It seems that email alerts are broken on the site, but I'm adding the chapter anyway. Hopefully they get it fixed soon...
This was a pretty fun chapter to write, and again, is different from the game. Hope you enjoy! And remember, comments are like crack ;)
Thessia's entire landscape was like a peaceful garden, overflowing with sleek architecture and bountiful foliage. The fact that even Miranda was enjoying the view brought a smile to Shepard's face. James, on the other hand, was admiring a much different view as his eyes darted around to all the blue beauties that passed by them.
"Nice view, huh James?" Shepard inquired teasingly.
The Lieutenant grinned like he'd just been found with his hands in the cookie jar. "Hell yeah. But it's nothing compared to being at your six."
She simply shook her head in response. James had proven to be quite the flirt. And, while it didn't make her feel uncomfortable, she didn't want to give the wrong impression. He was handsome enough, that was for certain. However, she just wasn't interested.
Her attention snapped towards two armored asari when one of them addressed her with a strong feminine voice. "Commander Shepard?"
"That's me," she responded, glancing between the almost identical pair.
"The Assembly will see you now," the other asari informed her, her voice much softer than the first.
Shepard presented her a look that bordered on displeasure. "Assembly?"
"Yes, Commander. We have no elected government here on Thessia, so, an assembly comprised of the people will be reviewing your case."
"I see." So that was why she couldn't find any information on the asari government structure… But perhaps, this could work to her advantage. She found it much easier to appeal to the people rather than dance around all the political bullshit.
"Shall we go?" asked the stronger voiced of the two.
"I'm ready," the Commander replied determinately.
Shepard was relieved when the Assembly was finally over. It seemed like it had taken hours before they were able to come to an agreement. Many opposed involving themselves in the war, foolishly believing that they would be spared. But thankfully, even more saw the truth of the situation; that the Reapers would not stop until all galactic life had been wiped out. With the help of these voices, Shepard was able to convince the remainder in understanding the need to work together. In the end, they agreed to pledge Thessia's fleet to the cause.
"I don't know how you do it, Shepard," Miranda admitted when they were, once again, outside.
"It's called charisma. If you ask nicely maybe the Commander will lend you some," James commented.
Miranda's smile faded to a scowl. "Screw you, Lieutenant."
James laughed in response. "Hey no thanks, Ice Princess. I might catch cold."
"Will you two stop," Shepard bit out. They had just achieved another imperative war asset and their bickering was ruining the mood.
"Commander Shepard?" A soothing voice interrupted her thoughts, drawing her attention to a lithe, deep-blue asari. Her eyes burned into like hot sapphires.
"Yes?" she asked, caught off guard by the asari's intense gaze and she was presented with a smile that could have parted waters.
"Commander, I am Arus, priestess at the temple of the goddess Athame. The high priestess Nylessa desires your presence."
"Okay, let's go now," came her response. How could she say no?
The temple of Athame was huge, spanning what seemed a good three-hundred yards in every direction. Leaving James and Miranda outside, per Arus's request, Shepard followed close behind the exquisitely-colored asari. She only led her through half of the temple before making a hard right into what seemed like living quarters. The room they entered was of modest size, but beautifully adorned with fresh, colorful blooms. The scent of sweet flowers and incense invaded her senses, sending her into a sudden feeling of calm. A lavender-colored asari, dressed in deep purple and blue robes, rose from her meditation cushion. When she turned to face her, she took Shepard's breath away. While asari were typically attractive as it was, it seemed they had been hoarding their most magnificent beauties away in this temple. Bright aqua eyes, the color of Earth's tropical waters, peered back at her with peaceful admiration.
"Welcome, Commander. I have heard much about you. I am the high priestess Nylessa." Her supple voice was like a spring breeze that caressed through to her core.
"Do you need help with something?" Shepard asked, ignoring the sensation.
Nylessa smiled, moving closer so that she was now only inches away from the armored woman. "Not at all," she said, her voice like a lovely song. "I would actually like to help you, Commander." She nodded briefly at Arus, who quickly removed herself from the room.
"Me?" Shepard asked, perplexed.
"Yes." The asari encompassed her hands around those of the Commander. "When I felt your presence here on Thessia, I could sense that you were filled with turmoil."
"You sensed me?"
"As Athame's priestesses, we are able to feel our surroundings in ways that most cannot. It is a gift that only the chosen possess."
"That's quite the skill."
The purple-skinned asari nodded. "However, it doesn't truly allow us to share another's thoughts and experiences. To do this we must join with another, as other asari do. However, unlike most of our race, I also have the ability to glimpse into your future using this process."
Shepard raised an eyebrow at the woman. She seemed awfully eager to share such information. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Allow me to join with you, Shepard. I can ease the stress that your journey has placed upon you, for a time, and present you with advice that will aid you in what's to come."
"You want to join with me?" She recalled the few times that she had joined with Liara and that one time with Shiala, on Feros. They had all been intense connections that left her with a sense of ease when the joining was complete.
"Yes. You have the power to destroy those that threaten our galaxy. Let me lend what little assistance I can in this fight."
"Okay," Shepard said, still somewhat unsure.
Nylessa slipped her arms around the other woman, drawing her in close. In turn, Shepard encircled the asari's waist with armored limbs. She let her head come to lightly rest against the priestess's shoulder. She smelled of a springtime rain. However, this gradually faded into the aroma of a rolling storm as the purple haze of biotics began to surround them.
"Embrace Eternity," Nylessa whispered into her ear.
Memories of her past flipped through her mind like a slideshow; memories that should have stirred up a wide range of difficult emotions. However, through even the most anguishing memories, she felt at ease. Recollections of Akuze and of Kaidan on Virmire brought her no pain, only peace and acceptance for events that could only remain unchanged. When the images of her past finally ceased, her mind began to whirl as if it was caught up in the heat of passion. For a while she had forgotten where she was and in whose arms she was being held. The sensuality of the joining was more than she'd ever imagined. It was as if the asari was reaching out and caressing each nerve in her body all at once, easing her entirety.
"Shepard…" the woman's voice was like satin against her skin. "Your path will be a difficult one. There will be many sacrifices. Pain will be no stranger to you." Even as lavender lips said the words, Shepard felt no fear or discontent. "But in the end, your strength and love will help you to overcome the challenges that await you. But you cannot do it alone. You have many who wish to aid you. Let them. Find strength in them."
The faces of her friends breathed into her mind. Those that would stick with her through the end. Those that have sworn to follow her into hell and back.
The priestess was silent for a few moments as she reached deeper into her partner's mind. When she finally spoke, her voice held tones of sorrow. "You have a heartache that plagues you. You fear that your time could end at any moment, therefore leaving those you love with heartache. Let go of that fear, Shepard. Love only makes us stronger when overcoming the most impossible odds."
Her body tingled in ways she'd never before felt as Nylessa gradually released their minds from the joining. It had taken a few moments for her vision to readjust and take in her surroundings. The small room felt must larger now and visually clearer. The scent of the fresh flowers that adorned the room filled her senses, nearly bringing her to a sensational high. Letting her hands slip from the human's shoulders, the asari stepped back just enough so she could peer into widening grey eyes.
"I would like to give you one more thing…" The priestess removed a medallion from around her neck and slipped it over the other woman's head.
Shepard scooped up the medallion in her hand. It was cool to the touch; dark in color with a greenish opalescent sheen. Etched into its surface was an alien yet oddly familiar language. Translating the text, she read it out loud. "Walk into the darkness. Emerge with the light."
"You can read the text!" the priestess said excitedly. "This knowledge must have come to you by way of the beacon I'd seen in your memories."
"Do you know what it means?" Shepard asked quizzically.
"I do not. I only know that it has been passed down from priestess to priestess for many thousands of years, meant to find its way to the one who would finally put an end to this cycle of destruction. May it protect you in the darkest times."
"Thank you, Nylessa."
The asari lightly caressed the Commander's face with a lavender hand. "Be well, Shepard. We will not meet again." Her words held a tinge of bittersweet sorrow as she wished the other woman farewell.
James groaned. "How much longer is she gonna be?"
"You miss her already? She's been gone for only twenty minutes." Miranda smirked when he scrunched his face at her.
"Actually I'm just afraid you'll cast some evil spell on me," he retorted.
"What is your problem with me, Lieutenant?" Miranda asked, pushing herself away from the balcony wall to face him.
"You're Cerberus."
She scowled. "Not anymore."
"That's like saying 'I don't eat cute little puppies anymore'."
"What?" she questioned, narrowing her eyes.
"Do you know what kind of messes I had to clean up after Cerberus's little… experiments?" He was in her face now, anger and disgust shadowing his features. "Have you seen the sick things they've done to, not only the aliens, but our own people?"
"Not all of Cerberus is corrupt. If not for my work on the Lazarus project, Shepard wouldn't even be here," she pointed out. "We did good things."
"Yeah I've heard that. But that doesn't make up for all the other shit! All the lives people like you have taken for the sake of experiments."
Miranda suddenly began to feel dizzy. Her face paled and she felt a knot in her stomach twist significantly. When she realized what she was about to do, her eyes widened. She successfully held back one wretch as she bolted for the balcony ledge. Leaning over the waist-high wall, she let loose over the side.
"Gross..." James couldn't decide whether to go help her or not. Instead, he just rubbed his head undecidedly. "Ah fuck. Hey, look, I'm sorry…"
Her only response was another heave over the edge.
"Miranda? You alright?" Shepard inquired with concern as she sprinted from the temple towards the other woman. "James what happened?"
"Uh. I-uh… Well." He stumbled over plethora the excuses forming in his head.
"I'm fine, Shepard," Miranda assured when she had come up for air. "Just got a little sick is all."
"Let's get you to Chakwas," Shepard said, taking the woman by the shoulders to lead her back to the Normandy.
Shepard, James, and Jacob all paced outside the med bay waiting to find out what had come over Miranda. James seemed to feel a bit guilty, still under the impression that he'd caused her to vomit by making her upset. Jacob, upon hearing about what happened, seemed genuinely concerned and a bit distressed. It caused her to wonder if there was anything more going on between them. Shepard stared at the med bay door, willing Chakwas to emerge and tell her the snooty brunette was alright. For the life of her, she couldn't imagine that any normal sickness would have infected those perfect genes. Which was precisely the reason why she feared it could be something concerning.
Shepard jumped when the doctor finally came through the door to speak with them. "What's wrong? Is Miranda okay?" Shepard questioned impatiently.
The doctor smiled. "She's fine… for a pregnant woman."
All three soldiers gasped simultaneously.
"Pregnant?" Jacob repeated in a low voice. He shook his head in disbelief. "Am I-?"
Chakwas nodded. "That's what she says. You can go in to see her whenever you're ready."
When the doctor was gone, James grinned at the other man. "Congratulations man!" Jacob didn't respond; just stood in silent astonishment.
"You okay?" Shepard asked him.
"I'm fine," he replied with a sigh. "Miranda and I... We'd only been playing it casual. But now…" He sighed again in exasperation. "Miranda was told she could never get pregnant."
"What are you going to do?"
After a few moments Jacob straightened, a determined look on his face. "I'm going to be a better father than mine ever was. If she'll have me that is…" he muttered, glancing at the med bay door.
"Why don't you go talk to her?" she encouraged him.
"Good idea." He turned and made for the med bay on hurried feet.
As she watched him slip through the door Shepard silently hoped that those two would be able to find some happiness before everything went to hell. And if they survived… well, maybe they would name it after her. The thought brought a slight smile to her lips.
