The Lion & The Crow

by Piper Squeaks

When the Normandy escaped the Collector Ship, Shepard never dreamed he'd stumble upon the find of a century. He never imagined he'd discover a creature unlike any other. He never knew the greatest weapon against the Reapers would be a Crow Feather. This crossover will feature Karasuba prominently. Chapter 9 is finally up!

4. A Crow Meets A Queen

The Lion & The Crow

Chapter 4:

The island Alex found himself standing on was rocky and desolate. There was little vegetation of any kind on its surface. The island itself seemed no more than a large deposit of granite, basalt, and other igneous minerals that appeared to have been scooped out of the caldera of a volcano and dropped unceremoniously in the middle of the ocean. The shape of the island was irregular and large black rock formations jutted here and there on the island's surface. As he studied the island's appearance a name sprang from his lips 'Kamikura.' That was the island's name, the name given to it by the island's discoverers. It had little to differentiate it from the myriad of tiny islands that surrounded the small nation of Japan. Little except for one item of significance that could not be ignored.

The alien ship, Kara's ship, dominated the island's interior. It was an enormous construct. The hull's organic design flowed around it like it had been grown, rather than constructed, to fulfill its purpose. The alien beauty of the ship mirrored the beauty of the alien creatures that had been discovered within its belly. Alex was amongst four such aliens. Each of them wore the uniform that was immediately familiar to him. This had be Kara's disciplinary squad. If he was standing among them, then he had somehow tapped into Karasuba's memories.

"Pay attention, number zero-four, you know how I dislike repeating myself." The lavender haired beauty spoke with a soft lilt that in no way disguised the authority she held over the group as a whole. Her form was slender, very much like Kara's own and she wore her straight lavender hair in a long flowing mane that brushed the tops of her thighs. To say the sword on her hip was impressive would do the elegant weapon a severe injustice. The hilt alone extended almost half a meter from the belted scabbard. The handle was wrapped in a sumptuous silk, the color of which was only a few shades darker than the Sekirei leader's hair. The sheathed blade jutted out behind the alien woman for the better part of two meters. Miya looked at him for a brief moment before turning away and addressing the others. "According to Minaka-sama the enemy will be upon us soon. Each of you know your duties. I expect nothing less than a complete victory."

A small chorus of 'hai's' rose up from the group, Kara included. He watched through Karasuba's eyes as she strode to the cliffs where Miya was standing and looked out over the horizon. He saw the unmistakable proof of her words. Human ships. Dozens of human ships of every size were steaming their way to the island. Many of the ships bore the insignia of several of the world's superpowers. It was obvious to both Karasuba and Alex that this flotilla appeared to be a coalition of nations brought together for no other purpose but the wholesale invasion of Kamikura. They were coming to seize that which did not belong to them. Alex recognized Karasuba's anticipation at the prospect of bloodshed. She would kill in the name of her unborn siblings, but she felt little kinship for them.

Karasuba grasped her sheathed sword in her left hand, the blade's lust for blood calling to her, pleading with her to spill rivers of the red liquid on the islands' black sands. She turned her attention away from the demon blade, and back to the armada bearing down on the small island. She watched as a smaller flotilla broke off from the main force, landing craft no doubt. The intention was clear, land on the opposite side of the island and catch the island's inhabitants in a two-pronged attack. For anyone but the disciplinary squad that would be a sound tactic. But Kara knew in her heart none of the invading force would survive to regret their decisions. Not a single human soul on those ships would live to see another day. Alex, watching the entire affair through the red lens that was Karasuba's bloodlust, was struck palpably by a grimly amusing thought, Miya would not be the only one of us to slaughter this day. Karasuba smiled.

"Karasuba, get into position. Mutsu provide support." Miya said as she motioned for the two steel haired Sekirei to intercept the landing parties that would assuredly try to catch the group in a classic pincer attack. "The humans will be here soon. We must be prepared to greet them in the name of our own." Karasuba and Mutsu nodded their assent to Miya's orders and both jumped to the nearest two outcroppings of rock. The heights his Sekirei could leap, boggled Alex's mind. He became almost nauseous as he watched the two as they zigzagged across each other's paths. They leaped from boulder to boulder each trying to outpace the other as they followed the shoreline. The acrobatic duo each kept an eye on the incoming ships. They needed to be in position before the first soldier's boot touched land.

The two stopped abruptly when they found the most likely landing zone for the craft. They waited for their quarry hidden among the rock formations of the island. Their steps light and silent as the grave as they awaited their prey's arrival. Karasuba stood on one side of the beachhead and Mutsu on the other. From their vantage points they both could see the boats making headway, Alex dreaded what he knew was coming. Karasuba had mentioned a battle similar to what he was witnessing now and she had described a massacre. Five hundred. Karasuba had said that she alone had killed over 500. Miya, the most powerful of the group, presumably much more than that.

The landing craft moved into their positions and began disgorging their armored occupants. Tanks, APC's, and troops moved onshore with military precision. There were enough troops and armored vehicles to level a city. As the enemy made their beachhead, The two waiting Sekirei wordlessly made their attack plans as well. As the last of the troops waded ashore, Mutsu struck. He leapt out of cover into the center of the thickest grouping of tanks and with little more than a hand signal and a cry of anger he struck the earth with his sheathed sword and Alex watched almost unbelieving as what amounted to an earthquake erupted from the point of the sword's contact with the ground. It rushed outward in jagged expanding lines quickly engulfing the luckless vehicles in tremendous gouges in the earth. It was as if Mutsu had somehow forced open the mouth of hell to swallow his victims whole. The tanks were crushed as the fissures closed around them.

Karasuba did not sit idly by while Mutsu had all the fun. Using her agility and her sword's demonic cutting technique she cut a bloody swath through the troops standing in groups on the far end of the beach away from Mutsu and his man made earthquake. She was faster than many of the men could even follow as she weaved among them dismembering and disemboweling anyone unfortunate enough to be too close to her blood soaked weapon. Alex heard through Kara's ears a high pitched sound, he realized that the sound was a single note soft and almost musical and he realized it was coming from the sword itself. The blade was singing it's joy at the carnage it was creating for its master.

The enemy had lasted almost no time at all. The dead littered the ground in heaps. The smoldering wreckage of the armored vehicles were scattered and half buried. Thick oily smoke rose off the steel carcasses. The occupants, killed as they tried to escape their steel coffins, were lying where they died, half in and half out to the vehicles' openings. Karasuba frowned at the sight. She had clearly hoped for a more long lasting fight. She eyed the craft as they tried to make a hasty retreat. There were more victims there, she just had to figure a way out there. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Miya standing behind her.

"I will take care of those. Matsu" Miya nodded to an orange haired female with glasses who nodded back and shut her eyes. Alex was unsure of what he was seeing, but it appeared that Matsu had somehow gained control of the ships' electronics as the retreating craft began to behave as if they had no steering control whatsoever. Miya nodded her approval, and then, with a swift decisive swipe of her own sword, cut the air in front of her.

Alex watched unbelieving as a shockwave as thin as the sword's blade and as tall as the tallest ship's deck flew outward from the invisible strike. It cut across several ships at once and the ships' hulls split apart as easily as paper before a razor. The destroyed ships sank quickly. A few more swipes of her sword were all that were required to finish off the rest of the ships and then it was quiet. Miya walked lightly by Karasuba and for a split second, Alex felt as if she were looking at him not Kara. Her eyes, a striking blend of hazel and violet, were more than just beautiful, they were otherworldly. The eye contact lasted but a moment, and then he was awake in his bed many light years away from the being that he now knew without a single doubt was still alive.

Karasuba slept next to him, her naked body, for that was how she demanded she be allowed to sleep, was turned away from him. The creamy, smooth curve of her back was just visible under the bed sheet, her arms wrapped her pillow in a death grip. Her steel gray hair flowed around her body. Alex's eyes were drawn to a symbol nestled at the base of her neck, between her shoulder blades. It had a stylized picture of a bird, with a yin-yang symbol directly underneath it. It looked distinctly Asian in origin. A primal instinct took over, and without even realizing it, he reached over with his free hand and touched it.

The symbol seemed very warm to the touch. He stroked it with his thumb. Was it a tattoo? Something in the back of his mind told him that it was more important than that. Karasuba, without turning, reached over her shoulder to grab his hand. "I suggest you stop that. Unless you're prepared for the consequences."

"What consequences?" Alex noticed that the symbol was now noticeably warmer than it had been even a moment before. Karasuba turned onto her back and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"These consequences." She pulled him on top of her and captured his lips in a burning kiss. He could feel the smooth swell of her bare breasts and against his chest. Her black-light wings burst outward once more. They passed through the bed to curl around the two of them before dissipating into motes of light once more. The two kissed more roughly. Even though he was lying on top of her, Kara's mouth and tongue was the more dominant in their exchange.

His hand moved down to palm one half of her shapely rear. Her legs wrapped around his torso in response to the aggressive action. He squeezed the muscular yet compliant flesh. Things were going way too fast, but in that moment Alex cared very little. Kara reached down to remove the last barrier between her and the completion of her claim on Shepard, his boxers.

Kara could feel his erection through the boxers thin material, but that wasn't enough, not nearly enough. It felt long and thick, and she wondered if it would fit inside her. Her previous Ashikabi, had shown no interest at all in the act of mating, not that she cared at the time. She'd reacted to Musubi's Ashikabi, but had winged herself on Minaka's choice instead. Now she had claimed Minato's descendant, and she would partake in all of the pleasures that existed for a true Sekirei/Ashikabi pair.

She pushed his boxers off Alex's hips with one hand, as she held him with the other. His member was burning hot in her hand which only stoked her carnal desires even more. Alex shifted his body unconsciously to prepare for penetration.

SHEPARD, THERE IS AN INCOMING MESSAGE FROM THE QUARIAN SALVAGE TEAM. THEY REPORT THAT THEY HAVE COMPLETED TRANSIT THROUGH THE LAST MASS RELAY AND SHOULD BE IN OUR VICINTY WITHIN THE NEXT GALATIC STANDARD HOUR. MIRANDA OUT.

The interruption was all that was needed to break Alex from his lust induced haze, and he jumped from Karasuba's grasp back to his side of the bed. Kara was not happy about the failed attempt at seduction. She got up and walked into the bathroom without a word. A moment later Alex could hear the shower running. He got up and removed a clean uniform from the dresser in front of his bed. He dressed and walked over to his desk terminal to respond to Miranda's notice.

"Understood Miranda. Karasuba and I will be down for breakfast in roughly fifteen minutes. Shepard out."

He retrieved his shoes and socks as Kara emerged from the refresher, a towel wrapped around her body. She removed the towel and looked at her D-squad uniform. Her nose crinkled cutely as she realized the outfit would need to be cleaned. She turned to Alex, who nodded in understanding.

"Yeoman Chambers, can you have several new Normandy uniforms in Karasuba's size brought up to the loft. And have her original clothing added to the laundry."

YES, SIR. KELLY OUT.

"That should help. I think that I would rather have you blending with the rest of the crew, right now. I want to keep as few people as possible aware of who and what you are."

"I can take care of myself. I don't..."

"I know that. However, I want to make sure that the rest of the crew is protected as well. Your presence on this ship puts more than just your life at risk."

"If your crew is so weak that they cannot protect themselves, they shouldn't be here. You are of Sekirei; you are strong. If they can't measure up to your standard, then what are they doing out here with you?"

"Kara, there are few that can measure up to my standard, but they're good people that give me their all day in and day out. I'd take this crew over a hundred clones of me any day. Is that understood?"

Kara shook her head, but before she could answer the doorbell rang. "Commander, I'm here with Kara's new uniforms."

"Thank you, Kelly. Kara's not dressed at the moment so you can just leave them in front of the door."

"Yes, sir. See you at break..." Karasuba opened the door and grabbed the clothes from Kelly's hands before Alex could stop her. Kelly, in turn, got an eyeful of naked Sekirei before she could avert her eyes. Her eyes widened at the sight of the beautiful alien that looked so very human by comparison. Then just as quickly as the door opened, it was closed and Kelly was once again alone in the hall. She shrugged, and got back on the elevator.

"Kara, you have to stop flashing my crew." Karasuba shrugged and proceeded to put on the female crew uniform. He had to admit, she filled out the uniform in all the right places. "Are you hungry?"

"Of course." Kara responded as if the answer was the height of obviousness.

"Then I suppose we should head down to the crew deck and get some chow, food"

She raised an eyebrow at his correction. "I know what 'chow' means. I speak Japanese, English, German, and Mandarin, fluently."

"Do you know 'Sekirei'?"

"No. Only Miya ever knew that language, and she never saw a need to teach any of us." Alex nodded. He could understand the sentiment. If their ship had been a colonization vessel, then it made sense that the inhabitants would focus on the indigenous languages rather than their own.

"Are you ready?"

"One last..." She belted Cold Nights to her hip then nodded.

The two made it down to the crew deck a few minutes later. They saw that Rupert had already begun serving the "day" crew. The buffet style breakfast options actually smelled quite good. The crew that were still eating saluted as the Captain arrived on deck. The salutes were often followed by rounds of "Morning Captain" or simply "Shepard." Everyone gave Karasuba a wide berth, the memory of Jack's dismantling by her hand s were still fresh in their minds.

Karasuba stepped up to the beginning of the queue and began filling three plates with food. Even Alex had never eaten as much as she had gotten herself. "Wow, lady. That's a lot of..." Rupert started, but a look from Karasuba informed him wordlessly that it would be wise to not finish.

"That is a lot of food." Alex commented as he prepared his own plate.

"A Sekirei must consume larger meal portions due to our physiology." She said as the two sat down at an unoccupied table.

"Shepard." Tali stepped up with a selection of sterilized food tubes in her hand. "Do you and...Karasuba mind..." Karasuba seemed to mind a great deal as she watched the Quarian with cold eyes. "Umm, I guess I'll just go over there instead."

"Shepard! 'Suba!" Joker called out to the both of them. He hobbled over to the table. "Holy crap that's a lot of food!"

Before Alex could correct him, Karasuba looked at him and shook her head. "'Suba is not my last name."

"Well with Shepard calling you Kara all of the time, I assumed your name must be Kara Suba."

"That's incorrect. Karasuba is my given name. I do not have a family name... though I suppose that's no longer true. It would now be... Shepard." She stopped for a moment, reached out behind her, and seized a handful of air, which materialized into Kasumi's throat. "I suggest that you breathe a little lighter, or not at all, if you wish to sneak up on me. And you really shouldn't smell like cherry blossoms."

"...Right, no breathing. And no sakura scented body wash." Kasumi said once Karasuba released her grip on her neck.

"Holy shit, Commander. She can catch Kasumi when she's sneaking around!" Joker exclaimed. He turned to Karasuba, "You're allowed on the bridge whenever you like, as long as you don't, you know, decide you need to test your sword on me or something."

"Kasumi, please sit." Shepard said as he motioned for the seat on his right.

"That's OK Shep. I wasn't that hungry anyway." She rubbed her throat, Karasuba's grip on it strong enough to leave impressions.

"Joker you wanna to sit before you break something important." Karasuba shook her head very slightly

"... Naw, I'll be fine...over there... somewhere..." Kara nodded in agreement with Jeff's decision to sit anywhere but at that table.

"You know it won't actually kill you to spend some time getting to know my crew."

"Neither will it make me stronger." Kara said between mouthfuls of eggs.

Alex watched as she ate what amounted to three separate meals with only a pair of chopsticks. It amazed him that she made eating the huge portions without fork or spoon look effortless. He returned to his own meal and only finished it in the same time that she finished all three plates of her own breakfast. "Well, the salvage team will be here soon. I still need to walk through the ship with you and make sure we have removed anything they will not need to pilot the ship. Kara only nodded as she placed the chopsticks on her last empty plate.

"I only have another set of squad uniforms, and my sword cleaning set."

"I see..." Whatever else Alex was going to say was interrupted as he saw Samara exit her observation room and with an almost supernatural grace walk into the mess area.

Samara approached the table Alex and Kara were sitting at in the mess, the serenity of her face marred by a look of concern. She stopped just shy of the table, respecting Kara's silent command that she not sit down.

"Shepard," said Samara, "do you remember the task I was working on when you recruited me?"
Alex nodded and put his cup of coffee down. "Of course I do, Samara. Have you had a breakthrough in your case?"
"Yes," replied Samara in her usual calm voice. "The ship AML Demeter has made port on Omega"
"Are you sure?" asked Alex, an eyebrow raised.
"Yes, my source is very reliable. We have a brief window of opportunity and should make haste to the station. It will only take a little time before she has fully acclimated herself to her new environment."

"I take it from your demeanor that you have a plan in mind." Alex asked and noted from the corner of his eye that Kara's eyes were fully open. She was becoming interested in the conversation, her blood red orbs twinkling with curiosity.

Samara nodded. "Indeed I do. and you must play a crucial role, Shepard. Morinth is attracted to specific types of and those with the spark of creativity are her preferred prey, though her definition can be quite broad."

"I'm not that much of a creative type, Samara, so I hope you know of a good way for me to fake it," said Alex wryly.

"You give yourself too little credit, Shepard," replied Samara with a small smile. "I watched you as we fought on the Collector ship. You are very much an artist on the battlefield, moving with the grace and fluidity of a dancer, molding the shape of the battle much like a sculptor molds clay. That is why I know that you will attract Morinth to you like few could."

Alex nearly choked on his coffee. "You want me to be the bait?!"

"Yes, I feel that she will be unable to resist you. A fact I am very much counting on," said Samara, her vocal inflection remained even. "You will attract her attention, then when she has put herself in a compromising position, I will be there to end her once and forever."

"No," responded Kara, speaking for the first time since Samara arrived. "I will not allow you to endanger him in such a needless manner."

Samara turned her attention to Kara, her grey eyes narrowed. "It is not needless, my dear. Morinth is a predator of the highest order, hunting the innocent to satiate her endless hunger."

"Then I will be the bait in my Ashikabi's place." said Kara calmly.
Both Alex and Samara stared at her with surprised expressions.

"Kara, this is far too dangerous for you," said Alex but the look on Karasuba's face would brook no argument on the matter. He tried anyway. "You don't have to put yourself in this position."

Kara looked at him, her usual grin once again firmly in place. She was becoming excited. "While I admit that I have very little practice at being the prey, I know how to handle myself well enough."

"But Kara-" started Alex but she cut him off.

"No, Alex," she said harshly, "your mission to stop these Collectors and Reapers is far more important than this one particular monster. Besides, Morinth should make an interesting adversary, and I have been wanting to experience a real challenge since our fight on my ship."

"Since there seems to be no dissuading her," sighed Alex with a rueful smile, "What do you think, Samara?"

Samara was silent for a few moments, weighing the possible outcomes of Kara's offer. "The plan should still work with her as bait in your place, as long as she agrees to allow me to dispense justice as I see fit. Shepard, you should join me as another bodyguard in case Morinth proves to be too much for Karasuba."

"I will let you have your 'justice,'" said Kara dismissively, not even arguing the point, which surprised Alex a great deal.

He turned from Kara and said "Then as soon as our business with the Quarian salvage team is fone, we'll head straight to Omega and put this plan into motion,"

"Thank you, Shepard, Karasuba." said Samara with a slight incline of her head then she departed the mess.

Turning back to his breakfast companion, Shepard asked in a more hushed tone than normal, "Kara, are you really sure about this. I don't doubt your abilities, but this Morinth has been alive for over 400 years, and she has been perfecting her skills at killing for many of those years."

"I have matched blades with a true monster in my life and survived. This Morinth does not frighten me. She will simply allow me to gauge how much of my skill I have retained since I left your planet. The rest is of little consequence." Karasuba said as she looked at him intently.

"Little consequence. What do you mean little consequence?" Alex did not enjoy it when Kara spoke as if her life did not matter.

"I mean that until this fight against the Collectors, and their masters the Reapers, has been won, I will prepare for them by destroying your enemies. It is the role of the Sekirei to fight and the Ashikabi to plan and strategize. And I am not like your ancestor, Musubi. She loved to rush headlong into any fight with little to no planning whatsoever."

"Sounds like something one of my ancestors would do." Shepard laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.

Karasuba got up to leave and looked back to Alex silently questioning what he was doing. "I'm cleaning up. You should at least have the courtesy to clean up yourself."

"You are my Ashikabi. Therefore, I will allow you to clean my plates if you wish." She then turned and waited for him by the elevator.

The two stepped out of the elevator and into the CIC. Karasuba immediately recognized the source of their earlier coitus interruptus, Miranda, speaking quietly with Kelly. Though with her hearing they might as well have been shouting.

"...pard said that she hadn't gotten dressed yet, when I went up to the loft to deliver the uniforms."

"Do you think the two have...?" Miranda asked before she realized the two had gotten off the elevator.

"To answer your question. No, we have not." Karasuba's eyes were slitted once more, but she wasn't smiling. Miranda noted with some trepidation that the newest member of the Normandy's crew was idly fingering the hilt of her infamous sword.

Miranda was familiar with the myth of 10,000 Cold Nights. Cerberus, in their desire to place mankind at the top of the galactic food chain, had seriously researched many of humanity's myths and legends. A sword with the ability to cut anything, as the legend suggested, would have been an invaluable addition to Cerberus's arsenal. The myth, however, had led nowhere, and was written off as a Japanese fantasy. Now she knew why. It hadn't been on Earth at all. It had been locked up in a ship thousands of light years away.

She watched Karasuba stride with purpose over to the area that they were standing, only to ignore them entirely as she stepped up to the galactic holo-map and began searching for, something. Alex followed behind her and stopped in front of the two female crew members.

"Shepard." Miranda nodded in lieu of a salute.

"Commander." Kelly said to show respect to her CO.

"Lawson. Miss Chambers."

"I trust your breakfast was satisfactory." Miranda said somewhat anxiously as it was apparent from Karasuba's manner that she had become the center of the new alien's ire.

"I can't complain. Have either of you eaten yet?" Shepard asked amiably, keeping one eye on the two female humans and one on Karasuba. He was still unsure what the long-haired alien might do to his XO because of the earlier interruption.

"Yes, I ate a couple of hours ago in my quarters." Miranda answered.

"I just had a quick bite, before clocking in for the day shift." Kelly said somewhat nervously. She could feel the tension in the air and was becoming distinctly uncomfortable.

"Hmmm..."

The two Normandy commanders turned to see what had made Kara make that particular sound when they saw that the map was zoomed in on Omega.

"That reminds me, Miranda. I spoke with Samara, and have agreed to assist with the completion of her mission. It seems the AML Demeter has made berth on Omega and she believes the criminal she has been hunting will take up residence rather than leaving with the freighter.

"This place, it seems quite interesting. According to your codex, it is controlled by one of the blue aliens. This Aria T-Loak is very intriguing. What can you tell me about her?" Kara interrupted as she gazed at the holo of the ancient mining station.

The three humans looked at Karasuba for a moment, before Kelly answered. "It's actually pronounced T'loak not..."

Kara stared at her with an upturned eyebrow.

"Got it, just the facts... She's one that defies an easy description. She can be cold, logical, arrogant, and condescending."

"Sounds like someone else we know." Miranda muttered under her breath.

Karasuba, paid no attention to the XO, and continued to listen to Kelly's description of Aria. "But she's also decisive, capable and very powerful. The self-titled Queen of Omega has been the de facto ruler for over a hundred years, and she's only recently reached her Matron years. She could remain in power for another 500 years or more.

Kara nodded in understanding. The warning was clear. Aria is not to be underestimated. Having exhausted her curiosity on the subject of Omega she stepped back down from the holo-projector and turned to Alex. "I believe that it's time to take care of the ship before these Quarians arrive to take custody."

Alex nodded and then addressed the ship from his Omni-tool. "Mordin, would you and Tali meet me and Karasuba at the bridge to begin the final ship inspection before we relinquish it to the Quarians.

MORDIN HERE. WILL BE THERE MOMENTARILY.

SHEPARD, THIS IS TALI. I'LL BE UP ON THE BRIDGE IN A FEW MINUTES.

Alex was the first to step back into Karasuba's ship. Miranda had insisted that she be included as well, to which Karasuba smiled brightly. It was by far the scariest expression he had ever seen on his Sekirei's face. Miranda's request was promptly denied. He told it was for her own good, and he sincerely meant it. That Karasuba momentarily appeared unhappy about his decision only served to confirm his suspicions.

The team worked their way back to the central chamber, once there they would split up to work more. Tali would locate the engineering decks, for lack of a better description. Mordin would head to whatever could be called the medical wing, and he and Kara would find the command and control deck.

"Kara, please inform the ship that Tali would like to go to the engine room. and Mordin would like to go to the medical bay." At the sound of his command, two exit doors melted away from the walls on different sides of the room.

TALI, FOLLOW THE RED LINE. MORDIN, FOLLOW THE GREEN LINE. The bodiless voice informed the two crew members. Tali and Mordin both did as they were told and left the chamber headed to their destinations.

"Kara, take me to the command room."

She shook her head. "There isn't one."

"What do you mean, there isn't one."

"I command this ship, and I do so from anywhere I wish. Even from the inside of yours. I simply think about what I want it to do, and it does it. Why use would I have for a command room?" The only command that Miya denied me was the ability to use it's destructive power on the people of earth."

A moment later the walls of the chamber became glass. All around the two was a galaxy of stars. Alex saw the Normandy next to them. He turned back to his Sekirei. "If you command it, how will you be able to hand the ship over to someone else?"

"Quite easily, actually. I simply designate another to command it as Miya and Minato did for me. The ship can read and decipher the thought patterns from any entity that enters it."

"Wait, are you saying that this ship has been reading my mind this whole time?"

"Yes. This ship has been monitoring your thoughts since you first stepped aboard. If I requested it, the ship could tell me every thought you've had about me since we met. I knew who you were as soon as you stepped on-board. The only reason you were able to enter my ship is because I allowed it."

"But how? You were asleep when me and my team came on board."

"Asleep, yes. Unaware, no. I had the ship feeding me information subconsciously as I rested. At first there was very little, of course. Once I had discovered that the Sekirei homeworld was indeed gone, I put myself in the egg and gave instructions as to what should happen in the event this ship was discovered. It was fortunate that a human ship found me. I recognized the name Normandy, and gave my ship permission to prepare itself to host humans."

"So you're saying you decided to wake up and see what us humans were doing in a spaceship this far away from earth."

"In a manner of speaking, yes. I was also curious about the other non-human aliens that accompanied you. By the time you made it into this chamber, I had fully reawakened, I simply waited for the most advantageous moment to make my presence known."

"Advantageous moment? I could have killed you."

"Highly doubtful. The ship had already described to me your reliance on firearms. Sekirei, as a general rule, are difficult to kill with guns, even that large heavy weapon you carry in the middle of your back would be rather ineffective. If I had really felt threatened, I would have killed you first, then the big lizard, the bald woman next, followed by other two aliens and finally Kasumi. But I wanted to know what humanity had evolved into in my absence. And I wanted to see if the genetic resonance I felt from you was real, or if it was just some illusion brought about by a subconscious desire to be connected once more. You have not disappointed me."

Karasuba stepped closer and pulled Alex into a tight embrace; her lips crushing into his and the stars around them were forgotten.

Tali followed the lighted path and a few minutes later she found herself in another circular chamber. The engineering room, if that was where she was, was bare of any and all technology except for one large spherical construct in the center. The construct's shape superficially resembled the drive core on the Normandy, but that was where the resemblance ended. This core, for lack of a better word, was at least twice as big and did not emit the tale-tell blue/purple corona of an active mass effect field that the was the hallmark of element zero cores.

As she moved closer to spherical drive core, the surface changed from opaque to transparent. At the center of it was a microscopic mass of pure darkness. The black was so absolute that she knew at once what she was looking at. The ship was powered by a black hole, or more accurately, a quantum singularity. She scanned the core with her omni-tool and it told her what she had already surmised several times. This ship was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

She hesitantly stepped forward and placed a gloved hand on the transparent surface of the core shielding. It was very cold.

ENGINEER TALI, I HAVE MODIFIED THE ENVIRONMENT OF THIS ROOM TO MATCH YOUR PHYSIOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS. YOU MAY REMOVE YOUR HELMET, IF YOU SO WISH.

"What... How did you..." Tali scanned the room and confirmed that the air quality exceeded even that of the level five clean rooms on the NaRayya or the Neema. There were also no biological contaminants of any kind. Trusting that her OT wasn't inaccurate, she depressurized her enviro-suit and unlocked the seals around her neck. Fresh cool air seeped into her helmet. She unconsciously took a deep relaxing breath. She pulled the helmet from her head and set it aside. "Computer..."

YOU MAY CALL ME HIKARI, ENGINEER TALI, AND I DO NOT REQUIRE VOCALIZATION TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO YOUR QUERIES.

Hick-ari... Are you an AI?

IN SOME WAYS, YES. IN OTHER WAYS, NO. I AM, IN THE SIMPLEST OF TERMS, THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THIS SHIP. I WAS CREATED TO FACILITATE THE MIGRATION OF THE BEINGS, YOU KNOW AS SEKIREI, TO OTHER PLANETS.

How did they build you?

...ARE YOU CERTAIN THAT YOU WISH TO KNOW?

Tali nodded.

I MUST WARN YOU, KNOWLEDGE OF MY DESIGN IS NOT EASILY ASSEMILATED. THE LAST TIME I REVEALED THIS INFORMATION TO A NON-SEKIREI, IT FRACTURED HIS PSYCHE.

Tali hesitated for a few moments then nodded again. Shepard, her beloved captain, would never let fear or uncertainty stop him from doing what he knew was right, as a member of his crew how could she do anything less.

VERY WELL.

Tali screamed...

Mordin stepped into an oblong room that he assumed was somewhere close to the front of the ship. The room itself was empty except for a host of hollow openings in the walls from floor to ceiling. He stepped up to the closest wall and the interiors of each of the openings lit up brightly.

DR. MORDIN THIS IS AREA IS WHAT YOU REFER TO AS THE MEDICAL BAY. ALL OF THE NECESSARY FUNCTIONS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IS PROVIDED IN THE LIGHTED CABINS.

"I see, fascinating technology, how is treatment accomplished?"

I SCAN THE PATIENT'S BODY, REMOVING ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL, THEN SUPPLY RAW MATERIAL AND APPROPRIATE HEALING ACCELERANTS THAT ACCELERATES THE PATIENT'S OWN HEALING FACTOR. COMPLETE PHYSIOLOGICAL RECONSITIUTION BASED ON THE PATIENT'S GENOME IS ALSO ACCOMPLISHED USING SIMILAR MEANS.

"Astounding. Must make for short recovery. How long?"

THE MAJORITY OF ILLNESSES OR INJURIES REQUIRE MORE THAN 6 STANDARD HOURS TO TREAT. AND IN CASE OF A CATASTROPHIC PHYSIOLOGICAL DISRUPTION, A PATIENT'S BODY COULD BE COMPLETELY RECONSTRUCTED WITHIN 24.

"Hmm fascinating. Short recovery time. Rebuild from genomic template. Does that mean . . . can rebuild entire body?"

YES.

"Unique process indeed, must know how it works, priority alpha."

...VERY WELL...

Mordin fainted...

"Hey Commander. I'm reading a quarian salvage vessel coming up on our six. Looks Like we got company."

Alex broke off from Kara for the second time that day. Much to Kara displeasure. "Copy that Joker... Mordin, Tali."

"...", "..."

"Mordin. Tali. Do you read me?"

"...", "..."

DR. MORDIN, AND ENGINEER TALI ARE CURRENTLY UNCONSCIOUS. THEY MADE REQUESTS THAT WERE DIFFICULT FOR THEIR PSYCHES TO PROCESS. I WILL REAWAKEN THEM ONCE THEIR MINDS HAVE FULLY PROCESSED THE DATA THAT I HAVE GIVEN THEM.

"What do mean, process the data you have given them?" Alex asked his tone, reflecting anger and worry over his crew mates.

ENGINEER TALI REQUESTED SHIP DESIGN DATA. DR. MORDIN REQUESTED DATA REGARDING THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY. BOTH OF THEM WERE UNPREPARED FOR THE RESULTING INFLUX. I HAVE BEEN MONITORING THEIR CONDITIONS AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO LASTING DAMAGE.

"No lasting damage! Kara, did you know your ship was going to do that?"

"Yes The ship requested permission before any data was given to your crew members. I wanted to see what would happen if they received it."

"What would happen? For all you knew the ship could have killed them!" Alex was now visibly angry.

Karasuba shrugged. "If your races are going to make use of this ship's technology someone must step forward to claim it. The engineer and doctor made their choices. And now that they have, it will be much easier to replicate this ship's technology in time to fight the reapers."

"Kara, I understand your rationale, but if you ever make a decision about the lives of my crew like that on your own again, I will find a way to hold you accountable. Is that clear?"

"...Yes..."

"Joker, tell the Quarians that I will meet with them on their ship in thirty minutes."

"Aye, aye Commander."

"Come on Kara. We need to get Tali and Mordin and head back to the Normandy."

The two walked to the engineering deck first and found the entrance locked.

I APOLOGIZE BUT ENGINEER TALI IS NOT WEARING HER HELMET AT THE MOMENT AND EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE CONTAMINANTS CAN CAUSE A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION. I SUGGEST THAT YOU RETRIEVE DR. MORDIN FIRST. I WILL ALERT YOU ONCE TALI IS PROPERLY SEALED IN HER SUIT.

"Fine..." Alex didn't like it but a view into the room through the wall confirmed that Tali was indeed not sealed in her suit. It required a second look before he registered the fact that he had just seen Tali's face, her actual face, and she was beautiful. He shook away the realization and followed the lighted walkway to the medical wing.

"Your AI, is quite helpful. I think I understand now why Joker hates ours."

Karasuba looked at him with a raised brow, but said nothing.

A few minutes later and the duo was standing over the prone form of Dr. Solus. He appeared to be reciting a song in his sleep.

"Mordin."

"Huh..." Mordin's eyes snapped open and he looked around from his position on the floor. "Shepard, assume you're here because of my condition. Data influx too massive, cerebral cortex overloaded, ship's medical technology unprecedented."

"Yeah, I heard. Are you alright?"

"Fine, I assume. Have Chakwas do a scan to be certain."

"Doc, the Quarians are here to take possession. Should I be sending them back to the migrant fleet empty-handed?"

"No, no. Understand the necessity. However, will need to remain with the ship, someone else might get it wrong."

"Are you absolutely sure? I may still need you on this mission."

"Will give all mission data to Miranda, this ship more important."

"If you say so, Doc. I'm gonna miss you."

ENGINEER TALI IS NOW AWAKE. YOU CAN NOW ENTER THE ENGINEERING DECK, IF YOU SO WISH.

"Come on Mordin, Kara. Let's go get our chief engineer. Though I got a feeling she's gonna give me the same news you just did."

"Agreed. If received similar data, will need to remain with the ship as well."

The three stepped into the engineering deck and found Tali standing in front of an opaque sphere. Her hands rested on the surface for a moment before she turned toward Alex and the others. "Shepard, Mordin, Karasuba."

"Tali. How you feeling?" Alex asked as he stepped closer to Tali.

"Like I've been hit by a space freighter, but I think I'm...okay."

"You, sure? When we get back on the Normandy both you and Mordin are reporting to Dr. Chakwas for medical scans. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Commander."

"Yes, Shepard."

"Good, cause the salvage team is here, and I'm gonna need you to make introductions, Tali."

"Shepard, I believe that I will need to accompany the salvage team back to the fleet. The ship's technology is unlike anything in existence. It will be difficult for my people to decipher it without my help."

"Yeah, I kinda figured you were going to say that." Alex smiled at Tali's wide glowing eyes. "Mordin's staying with the ship too."

"Oh, I see. Well in that case, let's get this over with. The sooner I can get this ship back to the migrant fleet, the sooner I can get back to the Normandy and the mission." Maybe with a few upgrades.

Alex nodded his agreement. "Oh, by the way, Tali, I just wanted to let you know that I happened to see you without your helmet."

Tali stopped mid-stride and turned to Shepard. "Shepard, you saw me without the... bucket?" Her fingers twined themselves into the semblance of a celtic knot.

"Yep, and I have to ask, are all Quarian females as gorgeous as you or am I just that lucky, to have such a beautiful engineer working for me?"

"I, I... I don't..." Tali's stammering trailed off quickly."

Alex placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled down at her. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed."

"Hmm!" Tali turned away and stormed down the hallway.

"As charming as that scene, wasn't. Let's get this over, before I die of old age. Or boredom. Whichever happens first." Karasuba followed after Tali.

"Still seem to have problems dealing with females. Can forward you instructional materials. Have diagrams, charts, schematics."

"Thanks for the offer, Mordin. But I think I can manage."

The Quarian ship, Alarei slipped beside the Normandy and came to a full stop. Alex and company emerged from the docking collar, and headed down to the med bay. He wanted to verify for himself that his crew members were ship-shape before he met with the Quarian team. Tali was an important piece in this situation, and he didn't want to give the visiting Quarians any cause to believe that she wasn't completely safe under his care.

"Tali's needed in the shuttle bay as soon as you're done scanning her, Doc. Tali, once Chakwas gives you the green light meet me by the shuttle. I have to give Miranda the news. And I don't think she's not gonna like it very much."

"Good." Tali muttered under her breath. Alex raised an eyebrow at her response, but said nothing.

"Mordin, You can head back to Kara's ship once you have everything you need. I will make sure the Quarians are aware and approve of your transfer to the..."

"The Hick-ari, Shepard. The ship's name is the Hick-ari." Tali interrupted.

Karasuba sighed. "That's Hikari. What you're saying sounds more like the name of a tree."

"Hikari. Nice name." Alex nodded. "Once I give you the all clear, Mordin, you can begin transferring your things to the Hikari."

"Understood, Shepard. Will begin packing as soon as scan is complete."

"Okay, Shepard. If you're quite finished handing out orders, I have some medical scans to complete, so please continue on our way, and I will make sure these two are sent back to you as soon as I'm done with them." Chakwas made a shooing motion with her hands, then turned and began scanning Tali.

"Thanks, Doc. Tali, Mordin, I'll see you both in the cargo hold." Alex turned and left the med bay, Kara following along until they reached the elevator.

"I take it from your silence, that you have no objections to any of my plans." Alex looked at Kara for a moment. Her lidded eyes betraying nothing.

"None."

"Why not?"

"I care little for that ship. It was a means to an end once. And it will be again."

"That's a little cold, even for you."

Karasuba shrugged. "I see no point in needless sentiment. The Hikari will serve a purpose, that is all that matters... You are so much like her..." Kara stroked the side of Alex's face, before he could pull away.

"Like who, my ancestor Musubi."

"No... I believe you said you had much to do. I, on the other hand, have little to do and would like to take a nap. Both your Engineer and Doctor have been given command of the Hikari. I will see you after your business with this salvage team is done." Kara turned and entered the elevator before he could stop her.

"Shepard. I was coming out to find you."

"What do you need, Miranda?" Alex turned toward his XO, as the doors of the elevator closed.

"Shepard, I am formally requesting to be part of the away team. I want to be there when you hand the ship over to the Quarians. Now don't..."

"Fine."

"say, no... Did you just say, 'fine'."

"Yes, Miranda, I did. Go ahead and get ready. I'll meet you on the cargo deck. I want to talk to Garrus first." Alex turned and began walking down the corridor toward the forward batteries.

"Shepard." Miranda said to his back, then turned and walked back into her office.

Shepard stepped through the entrance to the batteries and found Garrus once more at the haptic interface making some adjustments. "Shepard. I was just finishing up on some..."

"Let me guess. Calibrations, right?"

"No. I was finishing up some correspondence to my folks back on Palaven."

"Oh, sorry. I guess I kind of assumed."

"Yeah, you did. Now, what's that quaint earth saying? Something about assumptions creating mules out of us."

"Assumptions make an ass out of you and me." Alex retorted.

"Hey, it's your people's saying. Not mine." Garrus shook his head. "Was there something I can help you with? Are we finally leaving this galactic section of nowhere?"

"Yeah, I want you to accompany me, Miranda, and to meet with the Quarian delegation." Alex said as stepped next to the tall turian.

"What, your psychotic shadow not accompanying you?"

"She decided that her presence wasn't required."

"I see. So how exactly are you supposed to hand over command without her being there?"

"She's already given Tali and Mordin command. They are going to go back to the flotilla with the Hikari."

"What's a Hikari?"

"Sorry, that's the name of Kara's ship. I need you ready and waiting down by the shuttle in fifteen."

"Then I'll be down there in ten..." Garrus's mandibles spread in the turian approximation of a smirk. "Just as soon as I finish these calibrations."

Shepard shook his head, and turned to leave. "See you later Garrus."

He continued back to the elevator and entered it. A minute later and he was entering his loft. He looked over to the bed and found Karasuba's borrowed uniform strewn about the place. He shook his head, and moved over to the dresser. He removed a fresh uniform and proceeded to enter the shower.

Not a moment later, a very naked Karasuba, stepped into the shower with him. "I believe we have some unfinished business." The smaller female pushed him up against the wall, and captured his lips in a fierce kiss. Her wings sprouted again, but neither of them cared at that moment.

After a moment more of kissing, Alex's instincts took over and he quickly hoisted the woman up onto his hips. Her legs immediately wrapped around his waist. The kissing intensified as she began rubbing up against his body. Steam rose off of them as their bodies became like furnaces.

"Do you want me?" Kara whispered in his ear unspoken lust weighed her words heavily.

"Yes! God, I want you!" Alex licked and sucked on her earlobe and pawed the wet shapely flesh of her rear.

"Good." Kara abruptly disengaged from the very aroused Commander, and stepped back out of the shower. "Remember this moment the next time you feel the need to give others the attention that should be mine alone... Now don't you have somewhere to be?" Without waiting for an answer she turned, retrieved a towel and walked out of the refresher.

Alex growled but said nothing, as he quickly turned the shower knob to ice cold. He washed and dried himself before he exited the refresher. Once he was fully dressed, he left the loft without a word to Kara. His mood was only marginally improved by the sight of his away team awaiting him by the shuttle.

"Joker, let the Quarians know we're headed their way." Alex said as he ushered the other three members of his team into the shuttle.

"Also let them know that our shuttle is not clean." Tali as she took the co-pilot position next to Alex.

"Will do." Joker cut the comms and relayed the messages to the Alarei.

The trip was short and quiet. Miranda and Garrus sat in the back of the shuttle. Alex pondered the immensity of the Hikari. It dwarfed the other two vessels floating next it. He did not have long to think of the possible ramifications of the technology that lie within the ancient craft.

"Alarei to shuttle. We have arranged accommodations and await your final approach vector."

"Roger that Alarei. Submitting approach vector now." Alex responded as he keyed in the approach angle and speed into the shuttle's navigational computer.

The shuttle slipped into the bay without a hitch and the two passengers in the back filed out in front of Tali and Alex. Alex stepped in front of his team ready to greet his new partners.

"Commander Alex Shepard. Which one of you is... Reegar is that you?" Alex clasped Reegar's arm shook it vigorously.

"Hey, Commander. Good to see you again. Ma'am."

"Oh, Reegar, you never change. I told you to call me Tali."

"Yes you did, ma'am. Yes you did. The Admiral will be meeting you in the briefing room. Right this way."

"The Alarei. So my father did decide to come personally after all. When I first heard that he would be heading up the salvage team, I didn't quite believe it."

"Your father..." Alex smiled at Tali. "You mean I get to meet your father today, as well."

"Tali stumbled and caught herself. "Yes, well... yes, you will."

"Hey, Tali, do I get to meet your father, too?" Garrus asked.

"You, you ignorant turian, better remain seen and not heard. Is that understood? I still remember all of those stupid questions you used to pester me with in the Citadel elevators. So just keep your mandibles zipped and let Shepard and me do the talking."

"You're coming through loud and clear, Tali." Garrus chuckled to himself.

"If we can focus on the situation, please." Miranda's veiled rebuke cut through the friendly chatter like a knife. "Shepard, as a representative of Cerberus, I want to be able to discuss some of the terms of the ship's transfer."

"I know you do. As far as I'm concerned as long as you don't try to derail the negotiations you can negotiate for whatever you like. though I doubt the fact you're a representative of Cerberus will buy you any goodwill. The Quarians can always say no." Alex gave Miranda a look that brooked no rebuttal from the dark-haired XO.

The group continued to follow Reegar to the sit. room. Once they reached the entrance, Reegar stepped aside and ushered them through the door.

"Admiral Zorah. I present Commander Alexander Shepard, his executive officer, Miranda..."

"I can take it from here, Reegar." Tali interrupted. "Admiral, I want to formally introduce you to the commanding officer of the Normandy SR2 and my captain, Alex Shepard. Shepard, this is my father, Admiral Rael'Zorah."

"And what exactly are you on the Normandy, Tali?" Rael asked in a clipped professional tone.

"She's my chief engineer, and third in my chain-of-command. Admiral it's an honor and a pleasure to be able to make your acquaintance. I have worked closely with your daughter for a while now, and she has done nothing but surprise and impress me at every turn." Alex turned to see Tali doing her best not to fidget under the scrutiny of the two most important men in her life. "Relax, Tali. I promise not do anything that will embarrass you." He said through their commlink.

"It's not you I'm worried about. It's my father. He can be very critical."

"Shepard, word gets around pretty quickly in this galaxy. I'm not one to believe in idle gossip, but Cerberus is not an organization I wish to do a lot of business with." Rael looked pointedly at both him and Miranda.

"I understand, Admiral. Would it help for you to know that Cerberus hates the idea that I'm giving you the ship in the first place?"

"There is a small measure of comfort in knowing that I am in some way thwarting the ambitions of that racist organization."

"Admiral, Cerberus is not..." Miranda stalled when all eyes in the room turned to her, none of them showed any interest in the rest of her statement.

"Admiral, If I may? My executive officer, Miranda Lawson. As she has informed me on more than one occasion, she believes the operatives that attacked the flotilla were a splinter group who were not acting on the authority of Cerberus's upper management. Moving on. We have a lot to discuss and time is short. The last member of my team is Garrus Vakarian. He's here primarily to act as a Turian representative in these matters. Though I expect him to be mostly a silent representative."

"Hey, when have you ever known me to be anything else?" Garrus spoke up sarcastically.

"There is another member of my crew, Dr. Mordin Solus. Both he and your daughter have very recently become my subject matter experts on the technology of the Hikari. They both have extensive knowledge of the ship's core systems and will be made available to you to hasten the re-engineering efforts."

"Really, and how have they come by this extensive knowledge? I was informed by you no less that you only discovered the ship less than 2 days ago." Rael asked, clearly skeptical.

"I think it may be easier if I give Tali the floor, so she can explain."

"Thank you, Shepard. Fa... Admiral Zorah. I have recently... for lack of a better word.. communed with the... VI that controls the ship, and it was able to pass on a great of technical information in a very short period of time." Tali turned to her omni-tool and quickly began keying in data. Data that was being relayed to large monitor on the far wall. Her fingers flew over her OT's interface. "As you can see from these schematics, the ship's basic design is centered on two central cores. The two cores work in unison. The rear core is the power source for the ship. The front core houses the VI. The rear core utilizes a completely new energy source. One that, until now, has only been theoretical. It uses a quantum singularity."

"A quantum... a black hole? That's impossible. There's no way they can be controlled, not to mention the fact that anything caught within it's event horizon would be crushed." Rael countered, firmly disbelieving.

"I agree with both of your points, Admiral. With our current technology, there is no way we could ever control such a monster energy source. However, The Hikari is nothing like our current ship designs. Even the materials used to create the hull are far beyond our current metallurgical technology. But the... VI has given me the knowledge to leap that chasm." She quickly continued keying in information. Vast complex multi-dimensional field equations flowed across the screen like digital rain. Rael was having a hard time comprehending just what he was seeing, and his daughter seemed to have mastered it in less time than it took him to master his basic math skills.

"That's just impossible..." Rael looked from Tali to Alex and the rest of his team. "Just what have you uncovered?"

"My thoughts exactly, Admiral." Alex admitted as he watched Tali's formulae slide across the screen, one after another. Only Tali seemed unperturbed by the advanced scientific knowledge that was being laid at the Quarian Admiral's feet.

"Tali, please continue? Alex asked trying to regain the attention of his chief engineer.

"Yes sir. The Hikari is the most advanced I've ever seen. Even the Collectors' ship isn't as advanced. This could be just what our people need to reclaim our homeworld, Admiral." Tali stopped and sat down next to Shepard.

"Admiral, as you can see, this ship will change the technology of the galaxy forever. We are here because the Quarian people are the only ones I trust to re-engineer this technology and share it equitably with the rest of us. My only request in this matter is for you, as the representative of the Migrant Fleet, to agree and adhere to a contract stating that while you have physical possession of the Hikari any discoveries made from said ship will be distributed throughout the council races fairly and without prejudice. I don't know if you believe it or not, but I've seen what's coming and this ship could be the one thing that stands between us and the Reapers."

"Admiral, on behalf of our sponsor, I would like to take this opportunity to extend an olive branch and let you know that Cerberus is completely behind this action and wishes to offer whatever resources you may need to make this new technology a reality. We can offer experts in many areas of science, medicine, and industry. As well as state of the art facilities on many worlds, including Illium and Bekenstein."

"I see... Where is the commander of the ship? I was told a female was found on the ship. Why is she not here to facilitate this transfer?"

"Ah," Alex rubbed the back of his neck somewhat nervously. "Karasuba has already handled that part of this arrangement. Tali and Mordin have been given clearance to command the ship at this time. They will be accompanying you back to the flotilla, and will remain with the Hikari until such time that functional prototypes can be created from the tech. After that it will remain to be seen what will happen. I have a mission to complete. The Collectors still need to be dealt with before I can take on any additional responsibilities."

"Understood. Then all that is left are the formalities of the transfer. Please forward me the appropriate documents."

"Very good Admiral." Miranda, keyed in an private message to the Admiral with the documents attached. A few moments later and the documents were signed and delivered back to the XO. She verified the signatures and nodded to Alex.

"Well Admiral Zorah, I must say it's been a pleasure doing business with you. I hope to hear good news from you very soon. Tali, as soon as we're back on board the Normandy make sure you and Mordin are ready to depart."

"Aye, aye Shepard." Tali said and then turned to her father. "Fath... Admiral it was good seeing you again." She saluted her father then turned back to Shepard and nodded.

"Since I'm here as a representative of the Turian Hierarchy, I might as well speak up. Give the tech to the Turians last. There I've said my piece. I'll just shut up now."

The trip back to the Normandy was even more silent than the trip to the Alarei. Reegar had escorted the group back to the shuttle, and had exchanged his goodbyes with Tali, Shepard, and Garus. As they flew back to the Normandy it began to dawn on them that none of them knew exactly what to expect once they actually started getting the Hikari moving. They had just brokered a deal that would affect the galaxy for centuries, and they weren't even sure they could turn the engine on.

The group broke up and went their separate ways. Each had a job to do and now it was time for them to do them. Tali found Mordin and each began commandeering crewmen to assist them in moving their equipment over to the Hikari. It still required another two hours before the two were ready to leave the Normandy. Alex and company said their farewells in the mess, and he realized that even Kara was in attendance, though she said very little.

Tali and Mordin retreated back to the Hikari, and the docking collar between the two ships flowed back into the Hikari like quicksilver. Another moment later and the Quarian ship had attached itself to the larger vessel's under-carriage. Alex watched from the bridge as the Hikari began to power itself up.

"Holy crap, commander! That thing is giving off some ridiculousl energy readings!"

"Hikari, do you read me."

LOUD AND CLEAR COMMANDER SHEPARD.

"Actually I was expecting Tali or Mordin to answer me."

RIGHT HERE SHEPARD. TALI IS BEGINNING THE FINAL COUNTDOWN TO THE DIMENSION SHIFT. WILL BE UNDERWAY MOMENTARILY.

"Roger that, Mordin. Good luck, and we'll see you soon. Normandy out."

The Hikari's dimension shift did not disappoint. It didn't take long for Tali to complete the count-down, before what looked like a beam of pure energy shot from the front of the ship. The beam seemed to stop at a point a few hundred kilometers in front of the three ships. A few seconds later and it appeared as if the beam had drilled a ship wide hole in space. There through the hole he could see the massive live ships of the migrant fleet. The Hikari had just tunneled through thousands of light years of space in a instant. Alex watched, amazed, as the two ships entered the tunnel and exited out the other side just before it sealed itself up. He looked to Joker.

"Well there goes my job security." Joker said despondently.

"What the hell are you talking about, Joker?" Alex asked, perplexed by the pilot's negative comment.

"Think about it commander. Who's gonna need pilots when all you have to do is punch a hole in the fabric of the universe, to make your get away?"

"Only you would see that as a potential pink slip, Joker." Alex shook his head and left the bearded pilot to his own devices. He returned to the mess to find Samara waiting for him by the observation deck.

"Commander, now that you have completed your mission to get the alien craft into the hands of our allies, I believe that you made a promise that I need for you to fulfill as soon as you can."

"I haven't forgotten, Samara... Joker lay in a course for Omega. Samara and I have some personal business to take care of."

"Aye, aye, Shepard."

The trio stepped into the harsh glare of the docking bay's artificial lighting. Alex led the two alien females out of the bay and into Omega proper. Their ultimate destination was an Ardat-Yakshi's lair, but first they had to announce themselves like visiting dignitaries arriving at court. Aria would undoubtedly know of their presence, but it showed good faith and Aria had already been lenient with him once. Garrus had teased the Commander mercilessly about Aria's apparent attraction. He joked that the only people who could get away with the exploits he got away with were people she wanted to "meld" with. Alex was unimpressed.

Karasuba, for her part of the short journey, was silent as she took in the atmosphere of Omega. Her crinkling nose was the only visible response to her disagreement of the squalor and filth of the ancient space-station. He kept an eye on his newest crew member as she idly fingered the hilt of her favored weapon. She had been persuaded, though how he actually accomplished the feat even he was not completely sure, to carry a side-arm. She proceeded to hide the pistol among the folds of her voluminous gray outer robe. He had, however, hit a petite ashen-haired brick wall when it came to the idea of her wearing body armor. She would have no part of it and she made her dislike of metal apparel in general quite plain. She was currently wearing her preferred battle garments, her D-Squad uniform.

Alex glanced to his left and found Samara equally silent. The elder Asari and the younger Sekirei almost twins in their quiet aloofness. Samara had outfitted her blood-red Justicar's uniform with a bevy of weapons, that she, no doubt, had centuries of experience using. She moved with a grace that even his unbelievably fast Sekirei had trouble matching. He wondered briefly how a fight between the two of them might turn out. He shook the thoughts from his head as they reached Afterlife's elcor bouncer.

Alex walked past the elcor and the queue standing in front of the doors and entered the nightclub, his two companions followed closely behind. He made his way around the circular bar and noticed that Karasuba paused for a second as she watched the dancers on the tables and the deck above the bartender. Her eyelids opened just enough for him to see the gleaming red irises underneath, before they slitted once more.

Alex was beginning to understand what the appearance of those beautiful red eyes meant, she must be curious. Fully opened eyes meant she was either astonished or incredibly angry. Slitted eyes were, of course, her natural state. Those slitted eyes paired with a wide rictus-like grin, however, meant she was ready to kill something.

The group made their way up the stairs to Aria's throne room only to be stopped by her Batarian bodyguard, Bray. Aria turned from watching the club goers having a good time. Her eyes narrowed and her smirk widened as she nodded her head for Bray to let Alex past. Karasuba continued to follow, before Bray had a chance to step in the way. As soon as Kara's arm was grabbed from behind, Bray found himself face-down on the steps with a very long blade sunk a meter deep into the steel deck-plate next to his nose.

"Kara!" Alex was visibly angry at the unprovoked reaction his Sekirei had given to being man-handled by the Batarian.

"Bray! Will you get up off your face, and stop making me look like I can't even keep order in my own goddess damned club!" Aria's eyes, flicked between her subordinate, and the long curved blade embedded in the floor. Alex watched the gleam in her eyes brighten momentarily. An angry Aria was fairly easy to deal with. A curious Aria could be a lot more trouble.

"Kara, what the hell were you thinking? You attacked an ally!"

With little more than a raised eyebrow, Kara acknowledged Alex's question. "I was unaware that only you were allowed on the dais. If I had been briefed on the specific etiquette regarding our visit here, I would not have attempted to follow you in the first place." She reached out to grab the hilt of Cold Nights and with a quick tug removed the blade from the steel plating. She inspected it before sliding it back into the ornate scabbard.

"I apologize for my subordinate's behavior. She is a new addition to my crew, and neither I or my senior staff have had time to adequately prepare her for meetings of this nature."

Aria continued to watch both the Commander and his long-haired companion as she nodded. "Due to your past assistance I'm willing to overlook this incident, provided our relationship remains mutually beneficially. Speaking of which, that data slate you provided me during your last visit proved to be even more helpful than I had previously assumed. Thank you, again."

Alex nodded. It seemed the plans for the coup he had stolen from the Blue Suns camp was still paying dividends.

"However, I can be only so tolerant before others start to get ideas about my ability to govern Omega. Am I clear."

"Absolutely, Aria." He turned to look at Kara once more. "Incidences like these will never happen again. I assure you." Kara only nodded her assent at the veiled reprimand. He then looked to Samara, who said nothing during the altercation, and she nodded as well.

"Bray go get cleaned up. You're bleeding all over the carpet. Shepard. Kara." Aria motioned for the two of the them to sit on the opposing section of her leather sofa.

Bray gave a scathing look to both Alex and Karasuba, then turned and left. Samara waited patiently at the top of the stairs as Alex began describing their current situation to the Queen.

"Damn, I knew it. Nothing leaves a corpse quite as empty as an Ardat-Yakshi. Shepard, I assume it's your intention is to hunt this freak down and remove her from my station?"

"Yes it is. My associate," Shepard motioned to Samara, and then continued. "has been hunting this particular Ardat-Yakshi for quite some time... I gather from your comment about empty corpses that she has already claimed a victim since she arrived?"

Aria nodded. "I didn't the know the victim personally, but from what I heard she was an aspiring artist, that lived near the quarantined area. The body was found a day or so later dumped in a large trash bin."

"I see," said Alex as he pondered the new bit of information. "Do you know if the girl has any next of kin living on Omega?"

"I believe she lived with her mother. Close to the market district, unless I'm mistaken. And I usually never am."

"Understood. I believe we have all of the information we needed. I'll do my best to be more discreet this time."

"I would appreciate it. Keeps the natives from getting too restless." Aria flashed Alex another smirk and waited as the two got up off the sofa. "Also, Shepard, if you decide to visit me again, bring the new girl with you. I think I'd like to get to know her a little better." Aria made no secret of who she was talking about.

Alex paused for a moment, then simply nodded and motioned for Karasuba to walk ahead of him down the stairs. With a final nod of respect as a parting farewell, the three Normandy crew mates exited the Queen's presence.

"OK, we now have some idea where she might be helps not having to search this entire station to find her."

"Shepard, if she has killed already then it would seem that she now feels comfortable in her surroundings. It is my advice that we investigate this crime to find any possible clues as to how we might capture her attention."

"I concur." Karasuba said suddenly. "I will need to know some relevant information about her in order for me to have any success at this mission."

"Yeah, let's see if we can find this dead girl's mother."

The investigation into Nef's murder had yielded several pieces of useful information. Diana, Nef's mother, had allowed the trio to search through her daughter's belongings. In an audio diary they found several entries that spoke of Nef's growing obsession with Morinth. Samara explained Morinth's fascination with artists, and Kara realized that she would have to exploit that weakness. Her thoughts spun in several directions. She didn't feel name dropping artists and musicians of this time would be enough to make a lasting impression. She would need a more immediate and visceral impact on the asari's psyche.

"Kara. Samara and I will stay out of sight. You'll need to infiltrate the club and ascertain whether or she's even in there right now. I'll leave it up to you to determine the best course of action after that. I'll hold onto your sword, while you're in there."

Kara nodded in affirmation and unhooked Cold Nights from her belt. She held out the sheathed blade and relinquished it into Alex's custody. "I better get that back in the same condition that it's in now, or I will make your life very intolerable. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Kara."

Karasuba turned without another word and walked up to the bouncer that was waiting at the door to the club. A dropped name later and she slipped through the doors without a backward glance.

As Karasuba stepped into the entryway of the VIP lounge, the violent rhythms of the house music immediately began assaulting her ears. The patrons that hung around the entryway watched her with leering eyes. Her clothing had been chosen for precisely this effect. She continued through the entrance into the main recreational area. The club's circular design was partitioned into sections. The main dance floor and dancer showcase in the center and an outer ring that held tables and the wet bar. She bypassed the bar, and continued around the outer circle.

She passed several aliens, turians, discussing the possibility of committing a crime to pay off, presumably, a higher ranking criminal. She walked past them without a second look. She was here for more dangerous sport. She completed a bit over half of the circuit when she realized the asari she was hunting was sitting in a darkened corner booth directly in front of her. Without even a lingering glance she walked past the shadowy booth and continued around the floor until she was once more standing in front of the club's entrance.

She needed to create a disruption in the club, something to keep her prey's eyes on her. She knew from the investigation that Morinth was attracted to violent actions, but not thugs. She needed, and, as it so happened found, a convenient situation to be a "hero."

Kara noticed two aliens began arguing close to the entrance to the dance floor. A turian male was pulling on what was, from the skimpiness of her outfit, an asari dancer's arm. He was attempting to drag her out of the club and it was very apparent to Karasuba that the alien woman was being abducted against her will. Karasuba decided to make her presence known.

"Let go of me!" protested the asari. "I'm a dancer, you drunk bastard, not a goddess damned prostitute!"

The turian's mandibles flared outward in a lecherous smirk. "The spandex says differently, beautiful. Now c'mon, we're gonna make much better use of that pretty mouth, once I get you back to my place." The intoxicated alien laughed at his own misogynistic joke.

The asari struggled to break free, but the turian's grip on her forearm was too strong. Karasuba saw that if she let this go any further the drunken sexual predator was quite likely to break the young asari's arm in the process of abducting her.

"Is there a problem here?" said Karasuba, her red eyes narrowing at the sight. The turian turned about ready to shout a long string of profanities when his small green eyes went wide.

"By the spirits! I've never seen a human woman like you before." Then he looked at the asari whom was still struggling against his grip. "I think my luck's beginning to change, what do you say, gorgeous, up for a little three-way? I promise it'll be the most fun you can have with your mouth full." The turian chauvinist again laughed at his crude humor.

Karasuba smiled. "If that is what you wish, I'm game, but I do have one small request... Before we begin the festivities."

"Anything for you, dollface," replied the turian eagerly, clueless that his life now hung in the balance.

"Please release the asari. You wouldn't want her damaged now would you? Where's the sport in that?" asked Karasuba sweetly. Her eyes were fully open, the crimson irises twinkling with unrecognized malice.

The turian nodded and immediately released the asari who backed away quickly. He looked expectantly at Karasuba, who nodded her appreciation at his "magnanimous" gesture. She reached for him as if she were putting her arm around his neck, and shifted her weight to her right foot suddenly. She gripped the turian's neck in her fist, and smashed his face into the dance floor as if he were nothing more than a child. Her action knocked the breath from him, and, even through the haze of turian brandy, he realized that his life was in danger.

Karasuba knelt at his side, the fingers of her hand digging into the alien's tough skin. "If you so much as think of another female in any way other than with respect, I will know it, and I won't be so gentle next time. " she said. Her facial expression promised agony and death. She squeezed her fingers once more to remind him of the veracity of her statement, then she released his throat, patted a mandible, and gave him a wicked grin. They both stood up. The turian slipped once on a puddle of his own urine and ran out of the club without a backward glance.

"Thank you," said the dancer appreciatively. "I was afraid he might try to really hurt me."

"Don't thank me, asari. Your profession is ill chosen." replied Karasuba coldly. "I would suggest that you find another before it's the death of you. This station stinks of rotting flesh, so I highly doubt I will be around to help you again." The dancer nodded her head and left the club without another word.

She walked over to the bartender. She wanted to dance, but the music was not to her liking. Perhaps the bartender would be willing to change it to something more inspiring. "Bartender."

The bartender raised his head. "Yeah?"

"Can you change this music to something that doesn't remind me of being trapped in an elevator?"

"Sure I can. But what's in for me?"

Karasuba activated her omni-tool. Alex had given her one right after the Normandy had arrived on Omega. She was still getting the hang of using it, but she had worked with MBI, one of the most technologically advanced companies on earth at the time, so she did know her way around computers and mobile tech. She brought up a song from earth history. One that she had enjoyed periodically while she participated in the Sekirei Plan.

"Play this song, and I'll dance. You won't be disappointed." Kara's voice was even, and the bartender could detect no trace of sarcasm."

"Sure, babe. What the hell." He tapped a few commands into his omni-tool and her song was queued into the club's sound system. She walked back to the dance floor, and found a spot that had been cleared. She closed her eyes, and waited until song's intro began. As the singing began she opened her eyes and danced.

THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M HOT! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M COLD! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M REAL! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I KILL!

Her every movement was a seduction of the senses. She was just as agile and graceful on the dance floor as she was on the battlefield. Her body moved like a serpent entrancing, hypnotizing her prey. The asari dancers above her on the raised platform, stopped and watched Karasuba, lust shining in their blue eyes.

THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M HOT! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M COLD! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M REAL! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I KILL!

Her mind drifted back to the moment when she and Alex had almost consummated their relationship. Fantasies of what that consummation would have felt like fueled her efforts on the dance floor. In her mind, she was making love to her Ashikabi, and she paid no attention to the audience gathered around her.

THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M HOT! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M COLD! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I'M REAL! THEY LOVE ME CAUSE I KILL!

COME AND GET IT. I KILL.

COME AND GET IT. I KILL.

The song ended, and she was brought back to reality as the raucous sound of cheering and whistling filled the club. She looked around and realized that the entire club had been watching her dance. She did nothing to acknowledge the applause. Karasuba stepped out of the dance area. There was only one thing left to do. She began to leave the club. As she had half expected, Morinth intercepted her before she made her exit.

Morinth almost didn't know what to do. The human had given her an exhibition of raw sexuality that she hadn't experienced in a long time. But she knew one thing, if she let the woman leave she would probably never see her again. And that was something she simply could not allow. The Ardat-Yakshi moved quickly to intercept her before she could disappear from her life entirely. "You're the most interesting person in this place. I have a booth over there, and I would very much like to get to know you better." Karasuba nodded and the two walked back to the shadowy alcove and sat down.

Karasuba sat across from her target her eyes hidden behind her eyelids once more. The asari woman was intriguing. She did have the air of someone much older than she looked. She was very much like Miya in that regard. But that was where the similiarities between the two females ended.

She let the asari woman drone on about art and music. She periodically asked probing questions that hinted to the blue female that they shared the same interests The hook had been successful, now the line was being drawn taut. Her prey was eating out of the palm of her hand.

"I wanna take you back to my place. It's not that far, just around the corner."

"Oh, and why would I want to follow you there?" Kara responded, her eyes open and twinkling once more.

"I can tell you, but I think it would be much more fun to show you... In private."

Karasuba smiled and nodded as the two got up and left the club. Once they were outside, Karasuba gave an almost imperceptible nod in the direction of Samara's and Shepard hiding place, and then followed Morinth to her apartment.

Kara and Morinth stepped into the spacious apartment that Morinth was currently calling home. The apartment reminded Kara of the penthouse suite that she had lived in during the Sekirei Plan. The furnishings were elegant, and on the whole, the rooms were tastefully decorated.

"Please make yourself comfortable." Morinth as she claimed a spot on the L-shaped sofa that dominated the main living space. Kara ignored the asari and began to sate her curiosity. The first thing that drew her eye was the sword mounted on the wall. The design of the blade reminded Kara of a European longsword.

"May I?" Kara asked as motioned to the sword on the wall.

Morinth nodded and asked, "Do you know much about swords?"

Kara nodded and with a certain amount of respect removed the old weapon from the mounting hooks. It was still in good repair. It didn't sing to her like Cold Nights, but then very few blades could. Nevertheless, she tested the blade for balance as Morinth watched in silence. She turned to address her host once more. "It's a fine blade. Balanced for fencing." The last was more statement than question.

"Yes, it is. I did some fencing in my younger days. I always enjoyed the moment when the opponent thinks he has you beat right before you take his head."

Kara nodded her agreement. She carried the sword with her as she continued to investigate the various nick-knacks that Morinth had gone through great pains to put on display. Trophies I'm sure, Karasuba thought as she made her way around the living room to the loft style sleeping area. The statue of the Krogan Battlemaster caused her to raise an eyebrow.

"The sculpture turned out to have more personality than its creator, but I gave him what he wanted, and I got what I wanted. A fair trade, though I doubt he would make the same deal again. If he were alive that is." Morinth smirked at her remark, and it served to remind Kara why she was here.

After she had exhausted her curiosity, Kara returned to the sofa and claimed a spot on the longer section, the sword next to her. Morinth slipped over to her and claimed her own spot right next to Kara. "So what do you think of my collection?"

"Not bad. But I'm not here for the art or the games. I'm here for you." Karasuba turned her full attention to the Ardat-Yakshi. "I want to know why you wanted me alone. Why you brought me here."

"I brought you here for this." Morinth slipped an arm around Kara's neck and declined her head to claim Karasuba's lips in a searing kiss. Kara could feel the asari's psyche probing around her conscious mind, like a cobra slithering around a mongoose's den. Kara recognized that Morinth wanted access to her mind, but she had no intention of letting her in. "Give me what I want. Give me everything I want. Promise me that you'll give me all I desire."

"No. I don't think so." Karasuba looked at the asari for a moment her black eyes were intriguing, but nothing more. There seemed to be little in the way of a challenge after all. She frowned, and turned away from her to look once more at the sword. It was a nice blade, but much like her adversary, it was totally unworthy of her.

"What?... I... See... The bitch has a partner!" Morinth turned angry and moved to strike the ashen-haired Sekirei in the face. Her fist never made contact. Karasuba held the blue killer's wrist in her own grip. A grip that Morinth couldn't budge.

Samara and Alex ran in the room and saw that Karasuba had Morinth's arm in her grip. "Karasuba, I will take it from here." With a flash of biotic energy, Samara blew Morinth away from Karasuba and into the large picture window at the far side of the room. "Hello, mother!" Kara's eyebrow raised at the mention that her opponent was related to the serene elder asari, but she said nothing. She looked at Alex and realized that he did not know fully about the relationship the two asari had either.

"Do not call me that!" Samara snarled, losing some of her composure in anger.

"I can't stop being your daughter, mother!" With a biotic flash for her own Morinth knocked aside the hold that Samara had held her under and was back on her feet. Alex and Kara watched the two asari women locked in a biotic struggle that appeared to be very evenly matched. "Karasuba, I'm just as strong as she is! I can help!" Kara looked from Morinth to Alex and back.

"Karasuba, Shepard and I have sworn solemn oaths that you know nothing about. If you do as she asks then you will cause him to break those vows.

"Karasuba, I can get of rid of him as well! Just help me kill her, then I'll help you kill him! The two of us could do anything, go anywhere we want after that!"

Alex opened his mouth to object, but was silenced by a look from Kara. She stood between the Asari women, and looked from one to the other. "Karasuba! I'm the genetic destiny of the asari! They just don't want to admit it! Help me! I'll kill the human myself, if you do!"

Kara nodded and turned to Samara. The two locked eyes for a moment, but Samara said nothing. In the Justicar's mind all that was left was for Karasuba to make her choice. Karasuba lifted the fencing blade and slipped into an attack posture that to Alex looked like she could easily remove either asari's head from her shoulders. Karasuba stepped closer to the elder asari, and Morinth smiled in triumph. Then Karasuba spun and brought the blade down on both of Morinth's elbows, slicing her arms off at the joints.

Morinth's concentration and biotic field were both broken by the loss of her forearms. She stared dumbly at the bloody stumps for another second before a blast of raw biotic power threw her to the floor. Samara stepped lightly over to the prone Yakshi and used her mass effect field to keep her pinned there.

"And they call me a monster!" Morinth screamed defiantly, as her mother prepared herself to end what had begun 400 years before.

"Find peace in the embrace of the Goddess." A biotically enhanced punch to Morinth's throat was all it took to end her life. She stood up again and turned to the two watching her. "Thank you, Karasuba, for not allowing her words to sway you." Karasuba only nodded and moved to lay the bloody sword next to Morinth's body.

"Shepard, it is finished. I can continue with your mission with no more regrets. Whatever may come."

Karasuba turned back to Alex and accepted her own sword. She walked out of the room and never looked back. Alex stepped to Samara and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"

"I just killed the brightest, and bravest of my daughters. It will take some time before I can say that I am well. But my task is now, truly at an end, and I have you and Kara to thank for that. Even if her methods are somewhat overzealous..." The two looked down at the pair of severed arms still lying where they had fallen. "Let us leave this place. I wish to see it no longer."

Alex nodded his assent, and the two stepped out of the apartment complex to find Karasuba waiting for the two of them, her sword now belted to her hip. The trio returned to the docks. It was finally time for the Normandy and her crew to return to Illium. And Liara.

Author's Notes:

Well, this chapter took forever. I apologize to all of my readers if this chapter isn't quite up to par for this story. I hope the next chapter doesn't take as long to write. It should be a little more action-y than this one, and Liara, Alex's ex from ME 1,and Kara will finally get to meet. Sparks will fly!

Until next time, please tell me what you think, and what you'd like to see in future chapters. No promises!

Piper out.