A/N: This is a somewhat more concise chapter. I debated stretching it out to include the actual dinner and its aftermath but I decided against it as the ending in this chapter feels more natural. The next section will take a bit longer to write but hopefully not too long. This is a more peaceful chapter as is the one to follow. Action and an escape from Tartarus are likely to be a little way away yet. I have also opened the story to unsigned reviews (I think) so a few reviews from new voices would not go amiss. For the rest don't stop reviewing or enjoying the story!

Chapter XXVIII: Into Karos

An hour later Shepard and Liara were back aboard Karos once more armed with only their wits. Isri was waiting for them. After exchanging pleasantries and a quick weapons scan Isri gestured for them to follow her into Karos proper. As they made their way through a series of non-descript hallways Shepard and Liara exchanged glances. They were both unnerved at how confident Isri and her colleagues were. The hallways soon gave way to something far more impressive. As they rounded a corner Shepard marvelled at the vast concourse that they had just entered. The concourse stretched as far as Shepard's eye could see. The concourse also stretched deep into the bowels of the facility and was crisscrossed with walkways and clusters of towers. For Shepard, who had seen the marvels of Earth, the Citadel and Ilos, it was breathtaking. Isri seemed to savour her guests awe at the scope of the concourse.

"Impressive isn't it?" Isri stated with a hint of pride. "The bazaar stretches the length of the Karos. It is also home to half a million residents of all species."

"This is home for your people?" Shepard asked.

"When not aboard our ships it is. Here we have everything that we need. The concourse has been gradually expanded as Karos grew. We'll be heading for the Grand Spire which is the seat of our government."

"It sounds almost as though you think of yourselves as a nation." Liara interjected. "Do the various races that live here not disagree with one another and attempt to retain their own hierarchies of leadership?"

"Many of the peoples who first arrive here do attempt to hold on to the trappings of their former lives but in a place where all must strive together to survive it soon becomes pointless."

"You make it sound like utopia." Shepard added incredulously.

Isri turned to face Shepard. "What would you call an outpost of sanity in an ocean of madness and disorder?"

"I meant no offence." Shepard apologized hastily.

"No has been taken. Karos is a utopia for its residents. We all work together in common cause. Those who do not work with us are expelled back into the void with what they arrived with. None may say that we cruel but we are just."

The party lapsed into silence once more as they headed towards a tram bound for the Grand Spire. As they stepped on board the tram set off with barely a hint of movement.

The journey was over almost before it had begun and Isri led them towards into the spire. The designers almost seemed to have been thinking of surpassing the Citadel Tower for shear majesty. The party passed through a tree lined pathway as they headed towards their destination. The Spire was abuzz with conversations between various alien races. Here and there Shepard was able to spot some familiar alien races but most were unknown to her. Strangely enough as she passed by an alien her mind unconsciously supplied her with its species name. Shepard shook her head briefly and shrugged off the feeling. The gesture did not go unnoticed by Isri but she said nothing to either Shepard or Liara. The trio soon arrived at a large open shaft which vanished into the upper reaches of the tower.

"This would be the ascension shaft to the higher levels of the Spire." Isri informed them. "It is completely safe. All you need to do is step into the shaft."

Liara shot a worried glance at Shepard who merely shrugged and took Liara's hand in a reassuring manner. The two followed Isri into the shaft. As they stood at the bottom the two felt a peculiar tugging sensation which was quickly superseded by a rush of energy. In an instant Shepard's vision was deluged with a wash of colour. As abruptly as the whole experience began it was over and with a slight thump the two were deposited on their destination floor of the spire. Shepard took a shaky breath after the experience. It felt somewhat like taking a trip through a mass relay only without the protection of a ship.

"It takes some getting used to. The shafts are based on the same principle as a mass relay." Isri explained. "We find that it helps us reach our destinations much faster than taking a conventional elevator."

"That was bracing." Shepard joked which received a shaky nod from Liara.

"If you'll follow me to the audience chamber we'll be meeting with one of the Executors of Karos."

The floor that they had arrived on bespoke majesty and leadership. Paintings of various historical and sometimes quite alien events adorned the walls of the rooms that they passed through. Conversations were hushed and the sentients who worked on the floor all appeared quite industrious. Isri drew them towards a set of double doors which receded into the wall as she approached.

As the trio entered the audience chamber they found it to be fairly dark. Light spilled from a few recessed fixtures but in general it did little to throw anything into sharp relief. The whole effect gave the room a surreal quality.

"Someone wishes to speak to the two of you. I will be acting as their intermediary. Do not be alarmed by any changes in my demeanour. I assure that I have undertaken this joining many times." Isri warned them before moving away into the shadows.

Shepard and Liara waited expectantly. When Isri returned to them there was something unmistakeably different.

"Shepard, we have brought you here to discuss something very dear to us." Isri murmured. When she spoke it was as though many voices chorused with her. It was a sound which was very familiar to Shepard.

"Who am I speaking with?" Shepard asked, though she already knew the answer.

"We are mother. We sing for those alone in the light of Karos." Isri stated. "We are Rachni."

To punctuate Isri's statement the massive bulk of the Rachni queen manoeuvred itself to Isri's side.

"Are you one of the original Rachni queens?" Liara asked breaking the silence.

"We are not. Mother sang to us of danger and betrayal. Sent us away to be safe. We were among many. Now we are alone. Alone with our children. We sing to you now in a way that makes you comfortable."

"She's just like the queen on Noveria." Liara whispered to Shepard.

"We brought you to us because we heard you recognized us. Your songs betrayed familiarity. Tell us, do others of us still sing beyond the light of Karos and the darkness of Tartarus."

"There is one other who still sings." Shepard replied mimicking the Rachni's form of speech.

"We must know of her song. We seek a boon from both of you."

"What is it you wish of us?" Shepard asked.

"We wish to sing to you."

"I'm not sure I understand. I thought you were singing to us." Liara asked, putting words to Shepard's confusion.

"We wish not only to sing to you but to hear your songs. We can only do this if you let us. For one brief moment in time we shall sing in unison."

"You want to join our minds." Liara realized.

"I'm not sure about this." Shepard added worriedly. "Might we have a moment to discuss it."

"We shall wait here for you to achieve harmony."

Shepard edged into the shadow followed by Liara.

"Well Emma, what do you think?"

"I'm not sure. It was one thing to spare the Rachni queen on Noveria. She wasn't trying to sing to me or have me sing for her."

"It isn't as though we're not used to sharing our thoughts."

"With each other."

"And Sira, and Archon, and now Nemesis. When I fell in love with you I had no idea your mind was going to become so busy."

"If it's any consolation neither did I. I just started out as a simple human girl and look at me now. I don't even know how to describe myself. It isn't the prospect of having the queen in my mind that worries me so much as what she would see there."

"You think she would see everything that you had done?"

"Yes. To know another being's mind is the ultimate expression of power over them. What about you? Are you prepared to have an alien know everything that you know?"

"An alien already knows everything I know." Liara replied with a hint of smile creeping into her expression.

Shepard returned her smile. "Are we sure?"

"I would be more of a crime not to share what we know."

Their minds made up they returned to the Rachni queen and Isri.

"We will sing together." Shepard intoned solemnly.

"Thank you both." Isri replied. "It will take a few moments for us to attain a harmony of melodies. Attempt to quiet your own melodies in the meantime."

Shepard did as asked and she had the sensation that Liara was doing the same. Drifting into a receptive state had become almost second nature to Shepard as she had repeatedly practiced the technique with Sira. After several seconds Shepard became aware of a soft melody pervading her consciousness. The melody was very familiar to her though its form had changed. With a flash of realization Shepard became aware that she was hearing Liara's thoughts as though she were a rachni. Instead of meaning being ascribed by language it was being conveyed by musical tones which also evoked light and colour. Shepard focused her thoughts on attempting to reach out to the rachni queen. At the very edge of her consciousness she discovered an alien melody. The melody conveyed so many concepts and thoughts that it took her breath away. Much like Nemesis it was a melody composed of many voices singing in perfect unison. As she focussed the melody began to grow more complex and distinct. As she continued to listen individual motifs much like thoughts and emotions gradually began to become clear to her. The rachni queen was feeling anxiety at finally finding out what had happened to her species. The music became expectant. Shepard realized that she was expected share her song with the queen. Not knowing what else to do Shepard concentrated on the memories of Noveria.

As she remembered seeing the queen for the first time Shepard found that her memories were being subtly altered. Rather than thinking of words to describe her feelings she found colours and harmonies in their places. Upon seeing the queen she felt a reddish discordance followed by a white panic at seeing the asari commando rise from the dead. At the rachni queen's speech Shepard found herself running through a variety of colours from grey suspicion to a greenish sympathy for the queen. As the debate gradually reached its inevitable conclusion Shepard realized that while she had been communicating with the queen's asari the queen had been singing to her as well. The manipulation had born the subtle desperation of a being who held their race's future in their hands. Shepard found that she could bear the queen no malice for what she had done. If the roles had been reversed Shepard would have done the same thing. With that realization the song ended. The melody receded into silence and Shepard was alone once more.

...

With a soft clank Shepard settled back onto the decking. While she had been meditating her biotics had flared elevating her to a floating position. Strangely she felt no exhaustion from the entire experience. Liara likewise seemed relatively unaffected. The rachni queen and Isri on the other hand were staring deeply at them.

"Shepard, we are indebted to you. For the first time in living memory we have heard our sister's song. You have also been instrumental in allowing the song to continue. For that we owe you a great debt." Isri said in a hushed voice. "Thank you for singing with us."

"I think both Liara and I are glad to have brought you some measure of peace."

"Before the threads of the melody change we must entrust you with several notes. Your melody is unique among all others. You resonate with the melodies of others but your own overpowers them all. Even after your melody has been lost to the memory of the galaxy it will continue to be heard. Few will understand it but all will hear it. It is timeless. You must draw strength from this even when you feel crushed by the black silence."

"How can you know this?" Shepard asked in disbelief although a frustration at the cryptic nature of the queen's comments also gnawed at her.

"When you have heard as many songs as we you will understand. Now we must rest. Once again our gratitude."

Despite her confusion Shepard took this as her queue to leave the queen's presence. The doors slid open to allow her and Liara to pass before sliding shut once more.

"Another prophecy! I seem to be a magnet for them." Shepard fumed.

"I would suspect that it comes with the territory." Liara said.

"Why couldn't she just tell me what she meant in plain English? Singing it to me would have made more sense."

"It's best not to overly concern yourself with prophecy. When the time is right it will make sense to you and not before."

"Now you're doing it." Shepard gasped in mock horror.

"Are all humans as immature as you?" Liara groaned.

"Just me." Shepard replied leaning in to give Liara a quick peck.

They were both interrupted as a somewhat fatigued Isri emerged from the queen's chamber.

"That was considerably more draining than usual." Isri sighed. "It appears you have already done us a great service."

"If you're talking about saving the rachni I wasn't about to commit genocide. It wouldn't have been right."

"Regardless of what your motivations were you have my thanks as well. It has given her a measure of peace that I have not seen in her for centuries." Isri stated in a matter of fact tone.

"What happens now?" Liara asked.

"We do have a formal dinner to attend where you will meet with the rest of the Executors. There a discussion of what you desire from us and we desire of you and your crew can be entertained. We should hurry as I suspect that we are already late." Isri elaborated.

Shepard nodded in acceptance and allowed Isri to lead them back to the ascension shaft. After another quick and unnerving ascent Shepard and Liara found themselves on another, higher, level of the spire. Isri led them through another series of hallways with a familiarity born of a life spent in that building. They came to halt in front of another set of doors much like those of the queen's chamber. Isri motioned for them to wait as she entered the room alone. Several moments later she returned and ushered them into the dining chamber.

The chamber itself was an observation bubble presenting a view of the surrounding space. The bubble itself presented the illusion of stars in the sky which gave Shepard a feeling of normalcy she had not felt since entering Tartarus. A single long table dominated the room. The table had a number of dishes strategically placed on it as well as sporting a series of softly glowing crystal formations. The occupants were a mixed grouping who were standing near the table in an expectant knot. There were roughly six of them including Isri.

"Introductions are in order." Isri began as she waved Shepard and Liara over to the Executors.

"Matriarch Nidea." Isri introduced as she gestured to an elder asari.

"Executor Sa-Sihna is one of the Medrathi. They have been here for several millennia making their species one of the older ones on Karos." Isri continued introducing a bipedal alien with roughly humanoid features, scaly grey skin and a set of piercing red eyes.

"Provost Nitholm is one of Navara. Their race is denoted not so much as by a unique physiology as an acceptance of the Navara gestalt consciousness through an implantation procedure. I'm sure that the Provost would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have."

Isri continued with her introductions of the other councillors who were all just as alien as Nitholm and Sa-Sihna had been. Shepard was taken aback when she reached the final Executor. The being was just as pale and wispy as Shepard had remembered them as being.

"Finally allow me to introduce Executrix Ariadne of the Nyx." Isri finished.

"You seem more surprised to see me than the other Executors Captain Shepard." Ariadne intoned in a soothing voice.

"I'm sorry Executrix it's just that I've had occasion to relive some of your species' memories and I have one of them serving on my crew. That is after a fashion." Shepard hastened to add.

"That would be quite remarkable. I must express my doubt at the veracity of your statements given that we know for a fact that the Reapers have destroyed my species and the others who have come before and after us." Ariadne replied in a frosty tone.

"I assure you that I speak the truth. I know that your race exists primarily as a disembodied consciousness and that you exist in a symbiotic relationship with your host form."

"That is an impressive degree of knowledge for one who should know nothing of our race. I am prepared to hear more and meet this crewmember of yours at a later date but I believe that the others grow weary of our conversation. Let us proceed with the meal."