(Ben Shepard)

"Joker, have the crew assembled at the galaxy map in five."

Ben spoke quickly and purposefully as he boarded the Normandy. "That sounds great, Commander," Joker replied. "But you're going to have to find Sam Shepard and his new girlfriend. Nobody's seem them for a while." Ben smiled. "Relax, Joker. I know where they'll be." He walked to the comm room, wondering what Sam had shown Liara tonight.

Reaching the door to the comm room, Ben knocked and asked, "You guys still in there?" There was no response. "Come on you two, something important just came up," he said impatiently and opened the door. And almost immediately, Ben wished he hadn't.

Sam and Liara were rolling around on the floor in a tight embrace. Neither looked like they noticed Ben, as they were too busy kissing each other. The asari's jumpsuit was undone, leaving her topless. But her breasts were obscured as they flattened against Sam's chest. Meanwhile, his brother was reaching down down the back of her suit doing who knew what.

"What the fuck…"

Ben felt his stomach turning and he tried to leave the room, but it was too late. Liara rolled on top of Sam and ended looking straight at Ben. For a moment she stared at him blankly. Then her eyes widened and Liara screamed. Sam turned around to see what had her so upset, and Ben opened the door.

Just go, don't look back!

But he felt something grab him, and though Ben tried to move his legs wouldn't respond. As a blue glow lit up around him he was turned back to face Sam and Liara. Sure enough the asari was zipping up her suit with one hand while using her other to hold in place with her biotics. Sam straightened his shirt and tried to smooth his rustled hair. He stuttered, "Ben, it's… It's not…"

"It's exactly what it looks like!" Ben shouted at Sam before he could finish. He looked back and forth between the two before continuing. "What the hell is going on here?" His brother began to say, "Liara and I were watching Alien, and she…" but Ben shook his head and cut him off again. "You know what? Never mind, just get yourselves together and meet me back at the galaxy map. We got some new intel on Saren."

He turned to leave again asking, "Now please let me go." Sam's face was growing redder by the second. "Look, don't tell anybody about this. Please?" Ben rolled his eyes and groaned. "No, really? I was just about to go to the CIC and tell everybody on the Normandy that I caught my brother, their commander, about to do God-knows-what in the fucking comm room."

Raising his eyebrows he added, "Do you really have to ask me that?" Liara lowered her hand slowly, looking just as embarrassed as Sam. Ben straightened himself up and said more calmly, "Once you're, um… ready, come on out." He then tried to walk out of the room with at least some dignity.

After washing out his eyes in a vain attempt to forget what he just saw, the commander re-entered the CIC where his squadmates all waited for him. Sam and Liara had already arrived and were standing off to the side awkwardly. Ben pulled up the map and tried his best to ignore them. The less he thought about what just happened, the better.

"So, as you know we've been running around now for weeks looking for Saren, and haven't found anything. When I was at the Citadel just earlier tonight, I met with Captain Anderson and Ambassador Udina. It looks like we've finally caught a break."

Ben scrolled through the galaxy map until he reached the Pax System in the Horse Head Nebula. "There's a human colony on a planet called Noveria. Anderson said that there was geth activity around the colony. Saren's been lying low since we exposed him, but if the geth are making a move they're doing so on his orders."

Ashley frowned. "Noveria's got a bit of a reputation, Shepard. They've never played nice with the Council, and the local corporation Binary Helix isn't going to cooperate with anybody unless they don't have a choice." Ben nodded. "That's where I come in, Ash. Once they know a Spectre's onboard things will be a lot easier."

Turning to the rest of the squad Ben said, "When we get there, I'm taking Sam and Liara with me. The rest of you, be ready for action if things go wrong." The squad dispersed and Ben made for the bridge. Behind him however, he heard somebody whisper, "Hold up a second."

Ben looked over his shoulder and saw Sam edging towards him. "Not now," he said gruffly. But this didn't dissuade Sam, and he caught up with Ben quickly. "I just need to talk to you. In private" Making sure nobody was listening in on them, Ben nodded and led Sam to a corner. He had a feeling he knew what his brother wanted to talk about.

"This isn't the right time, Sam." He tried to sound calm, but Ben's embarrassment was still painfully obvious. The younger Shepard fidgeted and answered, "Actually, it is. I know what happened back at the comm room was… probably not the smartest thing to do." Ben nodded.

"I get it. It was your first date, and things got a little heated. It happens." For a second he thought he saw Pressly walking by, and Ben shut up. When it looked like they were clear Ben whispered, "Just try to be more careful, okay? I doubt Joker would have been able to stay quiet if he walked in on you two." Sam grimaced. "I know, I know. But…"

But what? Ben leaned in, waiting for Sam to continue. "I don't want you thinking we're just fooling around," he finally said. "I really care about Liara. This is serious." It took a second for Ben to answer him. Deep down, a part of Ben was still shocked to see his little brother in a relationship with anyone.

In the years since Akuze, Sam had gone on an unsuccessful date with a fellow marine. From what Ben knew, they were still on good terms but Sam wasn't going to call her up for a drink any time soon. But it was true; whatever was happening between him and Liara; it was serious.

"I believe it. And for what it's worth; it's about damn time. I was getting sick of you constantly eye-fucking each other everywhere you went." He did his best to sound light-hearted, but Ben got a punch in the shoulder for his trouble.

"Don't push it, Ben."

(Sam Shepard)

The squad emerged from the Normandy's airlock, and Sam felt a chill on the back of his neck. Noveria was colder than he'd expected. Colder than any planet he'd visited over the past few years.

As they entered the colony Sam noticed three guards stationed at the entrance. They weren't wearing Alliance colors, and were well armed. "Hold up," one of them said tersely. She seemed of Asian descent, and judging by her authoritative tone was in charge of security. "I'm Captain Maeko Matsuo. State your business here." Ben nodded and replied, "It's okay, ma'am. I'm a Council Spectre. My name is Shepard." In spite of the little incident before their arrival, it looked like Ben was doing his best to stay professional.

"That may be. But until we verify if that's true we need to confiscate your firearms." A blonde woman to Matsuo's left added, "If you resist, we won't have to play nice." Sam frowned. The weather wasn't the only thing cold around here.

Ben waved his hand. "That won't be necessary, Matsuo. Just let whoever's in charge know we're here, and she can verify who we are. Besides, if reports of geth activity are true do you really want anybody walking around unarmed?" Matsuo gave him a skeptical look but holstered her own gun. "Fair enough." Looking up almost at the ceiling she spoke again, louder this time.

"Madam Secretary, are these people who they say they are?" After a brief silence another woman's voice blared over the speakers. "Everything checks out, Captain. You can let them pass." Sam grinned cheekily at the blonde guard, who almost looked disappointed. "Behave yourselves," she grunted as the squad passed by. Sam did a mock salute.

"Jawohl," he replied sarcastically, not bothering to look at her reaction.

Past all the guards was a lobby, where a woman in a strikingly pink dress waited for them. "Good afternoon. I'm Gianna Parasini. First off, I want to apologize for the rather chilly welcome." Sam thought about cracking a joke, but he thought better of it. "It's okay. Thanks for the help," he said politely. Turning back to his brother Parasini asked, "What can I do to help, Commander?"

"We received reports of geth activity in the system. Have you seen anything unusual or suspicious lately?" Parasini strolled to her desk and checked her console. "Why, yes! An asari passed through here; I think she was a Matriarch. Lady Benezia." Next to Sam, Liara seemed to tense up. "Benezia is here? Where is she?"

Parasini looked back at the screen for a second before answering. "Last time I checked, she was at the Peak 15 research complex. You might still find her there." While Ben thanked her and asked for directions to the complex, Sam sat down with Liara. "Either these people don't know what Benezia and Saren are up too, or they don't care," he whispered.

He noticed Liara wasn't fully paying attention. "Hey," he muttered. She looked at him, and he felt a twinge of pity as he saw how worried Liara looked. "Even if we find my mother, there's no guarantee she'll surrender peacefully. We don't know how much control Saren has over her mind." He didn't say it, but this had Sam worried as well. He'd only talked about Benezia once with Liara, but it was obvious that even after spending years apart the young asari still loved her mother.

"Maybe when she sees you, she'll be easier to convince." Sam didn't really believe this, but he didn't want Liara to be any more afraid than she was. She gave a half-hearted smile and said, "Thank you."

Ben approached them again. "I'm going to have to talk to Administrator Anoleis if we want to find Benezia. Wait outside."

...

After waiting for what felt like an hour, Sam heard Ben coming out of the lobby. "What took you so long?" The older Shepard sighed deeply. "This place is a nightmare. Whoever isn't trying to buy you is trying to have you killed."

While Ben led Sam and Liara to the garage, he explained that Anoleis was corrupt, and guilty of bribes and cover-ups meant to gain an advantage over various local companies. Ben had been forced to assist Parasini in arresting him. The secretary was in fact an agent investigating Anoleis, and provided Ben with a parking pass.

A guard waited for them at the entrance to the garage. "I'm sorry, I can't allow you past this point." Ben showed her the parking pass. She looked at it closely and nodded. "That'll do it," she said affably. "Drive safely. The weather's terrible out there." Ben replied, "Will do," and Sam followed him through the entrance with Liara close behind.

The garage was much colder than the center of the colony. Sam could actually see his breath turning start to fog almost immediately. "Cozy," he said sarcastically. Liara didn't seem nearly as bothered; she wasn't even shivering. Noticing this Sam remarked, "You don't seem very cold." Liara shrugged. "I grew up in rather cool environments."

Ben suddenly held out his arm. "Hold up," he ordered. Sam froze in place. "What is it?" His brother looked around them and pulled out his pistol, as if he noticed something they couldn't. "I heard something," Ben said softly. Sam looked and Liara nervously, and after a moment they drew their own weapons.

He scanned the area for anything suspicious. Was it one of Anoleis' men coming after them? Or had Benezia placed obstacles in their way in case anyone was coming after her?

Sam was looking down at a nearby Mako when something caught his eye. It was a crouched Geth Stalker. "Over there," he whispered, pointing at it but not firing. Ben saw it too and motioned for Sam and Liara to move towards the Mako slowly. As they did so Sam thought about readying his biotics. But there were likely more geth in the garage, and it wouldn't be smart to alert any more of them.

Unfortunately things quickly got out of his hands when something moved in the corner of his vision. It was moving fast, and Sam heard a faint click.

"Get down!" he shouted and pulled Ben to the ground. A loud bang alerted him to someone or something opening fire on them. But Liara was already on it, putting up a Barrier to protect the squad as a volley of plasma and bullets was unloaded on them.

"Anoleis told me that Benezia brought some 'cargo' with her. I guess we found it," Ben said through gritted teeth. At first Sam thought Ben was simply angry, but when he saw Ben clutching his leg his heart skipped a beat. His brother's right leg was bleeding.

Sam fumbled with his omni-tool, trying to pull up a supply of medi-gel. Liara grunted as the geth continued to pummel her Barrier. "We need to get into the Mako!" Sam lifted Ben up, and helped him towards the vehicle. "I'm sorry, Ben. But it looks like I'm going to have to drive." Ben's exasperated groan drew a nervous laugh from the younger soldier, and he finally dropped Ben into the Mako. "Come on!" he shouted. Liara ran in with them and he closed the vehicle doors.

"Shoot my brother while his back is turned, huh? Let's see how you like it!"

While Liara treated Ben's wound as best as she could, Sam activated the Mako's weapons. At this point any shock at Ben's wound was replaced by anger, and he began decimating any geth in sight. Every now and then one of them managed to score a hit on the Mako but they didn't leave any lasting damage. After a minute or two the geth were all destroyed.

But another problem arose when Maeko Matsuo entered the garage.

"Shit." Sam shut down the Mako's weapons and leapt out of the vehicle. "What happened here, Commander?" Sam gestured to a crater, where one Geth Destroyer was once standing. "Nothing, just a couple dozen geth attacked us."

When Matsuo scoffed at him, Ben came out of the Mako and limped over. "It's true, Captain. Matriarch Benezia brought them here." Matsuo looked like she was about to object again, but she noticed a crushed Geth Stalker behind them and gasped.

"But… how did she get these things past our scanners?" Liara searched around the Mako for any signs of lasting damage. "My mother is a Matriarch, so she has almost unlimited resources. And she's very clever." She briefly turned to Matsuo and asked, "Why aren't you notifying your superiors that Noveria could experience a geth attack any time now?"

Matsuo seemed to jump in place. "Of course, I…" Before she could finish, something caught her attention. She raised a shotgun yelling, "Look out!" Sam ignited his biotics and spotted what she was looking at. On the other side of the room was an armored figure that at first looked like Saren. It had the body shape of a turian and had one or two geth limbs seemingly grafted to its body. But the turian's armor was black, and its face was also concealed behind a black helmet. In its hands was a sniper rifle.

While Sam sent a Warp in the turian's direction, Ben and the other members of the squad unloaded everything they had in its direction. But when the smoke cleared, the sniper was gone. Sam took a glance at the bullet hole in Ben's armor. "I think we've found whoever shot you. Probably another one of Saren's thugs?" The commander answered, "If he is then you know what that means, Liara."

Liara nodded grimly.

"Yes. Benezia knows we're coming."

Author's Note: Yes indeed, there's that mysterious figure once again.

You may have forgotten him, in which case see Chapter 15. We'll find out who it is in due time, but if you have an idea of who it is, let me know. In the meantime, the Shepards and Liara are about to meet some familiar space-spiders, and face down with Matriarch Benezia. And what happens might be slightly different than you remember.

Until next time!