Hello, well I can't sleep so I thought I'd type up this next chapter for you guys.
It's been a few days since my last chapter and a lot has been going on. Mostly personal stuff that I don't want to bore you with so I won't talk about it.
Anyways another long one (YAY!) so I hope you guys enjoy it.
See you on the other side.
Human Afterall
April 7, 2183
SSV Normandy - Bridge - Commander Shepard - 1800 hours
"Shepard, the council would like to speak with you." Joker informed me.
"Thanks Joker, I'll take it in the comm room." I walked back towards the CIC and into the comm room.
"Commander, we have received an update that I think you'll be interested in." said Councilor Tevos.
There was a silence on both sides before the asari councilor continued, "We received a report from our STG branch and they say that they have spotted Matriarch Benezia on Noveria."
"Noveria?" This might be our big break. "Any idea why she might be there?"
"Unfortunately, no. We have instructed our agents to keep their distance. We do not want Benezia to know that we are there. I would suggest you head there as soon as possible."
"I agree. I'll send the coordinates to my pilot. Thank you for the information."
I went to leave but the councilor called my name. "Commander! May I remind you that Lady Benezia is a Matriarch and a very powerful asari. She has her own squad of asari commandos. Use extreme caution when you confront her."
"Thank you for the tip."
"Good luck Shepard, may fortune smile upon you." The councilors bowed before they disconnected the conversation.
I walked towards the bridge to talk to joker.
"What was that about?" he asked.
"The council told me that the Matriarch was on Noveria. Joker I want to head straight there. We can come back to the Citadel once we're done."
"Aww I was already planning to hang out with a couple of asari over at Flux. Such a buzz kill commander!"
I raised my eyebrows at my pilot. "You? Into asari?"
Joker laughed and said, "I'm on my own mission commander. I want to find out if their tentacles move! Can you ask Liara for me?"
"What? Why would I do that?" I asked.
"Well you know... You two are uh...together right?" he asked.
"Wh- Joker that is none of your business!" I quickly responded. "Just get us to noveria" I demanded.
"Aye aye ma'am."
I stormed out of the bridge and headed downstairs towards my quarters, locking the door behind me.
You love her
"No I don't!"
Then why so touchy?
In frustration, I ran my fingers through my hair. "Shut up!"
You think about her 24/7. Liara is always on your mind. You want to hold her, have her hold you. Kiss her.
"Maybe when this is ov- Nonono I can't. I shouldn't! She's an asari!"
Just admit it. You love her.
My conscious was right. I am in love with her. But there was one problem. Benezia. I frowned at the revelation that I had to confront the Matriarch. I had just gotten to know Liara. She had stolen my heart with her innocence. She was smart, talented, and extremely beautiful. Everytime I look at those blue eyes, all of my troubles and responsibilities seem to fade away like a cure. If I had the time, I would count every single freckle on her body. But I couldn't shake the fact that her mom might have to die. She allied herself with Saren. Surely the council won't imprison her. If there was one thing I knew for sure: Liara was not going to join me on Noveria. I didn't want her to see her mother die by my hands. I didn't want her to hate me for it.
I heard someone gently knock on my door.
"Who is it?" I asked loudly.
"Its Liara. May I come in?"
I took a deep breath and unlocked the door.
"Hello Liara. Please come in." I waved her inside. "Can I get you something? Water? Beer?"
"Water is fine commander. Thank you." She smiled and my heart melted.
"Liara we've been over this. You don't have to call me by my rank." I walked over my personal fridge and got a bottle of water and handed it to her. "Here you go."
Liara went over to reach for the bottle. I wanted to just move my index finger just a few centimeters so I could touch her skin but she quickly took the bottle from my grasp.
"Thank you...Shepard." Never has anyone said my name so softly before. It made me smile.
"What can I do for you?" I asked as I sat on the edge of the bed, patting the spot next to me so Liara could take sit by me.
Liara nervously complied. Her hands interlocked with one another and rested on her lap.
"I..." she began, turning her body towards me. Her legs just barely touching mine. Her warmth was comforting. "I just spoke with Joker and he told me that my mother was on Noveria." It came out more of a question than a statement. "With your permission I would like to go with you."
I was taken by surprise. "What? Why?" I asked.
"Why? Be-because Shepard! I need to know. I need to know why my mother would ally herself with such a monster! I have not spoken to her for many years but I know her. She would never join such a cause on her own free will. I just know it!" She grabbed one of my hands. I jolted in surprised and looked down on my hands. They feel so warm. I looked into her eyes, expressing complete sadness.
"Please Shepard. I-I beg you. Please. I need this." She began shedding tears.
Please don't cry. I tried to say. What should I do? Just say yes? Should I hold her? Don't say anything? I did the one thing I could do. I proceeded to hold her. She didn't push me away, she cried even more. She dug her face on my chest, sobbing like a schoolgirl who had her heart broken by a crush.
"Liara please don't cry. I hate seeing you like this." The more I told her to stop crying, the more she did it. My shirt started getting wet from her tears but I didn't care. "Alright. I don't think this is a wise but you to come with me."
Her waterworks slowed but she could barely speak. "R-really?" she asked.
"Yes. Just as long," I cupped her chin with my index finger, "as you stop crying. I hate seeing my favorite doctor crying." I smiled at her, wiping her tears.
Her cheeks flushed a light purple and smiled. "Thank you Shepard. I won't forget this."
I have a feeling that you might be right doctor. I frowned.
"Alright. Go get some rest, we will be arriving tomorrow."
"Ok." she said softly and she pulled away from our embrace.
Don't go! I wanted to say but I didn't have the courage to say it. There was a slight hesitation from the asari. I got the feeling that she wanted to stay but shook her head and left. As the doors closed, I crashed backwards into the bed, swooning like a schoolgirl.
When this is over, we are going to have a long chat.
April 8, 2183
Noveria - Peak 15 - Commander Alonso - 1000 hours
We have arrived at peak 15. I'm thankful I put on some thermal under-armor before the mission. I probably would have frozen to death. I'm also thankful that Jane hadn't driven off a cliff along the winding road.
"Jane, next time I'm driving." I protested.
"Oh come on Charlie." She looked for encouraging support. "I'm not that bad right? Liara?"
Liara didn't know what to say, "Well I-" she paused, pressing for forehand to her forehead. "I think it's best if I avoid answering that question Shepard."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "See? Even your girlfriend says you're bad."
Both Jane and Liara blushed and said in unison, "What? I'm not her girlfriend!"
Liara paused for a few seconds before adding, "Is it that obvious comman-"
"Liara" Jane interrupted, glaring at the asari doctor.
"Yes Shepard?"
"Zip it."
Liara, Garrus, Jane, Tali and I headed inside the facility and we discovered that the research group stationed here was developing some kind of weapon.
"The station's power is off Commander. Looks like it's from the inside." Tali scanned nearby computers.
The place was pitch black, luckily, that wasn't much of a problem as our weapons had built-in flashlights. Still, I had a real bad feeling about this.
"Something's wrong." Liara expressed her worry aloud.
We followed Jane through the next room, where it looks like there is some sort of hub. Tali went to work, trying to repair a VI. Apparently, the VI shut down due to a 'contamination leak' and we had to repair the station in order to get to the hot labs, where Matriarch Benezia was last spotted.
"What the hell are those!" Garrus called out as these bugs came out of the vents and attacked us.
"I don't know but kill them!" I ordered. One bug threw this green projectile towards me but I managed to move out of the way. "Be careful! These things shoot out some sort of acidic substance." I yelled out as I saw the wall completely melt from the bug's substance. I flared my biotics and lifted the bugs from the ground. Soon after, the squad mowed down on the bugs.
"Shepard! Those are rachni!" Wrex's voice came into the intercom as Jane described the creatures.
Rachni? This isn't good!
"We have to keep moving." Garrus was right. Any time wasted could be fatal. If the rachni are somehow involved with Saren and Lady Benezia, then the whole galaxy could be in trouble.
Tali and I led the group as we carried the shotguns and they proved to be effective against the bigger rachni.
"Looks clear commander." Tali said as she holstered her rifle. As if on cue, an army of the smaller rachni came out of a vent.
Tali squealed, shouting, "Spiders! Spiders! Spiders!" and retreated, leaving me alone.
Really? I relented a sigh and flared my biotics and punched the metallic floor, causing a shockwave. Within seconds, all of the green, spider-looking rachni exploded.
I walked back towards my squad, covered in green goop. I didn't say a word as I glared at Tali, who had left me just a few seconds ago.
"Commander I-" Tali's voice sounded week and began fidgeting with her hands nervously.
I force myself to smile weakly. "It's alright. Just...Just don't do that again."
Later on...
We have finally created a cure for this bioweapon that Saren is developing. Doctor Zev Cohen will be relieved once we get this to him.
"Doctor, we have the cure." Jane said as we stepped into his med-clinic.
"Thank you so much. Here," The good doctor handed Jane a key card. "This will give you access to the maintenance area. You'll be undetected from Ventralis' men."
Jane and I nodded and proceeded towards the hot labs.
I hope we can convince Lady Benezia to join our cause. I paused to look at Liara. I could tell she was nervous and scared. I can't imagine what she's feeling right now.
We walked inside the hot labs and Lady Benezia was standing in front of a rachni queen. The queen was sealed in a glass box. I would have to guess she was being tortured for something.
"I won't be moved by sympathy, no matter who you bring to this confrontation." Said the matriarch, directing her attention to her daughter.
"Liara is here because she wants to be. Not because I asked her to." Shepard interjected.
"Indeed. Tell me...daughter! What have you told them." There was so much...hate as she mentioned Liara. It was a disgusting sound. The look on Liara was equally heartbreaking.
"Wh- I...What could I say mother! That you would willing to join a monster! I... What could I say!"
"Have you faced an asari commando before? Few humans have." The words from Benezia were cold and evil.
"You're sick! You would kill your own daughter? Why kind of person are you!" I asked. I flared my biotics with rage but was stopped to a halt as Benezia placed our squad in a stasis field while her commandos got into position.
Her commandos were a tough bunch. Adding geth to the mix proved to be even more challenging. Garrus and I got separated from Jane, Tali, and Liara. Within seconds the two of us were being flanked and surrounded by geth and asaris.
"Garrus, I'd suggest you hold onto something. I got an idea."I said.
Garrus nodded and grabbed onto the railing. I waited for them to get closer to me. As soon as they got a couple of feet away, I concentrated on a specific moment that happened to me in the past. I put a barrier bubble up as I prepared to leash my fury on my enemies. The bullets were absorbed, barely making a dent on my barrier. I levitated in the air, curled into a ball and unleashed a power so strong, that it decimated my enemies. I heard asari bones crack and metallic plates rupture. Those that were close enough, turned to ash. Within seconds, the geth and Benezia's commandos were dead.
As I let myself fall gingerly onto the metallic floor, Garrus looked at me with complete shock. His mandibles twitched and his eyes widened like he had seen a ghost.
"What the hell was that?" he said.
I looked over to him and smirked. "Like that? I call it 'extermination'. Not very original but it's the best thing I can think of. Come on" I extended my hand and he took it. "Let's get back to Shepard."
We regrouped with Jane and Liara, huddling over the matriarch's dead body. Shepard looked up with me with sad eyes, as Liara just stared at her mother. Expressionless. Motionless. I went to grab her shoulder but she felt cold, we needed to get out of here.
Shepard stepped aside to tell me that Benezia was able to help us before she died. She was able to give us the location of the Mu Relay. Apparently the Rachni discovered it long ago. Benezia believed that the Mu Relay lead to The Conduit but there are thousands of systems inside the relay. Without a specific planet, we were still sitting ducks. Jane told me that the last thing Benezia said to Liara was the was proud of her "little wing". Poor Liara.
Then I felt sorry for the Matriarch. She tried to force Saren towards a gentler path but ultimately failed. We must avenge her death and the deaths of those on Feros and Eden Prime.
A dead commando jumped us but wasn't a threat. She became the voice of the rachni queen. She began telling us the story of how her species discovered the Mu Relay and how humans discovered her on a derelict ship and brought her to Noveria. Experiments were done on her and her children. Saren wanted an army of obedient Rachni. That bastard! She told us that we must destroy her children. They have been bred to kill under Saren's will. Jane and I both agree that we must destroy the Hot Labs. The queen asked of her fate. Jane had decided that she will let the rachni queen free. We left the room and headed towards the hot lab. We needed to finish this once and for all. We purged the hotlabs, after running through a massive group of rachni.
As we rode the tram back I noticed Jane comforting Liara. She had her arm around the doctor, stroking her hand up and down the Liara's arm. Liara had her head rested on Jane's shoulder, her eyes closed in comfort. I couldn't help but smile. I was glad that Shepard has found someone special. They look great together, I said to myself.
Jane noticed I was looking at her and we both exchanged a nod and a smile.
Back on the Normandy, Shepard seemed to disappear so I took it upon myself to manage the debriefing and talk to the council. The turian and salarian councilor were displeased while Tevos stayed neutral. Well as least she understands me.
"Councilor Valern, don't you dare question Shepard's decisions. I would like to see you try what we do every day! I stand by Shepards decision. Hell, I would have done the exact same thing. The alternative would have been genocide!" Councilor Grumpy had been disappointed that we let the rachni queen go. It wasn't his decision. It was Shepard's.
"The commander is right. Shepard made the right choice." Said Councilor Tevos. "It's a shame about Benezia's death. Please offer my condolences to Doctor T'Soni."
"It would be my pleasure councilor. As for our mission, we still don't know where Saren is. Have there been any updates?"
Tevos shook her head, "No, but we will send any updates as soon as we find it."
"Very well now if you will excuse me, I have to talk to Shepard." The councilors nodded and I disconnected the call.
Where are you?
I had searched the ship from top to bottom. Not one sign of her. I was surprised she wasn't in Liara's quarters.
"Liara have you seen the Shepard?" I asked.
"I'm afraid not. She disappeared once we boarded the Normandy. I'm not sure what has gotten into her."
I let out a grunt and rubbed the back of my neck, "Well thanks. If you see her tell her I would like to talk to her."
"Of course commander." She replied with a weak smile on her face.
I turned to leave but I stopped in my tracks. "Liara.." I said in a soft tone. "I... I'm sorry about your loss. It must be tough and I can't imagine what you're going through. I'm sorry that you had to face her. If you need someone to talk to -besides Jane of course- you can always talk to me. My quarters are always open to you. Councilor Tevos offers her condolences."
"T-Thank you Commander. I appreciate it." Liara's sadness was gone and her face revealed a genuine smile. "You're a good friend and I'm happy to have met both you and Shepard. It's been a pleasure to have gotten to know you both."
"No Liara. The pleasure is all mine. You have something about you that brings the best in people. I'm glad that Shepard sees that as well. I'm glad that the both of you are a couple."
"So you approve?" The oh-so happy Liara suddenly became nervous.
"Absolutely! Jane has never felt this way towards another person. She..." I paused. "She's always been so cautious when it comes to relationships. I don't recall her ever being in a serious relationship with someone but I've only met her known her since she's was 18. I don't think she's ever had time for it. So I'm glad she found you."
"I'm glad she did as well." Liara showed a sign of relief. "Thank you commander. I know she means a lot to you."
"Well I've taken your time. Get some rest doctor. I got to go and find Jane."
"Goodbye Charlie."
After making another unsuccessful sweep of the ship, I decided it was time to go to head to my quarters. As walked in, I noticed a redhead laying down on my bed.
"Where the hell have you been! I've been looking all over for you!" I said.
Jane propped onto her elbows to face me and relied with a smirk, "Apparently not everywhere. I've been here since we boarded."
"I'm getting sick of these games Jane. Even you're girlfriend has been worried about you."
"About that. I'm not her girlfriend. I-" She immediately looked down and continued."I don't even like her."
I raised my eyebrows at her. "What?"
"You heard me! I. Don't. Like. Her."
"You're joking right? I don't believe you one bit." I was getting irritated.
"Yeah? W-well you better believe it! I don't want to have anything to do with her." She said. "Once we are done, I'm sure she will go back to researching dig sites."
"Jane I've never wanted to slap someone so bad in my life!" I waved my arms in frustration. "Are you seriously telling me that whatever that was in the tram was nothing?"
"No-Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying! I was just being polite."
I sighed inwardly and sat by the bed. "Jane," I sat at the edge of my bed, and face my friend. "What's going on?"
Jane sighed in defeat. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" I asked quizzically.
"These feelings are killing me Charlie and I don't know what to do! Every time I look at her... I..." Jane ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. "What's wrong with me?"
"Oh Jane. You really don't know do you?" I couldn't help but chuckle. Shepard is human afterall.
"Know what?" she asked.
Was she really this clueless?
"Jane, you're in love with Liara."
"I-I just don't know if I deserve someone like her." She looked down at her feet. I've never seen her like this.
"You don't deserve her? Jane, look at me." She ignored my request. With a more serious tone I said her name again."Jane." She slowly looked at me with sad puppy eyes. "Jane you saved her from the clutches of death! You did. If you asked me you definitely deserve her."
"But I killed her mom! What girlfriend would ever do that to the woman she loves?" She asked with tears starting to stream down her face.
Then it hit me. "This is what its about? Because you killed her mom then suddenly you don't deserve her? Jane the three of us knew that Benezia had to be stopped. There was no other way. Liara should be grateful that it was you that killed her. If it was someone else she would be devastated. Hell I'm sure she would be plotting some sort of revenge. Liara was with you when it happened. As far as I'm concerned, she's grateful that it was you that killed her. She couldn't do it and I'm sure as hell I couldn't either. The two of you would have been furious if I was the one that killed Benezia. But it was you Shepard," I grabbed her hand, pulling her attention back into my eyes. "You saved Benezia from suffering any more pain. Benezia was able to get free from Saren's control for a couple of minutes and helped us. Liara got closure with her mother and above all else, Liara still trusts you."
"You really think that?" she asked, trying to control the sobs and the waterworks.
"Of course I do. Hell she confessed to me just a few minutes ago that she is in love with you too. She asked if I approved of the relationship. I told her that I approve of course."
"Wait, she loves me?" her sad sobs became happy ones.
"You aren't deaf are you? I'd hate to repeat all that all over again" I said sarcastically. She punched me in the shoulder "Owww!"
"Oh shut up, I barely punched you." She then proceeded to hug me and we both embraced each other for a while.
Finally, Shepard broke the silence. "Thanks Charlie, I needed this."
"Anytime. I just don't want you to do something you're going to regret. Letting Liara go would be a huge mistake."
"I know that now. I won't let her go. Ever."
"Glad to hear it."
Jane wiped her last tears from her face and breathed a big sigh of relief. "You hungry?" she face beamed a loving smile.
"Starving! Lets go see what we can eat." I pulled her from the bed and we headed towards the mess hall, smiling and laughing on our way there.
Happy ending is happy :)
Hope you guys enjoying that chapter
I wasn't sure how the last conversation would end up turning out. Glad it came out even better than I pictured it.
I'm starting to wonder how long this story will be. I've already done Feros and Noveria with Virmire and Ilos still to come.
I would like to have at least 15 chapters done but I don't know.
I'm looking at my brainstorm notes and I have something written down that I'm actually anxious to write so there's one chapter plus the two main missions.
I think I can do it :)
If you guys want a specific mission let me know and I'll see if I can work it into the story.
Let me know what you guys think!
CommanderHawk667 right? I was hoping for a little something but nada, zip! :'( I wouldn't know about Kaidan though because I killed him in all my ME1 playthroughs :p
