Summary:
Even as Liara takes her first steps into a new world, events and plans continue around her.
Reference:
Callbacks to Redemption and Homeworlds
The Treaty of Farixen and dreadnought counts are from the codex.
Denai's half of the workspace was ruthlessly clean and organized.
The rest, well, the rest was as Sarah left it. The soldier who wore an immaculate uniform, maintained a small arsenal of pristine weapons, and kept herself in perfect shape, could be rabidly territorial in the way she filled a space.
An array of datapads were scattered across the table, each exactly where she'd put them last, the data on them unavailable now, her security codes long since expired. The glass tumbler, no longer with the slightest hint of the scotch it once contained, held court over a circle of coffee rings. There were even sheets of actual paper strewn here and there, habits formed in younger days during an earlier time.
Denai never intruded into the commander's area. Every motion, everything she placed on the shared workspace never crossed the invisible line separating "her" side from Sarah's.
It was a few hours past midnight, which meant Denai was close to the end of her workday.
She would be if she ever allowed her days to end. She shook her head. The days and weeks were doing an excellent job of running together. She hadn't allowed herself to become this exhausted since university.
Denai activated her omni-tool, having to blink twice to bring it into focus. She quickly tapped out the calculations required to convert Armali local to the current time in Nos Astra. The current time in Illium hours, that is. It was the time at Liara's location that she was concerned with. She entered the formula from memory instead of just having the 'tool do it for her. After all, why should this be easy? Nothing else was proving to be. Besides, she needed the mental exercise to help her focus.
The numbers hovered silently over her wrist, reminding her of both her exhaustion and her duty. It was early morning for Liara, the daily briefing only twenty-seven minutes away. Twenty-seven minutes on Thessia, at least. It didn't matter. Her daily report was ready, as insignificant as it was. She deactivated her 'tool with a shake of her arm.
Not for the first time she considered simply sealing all the windows, and just converting all of her systems to Illium time. Without the diurnal cycle of Thessia readily apparent, she should eventually be able to settle into a Nos Astra schedule. It would create inconvenience with the estate staff, but she didn't answer to them.
She answered to Shepard.
Well, not exactly. Shepard was "dead", after all.
Denai could almost hear the quotes in her mind.
In Shepard's absence, and without the human's direction, Denai was free to prioritize her own efforts, and her allegiance devolved back to House T'Soni, until and unless she chose to ask to be released from her oath. Technically her service had been to Shepard's position in the family, not Shepard herself.
Which meant she now answered to Liara, the Head of the House, as she'd owed her allegiance to Benezia before her.
Being so elevated in the hierarchy of a Great House would normally be considered a privilege, a crowning achievement of someone't professional life. She used to feel fortunate, proud even, of her role and the trust placed in her by such a powerful Matriarch.
The perception of being part of something larger than one's self was why she'd chosen to remain after Benezia's death. There had been a sense to loyalty to the House, to the memory of Benezia, and once she'd ascended, to Liara. The House had become her family, and after Benezia's death, she wanted to help it any way she could.
Then Sarah had come, and had been named cari'ssi'mi. In the space of hours, Denai had gone from simply feeling useful, to feeling needed. It was a sensation she'd enjoyed.
Sarah had been so different from Benezia. So young, so earnest. So passionate in her love of Liara, in her commitment to House T'Soni.
Denai would have followed her anywhere.
But now she just felt used, lonely and abandoned.
It made little sense how quickly she'd become attached to the young human. She'd felt Sarah had cared about her. Honestly and fully, not out of a sense of obligation or expectation. It was something she couldn't remember feeling since she'd lost Araire.
Acting as Sarah's princeps hadn't been particularly demanding. Managing Shepard's interactions with the Matriarchy wasn't difficult, but it had been entertaining. Keeping the human from charging headfirst into one societal norm or another had been challenging, and eventually she learned that the best way to get her point across was to let Sarah make some of her own mistakes. Usually she was able to restrict those occasions to times when the repercussion would be limited to wounding the human's pride.
Sarah's sheepish grin in such cases had been more heartwarming than any number of times saying "I told you so".
But Shepard had learned quickly. She began to engage her before making decisions, had shared her opinions, her hopes and trepidations. She'd even started coming to her for relationship advice.
That had been endearingly awkward. Denai never would have thought that she would meet someone less knowledgable of relationships than Liara. And if she did, she never would have believed that such a person would be a Council spectre. The human had an innocence to her that belied her experiences.
That innocence was probably what allowed the human to imagine a galaxy where the Reapers could be defeated, despite never having been before.
It was also likely part of what had gotten her killed, and left Liara to deal with the consequences of her death.
Liara, who was becoming more single minded in her pursuit of the Shadow Broker by the day. Her quest for the Broker consumed her. There was never enough information to satisfy her desires, and her ever increasing requests for more data were starting to border on the frantic.
This was despite the fact that what Denai thought of as "her" network of maidens was generating information in a volume that was becoming nearly impossible to manage. Most of it had no relevance to Liara's needs. Some was of a personal nature, some inconsequential, and some held monetary value while not providing any relevance in the search for the Shadow Broker. No matter the nature of the data, Liara demanded that all of it be kept and analyzed.
Denai suspected that even the Shadow Broker himself didn't have the sheer amount of data coming in that House T'Soni did. Once maidens learned that they might make a handful of credits by simply keeping track of who they danced for, Denai's team had found themselves inundated by minutia from across the galaxy.
It had become Denai's job to distill the overabundance of information down to what was meaningful, and forward it on to Liara for further review.
Liara demanded the raw data as well, causing Denai to suspect that hers was not the only team tasked with analysis, but to the best of Denai's knowledge Liara's support on Illium consisted of a salarian assistant and a handful of VI programs. From how Liara's appearance had degraded over the last several months, Denai suspected that Liara might even be attempting to review all of the data personally. She seemed convinced that the one piece of data she didn't personally review was the one that would lead her to the Shadow Broker.
It wasn't healthy, and Denai was beginning to suspect it was Liara's way of distracting herself.
But distracting herself from what. Denai didn't know.
Sarah's death was the obvious conclusion, but that was only a guess. It was certainly what Denai was trying to distract herself from. She was still unable to convince Liara to share the mysterious knowledge she held regarding Shepard, but whatever that secret might be, it brought the young information broker no peace.
It bothered Denai more than anything else that despite Liara's claim she knew where she was, she didn't appear to be concerned about bringing Shepard home.
It made no sense.
Denai had melded with Shepard on multiple occasions during the human's last stay on Thessia. Despite the fondness she had developed for the young human, she knew her affection towards Sarah didn't hold a candle to the intensity of the feelings that Sarah had for Liara.
The memories that Denai had seen in those melds, including treasured recollection Shepard had of melds previously shared with her bondmate, were all that Denai needed to know that Liara's love for Shepard was equally fierce.
And yet Liara expended no resources towards Shepard's recovery.
Shepard was alive. Denai knew it to be true. When confronted, Liara had admitted to knowing the human's location, if not her condition. But Liara wasn't acting on this information.
Nothing about this seemed reasonable. Others, Alaya specifically, were more than happy to indulge what was seen as a temporary fixation on Liara's part. How quickly the maiden had abandoned her archaeological pursuits to join Shepard was seen as proof of this. Now Liara was pursuing the information trade as a profession? Odd. She had no need to, but then she hadn't needed to pursue a doctorate either.
As far as Alaya was concerned, Liara was simply acting like a maiden. Best to leave her be. At least she wasn't dancing on Omega. Denai, Jedis, Stallura, and others operating under direct instruction were continuing as they had been, but Alaya had gone back to letting the estate effectively run on autopilot.
So while still supporting Liara's search, Denai also mined all the data she could in an attempt to ascertain the maiden's secret. She thought that it might have something to do with the drell that Liara was also consumed with, but she had no actual proof that that was the case. It didn't matter. She looked across the dozens of data pads strewn across every surface in the room, before picking one up at random. The information she needed was in here somewhere. She had to believe that. Access to this much information was one of the few reasons she chose to remain with the House, despite her loss.
But not the only one.
Her mind was wandering, focus lost. She realized the didn't know how long she'd been staring at the datapads when Teseka's voice called her from the entryway.
"Tea?"
She answered with a small smile. If tea was the question, then yes was always the answer. Teseka knew that. That was probably why the commando was carrying two mugs.
Denai hated being predictable, but at the same time she appreciated the concern, and the company. She was afraid she looked just as haggard as Liara these days.
"Comm's in fifteen," commented Teseka. She slid into Shepard's chair, offering a challenging look to Denai, waiting for the matron to comment.
Instead, Denai took a deep drink of her tea.
"I know."
"How long is this going to go on?" With sweep of her arm, Teseka took in the room. The workspace evenly split between Denai's structure and Sarah's mess. "She wouldn't have wanted you to turn this into a shrine."
"As long as it has to."
"You can't do this forever. There are other priorities, other responsibilities."
"None are more important than our obligation to our House, or to Liara," came the weary response.
"And to Sarah?" Teseka shook her head at the deliberate omission, worry evident in her tone. "Would she want to see you like this? Bloodshot eyes, skin grey with exhaustion? What would she say?"
"It doesn't really matter what she would say, does it?"
"Of course it does, Denai. It's her expectation you're trying to live up to." She leaned over the desk, Denai's concern that Teseka might inadvertently touch something evident on her face. "She'd want you to take care of yourself. You aren't going to be of use to anyone if you let yourself fall apart."
"I know that, so don't you start. Alaya's already been in here, with her 'the House has been particularly accommodating in allowing you to continue this endeavor' that she hits me with at least once a day."
"Is that why you're pushing yourself so hard? You're afraid you'll be assigned to other duties?"
"Don't make me laugh. Alaya chose to support Liara over Aethyta, but that doesn't mean she believes in what Liara's doing." She indicated the mess in front of Teseka with a wave of her arm. "She'll never stand up to Liara, even if she thought there was no chance she was right. She wants me to stop this on my own. She hopes that if I stop supporting Liara's efforts that she'll lose interest and find another pursuit, hopefully one that is a little more respectable than information broker." She chuckled as she took another sip of tea. "I never thought I'd see Alaya wishing Liara would focus her energies on archaeology."
"So, you're not going to stop then?"
Denai tiredly met her gaze. "I can't. I'm sorry."
Teseka's demeanor became more businesslike. "I didn't think so." She shrugged. "Not that I won't keep trying, but that's not why I came to see you anyway."
"No?"
"There's been another Shepard sighting."
"Confirmed?" Denai knew it wouldn't be. She set her tea aside, barely interested in Teseka's response.
"No, but the vids seem to lend credibility to this one. I think you should flag it in today's report." She looked at Denai expectantly.
"And why would I do that?"
"Why wouldn't you?" Teseka's confusion was evident. "If it weren't obvious what you were looking for, don't you think I would know?" When Denai didn't reply, she continued. "Liara's looking for the Shadow Broker, for some goddess cursed reason, but you're looking for Shepard. Why won't you ever pursue one of these leads?"
"Because they aren't her," replied Denai. "If they were, Liara would already know."
"So you suspect."
"So I know, Teseka. If Liara didn't know where Shepard was, she'd be looking. She's not only not trying to bring her home, she's not even thinking about it. She admitted she knows where Sarah is, and I believe her. I have to. But no matter where Shepard is, why she can't be contacted, Liara accepts it."
"Fine. Liara accepts it. Does Sarah?"
"Of course…" Denai trailed off.
"You don't know, do you."
"Liara told me I had to trust her."
"So you do. As easily as that."
"She's the Head of House T'Soni."
"And so you obey her without question. Just like you never questioned Sarah."
"It isn't like that…" Denai answered slowly. "Liara has been forthcoming when I've questioned her in the past."
"But not this time, not about Shepard." When Denai didn't respond, she continued. "She is our patron, but Liara owes you more than any other. Do not forget that when you push yourself this hard."
"She wouldn't behave this way if she didn't have reason," Denai came to Liara's defense even as she agreed with Teseka's point. "We just don't have all the information. She would never sacrifice Sarah. Nothing would cause her to cause her to give up on Shepard, not while there was any chance at all," she paused. "Nothing."
"Tell me again," Teseka waited until she was certain that she had Denai's complete attention. "Why you didn't follow Benezia when she went to Saren?"
"I…" Denai's hesitation was interrupted by a chime from her terminal.
"Comm's coming in," said Teseka unnecessarily. "Try to get some rest afterwards," she added as she turned to leave.
.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.
"The resolution passes, with a vote of two to one, the turian councilor abstaining," Valern's tone was even more annoyed sounding than usual.
The salarian ambassador glanced up into the viewing area with thinly disguised distain. Reporters, ambassadors, and other onlookers waited for opportunity to speak.
"The Council will not be taking questions," Valern preempted any interaction with the audience. He glanced to the other councilors at his right. "This Council session is adjourned. We shall reconvene in three days, at the normal time."
He stepped from his podium without further comment, heading for the corridor that would take him to the salarian embassy. Sparatus followed close behind, the turian embassy in the same direction.
Tevos waited in silence until the pair were almost clear of the audience chamber before stepping from her own podium. Every motion a study of fluid grace as she started in the opposite direction towards her own embassy. She didn't hurry. She'd sensed Anderson's growing impatience over the last few sessions, and today might be the day he acted upon it.
Anderson barely waited until she had gone a few paces before falling into step beside her.
"Councilor Tevos, a moment please."
She managed to hide her smile. "Of course, David. How might I be of service?"
Anderson paused, uncomfortable as always with the familiarity assumed by Tevos since he assumed the role of humanity's councilor, and how he should reciprocate. He still didn't know if Tevos was the asari councilor's given name, familial name, or only name. Matriarchs seemed to go by their given name almost exclusively. Military ranks seem to be a mix, and councilor…
Well, he only knew one asari councilor, so he had nothing to go on.
If Shepard were still alive, he'd have asked her the councilor's given name by now. Hell, Shepard had spent so much time with the councilor on Thessia, that she'd probably have given her a nickname by now.
But Shepard wasn't alive. Even if she were, he'd want her focused on other things than instructing him in asari etiquette.
Lord he missed her.
Tevos was still looking at him, probably very much aware of how uncomfortable he was. Over a year of being her peer had not overcome habits formed from so many years of being subordinate to the Council. "David?" She prompted when he still hadn't said anything. She seemed to enjoy watching him struggle with this role he'd never wanted, never asked for.
"I apologize, Councilor," answered Anderson, putting his thoughts aside for now. "I was distracted for a moment."
"That's quite all right David," she replied as they entered the corridor leading to their respective embassies. "This is fortuitous, in any event. I'd hoped to have a moment to thank you for your vote on the fleet's funding resolution."
"I'd be an idiot not to. The Citadel Fleet needs as much reinforcement as we can afford."
"No small amount of the allocated funds shall go towards expanding the human fleet," noted Tevos.
"And the asari fleet as well, Councilor," countered Anderson. "Even though the turians will get as much as both of our governments' allocations combined." He shook his head. "I don't understand why Sparatus didn't vote for it."
"Because he did not have to. My vote was a foregone conclusion, as the sponsor of the resolution. Your position on matters of defense has been, shall we say, abundantly clear. Sparatus had no need to vote in favor, thereby drawing Valern's ire, on a resolution that would surely pass without him."
"He could have voted against. Even Valern has to see that."
"He wanted the resolution to pass as much as you do, David. This way allows Sparatus to continue to show support for Valern, but at no cost to himself. The turians get the funding they desire, while Sparatus continues to build political capital with the salarians." She nodded in approval. "An effective strategy."
"And all of it based on hypocrisy." Anderson followed Tevos into the asari embassy's reception area, holding his commentary as Tevos informed J'neri that they were not to be disturbed. They entered Tevos' office, and the councilor's assistant secured the door behind them.
"This is what I hate about being councilor," he began. "We need all the defense funding we can allocate with the Reapers coming, but instead we-"
"Would you like a drink, David?" Tevos interrupted as she stepped into an alcove across from her desk. She slid open a recessed door to reveal a row of bottles.
"It's early afternoon," protested Anderson.
"I am aware of the time David," replied Tevos as she poured herself a glass. "I have no more business planned for the day, and you give me the impression of a man with a great deal on his mind." She held up the bottle. "Elasa?"
"The green stuff's pretty sweet," countered the human.
"You prefer something non-asari? I believe I have salarian whisky as well as human scotch."
Scotch. Another reminder of Shepard. "Elasa's fine," he answered in defeat.
"Excellent." She poured another glass, pressing one into Anderson's hand on her way back to her desk. "Please. Sit." She motioned to the chairs across the desk from her.
Anderson selected the chair with a higher back, the one not designed for someone with a crest, and chuckled as he sat down. "I don't think I've ever taken a seat in your office before."
"This is your first visit since you became councilor, David." She smiled disarmingly. "You are always welcome here. We accomplished a great deal together, even before humanity rose to having a seat on the council."
Anderson ignored the flattery. "The embassy takes a lot of my time."
"And it should not. You're a councilor, not the ambassador." She indicated his drink. "Your sensibilities are still those of a career soldier, David. You're not a captain anymore. Politics follow a crooked path, and no one's timetable."
"I still answer to the Systems Alliance. I don't think they'd be very happy if I started taking afternoons off."
"As I answer to the Conclave. Despite that, the Chancellor, like your Prime Minster, is not here. The Alliance is focused on defending and governing its colonies, as it should be. Your focus is on maintaining the relationships humanity has with its neighbors." She nodded in recognition. "A role you have had exceptional success with so far."
"You wanted to discuss something?" She prompted when Anderson simply stated into his glass at her comment.
"Two things now, actually." He took a sip of his drink. "You mentioned the relationships humanity has with its neighbors. Specifically you mean with the asari." It wasn't a question.
Tevos smiled. "Humanity and the asari have had good relations almost from the beginning, have we not?"
Anderson grunted. "Sure, because it benefits the asari."
"David!" Tevos exclaimed in mock indignation. "Did we not intercede in your little skirmish with the turians? How did that benefit us?"
He shrugged. "It changed the balance of power. To your benefit. You saw a race that could stand up to the turians and thought it wouldn't be a bad idea if they owed you a favor."
"And now you're thinking like a politician," replied Tevos.
"I can't help but remember the last time a race pissed off both the turians and the salarians at the same time." He met her gaze. "It didn't work out too well for the krogan, did it? The asari didn't step in on their behalf."
"The krogan had seized asari colonies. Would you have expected us to quietly accept losing our territories?" She put her drink down. "You weren't there. Difficult decisions needed to be made."
"You're right, I wasn't. But sterilizing a race sets a dangerous precedent, don't you think?"
"A precedent that hasn't been duplicated in over a thousand years. I think I can say that the genophage achieved the results that everyone wanted, with as few repercussions as could be hoped for."
"I'd consider a pissed off krogan race to be one hell of a repercussion, but let's put that aside for now. It looks like you're setting humanity up to be the target the next time that the asari disagree with the salarians, and possibly the turians as well."
"We have been remarkably aligned in matters of policy, David. Is that your concern?"
"My concern is that Valern and Sparatus now face a combined human asari voting bloc when before they could pass any resolution they saw fit." He took another sip of his drink. "What happens when they tire of being unable to further their agenda? They won't take it out on the Republics. It's humanity that will suffer."
"What agenda are you referring to David, that humanity is such an obstruction to?"
He changed direction. "Why isn't the Council preparing for the Reaper invasion? You're not stupid, Tevos. You know that wasn't a geth dreadnaught that attacked the Citadel. Synthetics make difficult enemies on the field of battle, but Sovereign was an order of magnitude beyond anything we've seen from the geth."
Tevos stared across her desk for a few moments.
"The Council's official position-"
He cut her off, possibly for the first time. "Pretending they aren't coming isn't going to make them go away, you know." He met her glare. "I thought the asari took the long view? I didn't know that meant avoiding unpleasant realities and hoping they resolved themselves."
"I'm not deluding myself David," she replied calmly. "There is what we know, and there is our official position." She paused. "At times, they are not one and the same, as you well know. The official position of my government is that a geth dreadnaught attacked the Citadel." She lowered her eyes. "Any other speculation will simply serve to create unrest in the populace." She sipped her elasa without looking at Anderson. "Panic serves no one."
"It isn't panic to prepare for a battle we know is coming, Tevos. Why aren't you letting your people prepare?"
"Why aren't you?"
"The Alliance is well aware that the endorsement of the asari, your endorsement, is why humanity has a seat on the Council. They're afraid of doing anything to risk pissing you off."
"A needless worry, David. Humanity earned their Council seat. You are in no danger of losing it by having your own opinions and goals." She offered a small smile. "I will say that while it has been helpful to have your vote while in session, my official position is that if humanity were to start preparing for galactic war on their own, they risk running afoul of the Treaty of Farixen."
"Like my vote today," he waited while she nodded confirmation. "It makes sense that you, Sparatus and I would be in favor of military funding. It was our ships we're still rebuilding. Our soldiers we're training. Our people who will be on the front line when the Reapers return. My vote let Sparatus get what he wanted while saving face with Valern, but why is Valern against building up our defenses?"
"Like the Conclave, and your own parliament, the Union seeks to prevent panic among the general populace."
"The fleets were decimated by Sovereign. We don't need to mention the Reapers. Just announce a military buildup under the guise of general preparedness."
"There is still the Treaty of Farixen, David. The turians have thirty-seven dreadnoughts. Under the conditions of the treaty, if humanity wanted fifty, then the turians would need to increase their fleet to eighty-three. Building that many capital ships would be a significant strain on their economy if they desired to do so, which I assure you, they do not."
"And what will you do with those ships David?" She continued when Anderson started to reply. "Will you come to Thessia's aid when the Reapers are at our door, or will you concentrate on defending Alliance space like the turians will no doubt defend Palaven?"
Anderson's eyes narrowed. "What are you not telling me?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"You know the Reapers are coming. You don't even try to deny it, not to me at least. Yet you don't want more ships, even though you almost lost the Destiny Ascension to a single Reaper." He started talking faster now. "The same with the salarians. They don't want more ships either." He shook his head. "That makes even less sense. They only have sixteen dreadnoughts. They couldn't hope to hold the Pranas system, let alone all of salarian space." His eyes widened in realization. "You don't think you need ships."
He leapt to his feet, realization filling him with energy as he towered over the seated asari. "What am I missing? Why don't you need ships?" His voice thundered through the room.
"David," Tevos replied calmly. "Sit down."
He started pacing instead. "What is it? A weapon? A strategy? What's Valern planning? What are you planning?" He spun, staring at Tevos again.
"I assure you, I have no idea how the salarians plan to address the Reaper issue."
"Well then, how do the asari plan to address the 'reaper issue,' as you so eloquently put it?"
"By not panicking."
"Fine. You're not going to tell me. I don't like it, but I understand it." He turned his eyes upward. "I hate this political shit," he muttered, far from the first time.
He turned back to her desk, hands on the surface, leaning over Tevos again. "But there's more, isn't there? This all ties together somehow. Your plan for the Reapers. Your interest in humanity." He cocked his head. "Even your interest in Shepard."
She just looked back at him placidly.
"Dammit Tevos, tell me what you need. Maybe I can help! What's happening here? What are we to you?"
Tevos activated her omni-tool. "J'neri, could you please see Councilor Anderson out?" She met the human's eyes. "And see to it that a bottle of my private stock of elasa is delivered to the human embassy? It seems the councilor approves of it."
"At once, Councilor," come the reply even as the office door opened.
Anderson didn't say another word before stomping out of Tevos' office without saying goodbye. Never turning before the door closed behind him.
"You're my contingency plan," said Tevos to the closed door. "Goddess save us all if it comes to that."
.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.
The Shadow Broker shuffled into his command center, drinking in the cold. A spinning drone, the Broker's constant companion, followed just behind.
The cold ignited his senses like it always did. It kept him sharp, even in his inner sanctum, this place without enemies, without risk. The swelter of Parnack was a memory lost across years, but the cold was his ally, his sparring partner. Every compartment but his sleeping chamber was kept at his preferred ten degrees.
He activated his consoles with a wave, waiting with barely contained impatience as connections were established with his agents across the galaxy.
Once all indicators had turned a reassuring orange, he proceeded to settle behind his desk.
"Go," he announced to no one.
"Liara T'Soni has returned to Nevos, Shadow Broker." The nondescript drone waited for a response in a reasonable imitation of humility.
"Continue," came the eventual reply.
"Agent Pausa has confirmed her identity. Doctor T'Soni has accepted the employment offer at Ratari Distributors, using the Jinli T'Vemi alias under which she applied."
The Broker snorted at that. 'Asari are such prideful creatures' he thought. 'Even T'Soni. A meaningless alias, and she still selects a family name with a noble prefix.'
"Instructions, Shadow Broker?" Asked the drone almost hopefully. "Agent Pausa is standing by, and wetwork teams are available."
"I rescinded the bounty on the doctor for a reason," murmured the Broker, despite the fact that such commentary was meaningless to the VI. He raised his voice. "Her work may yet prove to have value, and so we shall allow her to continue it."
The asari's research had proven interesting. T'Soni's conclusions were low probability, but not so much so that they might not be of use if his relationship with the collectors became untenable. They claimed that he would be passed by when the Reapers came, but as more information came to light, The Shadow Broker found himself no longer believing their calm assurances.
Now that he's seen T'Soni's data as well, the collectors appeared even less credible. He wondered how many Protheans had been promised similar exemption the last time the Reapers had invaded.
He made his decision.
"Inform Agent Pausa to proceed as planned. Doctor T'Soni is not to be harmed. Provide her with the necessary security level and instruction to access the information archive stored in the Ratari facility. If she has not accessed the datastore within the next five days, provide her with subtle assistance, but nothing that might rouse her suspicion." That should be enough. T'Soni was arrogant, but she wasn't stupid. She shouldn't need the help, but he preferred to account for all contingencies.
After a moment, the drone drifted away to execute the Broker's instructions, bobbing gently as it disappeared into a corridor.
There wasn't any rush. He only needed to keep her attention away from Illium for a few hours. It didn't make any sense for the asari to be allowed to continue her work if he wasn't going to benefit from it.
A/N:
Assumptions here include:
FemShep/Liara
Post ME2 beginning / Post Redemption comic / Pre Shepard resurrection
Sarah Shepard is:
Colonist / Vanguard / War Hero
As always, thank you for reading. Feedback is welcome and desired
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