Good morning Illium! You are listening to XFA radio, my name is Gage, and I am your host for today! So why don't we rekindle the fire on that bed sheets and prepare you for another day on this cold surface planet? Here is Make my Blood Boil by Opposite Twins!'
Turian voice died off and was replaced by a fast beat song. Loud enough to make Liara groan, throwing blankets on the other side of the bed. With one swipe on her omni-tool the radio turned off. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. Lacing her fingers, she raised her arms above her head. Feeling the stretch in her ribcage and arms, wave of relaxation flow through her body as her muscles receive extra blood supply.
Thought of staying in bed for another hour crossed her mind, to just let her mind wander on its own will, without being shackled by everyday worries. But Liara knew better than to let her mind wander off. Weird twist and turns can thoughts have, most often ending in undesired places rather than ones of peace and tranquility. Finally getting out of bed, she headed towards the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. Halfway down the stairs, she was greeted by her loyal drone.
"Good morning Doctor T'Soni! Would you like me to overview your schedule for today?"
"No, thank you Glyph. Are there any news about the mercenary groups from last night's meeting?"
Following Liara just slightly behind her, drone started to list any notifications it received since she went to sleep.
"I am happy to report that there were no lethal consequences of the meeting between the members of the Down Sky and Hell Blades. Both groups left Illium a few hours ago. Would you wish to know the exact time of their departure?"
"That won't be necessary. Anything else I should know?" she asked somewhat reluctantly, hoping she could drink her tea in peace and not answering messages or running to the office like she does most mornings. In moments like those, she asks herself why didn't she accept the teaching position on Thessia.
The drone flew over her and stopped just inches from her face making Liara slightly jump, almost spilling hot water on the floor. She didn't even have time to scold the drone before it started talking again.
"You still have unanswered messages from your private folder. Would you like to deal with them now Doctor?"
"No," she said, now slightly annoyed. "But please remind me again tonight. That is all Glyph. Thank you."
As the drone flew away, Liara took the hot tea and headed towards the living room. She felt strangely tired this morning. It seems that months of staying awake and having only a few hours of sleep has finally starting to take a toll on her body. After taking a careful sip, she put the cup on the coffee table and lie down on the sofa, closing her eyes.
For years she chased, not knowing what. After the war, she helped as much she could to rebuild the galaxy. The task being incredibly difficult given that all information and connections she had as a Shadow Broker were destroyed after activation of the Catalyst. But with time, most Relays were repaired, colonies rebuild and order restored. Species trusted each other more than ever, and it seemed like a new era has begun. A time of peace and happiness. A better universe for all. But it was naive to think it would last. Reapers changed many things, but the very nature of every living organism hasn't. Jealousy, ambition, hatred. Every negative aspect emerged after the euphoria of winning the war had vanished. There were many dead parents, children, destroyed homes and broken promises.
Liara sometimes felt disgusted at individuals not embracing the second chance others paid with blood, instead only seeing an opportunity to achieve their own, selfish goals. But that was their right, wasn't it? They were free. That's what she fought for. That everyone has a right to live their lives the way they see fit.
And so she decided to return to Illium. To return to her profession as an Information Broker. It didn't take long for her to achieve a significant number of clients, once again earning her title as the best Information Broker in this part of the galaxy. Money that came with every new client was good; she could afford whatever she wanted and help those in need with donations, or with some free information. She could even say she was happy, maybe lonely sometimes, but satisfied. Nothing could beat the excitement this profession brings. There is an appeal to have such power, to which Liara wasn't resistant. But sometimes she wondered, if she remained the Shadow Broker, would she lose the hard ground beneath her feet? Would she become like her predecessor, killing anyone, doing anything to stay the most powerful person in the galaxy? Would one day someone come to kill her, without her friends at her side to protect her? Would she turn into the thing she fought against?
Liara sighed. There is no use of thinking about it now. She sat up and took another sip of her tea. Turning on the television, she watched the morning news before getting ready for work.
It was nearly nine o'clock when she reached her office. Her secretary patiently waited for her just outside the elevator, holding the datapad with her schedule for today and any new messages that arrived. Liara took the datapad and headed towards her office at the end of the hallway. She placed her purse neatly on the desk and turned on her computer so she could start yet another long day. She thought of taking Glyph with her to work today, so he can help her, but she quickly decided against it. He can do little to help in meetings she has today and his comments can sometimes be out of place. It was not once Liara had to apologize on his behalf. And proceed to mute him as he didn't stop talking.
As the computer booted, and notifications start popping, Liara felt overwhelmed. Maybe she should just storm through meetings, reschedule more important ones and leave early today. Maybe go get some nice dinner and take a long bath...
A few quick knocks on the door pull Liara out of her thoughts.
''Come in,'' she called after putting her fingers on the keyboard so she at least looked as she was working.
The door slightly opened just to reveal a drell's head.
"Feron. How can I help you?"
"Well, good morning to you too! Have a moment?"
As Liara gave a slight nod, he entered and lied down on the couch beside the window overlooking the park, putting his hands behind his head. If she had to guess he was in no hurry. Unlike herself. She wanted to finish early today.
''Good job last night,'' he finally spoke. ''Being in good graces with two biggest Illium mercenaries can only be good right?"
Liara did not fail to notice the sarcasm in his voice.
"At least they will not try to kill each other. Not on Illium anyway. If any problem arises, we should deal with them. Using the easy or the hard way."
"The easy way being?''
''We have some sensitive information on key members of both groups. That should keep them in line. If not, there always is an alternative.''
''Hard way is not my way,'' Feron said somewhat offhandedly.
Liara smiled at his comment, ''No, your way is to talk yourself in and out of trouble.''
''What can I say? I am a man of many talents.''
Despite how they started, with mutual distrust, they come a long way. Him getting captured by the Shadow Broker just to give her a chance to escape, and her, saving him. Any suspicion they may have between them was gone, and their friendship grew each day. After the war, she could safely say that he was her best friend; always helping, listening, making her laugh, or just being there for her. After some time, a friendship had the potential to become something more, but Liara couldn't risk losing another friend. He was understanding, disappointed maybe, but he knew her reasons, and he never held it against her. He never mentioned it, just to make things easier for her, even though Liara could feel he would like to talk about it. But, there were times when she noticed him looking her, sometimes what she could only describe as a look of sadness or even pity. She didn't have the strength to ask him about the pity look.
"Of that, I am sure," and with a polite smile, she ended that line of conversation before it could reach the awkward zone.
"There is something I wanted to ask you. Yesterday you mentioned some meeting with a potential client," she looked at the datapad her secretary gave her, "but there aren't any new scheduled for today. Did I miss something?"
Feron sat up, and if Liara didn't know any better, she would take it as an act of discomfort.
"There is a potential client, but we don't know when the meeting would exactly take place. He wasn't very specific about the time and place, just that it would be today, probably tonight."
Liara raised an eyebrow on that, and after a moment of silence she asked, "And that doesn't sound strange to you?"
"Well it does, but he claims to have some information that can be very interesting to you and profitable to him."
"Oh, really? He seems very confident I would even consider a face to face meeting," Liara scoffed and continued. "You can send one of our agents, and if his information indeed shows worthwhile, I will consider meeting him."
Feron cleared his throat and sat back down, clearly looking nervous. Liara started to ask him what is going on but he cut her off.
"The thing is, I think you should go to this meeting. I will have the best agents in proximity, so you don't have to worry. And of course, I will be there, hiding in plain sight."
Liara rolled her eyes, "I am not scared for my safety Feron. I can look after myself you know." Words got out of her mouth more sharply than intended, and for a moment she regretted her tone.
"Look, the meeting isn't happening. As I said you could send one of our agents and we will see. But I will not jump every time someone claims they have valuable information. I have enough work to do as it is."
The whole time Feron looked at the floor as if only half listening to her. Finally, he rubbed his palms together and looked at her.
"And what if I asked you to do it? As a favor to me?"
"A favor? Feron, is everything all right?"
He smiled, "Everything is fine Liara, but I need you to do this for me. Just go to that meeting, no questions asked, and see what he has to say."
"Or you could tell me what this is all about Feron, despite everything you ask a lot-"
Feron cut her off before she could find another reason to not go to this meeting. Her ego stopping her from agreeing so quickly.
"You don't trust me?"
She sighed and put down the datapad, this conversation exhausting her already.
"I do Feron, it isn't about that, it's just-"
He stood up with such speed that made Liara slightly jerk.
"No," his voice firm. "I asked you for a favor. You can do it or not. I will not beg you." And with that, he walked to the door. Holding the knob, he half turned to face her.
"Just consider it Liara. It would mean a lot to me."
After he left, Liara remembered to close her mouth. She was shocked. He never acted like this, not to mention that Liara couldn't remember the last time he asked for something. Expect for all that dreadful unreleased Blasto episodes, but that doesn't count, because it was a birthday gift, which he wished for. And even then, instead of asking, he gave her not so discreet clues about his wish. Like leaving Blasto posters and articles on random places where she was sure to find them, talking about rumors he heard about scraped content, or sending her message about his plans for his birthday party, informing her of time and place with Blasto photo in attachment. Liara smiled at that memory and how he was acting indifferent when she gave him the disk, but she could see he couldn't wait to go home and binge watch all night. And day. He called in sick the next day, claiming he didn't feel so good, and that it must be from all the cigarette smoke from the party. Coughing between words, he explained to Liara how drells have a very sensitive respiratory system.
After everything he did for her, how he made her happy with stupid little things like that, and there she was, making a problem about some meeting. With a few clicks on her computer, she sent him a message that she will meet with the mysterious stranger. And maybe it would be over soon so she could have the evening free. After all, what's the worst that could happen?