I had this chapter ready to go and return to our normal Wednesday update...but then FemShep and Garrus started yelling at me. They made it very clear that they did not like the original ending to this chapter, so I had to completely redo it. In compensation for the day, this chapter is longer than normal.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, and favorited, and followed this story. It's very encouraging!

Copyrights belong to Bioware. I'm just taking a spin through their universe.


Chapter 11

"Ashley!" yelled Shepard, her weapons coming up on the asari even though she wanted to rush to check on her young friend. A flashback to Jenkins, lying in a pool of blood on Eden Prime, made her heart lurch. That panic came out as fury staring up at the trapped alien girl.

"I did not get to warn you," she apologized quickly, looking like she wanted to wring her hands. "The mercenary and his machines tried earlier but felt the same shock. They went to try and find another way in."

"What mercenary?" asked Alenko, his eyes half on Shepard as she moved to check Ashley, half watching the asari for clues.

"Another krogan. He and his machines tried to ambush me. I triggered this defensive mechanism left over by the Protheans. Now they cannot get in…but I cannot get out either," she said, somewhat sheepishly.

"Will she be all right?" asked Shepard, standing back up to survey the captive.

Liara trembled slightly under the veiled anger in those blue-gray eyes but she nodded. "She's just stunned. The mercenary came back to himself after a few minutes."

"I still want Dr. Chakwas to check her out." But when Shepard went to radio the Normandy, she met with no response. "Damn geth interfering with my radio again," she muttered, looking around the cavern for a route they could take on foot.

"Uh, excuse me Miss…" Liara stuttered.

"It's Commander," corrected the raven-haired soldier, a glint in her eye. "Commander Marion Shepard of the Alliance Navy."

"I'm sorry, Commander," she apologized. "But if you could figure out a way through here, there's a Prothean elevator we could use to get your colleague out and to your ship. At least I think it's an elevator."

Shepard could not help but smile wryly at the scientist's worried tone. "You know, for someone who's an expert on the Protheans, you sure seem to have some gaps in your knowledge. Defensive traps you can't turn off, machines you think might be elevators." The commander directed Garrus and Wrex to fan out and survey the area. Tali sat with Ashley, monitoring her vitals. Alenko and Shepard prowled around the shield, looking for a way in. "You're also very trusting."

Liara bristled at the implied insult to her area of expertise. "The Protheans left very little behind, almost as if they purposefully erased traces of themselves," she lectured, her voice irritated. "And unlike the other krogan, you didn't try to shoot first. You seem…more civilized." Shepard hid another smile; the young asari's attitude reminded her of an angry puppy. She continued to scan the area with her omni-tool, Alenko's mutterings to himself endearing if unhelpful.

Suddenly there was a shout and the sound of gunfire from deeper in the cave. "Shepard we've got geth!" yelled Vakarian over the radio.

"Wrex, Tali, keep those geth back with Vakarian!" commanded Shepard, eyes sweeping to take in the situation. Small squad of geth coming around the bend, her team in cover to meet them. Ashley still unconscious beside her, propped against the boulder. Alenko meeting her gaze worriedly, his brow puzzled by the Prothean shield.

But as she caught sight of Liara, dangling helplessly in the trap of her own making, Shepard felt her determination harden. She had always had a thing for helping those in need: maybe it was the stories of knights in shining armor that she had read as a young girl, riding out to save damsels in distress, defeat giants, steal from the rich to give to the poor. Something of those tales floated through her mind at the sight of Matriarch Benezia's daughter, struggling against the force field, tears of frustration rising. Commander Shepard had built a career on trusting her instincts. She knew this young woman was not the enemy, just someone in need of help.

Shepard turned to Alenko, her mouth opening to give an order, when a geth juggernaut suddenly charged at them. She threw her body to the side to avoid the rush, throwing up a barrier on instinct and tumbling into the Prothean shield. But rather than pain, Shepard felt a strange melding sensation course through her body. Out of the corner of her eye she could have sworn she saw a bit of green light flare. But this observation was overtaken by the astonishing realization that she had just fallen through the Prothean barrier.

The shield shone above her head: through its blue glow Shepard could see Alenko stare at her in shock before turning to deal with the onrush of geth. Her head against the metal tiled floor, Shepard glanced up to see Liara looking down at her with much the same expression. "Commander?" she asked tentatively.

Then time sped up. Shepard leapt to her feet, ignoring Liara to rush back at the barrier, ignoring this new mystery with implications she could not even begin to fathom, determined to help her team. Garrus and Wrex hovered around Tali, their posture oddly protective against their enemy despite Tali's obvious capability. The young quarian coolly overloaded one geth's shield then blasted it with her shotgun. But Alenko was running, ducking behind some mining machinery as the juggernaut pursued him…and the pair were getting close to the unconscious Ashley. Shepard pulled out her pistol and ran at the barrier...and felt like she had run into a brick wall. Blood gushed from her nose and Shepard spat curses, wishing she had left her helmet on.

"Let me out of here!" she shouted at Liara.

"I don't know how!" Liara said, her voice rising in panic as she watched the battle beyond the barrier. "I don't even understand how you got in!"

Shepard growled, rushing to the panel. Strange symbols littered the screen, undecipherable. "What do these mean? You're the Prothean expert; tell me which one lets go!"

"I can't see from this angle!" snapped Liara, her temper fraying.

"Then we're doing this the old-fashioned way," Shepard muttered to herself. She aimed her pistol and fired. The screen sparked and exploded and the commander ducked. Behind her, the blue sphere dissolved and the asari scientist crumpled to the ground. But the main barrier did not fade.

Shepard's instincts warred with each other: to attack the barrier again to get to the fight or to check on her distressed damsel. The latter won and she knelt beside her, raising the asari up. Liara glared at Shepard. "You just destroyed a 50,000 year old piece of technology!" she said with infuriated horror.

"Well, you must be feeling fine," said Shepard dryly. "Now help me figure out how to get out of here."

"Shepard!" Tali suddenly screamed.

Shepard looked up and saw a geth trooper advancing on Ashley, just beginning to stir. Wrex and Tali were attempting to make their way to the Alliance solider but the geth kept up a heavy stream of fire. Alenko was ducking around the juggernaut, using his biotics to confuse it and trip it up. But Ashley could only weakly reach for her pistol, defenseless. "No!" Shepard shouted, rushing at the barrier again. But though she slammed her fists against it, nothing happened.

But before her eyes, one of the mining vehicles came to life and sped toward them, full speed. "Watch out!" Liara yelled, running and leaping at Shepard, wrapping a barrier around the pair of them as the vehicle rammed into two geth peppering Tali, the one advancing on Ashley, and then into the barrier. It flickered but did not die, unlike the geth troopers.

Garrus climbed out of the top, looking a little dazed but pleased with himself. "Your style is infectious Shepard," he said, picking off one more geth with his rifle. Alenko rushed to cover Ashley and threw a warp at the remaining trooper, the juggernaut now in pieces beside him.

In the silence after battle, this strange group of soldiers assembled before her: Tali with her shotgun on her shoulder, Garrus with his hand against his mining vehicle, Alenko helping Ashley to her feet, Wrex surveying the damage proudly. Shepard stood slowly, the image somewhat profound though she could not explain why. Liara approached the barrier, one hand raised to touch it and then pulled back, looking back at the commander. With six pairs of eyes on her, Shepard felt something settle into place. This random assortment of humans and aliens alike suddenly became her people.

"So, do you feel like inviting the rest of us to the party?" Garrus asked wryly, eyeing the barrier.

"I don't know, you look like trouble," Shepard replied, some of the panic she hadn't realized she'd held inside her releasing. She wiped at the streaming blood coming from her nose and winced. Chakwas would need to reset her nose it seemed.

"What about biotics?" Liara asked suddenly, her eyes lighting up with discovery. "You had a barrier up when you passed through the shield." She went up to the Prothean shield, her entire body glowing gently with the natural biotics of the asari.

But she snatched her hand back from the shield with a cry. "That hurt!" she exclaimed, rubbing her hand.

"I didn't see you go flying into a boulder," said Ashley grumpily, one hand against her head.

"How you doing Ash?" asked Shepard, stepping closer to the barrier with concern.

"I'll be fine Skipper, nothing the good doctor can't fix," she said.

"What about your biotics Shepard?" asked Alenko, stepping closer to examine the shield. "When you passed through…you changed. At least your biotics did."

"They were green," Shepard said quietly. Her stomach churned. Why were events conspiring that she was being forced to use her biotics over and over again? Where she used biotics, tragedy tended to follow.

"Try it with me Shepard," said Garrus, stepping forward, his blue eyes watching her intently. "Pull me through the barrier."

"I don't know if you want to do that Vakarian," said Ashley, eyeing the barrier warily.

"The only other way out is through the Prothean elevator," said Liara, as if she were apologizing for the construction done 50,000 year before.

Shepard watched Garrus, still somewhat wary. He just nodded at her and waited. With a deep breath, Shepard let her biotics flow over and around her body again and stepped seamlessly through the barrier. Where her body touched the shield, it glowed green. Everyone stared, wide-eyed, but Garrus kept his eyes on her. She wrapped him in her barrier and he walked through the shield.

He smirked at Shepard as he sauntered along the white metal tiles, his gaze snagging on the destroyed panel. He glanced back over his shoulder and picked up his sniper rifle where it had fallen to the floor. "I'll be taking this back, by the way."


One by one Shepard pulled her team through the shield. They stood on the ancient elevator, felt the cavern rumble around them as it protested the unaccustomed movement. When the krogan mercenary and his squad of geth attempted to block their exit, Alenko and Wrex protected Liara while Shepard, Garrus, Tali and the somewhat recovered Ashley blasted their way through. And then as the cavern began to crumble around them, disturbed by the movement of the ancient elevator, Shepard chased her team up the mineshaft, wrapping Ashley's arm over her shoulders when the adrenaline wore off and left her struggling.

Joker's sarcastic comments were barely heard on the comm as they breached the surface ahead of the dust cloud and demonic screeching coming from the earth below them. The team gratefully climbed aboard their ship but as she walked up the gangway, Shepard glanced back. Liara T'Soni stood for a moment more looking at the remains of the mineshaft, her beloved ruins buried beneath layers of rubble and rock. The expression of loss on her face cut to Shepard's heart. Her life's work was in ruins before her; she had been hunted and attacked and exposed to a violence Shepard guessed she was not accustomed. Gently she reached out and led Matriarch Benezia's daughter to her new home.


Shepard stood under the rush of the hot water, letting it course over her battered and sore body. Bruises and cuts she could not even remember getting were scattered along her arms and legs. Her nose had been reset by Chakwas; she would hardly even have a bump. But other effects lasted longer.

Marion Shepard slumped to the floor of her shower, wrapping her arms around her knees and letting the hot water beat against her back. What the hell had happened in those ruins? Why did she get through the barrier with her biotics and no one else could? Why was she even using her biotics? She remembered sharing that night on Akuze with Ashley and shivered. For years she had clamped down her biotics, refused to let them out. Now she was being forced to bring them back into combat. Shepard knew she'd be lying to herself if it didn't make her feel a little nauseous.

But Garrus had trusted her so implicitly, letting her experiment with bringing him through the barrier. He had been so composed, had made it seem like the easiest thing in the world. But it was not easy. Shepard struggled to accept him, struggled to put aside her dislike of his entire species so she could make this crew work. He had trusted her and her power, but Shepard felt like she couldn't even trust herself.

Just look at Benezia's daughter! Hardly the ally of Saren she had been half-expecting. When they had gotten onboard the ship, Liara's blue skin had suddenly paled, a slim hand going to her crest. Alenko had had to half-carry her to Chakwas to be treated for shock and dehydration. Turned out she had been trapped in that sphere for almost an entire day. Shepard could only hope that with some rest, Liara would be able to give them a lead on Saren and his Reapers. All she knew now was that she needed to scour the Traverse for hints of his presence. Perhaps Tali could trace geth signatures…

Shepard was still pondering her next step as she stepped out of her quarters, absentmindedly running a towel over her damp hair. Her crew wandered through the mess, some with datapads in their hands, others talking animatedly. There was a hum of energy to this ship that Shepard had never felt before on her previous postings. She nodded and smiled at a few crewmen as she dropped her towel down the laundry chute. Grabbing an energy bar, Shepard hopped onto the elevator, her mind spinning with possibilities. She almost didn't notice Garrus standing in the corner until he said her name.

She jumped and then shook her head at herself, slightly embarrassed. "How can someone so large be so stealthy?" she asked, taking a bite of her snack.

Garrus chuckled, the deep resonance of his subvocals surprisingly pleasing. "You might be the first person to think me stealthy. Normally I pioneer the Shepard method and just blast my way through a problem."

"Well on my team, only one person is allowed to blast through problems, so you are just going to have to adapt."

"I think I've been doing fairly well on that end." He paused for a moment and then crossed his arms, appearing nonchalant. "You seem to be adapting as well."

Shepard swallowed her bite and watched him, her eyes narrowing slightly but she said nothing. Garrus continued on doggedly. "I mean, having me around seems to be less of an issue lately. And your biotics…"

"Keep going with that sentence and having you around will become an issue again," warned Shepard, her body tensing.

"You pulled me through that barrier. You glowed green! There's something going on that you can't ignore," he pushed.

"Enough Vakarian," barked Shepard. "When I want to discuss something private and personal with you, I'll let you know. Until then, I suggest you drop this topic."

"So you'll discuss Akuze with Ashley Williams and welcome Matriarch Benezia's daughter onto your ship, but I try to raise an important…"

"I have not welcomed her!" Shepard paused, swallowing hard as she tried to lower her voice. "But considering she practically collapsed when she came onboard this ship, I need to make sure she is healthy before I start the inquisition. Your concern is noted Vakarian. Why don't we agree to treat her as a guest and keep a close eye on her?"

The turian stared at her for a moment, and then relaxed back against the wall. From the way his mandibles lifted, Shepard realized it was his version of a smile. "What?" she asked, her eyebrow quirked.

"You really are getting used to me," he said, his tone teasing, the deep tone resonating in the elevator almost proud. "I was expecting a major Shepard blow-up but you're fairly calm. You know, for Shepard."

That got a surprised laugh out of her as the elevator doors slid open. The pair walked toward the comm room side by side. "I guess we're just shattering expectations all over the place today," she commented through a mouthful.


The newfound amity did not spread to the rest of the team. During the debrief, Ashley snapped at Liara every chance she could, the chief's intense distrust and dislike easily apparent. Liara looked close to tears, though she tried to ignore the chief and focus on the commander. She certainly seemed fascinated by Shepard, watching her with obvious curiosity.

She also seemed completely baffled as to why Saren's minions would be after her…though not surprised by her mother's involvement. "I haven't spoken to my mother in years. I did not pursue a path that she approved of. But even in our limited recent contact she has seemed…different." Her dark blue eyebrows furrowed as she spoke, her mind at work.

"What about the Conduit? Have you come across that in your study of the Protheans?" asked Shepard, watching the asari intently.

"The Conduit? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that term," said Liara, somewhat apologetically.

"How convenient," muttered Ashley.

"Can it Williams," ordered Shepard, keeping her focus on Liara. "Saren has gone rogue. We know he is searching for something called the Conduit. He has allied with the geth and believes this Conduit can help him and the geth bring back the Reapers."

During this explanation there was not a twitch of recognition from Liara's face. She continued to look more and more baffled. "Conduit? And Reapers? I'm sorry but I am confused. How does this relate to the Protheans?"

"We believe that the Reapers wiped out the Protheans 50,000 years ago," explained Shepard, though a hint of doubt remained in her head. "Saren wants to bring them back and exterminate us."

"What?" Liara's face was astounded, then annoyed. "I have been studying the Prothean extinction for 50 years. I have never heard or seen mention of these Reapers. And I have heard every theory out there, based on the minute evidence that has been left behind. I think their extinction has happened before, to other species. I have almost no evidence to back up my cyclical theory. I had hoped that cavern you found me in might provide some answers." She looked sad at the thought of her lost knowledge.

Shepard decided to deal with the whole '50 years studying the Protheans' subject for another time. "I encountered a working Prothean beacon on Eden Prime. It showed me visions of a race of sentient machines, destroying organics. I think it was these Reapers eradicating the Protheans." A very loud silence filled the comm room. Liara stared at Shepard, stunned speechless.

"Visions…yes, of course! Beacons were designed to transmit information directly into the mind of the user…but you are not Prothean! The mind meld wouldn't have worked properly! It's amazing you weren't killed."

Shepard rubbed her head. "That headache certainly tried."

"Don't be modest Shepard," said Alenko. "That thing lifted her into the air and tried to rip her apart. And when it exploded…" He looked away and bowed his head. "It could have been a lot worse."

"Commander, these visions…are they something I might see? I would love to examine them," said Liara, that scientific curiosity lighting up the room.

"Sorry Liara, but an asari mind meld is not how I want to end my day," remarked Shepard sarcastically.

"Can we get back to figuring out whether you're going to actually be of use on this mission?" asked Ashley, her arms crossed.

Shepard rounded on the chief, her presence suddenly filling the space in an unidentifiable way. Her force of will was such that everyone knew exactly what she was ordering. Williams stood and saluted, stone-faced, then walked out of the comm room. Her nostrils slightly flared with annoyance, Shepard turned her gaze back to Liara. "Can you be of any help finding your mother or Saren?"

Liara shook her head, her mouth pursed. "I had never heard much about Saren before today. And like I said, my mother and I haven't spoken in years. But if you think they might be connected to the Protheans somehow, I would ask that you allow me to remain onboard your ship. My knowledge might be useful."

"And her biotics," suggested Garrus.

Shepard shot him a look but made no mention of her discussion in the elevator regarding Liara as a 'guest.' Instead she stuck her hand out for the scientist to shake. "I'm glad to have you on the team doctor," said Shepard. "I'll give some files for you to look at. Perhaps you can work with Officer Vakarian to find our next lead, since he has been so speedy in providing one." Garrus' mandibles flapped in irritation until he read the humor in Shepard's blue gray eyes.

"I would also enjoy the chance to observe your species Commander," added Liara suddenly, her voice energetic with the possibility of more discovery. "I've had such little interaction with humans; it would be a great opportunity."

Shepard and Alenko turned to stare at the asari, her face innocent and open. Finally Alenko burst out laughing, leaving Liara puzzled. "I am so glad Ashley wasn't here to hear that," he chuckled.

"Oh don't worry Kaidan, I'll pass it along," said Joker over the comm. "That's too good to miss."

"Don't you dare," Shepard warned. She turned to face the door, the amusement fading to something harder. "But that reminds me I have something else to take care of."


Thanks for reading! Please leave a review and let me know what you think! I hope to update again next Friday!