Chapter 21
Ashley looked at the read-out on the omni-tool and swore. There was something still not working right. As she started to try again, she heard, "Um, Lieutenant-Commander?"
Ashley looked up from the circuit board she was working on, "Yes, Adams. What do you need?"
"Well, um..." Adams looked around the engineering deck. "You really don't have to work on that." He took a deep breath. "I know you mean well, but, you really aren't a technician and the crew might work better if they didn't have a Spectre standing over them." He held his breath waiting for her reaction.
Ashley was about to erupt in anger when she saw the engineer's face, "I'm sorry. I'm just trying to help."
"I know that." Adams smiled. "Maybe you can help elsewhere?"
Ashley handed Adams the tool she had been using. "If you need me, I'll be in the mess hall."
"Thank you." Adams said.
Ashley had never felt so useless. There was nothing she could do. Why did Shepard have to assign her to oversee the Normandy's role in the battle? She would have much rather been assigned to the ground fight. She went to the kitchen area when she arrived in the mess hall and poured herself a cup of coffee. Cup in hand, she looked around the mess hall and spotted Liara sitting quietly. Approaching her, she asked, "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." Liara said, attempting to smile, but failing.
"What's wrong?" Ashley asked.
"The news from Earth keeps getting worse." Liara said. "The battle destroyed a lot of cities and casualties are really high."
"We expected that." Ashley said, looking at the asari closely. "You know something, don't you?"
"I was able to contact a source on one of the fleet ships and they aren't searching for Shepard or Anderson. Hackett gave the order to concentrate all efforts on rescue in London." Liara said, looking into her cup.
Ashley sighed, "That's not unexpected, Liara. I'm sure that as more repairs are made, they'll get to the Citadel. I'm sure Shepard and Anderson are fine. I mean if Shepard can survive her ship being blown up around her..."
Liara looked at Ashley in surprise. "You still believe that she didn't die?"
Ashley shrugged, "I know that Joker said he saw her spaced, but even before her memorial, there were rumors that she had gone rogue and was hiding out somewhere."
Liara looked at Ashley sadly, "I have only told Shepard and I don't want everyone to know, but I'm the one that gave her body to Cerberus."
"What?!" Ashley exclaimed in surprise.
Liara took a deep breath and said, "First, you have to understand, Cerberus wasn't the only one looking for Shepard's body...
...
Liara sat at a table near the memorial. She couldn't believe that Shepard was gone. She looked around: most of the crew had attended, even Joker, who was near the back of the crowd. He had withdrawn from everyone since the inquiry. She knew he blamed himself and no one could talk him out of it.
The ceremonies were over, but she couldn't leave. She had no idea what to do now. She sat staring at the plaque that was surrounded by flowers. Humans had short lives to begin with, it was unfair when one was taken early.
She was lost in thought when a volus sat down across from her. Their breathing apparatus always made them sound as if they were out of breath. "You are Dr. Liara T'Soni." He rasped.
"Yes." She said, hesitantly.
"I have a message for you from the Shadow Broker." The volus looked around, making sure no one else was listening. "Your abilities would be greatly appreciated as an information agent."
Liara was startled, "Me? An agent for the Shadow Broker?"
"My name is Barla Von. I have been an agent for the Shadow Broker for a very long time." He took a deep, wheezing breath. "The Shadow Broker does not extend invitations to just anyone."
"I, um, need to think about this." Liara said, hesitantly.
"It is, ultimately, your choice." Von rasped. "I am located in the Financial District. See me when you have decided and I will help with your arrangements."
Liara watched the stout volus leave and contemplated the discussion.
...
It had been six weeks since Liara had arrived on Illium, but her apartment already felt like home. She was enjoying life as an information broker and was good at it.
She was to meet with another agent today for a special assignment, but she wasn't sure she was ready for an off-world mission. She sat quietly drinking in the bar and looked around. A drell should stand out. There weren't too many on Illium.
The door opened and a drell walked in, looking the place over. Making eye contact with Liara, he sat down next to her and ordered a drink.
"Dr. T'Soni?" he confirmed. Liara nodded. "Let's find a quiet booth to discuss business." He took his drink and led Liara to a table near the back of the bar.
After they ordered another round of drinks, the drell leaned on the table and looked intently at Liara. "My name is Feron. The Shadow Broker has received information about several groups vying for the same artifact. He has decided that he wants it to broker the best deal and has requested that you help authenticate the object that I am charged with retrieving."
Liara felt excited at the prospect of using her knowledge of ancient artifacts and looked at Feron in anticipation. "Sounds exhilarating. When do we leave?"
Feron smiled at the over-eager asari and said, "I must warn you, this is not going to be easy. There are some vicious agents looking for it. My latest information is that Aria T'Loak has possession of the artifact on Omega and we need to get there before she sells it. I have passage booked on a ship from her to Omega. It leaves in an hour."
Liara nodded and stood, "I have packing to do."
Feron stood and bowed, "I shall meet you at the docking bay."
Liara hurried back to her apartment and started packing. She couldn't get over the fact that she was so excited to be in some sort of action. She loved her office job, but she did occasionally miss the thrill of battle. After leaving a message for her secretary, Liara took a last look around her apartment, shut the door and headed for the docking bay.
...
Illium was a beautiful city that looked over a lush landscape. Omega was the exact opposite: a dirty, grimy space station filled with criminals that orbited a barren asteroid. Liara and Feron made their way to a warehouse in the worst part of Omega. The deal to sell the artifact was going down and they hurried into cover to assess the situation.
Two batarians stood guarding a large rectangular crate. They were arguing with a turian and another batarian and their voices became louder as the argument escalated.
"How can we be certain that this box contains the actual body?" The turian shouted raising his weapon. "You have given us nothing to guarantee it."
The batarian growled, "Aria's word should be enough."
Feron motioned to Liara and they separated, circling the group. Liara hoped that a fight would break out between the two groups and she and Feron would have a better chance. Liara found cover on the one side of the group and made eye contact with Feron on the other side. He nodded and she reinforced her shields with a biotic barrier.
A gunshot took out one of the batarians. The turian yelled, "We've been set-up!" and fired his gun, killing one of Aria's batarians. Liara created a stasis field around the turian preventing him from moving, as Feron killed Aria's other batarian. Liara fired her weapon and killed the turian.
"Quick!" Feron shouted. "We have to load up the crate and get out of here before anyone else arrives."
Liara found the controls to the crane and maneuvered the crate into the small ship. Feron had climbed aboard and she heard the engines roar to life. She ran into the ship as armed guards raced into the docking bay.
"Go Feron!" She yelled, as she punched the control to shut the cargo door. The ship lurched into the air, almost knocking Liara off her feet. She steadied herself and made her way to the cockpit, lurching into the co-pilot's seat.
Feron smiled at her, "Not bad, Doctor."
"Just Liara, please." She smiled back. "Where are we going?"
"A quiet hideout on an inconspicuous planet." Feron answered mysteriously. "Once there, you will verify the artifact and we'll notify the Shadow Broker."