Tabitha Shepard picked up the picture of herself, her old self, and examined it with a tranquil expression. The picture was taken before she had been killed. She looked identical to the red-haired woman in the picture, sans cybernetics. To think that a group like Cerberus had done this, reconstructed her, sent a shiver down her spine.
"That was a happier time, hard to believe," Liara said as she stepped up behind Shepard.
"If only Sovereign was our biggest problem again," Shepard agreed, laying the picture down in a box before turning to face Liara. "I can't believe you kept it. We could update it, you know."
"It's more than just a reminder of you, Tabitha. Those were simpler times. Sometimes I like to . . . reminisce; I like to remember not just you but everyone else, on the original Normandy." Liara looked down and for a moment bore a striking resemblance to the asari Shepard had freed from the Prothean stasis field.
"You can come back, you know," Shepard said, laying a hand on Liara's shoulder.
"I know, Shepard," Liara said, looking at the hand. "But I have a job to do. I will be more useful to you as the Shadow Broker than on your team. You know that as well as I do."
"Yeah, I know, but that doesn't mean you have to. Sometimes we have to go beyond our duties," Shepard said, though she knew it was a lost cause.
"Come, we should be leaving soon and I still have to decide which of my artefacts I am going to take."
"Yeah, right," Shepard said, watching as Liara turned and walked down the stairs. A walk Shepard had come to miss watching on the Normandy.
"So why did you bring me along?" came the familiar voice from the shadows behind her. Shepard turned around to watch Kasumi step across the bedroom, holding yet another box of Liara's stuff. The thief laid it down on the bed.
"Liara's not taking everything with her, and she doesn't want anything stolen. Who better to tighten up her security than the galaxy's greatest thief?"
"Unfortunately he's dead, but I'll see what I can do," Kasumi shot back, bringing up her omni-tool as she walked away. Though it had been quite some time since she had laid the last remains of her partner to rest, Shepard still detected the nostalgia in the thief's voice when she spoke of her lover.
"—fortunately, everyone was able to get out alive." Shepard nearly jumped at the voice before realizing it was a news broadcast. She looked around quickly for the source.
Garrus was standing by the screen as Shepard threw him a scrutinizing look.
"The mood was getting solemn, I thought this might lighten things up," he said helplessly.
"In other news, the Citadel Council warmly welcomed their first hanar representative in a audacious diplomatic move last Thursday. The representative—"
"Alright, I think I have everything I need for now." That was Liara, brandishing her omni-tool. The broadcast faded away.
"You sure?" Shepard asked.
"If I need anything I'm sure you can find time from your busy schedule to assist me."
"I can always spare the time for you, Liara."
"Ahem," Garrus interjected. "I'll start bringing some of the full bags out to the shuttle and leave you ladies to your… privacy." He walked away and Shepard saw him tap his visor, no doubt turning on the music stored on the device.
"Sheesh, you'd think we were parting ways for good," Shepard commented to Liara. The asari laughed. "Want to say good-bye to this place before we leave?"
"No, that is fine. I only spent two years here. Two years over the span of one hundred and eight years is negligible. This place was never home, not like the Normandy."
"She's something special, but the real test is coming up . . . when the Reapers arrive." Shepard scowled at the thought, turning and looking out of the window at Nos Astra and the continuous traffic flying by. All of it was in danger. All of this, not just this city, this world, but all of the galaxy was facing the Reaper invasion. Cerberus was well equipped, but they would need a lot more allies before they would be prepared.
A hand found her shoulder. "It is not your responsibility alone," Liara said softly. "I will be there by your side, to the end. And with the resources of the Shadow Broker I am certain we can find a way to stop them."
"I'm glad one of us is," Shepard murmured. A sudden slap jarred her as she was whirled around, Liara glaring fiercely into her eyes.
"Do not talk like that," Liara growled. "You are the captain of the Normandy, the first human Spectre, and the saviour of the Citadel and the Council. You are the idol for all humans and many others in the galaxy. You are my . . . . You cannot let them break you, you must inspire everyone!"
Shepard looked down at Liara's lips. She didn't know why, but she couldn't quite concentrate on anything past them. A moment of silence passed between them before the Spectre nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry, it's just . . . a lot has happened since I was trialed on Eden Prime. It gets to me sometimes."
"I understand completely. I am here for you, Tabitha, but you must remain strong for everyone else. Your strength is our strength. When we were on Ilos it was your courage that kept us all going. I have no doubt the same thing applied when you went into the Collector's base. When you are at the head of your crew, you are unstoppable. Remember that."
"I will. Thank you, Liara," Shepard said, and pulled Liara in close. There was a brief moment of hesitation—not that she reconsidered her actions but she enjoyed the simple embrace before their lips touched. It wasn't passionate, not by the usual definition of passionate, but it was one of the best kisses she had shared with the asari. The raw emotion that ran between the touch was far beyond passionate. It was some sort of uncharted territory that neither had quiet experienced before, but something that they hungered for nonetheless.
Their lips parted, but Liara touched her forehead to Tabitha's and didn't move for a few moments, instead content to enjoy her lover's presence.
A slight noise from the door caused Shepard to glance around to see the familiar silhouette of the Japanese thief waiting by the entrance. She sighed, drinking in Liara's presence for a little while longer before greeting Kasumi.
"I assume the security's been tightened," Shepard said at length.
"Yes, should be safe from any kind of burglary. I can't do anything against a direct attack," Kasumi said, stepping once more from the shadows. Shepard wondered how long she had been there. It was always hard to tell with the thief.
"Most of the luggage is loaded up. Just the last few boxes," Garrus said as he returned, motioning to a couple of containers packed up with stuff from Liara's bedroom still resting on the bed.
"Alright, we'll go out and wait, Liara. You lock everything up and we'll head back the Normandy." Shepard let go of Liara, realizing the two were still embraced. "Don't get too handsy," she teased.
# # #
"We're coming in a little rough, hold on everybody," Joker's voice sounded over the intercom. As if on cue, the Normandy shook violently, akin to being caught in turbulence on Earth.
Shepard and Liara lurched to and fro from the couch in the Captain's Cabin, but they had braced for the entry. Hagalaz had always been this rough; it was what made the Shadow Broker's base such an ingenious lair. It was hidden from all equipment because of the raging thunderstorm, and the electricity gave the base a perpetual power source.
"Are you alright?" Shepard asked Liara. Not that anything had happened, but Shepard liked to be protective over Liara when the two were together, and she was pretty sure Liara liked being protected. The asari had grown quite a bit in the two years Shepard had been…incapacitated; she was quite independent, but still the same Liara.
"I am fine. More than fine while I am here," Liara said, nuzzling into Shepard's arms. Nothing more romantic than a thunderstorm. The ship shook violently again and Shepard held Liara close. And they would've probably gotten further, had a red light started flickering and a klaxon started sounding.
"Uh, Commander, you might want to get down here," Joker said over the intercom.
Shepard got up and rushed over to the intercom. "What's happening?"
"Hostile attack. We have taken substantial damage to our starboard engines. Kinetic barriers have dampened the attacks, but they are now only running at twenty per cent," EDI responded in place of Joker.
"Taking evasive manoeuvres, hold on tight!" Joker cried and Shepard felt the ship lurching again.
"Stay there," Shepard said abruptly to Liara. She grabbed her Carnifex from the desk, clipped it to her side and rushed to the elevator. The ship lurched again as the door opened and Shepard fell inside, letting her hand hit the controls. The door hissed and shut and Shepard was moving.
The ship lurched yet again. "Kinetic barriers are failing. I recommend tactical retreat before significant damage is done," EDI said over the intercom. Maybe it was Shepard's imagination, but the voice seemed laced with worry.
"Have you identified the hostiles yet?"
"Negative. The storm is scrambling my signals. However based upon tactical data and attack patterns it is forty three per cent possible that they are Eclipse, twenty seven per cent Blue Suns."
"What would either of them be doing out here?"
"I do not know, Commander."
"How far are we from the base?"
"We are five hundred feet from the base at average, as Jeff is currently taking evasive manoeuvres."
"You mean we're on top of the base?" Shepard remarked incredulously as the elevator doors rang open. She immediately started out and toward the helm.
"The efforts of the hostiles seem to be focused upon the base, Commander. If we retreat there is a seventy eight per cent chance of getting away without pursuit."
Shepard continued down the corridor that led to the cockpit. The ship shook and Shepard grabbed a rail to keep herself stable. She could hear Joker shouting orders to EDI. Once the lurch was over she kept walking. "Joker, status."
"Hold that thought, Commander, currently trying to not get blown up."
"EDI, status."
"Kinetic barriers currently at seven per cent. Right engines have taken massive damage and are leaking coolant. Power has been rerouted to rear right engine and right engines running at sixty per cent capacity to accommodate," EDI stated.
"Any chance for a counterattack?"
"Look outside, Commander. They're everywhere. Whoever they are they came in force!" Joker exclaimed, working his fingers furiously across the controls. "We're going to have to flee. I'm not losing another Normandy."
"Alright, break atmo and get us out of here. Head for the Citadel."
"Commander, engines working at the current capacity it is unwise to make such a large trip. I recommend docking in Noveria for repairs. With sufficient supplies repairs should only take forty eight hours," suggested EDI.
"We'll have to take it. Joker, do your thing," Shepard said reluctantly. She looked outside. The sky was littered with ships all blasting away at the Shadow Broker base. As Joker brought the ship around she lost sight of the base. "EDI, bring up the rear view."
A holographic screen popped up to the side of the cockpit and Shepard watched as the ships continued to pelt the Shadow Broker base. There were shots being fired in all directions, as the ship put up a valiant fight. But whoever was attacking had the numbers advantage. Shepard watched as several larger ships broke through the clouds and bombarded the base. Explosions tore apart the length of it and it slowly, but surely, broke in half before the entire thing exploded.
"Liara's going to be devastated," Shepard groaned with remorse. None of the enemy ships pursued and it wasn't long before they were safely behind the Normandy's stealth drives. Shepard put her hand on Joker's shoulder. "You did good. Get us to Noveria."
"After the Collectors you'd think we could handle anything," Joker said, sounding a little disappointed in himself.
"Don't dwell on it. They had both the surprise and the numbers. We were fortunate to get away," Shepard told him before turning and walking away. Suddenly, Tabitha felt tired. She had just witnessed one of the most powerful information networks in the galaxy crumble away and she didn't even have a lead on who did it. And now she had to break it all to Liara.
Well, at least this meant Liara would be joining them, Shepard thought with a sardonic half-smile.