Chapter 37: Deviation to Grissom

Normandy SR-2

Deviation to Grissom Academy

March 9 2186

08:25 hours

Shepard P.O.V.

Commander Jane Shepard had been informed by Specialist Samantha Traynor that there was trouble, and by trouble, she meant a false Turian signal that the commander was familiar with. It was the very same one that lured her to the Collector ship and nearly to her second death. It was the Illusive Man's doing, so no doubt that Cerberus was still using the trick. Shepard did really shake her head in amusement because the Illusive Man hadn't thought to update the signal or change it. Did he really thing that he could get away with attacking Grissom Academy without anyone noticing?

Granted, likely no one else but EDI really knew how to look at the signal regardless, so it was great reluctance that Shepard informed Wrex that they'd be delayed by maybe another day, and that didn't bode well with the leader of Clan Urdnot, but he didn't persist, because he knew that even he couldn't persuade Shepard otherwise. How wise Wrex had become in three years.

Mordin was also slightly happy because it gave him more time to prepare the genophage cure that he was working on. Apparently, he was close to a breakthrough and would soon be able to use it for the entire population of the Krogan. Shepard was wondering how in the galaxy was he going to spread this cure to all Krogan, because that just would take too much time, but he knew better than her, so she'd just trust that the old Salarian knew what he was doing.

Everyone else was more or less not really bothered by it, to which Shepard was grateful. The combat crew had been more or less on edge for the better part of the past few days. It seemed just like yesterday that the Reapers had invaded Earth, but it was much more than that. It would be months at least. There would be no smooth sailing in this war. Lives would be lost, and the Commander had been there to witness the lives already lost.

She was also relieved for a mission so she could test one of her two newest squad members. She had no doubt that Javik was a warrior but the Forerunner, Guardian was untested. He certainly might be able to help the war effort in terms of resources and intellect, but could he fight? That remained to be seen, but given the technology and his armor, which she doubted was merely for looks, he looked like he could be an asset on the battlefield. But still, better safe than sorry.

Before this change of plan, she was in her cabin and going through some reports that were being sent to Admiral Hackett. When she went by Traynor to check on Wrex and Mordin, she'd been quickly informed about the situation.

When she reached Engineering, she stepped out of the elevator quickly, then briskly walked into the starboard cargo room, where was rather surprised to see that Guardian was more or less busy. Shepard couldn't really be certain where he'd suddenly gotten the equipment that lay in the room, but she was instantly entranced by all of it.

At one corner of the room was what she recognized as a galaxy map, blinking and flashing constantly. To the corner next to the shuttle bay window, there was what appeared to be some sort of scanner technology, as apparent by a display nearby giving readouts of what appeared to be his armor.

In the corner adjacent from the door was a work bench, with many tools and instruments laying on the table as well as some parts.

The last interesting device was at the very center, where Guardian stood. He stood in the center of what appeared to be a swarm of holographic information. All around him were dots, like stars in the galaxy. When he touched one, the image enhanced to show a specific object or item. Shepard couldn't really place what he was looking at, nor was she given an opportunity to look.

It was only moments after her entry that Guardian immediately stopped what he was doing and turned to face her.

"Commander Shepard," he greeted, "Is there something you need?"

"Yeah," Shepard answered, "We've got a mission that I want you to come along on."

"I assume this is to test my combat skills," he guessed.

"You'd be right," Shepard said, "I'll fill you in once we get there. In the meantime, I'd like to know what all this is."

"This," Guardian gestured to the room, "Is part of my resources."

"But you didn't come with anything at all," Shepard exclaimed, "How the hell did all of this get her? Not that I'm complaining, but unless you've got a means to shrink items and carry them with you, the I'd like to know how this got here."

"Now that will remain my secret," Guardian answered, "All I will tell you now is that the means to achieve this will be either our greatest advantage or our greatest downfall."

"Then why risk it," Shepard asked, "This is only small stuff."

"Exactly," Guardian explained, "Because these items are small, they are easily overlooked and more likely than not almost non-existent."

"I still really don't understand," Shepard shook her head, "What exactly are we talking about?"

"All good things in time," Guardian chuckled, "For someone with such knowledge and patience and wisdom, you do have a tendency to become impatient."

"For good reason," Shepard argued, "There's no time to be patient."

"The Reapers can afford to be," Guardian pointed out, "That is their strength. They are not bound by fear that we are. They simply exist to serve a directive. Because of this, and because they are almost always a threat that cannot be stopped by conventional means, people panic."

Shepard was about to throw an argument back, but then she bit her tongue and carefully thought about what he was saying.

The Reapers were bound by logic, cold and callous logic, but logic still. They carried no emotions or feelings or desires. So that meant they had a strength in that they feared no losses or setbacks. They simply would find a way to outsmart their opponents. They were good at that if their sheer force and brute strength didn't do the job right the first time. Organics suffered from emotions, feelings, and desires all of the time. That made them prone to doing rash and desperate things, which would lead to really stupid and idiotic actions.

But while these things were weaknesses in one respect, they were strengths in another respect. Shepard knew better than anyone that the will to fight and die to protect something other than oneself was one of the key factors in her continued ability to fight. Without it, she'd have surely given up long ago.

"But that's what separates them from us," Shepard responded, "What are we without emotions? We'd be no different than the Reapers."

"You do not have to speak to me about it," Guardian assured, "You are, what is the Human expression called? I believe it is 'you are preaching to the choir?'"

Shepard did a bit of a laugh.

"You can keep telling those words to the people fighting against the Reapers," Guardian continued, "The Reapers certainly will not be dissuaded."

"Maybe," Shepard breathed, "But we're getting off subject. Just be ready to deploy in...three hours."

"I will be ready in two hours and seventeen minutes," Guardian resumed to his work.

Staring at his work a few moments, then turning her back to return to the elevator, Shepard considered who else would join the mission. Everyone else was more or less occupied by something. In truth, Shepard knew that the combat team was a little worn from the mission to Eden Prime, except maybe the Arbiter.

Shepard wasn't really sure why the Arbiter was hesitant about a Forerunner. If they were the ancients in his galaxy, then shouldn't he be surprised or happy or even elated to see one? There had to be something else that she didn't know. It wasn't her Commander instincts telling her, but rather her own female intuition.

But maybe he needed a break. After all, he'd been more or less the one crew member that she'd been taking with her on most missions as of late. That wasn't really fair to the rest of the ground team.

So she turned to the opposite portside cargo bay door.

Arbiter P.O.V.

The Arbiter finally found the time to break away from his hiding place to explore the ship. He tried to play casual, or as much as one of his stature and his situation could. The Humans on this ship were still intimidated by him. He gave no indication of any sort of hostility, merely nodding at them and occasionally waving, familiar gestures that the Humans knew about.

He wanted to avoid Shepard for obvious reasons. Right now, he could say with certainty that he hated the predicament he was in. Yes, he did care about Shepard, and perhaps like the Spartan, she had earned the title of friend in his mind. And yes, he did admit that she had many noble qualities and was a good warrior. She may be no Spartan, but she was certainly no pushover either.

More and more, Thel could recall their conversations, each of them becoming more and more...personal. That was something he feared would happen. Shepard clearly wasn't about to give up until she knew everything about him. The Arbiter had no desire to learn her secrets, at least not before she started drilling him about his life. Now, he felt that maybe he would have to do the same. He never fought a battle without retaliating.

But how was he going to find out more about Shepard, or get a better idea about her? From what he'd observed, she was many things: a warrior, a diplomat, a charmer, just a few of the things one could describe about the Commander. But for all that the Arbiter had observed, he did notice that she was good at concealing certain things. The irony of the situation: Shepard being able to get information willingly almost all of the time, and her being all secretive.

So who should he ask?

If there was one being that might know more than anyone else, it was the one called Liara T'Soni, the Asari scientist and Shadow Broker, he believed that was what it was called. However, there was a problem with that as well. Liara was the very inquisitive type, a type that wanted to know many things. She displayed much interest in culture, and the Arbiter himself was a walking encyclopedia to a species she had never seen. What made him more cautious was the fact that Asari could meld with the minds of others, and that spelled trouble for Thel. If she caught even a small glimpse of his battles during the Human-Covenant War, then she would no doubt teach Shepard.

But better to talk to a calm and more serene doctor than with a highly-volatile and somewhat unsteady Turian. Although Thel was not there to witness it, he had heard rumors around the ship that the Turian known as Garrus Vakarian and Shepard had had some sort of intense argument. Thel didn't think much about it, but occasionally, the Sangheili would look to the Turian and see that look. The Arbiter interpreted it as a warning sign to those who pushed him. But that was not the reason why he did not go to Vakarian, no. It would merely be counterproductive. The Turian could not be counted on to keep civil. The Asari was the more viable option even if a more dangerous one.

With great reluctance, the Arbiter stepped into the room. He saw the same familiar sights as before, but his eyes were still drawn to the galaxy map displayed on multiple screens. He did not have to wait long when the Asari greeted him.

"Arbiter," she greeted, "Is there something I can do for you?"

"I wish to avoid Shepard," he bluntly stated.

"And why me of all people," Liara perked up, "There's Garrus, or James, or EDI, or even the Prothean Javik."

"That is only part of the truth," the Arbiter ignored her question, "I want to ask you about Shepard as well."

"What about her," Liara asked.

"I know that deep down," Thel explained, "She harbors many hidden things, some of them I already know, some I question, some I might not know."

"You want to know more about her," Liara concluded.

Thel said nothing, and he did not move, and his face remained neutral. Liara stopped what she was doing and stood in front of him, craning her head to look up at him. He simply waited for her to respond.

"I doubt there is any more I can-"

"Who is she really," the Arbiter interrupted, "Shepard puts on an image of the Commander who will save everyone, but I find through all of her heroics deeds, there is something she is trying to make up for."

The Arbiter crossed his arms and waited. The Asari was obviously contemplating what he wanted to know. So his gamble had proven to be potentially fruitful: Liara did indeed know something about Shepard that the commander did not want anyone else to know about. The doubt was there, but that was not enough to coax the information out of her. Thel once again resorted to another observation.

"She saves these lives when few others have the courage to do so, or even the desire to do so. As much as I admire that personality, I notice she does so without regard for her own life. That indicates to me that perhaps there was something that went on in the past which makes her feel bound to save everyone."

Another agonizing pause ensued. The Asari now looked positively conflicted about telling something she knew. But still, Liara still could not find the words to say what that situation demanded. Another thought came to him and he decided that maybe this one might do what he needed.

"Why does Shepard make it her business to know everyone else's life? Why isit in her interest to know about her crew? She claims it is as a friend she has to know, and perhaps that is so, but what other reason is there?"

Although the Arbiter was far from demanding or aggressive when asking these questions, the questions themselves were likely being exactly that, but the Arbiter would not be dissuaded. Although Shepard was an honest person, and it was apparent in her speech, in her actions, and in her eyes, Thel knew when there was another reason. Maybe it was no maliciousreason, but there was a reason, and he wanted to know what it was.

Thel stared down at Liara, who seemed to have regained her composure, losing any sign of hesitance, and fully faced him, her face maintaining the calm it usually had.

"What makes you think Shepard hides another reason," Liara asked, "She's the most honest person I've ever known, and honesty is a dangerous thing in this galaxy, but she makes it work."

"It is merely observation," he stated, "It is my opinion based on what I have seen of her that she seems to want to save everyone for a reason that is there but is not spoken of."

"And what makes you think I know this supposed secret," Liara asked.

"You are one of her closest friends," the Arbiter reasoned, "It is a mere observation, but if it is wrong, then I will take it all back."

"You seem like you want leverage," Liara shot back, "Do you have something to hide?"

"Everyone has something to hide," Thel narrowed his eyes, "Everyone does. Anyone who says otherwise is lying."

Thel waited some more. He could do so for as long as he needed. If she would not tell him now, then he would find another way. He always found a way to achieve what he wanted.

Liara P.O.V.

Liara T'Soni bit her lips some more as she carefully thought about this.

She recalled her promise to help Shepard retrieve information regarding the Arbiter because the commander thought that she might not be able to get that sort of information out of the alien.

But just as she wanted answer, he did as well, and he was not afraid to be blunt about it. Liara did admit that at times, she did want not to be so blunt and direct because to her, it seemed improper and somewhat rude. Since becoming the Shadow Broker, she'd begun to let go of some of her naivety. It wasn't that she wanted to let them go, but Liara had to out of necessity to keep herself alive.

Why should she be so concerned? Well the Asari wouldn't be if she knew what she was dealing with. Alas that was not the case with the Arbiter. She didn't know much about him to begin with. Shepard told bits and pieces and yes he'd done a little talking about his people, but she didn't really know who he was as a person. Liara could make a few accurate educated guesses, but she'd like to think there's more to him.

Mustering whatever courage she had, Liara spoke up, keeping her composure as she did it.

"It just so happens that Shepard has taken an interest in you as well. She wants to get to know you, Arbiter."

"You propose a bargain then," he replied almost immediately, "What does Shepard want?"

"Well whatever she can get," Liara said, "She's not asking to pour your heart, simply something more that she can form a better understanding about."

"How do you wish for me to give this info," he narrowed his orange eyes at her.

"Well…"Liara stuttered.

"Do not tell me," Arbiter held his hand up, "I already know, and I will not."

"If you don't want to share something," Liara explained, "Then you don't have to. A meld isn't strictly a free pass to a person's every thought, memory, or idea."

"And I still will not," the Arbiter remained firm, "That is the bottom line."

"Then I'm not at liberty to tell anything about Shepard," Liara stated, "I'm offering you info, and all I ask is something you are willing to share."

Liara crossed her arms. Now it was his turn to contemplate what she had told him. If Liara's instincts were correct, then he would either try one again to maneuver around her logic, or concede, though the Asari didn't doubt that he was going to put up a fight.

"I am curious, not desperate," the Arbiter shook his head, "If I do not find out now, I will sooner or later, with or without your help, Asari."

"Don't call me that," Liara snapped, "And don't act like you are entitled to everything. You may have been important in your galaxy, but here, you are nobody."

That got the Arbiter to step forward right into Liara's body. When she instinctively tried to take a few steps back, he unceremoniously grabbed her with both hands, her arms stuck at her sides, and she was lifted off the ground easily. She now found herself face-to-face with the orange eyes. They threatened her to repeat her words.

The Asari only swallowed, not daring to move or even indicate the fear that she was sensing.

"I am the Arbiter of the Sangheili," he growled, "I have had to care for nothing but my people. I was not give the title of Arbiter out of my own desire or because I earned the right. I was given the title because there was no choice."

His grip was firm, but Liara had no doubt in her mind that she'd never escape with her own physical strength. Her blue eyes continued to watch him.

"Do you know the pain of being ridiculed in front of many because of a failed task? Do you know the pain of being betrayed? Do you know the pain of protecting billions of souls from death? Do you know the feeling of losing purpose?"

His face moved closer to touch hers. Liara could now feel the cold metal of his armored head. It was so cool, and yet that cool also felt like something else.

Something very dark.

"Do not dare tell me that I am nobody. Mind your tongue Liara T'Soni, for you speak of subjects that you yourself have yet to fully understand inside and outside."

Without so much as a warning, the Arbiter then suddenly dropped the Asari and Liara collapsed to the ground hard, She took a moment to make sure she was alright before getting up unsteadily. By the time she'd gotten up and refocused back on what she was doing, she turned to see that the Arbiter was gone, and her door was closed. She was amazed that she didn't even hear him leave. He must've used his cloak to escape, but with his bulk, the Asari would think that he would be more obvious.

He would make for a good assassin, Liara mulled, A very good assassin.

She let out an explosive sigh. So much for that.

"EDI," Liara called.

"Yes Liara," the AI asked, "Do you need something?"

"You did see that," Liara asked,

"I did," EDI answered, "I did not intervene because I did not feel it necessary."

"What," Liara did a double take.

"The Arbiter, as I have observed is not a truly hateful individual. If anything, he will not hurt anything save for the Reapers. But you are correct to assume that he does have secrets, as all organics do. The fact that he is going to great lengths to not speak of them indicates something that may very well be dangerous or very sensitive for him."

"But why hide it," Liara inquired, "Wouldn't it be better to speak truth."

"If you believe it or not, the Arbiter has a high level of respect for skilled people. Shepard is the only one that he has begun to connect to on a more personal basis."

"And that scares him," Liara realized, "He wants to stay ahead of Shepard. But why?"

"As you have stated, fear may drive him, but the purpose of the fear has yet to be determined."

This was just positively too much to be talking about and remembering. Liara quickly reached to her console and began to write a note log. Goddess knew that she had thousands of notes she had taken down in her time as the Shadow Broker. And here was another one to get lost with the others. She hoped that she would remember to send this to Shepard's extranet address.

Perhaps Shepard would want to see this.

"Has Shepard left the ship yet," Liara called to EDI,

"Shepard will leave soon to deploy to Grissom Academy," EDI spoke, "She is already preparing to leave for the mission."

Then later, Liara said, In the meantime, I'll stay clear of the Arbiter. Perhaps this is for the best.

Feeling just a bit tired, Liara grabbed one of her datapads and sat down on her bed, taking the time to kick off her boots and lay down. Her mind was still in a flurry with everything she was doing. Helping Shepard, being the Shadow Broker, dealing with the Arbiter, learning about the Forerunners and Protheans. there was so much to be done.

And barely enough time in which to do all of these things, she thought, Of course I find the most major discovery perhaps in all of Citadel history and it's right when we're about to all die.

Deciding that now was the time to take a break, Liara took a moment before stretching and settling down, her head hitting the pillow. The instant her body was comfortable, she descended into a very deep sleep, a sleep that she hadn't had in a very long time.

I'm not going to lie: this chapter was a bit of a pain to write. I guess that means that it's time for me to take a step back and actually make sure that I've got all my details lined up the way I want it. This could also mean break time for the story. That's not what some of you want to hear, but I think you guys want a fantastic chapter that took time rather than a horrible chapter with no substance that I pumped out in record time.

In any case, it's time to put Javik and Guardian through their first mission. And I hope to keep this mission into five chapters at most. Grissom Academy is cool, but you guys want to move forward in the story, I imagine.

If you loved this chapter, leave it in a review. If you hated this chapter, tell me why. If you want to offer ideas or critique, do so. All reviews are read, and whether you guys realize it or not, your ideas can have a way of changing the story. To what extent, I can't tell, because that's telling.

A special thanks to TheEnglishWriter for beta-reading this chapter. I appreciate the help immensely.

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and remember, we could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.

Peace out!