Anya knew, as soon as she woke, that something bad had happened. It was in the air, in the feel of everything around her. She was still coming to terms with the effects of synthesis. Her body was different, and the same at the same time. It felt the same, but she was different. She opened her eyes slowly and was unsurprised to find Jenni sitting beside her bed. Her little sister had been crying.
"What happened?" Anya asked softly.
"C-Flat Viridian didn't get all of Portia's programming on the first try." Jenni said with a bowed head. "Portia tried to kill herself." The air in the room seem to freeze around Anya.
"Please tell me she didn't succeed." Anya said, her heart plummeting.
"She didn't... But..." Jenni shook her head. "Kai stopped her, and the programming turned the weapon on Kai." Anya's eyes went wide but Jenni shook her head again. "Lipa got between them... And...The gun went off when Lipa tried to disarm Portia."
"Oh no..." Anya said, shaking her head as tears started to fall. "No. Lipa."
"There was nothing anyone could do, sis." Jenni said as she took Anya's hand. Her own tears were falling as Anya cried. "Scholar took the body, has been working on something. Raan'ita is disconsolate. Portia is still asleep and I hope she is sane when she wakes. She loved Lipa."
"Lipa was..." Anya paused, what had she just felt? "What the...?" She said slowly.
"Anya?" Jenni asked, her omni-tool out and scanning as her worry for her sister came forth again. Instead of answering, Anya looked around, her face curious. Then, -inexplicably- she smiled. "Anya?" Jenni asked suspiciously.
"It's only been a couple of days for us since we rejoined the human race." Anya said softly. "We don't comprehend it all yet." She wasn't talking to Jennifer!
"Anya, you are not making any... whoa!" Jenni recoiled as a form appeared nearby. She actually fell out of her chair with a sharp cry as a recognizable form appeared in the room. The transparent Prothean wore a huge smile.
"Boo." Lipa said calmly.
"Lipa." In comparison, Anya's tone was flat. "That wasn't funny. Apologize. Now." Her tone was stern and the hologram winced.
"Yes, Madre. I beg pardon, healer Jennifer." The Prothean hologram said quickly. "My apologies. My sense of humor is...off at the best of times. Which these are not."
"You..." Jennifer rose from the floor where she had landed and shook her head as she examined the Prothean. "You are not a ghost? Are you?"
"Ah... No..." Lipa replied, somewhat distracted. "I don't know a lot of human folklore. A ghost is a remnant of a person, yes? I am not a remnant of a person. I am a person. Obligatha pulled the data that comprised my mind out of my body just before it's systems failed."
"That is not possible." Jennifer said sharply. "You are not a machine."
"Come now, healer." Lipa said calmly. "We are all organic machines, now with synthetic additions. You of all people know what memories are comprised of. Organic brains are computers. Are we more than our thoughts? With synthesis, we can access machinery. Is there any reason that machinery cannot access us as well? Obligatha saved me. Well. I think it was Obligatha. It was...odd. Portia was crying and then I was somewhere else." The hologram shrugged. "Currently I am residing in Obligatha. Scholar thinks he can repair the damage to my body, but it will take a couple of days. So... I am here, Madre." The Prothean suddenly looked very young and lost. "I... I didn't want you to fret."
"Thank you, Lipa." Anya said with a smile. "Bad jokes aside, I am glad to see you. How is Portia?"
"Rocky." Lipa replied sadly. "The programming was intended to kill everyone if the station was captured. C-Flat Viridian seems to think you, Kai, Melissa and Jennifer here were primary targets, hence why Portia almost shot Kai."
"That is vicious." Jennifer shuddered as she sat again, not taking her eyes off the hologram. "Was it Karinlina or Pedro?"
"She saw your father in her mind." Lipa said with a scowl worthy of a Varren. "But it does seem extreme."
"That was my birth father." Jennifer said with a snarl. "Anything to further his cause." She shook herself. "How do you feel, Anya?"
"Better." Anya said with a smile. Her hand came up and touched her skull, feeling the bandages there. "Should I go sit with Portia?"
"Your scans are all in the green." Jennifer said after a moment. "There is no medical reason you can't. But..." She shook her head. "Anya... The scans are clear." She said slowly.
"I can't use biotics again." Anya said with a nod. "I know."
"We are looking into options." Jennifer said hastily. "I mean, with Scholar, C-Flat Viridian, even Doctor Lawson and so many others, there has to be some way..." She broke off as Anya reached over and patted her hand.
"Jennifer." Anya said slowly. "My biotics defined me, for so long. But..." She shrugged a little. "I never liked being a living weapon. I was pretty much a human gun, point me at a target and I killed it. I wanted to serve, to protect others. I didn't know I was a biotic until I joined the Alliance. I got good at killing, but I never enjoyed it." She sighed. "Probably a good thing."
"Probably." Lipa said softly. "I know about hating, Madre. I am very glad you avoided that."
"Oh, I hated." Anya contradicted the holographic Prothean. "Cerberus among others. But if I cannot teach biotic students, we will need to find someone who can. Kai can't."
"No." Jennifer agreed.
"I don't understand." Lipa said with a puzzled look. "What is the problem with your eldest sister?"
"She was identified as the assassin who killed an Alliance Admiral named Kordil." Anya said slowly. "There was DNA left on site. He was a piece of work, and the Alliance was investigating him. For ties to Cerberus among other things. Then he was found dead in his quarters. Killed by a sword." Lipa hissed, but then looked thoughtful.
"We saw something about that. Wasn't there a child involved?" Lipa asked dubiously. "We did have some extranet access."
"Yes." Anya's face turned hard. "The DNA residue was found on the sole witness. An eight year old human boy who had been..." She swallowed. "If 'I' had found the Admiral doing that to a little boy I would have killed him myself. The little boy said that a ghost came, killed the man hurting him and then freed him from his bonds and comforted him." Jennifer nodded soberly. "Ghost is another name for Phantom."
"Oh." All four of Lipa's holographic eyes went wide at that. "I...see..."
"Yeah." Anya said sourly. "Specter Williams asked me about Kai while I was still on the Wings of Xenobia, explained the situation. From what she thought, Kai went to talk to the admiral on behalf of Cerberus and found the man..." She swallowed. "My elder sister has her faults, but she also has limits. That..." Anya grimaced.
"She killed him." Jennifer agreed. "She got in a lot of hot water with mom and dad for that, let me tell you. Kordil had been one of their highest placed operatives. I didn't know all the details until later. I couldn't communicate much with HQ." She shook her head. "She got in even more when it as found out she left DNA evidence, skin cells, on the boy. She took her gloves and helmet off to comfort him. That mission messed Kai up, Anya. She didn't go into the field again until she went after you. I had to play the insane evil sister... I could see her hurting and I couldn't help her..." Jennifer slumped. Anya patted her hand again.
"Not your fault, Jennifer." Anya said with a smile. "Not even Kai's. Well..." She shook herself. "I need the bathroom and then I want to check up on Portia and Kai. Lipa...?" She asked the holographic Prothean who smiled.
"I will be around." The holo said before vanishing. Jennifer stared where the hologram had been and shook her head.
"Strange things happen around our family, Anya..." The healer complained. "But that is just too weird for words."
"You expect me to disagree?" Anya asked sourly as she rose for the bed and walked to the small bathroom. Then she paused and spoke evenly to the air. "If anyone or any thing is watching, you are welcome to the show of me showering. If I find out, I will hurt you. You are not too old for me to spank, Lipa." Anya said with a scowl. A gulp came from nowhere and a barely sensed presence vanished. Anya smiled at Jenni's expression. "She always was curious. Too curious in some cases."
"I..." Jennifer shook her head. "I don't want to know."
"Probably for the best." Anya said with a smile then paused. "Um... Jennifer, can I take a shower?"
"Let me see." Jennifer came close and examined the bandage on Anya's skull with a frown. "Any pain?" She asked as she examined the area with her fingers.
"No." Anya said softly. "I guess my regeneration is working overtime."
"Don't tax it too far, Anya." Jennifer warned as she stepped aback. "You are not that Grizzly Bear guy from the comics."
"Jennifer!" Anya snapped, annoyed. "That was Wolverine!"
"Grizzly Bear, Wolverine, same difference!" Jennifer snapped right back and then both sister looked at each other and laughed. "You always did like odd things, Anya."
"Hey, I can sympathize with someone having anger management issues. At least I don't turn green." Anya said with a grin as she started to get ready to shower. Then she paused, her face shocked. "Jennifer? In all the excitement...I forgot about you." Her tone was abject.
"Oh Anya." Jennifer said with a wide smile as she hugged her sister. "You were right. Illia is a marvel. I don't know where this will go. Neither does she. But she is a great person and a great being to help me heal a bit. My tunes have been soothed, according to C-Flat Viridian." Anya smiled at that.
"I am glad." Anya said, returning the embrace. "Now get out. You may enjoy the company of females, I most certainly do not."
"Asari are monogendered." Jenni protested, then ducked and fled as Anya threw a towel at her. "Meanie!" She called and then paused as the door to the room hissed open and Crado walked in. He paused in taking in the scene. Jenni was mock cowering away from Anya who had her tunic off. He sighed.
"I can't take you anywhere." Crado asked in a long suffering tone that was spoiled by the grin on his face. "Can I, Anya?"
"Hi, Crado." Anya said with aplomb. "Coming to check up on me?"
"Someone..." Crado looked smug. "I have no idea who... Told me that you were awake."
"I see Lipa is getting around." Anya said sourly as her husband came up to her and took her hands in his. He held her carefully. "I am not going to break, Crado." Anya said with a sigh. "Jenni and the others have done what they can. As much as they can." Her face fell as she looked her husband in the eye. "I hope you can handle me being mopey on occasion."
"I can. I regained you and nearly lost you half a dozen times since, Anya." Crado said quietly, pulling her close and holding her gently. "I am not leaving your side. Not now, not ever."
"Oh." Anya said, her gaze and tone turning coy. "You just want your wicked way with me." She said with a grin.
"Well... Yeah." Crado said with a matching smile. "Can you blame me?" he asked, running his three clawed hand down the side of her head. She stifled a groan of pleasure. "What as this about a shower?" He asked with a lecherous grin.
"Let me get out of the room, first!" Jenni said with a sigh. "You two... I swear... Bunny rabbits..." She muttered under her breath as she left.
"Bunny rabbits?" Crado asked, confused as the door hissed shut behind Jennier.
"Very few mammals on Earth breed as fast as rabbits." Anya said with a smile as she returned the favor he had done her. Then she paused. "Did Scholar...um..." She broke off, embarrassed.
"Yes." Crado said with a smile. "It was uncomfortable, but worth it. He says it will be a day or so before we know for sure. Anya..." He made a noise of contentment as she scratched just the right spot behind his fringe. "Oh..."
"Shower...I think..." Anya purred. "We will need to be a little careful, but I can think of all kinds of..." She broke off as Crado kissed her. After a moment, they came up for air. "Yeah..." She said slowly. "Shower..." She shook her head and started for the bathroom, her husband barely a step behind her. Both were dropping clothes as they went.
An hour later
Anya and Crado both wore expressions of contentment as they entered what had been deemed the Assembly Hall of the facility. Anya paused and stared, amazed at the changes. Before, it had been a large hangar, intended for the storage and maintenance of Atlas mechs. It had been filled with pallets of spare parts, dormant mechs and work areas. Now it bustled with activity of a different sort. Beings of various races moved to and fro with purpose. Anya looked around. Half of the area had already been set up as a auditorium of sorts, with chairs and a slightly raised podium. The rest of the room was apparently being used as a mess hall for the horde of beings in workers garb who were milling about. Anya saw the bulk of C Flat Viridian to one side and started for there, only to pause as a voice came to her.
"Anya." Raan'ita rose from where she had been sitting by the door, a wide grin on her face. "I see you two got reacquainted fast." Anya smiled and hugged Crado who smiled as well at the Quarian's knowing tone.
"Yeah." Anya replied evenly. "What is all this...?" Anya asked as she took in the scene.
"Assembly Hall." Raan'ita said with a smile that faded. "Half cafeteria, half auditorium. We hope you don't mind if we started without you."
"I have barely had the chance to catch my breath, Raan'ita." Anya said with a grin to reassure her friend. "I checked on Portia, she is still asleep. Did Scholar tell you...?" Raan'ita nodded and Anya smiled. "Good."
"It's a different world." Raan'ita said with a sigh. "Ten years ago, if someone got shot that was usually the end of it. And them, more often than not." She said sadly. "Now?" She shrugged. "I wonder if medics like me will be put out of business."
"Not going to happen." Anya reassured her. Crado nodded agreement. "Being transferred into computer storage is NOT going to replace being treated for injuries. And it is... odd. Very odd." Anya shuddered. "I don't MIND so much. It saved my life." She admitted. "But the memory still gives me goosebumps."
"Not every injury will require such drastic measures." Crado said in concurrence. "Doctors won't be out of work for a long, long time. If ever." The Turian commando said with a grin. "We can hope not to need you but so much, doc."
"Agreed." Raan'ita said with a sour grin. "We have had some minor injuries. Lots of people moving in close proximity. But everyone is in good spirits."
"Do we have the facility mapped?" Anya asked softly. The 'official' Cerberus maps of the facility had been incomplete. Many sections had either been sealed off, unused or kept secret from the rank and file minions. "And how many people...?" She broke off as a large and easily recognizable form approached. "Spolik?" She asked, incredulous. The Elcor spoke in the usual slow tone of it's race.
"Pleased: It is good to see you again, Captain Anya Solinus." The Elcor replied. Anya smiled, making sure her teeth were covered. Elcor were odd by human standards. But then again, if humans had evolved on such a high gravity world, they might have been engineered the same way. "Anxious request: Are you all right?"
"I am coping, Spolik." Anya said with a nod. "May I?" She held out a hand and the Elcor nodded slowly and ponderously.
"Understanding: You have earned the right." The Elcor said and did not move as Anya laid a hand on what would have been a shoulder on a human. She left it there for a bare minute and then withdrew, aware that Elcor found physical contact to be daunting. That too was understandable, since any impact on the world they had evolved on could potentially be lethal. What the Elcor had just done was a massive show of trust. One Anya appreciated. "Question: You are confused?"
"This is..." Anya shook her head. "This is very fast. It's only been what? Two days?"
"Explanation:..." The Elcor said. "Many owe you their lives." He paused as Anya made a face. "Statement: You still disagree." Somehow, his monotone conveyed disapproval.
"Not you too." Anya said with a sigh. "Spolik, it was my job." Anya protested. "it was a hard job, yes. But it was my job. I did what I had to do, no more, no less. Anyone else would have done as much."
"Stern: Anyone did not save my herd from extinction." Spolik said as sharply as an Elcor could. "Continuation: Anyone did not save my own life when my weapons had been disabled." Anya shuddered in memory. Elcor warriors were slow and ponderous, but carried extreme amounts of firepower due to their size and strength. She had seen Elcor warriors hefting chainguns and rocket launchers the way a human might carry a pistol. She had encountered Spolik while the Elcor had been trying to save his mate and child from a Reaper attack on Dekuuna. He had been hurt, but defiant as the Brutes had closed in. Anya and her team had swept in and taken the wounded Elcor and his family to safety. It had taken some doing, as even a small Elcor could weight half a ton or so. "Compassionate: You are a hero, Captain Anya Solinus. Accept that others deem you such even if you do not."
"I should know better than to argue with you." Anya said with a sigh. She shook her head. "So... The facility?"
"Confident: This facility has been mapped and all secret areas have been revealed." The Elcor paused and then spoke again. "Disgusted: Cerberus has not changed."
"Not enough." Anya agreed. "So they called you in for the revamp?" Spolik had been an engineer by trade, and only a reluctant soldier. But an efficient one.
"Agreement: Yes." Spolik replied. "Statement: Many renovations will be required. This one is pleased to see you again, Captain." Anya paused as a horrible thought occurred to her.
"Wait a sec... Who is paying for this?" Anya asked slowly. "This is not going to be cheap..."
"Joking:..." Spolik replied. "...who do you think?"
"Anya!" A deep voice sounded from nearby. Anya gulped as the hiss of a ventilator sounded followed by exuberance. "My own dear sweet angel of mercy!" Anya stiffened as everything around her came to a halt as a volus stepped out of the crowd. She could swear she heard Spolik laughing silently as the Elcor moved aside.
"Hello Tualo..."
