Sleep will not come. Shepard's headache is worse and now she is having chills. She did not take the pill she is supposed to take because she doesn't like how it makes her feel. In fact she has not been taking them since she has been on the Normandy.
She has been losing time, not remembering what she was doing and when she was doing it and it scares her. So she has decided to stop the pills to see if they are the reason for the memory loss. Since sleep is not coming after tossing and turning going on three hours she decides to dial Liara hoping it is not too late. With her head pounding she cannot really concentrate to determine what the time difference is.
After a few rings the call is picked up, "Hello?"
"Hi Liara."
"Elly? Are you alright?"
The asari can see the vid of Shepard and she does not look too good.
"I have been better Liara. I hope I am not calling too late I don't really know what time it is there."
"No it is fine Elly. I just put the kids down about an hour ago and I was reading in bed."
"Oh? What are you reading?"
"Are you alright Elly, what is going on?"
"I…well I just don't feel well and I screwed up today Liara."
"What do you mean?"
Shepard hesitates to catch her breath through the pounding in her head.
"Elly?"
"Do you remember Liara when we talked about code words when we moved into the house?"
"Y-Yes why?"
"Can you give me it?"
The pair came up with code words when they first moved to Thessia as a security precaution. This is when Liara was the Shadow Broker and was going to be alone while Shepard was still working for the Alliance. They have never needed or used these code words and Liara is a bit caught off guard to say the least. She had to think what it was. Knowing the code word confirms to the pair that they are who they say they are and that they are not under duress. Liara thought it was foolish at the time almost paranoid, but right now she couldn't be more relieved to know that she is talking to her Elly, not one being controlled.
"Uh..yes Elly. It is sapphire."
"Good Liara..that's good thanks."
"And yours?" asks Liara.
"Blue," says Shepard.
"Good Elly now what is going on?"
"I don't want you to panic or anything. I am fine but I think that I am being drugged."
"What?" How can she possibly know? What has happened?"
"I have been losing time Liara. I don't even remember speaking to Raina when I got home from the hospital."
"Elly…"
"I am getting these awful headaches Liara and I don't know… things just don't feel right."
"Elly…"
"And I come to my quarters after a mission where I accidentally fired my weapon into the shoulder of the asari commander Iona. Ashley is reminding me to take my pills. Take my pills she kept saying. I think she told me that like three times. I think something is going on with the pills. Do you know where they came from?
Liara wants to ask so many questions all at once. Hearing about how she accidentally shot one of her squad mates does not sound like something Shepard would do at all. "Uh…you said the Doctor gave them to you, to take them for your headaches."
"Hmm see Liara, I don't remember that. I have no idea who gave me those pills."
"Elly…"
"And what about…"
"Elly please."
Furrowing her brow Shepard asks, "What? What is it Liara?"
"I have to tell you something."
"Okay."
Liara does not know how long it took to explain everything to her bondmate. There were times Shepard wanted to interrupt to ask questions but the professor in Liara asked her politely to keep her questions until the end. There was so much to talk about that once she started she didn't want to get off track and forget anything.
"So let me see if I got this straight," says Shepard, "Are you saying I am under the influence even now?"
"Well I think so Elly… I mean maybe not right now. I think because you are not taking your pills the influence may be waning."
"And you all thought it was a good idea to just watch and see?" Shepard is trying to keep her tone even, Liara notices it.
"I did not agree to it at all Elly not at all please believe me. Ashley and Miranda both made the case that to find Scorpion we had to wait and see what would happen. Plus Ashley said that you probably would go along with it if you knew about it."
Raising her eyebrows Shepard says, "Did she now?"
"I am sorry Elly I …well I tried to stop them. They said that if you stopped taking the drugs without weaning off of them it could cause issues. That is why no one intervened, that and the hopes that you would lead us to Scorpion."
"Yeah like withdrawal symptoms right?" asks Shepard as she rubs her arms trying to warm herself up. She has been shivering for the last twenty minutes even though she is sweating.
"I think you need to talk to Karin Elly. She may be able to give you something to help with that. Since you have stopped the pills I do think you should take one soon to ease your pain."
"I don't know if I can risk it Liara. I mean, Ashley was pretty insistent that I take the pills. I mean what is that about? Something does not feel right with her."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know Liara something is off that is all I can tell you right now."
Liara thinks for a moment. "I do know that Miranda was working on something and that she and Karin met before the Normandy took off. I think we have to bring Karin in on this. Perhaps she has also noticed something with Ashley."
"That is a good idea."
Shepard nearly jumps out of her skin.
"What the hell Kasumi! You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Elly? What is going on?" asks Liara.
"It's okay. Kasumi decided to show herself." Kasumi sits next to her so Liara can see her on the vid display.
"Helllo Liara."
"Kasumi."
"Shepard," says Kasumi, "I hope you know that I never once had you out of my sights. I have been watching you ever seen you boarded of course minus the time you were away on your mission."
Shepard pats her arm, "I know. I know you would not let anything happen to me Kasumi, not if you could help it. I am not exactly happy with any of you at the moment but we have bigger things to worry about. I don't like the idea of taking another pill. I don't want to lose time again and I sure as hell do not want to accidentally shoot someone else. I truly believe that if Griggs was not there I would have murdered the asari."
"Do you have any idea why Scorpion would want the asari dead?" asks Kasumi.
"What? No," says Shepard.
"Perhaps it was simply a way to see how strong their affect is over you."
"But they tested that already in the woods," says Liara.
"Yes but this is different," says Kasumi. "During a mission Shepard's heart rate would be elevated, adrenaline pumping, they probably needed a field test to see if they could still control you so to speak. Plus I found two little devices in the vents that are over your quarters Shepard."
"What kind of devices?" asks Liara.
"I am not sure what they are or what they do. I am afraid we cannot test them until we identify the spies on board."
"Spies?" says Shepard.
"Yes," says the thief, "there is at least one Scorpion spy on board, one that we know about. Petersen. She is in engineering."
"Why the hell has she not been brought in?" asks Shepard.
"We did not want to alert Scorpion that we were on to its people. She is being watched by someone to see if she tries to make contact. Her omni-tool has a program on it that copies anything she searches or sends and records all conversations. But the only conversation we recorded that seems to be of any value was brief. A person on the call asked if she had been detected and she said no. Since then she has done nothing but her job," says Kasumi.
Shepard gets up from her chair to grab a blanket. Her shivering is getting worse.
Liara watches her move out of frame then Kasumi who moves off screen quickly.
"What's going on?" asks Liara. She sees nothing but can hear muffled voices. "Elly! Kasumi! Someone talk to me please!"
The thief comes into frame, "Liara. I need to get Dr. Chakwas. Shepard has passed out. I will call you when I have an update. I am sorry Liara."
Before the asari can reply the call is disconnected.
Kasumi using her omni-tool and a secure channel contacts Dr. Chakwas. She cannot be seen on the ship so she does not leave Shepard's quarters.
As the doctor enters her quarters she finds the thief lying Shepard down on the bed.
"What is going on?"
"She passed out," says Kasumi.
"What why?" The Doctor runs a scan over the unconscious body. "Why is she sweating?"
"She has stopped taking her pills Karin."
"When?"
"Since she boarded the Normandy. She called Liara to tell her that she wasn't feeling well and that she suspected something was not right with the pills."
The scan done the Doctor lowers her omni-tool, "She has a fever."
"She didn't know she shouldn't wean off the pills."
"Of course not. I will grab some things. I have something that can help with her symptoms but we will have to ride out the fever."
The thief catches the Doctor's arm before she walks out.
"What is it?"
"Shepard said she felt Ashley was acting weird."
"Ashley?"
"Yes. That she was insisting Shepard take her pills due to her headache. That she told her multiple times."
"Well that is probably because Shepard has not been herself and Ashley didn't want her to forget."
"I am not sure I agree."
"Why? What proof do you have?"
"None right now, but I know what I can do to get some." Kasumi thinks of the two devices in the vents over Shepard's quarters. She knows the way to Ashley's quarters. She can look for the same thing. If she finds something then she knows the other human Spectre has been compromised.
"Well you do that and I will get some supplies and stay with Shepard."
"Can you do me a favor Karin?"
"Of course."
"Can you call Liara using the secure channel and let her know what is going on? Shepard passed out while on the line with her."
"Yes of course, and Kasumi?"
The thief turns to look at the Doctor.
"Please be careful."
She nods before lifting herself into the vent above the room.
"Hello Blake. I wanted to let you know that everything is set up at the next coordinates."
"Good. And we will not be far correct?"
"No. The moon is not far from the location. We will be undetected and can arrive when you give the word."
"Excellent. Great work Dr. Collins and thank you for letting me know."
"The metal within the reaper has had wonderful results don't you think? The devices we have planted seem to really help with the hallucinations making the assets more susceptible."
"Yes. We will test that theory again tonight I suspect since the next asset has been activated."
"Yes Blake. I will report the results as soon as I hear."
"Thank you Doctor."
Though only five minutes passed Liara felt like hours passed before her omni-tool rang. "Elly?" she asks before seeing who is on the vid display.
"No Liara it is Karin."
"Karin oh Goddess, where is Elly? Is she alright?"
"She has a fever Liara. Kasumi said she passed out. She also filled me in on what is going on. I gave her something to help with her symptoms. She was awake briefly and I had her take half a pill. To have her stop the drugs cold turkey is not healthy."
Liara is not sure she heard correctly. "I don't understand Karin."
The Doctor gives a small smile. "Sorry Liara. Remember when I mentioned that to stop the pills without weaning off of them can be dangerous? I gave her half a pill and something to help her sleep which she is doing right now. I am staying with her. I am hoping that her fever will break by morning."
"Thank the Goddess, oh thank you Karin. I have been going out of my mind waiting to hear something."
"Sorry about that Liara. Kasumi asked me to call you while she checks on something. I needed to take care of Shepard first."
"Of course Karin than you so much. She mentioned that she hurt one of her squad mates earlier today, the asari I believe, is she going to be alright?"
"Yes. It was a through and through. No vital organs hit. She should be ready for missions within a week."
"Thank Goddess. I don't know what Elly would do if it was worse."
There was a silence between them for a few moments.
"Karin?"
"Yes Liara?"
"Did Elly or Kasumi fill you in on Elly's concern by chance?"
"Do you mean about suspecting Ashley? Kasumi mentioned something yes."
"And?"
"I am sorry Liara. Her behavior seems fine to me. Kasumi did mention something about knowing where to go for some proof so I hope to hear something soon."
"What will you do if Ashley is also under the influence?"
"I think if that is the case then we should bring Lieutenant Griggs in on this. He helped me today with Shepard and I know he can be trusted."
"What do you mean he helped you with Elly?" asks Liara.
"Ashley kept the comms open for me to listen in on their mission. I heard Elly having issues…uh I mean having one of her headaches. I asked Griggs to check on her as he was hanging back in another room."
"What happened?"
"He found Elly pointing her pistol at Iona. He tackled her. Her pistol fired and hit the asari."
"So is it because of him that she shot her or…?"
"Not sure," says Dr. Chakwas recalling what she heard. "She did mention that she thought she saw something and was bringing up her weapon when Griggs spotted her. She was pretty upset with him that he tackled her, blamed him for her weapon firing."
"Hmm she was pretty clear when she and I spoke. She feels responsible."
"Well that is Shepard for ya," says Dr. Chakwas.
"Yes it is. Is she going to be okay Karin?"
"She is sleeping pretty soundly right now Liara. I am going to stay with her tonight to keep an eye on her."
"Thank you Karin. I feel so helpless."
"One minute Liara."
The human Doctor moves off screen. Again Liara hears mumbling but cannot make out the voices or what is being said.
"Sorry Liara" says Dr. Chakwas, "Kasumi has returned. She went on a little excursion."
The thief comes into view.
"Hello Liara."
Liara nods.
"I believe Shepard is correct. I believe Ashley has been compromised. I found the same devices above her quarters that are present above Shepard's," says Kasumi.
"And you didn't bring one?" asks Karin.
"I do not want to risk alerting anyone that one has been removed. I have never seen anything like it."
"Did you take a picture by chance?" asks Liara.
"I can do that for you Liara yes," says the thief.
"I can take it then and see what I can find. Perhaps it will help us figure out how Elly and now Ashley are being controlled."
"Well we still do not know if Ashley is under the influence of Scorpion," says Karin.
"What more do you need?" asks Kasumi.
The Doctor thinks. "I think I will brief Lieutenant Griggs then."
"Griggs?" asks Kasumi.
"I'll fill you in later Kasumi," says Karin. "Liara?"
"Yes?"
"Let us know what you find and please inform Miranda what is going on. We will do what we can on this end. Another set of coordinates were found earlier today and Ashley has already set course for them."
"When will you arrive?"
"I am not sure. I can ask Joker," says Karin.
"Okay. I will call Miranda when we are finished here and work on trying to find out more about that device Kasumi when you send a picture. Karin, shall I call you with my findings or?"
"I think you should yes. Since I gave Elly half a pill I am hoping she has enough drugs in her system to still be influenced and if she is then we may not be able to trust her with what you find out."
Not liking what she is hearing but understanding what the Doctor is saying Liara nods. "I will keep you informed."
"And Liara" says Dr. Chakwas, "I will let you know if anything changes in her condition."
"Thank you Karin and thank you Kasumi. I appreciate it."
The call ends.
Kasumi makes her way to the vents again and takes a picture of a nearby device over Shepard's quarters. Using the secure channel they have set up she sends the photo to Liara. She informs the Doctor that she will remain in the vent and that she can contact her if necessary.
Liara receives the photo from Kasumi. She makes her way to the secure room to bring up the picture. The asari enters a few parameters into her program search routine then runs it. She hopes to have some results by morning.
After starting her search regarding the device, Liara called Miranda to keep her informed on what is going on. She explained that Shepard was herself when she called and suspected Ashley was being influenced. During their conversation Liara thought she heard Raina or Mia crying. Turns out neither little one was awake but it got Liara thinking.
"Miranda I have a question for you."
"Sure Liara."
"Remember how Elly and Raina were somehow linked? That whatever happened to Elly, Raina seemed to feel or be affected?"
"Yes. Has Raina had an issue with what is going on with Shepard?"
"Actually no."
"Oh good."
"Though that does make me wonder…" she trails off.
Miranda waits for her to finish her thought which the asari does not seem to do. "Liara?"
Silence.
"Liara?"
"Hmm?
"Are you okay? You were going to ask me something?"
"Oh yes, I apologize Miranda. I was wondering about the link between Elly and Raina. Could it be due to her nanites?"
"Her nanites?"
"Yes the improved nanites you treated her with. As far as I have been able to find having the type of link that Elly and Raina shared is very rare, but I have found nothing regarding a link like this when it is not between two asari. I was thinking perhaps the nanites may have changed Elly somehow."
Miranda did not intend to keep her nanite treatment secret but for some reason she is pausing before speaking.
"Miranda?"
"Sorry Liara…"
"Well?"
"Well yes I suppose it is possible. There is asari DNA in the improved nanites."
"What?"
"Yes. For longevity of life I was able to use asari DNA in the treatments. It is completely safe Liara believe me. It is present in my own treatments as well."
"I ….well I didn't realize. I suppose though incredibly rare it could explain the link. Do you have a hypothesis as to why they are not linked now when Elly is having issues?"
"By what you have told me she is having headaches not hallucinations right? Perhaps because she stopped taking her pills they are not as prevalent? I can only guess at this point Liara without running tests."
"Of course Miranda, I was just wondering. I am hoping to find more information regarding the device Kasumi sent a picture of."
"Please keep me informed Liara. I will fill Arelia in on everything as well. And Liara?"
"Yes?"
"I hope you are not too upset with me."
Liara is silent.
"I know you were not exactly happy with Ashley and me. I do think we are making progress however."
"Yes well. We will know more soon hopefully, but I will not feel good about any of this until Elly is home with me."
"I understand Liara."