"Doctor T'Soni, a message from Admiral Hackett." Glyph said as he hovered over towards Liara.
"Connect me through a secure comm, Glyph."
"At once, Doctor T'Soni."
Liara walked over to her apartment's windows and closed them. Admiral Hackett had arranged a private apartment for Liara during her time with the Alliance. She was amazed by Hackett's drive and response about the Reapers. He understood the threat and was doing everything in his power to prepare the Alliance for the Reapers. She just hoped that it wasn't too late.
"Liara, a pleasure to see you. I hope that the apartment accommodations are to your liking and provide you with room to continue your work as the Broker."
"The apartment is perfect, Admiral." Liara responded.
"Good to hear. So Doctor, how are we doing with the Mars Archives? Have we found anything that can help us prepare for the Reapers?"
"It is quite difficult to say, Admiral. It is taking me some time to translate everything that the Protheans. I am unsure whether what we discovered a way to stop the Reapers."
Liara took a moment and simply observed the Admiral. There was something about him that reminder her of Commander Shepard. Perhaps it was the way that the Admiral addressed Liara, with authority and respect. Or the fact that the Admiral was not afraid of asking for help. Not when it come to The Reapers. This humility amazed her and reminded her of her dear Commander. "But I do believe I have uncovered something that may lead to a strategy against the Reapers."
"Spill it Doctor. Time is of the essence."
"Although I have not finished the translation of the entire blueprint. There appears to be a weapon of some sorts in which the Protheans were creating before they ran out of time and resources. It appears that this weapon is massive in scale."
"How have we never been informed of this weapon?" Admiral Hackett asked, bothered by the fact that all this time, a way of stopping the Reapers, and they have done nothing with it. The fact that Shepard, the only one who could stop this, is unable to due to political game.
"It is quite possible that the researchers here in the Archives lack the knowledge to translate the Prothean intel. It has taken me quite some time and I have spend nearly half a century learning all I can about the Protheans."
Hackett said nothing. He simply stood there, hand on his face, fingers rubbing his bread. Liara didn't know what to say. The answer to stopping the Reapers may have been sitting with the Alliance all along. Shepard would not be facing a trial for his events of Arrival. He simply couldn't believe that the answer had been sitting here this entire time.
"Admiral Hackett? Are you alright?" Liara asked, noticing the stillness, the silence which had overcome Hackett.
"Apologies Liara. I'm simply trying to process the fact this. How could have a blueprint such as this just hidden away? Why didn't we take Shapard at his word?"
"I do not know, Admiral, but I do know that we can now study the blueprints and truly uncover what the Protheans left behind. I will continue working towards the translation of the blueprint and other artifacts which may help us find a weakness in the Reapers." Liara looked at him and shook her head.
"Thank you Liara. Please keep me updated on what you uncover."
"Of course, Admiral." Liara responded. She sensed the conversation coming to an end and decided to ask the question. "Um, Admiral. Any new or updates on Shepard?"
Hackett smiled. "Oh yes. He is currently await trial back on Earth. Anderson visits and sends me reports on the Commander. He is well rested. Perhaps, too well rested." Hackett paused and noticed the change in Liara. No longer was she standing high but was looking down, no longer making eye contact. "Would you like to visit Shepard, Liara? You could go on my behalf. That will make enough of a statement on the authority you will have to see Shepard."
Liara, flattered by the Admiral's concern and care, was thinking about Shepard and what he would do if he was in her position. With every bone in her body, she wanted to see Shepard. That even in this dark hour, he would focus on the Reapers. He would focus on finding a way to defeat them. As much as she wanted to see him, she knew that the best thing she could do for him is have a plan to defeat the Reapers. Shepard will understand. He will want a way to defeat the Reapers once he is released. She thought to herself.
"I would love to, Admiral, but"
"The Reapers." Hackett interrupted her.
"Shepard would want to know about this blueprint once he is out. He would understand."
Hackett looked at her and nodded. "Yes. Shepard would. I will send you updates on Shepard, Liara. Consider it a gift for all the hard work you are doing on behalf of the Alliance."
Liara chuckled. She enjoyed working for the Alliance. Ever since she joined Shepard back on Themus. Even now as the Shadow Broker, with all of the forces are her disposal, she still enjoyed working for the Alliance.
"Thank you Admiral. How kind of you."
Hackett simply nodded while Liara waved goodbye to the Admiral.
Her thoughts were with Shepard. She wanted him to know that he was not alone in all of this. She wanted him to know that there are people who believe in the coming of the Reapers. Believe in him.
"Glyph. Created a search on any communication channels you find concerning Miranda Lawson. Mark it all. Alert me on everything."
"Right away, Doctor. Is there anything in particular that you are looking for?"
"Her well-being. I want to know if she is alive. The secure channel I gave her back in Illium has gone silent. I need to know her status."
"Of course, Doctor T'Soni. Starting search now."
Taking a deep breath, Liara went back to work on the blueprint. She needed to drown herself in work. For Shepard's sake.
