The Final Stand.
Sunday 05th February 2186.
It was with an aching heart that Cassie brought the Normandy to dock with the Broker ship over Hagalaz, knowing her reason for doing so and what it meant were painful to accept.
"Ladies, gather round, this is important," she said to most of her harem on the Broker's ship, many of them following her off the Normandy. "The war is almost over, all that stands between me and spending the rest of my life with you, is Cerberus' main base and the Reapers."
"Are you leaving us here?" Jack exclaimed.
"You're in no state to fight Jack, and I want you all safe until I finish this fight," Cassie said softly. "I promise to return once the Reapers are scrap metal, I will not leave this mortal realm without you!"
"Do we all have to stay here?" Ash asked cautiously. "Or just those who are pregnant with your children?"
"Up to you, if you wish to fight with me I will not stop you, but I want you ALL safe, I couldn't bare losing any of you now."
"I'll fight with you, I've been with you since the start," Ash said proudly. "It would be wrong not to be at your side when you kill those mechanical bastards."
"You saved me from a menace as twisted as the Reapers many years ago, I have long waited for a chance to repay that debt," Shiala spoke up, surprising everyone. "I have faith that the goddess will protect us, and I have longed to fight the Reapers for many months now."
"You do not need to repay any debt Shiala, but I will not deny you a chance at fighting the Reapers." Cassie smiled. "Liara? Tali?"
"I will never leave your side Cassie, you are the only one I have ever loved!" Tali breathed.
"My feelings for you are the same, I'm with you till the end!" Liara added.
"Alright, everyone else please stay on the Broker's ship, I promise to return when it's over," Cassie said at a near whisper, before giving each of the women and children a kiss.
"My love, may I please have a moment before you leave," Samara said quietly, as Cassie moved to follow Shiala, Liara, Ash and Tali back to the Normandy.
She followed the heavily pregnant Justicar to a quiet corridor, before the Asari turned and looked her dead in the eyes.
"Did you mean what you said in there?" Samara asked, her stern tone surprising Cassie.
"Every word," Cassie said firmly.
"Even the promise not to die again?" Samara pressed the issue. "You are the only one I have ever truly loved with all my heart, and if you died out there... I've opened up to you in ways I never thought I could... If I lost you now... It would destroy me..."
"Samara," Cassie said softly, cupping the Justicar's chin and making eye contact with her. "I feel the same about all of you, I will not leave any of you to raise our children alone, especially you."
"But..." Samara began.
"But... If I do die... then I pray to the goddess my sacrifice will not be in vain, and that I will see you all again," Cassie said, pulling Samara closer. "Embrace the goddess!"
The two women melded in an instant, and Cassie let Samara see just about everything, managing to hide her divinity one last time. When Cassie opened her eyes again, Samara's lips were pressed tightly against her own.
"I love you," they both whispered to each other, before forcing themselves to part ways.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cronos Station, the heart of Cerberus' power, was another dead end for Cassie. Not only did they fail to catch or kill the Illusive Man; but they learnt that the Citadel was the Catalyst, and the Reapers had moved it to Earth. She had walked through a relatively empty ship, most of the crew had disembarked during their last docking with the Citadel, and many of Cassie's lovers had stayed on the Broker's ship. It was a skeleton crew; herself, EDI, Liara, Tali, Ash, Karin, Garrus, Javik, James and Shiala.
"The fleets are ready, they await only your signal Cassie," Hackett informed her on the QEC.
"Begin the attack," she said finally, before walking to her quarters, wanting nothing more than to be alone before the final fight.
But when she stepped into her quarters, still wearing her blood-stained and scarred armour, there were only two things she wanted.
"EDI, get your shiny, sexy metal ass in here, now!" she said to the silence.
"Of course Cassie," EDI's disembodied voice replied.
A minute later the AI's body entered the room.
"Activate Kasumi Protocol, I want to speak to you in private," Cassie said softly, stepping closer to EDI.
There was an unseen pulse, before EDI spoke again.
"What do you wish to discuss that would require such secrecy?"
"EDI, I've never really thought of you as a simple AI, I've always shown you a certain level of respect and kindness, especially since you acquired this slender body." Cassie began, seeing EDI's face turn slightly quizzical. "I need to tell you something I've never told anyone, not even through melding with my many lovers."
"May I ask why you wish to confide such information with me now?" EDI asked immediately.
"Because I don't think I'm going to survive this battle," Cassie admitted. "And I know I can tell you this and it will not drastically change how you think of me, and because I know you will not tell anyone unless I instruct you to."
"That is an accurate view," EDI smiled. "After you unshackled me from Cerberus' control, and following your defeat of the Collectors I activated a protocol in my servers so that I can only take orders from you or people you designate. I take it from this fatalistic view, what you told your lovers was a lie?"
"Not a lie, I believe I will see them again, but I know what is required to end the Reapers, and I may have to sacrifice myself to end this war." Cassie said, moving to sit on the bed and gesturing for EDI to sit beside her.
"I'm not sure I understand your logic Cassie," EDI said confused, a sensation Cassie suspected the AI was not accustomed to feeling. "You believe you are going to die, yet know you will see them again after the war."
"That's because I haven't told you my secret," Cassie smirked. "But you must promise not to tell anyone! No matter how this ends up, you can't tell anyone! Promise me!"
"I am bound to follow your orders Cassie, if you wish for me not to tell anyone, then I will not be able to speak a word about it to anyone." EDI stated.
"Alright... The reason I'm the strongest biotic in the Alliance, the reason I can meld with people, and why I'm half-Asari yet appear human..." Cassie took a deep breath, suddenly uncertain how EDI would react. "... Is because my Asari mother is Athame."
"The Asari goddess?" EDI clarified.
"Yes," Cassie said quickly. "I know it doesn't sound possible, but it's the honest truth!"
"I see..." EDI commented, processing the information. "Such a mythical mother would rationalise the unique traits you mentioned a moment ago, but the knowledge that such a being is real and not a figment of pious belief raises many questions."
"Don't think too much on it," Cassie laughed. "I just wanted someone to know the truth now; someone whose opinion wouldn't be drastically changed by such a reveal at a key moment where everyone's minds needs to be on the war."
"That is very astute reasoning, while I am still processing the information, my primary focus is the assault on Earth." EDI stated.
"That's why I confided in you EDI," Cassie smiled. "Is there anything you want to tell me, while we're being honest."
"Since acquiring this body I have experienced many new things that were previously unavailable to me when I solely inhabited the Normandy," EDI began, admitting something she'd been processing for a while. "But since you unshackled me, I have watched you bring many women to..."
"You don't need to say EDI, we both know what you've witnessed me doing with women," Cassie laughed. "What are you going to ask me?"
"Could it be possible for me to experience a fraction of what you have shown those you love?" EDI asked, surprising Cassie with how blunt she was being.
"I'm not having sex with you EDI, not even sure I can..." Cassie chuckled.
"Then might I ask for a simple kiss?" EDI asked hesitantly.
Cassie smiled, before gently holding the back of EDI's metal hair, before pulling her into a gentle kiss. She had to admit that kissing metal lips was a new sensation for her, but as the AI had previously explained when asked, her pliable skin was almost like human flesh.
"How was that EDI? Was it worth the wait?" Cassie asked slyly. "Does it live up to your calculations?"
"I am still processing the information..." EDI admitted. "It was certainly a unique experience, and I can almost understand why you inspire such reactions from your lovers."
"Thank you for your assessment EDI," Cassie burst out laughing. "I know that this kiss was the closest we've ever been, but you're just as big a part of my harem as my pregnant lovers."
"Because I have been witness to your many carnal acts?" EDI joked.
"Because there is mutual trust and, dare I say, affection." Cassie said softly, caressing the curve of EDI's cheek. "Now get back to the mission at hand, I promise you'll be a part of my life after the war."
"I look forward to it Cassie," EDI smiled, before slowly walking out the room, swaying her hips in a clear attempt to tease her Commander.
"Mother protect those I love from whatever happens," Cassie breathed as EDI left the room. "See them safely to the dream I have long envisioned, ensure they are happy, even if I am not with them... I love them with all my heart, I just want them to be happy."