Karma take me away Chapter 26, a mass effect fanfic

A.N: I hope all of you had a great holiday season and continue to have a great new year

I do have to thank you all again for reviewing following/fav it makes me beam...you are all awesome

And yes I am buttering you all up mainly because of this next installment of my story which if I had a word to describe said chapter it would be...odd

After a conversation I had with someone on here about two months ago I tasked myself with trying to include blasto in at least one part so HMenley here you go...and since the horny Hanar followed me to my new house due mainly to the fact of the street name... the perv thought it was something else aparently...and I also must warn you all I have been playing recently is my second favorite game next to the ME series and that is F.E.A.R. so expect some more oddness...not a whole lot but its in there

As far as the song that goes with the chapter, I had to do some thinking on it until I remembered the last scene/ song of the movie Fight Club

I hope you all enjoy and please leave me feedback as always it helps...and if you just to say hello, PM me if you want im here.

Pixies

Where is my mind

Oh - stop

With your feet on the air and your head on the ground

Try this trick and spin it, yeah Your head will collapse But there's nothing in it And you'll ask yourself

Where is my mind? Where is my mind? Where is my mind?

Way out in the water See it swimmin'

I was swimmin' in the Caribbean

Animals were hiding behind the rocks

Except the little fish

But they told me, he swears Tryin' to talk to me, to me, to me.

Where is my mind? Where is my mind? Where is my mind?

Way out in the water See it swimmin'

With your feet on the air and your head on the ground

Try this trick and spin it, yeah Your head will collapse If there's nothing in it And you'll ask yourself

Where is my mind? Where is my mind? Where is my mind?

This message is for Admiral Hackett and Commander Shepard...

This is a warning to you all that Cerberus is here now and have plans that involve commander Shepard and the crucible. I know this because they made me help them by telling me they would kill my fiancé if I did not cooperate. I don't know all the details but my role was supposed to mislead you commander that your crew was gone and for that I am truly sorry. I never lied to you and said they were gone but I never told you the truth either. They are alive ...all of them including Liara. I found this out while doing a search that they were okay and I do not deserve your friendship because all you ever did was try and help me and showed compassion when you found out I lost my family.

There is a reason they all idolized you and that is because of who you are...please dont ever lose that. I saw the hurt in your eyes when you thought that Liara was gone and it killed me that I knew about her and couldn't say anything. You deserve better.

Liara: if your reading this please accept my apologies, even though I don't deserve it. As Im sure you know Shepard is an amazing person even if she is a royal pain in the ass but a sexy one considering we look alike even though she is very much older than I am but please take care of each other.

Shepard ,Miranda gave you a gift of a longer life. She is your friend and a good one so please let her explain why she did it and don't do anything stupid like fly off the handle and start shooting the place up because you think you don't deserve or want it because you think Liara is gone.

I joke because I don't know what else to say. I've dis- honored myself the alliance and my family by agreeing to work with the enemy. The more time goes on the less I believe they have my fiancé and I've been searching for him as well. Once I find out where he is I will do my best to make up for what I've done. It will never be enough but I need to do this so I will be disappearing for a while but once I am finished, Admiral I will turn myself in.

Please don't look for me...I need to do this on my own. If I don't make it back I only ask for two things, tell my friends Darian and Brock I love them and please do not drag them or my fiancés name into this, they are all in the alliance but have nothing to do with this.

Lieutenant Rebeca Finch

Hackett looks at the message for the third time in the past few minutes. He was becoming tired of the constant conflicts this group was causing and now they would be heading into another confrontation basically blind. He had no idea what they wanted with the crucible and the fact that they needed Shepard only confuses him more when she was apparently dead. Sure some of her crew refused to believe she was gone but that was out of sheer respect for thier leader. She had pulled everyone out of one of the worst massacres in the history of the galaxy and was eventually rewarded for her acts of heroism when her crew to include Liara arrived at the hospital. Then her life was snuffed out because of an accident when she had already overcome so much and it was hard to believe.

The admiral had sent his assistant to retrieve Ashley Williams and anyone who could hold a weapon as his fears were steadily growing as far as what Cerberus could want with the weapon that destroyed the reapers. It was mainly intact after it fired with the exception of a few areas, one area in particular where Shepard was found looked as if a bomb had exploded. There had been reports that the keepers were somehow still alive, at least some where when the first responders arrived on the crucible and were hurriedly making repairs. The weapon had been under strict alliance control since it was in Earths atmosphere and everyone had been studying it extensively but it was to be dis-mantled as soon as the alliacne and all other alien races were able to get all they needed from it. Those who did work on the project had an idea but from what everyone had witnessed with synthetics going off line it was thought that the effect could be reversed somehow without reviving the Reapers. The majority of the husks were gone and the remaining lifeless ships were dismantled with care; the main concern was possible indoctrination so all caution was to be taken. Everything was to be studied and some of the technology would eventually be used to further the galaxy but again caution was taken as no one wanted to have another 'illusive man' type or another group become greedy and try and use anything found in order to rise up and dominate the galaxy. This was why, supposedly, extensive checks were done on everyone who was allowed to access the crucible but apparently some slipped through the cracks.

Hackett had entrusted Doctor T'Soni to head the project and get it assembled as quickly as she could during the war. With Cerberus once again attacking the Mars station, they were able to slow progress down but not stop it and Liara had been successful forwarding any and all information she could while on the Normandy as well as check up on the progress at anytime. Hackett only wished he had Liara here with him so she could give them an idea of what the mercenary group wanted, whatever it was he knew it would not be good.

An alert went off letting the admiral know he had an incoming vid call. Seeing it was from chief Harris he became hopeful that some good news would be given. As he answers he lets out a sigh hoping his previous thought would be a reality.

"Yes chief?...have you found spectre Williams yet?"

"Yes sir...and I have some news... Ive informed her on the situation that is going on and apparently we have reinforcements that are eager to help. The Krogan arrived who served with Shepard and are looking forward to helping us in anyway they can."

"Good, please bring them all back up to my ship so I can debrief them in the situation."

"Yes sir...there is more news but I will let commander Williams explain it all to you when we get there."

"Roger that chief." He begins to wonder what new information they had that could not be discussed but apparently it would wait as his assistant disconnects the call before he can say anymore.

"Commander Williams we have to meet with admiral Hackett right away. The situation on the crucible requires your immediate attention..." The chief begins to tell the specter but is quickly interrupted by doctor Chakwas.

"Commander I need to speak to you in private?"

Before someone else asks her a question she holds up her finger towards the admirals assistant, asking him to please wait. Walking over to where the doctor was standing she sees a look of genuine concern on the human doctors expression. Before she can ask if everything was alright someone else starts to try and get her attention. Feeling like she was back home again with all the constant banter, reminding her of when she had to deal with her sisters when they were younger her annoyance grows a little. She's sees the two alliance marines who helped Liara, letting her know Shepard was alive before the Asari left for Thesia walking towards them calling her name. Williams stops herself before yelling at the two for yet another interruption turning her attention back to Chakwas.

"What's up doc?"

"Miranda and I did another scan of the two bodies again to figure out who they were...according to Miranda she and Shepard knew them both...The Asari is a doctor who helped with Shepard's surgeries and recovery...doctor Shona V'Ler...and the human is an alliance soldier a lieutenant Rebecca Finch...she was the one who was reported to have committed suicide...the one we all thought was the commander"

"How did you know what to look for with the scans?" Ashley asks, still relieved that her friends were relatively safe. She starts to get a feeling of someone close behind her and she was going to turn around to see who it was but was more interested in what Chakwas had to say.

The Normandy doctor explains how they were able to tell by the fact that the body Miranda had examined did not have any of Shepard's synthetic implants anywhere and knew they would be visible with a scan even with the amount of damage done in the explosion. Chakwas was able to tell it wasn't Liara due to the fact that the Asari in the morgue was not pregnant. They were unable to confirm if any of the Asari's were Councilor Tevos but figured since Kasumi had seen three bodies being carried out that she was one of the ones abducted as well. Now it was a matter of figuring out where they all were and what Cerberus wanted with all of them.

Miranda had told Chakwas all about Finch and doctor V'Ler and became upset at the realization of who they were. They had been two people, who in some way helped the commander and became fast friends. Lawson could not figure out what she was mad at the most, the fact that they were gone or the fact that Cerberus had desecrated their bodies just to throw everyone off. It was yet another reason why Miranda was glad she was no longer a part of the pro human group, they continue to do what ever it takes no matter how horrific to help humanity. As she walks out she notices Finch's friends standing in complete dis-belief that someone would do something like this to anyone much less their friend. They had just mourned her loss and did not want to relive the pain that came along with her death. She had been a good friend and in the end deserved better, she deserved a life with her fiancé and that was taken away from her but as hard as it was to come to grips with her being gone, the fact that someone had used her death to further their own gain infuriated the two alliance lieutenants to no end and both of them expressed interest in going up against those who were responsible.

Their first victim was the medical examiner who had just been woken up after collapsing from Garus choking him until he blacked out. The doctor is disoriented but awake and starts to demand answers as to why he was attacked. Williams had to grab her turian friend from going back into the office and finishing the job and once he was calm Brock asks what had happened.

"He was the one who said it was Shepard and Liara...now that we know Cerberus is behind all this I have no reason not to think he's involved somehow."

The reaction from the Krogan sized human was something no one expected. He pushes his way past everyone including an unknowing Ashley who was attempting to interrogate the medical examiner. He had just told her that he was only going off what information he was given during the autopsy and had no idea Cerberus was involved and even volunteered his service if they needed a medical doctor in case of any injuries since Chakwas was still not fit to be released from the hospital and she believed him.

Ashley feels a hand push her to the side as she sees the another grab captain Riley, lifting him a good foot off the ground. Williams feels the hand on her shoulder tighten pinning her against the wall making her unable to move. It took her a minute to realize what was happening as the doctor was getting choked again but she instantly starts to order the alliance officer to stand down that he was innocent. Even Darian was pleading with him to let him go, if he was guilty of something the alliance would handle it. Eventually it took Grunt and Wrex to get him off the captain. They both heard the commotion and walk in to see why there was yelling and initially start to laugh at the Captains legs that were flailing like a fish while he was dangling in the air.

"Humans got a quad an a half..." Wrex start to say before being interrupted by Ashley.

"And I'll personally remove them if he try's shit like that again...when I tell you to stand down marine you do it understand?!" Willams yells in Brocks face. It would have been funny seeing the woman half his size getting in his ass about disobeying a direct order but now was not the time. He was a marine first and you do what your told and that's it.

"Yes maam...sorry..."

"Your goddamn right you are...but you can carry a tank on your bank so I'll ignore this... so get your shit together, the both of you." Turning her attention to Lieutenant Pommilio as well. "They have our friends so we need to focus...I need you two to get the word out that we need as many soldiers as possible and meet me on Admiral Hackett's ship when your done."

After they both salute the specter turns around running her hand through her jet black hair. She was relived that this was all over with as she thought for sure, this time Captain Riley was going to die. She looks over at the exam table he is currently laying on as doctor Chakwas is examining him, again. She can only hope all this in-fighting was done with as it was not going to be an easy task going up against unknown odds with a small group of injured soldiers but Shepard did it constantly and this was for her and if the roles were reversed Shepard would be at the front just like always no matter how hurt she was. Everyone there would be coming on this mission no matter how much pain they were going through and Ashley knew she wouldn't be able to tell anyone of them to stay behind, their friends were in trouble and they need all the help they can get.

"What's going on with Shepard? Does it seem to be working?" Doctor Gallagher asks as her counterpart walks out of her room.

Doctor Schneider had been in with Shepard for the last hour and walks out with a smile. He had convinced the commander that she'd been in a coma for the last two years and no one had heard anything about the whereabouts of the Normandy or the status of its crew. The expression the woman gave was all the doctor needed to no that she had believed him and their plan was working. The next phase was to continue to inject her with Gallagher's serum and eventually implant her with a control chip. Normally only one type of the procedure was needed but Shepard had fought indoctrination from the reapers throughout the war so the extra step was thought to be a necessity. At least that was what doctor Gallagher had said due mainly to the fact that she was paranoid that their plan wouldn't work and Shepard would kill them all especially since they had her beloved Asari. She knew it was a mistake to take her and use Liara as the doctor had seen the reaction during her sessions with Shepard with the way she nearly fell apart in her office while she thought the Asari was gone. Gallagher felt sorry for Shepard knowing how much she gave up of herself to protect everyone, surviving and loosing her one motivation for fighting against nearly impossible odds. But she was apart of Cerberus and was all for protecting humanities interests and she felt as did the rest of the extremist group that with human numbers dwindled due to the main scale of attack by the Collectors and Reapers being focused on them that other alien races would rise up and try and finish what the Reapers had started. They were all paranoid that the humans would become slaves to another alien race so they need the savior of the galaxy once more in order to stop that from ever happening.

"Yes doctor everything seems to be working as we had hoped now we need to start phase two...relay the message to everyone on the crucible that they are to proceed as planned."

"Already done."

"Good now when do you plan on implanting the chip? I've sedated her so she should be ready shortly."

"Then I will begin the procedure as soon as she is out. I also have the scans of her new implants Miranda installed in her and I do believe I can recreate what Lawson did. Also the serum I gave her has attached itself to her naniets in her blood and should be enough but I want to proceed with caution."

"Perfect...make sure our other guests are prepped to leave as well."

"Yes sir."

Shepard lays in her bed on the verge of being unconscious. She was replaying everything the doctor had said over in her mind trying to make sense of what he had said to her...Two years?..it was impossible she was just spending time with Liara, had just gotten her love back in her life. Nothing he said made any sense but apart of her was pushing her to believe everything. The Normandy still not being heard from and no one knew about her crew. The worst was when the human doctor had said that the reapers had been controlled by the crucible and she was needed to help continue to control them. The doctor had said they had initially been helpful in the rebuilding process but soon started to resist. Shepard wanted to ask how any of this was possible as she remembers being told that she had destroyed them. And the nurse who had walked in, why was her name so familiar as well as the fact that she had asked numerous times to have the restraints taken off but was ignored. She started to become aggravated as nothing she was told was adding up. All she wants to do is get out of where ever she was and find Liara and her crew, something was off and she was going to find out what it was. As much as she was fighting sleep it was hard to concentrate on keeping her eyes open. She only hoped when she woke up she'd be in her love's arms once again.

"God I need to remember...I know I was with her dammit think." She whispers to herself

"This one thinks you should leave before anymore of them come back."

Almost jumping out her skin, the commander quickly looks around to see who had said anything. She recognized the voice was from a Hanar but was not sure why one was in her room or why she couldn't see him...it...deciding she was probably just hearing things she closes her eyes and concentrate on her last memories. All she can initially see is flashes of death once again and she squeezes her eyes tight trying anything to block out the horrendous visions of the war. She had seen enough death in reality and was tired of being plagued with more visions, false or not.

"Relax, Shepard...remember the meditating sessions with Li..."

"This one believes that will not work and you are in extreme danger..."

"The fuck...where are you dammit and why the hell are you in my room?" Kerry nearly screams this time as her patients is wearing thin. If this floating fish was in her room then it needs to come out now. "Who are you?"

"That one known as commander Shepard requested help so this one is here to help a fellow spectre."

"Fellow Spectre?...but there wasn't any...oh god" Shepard finally realizes who she is having a discussion with, Blasto. "Well that's just great now im hallucinating and the best my mind can come up with is freaking Blasto...why the hell did Liara allow me to talk her into that stupid Blasto vid marathon?...Christ at least I could have come up with...gee let me think...Li in a Christmas bikini with a Santa hat"...'focus...time for that later...I hope!'

"Look I don't have time for this and I'd appreciate if I... left myself... alone"...I have cracked

"This one believes you must get up and leave..."

"Listen fish head...if this one was here, then that one would be able to see, this one is strapped to this ones fucking table."...What?

She brings her hands to her face rubbing away the on coming headache. She suddenly stops and realizes she is no longer restrained. Freaky bastard is good for something

Getting up from her bed she slowly walks around the room looking for anything to help her remember. Finding nothing of use she tries the door to her room and as it opens she can see down two separate hallways both aligned with doors on either side, lights flickering. It reminded her of early horror vids she made Liara sit and watch with her. 'Good job trying to scare Liara so she'd hide her head in your lap you perv...now im living one... i'll get hacked up into little pieces and some nut will where my skin as a hat and my nipple as an eye patch.

"Focus marine...you've been in worse." She says trying to get her mind on the task at hand whatever it was. She couldn't see the end of either hallway but decides to walk down the hallway to the left. As she walks the lights flicker even more, making it harder to see what was real or shadows. Trying to calm her nerves as best she could she takes a deep breath and continues on until she hears a small cry from the room she was standing next to, room 212. If it wasn't as quiet she would have missed the faint sound and as she pushes on the door feeling no resistance she hoped what ever was in here could help.

The room was dark for a moment until a small red light could be seen. Shepard had no idea what it was until the small glow of someone activating thier Omni tool allows Shepard to see a little better.

"Hello... are you okay, do you need help?" She asks concern in the commanders voice as the person was sitting on the floor of the room facing the corner sobbing. Kerry could only see the lower half of this person, their head was still covered in the shadows. Hearing no response Shepard walks in closer until she realizes what the red light was and what function was activated on the Omni tool. She quickly backs up as an Omni blade slices the air where her neck had just been but before she could move to strike the red light moves up, the carnifax pistol aimed at her head.

"Nice reflexes commander." A female voice comes from the shadows...even being only a few feet away still no face could be seen. When Shepard doesn't answer the voice gets louder as whoever this was moves closer and as it does recognition sets in as the commander realizes who is in front of her.

"Rebecca...but how?. Your d..."

"DEAD!. Yeah im dead and before we go on any further id like to show you something." Finch moves in closer and Shepard has to hold back the bile as the view of the top of Finch's head comes into view, nothing remains of the left side of her skull, blood and brain matter dripping out, a hole and scorch marks on the right side of her face where she held the gun. She had seen wounds like this but this seemed worse, like something was trying to get the reaction out of Shepard. "I could have been happy and alive but I had to meet you, help your stupid ass as you sat there and felt sorry for yourself...Now you get to live centuries longer as everyone praises you and all the good you've done...I don't think so... So tell me commander do you know what a pistol this caliber does to the brain when it's fired at close range."

"Rebecca I'm sorry if I'd only known I could have..."

"What help me... Really you could barely help yourself so don't fucking patronize me and try to make yourself feel better by telling me, now you wanted to help! No matter...you will see what it's like to go out like I did."

As Shepard grabs at the pistol while moving in close to avoid the blade she nearly stumbles as the vision crumbles into a ball of ash in front of her. Breathing heavily she tries to get the memory of her dead friend out of her mind. She was hallucinating badly and if she didn't get out of this she felt she'd be in trouble and never wake up. She knew now her mind was just messing with her but was dreading her remaining walk down the hall. As she leaves the room more visions start to appear one by one in each doorway, it's of all the people she has ever been close to that have died. Her mind was punishing her with guilt over the last few years of her life with who she thought she could have saved. The worst was Kaiden, as his burnt body was barely recognizable but she knew who it was by his voice. As he screamed at her how could she leave him to die and that he loved her. They should have been together not the Asari bitch who should have been in his place on vimire. After his vision disappears like the others in a pile of burning ash Shepard could barely hold it together. She was on the verge of a mental break after seeing Kaiden, then the vision turns to Jacob who died protecting his wife and unborn child. He yelled at her that he had a future but she was too slow and he was dead because of her.

The next was her entire squad on akuze with their melted skin, all asking why she left them all to die and how was she alive while everything was taken away from them all, that she should have died with them. By the time it was all over with Shepard had long since stopped trying to make sense of anything that was happening. She could only sit on the floor of this endless hallway she seems to be stuck in, eyes red from crying, hands pulling on her blonde hair, thinking if she rips it out then the pain will cause her to come out of this horror that was her past.

This was the exact reason she never let anyone in. When they got to close they got hurt or worse. All of the past visions she has seen over what has felt like hours has been the exact reason she closes herself off to everyone. It was easier then dealing with what she has been seeing, her mind throwing nothing but images of friends and loved ones lost. As she takes a few long calming breaths she opens her eyes to darkness once again. The commander stands shaking her head asking why this was happening to her now when she has done so much good but apparently it wasn't enough.

"Apparently I have to die in order for this to stop..."

"This one has seen what you have done...you have sacrificed so much and you will be rewarded but this one believes you have to keep moving."

"For what reason should I move anywhere? So I can see more of this...this shit!" She finally looks up seeing the Hanar for the first time. She can't help but smile a little as he is clad in his specter armor and each tentacle has a weapon of some sort. "So what now?"

"This one believes you must find the answers on your own."

"Fine let's get this over with. Come on JAWS let's see what other screwed up shit we can find here."

As they continue to walk down the hall they come to the end with one final door a few feet in front of them. The visions had subsided as no one had come out of the other rooms for a while. Before Shepard reaches the door she closes her eyes hoping her brain has finally stopped punishing her and she can find answers. As she opens her eyes she see's a little boy. The same child she had been seeing throughout the war, run towards another room. 'Great this little twit is back now'

She was hesitant about following until her counterpart floats to the door. Apparently he was her rabbit and she was to follow him until they reached his whole.

Her hands start to shake as she reaches for the door and as it opens she only hopes there is nothing inside that wants to punish her further. She walks in to a well-lit room with only a desk in the middle. On the desk is a picture frame and as she walks up to the desk, she picks it up but there is no image on the screen. Trying to figure out what it even meant she feels a presence behind her. She starts to turn around but suddenly stops as whoever is behind her starts to speak.

"Sissy!"

"Yes Admiral that is correct, Shepard is alive." Williams tells the disbelieving Hackett for the second time. "I know its hard to believe but doctor Chakwas and Ms. Lawson have confirmed it...Makes sense since Cerberus needs her, that she is alive but like I said we suspect Liara and the councilor are alive as well to use as leverage maybe... we aren't quite sure but we need to get as many people as we can and move."

Hackett lets out a long slow breath as he contemplates what was being said to him. He looks up to see this group of Shepard's friends, most still suffering from injuries and barely able to walk much less fight. As he looks over each one he see's all different expressions but the main one is determination. They all were going to risk there lives and help their human friend as she had helped them countless of times before. As his eyes meet Ashley's gaze finally he can see her having a hard time trying to stand up straight. His eyes narrow a little trying to think of the right words to say to her.

"Willams..."

"Admiral please...don't say what I think your about to say. I know you have the final word and could easily order me to have the injured, me included stand down or any of the civilians not be apart of this but don't take any of us out of this fight...she's helped us all and deserves our help now..."

"All I was going to say is be careful and bring everyone home."

A smile adorns the Spectres face and she nods her head to the older human in thanks. Hackett informs everyone in the room how he had planned to take back control of the crucible by taking ships up to it and distracting any Cerberus ships in the area as a few shuttles dock on the station to find the three prisoners. The first order was to get as many weapons and thermal clips they could carry. Hackett's ship had a decent supply but Williams could only hope it was enough. She begins to hand out assignments to each person and group everyone up but stops mid-way through to look back at Hackett.

"Sir...Is there anyone else...I know most everyone here is capable in a fight but we may not have enough."

"Actually yes we have some reinforcements."

"Who."

"Me...Spetre Williams..."

Everyone with the exception of Hackett and his assistant stood in shock as an Asari walks through the door of the conference room. Taken aback a little but not ungrateful for the help a smile comes across Ashley's face but Garus is the first to speak up.

"Aria...what..."

"Am I doing here." She finsihses. "My, archangel you'd think you'd be more appreciative of help especially since you are all looking pitiful...As for why I am here it is none of your concern."

Mandibles flaring showing the turians annoyance at the situation but he was not one to push away help. Garus is more concerned about the Asari's reasoning for being here and what she wants in return. Aria was never known to do anything without a price. He knew Shepard had helped her take back Omega and was annoyed as was everyone else that she didn't take any of her crew but was never one to question her decisions. He was more worried about Liara's reaction than anything else but the younger Asari took in stride of her bondmate going off alone to take back the station, she was discreet at least in front of everyone else. Liara never allowed herself to show any looks of displeasure at any of Shepards decisions at least in public and Garus could always tell when Liara was mad at her human just by looking at the expression the Commander would come out of her room with. Mostly she was smiling but every once in a while Kerry would walk out of the privacy of her own cabin or Liara's quarters with a look as if she was a scolded youngling. He would tease her every once and a while about it until Tali would step in and give the Turian a look even through her face mask as if to say she'd do the same thing to him just not as privately.

"Fine...so im guessing we are using your ships then Aria?...since I left my ship in my other pants." Garus quipped...Aria just shook her head in mild annoyance and walks out of the room catching the cold stare of the Matriarch in the room. As she makes her way out of the office she feels a hand grab her and she immediately activates her Biotics.

"Matriarch...I'll only ask once remove your hand or I'll do it for you."

Scoffing at the threat Aethyta releases her grip but not before flaring her own biotics. The Matriarch did not live this long to take any of her opponents for granted or at their word. She wants answers and was not going to back down like her Turian counterpart did.

"I'll ask the question again what are you doing here? And don't give me that bullshit about I don't need to know."

"Atheyta always straight forward...how are you by the way?

"Cut the shit...you have no reason to be here and if you think for one second your getting anything in return for helping you might as well leave now." The elder Asari speaks through gritted teeth, neither one of them backing down. The two of them had a brief history together and both were better off without each other in their lives. But when Aethyta found out about Liara almost dying on Omega and Aria not lifting a hand to help she had been beyond pissed and wanted answers as to why but was never able to get close enough to find a good reason. Not that Aria owed her anything or Liara for that matter, she wasn't the parent or bondmate to either and the dealings that happened two years ago didn't get in Aria's way so why lift a finger to help.

She did however help from the shadows, sending in her best squad to assist Liara in taking out the Blue Suns so it was some what of a fair fight. She just as easily could have sat back and watched the show since Liara had gone into this fight at an unfair advantage so why change it. But she had seen the look the Asari had and remembered a time of her own loss, knew who Liara was and decided to protect the young Maiden as much as she could. Benezia and Aethtya were both friends of hers at one point in her life and even though she shouldn't have, she felt the need to protect their daughter being as she was connected to her in a small way. Humans would call her a Godmother and the closest translated word the Asari had was Matrina. Aria had been there for the birth of Liara even as she was still the ruler of Omega, knowing the two parents for centuries and was grateful but after a while they all had a falling out for one reason or another, Benezia and Aethyta's was based on which direction the Asari as a people should be headed in the future and Aria should be helping with the Asari not siting on a rock with every scum the galaxy had to offer making credits off as much illegal activity as she could. So they hadn't spoken in over a hundred years even after Benezia's death neither one reached out to one another so why now of all times would Aria give a varrens ass about what was happening here.

"It is of no concern of yours Aethyta but I would be lying if I wasn't...displeased...at the news of Liara's death...and Shepards for that matter...such a shame... good kisser the human was..."

"They're not dead."

Aria barely reacted to the statement but a crack in her stoic expression was caught by the Matriarch standing only inches away. She was still trying to figure out why the Queen of Omega had come off her perch but now apparently was not the time as an audience had formed since a plan was made and it was apparently time to leave.

"Well that does change my reasons for being here or adds to it. Now instead of revenge I get to include a rescue...oh what fun." Her final few words laced with sarcasm but once again the Matriarch saw right through it and new one if not all three were Aria's reason for being here. Aethtya did notice the Councilors name was not mentioned by Aria and could only surmise they were some how involved but didn't care as her daughters safety was her main concern. She had just gotten back into Liara's life and she was not going to let some two bit group of douche nozzles kill her baby girl or anyone else for that matter. Putting her personal differences aside for the moment she listens as Williams goes over how they were going to go about this rescue. She could only hope that the three hostages were alright, especially Liara and the baby.

"Liara I think I hear someone coming." Councilor Tevos whispers to the Maiden. They had been in the process of a meld together to try and figure a way out of their cell and had come up with a plan and was about to go forward with it until they heard voices and the door to their make shift cell open and a human female roughly shoved through the door. At first both Asari had hoped it was Shepard as it all happened quickly but once the human stood up to and looks around the room and spoke Liara knew who it was.

"Hello?" the Normandy's Comm specialist looks around the dimly lit room waiting for her eyes to adjust to the lack of light. She could see two figures in the corner but did not recognize who they were until the blue blur moves quickly into her face pushing the human back against the wall. Traynor had been through enough hell and it seems she was thrown right back to the wolves and was silently pleading for her captures, whoever they were, to come back and move her to a new room. She would not be that lucky.

"Nice to see you again Traynor." Liara spat trying in vain to ignite her Biotics. Whatever kind of countermeasure that Cerberus had used it worked well as she was only briefly able to glow than dissipating just as quickly. It didn't cause pain but was frustrating to no end and as soon as they could get their collars off she would feel a lot safer. The look in the humans eyes was of pure terror much like she had seen when she attacked the specialist at the wall memorial. Liara starts to like the look on the other woman and wants it to stay so the Asari pushes the human harder against the wall.

"Liara wait...please I don't no what is going on. The one moment Engineer Adams and I were coming to find Commander Williams the next we were being ambushed...Adams is dead."

Liara feels a hand on her shoulder and releases her grip on the human. She wasn't sure why she reacted this way but she had time to think and certain things weren't adding up and she started to suspect someone from the crew was helping Cerberus the entire time and thought Traynor was apart of it all but had no proof other than her own dislike of the woman. As they all make their way back to the cots in the room Tevos is the first to speak.

"Your name is Traynor?" She smiles as she receives a slight nod at the visibly shaken woman. Tevos had no clue what or why Liara reacted the way she did but she felt she was the only one in the room with some sort of rational thought process at the moment.

"Okay...Ms. Traynor can you help us with anything...why they brought you here? You mentioned an ambush, can you tell us what happened and also have you seen Shepard?"

When Shepard's name was brought up Liara instantly came out of her fog. After she attacked Samantha her mind instantly tried to figure out why now this human was here and could come up with nothing. At the mention of her loves name she is reminded that it means nothing if they all can't get out and find her human alive and unharmed. So she cast her gaze onto Traynor so she could scrutinize anything the human said that could possibly be a lie but her concentration starts to waver at the worst possible scenario starts to play out; her love is already dead or dying and she wasn't there to help, again.

"Sissy?"

The little girls voice says again but this time its not in an excited tone as before but one of confusion as she still can not push herself to turn around and face what might be behind her. If it was her family then she wants nothing to do with it, her mind can go fuck off somewhere as this was the last straw. She starts to viably shake and has been fighting the heat behind her eyes for what feel like an eternity.

"Mama why wont sissy look at us?"

"It's alright little one, your sister is just afraid." Another voice says in a caring tone. Kerry's mother Hannah was now speaking and it only caused more pain to go through the commander. This was not what she needs but she should have expected it with all the other people she has seen so far, why not this now? Barely able to hold it together now she finally finds her voice.

"I am scared...scared of what I might see but you already no that." Fighting a loosing battle with herself she finally turns around to see her family staring back at her, no visible signs of trauma just them as she remembers right before the attack. Shepard starts to move forward so she can hold onto them all but found herself stuck for fear that they would disappear like the rest of her visions. Her mom an older version of both her daughters who was always smiling with her darker blonde hair and bright green eyes that had always shown warmth when you looked in them. Her father John, as stoic as she remembers him and his brown eyes and bald head. He had the same look as his wife but you could see the playful side in him just by taking one look at the older human male. Shepard had always been like her dad in that respect, playing practical jokes on people or just making anyone in the room laugh with some of the weird things they'd say and do. Then there was her sister, Caterina, same eyes and smile they all had but a darker shade of hair like her mother but there was an innocence about her as she was only eight when she died and had not seen the horrors that was the rest of the galaxy.

That was Shepards undoing, looking at her sister, she had not seen what happened to her that horrible day on Mindor but only surmised she met the same fate as the rest of her family, brutal without mercy and Kerry couldn't get the image of what might have happened to her out of her head. She had seen her parents murdered and was thankful all these years had gone by without her mind coming up with its own visions of her sisters death but at this moment every different way she had seen or done herself to kill someone had went through her mind in an instant and it was too much. She tries to move as far away as she can so that all the images would stop and she hears her mother start to speak.

"Kerry look at me...its okay..."

Shaking her head in disbelief at all her mind has put her through her voice breaks as she answers. "How could you think this is okay...that any of this is okay. I'm sitting in a room talking to my dead family...how the fuck is that okay."

"Because I know you and you've been beating yourself up since we died...blaming yourself...trying your entire career to make up for the fact that you were not quick or strong enough to protect us and every time someone has died under your command you do the same thing...you convince yourself there is no one else to take the blame except you since you were the one to survive and your friends didn't...you need to let go...not of our memory or their memory but your guilt or else you wont survive to see your daughter born."

With the mention of her and Liara's daughter her eyes instantly look directly at the vision of her mother to see the woman actually looked as if she was standing in the room helping her daughter get up and get past this...whatever it was. As she gets up from the floor and walks to the center of the room the frame that was laying face down makes a noise as if it was activated and when she turns it over she sees a holo pic of Liara smiling her beautiful smile back at the camera. Her blue diamond eyes showing nothing but love back at Shepard who had taken the pic.

Looking back up to her family she moves towards them and closes her eyes as she is to able to feel their embrace around her even if its seems distant. She looks at each of her family members one by one and as much as she misses them her family is now Liara and their unborn baby as well as her crew of the Normandy.

"Oh and I approve by the way..." Her father finally says with a laugh as he points to the Asari in the pic, Hannah and her daughters just shake their head and as she leans in to give her daughter a kiss she whispers something in her ear.

"Now wake up and find your family."