Foreword

Well. I said I wouldn't do this. But I'm back. Writing ME Fanfic. That line from Brokeback Mountain "I can't quit you" seems oddly apropos. I can't tear myself away from this universe. I guess it's all Bioware's fault. Really. Blame Bioware. I don't think anyone's ever blamed Bioware for anything.

This is a distant sequel to Seeking Redemption, taking place more than a century later. I'm going to be taking a different angle with this story. I usually write from a limited 3rd person perspective but I'm going to be expanding that to focus on more characters. We'll see how that works out. If you're unfamiliar with the earlier stories in this series it's strongly recommended you check them out. The first is The Darkness Has Been Breached ( s/9555742/1/The-Darkness-Has-Been-Breached) and the second Seeking Redemption ( s/9754004/1/Seeking-Redemption).

I'll try to keep to publishing one chapter a week. But as I'm officially dividing my daily writing time in half I'm not sure how realistic that is. Sometimes I make GRRM look like a Ferrari. This is probably good training for me, anyway!

I hope you don't mind me going back on my word. Never trust a writer! Please let me know what you think so far.

Enjoy :)

Inheritance

Chapter 1

She landed the shuttle on the shuttle pad roughly. There was a pronounced bump as it landed roughly on the concrete ground. She brusquely shut down all the systems, her fingers stabbing console keys as the engines and other systems whined plaintively to a halt. She threw herself out of the pilot's chair and bolted out of the shuttle. She landed on the ground, almost slamming her feet down. She breathed in and out, trying to calm and relax herself. It was a warm evening, the sun beginning to set. The small isle looked as empty as ever. The modest estate and plentiful plant life only seemed to increase the emptiness, as if a nearly empty manor and flora could compensate for what was truly missing.

Though she was an attractive figure that many of her own kind would be envious, she dressed modestly. She wore a dark blue uniform, boots shined to a mirror-like gloss, blue pants perfectly creased. The tunic was free of pockets and most useless adornments, the shoulders were marked with an emblem of a finely detailed golden raptor, it's wings spread wide on a light blue background. The forearms were marked with four pairs of wings, stacked one upon the other, finely stitched into the fabric. Several golden and silver pins lined her upper chest. She was young, in her second century of life. Her dark blue eyes shone in the reflection of the setting sun. Her head scalp was sculpted short, she disliked the more flamboyant styles that were the latest fashion. Her left cheek was marked by a deep scar, a gash two inches long that began just below her left eye. Medigel could've easily healed it, but she wouldn't allow it. She brought no luggage with her as she entered the elevator. As the doors slid closed a VI activated itself.

"Greetings Aisha T'soni-Shepard." It said, almost cheerfully. "Dr. T'soni is waiting for you in the northern foyer, second floor."

"Glyph, I'd prefer it if you called me by my preferred name." She said with thinly disguised annoyance.

"I cannot comply." The VI almost apologized. "Dr. T'soni insisted you be addressed by your proper name. This order cannot be overridden."

"Fine." Aisha sighed icily. Typical behaviour of her mother. The doors opened and she walked the familiar hallway to where her mother was waiting for her. Of course it was this of all foyers she was waiting in, forcing her to walk a hallway lined with mementos, commemorative plaques, memorabilia, holo-pictures of famous moments frozen in time. Confronting her with her heritage, a heritage that was more burden than blessing. She almost ran through the hallway, keeping her eyes straight ahead. Though she wasn't looking, she knew the precise placement of every item. When she'd been younger she loved to spend time here. She'd grown out of it, her sister hadn't. She heard her mother playing the piano. The piece was slow, sombre. She didn't recognize the piece but that was hardly new, she'd never cared for human classical much, or any music for that matter. The arts held no joy, mystery or interest for her. They were irrelevant distractions.

Liara T'soni sat at the piano, wearing a brightly coloured evening dress. She looked a century older than she was in actuality. Subtle lines and creases around her eyes, her chin evidenced this. She ceased playing when Aisha entered the room. She smiled modestly when she saw her daughter. Light seemed to flash into her lonely eyes for a moment. She stood up and welcomed her daughter, holding her arms in her hand. The room was littered with various mementos of her mother's music career, pictures of album covers, framed platinum records, a trophy case held dozens of trophies and plaques.

"I'm so happy to see you, Aisha." Her mother greeted her.

Aisha nodded slightly. "Nice to see you, too."

Liara waved her to a sofa. She sat upright, her hands folded in her lap. Liara sat there but Aisha sat in a mahogany chair, opposite her. Her hands tensely gripped the hand rests. Liara's smile faded from her face and then reappeared, awkwardly.

"Congratulations are in order." Liara said.

"Yes." Aisha forced a smile.

"It's what you wanted, what you've striven for." Liara said, forcing herself to smile. "Should we go out on the mainland and celebrate? The Loo-Loo is under new management and the food's much better now, according to reviews."

"No, that's...okay." Aisha said, shifting nervously in her chair. "I just thought I'd visit and spend the night before I go to the Citadel."

"Of course." Liara said, forcing a smile again, her eyes brightened again in anticipation. "Your bedroom's untouched. If you'd like in the morning I could make redberry pancakes?"

Aisha was about to refuse the offer. But seeing her mother, the way she desperately smiled made her reconsider. "Yes, I'd like that." The small smile that graced her lips was genuine. Liara's relief, and joy, was palpable. It wouldn't be the worst thing to acquiesce, her favourite childhood meal. Though her father was still the better cook.

"How did your release party go?" Aisha asked, desperate to keep some kind of conversation going, less they lapse into uncomfortable silence.

"It went well." Liara smiled, now more genuine. "I was given a standing ovation that lasted 10 minutes, and did four encores! The reviews are very positive. My agent wants me to go on tour again but the last one was so difficult I don't want to repeat the experience. Mirry introduced me to a krogan singer. It was kind of her but he was too dull."

"Where's Mirry?" Aisha asked perfunctorily. "I heard she got herself knocked up again?"

"Aisha! Don't be so condescending!" Liara scolded. She exhaled loudly before resuming, her voice straining to remain some semblance of calm. "She's doing a valuable service for our people. Just like you, she's doing her duty."

"By embracing eternity with everyone she meets in a bar." Aisha retorted derisively.

"You make it sound like she's a whore!" Liara objected. "We need to repopulate, all of her mates she's chosen wisely."

"Except for that one krogan, that human female, that volus merchant..." Aisha began listing her sister's questionable choice in bondmates. None of whom had stuck around for any length of time. Truth be told, Mirry wasn't very discriminating when it came to choosing her mates. Duty came first. She'd inherited that from her father for sure.

"Stop it!" Liara said, her voice rising, her hands curling into tight balls. "If you're going to denigrate your sister at least have to fortitude to say it to her face. I...I wonder why you're here! You're blessed to be a member of this family, yet you've shown nothing but derision for what you're a part of. Why do you even come here if you think nothing of your sister, less of me and Goddess knows what about your madre? You're a Shepard! That name carries great responsibility! If you're not willing to acknowledge it, then you should legally change your name, sell your shares and succeed on your own!"

Aisha snapped and stood upright. "I am succeeding on my own! I never once asked for any favours or for you to open doors for me, unlike Mirry." She spoke her sister's name as if it were a curse.

"Your name opened doors for you!" Liara pointed out. "Whether Cass or I did anything or not. You're fooling yourself if you think your achievements have nothing to do with you being a Shepard!"

"Fuck you!" Aisha stormed off, running out of the room. Biotic embers burned around her arms and she tried to process the anger, frustration. She ran straight for the elevator. The doors opened out onto the shuttle pad. The gentle breeze did nothing to tame her ire. Hurriedly she activated the shuttle's systems. As soon as the engines were on she activated take-off procedures, overriding a dozen safety protocols. The cold engines struggled to generate enough lift. The shuttle weaved and yawed dangerously. It's nose pitching dangerously downward. Aisha cursed, she wielded the controls like the reigns of an angry horse. She cursed again as she seemingly willed the reluctant shuttle into flight despite the loud protests of the laws of physics.

Aisha activated the auto-docking protocol. Her shuttle slowly guided itself into the gaping cargo bay of her frigate. It was salarian design, small, functional, stealthy, manoeuvrable. She'd made her own modifications. Thanix Mk.V cannons, overlord missiles, a mix of salarian and human defense systems, improved engines, a bigger core. She exited her shuttle as soon as it was safe to do so.

A distant voice chimed over the intercom. "This one is pleased at your return but worried as to its earliness."

"I'm fine." Aisha said, entering the elevator, heading for her quarters. "Let's just go to the Citadel."

"This one is pleased to inform you the estimated time of arrival will be 20 hours."

She paced in the cargo hold for several minutes. The cold floor clanging loudly with the sound of her angry footsteps. She hated feeling boxed-up like this, like there was something inside her that needed to explode out of her. She needed something to do, something to distract her from what she was feeling. She went to the forward batteries. There was always work to be done there, extra juice to be squeezed out of them. She set herself to work, re-calibrating cannons she'd already spent hundreds of hours calibrating. She'd only squeezed 0.01% efficiency out of them in the past six months, yet she persisted. What else could she do? Work kept her busy and there was only work. Everything else was just distraction.

After an hour of fruitless work she quit in a huff, cursing loudly and slamming the compartment doors behind her. She felt as frustrated and angry as before. There was only way to truly get some release. Her private quarters were located at the rear of the ship. Placing them near the top of the ship made it vulnerable in combat. Better to be secure than to have a view of the emptiness of space. Her quarters were small, functional. She had a bed with one single bed-side table. Her washroom was tiny, scarcely 6 feet in width or length. It was just big enough to accommodate a shower stall and a toilet. At least she got hot water. Her quarters had a small working area with a desk and computer console right next to the bed.

Her quarters were Spartan, she had no decorations or memorabilia. Her furnishings were modest, especially given who she was. But that was the whole point. Opening a drawer she retrieved a bottle of Thessian Rum and eagerly shugged the red-coloured liquor. So eager for its nectar was she that drops trickled down her face. The bottle was half empty before she tore the bottle from her lips. For some time she looked at the bottle, the surroundings of her small living quarters. She yelled a loud, wordless cry and threw the bottle at the closed door. The bottle shattered into hundreds of pieces, the liquid staining the door and pooling on the ground. In the dim light it resembled blood. Fuck it! Alone in her quarters, she stewed in her thoughts. Anger and frustration as ever making her go beyond the boiling point. A maintenance drone activated and cleaned the mess. She looked at the glowing globe enviously. She lay in her bed but sleep never came to her, her thoughts most unwelcome bedroom company.

Liara sighed sadly, for several minutes she struggled to calm herself. She felt tired suddenly, even though it was still early evening. Fighting with Aisha always tired her. I'll say goodnight to Cass. She thought to herself. She stood and walked towards the inner cloister. She arrived to the cloister, she made her way to the centre where Cassandra was waiting. The outer line of the cloister was lined with vegetable plants and mini-orchards. It was appropriate that life was growing here. A small, brick laden path led to her. Liara sat down on the wooden bench, facing her . Cassandra was smiling. Liara knelt forward and touched the marble gravestone. Cassandra Shepard. 2154-2298. Love. The gravestone was cool to the touch. Frigid compared to what it had been to touch her in life. Resting on the gravestone was a holographic picture frame and a single red rose.

"I'm sorry, Cass." Liara began. "Aisha came by but we argued. Again. I know you'd be proud of her. I hope she comes around. It hurts to argue with her... " Her eyes moistened, she reached out and grabbed the picture frame. The picture was them smiling together from their camping trip of their honeymoon. It was one of their happiest times together.

"I miss you, my love. I miss you so much. Everything's so gray now that you're gone..." She wept for some time. The pain was still fresh and sharp. Time doesn't heal all wounds. Sometimes, it ripens them, lets them gain flavour and texture as they age like fine wine. "I know it's early but I'm going to bed now. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, my love."

Liara knelt forward and kissed the picture frame. Upon physical contact the picture changed, now showing Cassandra at the ceremony of the admission of the Batarian Confederacy to the Citadel. One of her last official acts before her retirement. She was older in that picture, several streaks of grey marring her dark black hair. Subtle lines around her eyes marked her age. The burden she'd carried since her youth was long gone but it was gradually replaced with other burdens.

Liara went to bed, slowly walking from the cloister to the master bedroom. She'd gotten used to the quiet emptiness of the manor. She'd long outgrown her shyness, but she was at heart an introvert, and the quiet freedom of solitude did much to assuage her. Even if the solitude was a double-edged blade. She missed having her children about. She would've loved to have cooked Aisha's favourite pancakes. The bedroom was vast and empty, like the house. She found herself squeezing a pillow, the closest thing she had to a partner. She cried herself to sleep, thinking of her daughter and her long-departed wife and bondmate. As always, she dreamed of Cassandra. And only of her.

She woke like she did every other day, with a dull sense of routine. She didn't linger in bed like she did before, when she and Cass would snuggle or chat or make love in the morning. Once she was awake there was no longer any reason to remain there. She dressed in a one-piece swimsuit and went to the cloister. The sun was peeking over the horizon, the birds were singing their morning songs. Life was beginning again for another day. She wished Cassandra a good morning. She kissed the picture frame. The picture changed to one showing her being granted Spectre status. At that same moment she'd trapped herself on Ferros. 36 hours later she met Cassandra, her life irrevocably changed. They were so young then, neither had even an inkling of what the next few months and years would bring.

She ran on the beach for four miles before she waded into the water. It was moderately cold and it took her a few minutes to accustom to it. She swam her lengths, counting them, measuring the distance using landmarks. The beachfront door of the estate and a felled tree. Fifty years ago a storm had knocked the tree down, tearing it from its roots. Rocks stopped it from falling into the sea and it still remained in place, leaning over, perched over the waters, unwilling to plunge into the sea. After completing her lengths she went inside to change.

As she changed Glyph pinged her. "Proximity Alert. A shuttle bearing the registry of your daughter Miranda is inbound. Scans confirm she is aboard. Shall I deactivate the barriers, security systems and grant access?"

"Yes." It was nice Mirry was coming to visit. She was kind and doting. After last night's argument some quiet time with her other daughter would do her well.

"Glyph, are the children with her?"

"Yes, Dr. T'soni."

Liara smiled. She knew how tired she would be in a few hours, but right now, she would be happy to spend the morning with her daughter and five grand-daughters.

She waited for them on the shuttle pad. The children came running out of the shuttle and hugged her. The youngest, 2 year old Karelia and five year old Kalavela hugged her legs. The trials of the previous evening were completely forgotten.

"Kids," Liara began, "How would you like to play some zero gravity tagball?"

The older kids, 16-year-old Navisha, 14-year-old Neroona and 10-year-old Cassandra didn't object in the least. They scampered inside, heading for the zero gravity gym. Her daughter Miranda emerged out of the shuttle with her asari companion Louisa. She'd given Miranda her madre's green eyes, just as striking as Cassandra's had been. Mirry was wearing a loose-fitting one-piece dress. From her neck hung a pendant in the shape of a baby cradled by an adult. The cult of Athane had undergone massive schisms and reforms in the aftermath of the Reaper War. The new church spoke of the duty of child-bearing to reclaim their rightful place at the head of galactic politics, lest they be overtaken by the krogans or humans. Any asari with less than three children was viewed as living in profligacy. The church reserved its harshest scorn for the young maidens who insisted in partaking the ancient habits of becoming a dancer and travelling the galaxy as mercenaries. Though many still lived in the decadent ways that had so dearly cost them, forgetting the harsh, nearly terminal lessons the Reapers had taught them.

Louisa was roughly her own age, with four daughters of her own, all school-aged. She and Mirry were a lovely couple, they'd been together almost ten years now. They sat on the beachside, they watched the toddlers build sandcastles. There were hardly any clouds in the sky and the sun was shining warmly. Louisa went swimming in lake, her swimming causing the only ripples in the calm waters.

"So," Mirry ventured, "Did you talk to Krugge?"

Liara rolled her eyes. "Yes. I don't mean to sound ungrateful but he was rather dull."

"He was shy! And a little bit intimidated!" Mirry defended her latest attempt to set her mother up with someone. "How many krogans go from being warlords to opera singers? I figured you two could make some sweet music together."

"Very funny, Mirry." Liara said. She didn't tell her daughter that she'd indeed met someone that night. Another asari named Isolda, they'd chatted only briefly but something about her had grabbed her attention. They hadn't spoken or seen each other since though Liara had often entertained the idea of contacting her.

Mirry chuckled. They were silent for some time, watching the children play and Louisa swim, before Mirry spoke again. Her voice was more serious, tender. Reflecting her concern.

"I just don't want you to be alone."

"That's why you're with Louisa." Liara said flatly. Her tone wasn't judgmental or reproachful. She would've given everything to have Cassandra live a few hundred more years. But science hadn't advanced quickly enough for her. Life as Councillor was far from stress free. But they were given on extension, it was better than none, better than having her daughters grow without knowing her madre. Bereavement wasn't easily overcome. She knew many mistook her daughter and her partner for a breeding couple when they went out with their kids. Being a pureblood herself, the odds that any of their offspring being Ardat-Yakshi were virtually guaranteed. A fact that was well-known to both of them.

"In part." Mirry admitted before returning to her intended subject. "She wouldn't want you to be alone either."

Liara tensed at the mention of her departed wife. "I know." She struggled to avoid tearing up. "I will partner with another. I just need to meet the right person. It just doesn't feel like the right time." Liara said unevenly.

"It's been almost 10 years, when do you ever try to meet people? When was the last time you went to a party?" Mirry asked pointedly.

"I went to the Assembly of Matriarchs social gathering two weeks ago." Liara said defensively, not liking the subject of this discussion at all.

"Please, that was business." Mirry countered.

"Then last week was my concert. The after-party." Liara added, still on the defensive.

"That hardly counts." Mirry said.

"My work keeps me busy." Liara said firmly. There was a cold silence between them.

"Right. Your work." Mirry said reproachfully. "How about the last time you had an actual date with someone?" Mirry ventured.

"We are not having this discussion!" Liara snapped, clenching her fists tightly. Never. She exhaled loudly and tried to soften her voice, looking away from her daughter she spoke again, though her voice was still far from casual and sincere. "I appreciate your concern but I'm doing fine."

"Okay." Her daughter replied flatly. "If you say so." Both knew this was far from the end of this subject. Stubbornness ran in the family, she would never stop until she found another bondmate. If she found another bondmate. No one can compare to Cass. Liara thought, her mind jumbled with irritation, frustration and grief.

"Your sister visited last night." Liara said, ever eager to change the subject. Though this subject was hardly more enjoyable than the previous one. It was the first thing that came to her mind.

"I'm guessing it went like it normally does?" Mirry said, her body was tense but her voice reflected some sadness.

"Yes." Liara said flatly. "We argued again..."

"She'll come around." Mirry said. "She's a good person, she needs to get her head straight. I think this will help her. "

"Aren't you coming, Mirry?" A voice from the water shouted. Mirry smiled warmly.

"Can you give me a reason to?" Mirry shouted back, teasing her partner. "It's really warm and comfortable here!"

"I can give you a few reasons." Louisa shouted back suggestively.

"Well, okay!" Mirry shouted back, she stood, discarded her over garments, revealing a two piece swimsuit and waded into the water. Liara smiled. She knelt forward and watched her granddaughters. Kalavela was building a sandcastle while her younger sister, in her incorrigible curiosity, as well as krogan genes, was damaging it. The older was admonishing the younger, but she was having none of it.

"Granny!" Kalavela whined. "Karelia's destroying my castle."

"Honey, she doesn't know any better." Liara explained but the youngster was unable to comprehend this.

She solved the problem by gathering Karelia in a biotic field and levitating her. The girl giggled hysterically. A giggling that only made her older sister jealous. So Liara danced her two granddaughters in the air. It was tiring but their joy and laughter brought warm to her, a regenerative effect even. They left a few hours later. She felt better though was relieved they were leaving. The kids were such a handful. It was a happy burden but a burden nonetheless. She was tired. She retreated to a living room and drifted off to a light sleep.

"Dr. T'soni?" Glyph interrupted her nap. She groggily rose out of the sofa. Her Omni-Tool told her she'd been napping for almost 2 hours.

"What it is, Glyph?" She asked her ubiquitous VI.

"You have an incoming priority 2 message from contact Verros."

Liara adjusted her communication protocols and then spoke into her Omni-Tool.

"This is the Shadow Broker. What do you have to report?"