The End and the Beginning

Mass Effect and all related characters are owned by Bioware.

Chapter 11

"Thank you, ma'am," the asari security officer nodded to Liara as she placed a credit chit in the officer's hand. "You're clear to proceed. Enjoy your stay in Nos Astra."

Illium: The gateway to the Terminus Systems. Greed was the single greatest driving-force behind nearly every action taken here. Almost any business activity was legal as long as it was done with the proper licenses and didn't tarnish the image of "limitless opportunity" that the planet officials tried to exude. People traveled from throughout both Council Space and the Terminus systems to escape the legal constraints placed on them by their respective governments.

Everything was for sale, including the ability to conceal one's identity. All it took was a sufficient-sized bribe to the head security officer, and a person could forgo the standard DNA scan before exiting the docking bays. Which was exactly what Liara had just done. There would be no chance of escaping notice if she had been flagged as "Liara T'Soni, Hero of the Citadel." And the Shadow Broker would most certainly have eyes and ears inside Illium's various police and security forces. If she was to confront Murtlan, she would need to keep her identity concealed to prevent alerting him through the Broker's information networks.

To avoid detection of her shuttle upon arrival, Liara had paid a quarian technician to alter its registry information before she left the Citadel. There were many capable individuals that could have accomplished the task, but dealing with a quarian on pilgrimage was more likely to escape notice than the usual hackers and forgers that could be hired in the wards. The young man had been very grateful for the business at any rate. Quarians were generally mistrusted and disliked by the Citadel races since their creation of the Geth over three hundred years ago. The recent attack by Sovereign, Saren, and the Geth would have exacerbated the other races' opinions of quarians if it hadn't been for Tali'Zorah's involvement in the "Battle of the Citadel."

Liara glanced around the docking bay as she quickly moved toward the exit. Luckily, no one had recognized her. She reached up and lightly stroked her cheek with her finger tips. The temporary facial tattoos she had received before leaving the Citadel had stopped itching, but she would still catch herself touching or rubbing them from time-to-time. The tattoos were a slightly darker blue than her natural skin tone concealing the traditional lineage markings that she had received above her eyes as a child. The markings were arranged around her eyes, cheeks, and forehead with a set of random patterns which were commonly chosen by rebellious asari in their maiden years.

Liara sighed as she let her hand slip back down to her side and proceeded through the automatic doors of the exit. The whole notion of wearing a disguise seemed a bit silly and childish to her, but she couldn't come up with any alternatives. Illium's population was predominantly asari and her face would have been easily recognized by her own people. At least it might buy her some time to visit the Eternity bar and possibly glean information about the batarian captain.

For now, she would simply check into her hotel. All of her preparations and the journey from the Citadel had given her little opportunity to rest or meditate. At least she would have a few hours to relax before nightfall.


The spire-like structures of Nos Astra's skyline filled Liara's vision as she stepped out of the taxi onto the city's trade floor. The buildings glistened as they reflected and scattered the orange rays cast by Illium's setting sun. Streams of vehicles crisscrossed the spaces between each towering edifice. Arboretums and hanging gardens could be seen on many of the structures. She couldn't deny the sublime beauty of the city. It seemed like it would have been a wonderful place to visit if not for her impending mission. If she ever had the opportunity, she would have to return here someday. However, sightseeing would have to wait until after she had acquired information on Feron.

The luminous sign for Eternity was easy enough to spot from across the trade floor. Liara picked her way past several of the trade kiosks situated across her path. The market was closed for the day, so only a few small groups of people still remained. A staircase at the end of the floor brought her up a passage way which curved to the right and led her through several doors before finally entering the bar itself.

The atmosphere inside was dimly lit and hazy with smoke. The music slow and relaxing, unlike the loud, pulsating tunes that typically reverberated through the bars and nightclubs she had visited while on missions with Shepard. Many of the bar's occupants appeared to be corporate employees who'd come to wind down after a long day. Liara casually looked around the room as she walked to the bar in the far corner. The bar's patrons were made up of a variety of races from across known space. Unfortunately however, she didn't see any batarians among them.

The asari bartender had her back to the bar and seemed to be busy mixing drink orders, so Liara just selected some wine from the automatic drink kiosk at the end of the bar. The console beeped and deposited a cup on the tray attached to its bottom and began dispensing the liquid until the cup was filled with the predetermined amount. She removed her drink and went to sit at one of the tables on the opposite side of the room. She sipped her drink as she sat down at the table and did her best to look relaxed. The wine wasn't quite as good as the vintage she'd been served a few weeks ago at Flux, but it certainly wasn't bad. At least the intoxicant might help calm her nerves.

Her first hour on watch passed slowly. Many people had come and the tables were nearly full. Every time the bar's door opened, Liara's stomach would turn over with a fresh dose of nervous anticipation. She also thought a human at one of the tables kept glancing her way. Every time she would look in his direction, he would turn his attention back to the two other humans he sat with. The constant anxiety of the lengthy surveillance began to wear on her. The urge to do something to help ward off the feelings became almost overwhelming. She had always been a person of action and sitting around in a bar waiting for an enemy to walk in was foolish and a waste of time.

"I have no idea what I am doing. I am not a spy." She whispered in admission to herself. "I need to calm down and think. Maybe another drink would help."

The simple act of standing up and walking to the bar seemed to help alleviate much of her pent-up paranoia. Though she noticed the same human was still watching her as she crossed the room. The bartender was pouring a drink for a turian as Liara approached. She gave the approaching asari maiden a slight but warm smile before moving towards her. Liara stared back at her curiously. There was something strange about the bartender. She seemed to emanate an aura of wisdom and experience. It was disconcerting to say the least.

"What's the matter, babe?" the asari inquired with a low voice. "Never seen a matriarch before?"

"Uh...Sorry. I am just surprised to...uh..." Liara stammered.

"Don't worry about it." the asari said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I get the same reaction from most asari newcomers when they see me serving drinks and counting tips. Name's Aethyta, matriarch and bartender. Can I get ya anything?"

"Oh. Ah, yes actually I would like another Thessian wine...uh, please."

"No problem." Aethyta produced a cylinder from beneath the bar and expertly poured its contents into a clean glass. "There you are. Good stuff that honey wine. Used to drink a lot of it back during my days on Thessia."

"Thank you, matriarch." Liara said courteously as she took the drink.

Aethyta chuckled as she placed the cylinder under the bar. "Now I know you're not from around here. People only call me that when they get out of hand, and I threaten to send them ass-first through a wall. No need to be formal, kid. Aethyta works just fine."

"Thank you, Aethyta." Liara had never heard a matriarch speak in such a vulgar manner. She found it difficult to keep from laughing at the bizarreness of the situation.

"A pleasure." the bartender looked at Liara and narrowed her eyes in curiosity. "Have we met before? You seem familiar to me."

Liara's felt her face flush and her body begin to break out in a cold sweat. "I don't believe so."

The matriarch's mouth twisted slightly as she tried to remember. Finally, she shrugged and said, "Ah well. Not a big deal. I better get back to the other customers. By the way, don't eat the nuts in the red bowls, they're for turians and quarians."

The bartender left her to help another customer, and Liara silently breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced around and was both relieved and disappointed to see that no batarians had entered the bar while she had been distracted. Her gaze fell to her drink as she contemplated her next move. She was uncertain about asking around about Murtlan. She didn't want to draw attention to herself before she knew what she was up against, but she didn't see another option. First and foremost, She would need to find the right people to ask. She looked up and noticed the bartender had started coming back toward her. Aethyta would probably be a good source for her to start with, if Murtlan truly frequented this bar as often as Delinea's message indicated.

Before Liara could open her mouth to speak however, she felt a shaky hand clamp down firmly on her right shoulder. She spun around in surprise and was face-to-face with the human she had noticed staring at her earlier.

"Hey I been watching you. Did you get stood up by your date or something?" As he spoke the stench of alcohol nearly burned her nostrils.

"No, sir. If you will excuse me, I wish to be alone." Liara shrugged her shoulder to dislodge the unwelcome hand and turned her back to the human.

"Ah, that's no fun." the human swayed as he spoke. "Come on over and have drink with me and my friends. I'm celebrating. I'm a free man now that my girlfriend left me."

"No thank..."

"She says she needs space in order to find herself." the man interrupted. "I shoulda said: you don't need to go into space to find yourself, baby. You're right here."

The man laughed heartily at his own bad joke. Liara saw the bartender roll her eyes. His two friends could be heard snickering amongst themselves, clearly enjoying the cheap entertainment their inebriated friend was providing them. Liara turned to face the troublesome human. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't just leave her alone? She was trying to be polite and avoid causing a scene, but this man was trying her patience.

"I am sorry for your loss, but I don't have time for..."

"She moved in with some asari friend from work." the man continued. "She says they're just friends. Ha! I'm too smart to fall for that..." He leaned in closer to Liara. His face only a few centimeters from hers. "Mmm, you smell nice."

"Alright, you little dumbass," Aethyta finally spoke. Her tone remained casual, as if this situation was just an every day occurrence to her. "Just go back and sit down before you get a bar dropped on your head. You and your little friends have had your fun, but I've heard enough."

"Ah, come on Aethyta." the man pleaded. "I'm just talking here."

"So am I." the matriarch. "Go sit down if you don't want that to change."

"Fine." the man frowned in disappointment. He leaned in closer to Liara. "I'll see you later, beautiful."

Before she could react, the inebriated man had wrapped his arms around her waist and began pulling her in for a kiss. Liara managed to turn her head away at the last second and his lips missed their intended target and bumped against her jawline. She moved her hands up against his chest and tried to push him away, but he continued to hold fast. His breath was nearly stifling her and she was beginning to feel light-headed. Suddenly, she felt his hands slide down across the small of her back and come to rest on her rear. Her initial annoyance and impatience with the foolish man vanished in an instant and she was filled with nearly uncontrollable rage.

"That is enough!" she nearly screamed in protest.

Liara's biotics flared around her as she focused a burst of dark energy at the human. He was lifted off his feet and thrown backward as a bluish energy field burst from the hands that still pushed against his chest. Time seemed to slow for her as she watched the young man's eyes widen in surprise and fear as he was flung across the room.

Almost immediately Liara recognized her mistake. Her anger had gotten the better of her. She quickly formed a new field around him. She couldn't halt the throw completely, but she could slow him down enough to prevent the serious injuries he would have otherwise suffered. The man crashed through the same round table at which his friends sat. He landed near the edge, causing the tabletop to snap off at its base, spilling the drinks all over the three humans and catapulting a large bowl of nuts almost straight up into the air. The bowl was halfway to the floor when it halted abruptly in mid-air and was slowly lowered to the floor near the sprawling humans. Liara turned just in time to see the matriarch's biotics fading away.

"Those nuts are dextro-amino." the matriarch explained with a smile. "They're not cheap. Ha! Sent him right through the table!" She pounded her right fist into her left palm. "Really gets the blood pumping!" Liara looked at the matriarch with surprise and confusion. "Sorry," Aethyta straightened her posture and smiled innocently. "My father was a krogan."

Liara turned her attention back to the humans. The two friends were helping their stunned companion to his feet. Their clothes were wet from the spilled drinks, but their friend had received the worst of it. His hair and face were drenched and the liquid was dripping down his shirt collar. The man seemed to be favoring his right leg as he shakily stood up and checked himself for further damage. He looked up at Liara. His eyes weren't filled with anger or shame, instead they held wonder and awe.

"That was amazing!" He finally sputtered. "I've never been attacked with biotics before! I've got to know your name!"

"You wouldn't remember it anyway, you idiot." one of his friends interjected. The two of them took their drunken friend by the arms and began dragging him toward the door. "Come on, let's get out of here before Aethyta and your new friend eviscerate us or something. Man that stain on my shirt is never going to come out!"

"Wait!" the man yelped as they pulled him across the room and through the door. "What's your name? Can I at least get your number? Ah, give me a break, guys!"

Any of his further objections were cut off as the door shut behind the three humans. Liara could feel all eyes in the bar were on her. She glanced around the room in a mixture of embarrassment at what had happened and fear that someone might recognize her. Her fears turned out to be unwarranted, however, as most of the bar's patrons simply flashed amused grins her way before returning to their drinks.

"Well, this has definitely been a more exciting night than usual." the matriarch said flatly.

"I'm sorry," Liara hung her head. "I don't know what came over me."

"Hey, I was about to lay him out myself." Aethyta consoled. "Those three are in here all the time, but they've never caused any trouble before. Heh, he must have really liked you."

"Maybe, but I should not have reacted as I did." Liara said. "I will pay for the damage I caused."

"Don't worry about it," Aethyta answered. "We only lost a table. The owner keeps plenty of replacements on hand. She'll be surprised when I tell her that it wasn't me breaking up the place this time. Sometimes I can get carried away when I bestow my wise council on people. Anyway, why don't you go sit down. I'll clean up the mess and take care of things here."

"I...very well." Liara agreed. "Thank you, Aethyta."

"Don't mention it, babe. Don't forget your drink."

Liara retrieved her drink from the bar before returning to the table in the corner. She watched as the bartender and an asari waitress took away the broken table and cleaned the spilled liquids off the floor. Within a few minutes, the broken table had been replaced and a newcomer would never have been able to determine that anything had happened.

Clearly, her idea to glean information on Murtlan wasn't going according to plan. But it was still possible that Aethyta might know something about the batarian. If anyone could provide answers about Eternity's regular patrons, it would be her. However, tonight was probably not the best time to continue her investigation-If it could even be called an investigation. So far all she had done was enter a bar and throw one of its occupants across the room. Not the most productive strategy if she was trying to work discretely. For now, it was probably best for her to just finish her drink and return to her hotel and rest. A good night's sleep might give her a fresh perspective.

Liara took a few more sips of her drink. She was attempting to finish her drink quickly. It would have been easier for her to simply leave the full glass and walk out the door. However, old habits were difficult to cast aside. Fifty years of living at dig sites and research labs had instilled a desire to be frugal and not waste anything. In any event, her thoughts were not centered on dig sites, artifacts, or even the drink in her hand.

Delinea's strange behavior still troubled her. The woman had essentially committed suicide. She could have easily killed Liara if she had wanted. But for some reason, the doctor had intentionally missed and left herself defenseless against Liara's retaliation. No matter how she puzzled over the question, Liara kept arriving at the same conclusion. Delinea had been protecting someone. Someone close enough to Delinea that the Shadow Broker would have harmed if she had openly provided Liara with information. By forcing Liara to kill her, the doctor gave the appearance of having been gunned down while attempting escape. With the doctor's omni-tool and computers wiped clean, there would virtually no reason for the Broker to suspect that Liara had recovered any information from her. Which would have been true if the doctor hadn't slipped Liara the private message before she'd died.

Liara drained the final contents of her glass and rose to leave. Her head buzzed slightly. She had never been much of a drinker, and the relatively fast consumption had left her a bit "tipsy" as Chief Williams would have worded it. Before she could walk away from her seat however, she heard rather heavy footsteps approach her from behind.

"You're not leaving so soon, are you?" the matriarch's rough voice sounded from behind her.

Liara spun around slightly faster than she intended and had to force herself to keep from staggering. Aethyta met her gaze with a warm smile. She held a drink cylinder in one hand and two glasses in the other.

"I was hoping you'd have a drink with me. I'm on my break, and you look like you could use some company. Even if it's from a worn-out old matriarch."

"I suppose I can stay a little longer." Liara answered politely.

In truth she would have preferred to leave before she fouled up anything else tonight. But no asari maiden would refuse the invitation of matriarch, no matter how unorthodox. Aethyta sat across from Liara and set down the two glasses. She unscrewed the cap on the cylinder and expertly poured a small amount of green liquid into one of the glasses. She offered the drink to Liara before pouring another for herself. Liara waited for her host to drink before she sampled it. The liquid was bitter, but it sent a warming sensation flowing through her body. She stifled a cough as the harsh taste tickled her throat. The matriarch smiled at her reaction.

"Elasa," Aethyta said, naming the beverage. "Some of the best we've had here in a long time."

"It's...different than what I am accustomed to." Liara said. "I am afraid I do not drink very often. So I may turn out to be poor company for you, matriarch."

The bartender laughed, "I've drunk with much worse. So tell me. Where are you from?

"I was born on Thessia." Liara answered before taking a sip of her drink. "I visited Illium once, but I was very young at the time."

"I figured." Aethyta eyed her as she gulped down her drink. She quickly poured herself another before she asked, "You're so polite and formal. You obviously had better upbringing than most asari on Illium. So who are you, exactly?"

"No one of importance." Liara said dodging the question as best as she could.

"I doubt that." the matriarch returned. "That was some impressive biotic display back there. You were able to react quickly enough to create a second field and slow that kid down while he was still mid-flight. He would have ended up as a greasy spot on the barroom wall if you hadn't." Liara looked at her apprehensively. Aethyta caught her gaze, "What? You thought no one else would notice that? I've seen plenty of biotic displays in my time, and that level of skill isn't very common among young maidens."

"I was well-trained in biotics as a child." Liara tried to conceal her nervousness by taking another drink. "My mother insisted that I learn to defend myself."

"That was a little more than just self defense." The matriarch insisted with a laugh. "You've had extensive training. Normally, I'd dismiss you as a talented young commando, but your good manners and educated-speak tell me otherwise."

Liara squirmed in her seat as the bartender continued to stare at her. Aethyta's gaze bored into her with an insatiable curiosity. Suddenly, the old asari's eyes widened slightly.

"Wait, I knew I recognized...without the tattoos." Aethyta smiled as she leaned in and whispered, "You're Liara...Liara T'Soni. Benezia's kid. Well, I guess it all fits now."

Liara's eyes darted around the room in near panic. Her very mind screamed at her to get out of the bar as quickly as possible. Her cover was blown. And if one person could see through her disguise than others would also be able to identify her. She leaned forward as if to stand and make a hasty exit but the matriarch laid a gentle hand on her arm.

Liara settled back into her seat and looked down at the table. "Please, you mustn't tell anyone. I cannot..." She halted her speech as the matriarch lightly squeezed her arm.

"Don't worry, kid. I won't spread it around." Aethyta assured her. "It's not everyday I share a drink with a full-fledged hero. Tattoos to hide your face behind, huh? Pretty clever."

"They are only temporary." Liara answered. "I hope to conclude my affairs on Illium and leave before they fade. Actually, on that note, I was wondering if you could help me find someone."

"How can I help you, kid?" Aethyta asked kindly.

Liara took another sip of her drink before continuing. "Do you know a batarian named Murtlan?"

"Murtlan!" The matriarch's upper lip curled as if merely saying the name left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. "Yeah, I know him. He showed up about a month ago. Runs some kind of business near here. Always throwing money around and hitting on the asari customers." She gestured to a rather attractive asari dancer giving a show at a corner table. "He always hires Olayne over there for private dances. Definitely has a thing for asari. Goddess, he even made a pass at me once. Said he wanted to 'experience the fabled arts of an asari matriarch' or some crap like that. I told him he could experience my fabled boot up his ass if he was that eager."

Liara smirked in amusement before her face became serious again. "He took something from me." Liara explained. "I need to...speak with him about it."

"Speak, huh?" Aethyta asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'd be careful about that. Rumor is that he works for the Shadow Broker."

"Yes, I know of his employer." Liara said with a slight edge to her voice. "We have had some... dealings over the past few months."

"Yeah, I heard the story about what happened on Omega." Aethyta said and took another pull from her glass. "You blew up Shepard's body rather than turn it over to his thugs, then told them to go screw themselves. Then when they attacked you, you slaughtered a bunch of them and sent the rest running for their mothers. Ha! Hell of a thing!" She caught herself as she noticed Liara's eyes soften. She looked down at the table. "Sorry, kid. I get excited when I hear stories about battles and fights. Comes from having a krogan father, I guess. That and I've already had too much of this." She pushed her glass and the drink cylinder away from herself. "You and Shepard were close?"

"We were good friends." Liara gazed mournfully at her glass and rotated it in her hand as she spoke. "He saved my life, accepted me into his crew, and helped comfort me after... after my mother died. I owe...owed him a lot."

"I heard about Benezia." Aethyta said softly. "Most asari still won't even believe that she joined Saren. They all think that he killed her for trying to help him. I met your mother a few times when I was still on Thessia. She was one of the toughest, brightest matriarchs on Thessia. Very few of the other matriarchs would oppose her ideas openly. But she had a kind and gentle side to her, too. I could never bring myself to believe she was killed by Saren. There must have been something else going on that forced her to turn her back on everything she had accomplished in her lifetime."

"I am afraid I cannot tell you much." Liara answered as she clandestinely wiped away a tear. "Only that Benezia was no longer herself when she died."

Aethyta looked at her with a startled expression. "You were there when she died? So the rumors circulating on the extranet a few months ago were true."

"Yes." Liara answered sadly. "I helped Shepard fight and kill my own mother."

Liara looked up at the matriarch as her vision blurred with tears. She half-expected the matriarch to become angry and throw her out into the street for admitting to such a transgression. But all she saw in Aethyta's face was sympathy and compassionate sadness.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"It is alright." Liara said as she wiped her eyes. She finished the last few drops of her drink before continuing. "I should probably get back to my hotel. But before I go, I would be grateful if you could provide me any information on where I might find Murtlan."

"He's got an office overlooking the trade floor." Aethyta stood and collected the glasses and drink cylinder from the table. "Easy enough to find. Not so easy to get inside, though. His bodyguards are always keeping a close eye on anyone that approaches the entrance."

"I will find a way." Liara spoke with determination as she stood up and gripped the table for balance. The intoxicant was certainly as potent as Aethyta had boasted. "I need to get the information from him as soon as possible."

The bartender grinned mischievously at Liara and said, "I might have a way to get you in. I need to talk to a friend of mine first. Meet me back here tomorrow."

"Yes, matriarch." Liara nodded politely. "Any assistance you offer would be greatly appreciated."

"Take it easy, kid." Aethyta called after her as Liara turned and walked toward the exit. "Enjoy the rest of the night, but don't take any turians home with you. They leave marks."

The half-drunk Liara was oblivious to her meaning as she exited the bar and made her way through the trade floor to the taxi hub. She had no intention of doing anything other than returning to her room and sleeping off the alcohol.


Aethyta waited until the young asari disappeared through the doors of Eternity. As soon as she was sure Liara had gone she returned the dirty glasses and empty drink cylinder to the bar. Once they were clean, she went into the back room, closing the door behind her. The matriarch engaged the lock and she moved to the communications console on top of the small room's table.

She looked through her messages until she found the number she had never thought would be of any use. Moments after she entered it into the console a familiar face appeared on the small screen.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise." the console squawked. "Have you reconsidered my previous offer?"

"Don't push it, Murtlan." Aethyta answered. "I didn't call to take your crap. I just met someone I think you'll be very interested in meeting."

The image of the batarian smiled a toothy grin, "I'm listening."