"Commander. You have a minute to talk?"

He nodded to Ashley. "I keep an open-door policy. If you have any concerns, lay them on me."

"All right." She hesitated only a moment. "I know things are different aboard the Normandy, but- I'm concerned about the aliens. Vakarian and Wrex. With all due respect, Commander, should they have full access to the ship?"

Shepard wondered briefly why she hadn't included Tali. "They may not serve the Alliance, Chief, but they're allies. At least as far as Saren goes."

"This is the most advanced ship in the Alliance Navy." She shook her head. "I don't think we should give them free reign to poke around the vital systems. Engines. Sensors." She met his eyes. "Weapons."

"You don't trust be Alliances allies?"

"I'm not sure I'd call the Council races allies. We—" She shrugged. "Humanity, I mean—have to learn to rely on ourselves."

"Standing up for ourselves doesn't mean standing alone."

"I don't think we should turn down allies. I just think we shouldn't bet everything on them staying allies. As noble as the Council members seem now, if their backs are against the wall, they'll abandon us."

Shepard folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. "You've got a pessimistic view of the universe, Williams."

"A pessimist is what an optimist calls a realist." She rubbed her shoulder. "Look. If you're fighting a bear, and the only way for you to survive is to sic your dog on it and run, you'll do it. As much as you love your dog, it isn't human." She sighed. "It's not racism. Not really. Members of their species will always be more important to them than humans are."

Shepard frowned. "These seem like deeply-held beliefs, Williams. What made you think this way?"

"My family's defended the Alliance since it was founded. My father, grandfather, great-grandmother—they all picked up a rifle and swore the Oath of Service. I guess we just tend to think of Earth's interests as our own."

Shepard frowned for what he knew about Ashley's service record it was spotless and her technical scores were exemplary. He was surprised that she hadn't served on the ship before. He dug a bit deeper into her family and actually discovered that she went to the same Boot Camp as he did with the same instructor.

"All right." Shepard nodded. "I can see where your concerns are coming from, Williams. But this is a multilateral mission. You're going to have to work with aliens, like it or not."

"It won't be a problem, Commander. You say 'jump', I say 'how high'. You tell me to kiss a turian, I'll ask which cheek."

"Would you kiss anyone if I ordered you to?" he said with a sly smile.

He could have sworn that Ashley blushed. "That depends, Sir. If you ordered me to kiss a superior officer that would be a violation of Regs concerning fraternisation. That would make it an illegal order, I would be enquired to decline and relieve you of command."

"We'll talk later, Williams."

"Looking forward to it, sir."


Finding Prothean ruins proved to be difficult as they searched constant planets for any sign. So far all they found was asari capsule and a mummified salarian. Ashley even led a team and recovered some the one artifact they'd found that had been vaguely Prothean they'd nearly ended up getting eaten by a thresher maw.

"Please tell me we found something," said Shepard.

"It's an anomalous reading, commander. That means I don't know what it is." Joker sighed. "Could be a dig site. Could be more smugglers. Could be a bar." He glanced down at his screen. "And this is the last system in this cluster, so…"

"I very much doubt it would be a bar, but it's our only lead," said Shepard. He tapped his communicator. "Garrus, Kaidan, suit up."


They soon landed on the planet on the mako and began to make their way through the wilderness. The area was quite rocky and pools of lava so Shepard had to drive carefully.

"Commander, I'm picking up some strange readings," said Joker on the com. "Really strange. Like, of the damn chart. It looks like it's coming from an underground complex a few klicks away from the drop zone."

"Chances are we probably we found our ruins," said Shepard.

"You think we'll find her this time?" Kaidan asked.

"Only one way to find out," said Shepard as he swerved past a lava pit.


They soon discover that they were probably in the right place, because they hadn't gone very far when a geth dropship appeared and they found themselves under attack. Fortunately the mako's cannon was powerful enough to take down the colossals and the turrets they had set up.

They had covered quite a fair distance thanks to the mako, but soon they came to a blockade. The blockade was too strong for the mako's cannon so they had to go on on foot.

"We must be getting close," said Garrus as he took down a geth sentry with his sniper rifle.

"The place must be overrun with geth," said Shepard as the manager sabotage a geth trooper with his omitool.

Shepard moved in, taking point. They were nearly to the structure when the enemy dropped out of the sky. Literally. Shepard dove behind cover just as the geth landed and started opening fire. He saw Garrus take cover behind rocks further back on the path. Kaidan crouched behind part of the structure. He gestured, and saw the answering nod.

Shepard tried to use his hacking ability to disorientate the geth or to disrupt their shields. Garrus use this as his chance to take a few of them out with his sniper rifle. Kaidan uses biotics to toss the troopers around.

However the colossus was another story, they had to take cover or else they'd be blown to pieces for it can was strong enough to blow out their shields. Shepard preformed a few hand gestures, informing them to create a pincer movement.

Garrus and Kaidan acknowledged and shot the colossus from either side while Shepard attacked it in the middle. The tactic worked as they began to disorientate the colossal and eventually managed to bring it down.

"Area secured," said Shepard.

"I think we're in the right place," said Garrus.

"There could be more inside," said Kaidan.

"Then we better inform Joker that we might need a quick pickup," said Shepard. He then reached for his com. "Joker were just outside the ruins, things might get a bit hectic so we need you to stand by for an evac."

"Copy that, Commander," said Joker.


When they got inside they found that the geth had managed to infiltrate the ruins, but under their combined firepower they didn't stand much of a chance. He held his pistol at the ready, in the off chance anything actually got close enough for him to use it.

As soon as they'd cleared the geth, Shepard gestured for them to start moving in. The metal scaffolding was broken in places due to age, but here and there he saw signs that it had been repaired. "Supplies, Commander." Kaidan pointed.

"Between that and the geth, I'd say we are in the right place." Shepard nodded. "Let's find ourselves an asari."

"Um…" They all turned to look at each other at the sound of the voice. "Hello? Could somebody help me? Please?"

Shepard jumped down to the next level, and saw an asari apparently floating in midair behind a barrier. Her eyes widened when she saw him. "Can you hear me out there? I am trapped. I need help!"

"Liara T'Soni?" He raised an eyebrow, then gestured for his companions to start looking for the controls for the barrier.

"Thank the Goddess. I did not think anyone would come looking for me." She managed, with some effort, to turn her head. "This thing I am in is a Prothean security device. I cannot move, so I need you to get me out of it. All right?"

First things first. "Your mother is working with Saren. Whose side are you on?"

"What?" She blinked. "I am not on anybody's side. I may be Benezia's daughter, but I'm nothing like her. I have not spoken to her in years. Please." Her voice trembled just a little. "Just get me out of here."

He scanned the barrier. It would pretty much take the mako's firepower to blast through, if not more. "How did you end up in there."

"I was exploring the ruins when the geth showed up, so I hid in here. Can you believe that?" She moved just slightly as though she were trying to gesture. "Geth! Beyond the Veil!"

"As it happens, I can believe it."

"I activated the tower's defences. I knew the barrier curtains would keep them out." She twitched a little again. "When I turned it on, I must have hit something I wasn't supposed to. I was trapped in here. You must get me out. Please."

"We'll find some way to help you," Shepard assured.

"There is a control in here that should deactivate this thing. You'll have to find some way past the barrier curtain. That's the tricky part. The defences cannot be shut off from the outside. I don't know how you'll get in here."

"We'll find something. Hang in there." Kaidan promptly winced, and both Garrus and Shepard turned to look at him. "Sorry, it was an accident."

"Be careful." She called as they started looking around. "There is a krogan in with the geth. They have been trying different ways to get past the barrier."

"We'll get you out of there," Shepard assured.


They got themselves down to the lower levels and there they found a mining laser.

"We could use this mining laser to get through," said Shepard. "Of course, that would destabilise the entire structure."

"I don't see any other options, Commander," said Kaidan.

"He's right, every second we waste means that the geth get closer to the Doctor," Garrus agreed.

Shepard nodded and press the button and then he quickly went to cover.


They found an elevator platform on the other side of the tunnel the mining laser had made. A few moments later, they'd found the asari again.

"How…" With effort, she managed to look over her shoulder at them. "How did you get in here? I didn't think there was anyway past the barrier!"

"We blasted through with the mining laser." He started towards the control unit.

"Of course. Yes. That makes sense." Her voice was doubtful. "Please…" She managed to point. "Get me out of here before more geth arrive. That button over there should shut down this containment field." He hit the button, and she collapsed with a loud "ooff!"

Kaidan immediately went towards her, medical kit in hand. "Any idea how we get out of this place?"

She let him check her over, but it appeared she was undamaged. "There is an elevator back in the center of the tower. At least, I think it's an elevator. It should take us out of here. Come on!" Liara led them back towards the platform.

"I—" Liara took a deep breath. "I still cannot believe all this. Why would the geth come after me? Do you think Benezia's involved?"

"Saren's looking for the conduit." Kaidan replaced his medical kit. As near as he could tell, there was nothing wrong a hot meal and some sleep wouldn't fix. "You're a Prothean expert. He probably wants you to help him find it."

"The Conduit? But I don't know—" She cut off as the whole area suddenly shook.

"What was that?" Garrus looked around.

"These ruins aren't stable. That mining laser must have triggered a seismic event."

"That was always a risk," said Shepard.

Liara went to the platform controls. "We have to hurry. The whole place is caving in!"

"Joker!" Shepard hit his communicator. "Get the Normandy airborne and lock in on my signal. On the double, mister!"

"Aye, aye, Commander. Secure and aweigh. ETA eight minutes."

"Not much margin for error." Kaidan shook his head.


They reached the top just in time to find a krogan. Shepard only wished that he brought Wrex with them. The krogan walked towards them. "Surrender. Or don't. That would be more fun."

Shepard couldn't believe that he wanted a fight while ruins crumbled around them. "In case you didn't notice, this place is falling apart."

The krogan hefts his rifle. "Exhilarating, isn't it?" He then took a step forward. "Thanks for getting rid of those energy fields for us. Hand the doctor over."

"Whatever it is you want, you're not getting it from me," said Liara.

"Is this really the time?" said Shepard gesturing to the ceiling.

"The atmosphere is perfect for a life and death struggle!" He then turned the geth. "Kill them. Spare the asari if you can. If not, doesn't matter."

The krogan then charged at them and the geth open fired. They all quickly ran for cover and Shepard fired a few shots from his rifle at the krogan, but it didn't look as if it had much effect. However, Liara assisted a great deal by using her biotic power to slam the geth into the walls.

Shepard, Kaidan and Garrus then fired unison at the krogan and he toppled over as slugs penetrated his scaly armour.


Another of the barrier curtains. Shepard was about to yell for them to find another way around when the whole place shook again and the barrier vanished. Shepard wasn't entirely sure whether I was actually a good thing or a bad thing. "Move! Move! Move!"

He saw Liara try to use her biotics, and stumble. Kaidan picked up the slack, adjusting the trajectory of a rock that was heading towards them. Impressive. Shepard picked Liara up and got her moving again as they headed up the shaking scaffolding.

They were barely out of the tunnel when it began to wrench and twist. That had cut things a little closer than he'd liked. The scaffolding was still shaking, and the platform swayed back and forth. Joker brought the Normandy in low.

Garrus jumped onto the Normandy's rear hatch door, and turned towards him. Shepard threw Liara to him, and the turian caught her, pulling her further into the ship and out of harm's way. Kaidan followed, turning back as soon as he landed. Shepard leaped onto the ship beside him as the platform collapsed. Kaidan put a steadying hand on his arm as debris spewed out of collapsing tunnel, and he saw the telltale blue of a biotic barrier shielding them. "Joker, we're clear. Go!"


"Too close, Commander." Joker's voice came over the communicator as they regrouped in the debriefing room. "Ten more seconds and we would've been swimming in molten sulphur. The Normandy isn't equipped to land in exploding volcanoes. They tend to fry our sensors and melt our hull. Just for future reference."

Liara looked up, her face appalled. "We almost died out there and your pilot is making jokes?"

"Joker pulled our asses out of there. I think he's in the right to a few bad jokes."

"I see. It must be a human thing." Liara sat down rather heavily in one of the chairs. "I don't have a lot of experience dealing with your species, Commander."

Tali, bouncing a bit as she entered, sat down in the chair next to Garrus. Wrex sat in the chair next to Liara, giving her a suspicious look. There again, he looked at everyone with the same manner.

Liara continued talking. "But I am grateful to you. You saved my life back there. And not just from the volcano. Those geth would have killed me. Or dragged me off to Saren."

Kaidan leaned forward. "What did Saren want with you? Do you know something about the Conduit?"

She waved her hands as she spoke. "Only that it was somehow connected to the Prothean extinction. That is my real area of expertise. I have spent the past fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them."

He knew asari lived longer than humans, but… "How old are you, exactly?"

Apparently asari blush purple. "I hate to admit it, but I am only a hundred and six."

"Damn!" Ashley's eyes bugged out of her head a little. "I hope I look that good when I'm your age."

"A century may seem like a long time to a short-lived species like yours. But among the asari, I am barely considered more than a child." She set her hands on her knees. "That is why my research has not received the attention it deserves. Because of my youth, other asari scholars tend to dismiss my theories on what happened to the Protheans."

"I've got my own theory about why the Protheans disappeared." The images from the beacon were trying to push their way in again.

"With all due respect, Commander, I have heard every theory out there. The problem is finding evidence to support them. The Protheans left remarkably little behind." Liara looked around the room. "It is almost as if someone did not want the mystery solved. It's like someone came along after the Protheans were gone and cleansed the galaxy of clues." She gestured like a professor lecturing a hall full of students. "But here is the incredible part. According to my findings, the Protheans were not the first galactic civilization to mysteriously vanish. This cycle began long before them."

Shepard wasn't sure if that made the situation better or worse. "Where'd you come up with this theory? I thought there wasn't any evidence."

She started talking about subtle patterns. While she didn't offer any actual evidence, he got the sense that she knew what she was talking about and not just going on a hunch. And that was enough for him at the moment.

"If the Protheans weren't the first, then who was?"

Liara shook her head. "I don't know. There is barely any evidence on the Protheans. Even less on those who came before them. I can prove my theory. But I know I'm right! The galaxy is built on a cycle of extinction. Each time a great civilization rises up, it is suddenly and violently cast down. Only ruins survive. The Protheans rose up from a single world until their empire spanned the entire galaxy. Yet even they climbed to the top on the remains of those who came before. Their greatest achievements—the mass relays and the Citadel—are based on the technology of those who came before them. And then, like all the other forgotten civilizations throughout galactic history, the Protheans disappeared. I have dedicated my life to figuring out why."

"They were wiped out by a race of sentient machines," said Shepard plainly. "The Reapers."

"The—" She sputtered a little when she turned towards him. "The Reapers? But I have never heard of—" She blinked. "How do you know this? What evidence do you have?"

"There was a damaged Prothean beacon on Eden Prime. It burned a vision into my brain." The vision tried to crawl back, like it did every time he thought about it. "I'm still trying to sort out what it all means."

"Visions? Yes…" She bit her lip and tilted her head before nodding. "That makes sense. The beacons were designed to transmit information into the mind of the user. Finding one that still works is extremely rare." She shook her head. "No wonder the geth attacked Eden Prime. The chance to acquire a working beacon—even a badly damaged one—is worth almost any risk. But the beacons were only programmed to interact with Prothean physiology. Whatever information you received would have been confused, unclear." She had a remarkable gift for understatement. "I am amazed you were able to make sense of it at all. A lesser mind would have been utterly destroyed by the process. You must be remarkably strong-willed, Commander."

Ashley cut off the lecture. "This isn't helping us find Saren. Or the Conduit."

"Of course. You are right. I am sorry. My scientific curiosity got the better of me. Unfortunately, I do not have any information that could help you find the Conduit. Or Saren."

And yet the geth had been after her for a reason. "I don't know why Saren wanted you out of the picture. But I think we'll be a lot better off if we bring you along."

"Thank you, Commander." She stood. "Saren might come after me again. I cannot think of anywhere safer to be than here on your ship. And my knowledge of the Protheans might be useful later on."

Wrex shrugged. "And her biotics will come in handy when the fighting starts."

Shepard nodded. "Good to have you on the team, Liara."

"Thank you, Commander. I am very gratef—" She swayed, and he caught her before she fell. "Whoa. I am afraid I am feeling a bit light-headed."

Kaidan immediately stood. "When was the last time you ate? Or slept? Dr. Chakwas should take a look at you."

"It is probably mental exhaustion, coupled with the shock of discovering the Protheans' true fate. I need some time to process all this." She nodded. "Still, it could not hurt to be examined by a medical professional. It will give me the chance to think things over. Are we finished here, Commander?"

"We can talk again after you've seen the doctor. The rest of you…" He looked around the room. "Dismissed!"

"Mission reports are filed, Commander. You want me to patch you through to the Council?"

"Patch them through, Joker." He turned to face the holodisplay.

"Setting up the link now, Commander."

The Asari Councillor spoke first. "We've received your report, Commander. I understand Dr. T'Soni is on the Normandy."

The Turian Councillor's eyes narrowed. "I assume you're taking the necessary security precautions?"

"Liara's on our side," Shepard assured. "The geth try to kill her."

"Benezia would never allow Saren to kill her daughter." The Asari Councillor shook her head.

"Maybe she doesn't know." The Salarian Councillor tapped his chin.

"Or maybe we don't know her." The Turian Councillor shook his head. "We never expected she could become a traitor."

"At least the mission was a success." The Salarian nodded.

"Apart from the utter destruction of a major Prothean ruin. Was that really necessary, Shepard?" The Turian glared.

"The geth were crawling all over those ruins," said Shepard narrowing his eyes. "We were lucky to make it out alive."

"Of course, Commander." The Salarian nodded. "The mission must always take priority."

"Good luck, Commander." The Asari actually smiled. "Remember, we're all counting on you."


"Commander, are you coming to check up on me?"

Shepard nodded to Liara. "You look much better. How are you feeling?"

"Dr. Chakwas assures me I'm going to be fine. I was impressed with her knowledge of asari physiology."

"You're in good hands. Dr. Chakwas knows what she's doing."

Liara twisted her hands together. "I never properly thanked you for saving me from the geth, Commander. If you hadn't shown up…"

"I'm just glad we got there in time."

"So am I." She took a deep breath. "I know you took a chance bringing me aboard this ship. I have seen the way your crew looks at me. They do not trust me." She straightened her spine. "But I am not like Benezia. I will do whatever I can to help you stop Saren. I promise."

"Don't worry, Liara." He nodded to her. "I know you won't let me down."

She smiled brightly. "It means a lot to hear you say that, Commander. Thank you."

"Tell me about yourself, Liara." He leaned on the bulkhead a couple feet from her.

"Me?" She blinked. "I am afraid I am not very interesting, Commander. I spend most of my time on remote digs, unearthing mundane items buried in long-forgotten Prothean ruins."

Shepard imagined looking for such ruins was usually dangerous. "Sounds dangerous. And lonely."

"Sometimes I would run afoul of and ingenious life-forms, or stumble across small band of mercenaries or privateers. But I was always careful. Until the geth followed me to Artemis Tau, I never found myself in a situation my biotics could not handle. As for the solitude, well, that is one aspect that most appeals to me. Sometimes, I just need to get away from other people."

"You don't like other people?"

"I suppose it comes from becoming a Matriarch's daughter," Liara shrugged. "People expect me to follow in Benezia's footsteps. They wanted me to become a leader of our people. Matriarch's guide their followers into the future; they seek the truth of what it is yet to come. Maybe that's why I became so interested in the secrets of the past. It sounds so foolish when I said out loud. It sounds like I became an archaeologist simply to spite Benezia."

"All children rebel against their parents. It's a natural part of growing up," said Shepard remembering how he used to rebel against his father.

Liara laughed. "You share the wisdoms of the Matriarch's, Shepard. That is exactly what Benezia said when I told her of my decision. But there was more to it than that. I felt drawn to the past. The Protheans were these wondrous mysterious figures. I wanted to know everything about them. That is why I find you so fascinating. You are marked by the beacon on Eden Prime; you are touched by working Prothean technology!

"You sound like you want to dissect me in a lab somewhere."

"What?" Her eyes widened. "No. I did not mean to insinuate—" She held up her hands. "Ah, I never meant to offend you, Shepard. I only meant that you would be an interesting specimen for an in-depth study. No—" She frantically shook her head. "That's even worse!"

It was actually a bit difficult not to start laughing. "Calm down, Liara. I was only joking."

"Joking?" Liara turned purple. "Oh, by the Goddess. How could I be so dense? You must think I am a complete and utter fool." She rubbed her forehead. "Now you know why I prefer to spend my time in the field with data disks and computers. I always seem to say something embarrassing around other people. Please…" She looked up at him. "Just pretend this conversation never happened."

"I should go," said Shepard.

"Goodbye, Shepard."


Shepard went to talk to Ashley see what her opinion was on the last mission.

"What your opinion on the last mission?" Shepard asked.

"Not sure I buy Dr. T'Soni's story," said Ashley folding her arms. "About her and her mom not talking. Their family, right?"

"I think she's being straight with us," said Shepard. "Or, at least, I don't think she lies very often."

Ashley nodded. "Yeah, she's probably really bad at it. Too bad those ruins got destroyed. I mean, they last thousands of years. That's impressive."


"Tali, everything alright?" It was hard to read expressions with the envirosuit, but she looked to be a few energy levels less than her usual self.

"I don't know." She looked up from where she was fiddling with an omnitool. "Your ship is amazing, and your crew's been really great to me. Especially your chief engineer. But I just feel…" She shook her head. "Out of place. The Normandy runs so smooth it feels like we're not even moving. And the engines are so quiet. How do you sleep at night?"

He blinked. "The silence wakes you up?"

"Back on the flotilla, the last thing you want to hear is silence. It means an engine's died or an air filter's shut down." She looked around, sitting back in her chair. "I guess you don't have to worry about that here, but old habits die hard." She let out a sighing sound. At least he assumed that was what it was, the envirosuit made it a bit hard to tell. "But it's more than just the silence. This ship feels so empty; it's like half the crew is missing. Back home, I couldn't wait to go on my Pilgrimage. I couldn't wait to get away from the crowds. Now that I'm out here, I kind of miss them."

Shepard examined the work she was doing to the omnitool. "Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until it's gone."

"That's true," Tail nodded. "I'm starting to wonder if that's what the Pilgrimage is really about. It's given me a whole new perspective on my people and culture." She picked up the microwelder again. "You know, there's always a few who go on their Pilgrimages and never return. I always assumed something bad happened to them, but maybe they just wanted a different life."

"You do plan to return to the Migrant Fleet, right?" Shepard asked.

"I could never abandon my people, Shepard. I will go back eventually. But we have to stop Saren first. Otherwise, I might not have a home to get back to."


"Anything you need, Commander?"

"Just trying to get a sense of where the crew's at. Thought?"

"Is this an official evaluation, Commander? Or off the record?"

"Alenko, when it's just you and me, you can consider it off the record."

"That a generous attitude," said Kaidan as they sat down. "Okay. I think there's something wrong with all this. This Saren is looking for records on some kind of galactic extinction. But we can't get backup from the Council?"

He slammed his fist on the table and then looked apologetically at Shepard. "Sorry, Commander. There's writing on the wall, but someone isn't reading it."

Shepard nodded. "The Council doesn't want to believe anything's wrong. I'd call it human nature, but…"

Kaidan nodded. "I hear ya. I—it seems like a group that's been around as long as the Council should see this coming. Sorry if I got to informal. Protocol wasn't a big focus back in BAaT."

"Tell me about it."

They cited relax and he began to tell Shepard about Jump Zero. Shepard encouraged him to speak freely. "There were other kids in the same boat, right? At least you weren't alone out there."

"That's true." Kaidan shrugged. "We did have a little circle that'd get together every night before lights-out. We didn't have much to do, though. It was a research platform then, and Conatix kept Jump Zero off the extranet. To prevent leaks."

"Then you must've had plenty of time to get to know each other."

"Yeah. We'd sit around and bull every night after dinner. Play cards or network games." He smiled fondly at a couple of the memories. "There was this girl named Rahna who had a little circle grow up around her. She was from Turkey. Her family was very rich. But she was smart, and charming as hell. Beautiful, but not stuck up about it."

"Sounds like she was on specialty you." Shepard raised an eyebrow.

"She was. Maybe she felt the same, but…" Kaidan ducked his head. "Things never fell together. Training. You know."

"Jump Zero's a long way from home. What was it like?"

"The grand Gateway to humanity looks a lot better in the vids. But that my own baggage, Commander. No bearing on this."

"Alenko, there's no regulation that says you can't be friends with your commander."

"I appreciate that, Commander. I just don't want you to think that I'm a—a whiner. Besides, I've got my past squared away."

"So what your opinion on the last mission?" Shepard asked.

"Dr. T'soni? Seems like a sweet girl. Easy on the eyes." He quickly straightened up when he saw the look on Shepard's face. "I mean, if you like the bookish sort."

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "Any intentions there, Lieutenant?"

"No, Commander. Just art appreciation."