To look down on her unconscious body Nala only feels further anger not remorse for knocking her former lover out cold. Bending down to check on Arelia Nala sees her lip is split. The drug did its job she won't be awake for hours. Looking at the asari her eyes travel down her body, she wants Arelia but not like this. Nala wants Arelia of her own free will but after tonight's events she does not think that will ever happen.
Stroking her cheek gently Nala wonders how she will kill her. Will she make it quick or will she draw it out. Will she make Arelia suffer as she has suffered? Knowing she has time to figure it out Nala lifts Arelia into her arms and lays Arelia on her bed. She slowly undresses Arelia taking in every inch of her skin. She knows she doesn't need to change Arelia but it is an excuse to admire her like she used to. Nala allows herself to touch but not too much. Memories of their time together cross her mind and it brings a sad smile to her face. Nala always enjoyed the feel of Arelia's skin even though it is very similar to her own. She remembers every square inch of her. With the pajama top on Nala decides to leave her pants alone to avoid temptation. She knows how easy it would be to take Arelia ravage her as she lies unconscious, but she won't do it, she can't do it not like this.
Nala applies medi-gel to Arelia's split lip after washing the blood away. Arelia lets out a soft moan. Nala moves down her leg and reapplies the gel to her left ankle where bruising has appeared. Happy with her job of redressing Arelia and caring for her wounds, Nala covers her with the bed sheet and blanket. She does allow herself to kiss Arelia lightly on her forehead; she has always liked how Arelia smells. She hovers for a few seconds taking in the scent then feels the heat behind her eyes. Nala quickly leaves the room to make her plans to dispose of Arelia.
Kasumi, Valya, Shepard with Raina on her hip all join Miranda and Liara in the secure room, they have found a lead on Nala's SV98 shuttle. Dara is coming down the stairs when she sees the group gathering so she quickly joins them.
"What is it?" asks Shepard.
The individual monitors that don one of the walls of the room are displaying one large picture. It is an aerial view of what looks like a lot of trees. Miranda begins, "We took the secluded spots you mentioned and plotted them, Liara."
Liara hits a few keystrokes and the map starts displaying little dots.
"Then we tracked Nala's shuttle but lost the signal about here."
Another dot appears on the map.
"So just as we thought, she is nowhere near the secluded spots?" asks Valya
"That is correct," says Miranda.
"Why did you lose the signal?" asks Shepard.
"She probably is aware of the individual signal shuttles give off and removed it even though it is against regulations," says Valya."
"So what exactly are we looking at, all I see is a bunch of trees?" asks Shepard trying not to lose her patience.
"One minute Elly," says Liara. "Based on the trajectory Miranda and I predict where her shuttle went as you can see," Liara hits a few keystrokes and a dotted line appears on the map. "We believe the shuttle has to be somewhere in this area."
"Just how big an area are we talking?" asks Valya.
"Right now we have narrowed it down to three square miles," says Miranda.
Valya can't help but show her shock.
Shepard shifts Raina on her hip, "That's a pretty big area. Is there any way to narrow that further?"
Liara smiles and nods, "Miranda and I searched to see if there were buildings or electricity being used in these areas and this is what we found." The map shows a highlighted circle on the map. "There is at least one building in the area based on the power usage. We believe it could be a small house, but there is no way to know since we cannot get a clear shot of the area due to the denseness of the trees."
"And how big is that area?" asks Valya.
Miranda and Liara both smile at each other. Miranda says "One square mile."
"That's it then. That is where they must be," says Valya she can't hide her excitement.
Shepard smiles at her and places a hand on her shoulder to calm her. "Is there any way to see the kind of terrain we are dealing with?"
"Yes," says Liara, "There appears to be many Pinus strobus, Pinus virginiana and Pinus rigida along with sandy and rocky poor soil sites."
The group looks confused, they all look at Miranda.
"Trees, rocks and dirt," says Miranda.
"That is what I said," says Liara.
Shepard smiles, "Okay. How long does it take to get there?"
"About two hours," says Miranda.
"So let's get our gear and get going," says Valya.
Dara places her hand on her arm with a smile as if to halt her.
"We can't wait any longer Shepard. We need to go now," says Valya.
"I agree," says Miranda. "We can come up with a plan on the way."
Everyone looks to Shepard. She knows they are close and that time is of the essence but she doesn't want to just barrel in either. "Two hours. Everyone get your gear we leave in two hours. Be ready to sleep under the stars in case it takes a few days."
"I'll start making food," says Dara, she kisses Valya on her cheek before leaving.
"I'll be back," says Valya "gotta get my stuff."
"I do too plus I will inform Oriana what is going on." Miranda stops to look at Shepard, Liara and Kasumi. "Thank you." She approaches Kasumi and looks her in the eye, "Thank you for your help." She walks out to leave for the estate.
Kasumi leaves the room. Shepard sits next to Liara placing Raina on her leg. "Liara."
"I know Elly," Liara looks at her. "Let me at least drive the shuttle to drop you off. Dara can watch Raina. I can stay with the shuttle."
"I don't know Liara. You are still recovering and I don't know how long we will be out there. To think of you alone in the middle of nowhere, I don't like it, even with the cover of the shuttle."
Liara looks down and nods.
"Hey…hey look at me."
Liara looks up.
"What do think?" asks Shepard.
Liara sighs, "I don't like it Elly I want to be by your side." She takes Raina's hand in her own. "But you are right. I may hinder your progress and I don't want that. I just….I just wish I could go with you. Just promise me Elly."
"Always Liara. I will always come back to you." Shepard places her hand atop Liara's and Raina's.
They are silent for a minute. "Will you kill her Elly?"
"If I have to."
Liara stands and kisses Shepard on the lips. "I am going to help Dara with the food."
Liara walks out of the room leaving Shepard alone with Raina. She turns her daughter to look at her. "I will come back to you little one, I promise."
Nala has made as much progress as she is going to. She knows she needs to sleep before moving Arelia. Nala prepares another syringe and enters the bedroom where Arelia sleeps. The asari has not moved from her position she is sleeping deeply. Nala approaches and sits beside Arelia on the bed. She takes Arelia's arm and inserts the needle and presses the plunger. Nala kisses her once again on the cheek this time then returns to her room for some much needed sleep.
Valya is flying the shuttle. Liara had the foresight to call the docking bay to rent one. Kasumi, Miranda and Shepard are sitting nearby in order to share the plan with the asari as she flies to their destination.
"I think we should split in two groups," starts Shepard.
"Actually Shepard," says Kasumi, "I was thinking I could scout ahead. My cloak will prevent my detection and I can report back to you."
Miranda wants to lash out, say something about how the cloak didn't work before since Kasumi was spotted but she doesn't, she bites her tongue instead.
"If you think that is best Kasumi that's fine, but we stay in contact the whole time," says Shepard.
"Of course."
"I want to make one thing clear," says Miranda her voice is hard. "Nala is mine."
Shepard and Kasumi exchange glances. Shepard says, "Miranda…"
"..I mean it Shepard. No one takes her out but me."
Shepard places her hand on Miranda's shoulder, "This is not going to be easy Miranda. I doubt we will have time to stop what we are doing to make sure you get the shot. Be reasonable."
"Shepard."
"Now you listen to me," Shepard raises her voice. "I know you are worried I am worried too. But you cannot let your personal feelings cloud your judgment. We go in as a team and we take her down if necessary. Our main objective is Arelia. You got me?"
Miranda does not reply nor does she look at the captain.
"Miranda?"
"I understand Shepard."
"Good. Now we have to be prepared for anything."
Kasumi chimes in, "Arelia may be injured we must account for that."
Miranda's stomach twists in knots thinking that Arelia may be hurt. She doesn't know what would be worse, an injured Arelia or a complicit one that doesn't want Nala hurt. She knows how good Nala is and that the two share a history. Miranda hopes the Arelia has not fallen for her and that she truly does need and want rescuing.
Miranda feels a hand on her shoulder again, "What?" she wasn't paying attention.
"Are you okay looking after Arelia if she is injured and needs to be moved or protected while we deal with Nala?" asks Shepard.
"Y-yes yes of course," nods Miranda.
"Valya any questions?"
"No but we have a small problem Shepard."
"What is it?"
"The tree cover is too dense. I am going to have to set it down farther out than we anticipated."
"How far out?"
"From the looks of it about two miles."
"Shit," says Shepard.
The crew was hoping to get as close as possible, having to hike in two miles adds precious time they may not have.
"Hey Liara we have landed. We are about two miles outside the area you indicated," says Shepard. She is talking with Liara via her omni-tool.
"Yes I see you Elly. You be careful. I will monitor your movements from here."
"Sounds good Liara love you." Shepard disconnects the call. Though the call is disconnected her omni-tool is sending a signal to Liara which the asari is watching from her secure room.
"It is a few hours before sunrise so let's move out," says Shepard.
Valya locks up the shuttle checking it one more time to make sure she isn't leaving anything behind. Miranda, Valya, Kasumi and Shepard grab their gear and start hiking.
An hour passes, Shepard signals for the group to take a 10 minute break. Darkness is slowly fading and it is getting easier to navigate the terrain which consists mostly of grass, dirt and rocks.
"After this break Shepard, I am going to go on ahead to see what I can see," says Kasumi.
"Okay, but stay in touch okay?" says Shepard.
Kasumi nods.
Shepard sits next to Miranda as they both take drinks of water. "How you holding up Miranda?"
"Fine Shepard."
Shepard is not sure what to say to Miranda. She knows how much she loves Arelia. She wonders if they will find her alive but does not really want to mention it to her human friend.
"I'm okay Shepard," says Miranda.
"I am not sure how to say this Miranda." Shepard looks at her and waits for Miranda to make eye contact. "You need to expect the worst Miranda. I can't have you freeze on me out here."
Miranda looks at her; she knows what she is trying to do. "I am fully capable Shepard."
"I know that Miranda. I am just…"
"…you just want me not to lose it in case we are too late is that it?"
Shepard winces at how she says it. "I would have said it differently but yes Miranda. I need you at your best no matter the circumstances."
"I will be fine Shepard. It was not so long ago when Oriana's life was in danger and I did not freeze."
Shepard nods remembering how Miranda's father died, when she and Oriana finally gained their freedom from the madman. "I'm sorry Miranda. I didn't mean to upset you. I just want you to prepare yourself just in case."
"Consider myself prepared Shepard," she doesn't say it nicely.
Shepard lets it go, she doesn't press. She knows Miranda is hurting. She would be too if she were in the same situation. In fact Shepard doesn't think she would keep her cool at all if someone took Liara. She would just want to run in guns blazing to save her wife. But she cannot do that now. She has a family to think about and friends to think about. She does not want any of them hurt, not one.
"Let's head out," says Shepard. She nods to Kasumi who sets off ahead of them.
Arelia feels a light tap on her face and a sound though she cannot quite make it out. The tap on her face gets harder and her eyes finally open.
"Wake up dear," snarls Nala. "You need to eat."
Arelia sees Nala leaning over her. Her head feels like it is full of lead and her mouth is full of cotton balls. Her stomach does not feel all too good either. She feels herself being pulled into a sitting position.
"You need to wake up. Eat." Nala says again.
Arelia has enough of her senses to at least shift against the headboard of the bed. "Wh..what's going on?"
"We are leaving. Hurry up or you go without," says Nala as she leaves Arelia alone.
Arelia blinks her eyes trying to wake up. She wonders if the food in front of her is drugged. If they are leaving she needs nourishment. But where are they going? Looking out the window it looks as if the sun is about to rise. All Arelia can think about is Miranda and how she longs to be back in her arms to make love to her to hold her close. She smiles at the thought.
"You have ten minutes to eat and get dressed," snarls Nala. She leaves again.
After weighing her options Arelia decides to eat. She has no idea how she is going to walk feeling as she does. She is having a hard time not thinking to herself that she is eating her last meal. I love you Miranda please don't ever forget that.
Nala appears soon after Arelia finishes her meal. "Why are you not dressed yet?" she almost yells.
Arelia knows there is no pleasing her so she decides not to try. "It might have something to do with the fact that you drugged me dear," she emphasizes the word dear. She is happy with herself until she feels the hard slap on her face and her lip splits open again.
"Wear these," Nala grabs Arelia's plate and leaves the room.
Arelia's head is throbbing she feels sluggish. All of her movements are slow and she hates it, it even takes her awhile to form a thought. The slap certainly didn't help her wake up; her body just wants more sleep. Looking at the clothes Nala threw at her she knows they are in for a long walk. A long sleeve shirt and pants Arelia just hopes that the boots she has won't aggravate her ankle too much.
When Nala returns to the room Arelia is finishing up with her boots.
"'bout time. Let' go."
Arelia does not move. "Where are we going exactly?"
Nala turns on her quickly; she is seething "You don't ask questions. You simply obey dear." She emphasizes the word dear.
Arelia crosses her arms "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you are planning on doing to me."
One side of Nala's mouth turns up into an evil grin. "Did you not hear me last night dear?"
Arelia is confused. What she remembers from last night is telling Nala she will always love Miranda then getting punched.
Nala grabs her throat hard, "Today is the day you die dear."
Shepard signals for Miranda and Valya to stop. Someone is calling her on her omni-tool.
"Kasumi?"
"I found a house," says the thief.
"What where?"
"Check your tool. My guess is you are about ten minutes away."
"Do you have a visual?" asks Shepard. Miranda has joined her to listen in. Valya remains ahead of them to keep watch.
"I see movement inside but I cannot see who," replies Kasumi.
"Okay, we are on our way," says Shepard.
The two catch up to Valya, "There is a house up ahead. I want you to flank it Valya. Miranda and I will split up as we get closer."
"Got it," says Valya.
"And wait for my signal before doing anything," says Shepard.
Valya waves in response and heads out.
Shepard pats Miranda on the shoulder, "We gonna get her back Miranda."
She doesn't wait for a reply she continues to walk in the direction of Kasumi's location.
Arelia falls to her knees gasping for air Nala thankfully let go of her throat. She feels her hands being bound. She is hauled onto her feet hard by the upper arm just under her armpit. Nala's grip is tight. "Let's go."
When they leave her bedroom Arelia sees a bag by the front door. She cannot believe Nala is actually going to kill her that she will never see Miranda again. She doesn't believe for a second that Miranda is dead she refuses to believe it.
Arelia is well aware that Nala is not the woman she used to know. Anything left in her that she thought was redeemable seems to be gone. Arelia no longer sees a caring ex-lover when she looks at Nala, but rather an angry hate-filled asari bent on revenge but for what she does not fully comprehend. It saddens Arelia a great deal that she is the cause of Nala's downfall.
Arelia is pushed from the house outside she nearly trips which does not help the pain in her ankle.
Nala pushes her shoulder, "Move!"
Arelia does not want to make it easy for her. She slumps to the ground as if in pain.
Nala circles Arelia but from a distance, she is looking around. "I said move!"
Arelia remains kneeling.
Nala approaches to kick her but Arelia shifts her position. When Nala kicks and misses she loses her balance. Arelia lunges at her from her kneeling position using the strength in her legs to propel herself at the asari. Nala lands hard on her back.
With her hands bound Arelia straddles Nala. She cannot punch her so she tries her biotics but nothing happens. In the split second where Arelia pauses Nala bucks Arelia off of her, gets on her feet and kicks Arelia hard in the stomach. Arelia feels the air rush out of her, she sees Nala getting ready to strike again, and she curls into a ball to block the incoming blows. Nala kicks again and again and again. Nala slams her foot down hard on one of Arelia's hands. Arelia cries out in pain.
"Get up!" yells Nala.
Arelia managed to block the additional blows to her stomach but her arms are aching and she is pretty sure she heard something crack in her left hand.
Nala is bending close to Arelia, "Get your ass up now!"
Arelia struggles to her feet and is happy she can actually stand though the pain in her stomach does not allow her to stand up straight. She is having a hard time catching her breath and the thud thud thud of her head is not helping matters.
Arelia is pushed in the direction of the path that leads up out of the valley. She walks as best she can. "So how are you going to kill me Nala?" she coughs. She refuses to beg for her life. She can almost see the smile on Nala though she has her back to her.
"Very slowly my dear."
Arelia feels a shiver up her spine. She is walking to her death. Her eyes start searching the area. She knows she needs to get away from her but she doesn't exactly feel strong enough to run let alone make it up out of the valley. She must keep her wits about her she knows this but she can't stop the tightness in her throat and the burning in her eyes when she thinks how she let Miranda down. How she will never see her again and how she won't be able to propose to her. I love you Miranda.
It is one of the hardest things in the world for Miranda to witness Arelia being kicked over and over and over again. She wanted to run to her and stop it but Shepard had her hand on her shoulder to tell her now is not the time to strike. The good thing is that during the commotion, Valya was able to get into position behind the two asari.
Shepard and Miranda are situated higher up the path that Nala and Arelia are on. Shepard does not know where Kasumi is and she sees Valya at the house now coming up from behind.
Arelia knows she needs to do something. She cannot run properly with her hands tied in front of her and her ankle won't really cooperate. She thinks perhaps she can talk herself out of being killed. It is a long shot but she has to try something.
"I need to rest," says Arelia as she gets on her hands and knees.
Nala allows it. The asari sets down her bag and pulls out a pistol with holster. She secures it to her pants while looking around. Arelia closes her eyes to see if she can sense something. Nala was always good at detecting a threat. Her head is still cloudy, Arelia cannot detect anything but she knows Nala is nervous so there must be a reason.
"Get up," says Nala in a stern voice.
As Arelia starts to get up she thinks she detects movement but cannot be sure, it is more of a feeling than an actual visual. Her ankle rolls on her and she falls to the ground, "Ahhh!"
Nala thinks Arelia is stalling and who wouldn't when they are on their own death march. She leans down to grab for her when she feels it. Nala suddenly shields herself and she throws a singularity to the left of where she is. She hears a slight scream and sees someone de-cloak in the field. It's the thief with her sword drawn.
A bullet whizzes by her head, she turns to see its origin and sees Valya. She quickly throws a blue ball of energy which Valya is able to dodge. Nala is pushed hard to the ground she knows someone else is in the woods besides the two she has seen so far someone with biotics.
Nala quickly gets on her feet shield still strong and sees Miranda.
Arelia is still on the ground and she knows she is not alone. She sees Kasumi stuck in a singularity field to her left and she sees her sword.
"Give it up Nala!" says Shepard. She shows her position to Nala. She is on higher ground pointing her pistol at her.
Miranda is moving closer toward Arelia. Valya is coming up behind fast.
Nala weighs her options very quickly. She throws a shockwave toward Miranda which makes the human dive out of the way. She quickly turns toward Valya un-holstering her pistol in one smooth movement as a bullet penetrates her shields and grazes her arm. She fires three shots in a row at Valya who is a moving target. Valya rolls to the side but Nala knows she hit her.
Nala turns again pistol drawn, her shields take more bullets as Shepard fires at her from cover. Nala rolls to the right behind a tree and throws a blue ball of energy toward Shepard's direction, she is hoping to by time.
She knows she is trapped. The only way out is the path she is on. Perhaps if she takes cover in the house then she can better defend. Nala turns to run when she feels immense pain rip through her entire body. Choking for air she looks down and sees Arelia holding a sword that has cut through her shields and into her torso like a hot knife through butter. The sword is embedded up to the hilt. She was not expecting this.
Nala falls to her knees while Arelia still holds onto the sword. Their eyes are locked on each other. Nala sees anger in Arelia and grief and is that remorse? She is not aware of the people running towards them, her vision is darkening. She concentrates only on the woman she loves. "I love you," she manages as she coughs up blood. Nala raises her hand to Arelia's cheek.
Arelia leans into the touch since her hands are bound "I'm sorry Nala, I am so sorry."
"So am I," says Nala as she raises her pistol and fires.