Jasmine: Boy am I a nervous fuck right now! After all this time, we will finally get to see her…But I wonder if we can have it end well…
Liara: I hope so as well…I really do.
Wrex: Well, no sense in pussyfooting about. Start the chapter now!
Mass Effect: Sins of the Future
Chapter Twenty-One: Benezia
Rift Station – Noveria
Team Jasmine
"Wrex…It's dead…" Jasmine whispered softly as she touched his right shoulder, a sad expression on her face as the furious Wrex continued to fire his shotgun against the dead Rachni, each shot causing another roar to escape his lips.
After traveling the harsh weather and battling tons of Geth to get to Peak 15, the team found themselves in what seemed to be a stream of combat from the garage to the cafeteria of the building.
And right when they thought things were quiet…The supposedly extinct Rachni appeared and that queued an unstoppable rage within their Krogan companion that none have ever seen. He killed every Rachni he had come across with brutal efficiency but despite killing the last one, he continued to fire his shots into it.
"It's not even a body at this point. It's just paste…" Liara said with a frown on her face.
Jasmine frowned as well and gave a look to Liara and Kaidan that seem to say "Stop him."
The pair nodded and held up his hand, his eyes and hand glowing with biotic energy. Wrex was suddenly flung into a wall, being held by the biotic energy. "Let me down!" Wrex roared furiously.
"Can't do that Wrex," Kaidan said with a frown on his face.
"Damn it! Let me down or I'll kill you all!" Wrex exclaimed.
"Wrex!" Jasmine exclaimed. "It was already neutralized. Hell, it was far more than that. It essentially became toothpaste!"
"No less than what it deserves!" Wrex yelled. "You weren't there to see what these creatures can do! You don't understand what this means for this universe!"
"I get what they can do Wrex!" Jasmine exclaimed. "Trust me…I know…"
"Your history books can't tell you shit…If they are still alive, this universe is in danger!" Wrex shouted.
"Wrex…Listen to me," Jasmine began while slowly approaching the held Krogan. "The Rachni are dangerous. I know the risks but Benezia is our prime concern. If we come across anymore Rachni, they will die but we can't waste our time turning them to paste."
Jasmine was now standing in front of Wrex, her hands up in a placating manner. "So let's keep moving alright?"
Wrex stayed silent for a few moments before he took a deep breath and said "Sure…We'll keep moving…"
"Let him down," Jasmine commanded.
Liara and Kaidan released their biotic hold on Wrex, letting him fall to the ground on his own two feet before he wordlessly loaded his shotgun and began to walk forward out of the room. After the three spared a glance at one another, the group continued their way through Peak 15, solving various issues with the elevator along with killing several Geth along the way until they found themselves on a tram which lead to the Rift Station.
The group ran out of the tram armed and ready for combat but found the place empty. "This is eerie," Kaidan noted as he looked around with narrowed eyes.
"I agree," Liara replied as she held up a glowing right hand. "I'm so used at something popping up on us that I can't help but stay on guard."
"This is how it starts with those blasted creatures. The calm before the death," Wrex growled out as he looked around.
Jasmine, who had remained silent, opened her eyes and holstered her weapon and said "It's safe. This area has been cleared out."
The three aliens looked back at their human leader in confusion, with Liara voicing the concern with "How do you know that?"
Jasmine gave her a confident smirk, which made Liara's face turn a darker shade of blue. She was so unprepared for that attractive sight that it threw her off guard. "Let's just say I have a gift for feeling out danger," Jasmine replied as she stared at the Asari Archeologist., her smirk still in place.
"I-I'm sure," Liara responded but she followed Jasmine's lead and holstered her weapon as well.
"Well, let's mosey," Jasmine said as she began to walk.
"Did she just say "mosey" or was my hearing wrong?" Kaidan whispered to Wrex, who snorted in amusement, despite being on edge and followed their team leader. The group soon found themselves entering the room where a bald dark skinned male stood in white armor.
He was talking to other men who also wore white armor before he noticed the group and shot them a look while the two guards quickly lifted up their guns. "Relax gentleman," The man said as he lifted up his arms to against their chests. "You're Jasmine Shepard," The man said.
"Hero of Skyllian Blitz," Jasmine replied with a grin on her face. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Captain Jay Ventralis. Head of ERCS assigned her labs at Noveria for security," Captain Ventralis said with a brief nod of respect.
Jasmine noticed the bags beneath his eyes and the eyes of his men and said "Rough night?"
"Try rough week," Captain Ventralis replied dryly. "Ever since these damn Rachni appeared, we've been up for a week killing those assholes with only coffee and stims to keep us up and moving."
"That sounds rough as hell," Kaidan noted. "Do you know where th-"
Kaidan was interrupted as a group of Rachni suddenly came crawling from the air ducts in the ceiling and the floor, prompting Wrex to shout "Infestation!" Without any fanfare, the group pulled out their weapons and laid into the bugs, ending each of their lives in an instant.
"That…Went so much easier than last few times," One of the men said to Ventralis, who nodded in exhaustion.
"Have they been attacking this spot the entire time they've returned?" Liara questioned.
At Ventralis' nod, Jasmine narrowed her eyes and at the man and asked "Why?" It took her a moment to sift through her brother's memory but she finally found the point where he met this guy.
He was going to lead her and the team to the Hot Labs where a swarm of Rachni was going to be in an attempt to kill them. Her brother of course, didn't take to kind to this and laid waste to the Captain and his team.
"Alright, cut the bullshit. Where is Benezia?" Jasmine asked.
"She's in the Hot Labs," Ventralis replied but Jasmine suddenly pulled out her pistol and held it at the forehead of Ventralis, causing his two men to lift up their guns to her, which prompted the squad to draw their weapons on them.
"So…I'm going to cut to the chase here. I know you're going to lead us to the Hot Labs because the Hot Labs is right beneath this room where a large swarm of Rachni are waiting, right?" Jasmine asked him.
"How did you know?" Vantralis muttered with a frown on his face.
"I'm pretty damn smart," Jasmine said. "Now tell me. Where is she really? I don't want to cause a pointless bloodbath here so tell me and I will let you live, and anyone under you live, we got a deal?"
"You act like you'll survive," Vantralis muttered angrily.
"And you think you will," Jasmine said with a smirk on her face. "You know who I am. You know what I've been through. Being the Hero of the Blitz along with some of my other feats…You really want to take a chance on this fruitless battle?"
"You're right…" the Captain said softly as he shut his eyes and murmured "The Secure Labs…She's located in the Secure Labs…"
Jasmine lifted her gun away from his forehead as she said "Thank you kindly." Vantralis lowered his head shamefully but Jasmine placed a hand on his shoulder and said "I know that doing that was hard to do and I'm sorry I had to do it but the fate of our universe hinges on finding her. You'll thank me one day for this."
Vantralis gave her the pass to the Secure Labs and said "I'm sure but for now, leave me with my shame…"
Jasmine nodded and looked to her team and said "Let's move!"
Asteroid X57 – The Mako
Team Shepard
"Man, that mission was not a fun one," Ashley muttered with exhaustion before she yawned while stretching out her limps, her left hand nearly hitting Garrus in the face, who sitting beside her with his head was slumped forward and his eyes were closed, seemingly sleeping.
After the mission ended and the goodbyes were had, the team drove the Mako to the extraction point Joker had left them, leaving the four exhausted soldiers waiting for pick up.
"Watch where you aim those weapons," Garrus muttered as he opened one eye.
"Sorry," Ashley replied as she yawned again.
"What? No joke?" Garrus asked.
"Shut it, too exhausted," Ashley retorted. "This mission took a lot out of me."
"Same here, I can barely keep my eyes open," Garrus replied as he crossed his arms, his eyes still closed.
"I think we need a break from all these missions. Say Shepard, Once Jasmine and her team get back, can we get a small respite?" Ashley asked their leader, who was currently dozing off at the wheel, his head resting against the sleeping Tali's head.
"Awww," Ashley cooed at the sight before she bumped Garrus, whose head snapped up and his eyes opened. "Isn't that adorable?" Ashley asked.
Garrus eyed the sleeping Commander and the Quarian and despite himself, he let a grin appear on his face. "Yeah…It actually is," Garrus replied before he jokingly asked "Why aren't we that adorable when we sleep?"
"I don't know about you but I'm damn cute," Ashley retorted.
"I don't see any false statement in that," Garrus replied immediately before he made a quick noise of surprise.
Ashley whirled her head to him in surprise and asked "You think I'm cute?"
"Yeah, I-I mean, you know…Out of all the h-humans, you're the cutest. I mean…I guess um…" Garrus paused before he finally settled on "Yes."
Ashley couldn't help herself but blush as she let out a small laugh and said "Wow, I-I didn't think…" she twirled a strand of hair with her index finger with another small laugh.
"We Turians do find beauty in other creatures. Though most seem to love the Asari, I'm starting to learn more about human beauty thanks to you," Garrus admitted.
"Look at you being a smooth talker Vakarian," Ashley joked, despite her blush staying.
"I-I'm not trying to flatter, I j-just um…" Garrus stammered before he saw the smile on Ashley's face and said "I just said what's been on my mind for a spell. That's all."
"Well if it helps, I think you're handsome too," Ashley replied softly.
The two stared at each other for a moment with a smile on their faces. Without warning, Garrus caressed her right cheek with the back of his two fingers and murmured "I think cute might be an understatement…"
"You think so?" Ashley's voice responded, her voice soft, almost hesitant. Nothing like the normal crass and strong hearted lieutenant he was used to hearing.
"Yeah…" Garrus replied, his heart beating so loud, he was sure Ashley could hear it but if he would have asked her, she wouldn't have been able to answer due to hearing her heart beating in her ears.
She licked her suddenly dry lips and murmured "Garrus…I…"
"Yeah…?" Garrus replied as he head began to dip down while she began to lean up, both of their eyes slowly closing but then, the Mako lurched unexpectedly, causing the two to blink in surprise and move far away from one another, Ashley with a blush on her face and Garrus' eyes being wide.
Shepard woke up with a startled "Wha?"
Tali remained blissfully asleep against Shepard's shoulder. Shepard look to Tali and felt a warm smile form on his face.
He gently moved here away from his shoulder for her to sleep, taking a moment to run a hand against her head before he moved it away. "Sleep well…" Shepard whispered to her before turning back to look at Ashley and Garrus, who were parted far away from one another with strange expressions on their faces.
He opened his mouth to comment on this when Joker's voice came on his headset with a "Hey Commander! Sorry it took so long. I knew I shouldn't have taken that turn on Albuquerque. I'm getting you guys up here now."
"Thanks Joker…" Shepard said as he quirked a brow at his two companions before slowly turning away. "We're ready when you are. Anyway, any word from Jasmine?"
"Yeah. She just got the location of the good Matriarch," Joker said.
Shepard narrowed his eyes and thought 'Good luck Jasmine…'
Secure Labs – Noveria
Team Jasmine
"Here we are…" Kaidan said as the group looked at the large sign on the door that read "Secure Labs" with an Erlenmeyer flask on it.
"There is no telling what she has up her sleeve so we should tread lightly," Wrex growled out as he cocked his shotgun.
"There's no turning back here…" Liara whispered as she turned to Jasmine, who kept her eyes on the door itself.
Jasmine truthfully wasn't ready for what she had to deal with. Looking to her brother's memories, she knew that Benezia was going to use her Commandos on her and she knew that the Matriarch was not going to live past this day.
She had avoided thinking about it but now that she was face to face, she was afraid to go into this room. But the galaxy was at stake and as much as she hated it, she would have to fight them and kill her.
Or would she?
Could she be able to save her?
She had to try, right? At least give her that chance to come peacefully. "No turning back," Jasmine replied before she scanned the card in the door and without any fanfare, the door opened up to reveal a platform where the good Matriarch stood.
Benezia was wearing what looked to be a black crown on her head with black lipstick and eye liner and she wore a leather dress that left her bosom on display and hugged her curves and which Jasmine would readily admit that her beauty made her ache with desire.
'Yeah…Just like old times,' Jasmine thought dryly before she shouted "Matriarch Benezia!"
The Asari remained silent for a moment, which made Jasmine think she did not hear her but when she opened her mouth to speak; the Asari said "Neither of you know the privilege of being a mother. There is power in creation. To shape a life. Turn it toward happiness or despair."
Jasmine's jaw set as she pointed the pistol towards Benezia while Kaidan and Liara's hands glowed with the power of their Biotics. Wrex eyed the creature in the tube then looked to Benezia and growled out "You and Saren are responsible for bringing these monsters back to life, aren't you?"
"They were brought back for one purpose and that is to slay Saren's enemies," Benezia answered coldly, her eyes sweeping over the team.
"Why are you doing this mother?!" Liara yelled. "We may have had our differences but I know this isn't you! Helping that monster Saren isn't who you are!"
"Oh Liara…You know me so little despite being with me your entire life. I suppose this is what happens when you storm away from home after failing to live up to my standards," Benezia replied, causing Liara to flinch in shame.
"I-I…" Liara whispered before looking down at the ground.
Benezia then eyed Jasmine and said "And you…I saved your life after you were poisoned and bested by Cerberus Agent Lawson on Earth and nursed you to health. I shared everything with you. Everything and you repay me by storming in here with guns drawn."
"What you are doing is insane Benezia," Jasmine told her. "I don't want to put you down but if you don't surrender now, I will have no choice but to do it. Just step down and we don't have to do this…Please. Liara doesn't want to lose the only parent she has and I don't want to lose you…Just surrender."
Liara looked to Jasmine and took note of the soft tone the human spoke to her mother with. She then looked back at her mother and replayed the words that she had said to Jasmine and then gasped at the realization.
But she couldn't voice the thought…Not now at least.
But later, Jasmine was going to have to explain how well she "knew" her mother.
For a moment, Jasmine and Liara saw something flicker inside of the Matriarch's eyes before the cold expression returned. "If either of you think I will be swayed by sympathy or compassion from either of you being here, you are tragically mistaken."
"Damn you Benezia!" Jasmine shouted angrily, bitter tears forming in her eyes, shocking her three teammates.
Benezia let a cruel smirk appear on her face as she said "Tell me something children. Have any of you faced an Asari Commando Unit before? Few have."
"I can't believe you'd kill your own daughter and someone you say you cared about!" Kaidan exclaimed.
"I now realize I should have been stricter with her," Benezia replied before she raised her arms, her eyes glowing with biotic energy. "Jasmine, Liara...I led you two to happiness but on this day, I lead you both to despair!"
Jasmine gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes.
This was going to be a tough fight.
Rain: And that is where I'm ending it. Admittedly, I was going to have a longer chapter but I'm not quite done with the ending battle yet and I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. The next chapter should be out sometime next week so until then…
Miranda: Goodbye