"Jane."
She heard his voice, it was distant, unimportant. He didn't see. He couldn't know.
"Jane!"
So distant. So insignificant.
"Come on Jay, talk to me!"
Incredible really, that she heard him at all. She hadn't heard anything other than the roars, or the sizzling, in a week.
Suddenly he forced his face into her field of view, she was vaguely aware that he cupped her face in his hands. His eyes a deep blue, full of concern. "Jane, please talk to me."
Why talk when she could be silent? Silence was good. Noise meant that they were coming back. God forbid she move. Sound was bad, but movement was worse. Even now she could feel the ground trembling.
"Damn it Jane, Dad said you were messed up, but… but… come on, just talk to me… please."
His face was wrought with fear. She'd never seen him like this. He was always brave, composed. John Shepard wasn't afraid. No Shepard was ever afraid. Not Mom, certainly not Dad, and never Johnny. Was she afraid? Yes. Without a shadow of a doubt.
"Jane, I know you're in there, and I'm not leaving until you talk to me."
She turned to meet his eyes, and tried to work her voice. Nothing. The connection wasn't there anymore. She couldn't speak. Instead she just smiled at him, fleeting, uncertain, but the message was clear.
"I knew it. I knew you were still in there! Don't worry Jane, we'll get through this."
She smiled again and nodded at her brother. He was always looking out for her.
"Ha! I can't wait to tell Dad. I told him Jay, nothing was going to keep you-," BOOM!
She flinched as liquid sprayed into her face. She watched in horror as her brother dropped to his knees, blood trickling from the hole that had appeared in the middle of his head. A gunshot…? No that's not right… that didn't happen here. She rose a trembling hand to her face running her hand along her cheek before bringing it back down into her field of view. Her hand was covered in his blood. She tried to scream, but once again her voice failed her.
"Hm, well that's interesting."
She whipped her head back to her brother who had just spoken up again. He had mirrored her and had touched the bullet hole in his own head, pulling away his own blood-covered hand. However, something was wrong… The blood in his hand, it wasn't red! It was… oh God, no… it was green, and now it was sizzling… not this…
She felt the burning in her own hand, and sure enough when she checked her hand, his blood was now green, and sizzling. She closed her eyes as the ground shook violently.
"Huh, I didn't know my blood was Thresher Maw spit," John said thoughtfully.
Her eyes shot open to glare at him. What an idiotic comment…However when she looked towards where her brother had been she found nothing. In fact, she wasn't even in the same room. Where did the hospital go? No, wait… she knew this place. A desert world, the sky a deep magenta color, no signs of life except the trembling ground… Akuze.
She once again tried to scream, 'No not here!' Again to no avail. The tremors intensified. She whipped around just in time to see the Maw breach and lunge towards her, a bloodcurdling roar drowning her senses. She screamed…
"NO!" She now sat in her bed, a cold sweat drenching her face and dampening the T-shirt she was wearing.
Shit, another nightmare.
Shaking her head in disgust, she glanced at the clock on her nightstand.
Six, damn. I guess I should get up. Today's an important day.
Sighing, she rose from her bed and headed to the refresher cubicle. She turned on the shower and shed her clothes. Before long she found herself standing with her eyes closed, the hot water running over her face.
Been a long time since I thought about the hospital. Johnny was true to his word. He stayed there for a week until I had finally spoken up. He was good to me…
Growling, she turned the dial on the wall and gasped as the hot water turned ice cold.
That was before he killed Dad. No, he fucking dies next time we meet.
Sighing, she punched the console and stepped through the door into the small office space. It's only inhabitant was a volus, who seemed rather unsurprised by her visit.
"Ah…Ms. Vasir… It's a pleasure to meet you…" The volus greeted her warmly, barely looking up from his terminal.
"Barla Von," she replied curtly as she walked up to his desk.
Shocker. Knows my name and that I was coming. Definitely the right guy.
"What…can I do for you?" Barla Von asked amiably, still not looking away from his terminal.
"I think you know," she replied as she leaned on the creature's desk in the most threatening way possible.
"Hm, perhaps. Would it… have something to… do with your new… assignment?"
He knows about my assignment. Damn it, no point in lying then.
"Yes. I've been ordered to track down and eliminate your boss."
"Yes… the Broker knows… of your mission… Spectre," The Volus rasped, finally looking up from his console.
Of course he does.
"You see the problem with that, I assume?" She asked calmly, but staring daggers at him.
"Yes... It is hard… to track down… someone who doesn't… leave tracks," the volus replied.
He's very open, and seemingly helpful. He doesn't even seem to be afraid.
"Hm, nicely put. Yes, that is the gist of my problem."
"Hm… I knew you…were coming, I knew…. who you were, but I admit… I do not know, why you're here. I don't know where… the Shadow Broker is…"
"Of course, but you do receive orders from him. Those need to come from somewhere," she replied lazily as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a datastick which she held up in front of her. "I intend to use this to find out where that is."
"Hm… a virus? That will not… work. The orders I… receive from the Broker are… relayed through several… different locations. Not to mention… the data is… highly encrypted…"
"This is no mere virus. It's a prototype malware program developed by the STG. It is… highly illegal and honestly quite dangerous," she replied, letting a trace of uncertainty to enter her voice.
"Why is it… dangerous?"
"It's sentient," she replied, smiling at the Volus who finally seemed surprised.
"An AI? That's… interesting…I take it you… want to upload that… onto my terminal?"
Why is he going along with this?
"Yes. Mr. Von, may I ask why you're going along with this?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at the Volus.
"Hm… well Thessia-Clan… I know better than… to cross Spectres," he replied, still calm.
We'll see.
"I hope so," she replied as she stalked around the desk to plug in the datastick. Upon the entry of the datastick, a single message scrolled across the screen. Download complete. Advanced Data Detection And Tracking Intelligence will complete tracking in (1) solar day. "I'll be back tomorrow when ADDATI finishes finding the Shadow Broker. If you tamper with him or attempt to warn your boss I'll show you just how bad crossing a Spectre can be."
"Um…Understood…"
Smiling, she turned and left the stubby little alien behind her.
One day on the Citadel and already I've made some serious progress. Ha! Soon I will be recognized as the Spectre who finally eliminates the Shadow Broker… I think I deserve a drink!
Liara waited in the armory quietly. She was happy that there was no one else in the room. She had trouble thinking when there was a crowd of people, and she really needed to think.
Two days on his ship and already I have been involved in a scheme that resulted in disciplinary action being taken against half of the ground team! Not to mention that Shepard now think you're a whore. Goddess! How many asari has he even met? He might just think that is normal asari behavior!
She was jolted from her thoughts by her omni-tool chiming. Frowning, she opened it and found the group chat had become very active over the last few minutes.
Joker4ever- Well, on the bright side we get some shore-leave.
Vakariansbetter24- I guess. Too bad it's on the station where I've spent the last ten years of my life. Not exactly exotic. What was your punishment?
Joker4ever- Two days suspension, which just happens to coincide with our shore-leave.
Vakariansbetter24- Lucky bastard.
Joker4ever- What can I say? I'm essential.
Zorah92- That's not quite the word I would use to describe you.
Joker4ever- Hmm… well I believe Liara had some choice adjectives earlier if you want to borrow some of those.
Scowling, she typed her own message.
Asariangel54- I still can't believe we didn't see that coming.
Asariangel54- Ugh, why am I Asariangel54?
Zorah92- Joker put you in as that.
KAlenko- Shocker.
Zorah92- You can change it, go under options.
Asariangel54 has changed their name to "Liara"
Vakariansbetter24- Looks like we have another one with no creativity. Really Liara, that puts you on the same level of creativity as Wrex.
Wrex- Ha! Don't mind the pyjaks Blue. I'll tell you what I told them, I'm saving my creativity for finding new ways to disembowel Geth. I see you're the same way!
Joker4ever- Wow. It was disturbing the first time, I didn't think it could get worse. Turns out I was wrong.
Vakariansbetter24- That is the person you're emulating Blue. How do you feel about that?
Liara- Um… do Geth even have "bowels"?
Wrex- If they do, they won't for long.
Liara- Right…
Joker4ever- Anyway, has Shep arrived for your "evaluation"?
Liara- Why did you put that in quotes?
Zorah92- Ugh. Come on Joker, don't.
Joker4ever- What? I didn't do anything.
Zorah92- Haven't you caused enough trouble for the day?
Joker4ever- Seriously, I was just wondering if they were getting amorous in the armory yet.
Liara- Goddess…
Vakariansbetter24- I don't support this line of questioning in any way…but "amorous in the armory" is gold.
Zorah92- You guys are pigs.
Joker4ever- Oh please Tali. Before Liara was in the chat you were just as much a part of this as we were!
Zorah92- That's totally beside the point!
Liara- And for the record that is not what is happening! Shepard and I hardly know each other, and it isn't like that anyway!
Joker4ever- Suuure. We'll see. Garrus, when do you think Blue and the Commander are going to bump uglies?
KAlenko- That's wrong on so many levels.
Zorah92- If "bump uglies" means what I think it does I agree.
Vakariansbetter24- I've tormented Liara and Tali enough for the day. I'm not responding.
Liara- Thank you Garrus.
Wrex- For the record, "bump uglies" means to have sex. Krogan have the same phrase.
Liara- Thanks for that lovely bit of insight Wrex, now if you excuse me I have to go. Shepard is here.
Liara has disconnected from the chat.
Shutting down her omni-tool, Liara turned towards where the Commander was now approaching her. The reason for his delay was easily evident, for he now was out of his armor and in his Alliance undress uniform.
"Hey Liara, sorry about that. I really needed a shower," he greeted her warmly, although she could easily hear the strain in his voice.
"It's fine. Long day?" She asked him, she could see the bags under his eyes and recognized that he was exhausted.
Is he still not sleeping? I thought we fixed it when I melded with him?
"Yeah. Killing Geth is hard work, not to mention I got back just in time to sort through possibly the weirdest break in regulations ever," He replied with a sigh. She felt her cheeks color at his comment and remained silent, watching him as he approached the bench and grabbed a small pistol.
"I'm sorry Shepard, I-," she began before he rose a hand to silence her.
"It's fine Liara, there's nothing left to discuss," he interjected, but not unkindly.
"It doesn't feel fine. I've been on your ship for two days and have caused nothing but trouble!" She cried, suddenly very angry with herself.
"Do you want to leave, Liara?" He asked calmly as he walked over to a small locker and pulled out a pistol.
The question took her by surprise. She'd never thought of leaving. Sure, she'd thought about just being the Resident Scientist instead of joining him on the ground, but leaving? No, the idea was impossible. She had to be here, she had to help this human. "No, of course not! But I can't help but think that I've been more of a burden than an asset," she replied miserably.
"Is that why you want to join the ground team?" He asked absently, as he fiddled with the pistol over the bench, apparently putting some modification on it.
"Yes, I want to help you Shepard, and I know I can!" She said with the utmost conviction, approaching where he stood with his back towards her at the bench.
He paused for a second, clearly deep in thought. She watched as he turned the gun over in his hands. To any onlooker he would seem to be examining his work, but she was close enough to see that he wasn't even looking at the pistol, instead he was staring off into space. "I don't like it, but if you can shoot straight I will certainly take all the help I can get."
Smiling, she rested a hand on his shoulder in what she hoped he would recognize as a friendly gesture, and not a flirtatious one. She'd already made enough of a fool of herself for one day. "Thank you Shepard, I know this is hard for you," she said warmly, but felt his shoulders stiffen at the comment.
"What makes you think that?" He asked, still not facing her but the annoyance in his voice was unmistakable.
"Oh, um, I was curious about you, I didn't really understand, and um-," she stammered, caught completely off-guard.
Finally, he left the pistol on the desk and turned around to face her, and silenced her rambling by gripping both her shoulders and lowering himself slightly so that he was eye-level with her. "Liara, relax. I'm not angry with you. You were curious and you did what any scientist would do-research," he said calmly. She found that she was transfixed by his gaze, which seemed to bore through her. Only with his hands on her shoulders did she realize how big he was. His hands were far larger than any asari's, and his height would rival any turian's. Everything about the gesture radiated confidence and strength. Things she didn't have, but certainly things she was beginning to think she wanted.
Goddess say something, he's waiting for you to say something! She thought frantically but before she could speak up he continued.
"That being said, in the future know that you don't have to research me, I'll answer any questions you might have," he said warmly, flashing a small smile before releasing her and turning back to the gun.
"Actually, I did have some questions," she ventured nervously, not exactly trusting the offer.
He didn't answer, instead he turned down the range and fired the newly modified pistol. Five times he fired, and five shots passed through the inner-most ring of the "bulls-eye".
Goddess. It's obvious why they made him a Spectre. He's not expecting me to match that, is he?
Apparently he was able to read her thoughts because he laughed again and answered, "No Liara, I don't expect you to do that, but I do have an idea."
"Hm, is this anything like your last 'idea'?" She asked, smiling at the memory of the previous day.
"Yes actually," he replied, grinning as he handed her the pistol.
She fumbled quickly over the keys on her omni-tool. She had thirty seconds to decrypt five lines of code. Generally this would be rather easy for her, but for once she found herself rather impressed by Citadel Security.
Damn it. Dumb bastards finally got smarter.
Finally, she cheered quietly as her omni-tool lit up florescent green and chimed.
Not smart enough.
She quickly began the upload of the virus to the mainframe. The problem with locating a prototype stealth frigate captained by the first human Spectre was, well, exactly that. Still, she knew Normandy made its berth on the Citadel. Her next problem was knowing when and where the Normandy would arrive on the station. The station was massive, and she couldn't watch the whole place. However, if she did know that…
Download Complete. Please specify target designation.
Smiling viciously, she typed out the word that would ensure her victory.
Normandy.
The web is in place, now the widow must await the fly. She thought savagely and with another touch on her omni-tool her tactical-cloak sprung to life, and she was gone.
Author's Note: Sorry this one took so long guys, I've been SO busy recently. Not to mention I've had some serious writer's block. Anyway, I finally delivered and Jane makes a reappearance at last! I hope you enjoy chapter 7! As usual I found myself unsure about some parts, so R&R is greatly appreciated! On a related but unrelated note, I'd like to say that Mass Effect: Andromeda looks awesome, can't wait for Bioware to once again deliver a phenomenal game. (Assuming EA stays as far away as possible of course, fingers crossed...) -Justanotherghostwriter
