(Ben Shepard)
After taking a few minutes to relax after his meeting with the crew, Ben was ready to talk to the Council. As the holographs popped up Ben prepared to answer any of their questions. Valern said, "I understand that Dr. T'soni is on the Normandy. She is safe and comfortable, I hope?" With a reassuring nod Ben pointed to the elevator. "Of course, Councilor. Liara's being shown her quarters right now." Tevos was wearing an uncharacteristic frown. "We received your report, Commander. And frankly we're very troubled. Even if Benezia has joined Saren's crusade, she would never allow her daughter to come to any harm. Do you think she was aware of this attack?"
That was a good question. Ben responded, "The krogan working for Saren did say Saren wanted Liara alive. But it doesn't matter either way. Benezia is still a traitor and her daughter wants nothing to do with her." The Council exchanged meaningful looks before Sparatus said, "Of course. Aside from the destruction of the Prothean ruin, the mission was indeed successful." As embarrassed as he was, Ben knew that wasn't exactly a fair judgment. "Look, the entire site was crawling with geth. We were just lucky it didn't come down on us." Sparatus seemed placated and nodded. That covered just about everything, and Valern concluded the meeting. "Now we just need to keep searching for the Conduit, and find out Saren's next move. Good luck, Commander." The council disappeared and Ben made for the stairwell to check on Liara.
But he was waylaid when he overheard Navigator Pressly arguing with someone in the CIC. "…And all I'm saying is that we should keep an eye on her. If her own mother is working with Saren and the geth, then who knows what the asari could be hiding?" Ben heard his brother replay irritably, "The asari has a name, Pressly. It's Liara, and if she wasn't on our side I think we would know by now." Rolling his eyes Ben made his way into the CIC to stop things from blowing up. Pressly was working at the galaxy map while looking off to his right, where Sam was glaring at him. "What's going on here?" Before Pressly could answer Sam remarked, "Nothing. Our navigator here is just reminding us that he doesn't like aliens. Again."
Ben folded his arms and looked Pressly in the eye. "Well?" Pressly sighed and faced both Shepards. "Look, I don't hate aliens. I'm not one of those nuts in Cerberus, or whatever that group is called. I just didn't expect to pick up so many other species when we started this mission. To be honest, I was rather excited to prove to the Council and everyone else that us humans could get the job done ourselves." Ben glanced at Sam to keep him quiet before he asked, "So you think getting help from people like Garrus, Tali, and Liara is making us look weak?" Stuttering, the navigator fidgeted with his collar. "No, I mean… Commander, I'm worried about people trying to use that kind of idea against us.
Ever since the Contact War I've done my part to help my species. I'm just frustrated nobody's given us a chance, I guess." Ben wasn't in a mood to argue, and he did sympathize with Pressly to a degree. Putting on an encouraging smile he clapped his subordinate on the back jokingly. "They made me a Spectre, didn't they? And we're going on a mission to take down a turian who just tried to wipe out an entire human colony. I'd say that's a start." Pressly seemed to cheer up a bit. "I guess so, Commander." Ben looked at Sam as if to say 'see, no problem'. His brother appeared satisfied and left with a curt nod to Ben and Pressly. After he was gone Pressly asked, "He'll be alright, won't he Commander?"
Ben shrugged. "Of course he will. Sam just prefers if people keep their own prejudice to themselves." For a moment Ben stared at Pressly, letting his words sink in. He wasn't just trying to reassure Pressly, he was ordering the navigator to keep his mouth shut. Hoping that his point was made, Ben left the CIC and took the stairs to the crew's quarters. In the back Liara was already setting up her lab and placing her belongings in secure compartments. He tapped the door to announce his presence, and tried not to chuckle when the doctor knocked over the lamp on her desk. She must have been so embarrassed!
Sure enough the asari's cheeks were growing darker, and Liara didn't even look at Ben until she had cleaned up her mess. "So sorry, Commander. What can I do for you? He sat down and kept a friendly demeanor. "I just want to talk. How are you feeling?" Liara pulled up her left sleeve to the elbow and showed the cast she was wearing. She answered, "Quite alright, actually. I made sure to let Dr. Chakwas know how grateful I was." At least some of the crew was welcoming the doctor, no matter who her mother was. But as glad as Ben was to see Liara's successful treatment he had to be sure no one had harassed her. "Are you having any trouble settling in?" Liara scratched the crests on the back of her head awkwardly.
"Not much, Kaidan and Tali said they would be here in a few minutes to help. But I must confess, your pilot… Joker, his name was?" Already dreading what he was going to hear Ben muttered, "Damn it… Yes, that's what the crew calls him. His real name is Jeff but hardly anybody calls him that. The other name just fits him better." Nodding, the doctor sat down next to Ben. After a minute she seemed to have calmed down after knocking over the lamp. "Well, I attempted to talk to him but when I opened a vidscreen I caught him in a rather, uh, awkward position with a certain asari film…"
Ben groaned and almost bruised himself when his palm smashed into his forehead. "Ugh. Don't tell me, 'Vaenia'?" Liara's expression was a mix of bemusement and horror. "How would you…?" Waving his hand Ben tried to get a particularly horrible image out of his mind and said, "Let's just say this isn't the first time Joker's done something like this." If it was even possible, Liara blushed an even deeper hue than before. Desperately, Ben tried to think of anything else to talk about. He didn't want to traumatize the poor asari on her first day the ship.
"So… I'm glad you're comfortable here. Since I don't really have anything to do until we get back to the Citadel, why don't you tell me why you were all by yourself at the dig site?" This seemed to get Liara's attention back on track. "Well, I often prefer to work alone, Commander. It's not that I don't like other people's company; it's just that I sometimes need some quiet. Some time to myself. Of course, that almost got me killed down there. Thank again for saving me." Ben nodded comfortingly. "Of course. And don't be afraid to ask for more help from the rest of us. We'll do anything we can to make you feel at home." For the first time, Liara seemed to genuinely smile. It wavered for a moment when the door opening behind Ben distracted them both.
But it was just Kaidan and Tali carrying two boxes with them. "Ready to start, Doctor?" Ben and Liara both got to their feet and he shook hands with her briefly. "I should go. We'll talk some more another time." She grinned again and Ben turned to leave. Before he could walk out the door, however, Liara's voice called out again, "Wait, just one more thing Commander!" He turned to hear whatever she had to say. "Yes?" Liara fidgeted in place before she spoke. "How is the other Shepard, Sam? He was rather quiet after the mission." Ben barely kept a smile from spreading across his face and asked, "Are you worried about him?" Liara's answer made it even harder to hide his amusement.
"Why wouldn't I be? I might have died at the hands of that krogan, but your brother helped me. Of course I would be concerned." Not wanting to pry further Ben pointed to the med-bay. "Sam just got a few bruises, that's all. And I'm sure he'd be happy to talk any time." Leaving the three behind to help set up Liara's quarters Ben wondered if he should tell Sam about the asari's concern for him. No, I'll just let him find out himself, see what happens.
(Sam Shepard)
Sitting by himself, Sam watched some of the Normandy workers take the vehicle apart. After leaving Therum, the crew noticed that the underside of the Mako was heavily damaged. Ramming the Geth Colossus wasn't such a good idea after all. Sam felt absolutely dejected. As much trouble as the Mako was it had a certain charm to it. And over the past several years it had come in handy many times. He only hoped that Adams, Tali, or someone else on the Citadel could fix it before Ben decided to throw it away completely.
Sam barely noticed Ashley walk by until she stopped to tap him on the shoulder. "Hey, Commander. You okay?" Snapping back to the moment Sam turned his full attention to Ashley. "Yeah. I'm just waiting for an update on the Mako." Ashley crossed her arms and said, "So, do you have time to talk?" Not having anything more important to do Sam followed her to the back, where Ashley was often seen cleaning the rifles. "What did you want to ask me, Ash?" Normally the gunnery chief's attitude was casual, sarcastic and easygoing. But right now Ashley seemed rather on edge. She whispered, "I know it's not really my place to ask, Commander. But with a mission this important to the Alliance aren't you the least bit worried about all the aliens on our ship, like Vakarian and Wrex?"
Oh, for fuck's sake… Trying not the let any lingering irritation from his talk with Pressly show Sam replied, "They're not with the Alliance, but they're our allies. Both Garrus and Wrex pretty much hate Saren's guts. I trust them, and so should you." Not swayed in the least Ashley pressed the issue. "All the same, we can't let them just walk around the ship freely. Who knows if one of them might sabotage something, or…" Sam didn't want to hear any more.
"That's enough, Williams!" He sounded much harsher than he intended and Ashley took a step back. It was hard to tell, but Sam could see a hint of fear on her face. Sam took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "Look, I understand how you feel. When the First Contact War started I looked at aliens the same way. Only humans could be counted on, and I couldn't rely on any turian, or asari, or whatever. But things have changed." It didn't seem like Ashley really believed Sam so he changed tactics. "Why don't you trust aliens, anyway? This is more than just looking out for our fellow soldiers, isn't it?" Ashley ran her fingers through her hair and rolled her eyes. "Oh God, Shepard… You're asking me to go pretty far back."
"I'm in no hurry, Gunnery Chief." He slouched against the wall, waiting for Ashley to respond. But she stayed quiet. At least until she made eye contact with him again, clearly realizing that he wasn't going to give up. "Okay, fine. My entire family has served the Alliance. Dad, granddad, great-grandmother... And over the years, we've always been taught that our duty is to Earth, first and foremost. You understand that, right?" Of course Ashley had to bring up Earth. Sam waved his hand, "Yes, Ben and I both grew up on Earth. San Francisco was our home when we were kids. But after leaving, and seeing the whole galaxy I finally understood that we're pretty small in the big scheme of things.
The only reason the Council and their peoples have gotten where they are is that they worked together. Am I frustrated that we're not being given a chance? Of course. But I won't hold that against a batarian who hates the Hegemony as much as I do. Or a hanar who just wanted to preach his beliefs where people can hear him…" Sam quieted himself, realizing he was just ranting now. But he regretted it almost instantly. Ashley cocked an eyebrow and said in a mocking voice, "Or an asari who was giving you the freaky eye when you brought her onboard?" When she said this, Sam's stomach tightened and his ears burned.
"That's… That has nothing to do with this." That was bullshit. Sam hated to admit it but Ashley was right. But looks and little crushes didn't matter right now. "Look, let's get back to your family, and your career. That was more interesting… Ben and I never really knew our family." It was true; Sam and his brother were orphans as long as they could remember. And Ashley seemed relieved to actually tell somebody her story so Sam couldn't deny her that. "Well, my first field exercise was on Titan. I got so caught up knowing I was the first person on that moon, that my drill instructor kicked me in the ass and chewed me out for 'goldbricking'". Bursting into laughter, Sam flashed back to the familiar image of Gunny Ellison yelling in his face.
"Don't tell me you had Ellison!" Ashley joined in laughing with him. Any irritation Sam felt earlier was long gone.
Author's Note: Love is in the air, folks. You can bet that Ashley's going to rib Sam's little "crush" on Liara to no end.
Sorry I've been gone a while, everyone. This time I wanted to write a chapter which goes into the problem of xenophobia, and the struggles our heroes are having with trust. In other chapters we will be seeing prejudice facing humans, particularly Saren's rivalry with Ben Shepard.
Leave a review below, and I'll see you next time!