Note: This is an ME 2 continuation of the story of Sheena Shepard and Liara T'Soni. The first story, which is important for context, is Holding On to Let Go. As always, I am trying to improve my writing by continually adapting my style, so reviews are appreciated, especially any constructive criticism. If your criticism is unconstructive, at least make it humorous so the rapier strikes of your wit are more bearable.
Broken Bonds and Shattered Dreams
Chapter 1
"It's all there" the man said, one leg over the other while his foot shook furiously.
Liara didn't bother to respond, instead tapping her fingers impatiently as a stream of data poured down the screen of her terminal. Her nails impacted against the hard surface of her desk like many heavy droplets of rain, the sound reverberating throughout her expansive office.
"Is it really necessary to skim all of it now?"
Liara's eyes narrowed. "You want my friendship? Then let me see if your goodwill is as valuable as you say it is."
Who was he to question her? Just another faceless merchant of the intangible, one of a host she relied upon to feed her appetite for information. There were many on Illium and she had grown beyond caring about their names, faces or even their feelings. To her, what they gave her, the steps she moved closer to her goal, were the only thing about them that mattered.
"This work isn't so different from what I used to do," she said, her voice distant, "I would dig away looking for forgotten things in the hopes of finding a single piece of a massive puzzle. I would scurry away to my ship and engross myself in trying to use what I had discovered to build a theory that would finally get me recognized, earn me the respect I deserved among a stuffy, academic elite. Decades I spent sweating and filthy on forsaken worlds. Most of my lifetime was spent alone, unremarkable and unnoticed."
She raised her eyes and looked at the man. He was staring at her with an empty expression on his face. She was wasting her words on this one.
"You know what the humorous thing was?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"After all that, I met a woman who, in a single moment, uncovered and confirmed everything I had sought after. All those years of work, scratching and scraping, and here she comes with it in her head, given to her on a silver platter!" The briefest hint of a smile creased her lips. "I should've been upset, but, well, she turned out to more valuable than anything I could ever have found on my own."
A single beep and a flashing cursor on her terminal indicated the data transfer was at its end. It was all there, as he promised.
"Fascinating. I had almost expected you would try to cheat me."
"I know better, Madam T'Soni."
"I would hope so. I will hear your request now." She leaned back, elbows resting on the arms of her chair, her hands joined together forming a pyramid.
He rose slowly. "I would prefer to say it to you quietly. I am always careful of who might be listening."
"Of course." She beckoned him with her hand.
To the side of her, a dark-blue asari wearing the tight-fitting suit of a commando and holding a large shotgun stood at the ready. Her face was like a stone wall and had not the slightest hint of emotion. Only her eyes moved, tracking the man's steps.
As he came upon Liara, hesitation overtook him, his eyes bouncing between her and the watchful guard. Finally, he seemed to gather up enough courage to lean in and whisper in her ear. After giving his message, he made his way slowly back to his chair and plopped himself down, awaiting her judgment.
Liara pursed her lips and shook her head slowly. "You ask me to dispense death so easily? Will money not satisfy you?"
Finally, the man seemed to be roused of out his stupor. "I gave you what you asked and now I need something. Fair is fair and you have been paid so now I need services rendered."
She sighed and a look of disgust passed over her freckled face.
"I'm not a murderer and do not kill as my trade. I will give you credits and you can take your request to the shadows of this city."
"I gave you what YOU wanted. This is personal and I know you can do it and do it without mistakes. I demand…"
"You demand nothing!" The commando snapped.
"I…I ask that you would do this," he said with in a lower tone, "The person deserves it, I promise you. They have done many horrible things. A lot of innocent people are dead because of him! I gave you the data as a sign of my desire to be your friend, Madam T'Soni. I cannot go to anyone else with this." He rubbed his hands together nervously, his eyes now staring at the floor.
Innocent people. Who was innocent anymore? On Illium and elsewhere there seemed to be only differing amounts of guilt amongst the living.
"My friendship?" Liara asked, "What a heavy cost for friendship. You have delivered what you promised. In future, I will ask much of you though. Blood is an expensive debt to repay and what you have given me here is only a down payment."
She rose and made her way to the now subservient man. He was hers now and would do whatever she requested. Blood is expensive, but it is a powerful bond. She would know better than any.
With her hands, she cradled his face and looked into his eyes. For a moment, she glowed with a blue aura, a symbolic gesture sealing his service. As the biotic display faded, she released him and nodded, a sign for him to depart.
Making her way back to her seat, she watched the door open and shut as the man left. He had entered free but now left owing more than he knew.
"Who?" the commando asked.
"Someone in the lower reaches of the city. The name he will leave with Nyxeris. Give it to one of our people. I don't want this outsourced. Mercenaries are too liberal with their crossfire and the deaths they cause."
"Anything else?"
"No. Get it done."
The asari bowed and left with a mission now clear in her head.
Liara stood again, making her way with slow, thoughtful strides towards the window that overlooked the sprawling city below. The tendrils of Nos Astra seemed to spread beyond all sight and in every direction. The horizon kindled like a perpetual dawn projected from many mighty spires reaching upwards, grasping towards the heavens.
She rubbed her eyes, now heavy as her body urged her to rest. Looking down, pushing away her fatigue, she saw the teeming masses on the trading platform below. She would often survey her burgeoning empire, confident in the fact that so many of the transactions beneath her sprawling accommodations intersected with her own interests, each bringing opportunities and profit. The aroma of spices and expensive fragrances from hundreds of worlds filled the air outside while well organized weapons dealers sold their tools of destruction with an almost clinical detachment. Clothes, food, drugs, art and even life itself was for sale. In the darker streets of the city, where none of the well-to-do inhabitants of this urban splendor would admit treading, brothels served the needs of the body while slave chattels carried on their grim business undisturbed, trading credits for dignity.
With the day's current business nearly done, she allowed her mind to wander to another matter. News from the farthest reaches of her influence had shaken her and, only now, could she unpack the emotions from deep within without fear of losing face.
"After all this time," she muttered to herself, "much sought after words reach my ears and now I can barely stomach what they have stirred in me…"
Closing her eyes, her thoughts swirling with repressed feelings, from beyond the haze a memory began to unveil in the theater of her mind. This fragment of history she had tried to bury, no longer able to bear the guilt and confusion it had brought into her life was now becoming clear.
The woman who had met her then had the look as if she was a marbled statue come to life. Her skin was ivory, flawless and smooth. Her face perfectly shaped, her hair dark and perfectly arranged to give a frame to her best features. Whatever protocol Cerberus might have had for uniforms was certainly most liberal, as her white suit clung to her body's every curve, giving the impression in shadow as if she wore nothing at all. She seemed to radiate an aura of authority and she was obviously someone who wore the mantle of command easily.
"You have done well to bring her to us," Miranda had said, "we can begin in earnest now."
"What will happen to her?" Liara had felt a sense of dread that overwhelmed what should been satisfaction at a hard-gained victory.
"We do our best to restore her. She is a powerful symbol to our people, an image of the grandeur and might of humanity not seen since our ancient myths spoke of Gods and men walking together."
"This doesn't feel right. Does not sending her to rest in peace seem more fitting? Has her life and sacrifice not earned her that?"
The woman turned to Liara, the slightest hint of haughtiness in her expression.
"Would you prefer the Collectors have taken her? I dare not imagine what things they would have done…"
"No…no of course not."
Through a window they watched how the container that served as the final resting place of Shepard was hooked up to various machines, so many white-clothed men and women swarming over it industriously like an ancient priesthood preparing funeral rites. The Collector's had cradled the make-shift casket in their arms, as if they were holding something of such preciousness and rarity that they dare not leave to chance that even the slightest gust of wind would damage their prize. Liara may not have fully understood their motives, but she knew a similar feeling that drew her to save, at any cost, the remnants of the person who lay inside; the woman that had been her bond mate, the love of her young life.
Liara had to steel herself against the emotions that would have brought her to the floor in anguish within that moment. She did not want to show weakness to the stoic women standing near her, yet she could not help but feel such a terrible sadness now that she came face to face with the image of what was left of her heart's desire. The bond, the constant thread that had tied them together no matter distance or time, had long since lost its power. Like a waning flame, it was going out, flickering slightly as only the tinder of happy recollections remained, the cold wind of time's cruel reality now threatening to sweep away what little was left of such wondrous days.
"She was my refuge…my home," Liara had said, finally betraying her feelings, "this loss is almost too much to bear…"
Miranda's eyes had only briefly glanced at Liara, returning quickly to the scene ahead.
"I'd like to say goodbye…if I could…"
The human woman sighed, her mind already having moved on from the asari next to her. Pressing a few keys on a console outside the room, she spoke.
"Clear the room. There is someone who needs to enter…alone."
The men and women inside dispersed and Liara had entered, taking a deep breath and preparing herself to come so close to that which had eluded her for so long; that which she had nearly lost to a terrible enemy.
She had approached slowly and carefully and, as she came upon the broken and unrecognizable form of the one she had loved.
For a few moments she had kept her distance, pondering what lay before her. Then, in a desperate rush of yearning, she threw herself upon the enclosure that surrounded the remnants of Shepard and clung to it for dear life. As her head rested against the coldness of its exterior, she imagined she could still hear her voice, Shepard's voice, whispering to her. She wanted nothing more than to feel a gentle breath or even the familiar smell of her hair.
Here was nothing but broken corpse. Nightmarish in its image, there was nothing of a beautiful face, a charming smile, or the hands that once had so tender a touch, instead merely cold and lifeless flesh. The horror of this sight would never leave her. All she had were memories and a few mementos she had saved from the Normandy. She had a shirt of the Commander's that she had held onto, pressing it to her nose so often and as long as it held a scent in the hopes of bringing back some part of the woman she had loved so intensely.
"Sheena…forgive me for this. If there is any chance that I can see your face again…please do not judge me harshly. Oh, to see you again my love! There is no price I would not pay. My very soul I would give to hold you again…" she had whispered through her sobbing.
After such tortured moments, Liara pulled herself away, her eyes now dry and ready to face the cold human woman again.
"Is there any hope?" Liara had asked.
"I would not abandon your time on the faint chance of what might be…" Miranda had responded.
Those words had crushed her.
"Then was this for nothing?"
"The Illusive Man believes she can be saved. All I can promise is that we will do our utmost. It will take time though."
Her mind had raced with so many scenarios. Should she wait dutifully? Return to her scholarship? Find a place on the Citadel? Maybe seek out her old friends again?
What would Shepard want? What would honor her?
Her purpose emerged within those moments. She would build something not just for herself, but for Sheena. Power she would have and a place she would prepare so that if…so that when her love returned to her she would see the fruits of her labor. Shepard would be proud of her…
Liara would invest her time wisely, constructing this home, of sorts, that would be ready and waiting. Something that Sheena could return to and find security and use in when she inevitably came back to face the real enemy…
She also would find Feron. The one who had given in his last moments to save them both.
"What of the drell?" she had asked.
"What about him?"
"Will you do nothing to rescue him after his sacrifice?"
Miranda had laughed at that question.
"Sacrifice? No, Liara. People in his profession do not know of such noble acts and you should not fool yourself into thinking otherwise. He had a job and he finished it, just barely as his own mistakes almost undid both of our efforts. Anyway, he knew the risks and we will expend no effort to 'recover' what is likely a lost cause."
How callous. Liara had been taken aback by that response.
"I will find him then. I will not abandon him to his fate…"
Miranda was unmoved by that statement, her face betraying no emotion.
"Do what you must, then. The best of luck in your efforts, but I would warn you that chasing someone like the Shadow Broker is unwise. If he does not kill you, you may find yourself drawn into a world from which you will not easily escape…one that has its own temptations and traps waiting…"
"I will find him…I owe him that much for what he did for me…he is a good man…"
A good man.
The memory faded and Liara found herself alone. She had memorized the note that had made her recall those painful moments.
"Woman matching physical description of S. Shepard seen on Omega. Aria's own DNA scan indicates match with sample on file. In company of a human male and female. All of them, as well as their ship, bearing the markings of Cerberus. Rumors that Shepard was also seen on a prison ship are yet unconfirmed. Other indications lead us to believe that she may also have been seeking the assistance of a Krogan warlord….but once again no confirmation. Will continue to monitor situation and report back with news."
She had thought she would be overjoyed at this message…but after so long she was filled with doubt and more confused than pleased. Shepard could be alive…an idea she had nearly given up on seeing come to be.
Her door opened and Nyxeris, her well-mannered and useful assistant approached. The asari bowed in respect before she spoke.
"Madam T'Soni, I have uploaded all the current reports from the field as well as the latest investment portfolio results to your console. You may review them as you wish…"
At this moment, Liara was not particularly interested in reading any of that, but she had her work, her purpose. Feron was still out there and, even after two years, she would not give up on finding him. She would also not let go of her desire to see the Shadow Broker pay with his, or its, very life.
She had a debt to repay. One of the very few people in the Galaxy she had come to count on and even, with time, to admire could still be out there.
"Thank you Nyxeris…"
The woman began to turn to leave.
"Wait!"
Nyxeris halted her movement and turned her attention again to Liara. She was ever willing to answer her master's call.
"Keep an eye out for any incoming ships that have the name 'Normandy' or are registered to Cerberus. More than that if you hear of…hear of a Commander Shepard, let me know immediately…"
Nyxeris nodded with understanding.
"I hope we shall see your friend soon."
Liara waved her hand, dismissing the assistant.
"Yes, Madam T'Soni."
Liara, for the moment, compartmentalized her emotions into a safe place. She had few last tasks to attend to and, returning to her desk, she locked away again a broken heart. Her fingers moved adeptly across the inputs of her terminal. Her mind and body were once again in harmony, totally focused on sorting through her new life's work…the endless data that she built her success on; the information that would lead her to a friend and to unleashing her vengeance on one who deserved a terrible fate.
As Nyxeris left the room and found her way back to her desk, she could no longer contain the smirk on her face.
"Patience has paid off," she said under her breath, "and my work can really begin."
The CIC deck of the Normandy was bustling with activity, as usual. The soft glow of terminals and their intensely occupied operators were like an audience to the symphony of electronic beeps and buzzes, the music of human speech and expression that played itself out in the center of the room. Men and women moved with determination, here and there, constantly ferrying messages and checking on the various 'little' things that kept the entire operation running. Standing on a podium above the Galaxy Map, Shepard felt like she was the great director of some grand performance and all her stage crew and actors lay before her, awaiting her whim.
All of this was still very disorienting to her. From her inglorious awakening aboard a station under siege to this moment, she had not been able to rest fully for even a single night cycle. She was constantly busy attending to her growing squads' needs, mission preparation, the Illusive Man's constant reminders of her purpose, as well as the various administrative tasks that rounded out her days.
"Damn it!" she said to herself as she once again failed to maneuver through the ships' systems. Her fingers seemed clumsy as she they pressed forward again and again on the screen before her and frustration mounted as she seemed to be going further away from her goal.
Not far from her, a red-haired woman, slim and easy to look at, cocked her head at the Commander's outburst.
"Do you need help, Shepard?" she said as she moved towards her.
"Ah, I think so. I guess I have not adapted to the new Normandy's computers. I can't seem to find my messages and have somehow ended up in random directories. I am afraid I might stumble upon a crew member's collection of dirty vids or images…"
Kelly Chambers smiled and placed herself right next to Sheena, a rather intimate proximity.
"What a shocking thought! Well, you have to just press here and here…" the woman began to say. Kelly was so near to Shepard that her short, fiery hair almost touched her face. She smelled of vanilla and other sweet things, a well matched scent to the milky complexion and lovely manner of the woman. With great regularity, while explaining the technical ins and outs of completing the immensely 'complex' task of checking messages, Kelly would look out of the corner of her eye towards Shepard. It almost seemed as if she were trying to read into the Commander, seeking some subtle indicators of which only she knew of. Her secretive gaze would dart back and forth between the terminal screen and the dark haired woman next to her. Kelly found her wandering looks caught by Shepard's own staring.
Shepard WAS looking at Kelly, rather than paying full attention to her explanation. It was not out of some romantic stirring, or at least not any she recognized, but instead the result of some other deepening interest. Kelly's face, her expressions, always showed fascination and an almost constant state of wonderment. Her body language and demeanor were so eager and ready to please. She would always inquire into Sheena's feelings, her thoughts and even personality. While everyone else seemed to want something, Kelly gave. As cynical as she wanted to be of her intentions, Shepard could not discount the woman next to her. She felt that her concern was genuine…that maybe, just maybe she really cared.
Or maybe Shepard was just desperately lonely. It was nice to feel like someone liked her for just for being herself. Kelly also reminded her of someone else…
"And there you go! Right back to where you need to be!" she said, completing her lesson of the embarrassingly easy task that had confused Shepard.
"How simple. Thank you."
"It is my pleasure, Shepard."
Kelly moved gracefully away, almost floating back to her own area of the deck. She seemed to be in high spirits, though that was not an unusual condition.
Looking through what messages she had, Shepard was unsurprised to see her biggest 'fans' were the Illusive Man and some spammer who wanted help her lover become more "well endowed".
"Too bad I don't have to worry about that problem in my sex life…" she thought to herself.
Then again, she didn't have a sex life. Nor a real social life according to her lack of personal messages. Being dead is a terrible inconvenience when it comes to expanding ones network of friends.
The elevator door behind her swung open and now another familiar figure emerged. The ever watchful brunette now moved towards Shepard, her hips swaying as she did so.
"Commander Shepard," Miranda said, "we are nearing our destination. We will soon be within range of the asari world of Illium."
The accented woman, for all her strengths, had little talent when it came to small conversation. Her directness was occasionally off-putting, if efficient.
With a sigh, Shepard logged out of her dismal personal message account and looked towards her second-in-command.
"Another planet, another bunch of warriors to bring to our cause, I assume?"
"Indeed, Shepard. Two individuals this time, an asari and a drell who both will benefit us greatly. It will not be easy finding them, but I am sure a friend of yours will be able to help us."
Shepard raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.
"A friend? Of mine? I have not many of those so I am eager to hear of this 'friend'."
Miranda bit her lip, betraying no small amount of concern.
"Well, perhaps we shall talk about this in private. Aside from the missions at hand I wanted to also discuss a personal matter that I may need to attend to on the planet. If you would join me in my office shortly, I can fill you in then."
Shepard's mind was now engaged in discovering who this mysterious friend might be. Her catalogue of associates was not long, but she still was at a loss when it came to pinpointing who now waited for her.
"I will be down shortly."
With that, Shepard again turned and began to fiddle with her terminal again.
Miranda lingered awkwardly for a few moments. She was fidgeting, almost as if she was struggling at coming up with something else to say to engage the Commander.
"Shepard, uhm," she began, "I also wanted to ask how…how you were doing? Are you getting along well enough?"
Shepard again turned, giving her full attention.
"Well…so far everything is as well as it can be. I have to say the charming Kelly Chambers has been of great help to me as I stumbled around this new ship."
Kelly, her eyes still focused on her work, pretended not to hear. The way her face lit up at hearing herself mentioned gave away her inner delight nonetheless.
Miranda glanced at the ship psychologist, her expression showing skepticism.
"Has she now? Well, I am glad Ms. Chambers is aiding you. Should you ever need anything from me, do not hesitate to ask."
"Of course."
With that, Miranda once again seemed to be conflicted in how to best end the more "personal" conversation she just had. Settling on a firm nod, she made her exit.
Shepard was not sure what to make of that one.
Returning to her "work", she began to search through the extranet and see what data was available on each of her old companions. With the ever sarcastic Garrus, or Archangel as he dramatically was once called, aboard ship that even further narrowed the list of who Miranda might be referring to.
Whoever it was, she looked forward to the reunion. It would be nice to see another friendly face in a Galaxy that so far had seemed to be filled with endless tragedy and thoughtless rancor.