Chapter 7
Midnight found Shepard at an extranet terminal reading a note from Garrus. The turian and krogan had spoken to a number of their contacts and had collected enough stories to give her a good idea of the people she'd be dealing with. She replied with her thanks and invited to join the team on the Normandy as soon as they could.
Liara came over and handed her a warm drink. "I thought you might need something."
"Thanks," the spectre replied, smirking, "But that wasn't exactly what I had in mind."
Smiling at the images that came to her thoughts, the asari countered "Well, I guess that depends on when we have to head back to the Normandy."
"Too soon, Li, I wish we had more time." The spectre answered as she powered down the terminal. "Did I mention we have to make a stop on the way back? There's one other person to meet tonight."
"I cannot wait to see where we are going at this hour. Lower Wards?"
"Actually, somewhere I believe you've spent a good deal of time – the Citadel University Archives." Shepard laughed at the surprised look on the asari's face. "I do know what the inside of a library looks like, Doctor."
"It just does not seem a place you would frequent, that is all." Liara responded somewhat defensively.
"I guess I'm just spending too much time with a certain academic, it must be rubbing off. Let's go, I don't want to be late." The commander finished off her drink and headed for the elevator.
Citadel transit took them to the gates of the university where a lone turian was manning the entrance. He took their names, checked against a datapad and opened the gate with a clang that reverberated in the stillness.
Liara took the lead and strode purposefully through the campus. She was definitely in her element here, thought the spectre, admiring the scientist's gracefully bearing and confident air. Reaching the archives, they circled the building, finding a side door illuminated and unlocked. As they entered, a soft voice called to them from in back of a stack of bookshelves. Rounding the corner, they came face to face with the oldest asari Shepard had ever seen. Bright eyes lit up a line-covered face, faded tribal tattoos framing her brow. She addressed her visitors in the same soft voice.
"Dr. T'Soni, I am so pleased you have joined us, I have read your work on the Protheans and have found it to be most informative."
"Commander Shepard, your reputation precedes you; I hope that we can be of service to one another. My thanks for coming at such a late hour."
"Dr. Aemilia, you honor me with your time." The spectre replied graciously, touching the elder asari's hands in the traditional greeting.
"If you would both follow me, my office is right this way." Her voice trailed off as she turned and glided past the full bookshelves.
Liara followed speechlessly, amazed at meeting a legend among asari scholars. She wondered how Shepard had been able to make this connection. They were led to a large table with a holographic display at its core. The asari matriarch took her seat and gestured her guests toward the open seats.
"As you have requested Commander, I have reviewed your assessments and have compiled additional data on each candidate."
Liara glanced at the spectre, who just shrugged at the unspoken question. "I thought you'd like a view you can trust."
"I am grateful for your assistance in this, Matriarch; I would highly value your opinion on whom to select my research team as well. This is a most unusual assignment and the team will be probably be challenged in ways we cannot even anticipate." Liara had recovered from her initial surprise and had become more animated as they spoke of her part of their mission.
"I do have one condition, " the asari scholar began. "I wish you to include my protégé, Rayn Gwyneth. She has a brilliant mind and is finding university life somewhat limiting. She is also a strong biotic. I assure you she will be of great value to your team."
Shepard glanced at the younger asari before speaking to the matriarch. "No disrespect intended, Dr. Aemilia, but I don't recall you mentioning any conditions earlier."
"Of course not, Commander," the asari smoothly replied, smiling. "Then you may not have come."
"You have me there, Matriarch. Well, another asari shouldn't be that much of a problem."
"Oh, I never said she was asari. I am sure you will be most impressed once you have spoken to her. So, shall we begin with your other candidates? I have selected those whom I believe will form the most complete team." Dr. Aemilia conveniently changed the subject and began her lecture.
"I understand you already have your two Prothean experts and a machine specialist. They will be essential in uncovering what secrets Ilos has to share."
The elder asari brought a hologram up of a tall turian with a silver face adorned with blue markings.
"Teagan Sonor, a turian scientist, is a geothermal specialist. He is expert in identifying and dating artifacts based on the geological make up of the terrain in which they are found. He is well versed in chemical analysis and should be able to help any of the others in their studies. He is one of the few scientists on this list usually in a good humor and will assist Dr. T'soni in bringing the team together."
The turian's image faded to be replaced by a sour faced salarian. The matriarch continued. "Given the complexity of salarian names, I just have their given names recorded here. Pravin is one of the more conventional salarians. As with most of his race, he has excellent observational capacity and excels at non linear thinking. He is also arrogant and has been known to make some judgment errors due to the rapid pace at which he works. He will make a good team member, injecting original ideas, but his bias and sarcasm may not work well with the others. "
Another holograph came into focus, this time of a smiling salarian.
"Orran is also a salarian, but his behavior departs from the norm of his species. While he has the typical hyperactive metabolism and tends to think, talk and move quickly, he understands the need for moderation at times and usually partners with other team members. He may also help keep Pravin under control."
Shepard's eyes were beginning to feel heavy as each description continued. Trying not to yawn, she focused on the holographs in front of her and tried to envision these scientists working with Liara. Glancing at the younger asari, she saw her own exhaustion mirrored in the scientist's face.
Finally, the Matriarch concluded her recommendations. "A research team of seven should be small enough to come to conclusions without endless debate, yet large enough to discover what there is."
"Thank you, Dr. Aemilia for your assessment. We highly value your opinion." Liara stood slowly, her weariness hitting her all at once. "Commander Shepard and I will need to make our final choices in the morning, when our minds are rested."
"I shall walk you out then," the matriarch replied. "I shall send Rayn along to your ship tomorrow afternoon." Her tone suggested that she would not be challenged on this point and Shepard was too tired to argue. They made their farewells and departed the campus, using the Citadel transit to return to C-Sec, both agreeing that their final decisions should be held until morning. They parted when they entered the Normandy, Liara to her med bay accommodations while Shepard returned to her quarters. For the first time in a long while, both quickly succumbed to sleep, leaving decisions to the new day.