Finding the One.
Tuesday 7th June 2185.
Two days later they were back in Liara's office, though Cassie immediately noticed the absence of the receptionist as they climbed the stairs. They waited outside until Cassie heard screaming coming from inside Liara's office. Tali hacked the door open, and inside they found Nyxeris floating in the centre of the room, her skin being peeled off her by an unseen force, Cassie looked to Liara and saw her enraged, something she never thought Liara could ever be.
"Where is he?" she asked in a calm tone, despite her rage and the despicable act she was committing.
"Liara! What the hell are you doing?" Cassie yelled over Nyxeris' screams.
"She has information I need, and she is refusing to surrender it!" Liara said defensively. "This was the quickest way of forcing her to..."
"I'll never talk!" Nyxeris groaned.
"Then die," Liara said plainly, before Nyxeris' was incinerated to ash in biotic fire, the ashes dispersing across the office.
"Liara!" Cassie exclaimed, looking around at the pieces of Asari.
"Cassie I'm sorry, but you don't understand the situation I'm in," Liara exasperated, moving across the room to hug Cassie for comfort. "She gave me no choice."
"Why don't you tell me then, and then I want the information on the Justicar," Cassie said softly, guiding them over to a couch on one side of the room.
She sat down at one end of the couch, and ushered Liara to lay down on the couch, with her head resting in Cassie's lap. Garrus and Tali moved the seats to face the couch and sat down.
"After you died, the Shadow Broker's agents took your body, and were going to present you as a trophy for the Collectors. But I and a friend intercepted them after a long chase, and delivered your body to Cerberus." Liara explained, as Cassie caressed her Asari lover's scalp crests. "My friend, Feron, betrayed the Broker to help me, and in the process of saving you, he was captured by the Broker's agents. I was torturing Nyxeris to find out where the Broker's base is, as it's likely where he's holding Feron."
"But why were you flaying her?" Cassie asked.
"I tried everything I could my love, she was truly a resilient foe, she forced me to use such an extreme method of extracting information." Liara spewed out her thoughts on her actions. "I'm so sorry you saw me stooping that low."
"It's okay Liara, just don't stoop to such horrific acts in future," Cassie smiled, leaning down to kiss Liara's forehead.
"If you want to find Justicar Samara, she recently registered at the transportation hub," Liara said slowly, deciding it was easier and nicer to relax in Cassie's lap rather than return to her desk. "If you wish to follow her, speak to Officer Dara, she's the official that registered your Justicar."
"Thank you Liara," Cassie thanked Liara with a delicate kiss.
"Wait... Do you know about Asari Justicars? Are you aware of what you are essentially chasing?" Liara asked, slowly getting up to sit beside Cassie.
"I was raised by a Human mother who loved Asari culture, she taught me much, but she only knew the basics about the Justicar Order." Cassie replied. "They're a more religious, fanatically dedicated version of the Commandos, and they're very big on the rules."
"That's just the basics Cassie, if you commit any crime in their presence, no matter how minor, you will have to face 'justice', and the Justicar will be the one to decide and carry it out." Liara stated. "They are also relentless in their duty to their Code, often pursuing their quarries across the galaxy for years in order to get justice. Are you sure you want to recruit that kind of fanatic?"
"Considering the crew I've already assembled, that doesn't sound as bad Liara," Cassie chuckled. "We best get moving before she's moved on and the officer's information becomes useless."
"Very well," Liara said brightly. "But if I might ask, what was this ace you were talking about last time."
Cassie activated her omni-tool, and moments later Liara's terminal beeped.
"Peruse through it at your leisure, but do not act on it without me Liara," Cassie said, her tone turning serious. "You need to think about more than your friend with this enemy you've made in the Shadow Broker."
"I know Cassie, and I will be careful," Liara sighed. "I will contact you when I get something from this information."
"I love you Liara," Cassie smiled.
"And I you," Liara smiled back.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A murder investigation and a Justicar were apparently causing problems for the local security, and when the first Human Spectre was added, it was abundantly clear that the situation was a powder keg waiting to blow. They entered the crime scene and Cassie immediately found the evidence needed for another local crime, and quickly chose to send it to the authorities, before proceeding.
After clearing a group of Eclipse mercenaries, Cassie, Tali and Garrus finally came across the Justicar, and the commander was stunned by what she saw. A gorgeous Asari matriarch in a tight red leather-like outfit, showing a fair amount of cleavage, and a red headband crowned an elegant, yet mature, face. She flung a merc in their direction, the sound of the merc's back snapping against the pillar made it clear the Justicar meant business.
"Those were my best troops," an Eclipse Lieutenant said bitterly as they were backed against a low wall by the Justicar as she bristled with biotic fire.
"Tell me what I need to know, and I will be gone from here." She said calmly. "Where did you send her?"
"You think I'd betray her? She would hurt me in ways you can't imagine," the merc said as the Justicar circled her prey.
"The name of the ship. Your life hangs on the answer, Lieutenant." The Justicar stated.
"You can kill me, but one of us will take you down, Justicar." The lieutenant said defiantly.
The Eclipse lieutenant raised her weapon, but the Justicar raised her foe with biotics and sent her hurtling towards where Cassie and her crewmates were standing. The Justicar floated down from the balcony and slowly approached the strewn merc, who struggled to crawl backwards.
"What was the name of the ship she left on?" The Justicar asked, her heel pressing down on the lieutenant's throat.
"Go to hell," the Eclipse spat.
"Find peace in the embrace of the goddess," the Justicar said, before snapping the mercenary's neck.
It was not the cold-blooded neck breaking that stunned Cassie, but the words uttered beforehand.
'You will find your true love, in the embrace of the goddess you will find her, I promise you my child' her mother had said, and she thought it to be metaphorical but now it made sense to her.
This Justicar, Samara, if she remembered the name from the file correctly, was the 'one', little else could fit what her mother had told her than the woman who they slowly approached. Justicars followed a religious Code, and believed in Athame, Cassie's mother, and one of the first things she hears Samara say lined up almost perfectly with her mother's promise.
"My name is Samara, a servant of the Justicar Code. My quarrel is with these Eclipse sisters, but I see three well-armed people before me." She stated as she moved away from the fresh corpse. "Are we friend? Or foe?"
"Definitely friends," Tali said quickly, knowing why her lover was strangely silent. "Did you have to kill her?"
"If my cause is important enough, I will kill anyone who stands in my way," Samara stated. "Are you different?"
"A little, wounded and beaten bad guys are a grey area for us," Garrus commented, remembering the fight with Saren. "Although we do kill people if they try to kill us."
"I answer to a Code that is clearly defined. If my actions are true to that Code, I am just. If they are not, I am unjust." She explained, as Cassie finally snapped out of her reverie. "I don't pretend it is a simple matter, or that it seems right to everyone. But I sleep well at night, and that is more than most can say. How may I help you?"
"You don't need to tell me about your Code, I was raised by a mother who loved Asari culture," Cassie stated, surprising Samara. "And we're here looking for you. I'm going up against suicidal odds, and I need the best, and given what I witnessed and your reputation, you're more than qualified."
"I sense the truth in what you say, and it humbles me. But I seek an incredibly dangerous fugitive." Samara said slowly, before turning her back to look at the Eclipse corpse. "I cornered her here, but the Eclipse sisters smuggled her off-world. I must find the name of the ship she left on before the trail goes cold."
"I wish you were willing to go with the human, Justicar. I've been ordered to take you into custody if you won't leave." Detective Anaya said, emerging from the alley behind them.
"You risk a great deal by following your orders, Detective. Fortunately, I will not have to resist." Samara said, approaching the officer. "My code obligates me to cooperate with you for one day. After that, I must return to my investigation."
"I won't be able to release you that soon," the detective said.
"You won't be able to stop me," Samara replied coldly.
"I'll help you!" Cassie piped up, surprising everyone. "I'll find a clue for your investigation! If I do, will you join my crew?"
"If you succeed? Yes, I will join your mission." Samara said.
"Better get moving, follow me Justicar." The Detective said, and Samara followed.
"I wish you luck stranger, I hope you find the name of the ship I require for my investigation, for the detective's sake." Samara said as she walked away.
"Is she who I think she is?" Tali asked once Samara was out of earshot.
"I think so Tali," Cassie's smile widened. "I think she's the one my mother spoke about."
"Are you in love with her; oh, how do humans say it? Is it 'love at first sight' commander?" Garrus asked wryly.
"I…" Cassie thought, remembering the Asari vividly in her mind. "Goddess give me a sign that this Justicar is the one for me." She breathed.
"How will she do that?" Tali asked, slightly confused.
"Maybe if we solve the murder and find the name of the ship it's a yes, if we just find the ship name it's a no." Garrus suggested, as they moved back toward the docking area.
"You sure we could figure the murder out?" Tali chuckled.
"We're lucky that way," Garrus replied.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Low and behold, they found the bitch who killed Pitne For's associate and executed her, as well as the name of the ship Samara's quarry left on. They returned to the Detective and gave her the datapad they'd found proving Elnora's guilt for the murder, before informing Samara they'd found the name of the ship she sought; the AML Demeter.
"Commander Shepard, you impress me. You fulfilled your part of the bargain, and I will fulfil mine." Samara smiled slightly, getting up from her seat. "I am ready to leave immediately, if that will satisfy your superiors, Detective?"
"You're free to go, Justicar. It has been an honour having you in my station. And it's nice you didn't kill me, too." Anaya said thankfully.
"The person you were pursuing, she's an Ardat-Yakshi isn't she?" Cassie asked, having learnt that from the Eclipse boss.
"Ardat what?" Tali spluttered.
"I'll explain later," Cassie muttered.
"You continue to impress. Yes, I was here tracking the Ardat-Yakshi. She is a dangerous criminal, and I will bring her to justice." Samara smiled again, before it faded as she spoke about her pursuit. "After your mission is complete, of course."
"Maybe we'll make time for yours as well," Cassie said suggestively. "But I expect you to follow orders, I've already got one potential lose cannon on my ship, I don't need a more dangerous one as well."
"You're wondering if I will refuse orders that violate my Code?" Samara smirked.
"I can't allow that to happen" Cassie retorted.
"By agreeing to follow you, I am compelled to swear the most difficult of Justicar oaths – the Third Oath of Subsumation." Samara stated. "After I do, your orders will override the Code. You should know, however, that I'll still give my opinion if the situation warrants."
"I welcome my crew's opinions, so that will not be a problem," Cassie smiled again. "The Normandy is docked by the main trading floor, I'll see you aboard."
"I must be sworn to your service, so that I am never forced to choose between your orders and the Code." She stated, before her eyes flashed white, and she knelt infront of Cassie.
The detective immediately stood up to watch this, and Cassie was intrigued, having only heard mention of the Code's oaths.
"By the Code, I will serve you, Shepard. Your choices are my choices, your morals are my morals. Your wishes are my code." She said with her head bowed and her eyes closed, and then her biotic flared across her body.
"I never thought I'd see a Justicar swear an oath like that," Anaya commented as Samara got to her feet.
"If you make me do anything extremely dishonourable, I may need to kill you when I am released from my oath." Samara stated plainly, and Cassie was surprised by her brutal honesty.
"I'm honoured that you would swear yourself to me so willingly, despite barely knowing who I am." Cassie said quickly. "Thank you for trusting me."
"Truly, the life of a Justicar can get lonely. I admit I am looking forward to serving with a company of honourable heroes." Samara stated. "Shall we return to your ship?"
"Honourable may be pushing it for some," Garrus chuckled under his breath.
"You go ahead, I've got unfinished things to attend to," Cassie stammered. "I'll send word that you're on your way."
With that Samara walked off towards the taxis, and Cassie lead Tali and Garrus to a secluded part of the docking area.
"What business?" Tali asked.
"We don't have any, so…" Garrus began.
"So I wanted to talk to you two alone, without anyone overhearing," Cassie said in a hushed tone. "Do you think she's the one, I mean, do you think I should even try?"
"You've slept with most of the women you've encountered so far, the rest are dead or spoken for, I don't see why she should be any different," Garrus said bluntly. "Plus that oath she swore might help seduce her."
"What Garrus is trying to say is that maybe she is the one for you Cassie, I mean she did make that oath without knowing who you really are behind closed doors," Tali said quickly, following a slight pause after Garrus' remark.
"What does the Code say about love?" Garrus asked.
"It's pretty much forbidden," Cassie sighed, only now remembering what her human mother had told her. "They give up all possessions aside from weapons and armour, and are forsworn from having children or family… Do you think there's a chance I could change that with her?"
"Considering Miranda's been less icy towards you since you melded, it is probable you could do the same for Samara," Tali noted. "You do have a magnetic personality with the Normandy women, and if that fails, your good nature will probably win her over."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Tali," Cassie smiled, kissing Tali's visor. "Do you agree Garrus?"
"I'd say she'll be yours before the Collectors are blown to hell," Garrus said, watching the taxi carrying Samara take off into the sky. "That's my promise to you Shepard."
"We'll see," Cassie laughed, giving Garrus a hug. "Let's get back to the ship and see what our next mission entails."