"Forty-eight hours? What am I supposed to do for forty-eight hours? I was told it would be a direct transfer."
"I'm sorry princess, but there's nothing we can do. Why not go to the Afterlife Club over there? Maybe you can make some extra credits shaking that fine ass of yours."
"How dare... I am the daughter of Matriarch Benezia. I've never been so..."
But the Turian port administrator has already gone, laughing and mocking her in a squeaky voice as he walks away, "I'm the daughter of blah-de-blah-blah... ha! Brilliant."
Liara has no desire to stay on the Omega mining facility a second longer than she has to but forty-eight hours?
The public news address is blaring out one depressing sounding report after another, "Reports are coming in of Turian military activity near the infamous Relay 314, de-activated since the Rachni wars. No details have yet been released. Let's all hope it's not those pesky Rachni again. We'll keep you updated as we find out more!"
Liara stands with her holdall at her feet opposite the Afterlife Club, feeling very exposed. She doesn't like crowds at the best of times, but crowds of Turians, Batarians, all manner of species openly carrying weapons, and at this notoriously dangerous facility, she is quite petrified. And the place is filthy compared to Thessia or Illium. She sees two Batarians talking and is sure they keep looking over at her. She wants to leave, but where to? The Batarians start shiftily walking in her direction.
"Hey!" one of them shouts over. "You need help, little girl?"
As they get closer, an imposing looking asari exits from the club and heads purposefully in their direction.
"You two!" the asari shouts at the Batarians. "Yes, you two Batarians there. Leave, now."
"Uuuh, of course, whatever you say, we were just..."
"I can guess what you were doing. Go. Now!"
The Batarians scurry away.
The asari now paces more slowly, still moving towards Liara. She moves with precision and poise in black heels and sleek dark clothing, save for a stylish high-cut white jacket. She arrives at Liara's position and paces back and forth in front of her a few times, looking her up and down. This terrifies Liara further and she is sure that her nervous shaking is obvious. The asari finally speaks.
"You're not a very good spy."
"What?"
"Why else would the much respected Matriarch Benezia send her daughter here but to spy on me?"
"Oh, er... no. No! That is not why I am here. And you know who I am?"
"Of course I do, this is my facility. I know of everyone coming in and out. So why exactly are you here, Liara T'Soni?"
Liara is unsure if this asari knowing her is a good thing or a bad thing.
"I was trying to get to Illium, but we were re-directed here. I am supposed to wait for forty-eight hours but I am on my own and do not know this place, and... well... I suppose that is it really."
The asari laughs.
"Awww, so you're a lost little lamb. How sweet." She strokes Liara's cheek which causes her to flinch a little. "And you are a pretty thing, aren't you? Well, I'm a sucker for a charity case like you. You'd better come with me. Given half a chance, the sick bastards around here would eat you alive. Come."
She beckons Liara with a wave as she heads back to the club.
"Come on, little lamb. I won't bite."
Liara looks around her, picks up her holdall and quickly follows. This has to be better than hanging around outside. The dull throbbing of the club's music becomes more intense as the club door slides open into an initial lounge corridor, with images of flames flicking up sides. There are various groups seated on the couches, some drinking and chatting, others passed out or just unable to move.
"It is very loud." Liara comments.
The asari smiles, "You've not been to many clubs, have you?"
"No, and certainly none like this one."
They reach the next door. The wall of bass and drums nearly knocks Liara back when it opens. She wonders how anybody could enjoy this.
There are people everywhere, mostly intoxicated somehow and dancing to the primal rhythms. Semi-clad asari dancers are on top of nearly every available raised surface, all seductively moving their bodies to the music. As they pass one of the bars, the asari shouts, "Drink?"
"No. Thank you." Liara isn't even sure if her voice could be heard.
The asari leads Liara up a few short stairs and to a private area. There is a little protection from the worst effects of the music here. There are armed Batarians milling around, who straighten their bodies to attention when they see the two arrive. A couple more asari are dancing against the glass walls at the edges of the area. The imposing asari sits in the centre of a large couch like a queen holding court.
"Come." she taps next to her on the couch. "Sit."
Liara sits next to her clutching her holdall on her knee, her wide eyes darting about unable to take it all in.
"Are you Aria T'Loak?" she asks, finally plucking up the courage.
"Oh, so you have heard of me. I was beginning to think I'd have to do the whole Queen of Omega routine. Which, incidentally, I am." Aria puts on a little pretend menace.
Liara almost smiles.
"I had heard that you are in charge of this facility."
"And I suppose that you've also heard that I'm an evil bitch, willing to kill anyone who gets in my way. Well, that's equally true. Now normally, when a little lamb like you appears on my doorstep, I intend to have them dancing in my club within a week, whether they like it or not. But with you, the Matriarch's daughter, that's not in my interest. I don't need that kind of heat. Dumb mercs are one thing, but asari commandos? That's another."
"Thank you."
Thank you? Liara berates herself for thanking Aria for not abusing her.
"I suppose you'll need somewhere to stay? You'll use my quarters, I can find a bed anywhere. And to be honest, I usually do. Garka!"
One of the Batarian guards steps up.
"Yes, Aria?"
"My young friend here will be staying in my apartment for the next couple of days. So, and I'm going to make this very clear, if I hear that anyone has been anywhere near that door, they are fucking. Dead. No explanations, no talking, no excuses, just fucking. Dead. Is that clear enough for you Garka? You can be a stupid shit at times."
Liara was almost feeling a little calmer until Aria's explicit instructions.
"Of course, Aria. I'll make sure all the men know. There won't be any problems."
"There'd better not be."
Garka hurries off to ensure everybody knows so there are no accidents as Aria shouts after him, "Fucking. Dead. And not just the men. Anyone. And everyone." He knows that Aria is deadly serious.
Aria slaps the top of her thighs.
"So, now that's all sorted out. You want anything other than a drink? Hallex? Red sand? You name it, I can probably get it right now from one of these idiots dancing around down here."
"No!" Liara jerks. "Thank you."
"Okay, little lamb, no problem. You really are the real deal, aren't you? You really are as innocent as you appear."
"Umm, I suppose." Liara doesn't like to disagree with such an imposing woman, but feels the need to defend herself. "But I have a doctorate in archaeology, I went to the University of Serrice you know."
"Well, that might fly on Thessia, but it doesn't mean shit here, Dr T'Soni."
"No. It seems not." Liara looks down at the floor feeling exposed again, aware that she is way out of her depth.
Aria stands.
"Come on. I get the feeling you'd be happier in my quarters away from all this debauchery, hmm?"
"I would love a shower." Liara stands now as well.
"Maybe I can scrub your back eh?"
Liara's eyes widen in terror as she steps away from Aria.
"Oh come on, little lamb, don't you even have a sense of humour?"