A/N: So I finished the Omega DLC and it was not my favorite story. I thought they could have done more with Aria - oh well! If you want to chat about it, I would love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to send me a PM. As always, thanks for reading and I always welcome your reviews, favorites, follows, and PMs!
Chapter 7: Revelations
The giants of the sea known as Leviathan, which longed to be the regents of the galaxy, were all starting to feel their individual purpose. It had been eons since their minds could be focused on anything more than self-preservation. Now they were each assuming their predestined roles and moving into their positions. They still held the link of a joined mind, but now each had a separate objective. Unity was still present between them, but it was giving way to each of their own needs. None realized the drift was occurring, but all were reacting to it.
Indoctrination and control… Domination and war… Creation and imprinting… Success through our power… We are each Leviathan…
The oldest and most powerful of the remaining creatures was feeling superior and confident with the knowledge that he was now in control of the Galactic Council. Their minds were weak and open to his desires. Krixo focused his thoughts on them and on what their authority would now grant Leviathan. His body was still, but his mind was continually reaching out to all those that would be touched by his influence. To be wielding the power of those that lead was the ultimate desire of Krixo, but to command the one that the galaxy looked to as a savior would be his greatest triumph. The seduction and the taking of his prize was what now drove Krixo.
Condemn the krogan for their war-like ways and their refusal to submit to my will. They will be destroyed and there will be no one to stand against Leviathan. Turian, salarian, asari and human, turn to your people and take my gifts of the orbs to your worlds. Spread my influence to your people and open their minds to my control. Allow me to grow by making individual thought become flooded with my unity. Do not resist and bring me the one… bring me Shepard to possess.
The power from the carcasses of the now dead Reapers could be felt by Lesaro. His armor was finished and seemed to call to him. Through it, he would bring fear to those that would stand against Leviathan. Knowing that each piece of his armor had been forged out of the remains of countless species that had fallen victim to both indoctrination and harvesting did not thwart him from donning it. He would now command his army and his war would be glorious. The turians would be the first for Lesaro to lead and sacrifice against the krogan. The soft whispers of the dead within his armor would be the battle cry that he could now hear. They sung to him a faint song, the song of greatness and victory. Lesaro quietly left the confines of the water and the planet that had been his sanctuary for eons. Space was now his home and Palaven his first target.
I am the chosen one to rise against those that stand against us and it will be my war to start. The path towards victory is before me! We will no longer live in shadows and hide from those that would hunt us. We are now the hunters, we are now the rulers. I will bring down destruction and take no pity on the weak. They are not worthy of our song… they are not worthy of Leviathan.
The nesting site for the future of Leviathan was at the deepest part of the ocean world and was a place that Leviathan had avoided since the eggs were placed eons ago. Neresa was eager to reach her hidden brood and begin the process that would allow them to hatch. She had been attuning her mind to focus solely on their voices and imprinting her thoughts onto them even before they would hatch. As she approached, she quieted her mind and reached out with her thoughts. Silence was what she was met with and the lack of song from the young brought a sense of fear to her. They had been in a state of dormancy for too long, time had not been kind and had taken the life from them. A feeling rushed through her mind, one that she had not experienced in ages… panic. Her destiny was to be the mother of her species, not the undertaker of the dead. Failure was not an option, she would seek Krixo and a new brood would be hatched. Krixo… she shuddered at the thought of the joining and of him.
Failure… There is only quiet where there should be voices. There is nothing but emptiness and despair here. We must find a way to repopulate. I must seek out Krixo again. We must procreate in order to spread our power throughout and hold dominion over all. I must imprint my mind on the next generation. I will be eternal through my children. I will not be denied because of time… I will prevail.
Commander Shepard, Garrus and Tali all quietly hurried out of the Council Chambers and found Urdnot Bakara just outside. She was pacing back-and-forth and was obviously doing her best to keep her temper in check.
"Bakara, we saw what happened in there and I think I might have some answers." Shepard approached the krogan tentatively. "We need to get away from the Council Chamber though."
"Commander Shepard, I am glad that you understood what happened in there. The Council seems set on going to war over plans that they approved of and were providing support for." Bakara's voice was fueled by emotion and confusion. Her garb hid most of her face, but the fire in her eyes could not be mistaken. "I trust you as a sister to clan Urdnot Commander and you have always stood by the krogan. Come with me, we can talk freely in my home." She looked to the group and recognized Garrus on site and deduced that the quarian must be Tali'zorah, both were trusted companions and welcomed by Wrex and Bakara.
Shepard nodded her acceptance of the meeting and motioned for her friends to follow the krogan. They were all silent as they made their way to Bakara's transport vehicle that would shuttle them to her apartment in London.
When the group arrived, Bakara led them into a modest penthouse apartment that overlooked the London skyline. The lighting was mostly natural or from columns that looked like glowing rocks. To complement the naturalistic appearance of the apartment, the interior was sparsely decorated and one wall appeared to be living. It was covered in vines and water flowed down in a small waterfall giving the feel that they were in an enormous cave. There was an elegant earth-toned sofa that ran along the wall opposite the living wall and a fairly large oval shaped wooden table to accompany the sofa. The apartment was kept a bit warmer than most human occupants would find comfortable, but it was reminiscent of the temperature of Tuchanka. The feel of the space was calming and quiet, fitting for Bakara.
Walking over to the wooden table in the middle of the room, Bakara motioned to her guests to sit on the sofa, "Please make yourselves comfortable. Commander, I am anxious to hear what you have to say, but let me get Wrex… it sounds like he should also hear what you have to say." Bakara ran her hand over a control panel that was part of the table to reveal a built in QEC system.
The group all took the offered seats and Shepard nodded her approval to include Wrex.
Bakara activated her comm feed and brought up a holographic image of Wrex. "Hello, Wrex. We need to talk… there have been some unexpected developments today… I also have Commander Shepard, Garrus and Tali with me."
"Ah… Shepard…" Wrex's voice was booming and filled with affection, "What can I do for you?" He looked away from Shepard and directed his voice to something at his feet, "Stop that… No Mordin, don't do that to your sister… Shepard, get back here and help your brother with this mess… Now!" Two small children could be seen scurrying around Wrex. Various toys could be seen scattered around in the background and Wrex seemed a bit winded.
Not raising her voice, but using a tone reserved for her children, Bakara took control of the chaos brewing at her home, "Children, your father and I need to talk." When the two youngsters heard their mother's voice, both automatically stopped what they were doing and turned to give her their full attention, "You will listen to your father… Go and watch over your brothers and sisters."
Tali and Garrus both chuckled at the site of Wrex being used as a swing set for his children and at the seeming lack of control that he had. Tali whispered to Garrus, "Who knew Wrex was such a softie?"
"I don't think he'd like that reputation!" Garrus laughed back.
Looking slightly guilty for getting caught indulging his children's whims, Wrex redirected his attention back to his wife and Shepard, "As I was saying, what's going on?"
It was Bakara that answered and got right to the point. She had been suppressing her emotions, confusion and anger long enough, "Wrex, it appears that the Council is looking to declare war on Tuchanka." Her voice was filled with hurt and sadness as she spoke.
Still thinking of the scene with his children, Wrex made a face at Bakara that showed he was not in the mood for a joke, "That's not funny, Bakara. Why would you say something like that?"
Looking at Wrex intently and allowing anger and betrayal to seep into her voice, Bakara answered, "I have been dismissed from the Council and Tuchanka is to be controlled directly by the Council. They will allow me to act as a mediator, but we will not have a place in the galactic community."
Wrex's mood changed immediately, gone was the merriment from his children and was now replaced with the leader of the krogan people and husband to Bakara, "What? Who spear headed this? It was the salarian Councilor wasn't it? I told you they make for a good buffet and not much else! Those pyjaks aren't trustworthy and are always scheming against us!" Wrex slammed his fist down and he looked as though he could crush a thresher maw through the sheer force of his anger.
Not wanting to feed her husband's anger, Bakara corrected Wrex's assumption, "It was Nuris, the turian Councilor that started the accusations, but the Council voted unanimously."
Recognizing the growing hostilities and frustrations of the two krogan, Shepard stepped in to address her old friend's concerns, "If I may, I have some information to share with you both on what actually is happening."
Assuming the role of the Councilor and attempting to regain control of the escalating situation, Bakara turned her attention to Commander Shepard, "Please, Commander… you have our full attention."
Shepard stepped forward and addressed the group, "I believe that a race called Leviathan is behind all of this. They are capable of manipulation and mind control…"
Still seething about the idea of war, Wrex could not help but to interject, "You mean like the Reapers? Indoctrination… is that what this is?"
Shepard nodded and continued, "Yes, Leviathan made the Reapers and then most of them were harvested by them. That's probably how the Reapers first learned to indoctrinate other species."
Looking concerned, it was Bakara's turn to interrupt, "Why would they target the krogan though? It does not make sense, Commander?"
"I think that the krogan have some type of natural resistance to Leviathan and that they see you as a threat. It's my guess that Leviathan is using the Council to direct resources to wage war on your people before you can react or become a problem."
The news of krogan resistance to Leviathan's mind control brought a smile to Wrex's face, "Ha… we are going to be a problem! Leave it to the krogan to crush Leviathan and save the galaxy yet again!"
Shepard was relieved by her friend's bravado, but she also knew that if Leviathan did start a war, the krogan and the rest of the galaxy would suffer greatly as a result. "This isn't a game... We don't know that much about Leviathan or how they can control people. I think that they use orbs of some type to indoctrinate their subjects, but I also think that if one is close enough, they can directly influence a mind without an orb."
Wrex studied his friend for a moment and took in the information, "What makes you think this Shepard? What are you not telling me?"
"I sought them out during the war. They are extremely powerful and had the ability to take out the Reapers and we needed their strength. When I found them, they were hesitant to help us and one spoke to me through my mind. It wanted to enslave me first but then it saw me as a threat to the Reapers and agreed to fight against them. I can 'hear' their call when I'm around an orb. They are very powerful and also an unknown. When we went to talk to the Council, I heard the voice in Nuris's mind, telling him to stop the krogan and go to war."
Garrus broke his silence and all could hear the concern in his voice, "Can you kick their thoughts out Shepard?"
"I can push back, but EDI had found a way to erect a force field around the orbs and that seemed to stop their ability to use it. Liara found the program that EDI used and modified it a bit to work on an omni-tool."
Eager to put her own expertise to use and help out her friends, Tali added, "Shepard, I think that I can help too with the information that you gave me for Chiktikka. With some time, I bet that I can make the modifications work even better."
Garrus also saw an opening to make himself useful, "I can help too. We will need to get these devices and modifications ready and quickly. If Leviathan controls Nuris, then it could also control the Primarch and all of our resources. We have been working on rebuilding Palaven and our fleets and it would be very bad for the turians to try to invade Tuchanka."
Shaking her head at the thought of a turian-krogan war, Shepard stated the obvious, "Very bad is an understatement." She was glad that Tali and Garrus were there to add their support to a tense situation.
Sounding like the leader he was, Wrex's booming voice thundered out his confidence, "We would destroy the turians and anyone else that tries to invade us."
"It would put us back on the road of violence and hostility…" Bakara's voice contained sadness at the thought of more destruction. She knew that it would not serve the krogan or help move them into the position of respect that she wanted for her people. "That has not done anything for us but cause us to fight ourselves and everyone else. It is not the direction that we've been working on taking the krogan people."
Shepard continued where Bakara had stopped, "I had come to the Council to let them know that I was going to be checking in on the world where we found Leviathan during the Reaper Wars. I wanted to be acting as a Spectre and advisor on the Normandy. When we arrived and heard what was going on, I thought it best not to say anything and instead here we are now."
Bakara nodded in agreement, "I think that was the correct call Commander."
Wrex was still not convinced, but trusted his old commander, "Yeah, you're still going to take it to them Shepard!"
"That's the plan, Wrex! I want to stop this war before it even gets a chance to start, but you should probably make preparations just in case. I don't know how entrenched Leviathan is in the turian government yet, but I'm sure that is the plan. Garrus is going to try and get more information from his contacts in the government."
"Good… pass along anything that you find out." Wrex wanted to make sure that he would get all the intel that he needed to be able to deal with whatever came at him.
Garrus was quick with his reply, "Of course we will. The last thing that this galaxy needs is another war with the turians as Leviathan's puppets."
"Agreed… Wrex, Bakara, you have my word that I will do whatever I can to stop Leviathan. I'll make sure that you get any information that comes our way."
Wrex still looked upset, "I will trust you Shepard. If this came from anyone else…"
Bakara stepped in, "Yes Commander, you are family and we will work with you to stop this mess. We will prepare in case of invasion and we will stand ready to assist you as well."
"Thank you both… I know this isn't easy to hear. We will make things right, you have my word," Shepard made sure to address both Wrex and Bakara. "We should get going… I have a few more people to check in with before we leave to face Leviathan."
"Of course Commander and thank you for your honesty," Bakara kept Wrex on the comm but escorted her guests to the door. "I will talk to Wrex and see if we can send some of our warriors with you."
"I will contact you once we are settled on the Normandy. Take care Bakara," Shepard said as she exited with Garrus and Tali.
Anticipating the arrival of her father and not looking forward to the conversation that they were going to have, Liara paced around her living room. Aethyta was very protective of Liara and genuinely loved her daughter-in-law, but she was always worried about what would happen to Liara when they would eventually be parted. Whenever Shepard's penchant for heroics was mentioned around Aethyta, she was always quick to remind Shepard of her commitment and growing family. There was no doubt in Liara's mind that her father was going to be very upset by the news of Shepard going after Leviathan.
The door chimed and Liara's gaze was quickly drawn to the entrance. She used her most calming and welcoming voice, "Come in." She couldn't help but smile at the sight of her father and the warmth coming from the elder asari.
"Hey kiddo… you must be getting excited for your museum wing to open. Who'd of thought that my daughter would have a museum wing?" Aethyta was beaming at Liara and walked toward her to give her daughter a hug fit for a krogan.
Liara accepted the affection of her father and held her for an extra minute. "How are you, Father?"
"How am I? I'm about to be a grandparent and see my youngest daughter get well deserved accolades on Thessia, I am a very happy asari!" Continuing to hold Liara, Aethyta's smile faded slightly and she could sense that something was off.
Attempting to maintain her calm demeanor, Liara knew she needed to break the news about Shepard to her father, "I am glad to hear that Dad." She let go of Aethyta and motioned for her to sit on the sofa in the living room.
Moving to sit down and make herself comfortable, Aethyta took the seat next to the armrest and Liara sat next to her, "What is the matter, kiddo? You look like you want to tell me something and it's likely something that I'm not going to like."
Liara looked down at the floor and started wringing her hands nervously. How does she do that? How does she know? She looked back at Aethyta and took in a deep breath, "Father, I do need to tell you something and it is not going to be easy for me…" She paused and tried to think how to continue.
Sensing her daughter's tension, Aethyta decided to open herself up to Liara as well, "Liara, would it be easier if we melded? I know we have not done that often, but it might be worth a try."
Thinking about the offer from Aethyta and what it would be like to link minds with her again, Liara remembered the last time and couldn't help but smile. Aethyta was a Matriarch and had centuries of experience with all types of melds and knew how to focus both minds and put both participants at ease. She decided to accept her father's offer and looked into her eyes while taking both of Aethyta's hands in hers. "Yes, I would like that very much."
Aethyta nodded and moved closer to Liara, "Embrace eternity…" Aethyta's eyes swirled to black, as did Liara's.
Liara could feel the presence of her father's thoughts within her own. She relaxed and opened herself to the other mind. She felt comfort and acceptance and genuine love from her father. Their minds started merging and Liara was able to show Aethyta exactly what was happening with Shepard. The scene between Shepard and Liara was playing out again in Liara's memory.
The couple came home from dinner… Shepard told Liara about the necklace and Leviathan… Leviathan had tried to get to Shepard through Liara… They had to fight back…
Liara started to feel the panic and ache associated with Leviathan and Shepard leaving to face it. Sharing in her daughter's worry, Aethyta sent Liara raw feelings of love and tried to calm her mind. Liara absorbed the emotions from her father and refocused on the scene.
Shepard explained that she was going to leave to confront Leviathan… She was leaving without her… They went to bed upset…
Tears were starting to form in both of the asari's eyes as Liara shared her heartbreak and concern with her father. Aethyta absorbed her daughter's fears and combined them with her own love for her family. She again answered Liara's thoughts with her deep caring and affection. Liara clung to her father's reassurance and continued.
The couple faced each other and each talked about their fears and convictions… Shepard was leaving and Liara was going to Thessia… Shepard would come home to her and their child…
Pushing back her fear, Liara focused on her love for her bondmate and their daughter. Her anger was born out of fear, but she loved her wife for the person that she was and she knew that Shepard would not stay back when there was something threatening her family and the galaxy.
She has to leave… I do not like it, but it is why I love her… She is coming back to us…
Aethyta accepted Liara's emotions and understanding of what was happening and managed to suppress her own shock and anger. She instead focused on the certainty that her daughter held in her heart that Shepard would succeed and come home. Through the meld, she had experienced all of the emotional turmoil that her daughter had gone through and she wanted more than anything to help ease any negative feelings that remained. Aethyta opened her heart to her daughter and let go of any anger that lingered in her mind.
I love you both… You deserve happiness and to have your family together… I want that for you… For all of you…
The meld started to fade and both father and daughter were left embracing each other. Words were not needed, as they both had shared in the other's thoughts and feelings. Aethyta looked into the blue eyes of her daughter and understood everything. She still felt protective of Liara and some residual anger at Shepard, but she also knew why she was going to leave. Liara would need Aethyta's strength and support and she was set in her resolve to give it to her.
They were interrupted as the door opened and Shepard entered. She looked tired and was wearing a serious expression, her shoulders were hunched and it was obvious that she was deep in thought. Shepard smiled at the sight of her wife and Aethyta having a moment together. She had been concerned about how Aethyta would take the news of her departure, but the feeling coming from the pair was of serenity.
Both asari looked at Shepard and could sense her stress. Liara quickly headed to her bondmate in an effort to welcome her home. Drawing Shepard into a kiss, Liara stroked her wife's shoulders while Shepard wrapped her arms around Liara's waist. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Shepard continued to hold Liara as she greeted Aethyta, "Hi Dad… you are looking well."
"Better than you…" Aethyta bit her tongue and choked back the desire to give Shepard an ear full. She already knew what happened and didn't feel the need to start a fight. She shook her head and forced a smile, "What kind of trouble are you getting yourself into now Shepard?"
Liara brought a finger to Shepard's lips, "You already know the answer to that question Father."
"Alright kiddo…" Aethyta's tone held some sarcasm, but she was willing to go along with Liara. She stood and addressed Shepard, "I'll take good care of her while you are off keeping us all safe. I was looking forward to going back to Thessia anyway and it will be nice to have Liara with me." Aethyta became serious as she had taken time to let everything sink in, "Shepard, do you think that the Matriarchs are a target for this Leviathan?"
"I think that everything is a potential target." Releasing her hold on Liara, Shepard walked over to Aethyta and embraced her. Shepard met Aethyta's eyes and looked intently into them, "I know you will watch out for our family." She then turned back to Liara, "If you both will excuse me, Aria is waiting for me and I don't think I should keep her waiting much longer."
Knowing what Shepard had to tell Aria, Liara felt sorry for the task that was before her bondmate, "Tell Aria that I will help with Thea in any way that I can."
Shepard nodded and headed for the QEC in the study and Aria.
Shepard had sent Aria a message telling her to go to her QEC in her quarters and that she needed to speak with her urgently. She didn't know how Aria was going to react and Shepard wanted to make sure that their conversation was private. She stood in front of the QEC display and activated the link to Aria's personal channel. Shepard was relieved to find the asari looking superior to the world, sitting back on an overstuffed leather chair and waiting for her call. "Aria, are you alone?"
"What's with all the paranoia, Shepard? No 'Hello?' Are you looking to get laid or something without Liara finding out?" Aria laughed and appeared relaxed and self-confident and offered Shepard her most devious smile.
Shepard wondered how long that calm exterior would last once she informed her of Tevos, "No Aria, but I need to speak to you privately." Shepard waited for Aria to signal that she was indeed alone.
Looking off camera, Aria barked orders to someone close by and then returned her attention to the image of Shepard. She leaned forward slightly to reveal her very form fitting black leather coat that had been zipped down to allow for the slightest glimpse of her breasts to be seen. Her voice was playful and seductive, "Alright, you've got me all to yourself… Commander." She couldn't help but look arrogant and ooze sex appeal, especially to Shepard. She loved to flirt with the Commander and was always disappointed that Shepard never seemed to take her bait. "Fuck Shepard, do I need to guess what you want from me this time or are you going to tell me."
"Aria, its Thea…" Shepard used her most serious, but sympathetic voice with Aria. "I was supposed to have a meeting with the Council and what I walked into was very… disturbing."
Sounding mildly perturbed by the intrusion, Aria started looking bored, "They're politicians Shepard… of course they are disturbing. They weren't having an orgy were they?" Aria laughed to herself at the thought.
Unfazed by Aria, Shepard continued, "Do you remember your eezo fiasco and what happened to the miners and the troops that you sent to investigate it? It looked like they were indoctrinated by an orb they discovered." Shepard paused and attempted to let the severity of the meaning sink into Aria, "I think that the Council is also showing signs of indoctrination."
Narrowing her eyes at Shepard and now looking upset by the innuendo, "What the fuck are you saying Shepard? Are you telling me that you think that Thea is indoctrinated? What kind of proof do you have… and what the fuck is causing this?
Shepard remained calm, but could hear a change in the tone of Aria's voice, "The Council is moving to declare war against the krogan and they've told Bakara to step down from the Council immediately…"
Interrupting Shepard's story, Aria was trying to make sense of what she was hearing, "Why would they suddenly decide to do something this fucking stupid? They just appointed her to the Council and were helping the krogan terraform Tuchanka. It doesn't make any damn sense, Shepard."
"I know Aria, let me explain…"
"Yes, get on with that… explain to me what the hell you are thinking!"
Shepard recognized the fear creeping into Aria and did her best to assure her, "During the Reaper War, I discovered the race that made the first Reapers… they were also the first to be harvested. Some managed to live and they've been in hiding all this time. They are called Leviathan and they helped us kill Reapers in the Reaper War. I don't really know that much about them except that they have the ability to control other's minds from a great distance. They use orbs to achieve their version of indoctrination."
"Shepard, are you trying to tell me that you knew about creatures that are as powerful as the Reapers and can indoctrinate people? You decided to let them live, are you fucking crazy?" Aria had become animated and was now on her feet and was pacing slightly in front of the display. She had turned away from the display cam and looked to be in thought. She curled her hands into fists and flared her biotics.
"I didn't have much choice. We needed all the allies that we could secure and they were not my first thought after the Reapers fell! If you'll remember, I was in a coma for the first month following the war and the relays were barely working."
Turning back to the display, the light flicker of Aria's biotic field could still be seen. Aria crossed her arms across her chest and used her most commanding voice when readdressing Shepard, "Aside from what you heard in the Council Chambers, why do you think that they are controlling Thea? Did you talk with her? I need specifics and I want them now!"
"She is wearing a necklace that has one of the orbs… Liara was given one too, but we realized what it was before anything could happen. Aria, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this…" You have no idea how much I hate being the one telling you this, Shepard thought.
"Why didn't you remove it, if you saw it as a threat? I will not forgive you if you could've helped her and you didn't! You better start talking… now!" Aria's face had turned a darker shade of purple and her eyes looked like they could incinerate someone on site. The energy that was surrounding Aria also grew in intensity.
"I didn't want to tip off Leviathan that I am aware of them and that I know of their plans to attack Tuchanka. If I had destroyed the orbs, they would've realized that we were on to them and then we would not know their moves. I think you need to get her away from the Council and then destroy the orb."
"Oh, I'll fucking destroy it… don't worry about that! And no, I won't let on that I know anything about the god damn Leviathan orbs." Attempting to get her growing anger and fear under control, Aria started pacing again and balling her hands into fists.
Reacting to Aria's mood, Shepard's stance had also changed. Her shoulders were slightly hunched forward and she wore a frown, "Aria, I am truly sorry… Liara was able to develop a shield that seems effective against the orbs. I will transmit all the information that I have on it to you immediately. Make sure that you keep your eyes on Thea once you have destroyed the orb. We have no idea what kind of long-term effects the exposure has on Leviathan's subjects. Liara can help you…"
"Of course I will look after Thea… she is my bondmate! How the hell did this happen?" Aria asked rhetorically. "You're going after Leviathan, I take it? I wouldn't mind helping to rip them apart Shepard!"
"I know, but I was hoping that you would accompany Liara to Thessia and figure out if the Matriarchs have been infiltrated there too. Tevos was slated to go to the opening of the Prothean exhibit, if I remember and Aethyta will also be there. Liara told her father what is going on and Aethyta believes that the Matriarchs might make a tempting target for Leviathan."
Aria studied Shepard and could see that her body language did not have the full confidence that she was trying desperately to portray. She had come to know the woman quite well over the years and to her surprise, she even liked and respected her. Aria felt protective of Liara and thought of her as sister. Aria understood the meaning of Shepard's request… Protect my family… "Alright Shepard, I'm leaving for earth as soon as I'm off the comm with you. Let Liara know that I'll want her help with Thea."
Shepard let out the breath that she had been holding, "I will let Liara know that you are on your way. Aria, you know that Liara will do everything that she can… for both of you."
At the thought of Liara, Aria's mood lightened slightly and her eyes widened, "I will make sure that Thea and Liara are okay." She paused and thought for a moment, "One more thing… Why would the Council care about the krogan?"
Relaxing at Aria's response to her request, Shepard focused on the krogan question, "I think that the krogan might have some sort of resistance to Leviathan and are seen as a threat. I've warned Wrex. He wants to send troops, but with the prospect of an invasion, I think they might need them on Tuchanka."
Thinking about how she could use this to her advantage, Aria decided to fully commit to the destruction of Leviathan, "I'll send Drace and his krogan team your way Shepard. I think I might have some of my krogan mercs join us on Thessia too, just to be sure."
"Good luck to us both then… and thank you, Aria. I'll be in touch."
"Just don't forget to fucking eliminate them this time Shepard… no more fucking indoctrination!" Aria disconnected the comm feed.
Shepard was left staring at the empty space in front of her that once held the image of Aria. Part of her was relieved, Aria would watch over Liara and her daughter and part of her still felt guilty for leaving.
