. The only thing he knew for certain was that Kai Leng was gone and so was the VI. He groaned when he slowly opened his eyes only to find harsh white lights interrogating him. Shepard struggled to right himself, a stabbing pain in his chest thwarting his efforts. Breathing was difficult, but he could so pushed away the rising panic. He needed his omni-tool. Hopefully his plan had worked, if not, well, he didn't want to entertain that notion.
"Relax, Commander, you're not ready to get up yet. Here, this will help you sleep," the voice stated calmly.
The voice sounded like Dr. Chakwas, which meant he was back on the Normandy. He needed to get up and pursue Leng, not sleep! "No, omni-tool...find Cerberus," He managed to utter, the effort draining the last bit of his energy. Suddenly he remembered Liara's peril, "Liara...", he breathed, then it was black.