Chapter 26
Liara looked over the increasing amount of information flooding into the Shadow Broker network. She was reminded of the early days on Illium when she had first become an information broker. News across the galaxy varied, but it appeared that the Reapers were all dead. Synthetics were damaged, but it varied on the severity. The geth survived with minimal losses, they had received the same broadcast that EDI did and were able to shield the majority of their population from the energy wave. They were currently using their Reaper knowledge to repair the relay near Rannoch.
The reports from Earth were looking bleaker and bleaker. The massive amount of damage was impeding recovery and Earth was hit hardest by the energy wave. Only a minimal number of vehicles were able to aid the search for survivors.
Liara looked up as Garrus walked in. She was happy to see him smiling at her and she said, "I could feel the ship powering up."
"Yes. Now we can get back to Shepard." He said, looking over her screens. "Anything new?"
"Not really." She said and hesitated. "Palavan was hit hard. The krogans are helping with recovery."
Garrus nodded. "I think we will have plenty of work, reconstructing our respective home worlds."
Liara sighed, there was no point in hiding the information from him, so she took a deep breath and said, "It's been too long and with no communication from the Citadel..."
Ashley burst into the room, obviously upset and cried out, "Liara! Did you hear the news?"
Liara nodded as Ashley looked at Garrus. Garrus could see that Ashley was trying to control her emotions. Liara put a hand on Garrus' arm. "They have declared Admiral Anderson and Commander Shepard dead."
Garrus snorted, "Wouldn't be the first time."
Ashley looked at Garrus. He smirked and said, "I know that she is still alive. I can feel it. We just need to get to the Citadel."
Liara and Ashley looked at each other, daring to hope that Shepard could once again cheat death.
Liara smiled and said, "Yes. I'll never forget when she walked into my office on Illium that day..."
...
Liara couldn't sit still. She paced back and forth in her office. The news that there was a Cerberus vessel with Commander Shepard aboard had been whispered across the information network for days now. The fact that a Cerberus vessel bearing the name "Normandy" had docked here on Illium had her anxiously waiting. She had sent word to the harbor master to have the Captain of the vessel visit her and she was getting more stressed, she didn't know for certain that it was Shepard or if her request would be filled. She jumped when her secretary buzzed her that there were visitors.
"Show them in." She responded.
She smiled with relief when the door opened and Shepard strode in. Unable to contain herself, she jumped up and exclaimed, "Shepard!". She threw her arms around her friend and hugged her tight. Shepard laughed and hugged Liara back.
"It's good to see you too, Liara." She said, smiling broadly.
Liara released Shepard and looked her over appraisingly. "Oh, Shepard. You look so good." She wiped tears from her eyes and hugged Shepard again.
"So do you, Liara." Shepard said, returning the second hug. "I hear you're an information broker now?"
Liara nodded and suddenly realized Shepard hadn't come alone. "Garrus!" She exclaimed and gave Garrus a hug. Garrus smirked and awkwardly patted Liara.
"It's good to see you, Liara." He took a step back from the enthusiastic asari.
"What happened to you?" Liara asked, looking at Garrus' face.
"A long story." Garrus responded cryptically.
"We don't have time now, Liara. I need help." Shepard interrupted. "I'm looking for people for my team to fight the Collectors."
Liara nodded and sat down at her desk. "I'll help you all I can."
Shepard and Garrus sat in the chairs across the desk. "I'd like you to join me." Shepard said.
Liara shook her head. "I'm sorry. I can't." She waved around her office. "I have responsibilities here, but I can send you any information I get."
"Ok. Then, I need help locating an asari justicar named Samara and a drell assassin named Thane." Shepard said.
"I can help you with that." Liara said and began searching her computer. She gave Shepard the information and said, "Before you leave, could you spare some time to visit with me?"
"I think the universe can wait a couple hours while we catch up." Shepard said with a smile.
Liara stood and approached Shepard. "Please be careful. Both of the people you are looking for are dangerous."
Shepard gave Liara a hug. "Don't worry. I'll contact you when I'm done."
...
I've never met an Asari Justicar before. Samara seems to be very committed to her cause and has agreed to aid me. I feel confident that her abilities will aid us tremendously in our fight with the Reapers.
I have to admit that Thane is not what I imagined an assassin to be. He is the first drell that I ever met and maybe it's the species, but he is very suave and level headed. He gives such an air of calmness that I feel myself letting down my guard around him and talking about things I don't usually voice outloud. Garrus and Jacob don't trust him, they have both told me to watch him carefully.
I have contacted Liara and am now going to visit with her. I look forward to catching up with her.
...
Liara looked around her apartment. She couldn't believe how nervous she was. She had heard from Shepard earlier and was anxiously preparing for a visit. Liara sat down and looked at the time. Then, unable to sit still, she got back up and began pacing. She looked at the N7 armor she had on display. Would Shepard be upset that she had it? She couldn't worry about that now.
She was just sitting down again when she received a message over her encrypted channel. "Dr. T'Soni, I need to warn you. There's an assassin after you."
"What? Why?" Liara asked, confused.
"No time to elaborate. You need to ..." A loud buzz of static ended the conversation and Liara instinctively powered her biotic barrier. A window shattered as gunfire sprayed the room. Liara ducked behind one of her artifact displays and peered out into the room.
An asari stood, glowing brightly with biotic power was sighting along her gun as she cautiously crept into Liara's view. Cursing, the adversary slowly lowered her weapon and began to inspect the apartment.
Liara quickly activated a hidden drawer in the display case and dropped a disc in. Then she moved to the front door, away from the assassin and slipped quietly out. She ran to the nearest taxi stand and got into a vehicle. She tried her comm again and reached her contact.
"You're alright. That's good." The salarian looked around nervously.
"Viska. What do you know about this?" Liara asked.
"I can't talk. I might be the next target." Viska replied, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"I'm coming. I'll help you find someplace to hide." Liara changed the direction she was driving in.
"No!" Viska exclaimed. "Don't come here! My friend, Saket, betrayed you and Feron to the Shadow Broker and if I am found to be helping you, I'll be in danger."
"If anything has happened to Feron, the Shadow Broker will be the least of your worries!" Liara yelled angrily and closed the comm channel.
...
The building that Viska worked in was already closing for the evening when Liara approached. She waited by a side door for an opportunity to slip in. She didn't have to wait too long, two workers, chatting happily about their plans for the night, exited and Liara slipped in before the door closed, automatically locking behind her.
She had never been in this building and wasn't certain where Viska's office was, but she knew the offices he worked in were on the third floor. She slowly went up a set of stairs and hesitated, something felt off and as she approached the third floor landing, she spotted a device lying on the floor. She cautiously crept up to it and fear rippled through her as she realized it was a bomb.
Not taking any chances, Liara ran to the door and looked around. The hallway was brightly lit and lined with doors to offices on both sides. Liara stood a minute, trying to decide the best course of action. She headed down the hallway, moving quickly, but taking enough time to glance at name plates on the doors. She got to the end of the hallway when the first explosion rumbled from the opposite end of the building. Liara ran into the nearest office and hunkered down under the large desk that occupied the room. She powered her biotic barrier as explosions sounded one after another all around her.
The building shook and trembled. Ceiling tiles rained down and the lights flickered, then went out. Emergency lighting came on as alarms sounded from all around. Liara crept slowly out from underneath the desk. She looked around the office, thinking about her next move. She needed to find Viska. He was in as much danger as she was.
As she headed for the lobby, gunfire erupted in the distance. Listening she tried to determine the direction, but the sound was too muffled. Creeping through the shadows, Liara made her way to the lobby. Evidence of a gunfight was all around the room and Liara recognized the insignia of the Shadow Broker's elite forces on the armor of a dead body. Shaking her head, she used the lobby directory to find Viska's office.
Liara headed in the direction of Viska's office and the gunfire got louder. She flattened herself to the wall and slowly made her way closer to the open door. She heard voices and froze.
"Who is this?" Shepard's voice sounded concerned.
"Saket. An informant. He must have known something that led the Shadow Broker to target him." Liara recognized the voice. It was a Spectre named Tela Vasir and she was on the Shadow Broker's payroll.
"Did you see Liara?" Shepard asked, hesitantly.
"I'm right here." Liara replied as she entered the room, her gun pointed as Vasir.
"Liara. She's on our side." Shepard said, getting in front of Vasir.
"No, she's not." Liara stated. "She is an assassin for the Shadow Broker and she is after me."