::ll:: All these toys belong to Bioware; I just smush them together and make kissy noises. ::ll::

A/N - Howdy! And welcome to my first fan fiction in the history of ever. Needless to say, I'm a tad nervous. So go easy on me. In saying that, please don't hesitate to tell me what you think. I'm a big girl and I can take it. I know I need a lot of work and I hope to improve, with your help. Personally I feel I get a bit long winded and wordy in parts. If you could tell me how to improve it'd be great, sort of like a this is what you do "...", and this is how I would make it better "..."
This story is as much me trying to get my bearings and experiment in writing for characters and their interactions, as well as some action bits later on.

ALSO: There are some minor sweary bits to come, and a touch of violence. It's not much, but I've never been one to pay attention to age ratings, so I'm not a good judge. When I get to the chapter that niggles me, I'll ask for your opinion on whether I should change the rating. For now though, I'll keep it at T.

As for the actual story, I've had this in my mind for a month-ish now and really just wanted to get it out of my head and in writing. I'm a sucker for prequel stories and "before they were famous" stuff. In my mind, Liara will go on to be the LI in ME, however, if that's not your thing, this could just as easily serve as the beginning of a strong friendship between the good Doc and Commander.

So yeah, on with the show!

2169 CE – Local Cluster/Sol/Earth/Europa/UK/London
Systems Alliance Extraterrestrial Registry Bureau

Stepping off the transport shuttle, the newly anointed Doctor Liara T'Soni was positively buzzing at the current direction her life was heading. At just 92, she had been given rare admittance to Prothean Ruins contained within the Mars Archives, which were fiercely guarded by its human occupants. What had made this exceptional for Liara was that she would be one of the first non-humans to gain access. Admittedly, few non-humans were interested in the Archives, which had minimized Liara's competition greatly, and this news of cross species cooperation was hardly going to create headlines over the Extranet.

She suspected that even the humans themselves found her more of a nuisance to be placated than a potential trail blazer in knowledge of the old. This did not mean that gaining access had been easy, however. Liara had tried tirelessly for months to no avail and it was only after intervention from an old college friend that allowed her passage. Liara would be ever indebted to Dr Song for her help and she looked forward to meeting her friend at the Archives and thank her for all she had done. It was a blessing from the Goddess that the first human that Liara had met shared her passion for archaeology and had taken a liking to the Asari, becoming one of Liara's few steadfast compatriots.

Regardless of how it had been achieved, Liara thought, being granted access to the Archives was definitely a tick in the win column and would serve as an excellent start to the biography many would come to write about her after she had unravelled the secrets of the mysterious and ancient Prothean race.

The images of far flung future fame amused the doctor as she was slowly shuffled through processing, signing disclosure forms and posing for rudimentary identification papers. Humans were a peculiar race, Liara had decided. The females, at least, were very Asari-like aesthetically; the only notable difference being a patch of fur where their crest should be. The crest was particularly sensitive for Asari and Liara often wondered if human fur was equally as delicate, or if it could be moved independently. She was equally fascinated by the sheer volume of variety amongst humanity.

Unlike the Asari, who, despite slightly varying shades, were undeniably, uniformly blue, human skin tone could be shaded anywhere on the orange spectrum, ranging from deep bistre to light apricot, with some even veering off into shades rivalling that of finely tanned leather. Diversity seemed to be a discerning trait for humanity. For such a young species, humanity had amassed a vast array of ideologies both politically and philosophically.

In little under five Asari life times, humanity had explored almost all forms of governance and had religions that could cater for anyone's outlook. Whereas most species committed themselves to one doctrine, humanity proved malleable and constantly evolving in its culture. Like the Krogan and Turians, Humans were adept fighters, like Asari they could be shrewd diplomats, with tongues as sharp as their swords and like Salarians, they could just as easily turn their hand to espionage and infiltration. Plus, it was rumoured that in certain regions insects were a human delicacy. Liara shivered at the thought. At certain points of history, humans had even dabbled in eugenics, akin to the Salarian mating contracts; ultimately, though, the chaotic power of genetic variance had always won out. However, this variance was also the source of Humanity's weakness. Where other races could unite under a single consensus and progress as one, human culture was splintered and only those currently at the top would advance, with everyone else left to rot.

The dazzling architecture that signified human advancement and spanned human metropolises were all built on ghettos and slums of the less fortunate, the ignored and forgotten. The very concept of such a dichotomy within a single species mystified Liara. She mused, if it were not for the Protheans, she would certainly have chosen humanity as her genus of interest.

Liara was snapped out of her reverie as she passed the final checkpoint, by an Alliance Corporal placing a hand on her arm. Being 92 years old, Liara was older than the majority of humans she encountered, however due to Asari life spans, she looked little older than a human teenager fresh out of schooling. While being confident in her Prothean knowledge and biotics, Liara was no commando and shyness all but radiated from her being. The Corporal, picking up on this, ushered the young Asari off to the side, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Ma'am, with all due respect, you don't seem like the usual, ah, cliental we get through here. May I ask your reason for visiting Earth?"

"Oh, I – I am just visiting until I am given clearance to travel to Mars. It is my first time here. I was hoping to do a little sightseeing." Liara replied meekly, flashing a nervous grin and blushing furiously at being caught off guard.

"And how long would your clearance take?"

"Uh, I have one week, and I need to get to, umm, Parice, I think it is? For my connecting shuttle."

"Ahh, the Brooke Memorial Space Station, dans la belle ville de Paris?" He replied with a chuckle, before his face turned more serious for a moment. "Look, if you are planning to stay on this rock for a week and attempting to cross borders, I'd suggest some company, especially if you're not familiar with the place. Earth isn't exactly home to the most friendly bunch. Or moral."

Oh. Liara had never considered that in her travels, being too excited about being allowed to study the Archives in the first place.

"Do you know where I could find this company?" She asked, all previous exuberance deflating out of her. In her mind, she cursed herself. Stupid, Liara, Of course you would need protection. Priorities, woman.

"Well, just a few blocks from here, you'll find the 10th Street Reds Gang, I'm sure they'd be more than willing to negotiate a price-"

"A street gang? Are there not any agencies?" She interrupted confusion over taking her awkwardness. The Corporal only managed a mirthless laugh.

"Please, this isn't Illium. It's the gangs that run this place, make no mistake. It's them or nothing, I'm afraid."

"But you're Alliance. Shouldn't you do something about this?" Liara retorted indignantly.

"No. I mean, well, yes, I am Alliance. But that only means we represent humanity on the intergalactic stage. We're separate from the Earth governments. Outside those doors, I have as much authority as you do. And the police who should be looking into it? They're just as bad as the goons they're trying to stop, selling themselves to the highest bidder. You want my advice? You're safer with the gangs. At least you know where you stand with them." He shook his head and sighed, before giving an apologetic smile. "Welcome to Earth."

Liara thanked the man for his guidance and with directions to this 10th Street hangout; she stepped through the door, blinking up at the alien sun. She had come to Earth expecting a holiday; a break to celebrate her new doctorate before plunging into Prothean data. Somehow, it seemed that this trip would be less than relaxing.

But at least it would be interesting.