Notes:
ANN - Alliance News Network
Keelah - "By the homeworld"; used as an exclamation of frustration or anger (Quarian)
LEAP - League of Earth Alliance Patriots
Mo cheann geallta - My promised one (Gaelic)
Siame - "one who is all", a loved one cherished above all others (Thessian)
SILC - Synthetic Intelligence Life Codes (previously known as Geth)
Back to the Grind
Normandy SR-2, Horse Head Nebula, At Large
While enroute to Noveria, Riana had been idly perusing the daily summary reports sourced from the various news feeds that she had been unable to get to during the past few days. The most prolific was the Alliance News Network, and while ANN was generally a reliable source of hard news, it also contained some articles that could be classified as tabloid news, items that could be readily sensationalized in order to boost ratings. As such, Riana tended to look at everything from ANN with a skeptical eye. The current week's summary didn't seem that much different than any of the others she had seen before; she was about to lock the terminal on standby and go find Sammi so they could have lunch together when a headline caught her attention. She re-read it to ensure she had seen it correctly: 'NEW HUMAN'S-FIRST ORGANIZATION LOSES TWO MEMBERS UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES'
Can't say I feel like that is much of a loss to humanity. A few less LEAP members in this galaxy is fine by me. She hurriedly scanned through the brief report, noting the investigation leading to the story was seemingly prompted by an anonymous message recently sent to ANN. As Riana read through the very short piece, exactly which background event it pertained to suddenly dawned on the Asari. Goddess! This is the group that ordered the destruction of the Vancouver headquarters and the attack on my mistress! She noted with a sense of grim satisfaction that the person responsible for ordering the attack on Liara had been eliminated… and, at the same time, she was disgusted by the insight it provided into LEAP's xenophobic thought processes.
The story clearly lacked what Riana considered critical information; it contained neither the identities of the person or persons responsible for the assassination of LEAP's two members nor the original source of the information. They could very likely be one and the same. The real question is whether it is an individual or a group... and, either way, what is their objective? Are they any better than LEAP?
While normally skeptical of 'anonymous' news, Riana still took note of the names the story provided – Lyle Bradshaw and Wendell Coffey. Unsure it if would do any good, Riana decided it couldn't hurt to look through the data files they had on Cerberus; looking into Coffey's background as a former member just might yield some names... names of former associates who may have followed him to LEAP. The more members they could identify, the more active tracers they could have on message traffic... and the greater their chances of intercepting critical data on any major operations that were in the works. She entered the new name queries into the Shadow Broker system and locked the terminal on standby before leaving the office. She would find Sammi and have lunch... as soon as she finished speaking to her captain and her mistress.
"Just what we need," Shepard growled and shook her head in disgust. "A Human version of the Justicars, running around and eliminating people they see as criminals... sans any type of legitimate trial or judicial procedure."
"Shepard." Liara's tone was admonishing as she glanced at the captain before looking back at Riana. "And there is absolutely no way to determine the source or validity of the message?"
"No, Mistress. Unfortunately, the data is already a week old." Riana sighed sadly. "I put tracers out and have entered a few new key word queries into the system, but it will take time to get results. I am sorry, but I have no immediate answers for you."
"Then there is nothing to be done about it yet, so no sense worrying over it." Liara looked at Shepard again, her Human's mind riddled with conflicting emotions of anger and frustration. "We will be on Noveria soon and have... other... issues to be concerned with."
Shepard's eyes met hers as the captain responded, "Sorry. You're right." She reached over and took Liara's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. "We'll get through this visit and then check the feeds to see what Riana's searches have found for us. Nothing to do until we have actionable intelligence, so we'll keep our attention focused on the current mission."
Liara took a deep breath and turned back to her First. "Thank you, Riana... and, please, keep us posted if you get any responses to the queries."
Port Hanshan, Pax, Horse Head Nebula
"Captain Shepard. Doctor T'Soni. It is so good to see you again. Welcome back to Port Hanshan."
When they first met in 2183, Lorik Qui'in was the Turian manager of the Synthetic Insights Noveria branch. While there, Shepard and her crew had assisted on an internal affairs investigation into corruption by then current administrator, Rannadril Anoleis; by the time it was over, Anoleis had been arrested and Qui'in had been offered the position of Administrator in charge of Port Hanshan. A consummate businessman, Qui'in had immediately accepted the job.
When the Normandy made her Victory Tour stop , Shepard and Liara were quite pleased to see that Qui'in was still the executive board representative at Port Hanshan; he had always carried himself in a polite, refined manner and, when no one else had been very forthcoming, Qui'in had been a trustworthy source of information regarding both the lockdown at Peak 15 and the arrival of Matriarch Benezia.
"Good to see you, too, Lorik." Shepard smiled and took the offered hand in welcome. "How have things been here?"
"Not too bad, surprisingly. The initial alliance of Saren with the Reaper Sovereign, along with Cerberus' allying with the Reapers helped us tremendously, keeping the machines at bay for most of the war. By the time the facilities on Noveria would have made the target list, you had the Reapers much too concerned about your activities for them to backtrack to a small research and development facilities such as ours." His attention shifted to Liara as he continued, "And I haven't had the opportunity to speak with you personally, Doctor T'Soni, so allow me to now offer my belated condolences on the loss of your esteemed mother. No matter the circumstances, a parent's death is always difficult. I am so sorry for your loss."
"Thank you." Liara nodded in acceptance and took a deep breath before continuing, "It was... difficult, as there was scant opportunity to mourn with all that was happening. I have since come to terms with the reality of it, but that does not make the loss any easier to accept."
"No, I imagine not." Qui'in's attention shifted between the two. "Along those lines, I assume you are both tired of all the memorials you have been required to attend on this tour, so..." He paused and consulted his omnitool. "... I have taken the liberty of not scheduling a ceremony here, of any kind. Instead, I have made reservations for the entire crew of the Normandy to take a break at Hanshan Heaven, our equatorial resort. There is a private space port at the location and you'll have exclusive use of the resort for your three days here... as my personal guests. Should you or any of your crew need anything, simply ask and it will be provided."
"Lorik. That's very kind of you, but..."
"Not another word, Captain." Qui'in smiled and shook his head. "I've already done it... and the Executive Board was extremely enthused by the idea and offered to pick up the tab. I, and three of the board members who happen to be onsite, will join you in a welcome dinner this evening."
While Shepard stood in stunned silence, Liara smiled and responded, "Thank you, Lorik. It truly is beyond any of our expectations, so we'll leave you to your work... and look forward to seeing you this evening at dinner. It is an extremely gracious offer, one that would be rude to refuse."
"Gracious, yes, but also practical." Qui'in chuckled. "Given what I consider to be untenable galactic conditions, constantly lamenting the deaths of people you didn't know and honoring some who don't deserve it is a waste of your time and emotional energy... which could be better utilized by rebuilding for the future, rather than reliving the past for pure political expediency."
Shepard's eyes widened at the Turian's bold statement as she replied, "For obvious reasons, I'll not comment on that observation, Lorik. But, on behalf of the crew of the Normandy, thank you for the use of your resort facilities. It will be a very welcome break, indeed. We'll see you at dinner, later this evening; I'm looking forward to it."
Hanshan Heaven, Pax, Horse Head Nebula
"Goddess, Samantha. This room is spectacular!" Liara looked around the space they had been given for the duration of their visit. "This puts even the T'Soni Estate to shame."
Laughing, Shepard dropped their bag from her shoulder and stepped up behind Liara, wrapping her arms around the Asari. "That's because this particular suite is designed to cater to very important people with very short vacations... and not to be lived in constantly, so the resort can skip the normal necessities." She paused to kiss Liara softly on the back of her neck, sending a shiver down the Asari's spine as she finished, "While not very practical, I'll agree it is beautiful, but still not as stunning as you."
Blushing slightly at the captain's comment, Liara responded quietly, "With opulence like this, who cares about practical?" She turned in Sam's arms and queried, "So... What time is dinner?"
As Shepard began to answer the rhetorical question, she was silenced by eager blue lips on her own, pushing the words she was going to say straight out of her mind without so much as a second thought. She groaned as she sensed Liara's desire ripple through the link, accompanied by the heat of the Asari's body pressing tightly to her own as blue hands found her posterior and pulled their hips tightly together. {Not the point, Samantha.}
{I gathered that, Blue.} As their lips separated, Shepard whispered quietly, "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
Liara's husky laugh sent a shiver of anticipation through the Spectre as the Asari answered, "Not nearly enough, but I forgive you because we have both been terribly busy... and it's not like I've said it much to you lately, either." Her eyes softened and she raised a blue hand to tuck in a wisp of auburn hair before tenderly cupping Shepard's cheek. "I love you, Siame."
The emotions that poured through the link soothed jangled nerves and Liara felt the human relax under her expert touch, both physically and psychologically, as Shepard responded softly, "I love you too, Mo cheann geallta."
Liara smiled coyly and looped her arms around Shepard's shoulders as she raised a bent knee alongside the woman's hip in a silent ask. Samantha smiled as she wrapped a hand under Liara's leg, the Asari hopping up easily and wrapping both legs around Shepard's waist. They kissed as her siame turned slowly and headed toward the bedroom they hadn't even seen yet.
Neema, Quarian Fleet, Rannoch Orbit
Daro'Xen smiled as she entered Gerrel's office aboard the Neema. "Han, I have good news!" She waited for the hatch to close completely before finishing, "It's time for me to be going."
"Just you?" Gerrel turned to her, questioningly. "I thought we were in this together?"
"Oh, we are, my dearest Han" Xen smirked, "But this is a research mission, in a peaceful galaxy... so, I have no need of an escort and will take only the Moreh... unless, perhaps, you wish to send a small, loyal, frigate along as an escort for an admiral of the fleet."
"Depends on where you're going and what you're planning." Gerrel frowned. "Please don't be so secretive, Daro. If we're in this together, I would like to know what risks you are taking on our behalf."
"Relax." Xen walked over to him and ran a hand across his shoulders. "I'm heading out to Dholen. It's time to check on the data Tali'Zorah collected concerning Haestrom... and possibly check out some of the monitoring stations, both there and at Charoum." Her voice turned sarcastic as she finished, "We are all allies now, so the Geth have no reason to interfere with our peaceful research and data collection."
Gerrel's eyes narrowed as he asked, "What are you really looking for? Exactly what data do you plan to collect?"
"Such a cynic, to think I have ulterior motives... a wise cynic, however, because you know me too well." Xen chuckled before her voice turned hard. "I'm going to isolate one of the stations and download as many samples of the modified runtime codes as I can, focusing first on the defensive systems... just in case I'm interrupted. Given time and an isolated environment without connectivity to the Consensus, I'm confident we can crack it. If we are successful, we'll have one of two things... We have either a rogue Geth under our control that we can use as a spy or, at the very least, we'll know how to shut them all down. If we're fast enough, the thing doesn't self-destruct and we can convince it that helping us is in its best interests, perhaps we'll be able to get even more than that."
"That's insanity! Have you forgotten the Alarei?" Gerrel stood from his desk and grabbed her firmly by the shoulders. "Their programming is too complex... You'll never get the data you need before other units respond to figure out why the station went offline!"
"We won't be staying long enough for them to catch us." Xen shrugged off his hands and took a step back. "We're going to download the data to a portable drive before shorting and destroying the terminal. We'll then leave the area, keeping the collection in isolation with only a single interface terminal." She snorted derisively. "One that's not capable of connecting to a network in any way. Have some faith, Han! I'll not make that mistake."
Gerrel stared at her in silence for a few moments before shaking his head in defeat. "Alright. It seems you are determined to do this... but I will not let you take the Moreh - she is identified too easily as yours and you'll need deniability. So, you'll get your frigate." He paused briefly, thinking about what ship he would send. "I will send you out with the gunship Yaska. She's a good ship – both Rael and I served aboard her early in our careers, so she'll serve as a reminder of me, as the one you have waiting on your return... and for Rael, as the one whose mistakes you dare not repeat. You'll rendezvous with the best ship in the fleet for this mission... the envoy frigate, Oribi; her stealth design will serve you better than any other ship in the flotilla."
"Most excellent! Thank you, Han." Xen smiled. "It is good to see you understand the potential value of my work. I have great faith that we will be successful."
Gerrel huffed, "Faith in your work? That's a given – you're brilliant. But I also have faith in you... personally... and I want you back home safely." He sighed and shook his head. "You're one of my closest allies, Daro..."
"Stop right there. Don't say it, Han. Not yet." Xen's voice was unusually quiet. "We have a long way to go before we can speak of anything... more... of a different type of association."
"Give me a few days to make the ship arrangements; I'll let you know when everything is ready. Then, Ancestors willing, I'll see you home again – safe and sound." Gerrel smiled and pulled Xen in for a hug. She did not resist, hugging him tightly in return.
"Yes, Han." She smiled as she pulled back. "Ancestors willing." She waved and walked out as Admiral Gerrel wondered if and when he would ever see Daro'Xen vas Moreh again. He waited until she was gone and the hatch closed behind her to whisper to the empty office, "May you stand between your crew and harm as you lead them through the empty quadrants of the stars."
Hanshan Heaven, Pax, Horse Head Nebula
Liara's smile as she answered the call on her omnitool vanished as soon as she saw the expression on her Quarian friend's face. "Tali! What's the matter?"
"She's gone!"
Tali looked stricken and Liara immediately made a wrong assumption. "Raan? Has something happened to the Admiral?"
"Keelah, Liara! No... sorry... I'm a bit flustered." Tali was wringing her hands nervously as she spoke. "It's Xen. She had a private conference with Gerrel a few days ago... and today? She vanished! According to Medica, Xen took a gunship to rendezvous with the Oribi. Shortly after boarding, the Oribi activated stealth mode and simply... disappeared! I have no idea where she's headed, but I'm sure it can't possibly be good!"
"The Oribi? What ship is that?" Shepard had stepped up behind Liara to ask the question.
"Hello, Captain. Good to see you... I only wish it was under better circumstances." Tali frowned. "To answer your question... It's the stealth diplomatic frigate that met you in Dholen."
"Isn't that part of the Heavy Fleet?" Liara was now frowning. "Have you spoken with Admiral Gerrel about it?"
"Of course," Tali huffed. "But he isn't exactly forthcoming. All he's saying is that she's on some research trip to the Dholen system, supposedly following up on the data the majority of my team died for during its collection."
"Supposedly?" Shepard raised an eyebrow in question. "So you don't believe him?"
"Would you?" Tali almost laughed at the expression that appeared on Shepard's face.
"No, I suppose not." Shepard sighed and offered Tali a small smile. "So, you have any ideas as to what the truth may be?
"Unfortunately not. That's why I'm calling. All I know is she wouldn't risk her own life for a simple data verification mission. She's after something else." Knowing they were chatting over an unsecure connection, Tali was very careful. "I was hoping your Spectre intelligence sources may be able to turn something up. I'd like to believe that's all Xen is honestly doing, but I simply cannot. I'm sure that whatever it is, it has less to do with Dholen and more to do with the SILC."
"Understood, Tali." Shepard nodded. "I'll contact my sources and see what we can dig up. If Xen and Gerrel are stonewalling the majority of the Admirals, whatever is going on deserves our attention."
Liara nodded in agreement before smiling and asking, "So, other than that, how are things going with the SILC uploads?"
"Absolutely wonderful!" Tali's mood shifted a full 180° as her thoughts moved to the health improvements her friends had experienced. "Auntie Raan and Zaal'Koris are doing incredibly well... and once the majority of the work crew on my house joined in, the idea started spreading like crazy. I'd say that at this point, roughly 40% of the Quarian population on Rannoch has accepted some level of assistance." Tali was practically jumping for joy. "It's phenomenal... and growing faster than I ever anticipated!"
"What great news!" Shepard's face lit with a huge smile. "So, any prognosis on when or if you'll ever be able to live on Rannoch without a suit?" She stopped and laughed. "And you know that I mean outside of the controlled environment in your home."
"The SILC say it's achievable, but the timeframe is impossible to calculate. There are too many variables." Tali shrugged happily. "But, simply knowing it's in our future makes all the difference. We have a homeworld and we have hope. What else is there to ask for?"
"Alright. I'm sorry, Tali, but we have to go. Shepard and I have a meeting in a few minutes, but thank you for the update. We'll look into Xen's activities and keep you apprised of what we find. We'll talk again soon." Liara waited patiently as Shepard said her goodbyes and then disconnected the call.
Vancouver B.C., Earth, Sol System
The intervening weeks since Tim Stafford had accompanied Zoë Lawrence to New York City found her ramping up her efforts to impart an understanding of her covert infiltration methods and assassination skills, not only to Stafford, but to several of the other men and women that had displayed an aptitude for her line of work. She had just concluded a long afternoon by having dinner in the common area and was strolling back towards her quarters when Jana Cantrell, her face set in a worried frown, approached from the side. "Zoë, I need you in my office, right now."
Cantrell had never 'ordered' Zoë to do anything, not because she knew Zoë wouldn't obey an order from a 'lieutenant', but because she had a great deal of respect for the woman's position as the leader of the group of people formerly loyal to Jack Harper and Cerberus. If she needs me bad enough to demand immediate attendance, it must be for a damned good reason.
As soon as Zoë had followed Cantrell through the entryway and the door had closed behind her, Cantrell spun about to grasp her shoulders. "It's about to happen again, and no one here has any idea how we're supposed to post a warning to Captain Shepard on the Normandy. You worked with Miranda Lawson. Do you know how to get in touch with her… discretely?"
The look on Jana's face was nearly frantic, causing Zoë to gently grab Cantrell's wrists in order to free her shoulders from what seemed to be a panicked grip. "Take a deep breath, Jana. What's about to happen again and what does Miranda Lawson have to do with it?" She took Jana's hands in her own and gently pulled the woman further into the office, where they could both sit in chairs in front of her modest desk. "Talk to me, Jana. What is…"
"It's T'Soni, Zoë – Liara T'Soni…" Cantrell interrupted. "LEAP is planning another attempt on her life."
Understanding flooded over Zoë's face. "While they're on the Victory Tour? How in Hell did LEAP obtain their itinerary? Never mind… stupid question; it's not exactly a big secret. Besides, LEAP is a Humans only group and they probably have ties in the Alliance. I'd even wager that some of their best people once worked for either Cerberus or the Shadow Broker as well. Where are they planning to…"
"Horizon," Jana interrupted again. "In spite of the large influx of refugees after the war, the population there is still predominantly Human – plenty of opportunities for an assassin to blend in… to hide. The Normandy is due to land there on the 15th, and the chatter we're hearing strongly hints at the presence of not one, but two sniper teams; that the target is Liara T'Soni, we have no doubt."
"I don't understand," Zoë said in a soft voice, mostly to herself. "I thought targeting her here in Vancouver was simply a convenient way to divert attention from Kathryn Briggs… help her make her escape after dropping part of Alliance headquarters on Josiah Pickett's head… T'Soni was a target of opportunity, pure and simple. Why…"
"… target her again?" Jana finished Zoë's question for her. "Unknown; however, the comms we've been intercepting these past couple of weeks lead me to think she is being targeted for revenge, Zoë. Without the identity of their leader, we're only guessing at their motivations in attempting a second hit on that Asari."
"Their leader is Charles Saracino…" Zoë began.
"Figurehead only… He's their public face but not their real leader, who is sometimes referred to as 'the Captain' and apparently prefers to work from the shadows."
Zoë's expression was one of dark fury. "So, taking down Lyle Bradshaw didn't send a clear enough message," she mused aloud. "Always another goddamned blister popping up on humanity's ass who thinks they can succeed where everyone else has failed… but that's a problem for another day. Right now, we have to concentrate on getting a warning to Captain Shepard and Liara T'Soni before they make landfall on Horizon." Zoë rose from her chair to begin pacing the small office. "We need to get in touch with one of the Lawson sisters…" Looking at Jana, she said, "Have the team begin working on finding Miranda Lawson – I very much doubt Oriana would even open a message from me. I believe Miranda was associated with an Asari ship during the war; an Asari commando squad accompanied her when I accidentally encountered her on Horizon… right before the Reapers relocated the Citadel to Earth orbit."
Zoë stopped pacing, thinking hard about her encounter with Miri. That Asari remained silent the entire time I was talking to Miri… It was only after an explosion… as I was running away... that Miri spoke to her and she answered… Miri called her… 'Jude' – can't be her full name… short for something, but what? I bet she's a lover! We'll just have to run with it… "Jana, have the team search for the name of an Asari registered ship in London on the day Shepard stopped the Reapers… It may have been used to rescue her from the Citadel and take her to the hospital. Damn! That's it! Zoë smacked a fist into the palm of her other hand. "Talk to Angelique – she worked with Lawson during Shepard's recovery in the hospital in London – I'll bet she will remember the names of some of Shepard's... and Lawson's... visitors during that time. Maybe, just maybe, she'll remember the ship name so we can get the ident code from London Control."
In a soft voice, almost as if she was thinking aloud, she added, "The ship may be something along the lines of the craft I appropriated from Nos Aedelos on Illium."
"And if we can get the ident code, we can get a message to the ship!" Jana smiled for the first time since she had gone looking for Zoë. "It will done as you say, Ms Lawrence. Let's just hope Lawson isn't too difficult to find."
"And Jana?" Zoë waited for the woman to stop for a moment and actually focus on her. "When we speak to one another, would you mind letting me actually finish my sentences, without you finishing them for me?"
The smile on Zoë's face told Jana she wasn't angry about what had happened, but Cantrell still blushed as she answered, "Yes, Ma'am. Sorry."
Jaëto, Strenuus System, Horse Head Nebula
Over the first week of October, the Normandy visited the Salarian colonies of Rannadril and Jaëto, their welcomes no warmer than those Shepard and her crew had received on either Sur'Kesh or Halegeuse. Being one of the original three Salarian colonies, Jaëto provided a particularly hostile reception from the ruling Salarian Dalatrass, one Cha'ak Edra, who actually spit in Shepard's face over the seemingly inevitable conversation with the Salarians regarding the Genophage cure. Linron, on Sur'Kesh, had been rude and angry, but Edra's venomous response took Salarian hostility to a new level; Shepard clenched her lightly glowing fists in silent rage as she regained control of her temper, with no small amount of Liara's assistance through the link.
Veritably trembling in anger, Shepard thundered, "Given your attitude and lack of manners, you should seriously consider absenting yourself from the upcoming ceremonies, Dalatrass." Seeing the look of challenge in Edra's eyes, Shepard continued, "Because I am a Council Spectre and this is a Council world... and if you ever show such disrespect to me again, your already brief life-span may be suddenly and considerably shortened..."
If the Dalatrass didn't realize just how tenuous her current position was and opted to do something stupid, Liara knew there was no way she would be fast enough to stop Shepard from simply reacting... So, Liara did something she had never before felt the need to do at a formal welcoming ceremony; she pulled on her biotics and prepped herself to throw up a biotic shield.
Even if she was choosing to purposely antagonize Shepard, Edra could not help but notice the blue glow emanating from the Asari at the Captain's side and she took an inadvertent backward step away from the Normandy crew. "I see. Typical initial Human response... the threat of violence. I erringly assumed your pet Asari was better than that but, it appears, I was mistaken. Ostensibly, your belligerence and primal aggression infects all those who associate with you, so I will be more than happy to recuse myself from any Council events involving your presence."
Surprising everyone, Shepard suddenly laughed, not because of the Dalatrass' submission to the request to stay away, but because of the effect Edra's words had on the normally calm and controlled Dr T'Soni. As her words flowed through the link, it was blatantly obvious Liara was incensed beyond measure. The Salarian who dared open this discussion by spitting on Shepard has the gall... the positively maddening audacity... to call Sam and me belligerent and primal!
Having Liara's thoughts surge like fire through her mind, it was completely beyond Shepard's ability to contain her laughter as she stepped back and placed a calming hand on her 'pet Asari's' arm. "I suggest you leave now, Edra... before I unleash my belligerent and primal Asari bodyguard upon your hypocritical spitting self."
Shepard turned her back on the Salarian delegation and addressed her small entourage. "Everyone back on the Normandy. I have a call to place before anything else happens on this planet."
Normandy, Jaëto Docks, Strenuus System
Councilor Valern, originally disturbed that Shepard dared demand his presence while he was in the middle of another meeting, now understood the urgency of the situation. While the Spectre and Dr T'Soni currently stood before him in their formal dress, unchanged from their reception on Jaëto, their Normandy escorts had been suited out... and the captain had just played back Spectre William's mission footage of their entire 'welcome'... for Valern to witness. Shepard was obviously angry, and justifiably so, as she stood before the vid screen, arms crossed. In a voice more cold and detached than he had ever heard, she said, "That was a one Hell of an unpleasant welcome for the Human that saved your Salarian asses from the Reapers... all while most of your clans hid behind their shields and barriers waiting for us barbarians to win the damned war."
"Now, Shepard... You cannot create a galactic incident over the actions of a single Dalatrass..."
"A single Dalatrass?" Shepard scoffed. "I may not have actually been spit on, but I received the exact same frigid reception at each of the other Salarian worlds I've been to… Starting with Sur'Kesh! And Halegeuse and Rannadril were just as bad! My reception from General Balak in the Kite's Nest was much more pleasant… at least he didn't pretend for a moment that Batarians and Humans could ever be more than mortal enemies!"
Valern was concerned with where Shepard was going with the conversation, so simply asked, "What, exactly, do you expect me to do about this? I have little to no control over what the Dalatrasses choose to do, Shepard. I work for them, not the other way around."
"I don't expect you to do anything, Councilor." Shepard took a deep breath and exhaled sharply. "In spite of what you may think, I like you, Valern. Trust you, even... and that says much more about you than you might think." She glanced at Liara before continuing, "So the main purpose of this call is to provide you with a warning, so you're not surprised when I call the full Council before their morning session tomorrow."
Valern sat up taller in his chair at her words. "While I appreciate your vote of confidence, Shepard, I really must ask… Just what, exactly, is your call going to entail?"
"I'm going to send this same recording to the full council, Valern, along with the footage from the other Salarian colonies. I absolutely refuse to accept this kind of treatment from your race! Our victory came at a pretty high cost – many lost their lives, including Salarian scientists and STG members. You, personally, were forced to walk a fine line between the Dalatrasses and the Council... or, more accurately, me." Shepard sighed. "I'm going to tell them how I feel, Councilor. I'm going to tell them that as a galactic society, I believe the Salarians have less value to me and the Council than the Quarians, the SILC... or even the Krogan!"
"You can't say that!" The normally cool councilor shot out of his chair, the view of the vid screen chopping off his head as he did so, but his voice was still loud and clear. "You'll undermine everything I've worked for all these years!"
"Sit down, Councilor... please. All I can see is the waistband of your robe." When she received no response, Shepard waited only for a few more seconds before continuing, "This is nothing personal, but until I hear a compelling argument as to why I should bother, I'm not stopping at anymore of the half-dozen Salarian colonies remaining on the Victory Tour. As far as I'm concerned, those colonies don't deserve my time, and I won't put up with such abuse, not after your entire race sat on the sidelines. I will not voluntarily subject myself or my crew to such ill treatment."
Valern suddenly dropped into his chair in stunned silence at the Spectre's words and Shepard continued as if nothing had changed. "Our schedule had been ridiculously demanding, so I'm going to take those slots as rest or travel days – nothing else will change, so there will be no need to change the dates of other appearances. Simply notify the Salarian colonies that I won't be coming... or not. Whether you chose to tell them or not is no longer my concern, but you may as well save them whatever prep time they may have needed, because the Normandy won't be showing up."
Valern had recovered from the shock and was starting to get angry. "You work for the Council, Shepard, and changes to the schedule are not an option for you. You'll visit those places as you've been told."
Somewhat surprised, Shepard raised her eyebrows. "No, I won't. Feel free to forward a motion for my removal as a Spectre... because I guarantee you, simply telling me to visit those colonies is one order I will not follow, Councilor. I'm more than happy to retire tomorrow, should that be the Council's desire."
"Shepard. Surely there must be something we can provide you to continue the tour as originally scheduled? To make the Salarian stops worth your while?" Valern's voice had turned pleading, to which the captain reacted rather strongly.
"Honestly? There is absolutely nothing I want from you that I haven't already requested, Councilor." Shepard scoffed, "And before you say anything else that may negatively influence my favorable opinion of you, ask Dalatrass Linron how well threats or attempts at coercion worked for her." Shepard's hand hovered over the console control as she finished, "As a courtesy, I'll send you copies of the footage from the other visits as soon as I terminate this call... before I send the whole package to the remainder of your peers in the morning. It will give you time to review it... but this conversation is over, Councilor."
Without giving Valern a chance to reply, Shepard cut the feed and placed both hands on the sides of the console, dropping her head in both disgust and frustration. "Damn it. That didn't exactly go as planned."
She felt Liara's arms encircle her waist from behind and a soft voice whispered in her ear. "You haven't hung up on a councilor in a really, really long time. You were long overdue."
A tiny smile appeared on Shepard's face as she stood upright within Liara's embrace. Turning to her lover, she whispered, "Thank you."
"My pleasure, Samantha." Liara looked her in the eyes. "For what it's worth, I am in complete agreement with the position you are taking... and I have absolutely no issue with returning the Normandy to the Council and us being on Thessia, for good, by the end of the week. None whatsoever."
Shepard's tiny smile turned into a grin. "I suppose I need to give Hackett a heads-up... assuming Valern hasn't already yelled at Osoba, who then called him..." She shrugged. "But what am I going to tell him? What are we going to do for the next three days? We're not expected on Intai'sei until the tenth."
"Well, I doubt very much any of those calls have taken place because Valern is still waiting for the other vids you promised him. After that, I have no idea. Intai'sei isn't exactly a tourist stop." Liara poked Shepard lightly in the ribs. "Couldn't you have picked a better time for your rebellion? Someplace... tropical?"
"Maybe we never should have left Noveria... but that had its own complications, didn't it?" She was hugging Liara tightly and suddenly stopped and stepped back. "Oh shit!" Liara gave her a puzzled look as the captain activated her omnitool. "Joker. We're headed to Intai'sei a bit earlier than expected. I'm sending you the coordinates now."
"Roger that, Captain." After a brief pause, the pilot came back. "Shepard. This is out in the middle of nowhere. You sure these coordinates are right?"
"Positive, Flight Lieutenant. Just get us there and you'll understand soon enough."
"Understood, Shepard." Joker paused briefly as he entered the coordinates into the navigation system. "Routing via the Pax and Hydra Relays enroute to Intai'sei, Ma'am. Jumping to FTL in three, two, one."
As the stars started to stream by the ship, unseen by the couple in the communications center, Shepard acknowledged, "Thanks, Joker. Liara and I are headed to loft. Assuming nothing goes wrong, give me a shout before we drop out of the relay in Argos Rho. I want to stop and check for any messages we may have before heading for Phoenix."
"Aye Aye, Captain."
