Author note :
This is a sequel to Pieces Old and New. It will be a collection of short stories of incidents in the years that followed the end of the TI Conflict in the spring of 2192 CE. There may be some confusion concerning Liara and Shiala. This is due to the revisions I made in Pieces Old and New where I added and rewrote certain sections affecting a few characters. In short, two years after Delenn and Davina were formally acknowledged into Clan T'Soni, Shepard and Shiala became bondmates with Liara's approval. The bonding created a third child for the family, Estia.
Shepard made a career choice to continue on in the navy than the marines. She passed through ATC (Advanced Tactical Course) and rose gradually in the ranks. First becoming Commodore before attaining the current rank of Rear Admiral of the Red, commanding the VAF stationed in the Terminsus Systems. Hannah Shepard is a Admiral of the Red, commanding Home Fleet. Admiral Hackett is still in charge of the Systems Alliance. The Vanguard Allied Fleet Shepard suggested to the Military and Citadel Council was formed two years after the TI Conflict. It was put under Shepard's command in recognition that allied forces, out of respect for Shepard and an aspiration for further collaboration, would function appropriately in this first attempt to unite different allied military personnel on each vessel in the fleet. The VAF immediately set out to secure trade and travel routes in the Terminus Systems and surrounding regions.
In the winter of 2199 CE. The trial of Trisio T'Enaire and her associates for illicitly aiding the TI during the Conflict and allowing them access to the cities was finally held. After a lengthy debate, the Asari voted that she and her supporters were to be handed over to the Justicars.
* Due to Bioware's lackadaisical approach to forming a proper military chain of command ranks and everything of significance, I chose to form up the CoC using present and fictional forms presented in real life and science fiction novels. Hence, ranks and insignia in the fic will differ from those portrayed in the trilogy.
As with the first fic, there is no blueprint. Whatever I put here may not come together in a cohesive manner. Changes and editing will take place from time to time as I come back to it.
To those who took the time to read and for their forbearance, many thanks. Cheers!
2200 CE
Thessia
Davi lazily kicked her legs as she lay prone on the floor cushions, eyes rapt on the bright globe of light cupped in the hands of her elder sister. Her body glimmered with the barrier she put around herself, her fine "brows" furrowed in concentration. Colourful little rubber balls hardly bigger than her finger swirled in thrall around the globe. A smaller girl of dark purple lay next to Davi, her attention on a pyramid she was building with a container of the same rubber balls at her elbow. One of the balls twitched before bouncing into Davi's hand. The girl opened her mouth to protest but remained quiet at a hissing shush. Her eyes went to the ball on Davi's hand and to the bright globe.
The revolution of the balls was so fast they seemed to form a solid barrier. Davi's gaze became more intent, her legs went still. She waited for the moment. She didn't see the opening with her eyes. It was more of instinct and subconscious awareness. The ball from her hand whipped into the barrier. At the same time, she threw up a shield around her and the young girl.
Thunk! The ball struck the barrier and shot out like a bullet. Her aim was true. The ball barrier disappeared when the rubber balls broke apart and scattered in all directions. The biotic globe and the shield around the oldest girl vanished as she released her gripe on her biotics.
"Damn it, I thought I had it," Delenn muttered in disappointment. Her blue eyes glared at the balls still bouncing around the room.
Dropping her chin into her hands, the auburn hair girl grinned. "So I get to choose the cake this time, right?"
"Raspberry cake," the young girl pronounced brightly. The pyramid she was building collapsed with her distraction. "Davi, raspberry," she implored.
"We had that last year and you had it for dessert earlier," Davi returned with a scowl. She could never understand why Estia never got sick of the fruit when she had it everyday. "Pineapple."
A grimace soured two faces. "No, not pineapple," Estia protested, scrambling to her feet. "Not pineapple, raspberry, raspberry," she said insistently, her voice growing louder.
"Pick another one," said Delenn as she flopped down on the cushions. "I'll help. Apple, blueberry, cherry, redberry, cranberry, kiloa, garosh..."
"Raspberry!" Estia piped in.
"Jiper, arsor.."
"Raspberry!" Estia looked ready to bawl.
"If we can't make a choice, mom will just randomize it," Davi said gloomily.
Estia's face brightened. "Dad will give us raspberry!"
Delenn groaned and grabbed a cushion to cover her head. Estia and her raspberries. She wished they were home, not stuck out in the hills on a school field trip for three weeks. Three weeks of not talking to dad. They could convey their choice to their mothers but their dilemma about what they were going to do and the cake were always resolved when they talked to dad. This year, they hadn't decided on anything. Everyone seemed to be very busy. Mothers and granddad all suddenly have urgent or important matters that called them away. Even aunt Miona would disappear who knew where for weeks. She lifted the cushion at the sound of the opening door. It ought to be Haseine Tarvia, their class teacher, telling them to go to bed.
There was a gasp, a thump and something rolling across the floor. Delenn bolted upright, belatedly remembering the coloured balls scattered around the room. Her guilty gaze met a pair of startled light brown eyes. Pushing away from the wall that broke her fall, Tarvia eyed the floor, then the three girls who were now standing. She cleared her throat.
"It's close to bed time, girls. Tidy up the room before tucking yourselves in."
"Yes Haseine," chorused Delenn and Davi with a trailing mumble from Estia that sounded like "-berries".
Repressing a smile, Tarvia nodded gravely and stepped out of the room. For the next forty minutes, she looked into every room in the wing under her charge. A few words of rebuke and reminders settled several of her rambunctious charges. Some required a more direct hand, most were judicious as the T'Soni trio and could be trusted to tidy up their rooms and prepared their gear for the next day. Nearly an hour later, she was looking in again at the T'Sonis. The room was pitch black but she could feel the sleeping presences. Closing the door, she made her way to the entrance of the student residence. Come the dawn, she and the other teachers would lead a short trek into the hills. Not an easy undertaking but fortunately, they had many eyes to keep watch.
The stairwell was unlit but she had no problems navigating down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, the unusual flickers of light and movement through the windows of the teachers' residence caught her attention. What was gong on? Her omni-tool emitted a three tone beep. Urgent message. She could barely see who it was when she enabled the small screen, it was all static black and grey. Something was jamming the signal but she recognised Hilia ve T'Soni's hushed whisper.
"..via... three... now!"
Tarvia didn't bother to ask which or what three. She ran back up the stairs as fast as she could and into the trio's room. Entering as quietly as she could. She didn't bother with a light. She headed to the bed and laid a hand on the occupant closest to her.
Wake, it is Tarvia. Don't make any sound. Her luck that she found Delenn first. The girl woke immediately.
Haseine? {sleepy confusion}
We're in trouble. We must leave now. Get dress for trekking as quickly as you can, we have only minutes.
Tarvia risked a light from her omni-tool. Delenn blinked but slide out of bed and began to pull on the clothes she had laid out for the following morning. A good thing they inculcated readiness in the children to reduce the amount of fuss. Davi was next, springing to her feet the second she recognised her teacher's message. Being younger, Estia needed more patience and firm coaxing to remain quiet. Tarvia had to reinforce the impression of danger without frightening the girl too much. When she finished dressing Estia, she found the two older girls waiting with packs slung over their shoulders.
"Good. We're going into the hills."
"What about-" Delenn began to ask and fell silent at the gesture from Tarvia.
"Later. Follow closely and make no sound."
Going to the wardrobe at the far wall, Tarvia turned off the omni-tool light and felt for the hidden touch plate. A luminous rectangular glow appeared. The girls stifled their gasp. Estia watched with wide eyes when the glow faded. The cool wind of the night blew against their faces from the opened window.
"Delenn, you go first. Keep to the railing and take charge of Estia."
Without a word, Delenn grasped hold of the window sill and climbed out onto a mossy path. A metal railing ran parallel to the path on her left, preventing a drop to the shallow ravine along the forest floor. Tarvia hoisted Estia through the window. Taking hold of her hand quickly, Delenn pulled her youngest sister aside to make room for the other two. At the same time, she reinforced Tarvia's command for silence. She and Davi were often warned by their parents and grandparents that there were people who might wish to harm them. At such times, they were to trust Hilia, Tarvia and the commandos they knew. While afraid, she was also excited at the thought of adventure.
Tarvia took hold of Davi's hand once she had climbed out. Being human, the girl would have difficulty travelling in the dark. Tapping on the wall, Tarvia closed the secret window.
"Come," she said softly. The children followed her silently down the path.
Citadel
The Citadel conference was fortunately over when Liara received the message from Aethyta. Abandoning all plans to follow up with her fellow researchers, Liara contacted the captain of the Tilvar so she could make arrangements for their departure. Packing quickly, Liara was onboard Aethyta's private ship within the hour. Leaving just as quickly was not to be, she discovered; they had to wait for clearance and a departure slot. Wary that communications might be compromised, Liara did not attempt to call Aethyta. Instead, she sat in her cabin, drew up a list of possibilities and carried out her usual schedule of talking with her bondmate.
Shepard was as usual at her desk when they made contact. Liara was careful not to betray the slightest sign of any anxiety and made sure to talk about the conference. "Are you still on schedule?" she asked.
Her bondmate looked as vibrant as ever. Her red hair and blue eyes a startling contrast to her office surroundings. Shepard needed no decor in the room when she herself was enough. Liara's eyes wandered idly over her bondmate's immaculate black uniform. The steward was doing a good job, she was pleased to note.
Shepard's uniform insignia had changed with her rise in rank. The silver diamond-shaped collar insignia was replaced by gold insignia. The shoulder boards each sported a silver eight-pointed star, the crossed sword emblem with the underlying gold and blue stripe. The starburst gleamed from the left shoulder fleet patch. Four broad gold bands with a red thin stripe flashed on the sleeves, the Systems Alliance insignia and the gold stripe marked with blue and green slashes of previous commands on the chest.
"The dust up ended early so this pigeon is winging home," Shepard grinned. "How're the girls doing?"
Liara made a face. "Still trying to thrash out what they want. I do not think they would agree to anything until you get here."
"It's getting a little tough," Shepard sighed. "Maybe I should ask Hannah to buy something on the way."
"That will settle the never ending debate. At least for this year."
"Hmmm." Shepard idly twirled the stylus in her hand as she considered several solutions for the annual headache. "I'll ask her to get a special extra as a back up."
"Not raspberries," Liara said with a long suffering look.
Shepard laughed. "Estia will grow out of it."
"That was what you said a year ago," Liara reminded her accusingly. "Neither Shiala or I believe it any more."
"Come on, kids can be persistent. I remember a certain asari kid digging holes in the garden forever and another who tried to make herself a qiori for nearly a decade. I know I drove my dad crazy with pineapples at one time."
"Thank the goddess neither Delenn and Davi go on like Estia."
"What're they on now?"
Liara chuckled. "Funny you mentioned pineapples.."
"Davi?" Shepard knew it has to be her. Delenn didn't much like the fruit when she tried it.
Liara nodded. "Delenn wants to be like Miona."
Shepard winced. "Tell me she didn't paint herself black?" she said.
"Not in looks."
"Ah. I guess she wised up."
They exchanged grins, recalling the time when Davi went through the same phase and painted herself all black, with help from her sisters. The result was a trail of mischief. Two wrecked bedrooms, a fouled hall stream and most of the walls bedaubed. Effia had raised the roof. Being the youngest, Estia escaped the cleaning up detail.
"Pineapples huh," Shepard said reminiscently. Pineapples wouldn't mix with the first choice she had in mind but perhaps she could lead Davi's taste bud to something else.
"I know that look. What are you planning?" Liara growled in mock suspicion.
"Introducing a new scent. Hannah could bring it if she make a stopover at the Citadel. She confirmed her arrival date. I'll probably come in on the same day or a day later if anything crops up."
Liara took careful note. "Everything will be ready. I will not keep you any longer since you have quite a stack waiting for you." She looked at the tidy pile of datapads at her bondmate's elbow.
"Paperwork, more paperwork and letters," Shepard said mournfully.
"Not too bad I hope."
"It's not too bad. I'll see you in a few days, Esare'ie."
"Esare'ie."
Liara blew her bondmate a kiss and sighed wistfully when the screen went dark. After nearly a year of absence, she looked forward to having her bondmate back on Thessia. There was so much to catch up on, exciting things to do. Memories of the past years flitted before her eyes. Years of happiness and growth. She smiled dreamily before rousing herself back to reality. Athame bless, the matter was resolved positively. She prayed silently for a moment before clearing her mind and started on the records she made of the conference.
An hour later, the Tilvar was on its way to Thessia. She spent the journey collating data, exercising and meditating. She prepared herself as best as she could for what was to come. As expected, Hiaras and Shiala met her at the Kelice spaceport. Exchanging warm greetings, they made their way to the carpark, making nothing more than the usual small talk. Once the skycar was on its way, Liara reached for Shiala's hand. They linked instantly.
The girls?
Hilia managed to trigger the beacon before they were cut off. We can't be sure if Tarvia got them out. The brown comm was received from Hilia three hours ago.
The brown comm was a security arrangement. If there was nothing wrong, Hilia would speak of certain matters. Otherwise, her conversation would be common place. A red alert to Aethyta. That she was allowed to call meant whoever was holding Hilia, the commandos, the students and the teachers wanted to keep the situation under control and normal to outside eyes. No sign of the girls or Tarvia when Aethyta asked about them. From Hilia's reply, she was not certain they were safely away.
The other teachers also made their scheduled calls to the other parents. There is a heavy dampening field in the northern Nagone Forest. Either Tarvia got away with the girls or they're held in which case they're waiting for further instructions.
Perhaps the girls got away by themselves.
If that is possible.
Anything is possible. If they have the girls, they cannot risk the shedding of blood. Not when they still have a chance at bargaining.
This is Trisio's work. {grimly}
No doubt. She and her cohort do not have much time left before the Justicars carry out their sentence. This is their last chance to get out if they can. Aethyta sent out the commandos the day before to scout Nagone Forest. She'll brief us once we reach home.
I hope she has a plan. We do not want to give Shepard bad news when she comes back. She is going to be extremely upset we kept this from her.
Shepard is going to be more than upset. {wry} Goddess grant us the girls' safe return. {fervent}
We should not have let them go on the field trip. {remorse and regret}
We can't enclose them forever behind the walls. Liara ...
I know. I know. {sigh}
It will never go away, you know that. Shiala grasped Liara's hand in empathy. We can try our best to keep them safe. Just as our mothers did their best for us.
Our mothers did not have Shepard for their bondmate. {wry observation}
{chuckle} Come now, we can't lay everything on our beloved. Trisio and her supporters are Thessia's problem.
They should have been sentenced years ago.
{musingly} If they were, it may not have made any difference. With their lives at stake, they would fight the hardest, resort to extreme methods to save themselves. However, we must consider that Triso may not be responsible for the present crisis. Nevertheless, what do you think they would have done with the girls?
Liara frowned. You are suggesting something revolting. That is not the way of the asari.
No, it is not of most of us but we must not forget that post-war circumstances were tumultuous. Those who would not have returned at all, would have taken advantage of the shattered archives.
Ahhh.
Liara saw where Shiala was heading. For thousands of years, the custom of Ranaedi kept undesirable elements at bay. Those who committed unacceptable offences never returned for they would never be accepted back into the fold. Then there were others who walked a fine line. Like Aria. Her position in the Terminus Systems, her own recognition and willingness to conform with the creed of the asari had spared her total repudiation.
The Reaper War tore apart the security bulwark and created chaos. Those who would not have returned, did so under many guises. A cold hand clenched around Liara. If it was not Trisio who masterminded the attempt to snatch the children, it would be not easy to pin the cause of the enmity of those who stood against them. It could be an ancient contention or a contemporary grudge. Either against her or Shepard or anyone in the family.
You think Trisio could degrade herself to such level. {disbelief} If it is not Triso, if what happened is the work of unprincipled antagonists, they will . . .
Liara found she could not complete the sentence. A fast end was merciful but not if it was the other way. Slavery came to mind. A horrifying and miserable existence for those who were caught. Her hand tightened. No, she would not allow it to happen.
Aethyta has been talking about it. She suspects some of the sub-clans have been secretly allowing unfavourable elements to return to plump up the votes.
Politics! {impatience, disgust}
If they are involved, we have to find the evidence. Aethyta is going to push for a referendum to strengthen internal security, conduct a inter-clan inquiry and a in-depth census to clean up the archives.
It didn't sound too hard. Such evidence could possibly be found on the captors themselves. Any lead could be in the omni-tools. Traces were inevitable. If they could get to them without their owners destroying them first. Liara looked out of the window when the skycar began to descend. Home. A pang hit her when she realised she was searching for familiar small faces in the party waiting for them. The same feeling of lost hit her through the link. Both vowed to bring the children back.
With her usual efficiency, Effia swept them up after welcoming them home, depositing them in the bedroom with a tray of food and drinks on the coffee table. Liara had little appetite but she took a bowl of light stew and a cup of tea to occupy herself. It was pointless to look for Aethyta. She would appear when she was ready. Shiala nibbled on some jam biscuits and sipped tea as they talked lightly of other subjects.
Liara spoke of the conference. Shepard's proposal to secure trade and travel routes through the Terminus Systems borne fruit these eight years. Colonies signed collaborative treaties when they saw the result of the allied taskforce's clean up efforts. Criminal elements that had established a foothold during the chaos of the post-war years were removed or pushed back. Colony industries were flourishing, people were migrating and settling. Infrastructures became solid and robust. The galactic economy was reviving steadily.
It was a good time as any to begin those exploration expeditions to uncharted worlds. Retrace the footprints of Cerberus and Terra Firma. The conference was a start. There were formalities to be thrashed out but the signs were all good. The prospect of finding more suitable planets to expand the agrarian industry was another factor. More cities were reclaimed on Thessia but there were persistent problems with territories too contaminated, even for asari. The various strain of crops Shiala and her colleagues created could not handle the more deadly toxins. They would have to wait for it to disperse and that only after a century or two.
"No one wants to say it but future conflicts are always a potential threat. Stockpiling supplies and materials now is as as good a time as any," said Shiala as she sipped her tea.
"Before we backslide into complacency," Liara agreed, putting her empty bowl back on the tray. She felt better and ready to face the challenges ahead.
They looked up when the door opened. Aethyta walked in with Miona and Hiaras. The matriarch waved them back to their seats when they would have stood. Miona and Hiaras selected armchairs as she sat down on the couch across from Liara and Shiala.
"The students and the school staff are safe," Aethyta said without preamble. "They were observed carrying out their usual activities although none was allowed to leave. Hilia and the commandos that went with her are possibly held in one of the rooms in the teachers' residence."
"Held by whom?" asked Liara.
"The recon teams observed batarian mercenaries. From their garb, hunters."
"Batarian hunters!" Liara and Shiala said in unison. They stared at each other in astonished consternation, they had thought asari. Batarian hunting parties were not allowed on Thessia. It was as bad as they thought it would be.
"If this is Trisio's work, to whom would she have reached out to?" Liara muttered without realising she said it aloud.
"Renegades, slavers. Backing from certain elements in the current batarian administration is plausible. Not all are amiable to the new policies. The stubborn ones would not have forgiven Shepard for her actions for the Bahak System. Now that she is commanding an allied taskforce and running some of their rogue operations to ground in the Terminus Systems, their acrimony will only increase," said Aethyta. "Asari involvement cannot be discounted. The staff is suspect. Evidence on Trisio's involvement must be concrete, she has been very careful in her social and media contacts these past years. If we cannot find it, however, it does not matter."
Liara opened her mouth to protest before she reconsidered.
"That is true," Shiala said pensively. "Her correspondence and pact with the TI already condemns her."
"So we must find the ones who seek vengeance for the TI policies or other grievances," said Liara. She looked at Miona. "How are you?"
"The letters of sympathies are still pouring in. There're several with overtones of shady approaches. They-" Miona glanced at Aethyta, "they seemed to be politically motivated. It seems I can't march up to them and shake them like the rats they are."
"Believe me, if it cane be done, I would not hold you back," Aethyta murmured. "We need to wait and see if they're involved with the current situation."
Liara observed the way Miona glowered. It seemed that her dad and the changeling had some words on on the issue. "How much time do we have?" she asked, pulling the focus back to the children.
"Two, three days at the most if we can keep it quiet. The recon teams have spotted several batarian hunter teams in the northern Nagone Forest," said Aethyta. "Their presence can only mean one or two things."
That was the best news Liara and Shiala had ever heard.
"Then Tarvia and the children have escaped," Liara said hopefully.
"That or they're just a precaution. Since we received no demands, it has to be the first," said Aethyta.
"No idea on their location?" Shiala asked anxiously.
"Not with the dampening field. We're not going to take down the batarians at the main site until they're located."
Releasing the students and teachers would ensure their safety but should the batarian hunters lose contact with their cohorts, they would step up the hunt. The children and Tarvia would be in greater danger. Liara understood why it had to be so. She reined in the desire to jump up and get out there at once.
"How many teams can we insert to find them?" she asked.
"Two teams. Hiaras will be leading one with Ixion. You and Shiala lead the other." Aethyta smirked at Liara's startled expression. "Of course you're not staying here. I'll have to tie you down if I ever suggest it. Shiala has experience as a commando. I expect compliance."
This was directed at Miona who shrugged. Aethyta regarded her for a moment before turning her attention back on the duo opposite her. "I'll monitor the situation here. You leave in the next hour. Gather your equipment. I need not remind you three to be careful out there," she added when they began to move. "Make sure you return with the kids. I'd not to be the one facing the music when Shepard returns."
With wry grins, they got up. Miona left with Aethyta to make her own preparations. After a quick shower, Liara went into the armory as she toweled herself dry. The shelves were filled with equipment. Weapons were racked neatly across an entire wall. Shepard's spare hardsuit, her own and Shiala's stood in a row at the far corner.
"What do you think?" she asked Shiala who was examining a grappler pistol.
"Batarian hunters' visual perception is very keen but they may be hampered by the lack of a moon. During the night, they would rely on their detection equipment."
"But we cannot count on it," said Liara, brows furrowed. "Would they track at night?"
"It would depend on the pack leader," Shiala said. when Liara frowned more deeply. "Each leader makes his own rules and system of hunting. They live together to form stronger rapport. Their mates lived separately in their own compound. They usually have their own form of lingo too."
"So they would not be working as a single unit."
"They're likely to cooperate with tracking. Some by day, some by night. They're very competitive so their information sharing are not be fluid."
"Can we count on that?" asked Liara hopefully.
"It's difficult to say in this situation. If they're all of the same caste, they would not stab each other unless there's some bad blood. We'll know more from the recon commandos." Shiala began to adjust the projectile inducer on the pistols. "We can't have any tracer effects so the firing rate is going to be slow. The terrain is rough and hilly. We're going to need ropes, pitons, MP (multi purpose) axes and combat knives. We can't risk using our omni-tool weaponry. And military grade medical kits," she added.
Medi-gel would not suffice, Liara understood. She picked out the items Shiala listed and put them on the workbench. She pulled on the undersuit, the hardsuit and buckled on her boots. After checking the seals, she grabbed the helmet and returned to the workbench. Shiala handed her one of the grappler pistols and went to suit up.
"We'll get our grub when we meet the commandos," said Shiala, grinning when Liara giggled at the human term Shepard was so fond of using.
They met Miona and Aethyta outside the bedroom, the former similarly equipped. "Aethyta gave some pointers," she said when Shiala checked her out.
"I adjusted her grappler pistol," added Aethyta when Shiala made to check the weapon. "Hiaras's at the staging area." She walked with them to the entrance where a skycar was waiting. "May the light of the Goddess guide you all," she murmured as they left.
They reached the southern fringe of the Nagone Forest in a few hours. A commando waiting for them led the way to the staging area. A small camouflage tent nestled against the side of an outcrop surrounded by a thick copse of trees. In the tent was Hiaras, two commandos and two geth she introduced as Ixion and Lynx. To the trio's surprise, the optical lenses of the geth were not lit. Hiaras waited until everyone was gathered around the holoprojector on a small table.
"There are six hunting packs spread out in a line," said Hiaras as she activated the projector. A map of the northern Nagone Forest appeared. Six red icons blinked. "Another three packs are stationed at the northern perimeter. They appear to be cooperating fully so they are either all of the same caste or agreed to an exclusive contract. Each pack consists of four hunters."
"They're going in a beat line to flush out their targets," observed Shiala.
"That is why we will not make any attempts to get behind them. Batarian hunters often lay traps, both ground and aerial, and knockout mines behind them. Tarvia and the children would be hiding in the hill ridges."
"How long can they hold on to their hideout?" asked Liara.
"If they're here." Hiara pointed to the first ridge. "About a day. We're not certain if Tarvia knew about the batarians. Her logical reaction if she spots them is to move further north. We will make entry, here and here," she pointed out the positions. "The hunters are not tracking by night so that is the opportune time to slip in."
"Why aren't they tracking by night?" asked Ixion.
"The Nagone Forest is home to a predator that even batarian hunters know they can't go up against. Especially a Daxian in the night."
The commandos grinned. Miona looked feral as if relishing the thought of going up against the alpha predator on Thessia.
"Let's not get overconfident," Hiaras said with a reproving look at Miona. "Batarian hunters have keen sight. Make certain your equipment are not reflective. Do not use your omni-tool until you have located Tarvia and the children. Batarians can be vicious in close quarters. If they can, they will try to stick a poison dart in you. They can be difficult to separate if they get in their defensive form of fighting back to back. Avoid contact with them if possible. The geth have positioned a sentry probe in synchronous orbit. Whichever group find them, send up these light sequence with your omni-tool."
Hiaras transferred the sequence to their omni-tools. "A geth drop ship will pick you up and release a bright sky display to inform the other team to pull out immediately. Now-" she braced her hands on the table. "If contact with the hunters cannot be avoided, take them down as fast as you can and remove their omni-tools. If they're not killed, immobilise, hide them as best as you can and transmit this set of light sequence."
She transferred over another set of code to them.
"What will happen?" asked Miona.
"Our window will become smaller. In two hours, once that sequence is transmitted, the remaining commandos on surveillance will remove the batarians at the students' camp. Geth troopers will move in, locate the dampening devices and remove the hunting packs. It is up to us to reach Tarvia and the children first once the packs realised what have happened.
It would not be easy, considering the huge terrain but Liara and Shiala were determined to succeed.
"Another danger we have to watch out for is mutated fauna," warned Hiaras. "The latest survey for Nagone Forest was eight months ago. Nothing unusual was found. That may have changed so keep an eye out for any unusual nocturnal behaviour."
"Take nothing for granted," Shiala added. "From the smallest insect to the daxian."
Everyone nodded.
"My team will proceed from the western point. Shiala, your team will take the east. If there're no questions?" Hiaras looked around but no one said anything. "Pull your supplies from the crates-," she pointed to the boxes at the entrance, "and we'll get to our infiltration points. It's an hour to full night. Liara, Shiala, Miona, Lynx will be your fourth squad mate."
Lynx came up to them and offered its hand which they shook politely. They grabbed what they needed from the crates and returned to the skycar. Half an hour later, they stood at the eastern fringe of the Nagone Forest.
"We can't transmit but our comm will work if we stay close," said Shiala.
"Goddess grant us success," said Liara.
"Shall we hunt?" asked Miona with a hungry smile. Lynx only looked on.
The three asari looked at one another. "Let us hunt. They will regret going after the children," said Shiala. A predatory light gleam in her eyes.