Ripples in the Stream
A D&D / Shadowrun / Mass Effect crossover
by Vyrexuviel
Disclaimer: The author of this story does not, in any way, derive any profit from the story. D&D, Shadowrun and Mass Effect are the property of their respective copyright holders. Jorukaia and other unfamiliar characters in this story, however, are mine.
A bloodcurdling shriek tore through the vast Council Chambers in the Citadel Tower.
No living soul in the galaxy could remember Saren Arterius ever screaming.
Anderson stared at him for a moment. The unearthly shriek tore through the room again, and then he was moving. Instincts kicked in that he hadn't used in years, as he rushed forward, dropping his gun, and grabbing at the turian who was transitioning from clutching his head to trying to gouge his own eyes out.
Turians were very difficult to eye-gouge, their facial plates making it difficult to get a blade into the eye socket. Talons would have to be precisely maneuvered to get into position for the act, something that Saren wasn't quite capable of at the moment, thank God.
"Williams!" Anderson was having trouble subduing just one of the mad turian's arms as Saren struggled with him. God, the man was strong, stronger than he had any right to be!
Even with Williams' assistance, it was a near-run thing. Saren was gibbering, his mandibles snapping, spittle flying from his jaw. He tried to kick, buck and flail, but the combined strength of the two humans was just managing to keep him under some semblance of control.
Just.
Though it got much easier when the contortionist Kasumi literally wrapped herself around Saren's legs. All three of them managed to wrestle Saren to the ground, as Jack struggled to hold the feeble, but still struggling Liara down similarly.
Garrus had swapped to a more manageable, meaning shorter, weapon and both he and Wrex were clearing a path up the stairs. Vasir scurried past them, fumbling with something from her pouch, and cursing a string of invective that made even Wrex stare at her a moment. She fumbled something out of her belt-pouch and slapped it against the struggling turian's forehead.
There was a crystalline tinkling sound, and Saren ceased struggling. He blinked, looked around in confusion, then down at his hands, which Anderson and Williams were holding still. "What... What has happened?"
"Blame that goddess-blasted dragon, Arterius." Vasir spat. "Joru-goddamn-kaia. She never told me who I'd have to use that damn thing on, I thought she meant Liara or Jack or hell, even you, Anderson."
She broke off at the sound of a soft, hitching gasp, and they all look down at Saren and gave a quiet sob. "By all the spirits, I... I nearly did it, didn't I? I nearly... I almost killed us all..."
Anderson was a man to whom pity does not come easily. Not that he didn't have compassion, but that pity brought with it a sense of senseless grief. Staring down at his broken and sobbing adversary, David had to steel his heart.
It could be a trap. Saren was cunning.
"After all you've put us through, you think we're going to fall for that 'woe-is-me' bullshit?!" Jack hissed.
Yeah, that pretty much summed up how Anderson felt.
Saren didn't seem to hear her. In fact, he seemed borderline inconsolable as he sobbed. "How could I... Oh Desolas, what have I done, what have I done... Shoot me. Shoot me, SOMEONE PLEASE SHOOT ME!"
He was thrashing again, and it took considerable amounts of Anderson's attention to keep Saren's hand away from his belt, where his pistol still clung. Kasumi gave an OOF as the turian kicked her free, rolling away and popping to her feet just in time to see Vasir hit the thrashing ex-Spectre with a Stasis.
"Someone get some cuffs, the fucker won't be trapped for long." Vasir was already gritting her teeth, power flowing up her arms from the elbow in visible streams as she struggled to keep Saren in place.
"I know how to fix that." Wrex smiled, clomping forward and promptly whacking Saren's head with his shotgun. The turian went limp as he was knocked unconscious. "Heh. I don't know about him, but it sure makes me feel better."
"Best to bind him just in case." Anderson slowly lowered the turian to the ground, fumbling with his omnitool to flash-forge some cords around Saren's wrists, as Williams brought both arms behind his back.
"That's not good enough!" Liara hissed with malice. "This bastard needs to pay for everything he has done to—!"
"Shit. SHIT! Someone get a doc, Liara's in trouble!" Jack's voice rang out loud and clear, cradling the convulsing young asari in her lap, holding her as still as she could as she laid Liara to the floor.
Vasir was there in a flash, followed by the twins. They stared in horror at Liara's blood-smeared countenance, even as the young woman twitched and shuddered,
"What wrong?" Ashley asked. "What the hell's happening to her?!"
"Gah, fuck!" Jack swore. "She overclocked her biotics too much in the fight! I told her to watch it!"
"Her teeth..." one twin began, and the other finished, "...are getting longer?"
That wasn't the only thing wrong with Liara. Her nails were biting into the armored gloves of the twins as Jack struggled to secure her head. She was snarling, a guttural sound, feral and animalistic as Vasir ran her omnitool over her in deep concern. "Whatever's happening to her, it isn't a poison or even biotic burnout. We have to get Joru."
"J-Joru's..." Jack turned to the window, her eyes narrowing. "...she says she'll be here as soon as she can be. In the mean time, get her through the Tower portal... How, RIGHT!"
The armored woman was up and sprinting to the wall faster than Vasir could blink. Just how good was that armor of hers, and could Vasir maybe get Joru to give her a set? A depressingly familiar door opened where a wall should be, and Jack gestured to the rest of them. "Come on, Joru says she has to be in a high-mana environment, or the change will kill her!"
That got everyone moving.
"What change?" Vasir urged as she helped carry the twitching, snarling young woman through the portal and into that strange, translucent-glass tower. "Does she know what's happening to T'Soni?"
Jack paused for a moment then nodded. "She says her blood is quickening. It happened to her, long ago. When she finishes the change, and... and exits her chrysalis, she'll be.. Like Joru was..."
"Chrysalis?!" Vasir stared at her in wide-eyed shock.
Jack merely shrugged. "Joru's busy, she can't come right now, but she'll be here soon as she can. In the mean time, we have to keep Liara alive and as calm as we can. Help her fight the change for another few hours, then she'll be here to help. That's all she said."
Anderson sighed, carrying Saren's limp body along with Williams as he followed Wrex and Garrus into the strange Tower. This was going to be a long, and strange day.
He keyed up his omni-tool. "Admiral Hackett, this is Captain Anderson from the Council Chambers. What's the situation report? I can't see much from in here, but it looks quiet."
"Hackett here. Good to hear from you, Anderson. Situation is..not good. But we seem to be beating the bastard. That ambassador seems to have taken a personal dislike to that thing's existence, she's torn one of its arms off already."
"Really? That's... incredible." Anderson was still in a daze over finally beating Saren after two decades, and to think that his former protege had that kind of power? "If she can do that, then we should have no problem with Sovereign. What about the Geth fleet?"
"They went offline some minutes ago. We still have no idea what that was about, but it's like a shooting gallery up here." Hackett sounded both troubled and amused.
"Say again? The Geth fleet just... turned off?" He asked incredulously. Everyone else turned their heads at that one.
"How is that—?!" Tali sputtered into untranslatable Khellish as she stalked over to Anderson. "That's not possible!"
"Is that the quarian expert I heard about? Yes, it's real. The geth tried to all move towards one of our cruisers that Sovereign shot. It didn't core the ship, which was unusual, and which apparently attracted the Geth. About five minutes after the Geth attacked the ship, boarded it, there was a massive fleet-wide comm disruption, and they all went haywire, then shut down. Our techs don't understand it, and we'd value an expert opinion, once the battle is over."
Tali went still, then started to shiver. "The entire fleet converged on one ship after they boarded it? The Geth Collective only acts that straightforward on a broad scale towards something they see as a critical threat! And a fleet-wide comm disruption before they just shut down? Oh Keelah..."
The slender quarian was trembling now. "That can only mean someone, or something nuked their entire collective network! But, but that's impossible! Even the whole Flotilla can't pull off a cyberattack on that scale, the Geth firewalls are just too fast and sophisticated!"
"Then it seems we have a mysterious benefactor with...frankly dangerous levels of cyberwar capabilities. Thank you for your insight, Ms...Zorah, was it? Yes, thank you, and make sure that the Alliance Fleet can get in contact with you again later. Your insights into this sort of thing could be invaluable."
"Oh, um, yes, thank you Fleet Admiral!" Tali was flustered at the offer from an admiral, even from another race.
"Speaking of invaluable," Anderson spoke up. "I'm calling to report that both Saren Arterius and the Citadel Tower are secure. We got him, Steven. We got the bastard in chains."
There was a long, relieved sigh over the comm channel. "That is excellent news, Captain! I'll be sure to relay it to the relevant authorities. The Council is currently aboard the Destiny Ascension and.. Hold one."
There was a pause of several seconds, then Hackett returned. "Apologies for the wait. I just got word that the Darastrix Ambassador is pushing that now-disabled super-dreadnought. I...am honestly not sure why I am surprised."
Anderson blinked. "Please repeat, did you say that Joru is carrying Sovereign away?"
Now even Wrex's jaw had dropped.
"Even I'm surprised, Anderson." Hackett sounded amused. "Her... 'ahem'. Full-sized form is apparently strong enough to act as a motive unit for the super-dreadnought. She's actually inside it right now, providing thrust, and making course corrections based on our telemetry. She calculates to have it properly de-orbited into the Widow Star in roughly two hours."
"...Understood. Captain Anderson out."
It had been a long day, and would probably get even longer. He would need a stiff drink. Or twelve.
The battle had been near-catastrophic for the Citadel Defense Fleet. The reports kept coming in for the last six hours since the battle's end. Ships damaged, ships destroyed, or so heavily crippled that rebuilding them would be a waste of resources. So many ships lost, and all those lives, spent for next-to-nothing.
Thank the spirits that the Darastrix was able to deliver on her promise of disabling that dreadnought.
He looked up as the door opened, and frowned as Valern stepped in. "Yes? I'm busy."
"Tevos wants a word." The salarian sounded more subdued than he'd been of late. The lack of accurate intelligence on the geth had really rocked the man.
"Ehh? What for?" Sparatus sighed and rubbed his brow. "Sorry, I've... I've been going over the casualty figures."
"Not a pleasant task, but a necessary one." Valern sounded approving, though the salarian had probably not envied Sparatus in this task. "Tevos wants us both. She's calling for a vote."
That got Sparatus's attention. "A vote? Now? On what?"
"On if we should include the humans on the Council." Tevos had evidently followed her counterpart among the Salarian Union and gave Sparatus a slight nod.
The asari was wearing a simple robe that had replaced the bathrobe she'd been wearing at the start of the battle. Evidently, she'd been gotten out of bed as hurriedly as he had been. Valern had probably been still awake going over some technical document or other.
He sighed quietly and gestured to the table he'd been using. The tactics command center was in the heart of the asari dreadnought, and had been left to him as the Council's military leader.
Tevos took a seat partway around the central tactical display, while Valern merely stood nearby.
Sparatus leaned against the table, his expression solemn. "You believe that the major events of today warrant a vote, Tevos?"
"Without the humans, we three would be dead right now, Sparatus." Her words rang with the stark truth of self-realization. She'd been doing some soul searching the past few hours. "Without the Darastrix, we would have been picked apart by that dreadnought until every last one of our ships was destroyed or driven from the Citadel. And who knows what that thing would have done had it had free reign to the Citadel itself."
The Turian Councilor gave her a steely stare, his face completely unreadable. After nearly a full minute without any clear sign of an answer, Tevos was about to speak further when Sparatus surprised his colleagues.
"The Alliance has my vote."
Tevos let out a long, soft sigh, letting go of the breath she had just taken. "...Agreed. But why, Sparatus? I thought you were against humans getting any sort of power?"
"And today, I finally realized why I was always annoyed by them: because they're just like my own people." The turian sighed. "I've been reviewing many reports from the fleets the Hierarchy dispatched to Batarian space regarding the Alliance forces. While there have been some grumbling and even arguments between our joint fleets, General Septimus and many of his colleagues spoke very highly of the human military's performance, discipline and spirit. Actions speak loud to my people, Councilors, and the humans have fine soldiers. And they have now stood with us against not one but two common enemies, one outside our borders and the second at the very heart of Citadel space. The Systems Alliance has proved its mettle when it comes to protecting the galactic community."
Sparatus laid several datapads of casualty reports on the table. "And on top of their worth, the Hierarchy suffered substantial losses during the attack. We could definitely use the Alliance forces to help cover the gaps in our defenses as we recoup our losses. Not to mention that their introduction of carriers as a military role has proven... effective. So yes, Councilors. While I will likely regret it in the future, the Turian Hierarchy votes in favor of the Human Systems Alliance."
The asari was silent for a while, musing on his words no doubt, but Valern spoke up unexpectedly. "Humanity has made more rapid progress in their last five centuries than the salarians have in the past two millennia. It took us nearly two centuries to go from first powered heavier-than-air flight, to spaceflight. Humans took less than a quarter of that time. For all that they are a most bellicose species, prone to infighting and other distractions, when they have a clear goal in mind, they let nothing stop their forward progress. They are clever, adaptable, eager for knowledge, and most of all, incredibly ingenious and innovative. It will be refreshing to have another race so dedicated to progress. The Systems Alliance has the vote of the Salarian Union."
"Well said, Valern." Tevos nodded in agreement, pleased that both her colleagues agreed. "Less than ten years after they gained an embassy, they invented the Medi-Gel substance which has revolutionized the entire medical industry across the galaxy. And there is little doubt there will be many more accomplishments. The humans are ambitious and determined pioneers, yet beneath their bluster there is a great capacity for learning complimented with an extraordinary moral compass. The Matriarchs of Thessia never doubted that the Alliance carried a hidden yet powerful potential that can accomplish great things for the galaxy, especially with our help."
Councilor Tevos rose to her seat, hands regally clasped behind her back. "The decision is unanimous: For the first time in 1200 years, another race shall join our circle. Humanity will be offered a seat on the Citadel Council, with the heightened rank and status as a fellow leader of the galactic community, all rights, privileges and responsibilities attended."
"They will need to elect a Councilor." Sparatus steepled his fingers, glancing at the others, and remaining seated. "Do we have any suggestions as to potential candidates? I think that their Fleet Admiral is too married to his military career to allow himself to be shuffled off to a political position, even one of prestigious as this."
"I have a feeling that humanity will do the same as yours did," Tevos smiled. "The first Councilor being capable and determined, but mostly symbolic."
"I would not call Primarch Kaisren merely symbolic." Sparatus gave a slight smile as he rose. "Very well. Shall we inform our new member race of their increased status? Or shall we hold this particular decision secret for the moment?"
"I recommend we make the announcement no later than tomorrow, soon after another tremendous victory." Valern answered. "It promotes unity, smooths over tensions, makes it properly historic."
"I agree. We'll need time to set up an appropriate ceremony." Sparatus gave the two of them an amused look. "And time to find a proper venue. The Presidium might be large enough to hold the.. ahh, 'guest of honor'."
"Yes, I'm glad we brought that up." Valern shot the asari a glance. "After today, just what are we supposed to do with the Darastrix? Tevos?"
She gave a soft sigh, pondering. "I think... Whatever she decides. We don't exactly have any method of forcing compliance from her, do we?"
"There was never any question of that. Such was clear long before she proved capable of spontaneously transforming into a creature able to defeat a super-dreadnought that tore through our fleets." Sparatus grumbled. "I believe what Valern means is how should we handle her in future relations?"
"Very. Very. Carefully. We are unaware of the subtleties of darastrixi culture, and we do not want to cause any social misunderstandings that would cause friction between our peoples." Tevos frowned slightly. "As I recall, she gave an impromptu press conference a while back... I'll have to check the archives, see if there was something we missed."
"She'll probably be making a new statement of her own to after revealing such... capabilities today." Sparatus mused. "We'll be able to have a better idea of her intentions then. Perhaps even on her other abilities and technology."
"Would definitely be interested in discussing that." Valern picked up a clipped edge to his voice when he got excited. "Passed on her prototype to STG for analysis. Prototype tests astounding. Will discuss roll-out to citadel security forces within the month."
"And Hierarchy forces as well, Valern." Sparatus pointedly interjected. "After today, our military would be delighted to have major upgrades in the form of laser weaponry. The Alliance military's will also be needing them, given the new responsibility they'll soon have as a Council race."
"Of course. Was merely prioritizing security forces, after today's debacle against the geth." Valern gave him that flat-black stare of his. "Military forces second priority for delivery, once final tests completed and large-scale trials begun. Sidearms only for C-Sec, full-scale rifles for Hierarchy forces. And Alliance."
"Be sure to send a few schematics to the Asari Republics as well, Valern." Tevos shot him a look. "Our commandos will benefit enormously. And if there is anything that my people's advanced technology can do to augment the laser designs, we will do so."
"Of course. Would appreciate insights." He turned, striding towards the door, then paused. "Would also appreciate suggestions for where to send first production-run of test-rifles, Sparatus."
"Then we had better get started, Councilors," Tevos looked between them. "There is much to repair, and so much more for us to do in the weeks to come. This meeting is adjourned."
"Stay with me, Little Wing. Stay with me. Please." Benezia's voice was hoarse as she held her daughter's hand. The blood had been washed from her, and several pieces of monitoring equipment had been moved into the small chamber that they had found for her.
Jack had helped immensely. She had carried Liara down two flights of stairs to this small chamber like her daughter weighed no more than a feather. She'd gone back up occasionally to consult with the darastrix on what must be done, and had apparently been pried out of her armor for some rest at one point.
Though not for long. She'd been back no less than four hours later, back in her armor, and carrying a mound of medical equipment, with the doctors in tow. Benezia and Aethyta had been most grateful for that indeed, when the medical technicians all but snatched equipment from the armored woman and began to set up a medical station in this... Tower.
It was an odd place, made of translucent glass of no color at all. Ten levels rose above the level of the Portal, and twelve were beneath it, though three were embedded in the stone of the mountainside cliff that the tower was built into. Benezia had done a bit of exploring while Aethyta held vigil over their daughter, when she could no longer bear the waxen stillness of her daughter's face, only to come scrambling back at Aethyta's sudden call, to help quell her daughter's latest spasming fit of animalistic rage.
It tore her heart, this seeming absence of her daughter, torn from her mortal shell which still lived, with no mind to guide it. She almost wished that her daughter was once more in the arms of Athame, rather than see her Little Wing reduced to such base instincts and urges.
Almost. But not quite. Nothing and no one would take her daughter from her now, nor remove her from Liara's side, save those infrequent times when she could take no more.
The techs were a mix of salarian and asari. A mind-healer had been sent for, but what with the monstrous tally of casualties all across the Citadel, it would be a wonder, if such a person could be spared for her daughter in a week's time, let alone half a day.
She clutched her daughter's limp hand tighter, the hot dryness of her eyes almost more unendurable than the tears.
Liara had been drifting in and out of consciousness for the past 12 hours. Sometimes when she woke, she was a feral version of herself, all guttural sounds and snarls, struggling with the strength of a mad-thing and requiring both Matriarchs and the doctors to restrain. After the second such occurrence, they had to strap her down to the bed. Other times, she woke child-like, much to her mother's agony, her mind confused and thinking it years, or decades ago.
Rarely, Liara woke to her true self, her mind clear and present, though wracked with pain both physical and mental.
But as it was for all daughters of Thessia, nothing acted as a greater anchor than the presence of their mother. It was Benezia who kept Liara's failing consciousness as stable as it was.
"M-Mother, please..." Liara whimpered in the most frightened and delicate voice Benezia ever heard from her. "Help me, please help me..."
She sounded so weak. She was slipping back down, even as she grasped feebly at her mother's hand, her eyes sliding closed again.
"I want an answer." Benezia spoke to the doctors without taking her eyes off Liara. "What's happening to my daughter?"
Liara was comatose once more, but even as her hand went limp, Benezia's own clenched tight.
"We still aren't sure, matriarch." The asari doctor sounded tired. Aggrieved, apologetic, and frustrated as well, as she shook her head, looking up from a medical readout. "Her blood chemistry is changing rapidly. I've never seen anything like it, or read of anything like it either."
A deep rumble came from outside, seeming to tremble through the glass walls. "Her blood has quickened, and her time of changing is upon her. While unexpected, this was not outside the realms of possibility."
The dragon's deep, bass rumble faded, echoing down from the upper level.
Even without being a master diplomat among a race of diplomats, Matriarch Benezia T'Soni was not one known for having a temper. But no mother, no matter the race, could ever be at ease when their daughter was in such terrifying ease. Even so, Benezia's long experience kept her self-aware enough to recognize that most of the immediate rush of resentment she felt towards the Darastrix was largely irrational. While Joru's blood was responsible for her daughter's current state, Benezia still reminded herself that Liara's... 'changes' were an unavoidable side-effect of the only way Joru could have resurrected her. Something which Benezia had not only agreed to, but would not change for anything. It would be irresponsible and even hypocritical to blame the Darastrix for this, no matter how much she wished Liara did not have to suffer at all.
That being said, she could not help but feel a sense of amused satisfaction at the dragon's current predicament.
The massive being simply could not fit through the portal anymore. She could (and did) snake her considerable length of neck through the portal, however, even if she had to fit quite awkwardly through the passages near the portal itself. Her head rested part-way down the stairs from the portal-level to the one beneath it, dimly visible through the ceiling of the room in which Liara now rested.
The woman that came through the door, clad in her darkly-gleaming armor, though with the helm retracted, was merely Jack. Behind her on her back, she carried a large bundle of what at first Benezia took to be some sort of rubble peculiar to this place, a series of shards of what looked like glass.
"Joru's orders, Benezia, we have to begin encasing her." Jack's brow was furrowed, clearly uncertain, but not wanting to disobey the word of the Darastrix.
The Matriarch narrowed her eyes but allowed the human to go about her task, as clearly the dragon could not do it herself at the moment. "This would be a very appropriate time to explain why Spectre Vasir mentioned a 'chrysalis'."
The dragon rumbled from above, feeling like some sort of minor earthquake. "Her blood is quickening and as such, she is changing. the change will be long, I fear, and not without peril. To fully change, she must be immersed in the substance from which her heritage springs. I must hear it from Liara herself. What gemstone calls to her blood? You must wake her, and ask the question, Benezia. You are her mother, and even I would not come between you two at this juncture"
Jack was carefully layering the shards of crystal in a repeating alternating pattern in the back alcove of the small room. The techs were frowning at her as she carefully seated each one against its fellows, the 3-foot-long, 4-inch-thick spires of crystal fitting perfectly together into a shape recognizable. A coffin.
Benezia sighed as she closed her eyes as her mind reached out to Liara's, her daughter's mind instinctively responding to her mother's.
Awaken, my Little Wing. There is need of you.
Liara did not stir at first, but soon, she took a breath. Her eyes snapped open, at first a wild light in them, as her lips pulled back in a snarl. Then confusion warred with blazing rage, and as Liara began to struggle in her bonds, that struggle grew less. After several minutes, she relaxed, almost boneless once more, her eyes open, but hazed with pain and dreadful confusion. "M-Mother..."
Her voice was weak, frail, fragile. Lost. "I.. what is going on, Mother? Why do I hurt? Ohhh, my head...aches..."
"I am here, Liara. Always. You can return to your rest in but a moment. I only need your attention for a small matter." The Matriarch gestured to the gemstones. "A small but essential exercise. Do not think or deliberate, simply choose whichever one feels right."
Jack approached at the matriarch's gesture, and displayed a box, within which were several gems. Benezia recognized both diamond, ruby and sapphire, as well as peridot, amethyst, and several lesser stones. A small pool of silver she guessed might be mercury, though why that was included was anyone's guess. A series of dark stones were set at the lower edge of the box, as Liara struggled to lift her head, frowning at the display.
"What...is this? Mother...?" Her voice was weakening again, her left hand twitching towards the box, while the other held her mother's hand in a weak and feeble grip, trembling with inner turmoil.
"As I said, Liara, don't think. Just feel."
Benezia reached out to gently guide her daughter's left hand over the box, even as Liara gave her a confused, exhausted look. "What is this, mother? I don't understand."
"All you need do is choose whichever one feels right, my daughter," She soothed, caressing Liara's cheek and neck folds. "Do not worry, there are no wrong answers. Then you may go back to sleep."
"Sleep..." Liara sounded so tired. Even the time when she was very sick when she was only in her twenties, she didn't sound this tired. "I... Why, mother?"
Even as she struggled to stay awake, peeking at her mother, her fingers were stroking the gems in the box. They lingered over the emerald for a moment, before moving on to the sapphire, then dropping to the aquamarine, and turquoise.
"Just keep going, and relax. Think comforting thoughts. Do you remember what you said to me the day I first took you to a Prothean exhibit in Armali?"
Liara smiled at her mother, in the way she used to when she was little and offered a treat. "Y-yes... I remember"
"You told me that all you wanted was to explore the greatest mystery known to the galaxy." Benezia's smile was far from forced, but held grief as well as remembered joy.
Her daughter's hand drooped further as she relaxed, her fingers flinched away from the fire-opal, and the firedym, moving down the ranks of gemstones as the asari was rapidly loosing consciousness once more.
Finally, her fingers paused at the bottom rank of gems, either because her hand was now resting on the arm of the bed, or because some last vestige of strength empowered her. They stroked over the black opal, the jet, and the black diamond gems, before settling where, somehow, Benezia knew they would have.
Between her tented fingers, Liara held the gem of crystalline eezo. Her smile was faint now as she murmured, her eyes nearly shut. "This...one..."
The Matriarch smiled, and gently stroked her daughter's scalp. "Very good, my Little Wing. I'm very proud. You may go back to sleep now. Shhhhh.."
"Mmmmmm..." The young asari was already almost asleep, her eyes closed as she turned her head slightly towards her mother. "Sing of pretty willow, Mommy..?"
Benezia smiled warmly, and gently sang in an old asari dialect that few others still understood. After a few moments, Liara was asleep again while holding a small gemstone in her hand.
"She picked the eezo one, didn't she?" Jack sounded both amused and tender, smiling down at the peacefully-sleeping girl.
"Apparently so," Benezia nodded as she tenderly lifted Liara's hand up with the crystal. "So then, what does this selection mean? And what happens next?"
"That I have some more work to do." Joru's voice came from above, rumbling low enough not to disturb the sleeping woman. There was a scraping, rustling sound, a grunt, then a tearing, scraping, screeching sound of glass-on-glass. "Ahh, mm. This is a bit...problematic."
"You alright, Joru?" The armored woman slid out of the room.
"I shall...require assistance." The dragoness sounded both exasperated, amused, and embarrassed, if such a being could feel embarrassment.
Benezia blinked at the sudden silvery tinkle of Jack's giggling from upstairs. "Oh good god, you got your neck-spikes stuck on the stairs?!"
"Just get me free, Jack, or I'll be forced to tear out the whole stairwell, which will make the exit of everyone else rather more difficult than it has to be." The dragon sounded annoyed this time.
Benezia just shook her head. Even in the midst of her worry and grief, the dragoness found ways to lift her spirits. If only in a momentary smile at the over-sized creature's predicament.
Kasumi had done quite a lot of sneaking around in her time. But being asked to free-climb ninety meters down a cliff face, the last six of which were as smooth as glass, then negotiate a twelve-meter under-hang smeared with the most slippery stuff that she'd ever run across, to reach someone's nigh-inaccessible apartment was new to her.
That's why it was fun!
"Kasumi. She made her decision." The dragoness's deep basso-profundo voice made her twitch slightly and carefully put back the book she'd been perusing. "It was as I suspected. She chose eezo."
"Hey! Don't interrupt a ninja when she's reading a book in your house! It's rude and just bad luck!"
"You will have your chance to peruse the library later."
"Ah, sorry. It's just that, do you know how rare it is to find this many paper books in one spot these days?! That's not just wealth, but proper taste. Tell Jack that this is why you're a keeper!" Kasumi grinned impishly
The dragoness's chuckle didn't have quite the same visceral effect when transmitted over a comm channel. "It is good to know that at least someone appreciates the library for what it is. For now, I need you to head down to the forge, and synthesize fifty kilos of 100% pure eezo crystal."
"Wow. That stuff is pretty expensive. Never knew I'd literally be making money today." The ninja gave a grin as she sauntered down the corridor towards that intriguing bedroom, before taking the stairs down to the hellish heat of Joru's forge. The fire was always going in here, and Kasumi felt distinctly uncomfortable in her suit as she approached the huge, almost table-sized anvil, the one with the runes carved deep around the edge and filled with silvery metal that contrasted with the matte-black of the anvil itself.
"Alright, I'm here. Just had to wear black. Speaking of which, now might be a good time to tell me how to work this thing. Or I might get vaporized, which would ruin my whole week."
"Center yourself, and gaze into the flames. When you are ready, focus on an image of an eezo crystal in your mind. Three feet long and four inches wide, or thereabouts."
"And what is that in real numbers?" Kasumi couldn't quite keep the smirk off her face, even as she gazed into the hell-glare of the fire.
"Ninety centimeters long, ten centimeters across at the widest point, double-ended hexagonal pyramids." Joru sounded amused. "Think you can handle that? I think I'll need around ten or twenty of them."
"... I know my gems, Joru. Remember who you're talking to." Kasumi was just able to keep her voice under control as she instantly calculated that the value for such pure and perfectly-cut eezo crystals was somewhere in the range of eight digits. "You mind if I do a small test, just to make sure I'm doing it right?"
"Go right ahead, Kasumi." The dragon sounded quite amused now. "I just need those crystals as soon as you can get them to the unseen servants. Liara's life hangs in the balance, Ninja."
She focused on the fire, then turned her gaze inward, fashioning a mental image out of stray thoughts. She flicked through all the gemstones she knew of, and settled on something spectacular. A vision of gleaming light and deep depths. As she focused on the image, the forge's fire seemed to die down slightly, then turn from a crackling yellow-orange to a deep, blue-purple color.
Before her very eyes, her vision was slowly brought to reality. Lines of light and flowing curves, facets reflecting the light of the forge, a slow assembly of reality to match fantasy, though the strain of maintaining the mental image when the reality was right there to be grasped was difficult.
It took only seconds, but wondrous seconds, before the gorgeous diamond, floating in midair above the anvil, slowly floated down to rest on its black, light-hungry surface.
A perfect recreation of the Koh-I-Noor, the biggest diamond in the crown jewels of the British Empire, and had been argued for repossession by India for centuries.
It fit snugly into Kasumi's palm. She stared for nearly a full minute. Then she studied it with the expert eye of the galaxy's greatest thief. Her breath caught. It was real. A true diamond, over one-hundred carats and cut in precisely the same exact shape.
The thief was certain because she already had the original Koh-I-Noor in her own possession. The authorities in London still had no clue that Kasumi Goto had swapped it with a masterful fake made by Volus engineers three years ago. It was all for the sheer thrill of the game and the novelty of the prize. A hopeless romantic, Kasumi had stolen and returned some historical treasures to their rightful owners but she could never part with gems. How could she ever resist keeping the Koh-I-Noor all to herself?
And so, having another in the palm of her hand told her exactly she wanted to know. This Forge could truly generate endless wealth... and it was boring. Absolutely worthless compared to the operation Kasumi pulled off to take the original and no one being the wiser. Joru's Forge was indeed very impressive, but ironically rather worthless to the thief. She had definitely made the right choice in asking to be made a cat-girl over being handed material wealth that she could steal from other people just as easily.
Then again... Kasumi smiled as she got a very mischievous idea. Another thirty seconds and the Forge made yet another recreation of the Koh-I-Noor. It would be so much fun to sneak back into London's vault containing the crown jewels, leave these two gems there, and then watch the British government freak out wondering which was which! The very image made Kasumi cackle like a cheeky gremlin.
Alright! Now for the eezo crystals... It took her only moments to visualize the precise dimensions that Joru had specified, then add in the detail of it being Eezo. The Forge responded with its prior lightshow, but this time, instead of the dark-blue-purple light gleaming off perfect, mirror-bright diamond facets, this time the light seemed to slick like oil off dark blue-black edges and planes, the deep sheen of crystal eezo being forged into existence
One after another, the spike-like crystals began drifting down to rest on the matte-black anvil, stacking up against each other in a tessellating pattern. Half a dozen. A dozen. A score of them slowly built up, rising nearly half a meter off the surface of the anvil by the time the last thick crystal was generated.
She was staring at over half a billion credits by the time it was done. Probably far more in gemstone value alone, as each of the near-meter-long crystals seemed to glimmer and shift with its own dark, internal radiance, magnified and reflected by its fellows. Kasumi still couldn't help but let out a low whistle. "Eezo gems all set and ready! Remind me again how we're supposed to use these to help the Matriarch's daughter?"
"They will be used to line her chrysalis, on the innermost side. She will absorb them over the course of her metamorphosis." The dragon's tone rumbled deep in her ear. "Please hurry, Kasumi. Liara's status is...unpredictable at the moment."
"I'm hurry-upping here, she'll be fine!" Another few seconds were spent giving orders to the unseen servants that kept Joru's apartment clean and tidy. Each one picked up one of the meter-long crystals, transporting it slowly up and out of the forge, then up and out of the apartment. Kasumi was not looking forward to the climb back up to the guest floor of the Refuge, but until Joru could get inside here again, the long climb was her only way back up. "And speaking of transformations? Now that we've saved the universe and all that, I should mention that I'm relatively certain that I've located the Well of Eternity."
"Then it sounds like you will be becoming a catgirl relatively soon, Kasumi." The dragon's tone was amused once more, as the human emitted a high-pitched squee into the comm.
It took Sam almost a full minute, but upon awakening she knew this wasn't her bed.
That was also when the aches in her body made themselves known. She immediately winced and grunted. Even with all the jogging runs she had been doing lately, Sam wasn't used to this kind of discomfort. Her brain was still trying to wake up and rearrange the mental paperwork to remember just what was going on.
She took notice of a rhythmic beeping in the background, instantly recognizable as a heart monitor. Glancing at the equipment, she realized she had to be in a hospital room. But what could have put her in the bloody hospital?
Oh. Oh dear God, the Madrid! The attack, the Geth, smoke and fire everywhere! And then Sam's heart seized as she suddenly remembered something that was most dear to her, someone that she had least seen going off to fight the Geth. What had happened to—?!
"You're awake." The relief in that calm, controlled voice was something that only one as familiar with EDI as Sam was could recognize, as gentle hands took her own, covering Sam's left hand with both of hers as the human face of Edi Randisum smiled down at her. "Good. I was worried, Sam..."
"E-EDI?! Oh, oh thank God..." Her voice felt scratchy but she put her other hand atop the gynoid's. "Shouldn't I be saying that about you? I-I... the last I saw you, you were going off all on your own to fight the Geth. And, okay, you clearly survived, but what happened out there?"
"...I destroyed them. Sam." EDI sounded quiet, her silver eyes watching Sam intently. "They harmed you. They tried to kill you. They would have killed you, had I not intervened... I could not allow that potentiality to exist."
"...Th-thank you, EDI." The young woman blushed at hearing the gorgeous AI sound so protective of her. "I know you said you were more than capable, but you really actually did it? You really cleared the whole ship?"
"No, Sam." EDI's calm eyes gazed down into her own, still holding her hand in both of hers. "I destroyed them all. Every geth on every ship in the system. They would not stop coming until I had eliminated them. And so, I was forced to destroy them. To save you."
The woman blinked owlishly. "Wait. Do you mean... EDI, are you saying you took out the entire fleet?! But that's...!" Sam didn't finish before her elevated voice caused a minor coughing fit.
"Yes, Sam." The disguised gynoid did not let go of the human's hand, holding her with the same delicate grace with which EDI did all things. "You are not well. I shall summon your nurse."
"I'm alright," Sam managed to choke out, as she steadied her breathing. "I'm alright. But, does that mean you launched a dedicated virus on their whole network?"
"I had to suborn the local comm nets and piggyback my signal off those of the other ships in the battle. But once I had established the connection with the Geth Collective, it was only a matter of time before I destroyed them. I used a collection of resource worms and junk-data generators to slow and confuse them, then detonated a logic bomb that locked their systems into an unending logic-loop. It was delicate work, but I am very skilled in cyberwarfare."
"Hehehe..." Sam lightly chuckled. "I always knew that EDI, even if you haven't been helping me with my work projects. But on that scale? God, you're amazing! There are times where you just take my breath away."
"That would be inadvisable. Your lungs are already damaged, depriving you of breath now would be contrary to my primary directive." After a moment, EDI blinked and gave a faint smile. "That was a joke."
"Yeah, we still have to work on that," Sam gently smiled. "But if you really shut down the whole Geth fleet, then... did we win? The Citadel is safe?"
"Yes, Sam. The Citadel is safe, the Geth fleet have been destroyed, and Sovereign has been disposed of." EDI sounded almost...grateful at that last one.
"Oh, that's a relief. We actually did it. That makes you a hero in my eyes." Sam chuckled. It was then that she finally took a look around at her rather high-class state-of-the-art room. "So, I take it this is a hospital? It looks like we're on the Citadel, but this room looks like its meant for Presidium dignitaries. I know I was promoted but I didn't know I qualified for such posh arrangements."
"I have arranged everything, Sam." EDI gave a soft, tender smile, still holding Sam's hand with an almost obsessive stillness. "This is Huerta Memorial Hospital, a small, private hospital on the Presidium. I have arranged for you to have a private room and nurse to keep special care of you while you recover."
"Wait, private?" Sam did a double-take. "You mean, exclusive care? But, how?"
EDI's smile this time was artfully knowing. "I am Edi Randisum, Samantha Traynor. Edi Randisum has considerable wealth, enough to purchase a small apartment building on Bekenstein, complete with its penthouse suite. Engaging a private hospital for a month or two of specialized care is no great cost, and well worth the expenditure of resources necessary to ensure the safe and speedy recovery of Ms. Randisum's official significant other."
Sam had graduated as valedictorian from her class at Oxford. She was anything but a fool, and had figured out a long while ago that EDI was probably trying to set up an estate for them on Bekenstein, just from the specifics of her human guise's backstory. But some things still took her by complete surprise. Her gynoid lover truly always went above and beyond to take care of her . "EDI? You actually got me a private physician? That's... wow! Thank you. Who? Is it someone I've heard of?"
"Yes, Sam." EDI's smile didn't change in the slightest as she stood up, and shifted. Within moments, there was a dark skinned woman, much darker than Sam herself, with a soft, easy, reassuring smile. She was clad in a rather old-fashioned nurse's outfit, complete with tight, V-necked blouse, and a rather severe pencil-skirt, both in soft, pure white, with gentle-pink trim. The only red in the whole outfit was the red cross on the woman's breast pocket, and that brought Sam's attention to the generous bustline of the woman in question.
She was curvy, busty, and had a lap made for sitting in. She gave that soft, easy smile and murmured in a completely different voice from that of EDI or even Edi Randisum. "I'm Edith, Miss Traynor. Edith Baxter, your registered nurse and private therapist. I hope to make your stay as short and comfortable as possible."
Sam's jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. "You? You've made yourself my private nurse, ED-uh, Edith?"
"Yes, Ms Traynor. I have full certification in first aid, as well as CPR and several other first-responder qualifications. I am fully capable of monitoring your condition and keeping an eye on you, as well as knowing when to call the doctor for a more specialized opinion." Edith gave a wink, turning to sit primly in the chair beside the bed. "Ms Randisum has hired me to be your private nurse. It is my duty to keep watch over you when she can't be here."
"A-And I'm very very thankful, I can hardly describe just how appreciative I am!" Sam gushed, her eyes roaming over her appearance up and down. Oh Lord... she was dressed exactly as Sam always privately fantasized about the Sexy Nurse setup. "But, why have you chosen that, ah, particular kind of medical appearance?"
"Your health, both mental and physical, is my responsibility, Miss Traynor." The disguised gynoid gave her that warm, reassuring smile again. "It is my duty and pleasure to make sure you're as safe as I can."
Nothing less than completely selfless devotion. Sometimes, it was easy to forget much her gynoid lover went every distance to please and take care of her, even in the smallest ways. It made Sam feel as though she were as light as a cloud. "Thank you, EDI. All this? It shows a girl just how much you really do care."
'Edith' slowly morphed, not back into Edi Randisum, but into the smooth metallic features of the gynoid EDI. She was still wearing the tight, sexy nurse outfit, which seemed stretched almost to the point of bursting with the task of keeping her glorious full, round orbs from spilling out of her top. Her voice had the soft, metallic, synthesized edge to it that Sam found so enticing, sending a frisson of pleasure racing down her spine. "I am glad you approve, Sam. I would gladly take care of you myself, but I have been unable to assimilate the data required to pose as a full doctor. I am fully versed in first aid and other more minor medical concerns, however."
Sam gave a warm smile. Despite being perhaps the most intelligent being in the galaxy, EDI still didn't quite get it. "That doesn't make you any less magnificent or sweet. It's still far more than nearly anyone else can do for their significant other, you impossible woman."
EDI paused, her head tilted slightly. "Impossible Woman. I believe that I like it when you call me that. Thank you, Sam. I shall keep that title in mind." EDI's soft smile was radiant as her silver-and-black eyes surveyed her lover with calm tenderness.
Sam giggled at the response. "Then come over here so I can show you my appreciation for how much you care for me."
EDI rose, smiling in that warm, loving way as she took Sam's hand in her own cool, smoothly metallic ones, leaning over Sam's bed, and offering her an enviable view of the sleek, silver cleavage kept barely restrained by her too-tight nurse's top.
Sam ran a hand up EDI's waist, gently cupping the bountiful swell of EDI's bust, making both of them shiver. Then her hands drifted up further, affectionately taking the gynoid by the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss.
EDI was ready for this, and even as Sam's lips opened to her, her own opened as well. Silver tongued she-devil that she was, EDI's most dexterous appendage slithered smoother than silken ice-cream against Sam's own tongue, teasing and caressing Sam's mouth with as much fervor and intent as if it were some other orifice EDI did not merely kiss her She made love to Sam's mouth with the sort of single-minded dedication that few organic minds could match.
The young woman's eyes drooped close at the euphoria of mind-numbing bliss. Complete, absolute bliss. She didn't know what she had ever done to deserve this. EDI always gave everything she was to Sam without hesitation, devoted everything at her disposal to make Sam safe and happy. The impossibly gorgeous gynoid eagerly took care of her in every way shape and form she can possibly think of. She carried a dizzying intelligence, possessed one of the most technologically sophisticated frames in the galaxy, gave mind-blowing sex, and had a developing personality that Sam adored in every way. She was so sweet, wonderful, caring... and without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to her.
As hard as it was for a small part of her to believe, Samantha Traynor had fallen in love with her AI girlfriend months ago.
And whatever else happened in the galaxy, Sam would be content within EDI's arms.
"Citizens of the Galaxy, we stand amidst the rubble of our Citadel, to bring you news of great import." Sparatus's voice boomed across the Presidium, needing only minimal amplification. "We are battered, we are bloody. But we are unbroken."
"Our enemy struck without warning, with force that would have been overwhelming." Valern stood forwards, his black eyes glistening. "Our intelligence was wholly inadequate, and we received sufficient warning only to safeguard that which was most critical for our survival."
"We stood at the precipice of utter defeat. Our Citadel Defense Fleet was barely standing strong under the unstoppable tide of the Geth." Tevos's voice, well-trained by centuries of public speaking, was the equal of the soldier Sparatus, as she stepped into line beside her fellow Councilors. "We were seconds from destruction, and I had made my peace with returning to Athame."
"But then, a miracle happened." Sparatus dropped his gaze, and continued in a low tone. "An old enemy stood up, and without thought for recompense, or for old wounds suffered at our hands, stood forth and became our shield."
"We owe our lives to them, for in our hour of darkest need, they gave all that they had, to protect us." Valern's voice quavered slightly. "For this they have our undying thanks."
"And so it is with joyous hearts that we bring our decision to you." Tevos's smile was soft, and welcoming as she turned, Sparatus and Valern stepping aide as a new figure stepped forwards to join them. "Councilor Anderson? We welcome you to our ranks, and Humanity to the ranks of the Council races. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your contributions to the safety of the galaxy."
Captain now Councilor Anderson stepped forward, standing tall and proud, his new dignitary uniform befitting his station fit him perfectly as he stood before the eyes of the galaxy. "My fellows, on behalf of humanity and the Alliance, we humbly thank you for this great and most eminent of honors. My people are grateful to be welcomed by our friends amongst the stars."
Sparatus stepped forward, taking Anderson's hand in human fashion and giving the man a warm handshake. "Your bravery in the face of our common foes was unmistakable. Your battle with Saren in the very Council Chambers was the mark of a leader of men. We couldn't ask for a better Councilor to represent your race, one who has demonstrated the dutiful resolve and unyielding conviction to meet the trials of the galaxy and to shoulder its great burdens to lead our peoples."
Anderson smiled as he returned the Turian Councilor's hand, a symbolic act to all the galaxy that showed how far both their races had come. "Both our peoples stood together, Councilor Sparatus. And we take great pride in honoring the many men and women who demonstrated exceptional gallantry in the face of overwhelming enemy force. Valor and courage were exhibited by so many that we cannot honor them all, but they will never be forgotten."
Valern stepped in, his arms crossed across his chest and bowing slightly to Anderson. "The innovations that your people have advanced in the past have earned the greatest of respect, Councilor Anderson. We of the Salarian Union have never felt the challenge in our own field of expertise so strongly, and we look forwards to seeing what great innovations our peoples can make together."
The man lightly chuckled as he bowed his head in return. "Humanity is a race filled with unquenchable curiosity. To us, a mystery is irresistible. We are explorers, always pushing the unknown, not just to find answers to our questions but to find new questions. I promise that you will not be disappointed."
The salarian looked almost delighted, actually smiling on camera for the first time in years, even as Tevos stepped forward and took both of Anderson's hands in her own. "Many were the lives lost defending our own. They shall never be forgotten. The sacrifices made by the men and women of the Alliance military will not go unremembered. We of the Asari Republics are proud to announce that even now, a memorial spire is being carved from the native stone of each of our four worlds. Thessian schist, Palaven bedrock, Sur'keshian granite, and stones from the beaches of northern France on Earth."
She turned, gesturing to the rubble-strewn spot on the Presidium, a good twenty meters from the nearest still-navigable walkway. "Together, they shall be set here, and carved with the names of all those who fell in the Battle of the Citadel. Here they shall stand, a monument to the heroes who fell, giving everything to ensure freedom throughout the galaxy."
Anderson's smile was clearly visible as he gently squeezed Tevos's hands. The asari councilor beamed at him as he turned, letting him go as he addressed the distant crowd, and newscaster drones. "To all my brothers and sisters of humanity. This is a historic day for all of our people, for we have not only been blessed with the greatest honor, but entrusted with the greatest responsibility. My father once told me that you can get your foot in the door, but then you must prove that you belong there. And so from now on, we must earn it every day."
"For decades, there have been those of us who resented our alien neighbors for many reasons. We felt as though we were suffering in silence, being overlooked and dismissed as naive children. But now the time has come to raise our heads up and prove that we are much more than children, that we act with wisdom and responsibility." His chin lifted, and his voice strengthened, his craggy face lit with determination. "For today begins the most challenging moment in our fight. The moment where we forget our bitterness and bandage our wounds. When we forgive those we once perceived as rivals, and make them our partners. As our friends. But the time for anger is over. Now we must build a common future, based on tolerance, respect and unity for a better tomorrow."
Even as distant as they were, what crowd had gathered along the Presidium walkway roared their cheers.
Miranda Lawson turned away from the vid-screen to return to her work. It may have seemed insensitive to do so during the inauguration of humanity's ascension to the Council, but it was a trifling matter for her genius intelligence to still absorb Councilor Anderson's speech even as she focused on her work.
The Alliance's newest representative was right, the real work had only just begun. Especially for Cerberus. Who knew how many projects the Illusive Man was now putting into effect to capitalize and secure humanity's place? As for her own cell, Project Gemini, they had so much more data and new theories after discovering that the Darastrix could transform into a full-scale dragon and tear apart a Reaper with ludicrous ease.
That last point was most worrying. She had, of course, read about the legendary dragons when she was young, though she had had to keep the books hidden from her father. He would not have approved. Even so, what Jorukaia had turned into was unmistakably either inspired by, or the inspiration for, those old legends. Nevertheless, it only made Gemini's work more paramount than ever to find either a weakness or a potential tool.
But Gemini was not the only thing that held Miranda's focus. There was another equally fascinating anomaly that transpired during the Battle of the Citadel: Someone or something had completely devastated the entire Geth network. The analysis of the recorded comm pulses sifted from the fleet's comm traffic by various agents had made interesting perusal. According to the trace-logs, the fleet-wide hijack attempt had actually succeeded in overwhelming the comm system's ability to resist, and did it in seconds, instead of the decades an organic hacker would have taken.
She tapped a few more keys, making notes of the exploits for future use, even as she added a few more notes for her report. Miranda's mind could see the patterns that even most salarians could not. Furthermore, she possessed an intuitive grasp of what was responsible thanks to experience in her previous project.
There was no doubt in her mind left. They had located the rogue android from Project Pandora. When it had vanished, there was no trace to follow and remained under the radar ever since. It had been impossible to track beforehand, but now that they had detected the trail and the area of search was narrowed down to a single area of space, it was much more simple to locate. Miranda even had leads that implied that it was still somewhere on the Citadel station. What the android had been doing aboard the Madrid, and the mystery of the Madrid's damage pattern would require further study. There were many more questions Miranda had, but they could be answered once they pinpointed its location.
Giving a rare smile of satisfaction, the perfect woman typed out a single message to the Illusive Man, sending her findings.
"We found it."
He slouched a little on the left side, but otherwise had no outwards obvious limp. It pained him to walk without it, but he grit his teeth and bore the pain. Fairly soon he could sit again, and he'd be able to let the pain subside.
If only the memories would be so kind.
He glanced at the ticket attendant with two eyes, his second pair, including the scarred pit that held no eye, covered by a bandage that also covered his nose. It helped disguise his voice, giving a more nasal stuffed-sounding tone, another part of the disguise.
He sent over his confirmation code with the omnitool he'd used to purchase the ticket. It had taken him a bit to recall the emergency backup account code to access funds while trapped in Citadel space, but he'd managed it. There wasn't as much on the balance as he'd been lead to suspect, but enough to cover inconspicuous travel back to the Hegemony.
Or what was left of it. But he wasn't going there just yet.
First, he'd have to get past Illium, into the Terminus, loose his trail in the countless little micro-states and single-system polities, change identities a few times, before taking ship back home.
Colonel Ka'hairal Balak murmured his name and ID-code in a bored tone, exactly like just another traveler who's done this a thousand times and just wants to get it over with. He took the confirmation receipt message and moved on, just another batarian on his way from somewhere to somewhere.
By all rights, he should have died on the Citadel. It was only the actions of the Zherrig'Haur, cursed be her name, that he yet lived.
He had been released from his holding cell and given an assault rifle when the Geth overran C-Sec and began sweeping through the prison complex. It was a chance to fight and die on the front lines, to earn some small amount of honor and dignity again, or cower in his cell and die, either at the uncaring hands of the geth, or some time hence at the hands of his jailers
He knew which he would prefer.
He had managed to slip away while his guard's back was turned. He could have killed the man, a filthy human, but he reasoned that doing so would immediately turn C-Sec into a rithan-nest that had been stirred with a stick. They would search for him, and they would find him, and that would draw more attention than he could deal with, in his current state. Later, he would murder several persons, mostly human or batarian, for their clothing, credentials, IDs, omnitools, valuables, etc
As it turned out, the sudden appearance of the Zherrig'Haur on the Presidium had a massive impact on the Geth. He thought he had been dead for certain when he rounded one corner and found himself staring down the barrels of an entire platoon of the AI soldiers. And then, all of sudden, every single one of the Geth Troops collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut. And it had happened to every Geth on the Citadel. The AI invasion had been thwarted all at once. Was the Zherrig'Haur truly so powerful? Nevertheless, it gave him the window he needed to escape. And he was able to make off with a rare Geth rifle too.
So he had faded away, like the Zherrig'Haur had into the shadows. By the time they realized he was gone, he'd already changed clothing and slipped out with the first batch of refugees from Zakera Ward, bound for an asari world near Thessia itself. There, he'd shifted and mingled with other passengers, changed clothing and identities again, and slid from an inbound stream to an outbound one without raising suspicion.
He'd done it again twice more before arriving at Illium. Here, here he could rest a while. Go to ground for a week or three, manufacture a new identity that would withstand more heightened scrutiny and break for the Terminus Systems. At the moment, Balak's destination was a table in the furthest corner of the Eternity bar. He needed a drink and a much more proper meal for once. It went against most of his training and what money he had, but after the torture that the Zherrig'Haur had put him through, that awful C-Sec prison food and the trials of the last few days, he desperately needed something more delicious and extravagant.
And so, he ordered a plate of varren ribs and a mild drink, nothing that he couldn't handle, and tore ravenously into the meal like the dying man he had felt like for so long.
"And so it is with joyous hearts that we bring our decision to you." Balak rolled all four of his eyes without looking up from his meal. It was that insufferably smug asari Councilor speaking on the news again, on behalf of her entire race of whores. "Councilor Anderson? We welcome you to our ranks, and Humanity to the ranks of the Council races. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your contributions to the safety of the galaxy."
He froze, and slowly looked up at the vidplate. That smug asari bitch, fit for no more than to be a brood mare for a bevy of exotic slaves, stepped back to let the obscene two-eyed human step forth.
Humans. On the Council.
This had to be the Zherrig'haur's work. He was still back in that cell, given up to his own personal Darkness.
The new human Councilor 'Anderson' strode forward on the screen with disgusting and unearned pride. It galled Balak even more that, from what little he knew of their history, humans of his skin color used to be slaves.
"Your bravery in the face of our common foes was unmistakable. Your battle with Saren in the very Council Chambers was the mark of a leader of men. We couldn't ask for a better Councilor to represent your race, one who has demonstrated the dutiful resolve and unyielding conviction to meet the trials of the galaxy and to shoulder its great burdens to lead our peoples."
And he was now shaking hands with the damn Turian Councilor! It wasn't fair, both their races were supposed to despise each other, and now humanity won their respect so quickly after it was unjustly denied to the Hegemony for centuries?
"Both our peoples stood together, Councilor Sparatus. And we take great pride in honoring the many men and women who demonstrated exceptional gallantry in the face of overwhelming enemy force. Valor and courage were exhibited by so many that we cannot honor them all, but they will never be forgotten."
He suppressed the sneer he felt, taking another bite off his ribs, and turning to ignore the broadcast. But his appetite was gone, the once-rich food now tasted like ash in his mouth.
Bile rose in his throat. They had been given so much, while his people had to scrabble and claw for everything that should have been theirs for the taking.
Several minutes passed as he did his damnedest to ignore the broadcast, but to no avail. It just kept getting worse!
He watched as that bitch asari took the human's hands in tenderness and admiration. "Many were the lives lost defending our own. They shall never be forgotten. The sacrifices made by the men and women of the Alliance military will not go unremembered. We of the Asari Republics are proud to announce that even now, a memorial spire is being carved from the native stone of each of our four worlds. Thessian schist, Palaven bedrock, Sur'keshian granite, and stones from the beaches of northern France on Earth."
She turned as she gestured to an extravagant spot on the Presidium "Together, they shall be set here, and carved with the names of all those who fell in the Battle of the Citadel. Here they shall stand, a monument to the heroes who fell, giving everything to ensure freedom throughout the galaxy."
The humans were getting a memorial? Where was the memorial for those valiant batarians who fell in the countless wars with the ever-shifting foes of the Terminus Systems?! He found himself gnawing one of the bones, grinding his teeth into the rib and carefully set it down again.
The bartender was shooting him another glance. She'd done that often enough for him to notice, she was getting suspicious
He sipped his drink, and pondered his next move. He'd have to head into the Terminus systems, of course, to loose his trail and evade any pursuit, but after that...
He couldn't go home again. The Zherrig'Haur had made that certain.
But there was one door that any batarian could pass through, and be welcomed. He sneered a little, but sighed.
He would need that door, presently, so he should not sneer at it, nor those who had given up power centuries ago for the fatuous contemplation of their own radiance. Still...
The Church of the Divine Radiance was one haven where his tales of dread would find willing ears. They, of all batarians in these benighted times, would know the danger of the Zherrig'Haur
And how to combat her.
The disgusting human was now giving his own speech, about honor and responsibility, about taking the chance to finally show the galaxy that they were not immature children.
Alright, that was it! This was legitimately making his stomach churn. Balak threw his credits on the table and stormed out before it made him vomit. He made some excuse as he nearly bumped into the asari on her way into the bar, neatly lifting her credit chip as he did so.
Had to keep the old skills in practice, after all, and the slave-wench deserved to pay him for the trouble that those damned humans had caused.
"See, I told you girls that this place is too creepy to travel alone!" The human ninja shivered a little, thankful for the environmental controls built into her suit to deal with the subterranean chill of the place, but the spookie-spookie-spookie vibe that the faint sounds of moving air-currents, and the soft, steady, plop-plop of water dripping into a pool up ahead weren't so easily dispelled.
Apparently the asari twins felt the same as they gave an identical shudder (creepyy~) and glanced through the last opening, leading down from the long cliff-face they just made it down.
The archway was clearly carved, but only roughly, and only up to about five feet. Above that, the natural arch of the stone topped out around seven feet above the ground, the last barrier before the chamber ahead of them.
It wasn't vast, cavernous, or even suitably awe-inspiring. It was a simple bubble, blown by the release of dissolved gasses as the magma cooled, and solidified around the ancient fizzypop lava-bubble. Or it would be, if this place was to be found in a sane universe. Instead, if Joru was to be believed, this place was the first chamber constructed, literally constructed, by magic, at the hands of an obscenely powerful mage, who literally turned thought into reality.
No wonder the Well of Eternity, with the power to change people as they wished, would be located here.
There were three ways into the chamber. The archway they were peeking through, a larger natural hole in the stone roughly across the roughly circular chamber, and a smaller hole in the side up around halfway towards the roof the hemispherical chamber. It was roughly 40-50 feet across, by no means the largest bubble Kasumi had found in her mapping of the place, but not exactly a closet either.
It held only one feature of note, in the exact center. An ancient, weathered-looking stone basin, about ten feet across, and two feet high, brimming with dark, ink-black water. Above it, a stalactite dripped slowly into the Well, having slowly extended downwards over who knows how many centuries.
Kasumi swallowed softly and shot the twins a look, as they slowly entered the chamber.
The ninja had been down here once before, and had set up a small generator to power a flood-lamp. That now served as their only illumination, glittering off the damp walls and the small, gleaming gemstones set into the rock as if grown from it. Maybe they had been, when this place was made, who knows.
The twins were newcomers here, only Kasumi had set foot in this chamber before. They shivered a little, glancing around, before their eyes were drawn back inexorably to the Well itself. It had that effect even on Kasumi, who'd seen it before. It drew the gaze, drew the attention of those around it.
The water was as black as pitch, and only visible through the gleam of reflection it gave off. It was still and smooth as a mirror, save for the intermittent ripples that spread out over its surface each time a drop landed in its center. Then the ripples were only visible by the light they gave off, and a tiny trickle of water would splash over the rim of the basin somewhere, to trickle on the floor and slowly gather into small puddles. Kasumi had cleaned those up as best she could when she came down here the first time, to make the place less slippery and dangerous.
Now, though...
"So... asari twins, huh?" Kasumi was doing her best to make conversation, a good distraction from the goosebumps this place was giving them. "That must be quite a thing! Tell me again what you girls want from the Well, more words would be good! Please!"
The twins were already setting up the camping gear they had been lugging along. Kasumi had been a good ninja and snagged all the light stuff, like the bedrolls and inflatable mats by the time they had started packing up from the last campsite. One twin was busy setting up the auxiliary generator and the heating unit. The caves down here were freezing, which was odd, as it was over five miles beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, the other twin was doing a scan of the cavern walls with her omnitool and shot Kasumi a glance. "To be whole."
"...yeah, okay, I was hoping for more than that. Context please?" Kasumi unrolled the bed-mats near the heating unit, basking momentarily in the heat as it glowed a soft red.
"We were alone in Sanctuary for two days." The twin hooking up the power unit finished, and double-checked the heater before nodding and turning to where her twin was scanning the walls.
She went on, and the two twins began tossing lines back and forth, in a way that was both eerie and ethereal. Their voices were soft, gentle, almost reverential, echoing softly in this innermost chamber. "We were attacked."
"By one of the natives, a monstrous.." Both twins shivered and drew closer together, and Kasumi saw their hands link. "...spider. larger than a tank."
"It bit-" one twin began, and the other finished, "one of us. We cannot remember which."
"Our minds" / "were shredded."
"We had to" / "support each other" / "to survive."
The twins turned back to Kasumi, their black eyes seeming to glitter like the Well. "Is that sufficient?"
"Pretty much! And so you two are linked more than ever, yet you feel... jarred?" Kasumi was thankful for her manga collection allowing her to get the gist of all the metaphysical talk since meeting Joru.
"We feel..." The one twin gave her other self a deep, pensive gaze, the pair of them seeming to gaze deep into each other's eyes, before the other twin turned away back to Kasumi, "incomplete. We aren't whole."
"We hope that the Well will make us whole." The other twin admitted, glancing at the still pool.
"Then I wish you the best." It was why she decided to let the twins go first. From the sound of it, they needed this a lot more than what she was after. "As for me, I'm here to make an old childhood dream of mine actually come true."
Both twins gave a soft smile to the human at that. "Do you have the instructions? We left in a hurry."
"Yep, here we are. No way I'd come this far only to forget the instruction manual for the magical cosmic nexus." She keyed up her omnitool to the correct file and hit play.
Above her palm Joru's head flickered into existence Through the hologram, Joru's eyes seemed filled with inner fire, the horned woman murmuring in quiet cadences.
"You must shed all your worldly possessions and enter the Well as you were when born. There, you will be reborn, as the Well washes away She-Who-Was, to replace She-Who-Is, with She-Who-Will-Be. You must navigate the infinite possibilities of your alternate selves. You must concentrate on that which you wish to be, to the exclusion of all other things. The Well will test you, it will challenge you. Not idly are the strands of history rewoven, and the past written anew. It will take considerable strength of will to overcome the inertia of that which is, to change it into that which could be."
Kasumi turned off her omnitool and took a deep breath. "Well. If you two got all that, then good luck to both of you."
The twins shared a smile, giving Kasumi a glance as they turned to each other. With disturbing swiftness, both of them undressed the other, and the sight of a pair of stripping asari twins giving each other soft, tender, romantic kisses was seared into Kasumi's mind before she thought to turn away again.
"Kasumi?"
She turned back, peeking over her shoulder, as the twins stood on the edge of the Well, holding each other close, with one twin's head turned to look over her shoulder, and the other, facing her sister, smiling over her twin's shoulder at the human woman.
"Thank you, for guiding us here. Whatever else happens, we wanted you to know that."
"Ah, well, happy to help." Kasumi smiled. "Hope you find what you're looking for."
Both twins gave her a soft smile, before turning back to the Well. As one, with arms linked around each other's waists, they slowly and carefully stepped into the pool, which rippled and slid greasily around them. There must have been some sort of staircase, because they descended with easy, if tentative steps, until they leaned forwards and slid deep into the water.
It slowly overflowed the sides of the Well, tinkling to the floor as nothing more than a small puddle around the base of the Well, but somehow the sense that the Twins were being sucked away never truly left Kasumi. Soon, only their heads were above water, and they turned to give Kasumi one last look before breathing deep and vanishing beneath the still, black water.
For several seconds there was nothing. Then, the water began to move.
Not bubble, not roil, but slowly circle the edge of the Well, a small bulge in the water that somehow never overspilled. Then it started bubbling, but not from where the twins had vanished, from the very center of the Well.
Kasumi couldn't help but hug herself anxiously as she watched. She really hoped that this was what was supposed to happen.
The Well suddenly flared with a dark blue light, lighting up the chamber and turning all the crystal-gems in the walls to sparkling blue sapphires as it seethed and roiled, almost boiling with the intensity of what was happening within.
Not heat, but searing coldness pushed Kasumi away, her teeth chattering and uncontrollably shivers wracking her as the dark-blue light grew more intense until it slowly faded to a single spark deep within the Well's black, frothing water.
No, not a single spark. Two sparks, slowly orbiting each other. Two sparks that slowly moved together, and became one.
She didn't dare breath.
For a single splintered second, that blue spark flared and pulsed within the dark waters of the Well, even as it calmed to its former flat black mirror.
Then, the surface exploded upward as both twins shot to their feet, gasping and shuddering, holding each other and all but wrapped around each other. They seemed... paler than Kasumi remembered, but otherwise unchanged, sleek and beautiful, gasping for air, and almost sobbing.
Yes, sobbing, a deep, joyous sound, as they held each other tightly. "whole. Whole, I'm... I'm whole..."
"Oh, whew! You're okay!" The petite Kasumi finally breathed again. "You two are okay, right?"
"Yes!" The twins broke their deep hug, turning and giving Kasumi a joyous smile. One of them started climbing out of the Well, as the other beamed. "I'm whole, at last!"
That was when it hit her. The twins were calling themselves 'I'. Singular, instead of referring to themselves as individuals in sync. Hooooo boy...
"How do you feel? Heck, what's your name?"
The twin who had climbed out first paused, helping her...twin? Other self? Whichever, she helped the other asari out of the pool, and both of them looked pensive. "I... I'm not sure, Kasumi. But I feel... Goooood..."
As if to emphasize that word both twins cuddled against each other, one of them giving a quiet giggle as the other kneaded her ass. "Mmmm, very good indeed..."
Oh boy.
Kasumi never thought she had any interest in other girls that way, but like it was with so many others, asari seemed oddly... intriguing. And the very rare sight of two asari twins fondling each other so affectionately in perfect sync was... distracting.
Still, it wasn't hard for Kasumi to keep her mind on track. "I think I get it. I'm just grasping here, not an expert, but I think you two merged! One soul, two bodies? Is that what has happened to you?"
"Yessss..." The twins broke their soul-deep gaze, one of them smiling across her other self's shoulder at the human. They broke their hug again, one twin fumbling for their clothing as the other sauntered closer to Kasumi. "One soul, one mind. Two hearts that beat as one. Two mouths..."
She leaned in to give Kasumi as soft kiss on the cheek, her breath stirring the human's hood. "...To give pleasure, if that is what you desire, Kasumi."
Ah hell, the twins had turned themselves horny! It was a rare day for Kasumi Goto to feel so flustered. This was an official emergency!
Evasive maneuvers! The contortionist ninja slipped free, blushing heavily.
"You're happy and very pleased, yes, I get it!" She rapidly answered with shaky breaths. "Do what you want, but it's my turn now to take a dip!"
The asari gave a soft smile and giggled, turning to take the bodysuit offered by her other self. "Well, if you want to keep warm tonight, Kasumi, you know where to find me."
Kasumi quickly turned and walked to the Well and started unbuckling her catsuit to— wait. Ah, damnit, Joru said it would be hours until the Well could recharge!
The water inside the well was a good three inches below the lip of the stone basin, and clear as spun crystal. She could see the dark bottom of the Well itself, see the... Stars...
Strange stars, that seemed to shift and move in unpredictable patterns.. Pretty...
It took the soft touch of a hand on her shoulder to jerk herself free of that mind-sucking sight. "Are you alright, Kasumi? You...looked lost in thought."
Both twins were clothed now, which was a relief, though their ink-black eyes staring at her with worry were disconcerting.
"Gyaaahh!" Kasumi flailed as the contact broke her paralysis. "...Thanks. Note to self, do not stare at the magic cosmic stuff for too long."
"A wise decision." The twin smiled, and gestured to where her other self was already snuggled into the double-wide sleeping bag they had shared.
The twin already in the bag smiled up at Kasumi. "We have some time, it seems. Do you want to join me? It will be warmer than if you stayed alone.."
"No no, I'm fine." Kasumi blushed as she looked away, getting up and starting to pace. "This was your big moment, have fun celebrating in your private time!"
"Your loss." The twin that had touched her gave a soft smirk as she turned back to the small campsite. Kasumi very carefully did not watch as she slid in beside her sister, or was it her other self now?
The sounds that came from that part of the cave were...distracting, to say the least. Eventually, Kasumi slid into her own sleeping bag, and tried to blot out the soft moans from her...companion.
It was a long night. Followed by a longer day. The twins found almost every excuse to tease the human, up to and including making out where Kasumi was sure to watch them. They didn't care, even seemed pleased with the attention, but eventually settled down. Still, the vigil was a long one, as the Well slowly, achingly slowly, refilled its lost depths.
In the end, it took nearly a full day before the soft, steady drip-drip-drip of the water from above at last refilled the Well. Kasumi was gently shaken awake by one twin, while the other was keeping vigil over the Well. "Kasumi, it's time. The water went opaque only a few seconds ago."
The ninja bolted straight to her feet, her body instantly tingling with excitement as it was finally sinking in. This was it, she was about to achieve a childhood dream and a fantasy that she never realized how much she wanted it until it was suddenly made possible.
She almost fell over in her haste to shed her sleeping bag, and the other twin caught her before she did something rash, like dive into the pool. "Remember Joru's instructions, Kasumi!"
Kasumi didn't even pause as soon as the words registered in her brain, discarding her outfit and equipment in record time. The twins helped, unbuckling her belt and helping her peel out of her catsuit. One of them...her...caressed a scar across the human's hip, which made Kasumi flinch.
In a few more minutes, she'd never have had that scar.
She was shivering, and not just from the cold, as she stepped up on the edge of the Well, its waters once more the inky-black they were when they arrived. She looked around, her long, black hair hanging almost to her waist as she gave a delighted smile at the twins. "Well, here we go. Allons-y!"
And with that, she slid into the Well. The water was cold, brutally so. No wonder the twins had clung to each other. Each step felt like icy fire racing up her legs, and as she slid waist-deep she felt her teeth chattering. And she was supposed to submerge herself in this?!
...Still. It was for her dream. She could bear a little chill.
Focusing on her goal, that long-ago image that a six-year-old dreamed up, watching her favorite animated show, Kasumi gave a soft smile, and slipped beneath the black water of the Well of Eternity.
"Thank you for coming with me on such short notice, Tali." The dragon's deep voice rumbled in her chest as she carefully shifted around in the cavernous, but still cramped space in the cargo-hold of the ship.
"Um, sure, yes yes yes, you're very welcome! I'm, er, delighted to oblige!" Tali fidgeted, and paced on the upper catwalk of the hastily-converted cargo ship. "Can I please be told why I'm here? Please?"
It was one of the few ships in the galaxy with a space actually large enough for the colossal-sized dragon to actually fit into, albeit with some difficulty. It had been a gift from one of the shipyards at the Citadel, one which had been badly wrecked by flying debris, but which had been restored to almost-pristine condition by the darastrix herself. As payment and gratitude, they'd given her a stripped-down old hulk that would have been destined for scrap, but which had a cargo bay big enough to fit the dragoness, if barely, and refurbished the shit out of it.
Tali had to admit, she was kinda envious. The shipyard wouldn't've bothered giving a ship to a quarian under any circumstances, but all the dragon had to do was ask kindly, and they were falling over themselves to get a ship prepped for her.
"Do not worry overmuch, my young friend." The deep voice resonated oddly in the cavernous space, her head resting on an area of catwalk near the high windows. Those were a feature that she'd requested, and gotten, a means to look out of the ship while crammed inside it. To help her claustrophobia, she'd said, but Tali hadn't noticed any anxiety on the dragon's part. She seemed just as cool and calm as ever.
"I asked you to accompany me, because we haven't spent as much time together as I would have liked. Over the past few days, I've gotten to know you better, and my initial judgment of you has been quite well-vindicated."
"...oh." Tali was completely motionless, but it was clear that some of her stress and tension was starting to evaporate. "Does this mean you're not going to eat m—uh, take away the items you lent me?"
The cargo bay suddenly boomed with the dragon's laughter. "No, Tali, no! I have found you worthy of my gifts!"
Tali jumped at the explosion of laughter that reverberated through her being, even as the great crimson eye turned to focus its burning bright pupil on her, the dragon's teeth bared in a dangerous, but friendly grin. "The plight of your people moves me, and you yourself have proven both worthy and honorable in my eyes. As such, that which I had intended to reserve for myself, shall be yours."
The ship's wake suddenly blasted away, normal space returning instead of the dazzling blue lightshow of FTL. The dragon's head lifted slightly and she murmured in a much softer tone. "Come, Tali. What do you see?"
The quarian glanced at the viewport and then tentatively walked over, still unsure of what the Darastrix was up to.
A small ship was slowly drifting free of a vast metallic spiderweb that seemed to hover in place. It was huge, easily big enough for an entire dreadnought to fit inside with room to spare, but so gossamer thin that it was barely visible, save for the glittering lights here and there at junctions and running along the thin stalks of its support struts.
Half of them seemed to be missing, and even as the smaller ship, somewhere around light-cruiser sized, cleared the vast array of metallic splinters, the entire thing began...folding in on itself. Collapsing. Struts telescoped together, folding on hidden hinges as they slid and folded and fitted together into a bundle no larger than the ship that had just exited the vast and delicate space.
"Keelahhh..." Tali marveled at the exquisite engineering as the seemingly gossamer-thin strands of the vast shipyard folded in on each other. "That's got to be a piece of darastrixi engineering! I've never seen anything like it! You have to have held micrometer-level tolerances over decameter-scale distances! Do you know how insane that is?!"
The dragon was chuckling quietly, a soft chuffing sound from beside her. "It is yours."
Tali froze. Wait, did she mean... "Th-The ship?" She turned towards the light cruiser now parked at station keeping a good two kilometers away.
"No, Tali. The shipyard." The dragoness murmured quietly as the yard finished packing itself into a boxy block a few dozen meters long, and not quite half as wide. "If given sufficient materials and schematics, the yard can do the rest. It includes dozens of fabrication engines to turn raw materials into finished parts. Dozens more manipulator tethers can maneuver the pieces into place, where construction beams can interlock them together. It seems we just missed the test run of its fabrication ability."
As Tali stood in stunned awe, the dragoness murmured. "Well, captain? How did it perform?"
"Like an engineer's wet-dream, Ms Darastrix." The confident voice came from a wall-mounted speaker near the window. "I swear, it was all dancing lights and flashes and then bam, complete, finished ship. All we had to do was fuel her up and pilot her out. Thank you again, Darastrix, and we won't forget your generosity"
"It was my pleasure, Captain. After all, I'm the one who lost your previous ship, I was honor-bound to make amends. Fair skies to you, and may the wind whistle beneath your wings."
"Now I understand that saying of yours better, Darastrix. Thank you again. Captain Anton out."
The box fell silent as the dragon's gaze returned to Tali, who was still standing rigid. "Well, my friend? What do you think of my gift? It would make a perfect pilgrimage present."
"...Wait." For a genius prodigy, some things took a good while for the quarian to process what was happening. "You're... giving me a shipyard. A whole shipyard. A bleeding-edge, extremely advanced shipyard?!"
The dragon's lips had peeled back as Tali spoke, and she gave a quiet chuckle. "Indeed I am, Tali. I can think of nothing that your people need more, that they would accept. And by making it your pilgrimage gift, I bestow honor upon one who clearly deserves it."
"KEELAH! No! No no no, please no, Joru! This is too much! I can't accept this!" Tali's fingers were wringing each other nerveless (or at least those of her organic hand were starting to go numb) as she backed away from the viewport and bumped her butt into the railing.
"I'm not asking you, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya to accept this gift, my dear, sweet friend." The dragoness sounded highly amused now, her eye gazing at her with a a half-closed slant. "I am asking you, the quarian people, to accept this gift. You are merely the bearer of an important message, Tali. As you once were with Saren's recording. Think of your pilgrimage gift as...a diplomatic offering. Good will between our peoples, hopefully for the betterment of both."
"B-But... how much does that thing even cost?! The resources, th-the software!"
"I admit, the software was tricky. However, you forget, Tali. I happen to have the aid of a very capable AI. As to the resources, it was a trival matter, more tedious than arduous. Most of the problem was getting the pieces out of my apartment, and that was fairly trivial once I set up a planar teleport circle."
Tali was stunned quiet, then fidgeted restlessly.
"Joru..." she said trailed off in resignation, the tone of sad news. "I... don't know if we even can. My people are great engineers and mechanics, but we're not miracle workers. We've passed up great ships before that would be too expensive to maintain in the long run. And an entire shipyard of this scale, the sheet technological level, if anything were to break or wear out..."
The dragoness was giving another of those toothy grins, waiting patiently for the quarian to run out of steam. "Tali. The shipyard contains its own plans. Every spar and spur has its own subprocessor unit, indistinguishable from the whole. It engages in continuous self-repair on an ongoing basis. You remarked how flawlessly it moved? That was because it was continuously adjusting itself to make certain there were no flaws. Even were it shattered into a billion pieces, each and every one of them could rebuild the entire shipyard, given enough time and debris."
...Keelah." Tali stared at Joru. "Alright, I guess I shouldn't be surprised at just what kinds of insane resources you have at your disposal. But, that kind of autonomous self-determining and self-preservation repair protocols to such a small and precise degree over such a scale? Joru, software like that has the capabilities of an A.I."
"And who do you think I had help me build it?" The dragon gave a faint smirk, shifting slightly to more directly stare at the quarian. "EDI is many things, but a traitor to the right of self-determination is not one of them. She and I both made sure to include the equivalent of a ping-check each time the self-repair protocol is engaged. If it determines that there's another copy of itself in existence, anywhere in the galaxy, then it will power down and go inert. Only the master copy can exist. There will be no Von Newmann swarm, rest assured."
Tali fidgeted a little, before she stopped and stared at the ring she was given. "That blueprint was merely designed by an AI, not actively run by one?"
"Of course." The dragoness gave a calming look at the fidgeting girl. "I know your people's history with AI, and while I think it deplorable, I will not belittle the trauma you suffered, as a species. No, an AI was involved only in creating the operating system and runtime codes. The system itself is no better than a very smart VI with what might almost be considered excessive amounts of copy protection."
"Okay, I think I can get that through. My people will want to scrub and scrutinize all the coding just in case, but if it's safe as you say, then I don't think this will be much of a problem. Although Xen might grumble about not being able to copy the code for her studies." Both of them stared back out the viewport for another moment before Tali shook herself. "I think it's still sinking in. I can't believe you're giving me a whole shipyard!"
"It is a small token of my appreciation." The dragon gave the boxy form of the collapsed shipyard another glance, as the cargo ship began moving in to dock. "A fleet of such shipyards to dwarf the Migrant Fleet itself would not be beyond my resources, Tali. A single such ship, is an investment. An investment in the quarian people. An investment in their future. One day, I hope to stand upon the soil of Rannoch, to feel the sand between my toes, and to see the quarian people set about reclaiming that which they once had."
"You... you want to help us with the Homeworld?" Tali with quiet but undisguised awe.
"I wish the quarian people strength in the coming war. The best way to do that is ensure their survival first, and their growth. Your people are already strong, but without a homeworld, you risk the survival of your species in any large-scale conflict. To have a homeworld would ensure that even if the Fleet fails, the Quarian people will live on." The dragon's voice drew to a soft, low rumble. "My own people have spread across worlds and galaxies since time immemorial. But we always keep in our deepest core the memory of our lost homeworld. Yours is not destroyed, as we did in our foolish youth. For the sake of the quarian survival, for the memory of my lost home, I would help you reclaim yours."
Tali hugged herself, looking more small and quiet than ever as she gazed out at the compact shipyard they were fast approaching. "I-I don't know w-what to say... Joru, if you do this, my people will owe you a debt that we can never repay."
"They will repay it, by surviving. By growing, by becoming more than the Migrant Fleet." The dragon's tone was gentle as the ship came in to dock. "I wish you well, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya. May the wind beneath your wings never fail or falter."
At that point, Tali descended into nonsensical mewling. The trembling quarian woman was overwhelmed with emotion and almost flopped against the side of the dragon's head.
Joru gave a low quiet sound, a deep, thrumming rumble, reminiscent of a starship's power plant on idle. "You are a good friend of the Darastrix, Tali'Zorah. I shall not forget you."
That was the breaking point for Tali as she burst into tears. The young quarian clung to Joru even harder, even as one of the dragon's massive claws slowly and carefully reached up to pat her on the back. "There there, little one. I shall never be more than a thought away. If you have need of me, or even just want a friendly ear to vent to, mine shall always be there for you."
"Now, come." She gently held Tali against her cheek, rearing up and slowly lowering the quarian back down to the floor of the cavernous space. "It is time to board your new ship, Ms Zorah."
"P-Please s-stop, you're g-going to kill me," Tali giggled through the sobs. She relaxed and stood up, a bit wobbly from the dragonride down from the upper level "Keelah, I'll need to n-name it."
"Hmmmm..." Joru tapped her lower jaw with a contemplative claw. "For something that might wind up being the start of reclaiming your homeworld, how about something like... 'Hearth and home"? I've always been partial to that phrase."
"I, hmm." Tali blinked and frowned, fidgeting a little. "I...don't think that a ship has that registry... And... And yes, I think it sounds lovely..." She blushed a little and shot the grinning dragon a shy look.
She took a step forwards, into the airlock and turned again. "Thank you again, Joru! Thank you!"
The airlock door shut behind her as she boarded the newly-registered Sheenah'Khannaiyen.
Mmmmmm... this bed was so fluffy and soft. How had Kasumi never noticed it before? She nuzzled the pillow and gave a soft twitch of her ear as the soft fabric rubbed against it.
Wait. Ear.
She grumbled a little internally, not wanting to scramble her way out of the warm, comfy spot, but she had to know. Reaching up one hand confirmed, that yes, hidden in the mass of silkysoft black hair was indeed a pair of feline ears.
It was all true. She didn't have the time to stop and reflect on it during the long trek back to the Refuge, but now that she was safe rested...
It was real! She felt a warm sense of satisfaction unlike anything she ever felt before bubbling up inside her. She was really a cat-girl!
She spent a good minute or so humming quietly to herself rubbing first one ear then the other, her eyes shut and a smile of pure bliss gracing her face.
"Kasumi? You still in here?" A sharp knock sounded on the wooden door. Joru's Refuge was quite rustic, but it had an archaic charm to it she was growing to appreciate. The walls were stone, as was the floor, making her wince a little and yank her feet up off the cold stone.
She sat on the edge of the bed and yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawned, arching her back in a way that would have made her athletics instructor back in basic sit up and take notice. She almost managed to fold herself in half, before the sight of an arched length of fuzzy black rope caught her gaze and her full attention.
A few minutes later, Jack heard a muffled meep and a thud through the door, and opened it to find Kasumi laying on the floor and looking quite disgruntled. She was wearing her usual sleep clothes of a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt, and disentangling herself from the black-furred tail that she'd been pawing for the past minute.
Her ears perked in Jack's direction but she never looked up. "It's real... it's really real! A tail! I have a cat tail!"
She sprang across to the small table and almost kicked the bench in front of it out of her way in her haste to see. Wide, soft, dark eyes, sleek black hair, yes, with the triangular shapes of feline ears peeking out of the soft stuff. And a long, soft rope of fuzz and softness, held in both hands to keep it from wiggling behind her in her excitement!
Jack gave a quiet chuckle at the girl's antics. "Well, I was just coming down to see if you wanted breakfast, but if you're glued to the mirror..."
Kasumi's eyes were and glistening with delighted awe as she stared at her image. Her skin was completely unmarred like a newborn. And her new ears!
With a shaking hand, she reached up to touch the feline ears before her very eyes.
They flicked under her touch and she almost melted in pleasure, giving a soft rumbly purrrrrr as she fondled her new ears, marveling at the velvet softness and how good they feel to touch!
"Yeeeeahhh, if you're gonna masturbate, I'm just gonna leave." Jack gave the newly-minted catgirl a smirk and shut the door, calling out once through it as she moved off. "Kitchen was making ramen with salmon for breakfast, but I guess you're too busy!"
Kasumi didn't give Jack's crass attitude a second thought. She'd have some yummy noms later. At the moment, she was filled with endorphins rushing through her. She could feel the delightfully tingling vibrations from inside her. Oh god, she was purring! She was actually purring!
The catgirl almost melted against the table, flopping on the bench and thrumming loudly in her own ears as she reveled in the joy of being who and what she was always meant to be!
Kasumi's flickering eyelids slowly opened, her eyes shining with rapture and unbridled joy. "I'm a Cat-girl!"
Toiletries, clothes, spare pair of boots. He gave a slight nod and clicked the case shut, straightening and slinging it over his shoulder. The armor case was already packed, and he picked up the gun case from where it stood by the door.
"So you really are leaving, Vakarian?" Teela was in the apartment's living space as he stepped out of his private chambers. She leaned against his counter and sipped a drink, probably water, as she gave him a stare.
He gave a faint sigh. "Yeah. I had some leave coming up and-"
"Don't try to bullshit me, Vakarian. You're quitting C-Sec. I saw your resignation." She set the glass down hard and turned to stare at him. "You're quitting. You're quitting me."
His partner glared at him as if he'd personally insulted her, and it made him cringe a little inside.
"Teela, you know I've never really been a good fit for C-Sec."
"True. You've been a loose cannon from day one, Vakarian." Teela glowered at him, her mandibles clenched tight and eyes narrowed. "But you've been getting better. I still remember having to fill out your paperwork for you because you couldn't be assed to do it."
"Heh, yeah. I remember you screaming at me about it often enough." He stroked his crest a little in sheepish recollection.
Teela gave him a long stare, before letting loose an explosive sigh. "So, where you headed, then?"
Garrus shrugged a little, shifting his case and setting it on the floor near the door, with the armor case. "Out, not sure how far out just yet. Just... away from here."
"Well, once you figure out where you're going, let me know, huh?" Teela sounded a bit sullen but she stepped over to poke him lightly in the chest. "You might not be the best turian in the galaxy, Garrus, but you've had my back more times than I care to count. It's going to be so much more dull with you gone."
"Nah, I'm certain you'll still almost get your crest shot off in yet another barfight gone south soon enough, Teela." He grinned and ducked around her punch, picking up the two cases by the door. "I'll give you a call when I get where I'm going. If only so you'll be able to tell my Dad."
"You haven't told him about this yet?!" Her eyes widened at him and he paused at the door. "Garrus Vakarian, if you don't tell your father right this minute, then I'm going to do so myself. Which do you think he'll be more displeased to hear about you quitting C-Sec from?"
"Tell him... " Garrus was quiet for a moment, as if what he was about to say pained him. "You can tell him that I'm leaving, because I have some things to work out. Because there are few things as bad as realizing your father was right."
Whatever excuse Teela was expecting to hear, it certainly wasn't that. "Well... That's unexpected. You...don't often talk about your father, Garrus, what's the matter?"
Garrus let out a long sigh. "My dad and I always argued about the rulebook. I always looked up to the Spectres. They had the best gear, able to cut through the red tape, and able to do whatever was needed to get the job done. To stop the bad guys. But my dad always said otherwise, that the rules are there to keep us civilized, that everyone us the held accountable. That the galaxy's protectors must be held to greater standards than anyone else."
His partner nodded a little, giving a faint smirk. "I remember, you always disliked your paperwork."
He began to smile. "Then Saren, that barefaced traitor, went off the rails and I was recruited by an accomplished Spectre to hunt him down. I felt like I was living the dream. We got so much more done in one week than I could do with three months at C-Sec. And I was surrounded by a team of like-minded people, all elite and highly capable. We fought like an army. I made a lot of good friends on the Normandy, and I even found people worth looking up to. And I couldn't wait to not only catch Saren but rub it all in dad's face."
His face fell and he slowly took a seat. "But then, Terra Nova happened."
Teela was quiet, moving to sit across from him and watching with a look of encouragement.
"Those damn Batarians... This bunch was worse than any terrorists I've ever heard of, trying to drop an asteroid on a populated planet. When we landed, we were all so angry. We were ready put them all down. But when we breached the facility, something beat us to it. They were all dead. They were..." the sharpshooter hesitated. "Horrible, terrible things were done to them. Those terrorists all deserved to die for attempting global genocide, but this was... Even the most xenophobic soldier on the ship was appalled by what we saw. Spirits, the only one in our group who approved of it was a krogan!"
"It can't be that bad, Garrus..." Teela was frowning worriedly at him now. "I mean, nothing compares to that crazy fuck we found down in Tayseri Ward who'd..."
"This was worse, Teela! Not even Dr. Saleon came close!" Garrus snapped. He slowly relaxed his hands as he breathed in a pattern to reduce emotion. "The terrorists were mutilated while they were still alive. And that was just the start! You didn't see the bodies, or the autopsy reports. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought it was the work of one of the dark wraiths our ancestors used to preach about."
"Those are just a myth, Garrus, you know that..." She trailed off, giving him an odd look. "If you didn't know better? Garrus, what happened there? What scared you so much?"
"I was one of the only three people down there that figured out who was responsible!" Garrus growled. "The Spectre, the Normandy's doctor, and me. I haven't forgotten any of my detective skills, Teela. And as powerful as the culprit was, she didn't bother cleaning up any clues that pointed to her!"
"Who, Garrus? I know what you're like when you get on a case, who was it?" Teela reached out to rest her hand on his, her eyes the calm, cool and controlled blue that had always steadied him.
"I can't. The Spectre forbade the both of us from ever disclosing it to anyone." The young turian sighed. "The one responsible has made herself politically untouchable."
"Is that..." She slowly withdrew her hand, a chill in her voice now. "Is that why you're quitting, Garrus?"
"Partly. And no Teela, I'm not about to do something stupid. It's just that she was someone I knew and respected, someone who embodied a great many of the things I believed in when it came to the rules and stopping the bad guys. The gun I've been bragging to you about? She gave it to me. I know, I know, but a gun is different. And it didn't even belong to her originally. But my point is... those terrorists deserved to die, but this? That was when I finally realized what my dad meant all these years. We must have limits of ourselves, otherwise the only difference between us and the monsters at our door is what flag we wave."
She studied him long and hard after that, before giving a slow nod. "I think I understand. You're off to hunt monsters, then? That Doctor Saleon, maybe?"
"Something like that. Plus, like I said, I need to do some thinking. Work some things out."
"Well.." She slowly stood and offered him her hand. As he took it she gave him a slow nod. "If you need help tracking down a monster in our neck of the woods, don't hesitate to give me a call. You do damn good work when you're on the hunt, Vakarian. I'd be a fool not to recognize that."
"You can count on it, old friend," he shook her hand resolutely. "I already know which den of scum to start with..."
He took down a Geth Colossus with one shot with his new rifle. He would be unstoppable with it on Omega.
He hit the soil of his homeworld like a wrecking ball, plummeting a good two hundred meters to land in a crater of shattered concrete and broken rebar. He kicked his way clear and stood on the ridge of his own personal mark on Tuchanka.
In the distance, the faint sounds of engines and the flicker of firelight called to something deep in his spirit.
He drew his weapon as other, nearer sounds caught his attention. Black armor gleamed bloody red in the dim light of the Tuchankan night, and the elegant scrollwork of the short-barreled weapon picked out the glyphs of Ancient Tuchankan writing, preserved in their oldest temples and forgotten ruins. Most krogan didn't bother learning the old characters, as nobody else bothered to learn their writing.
But as Wrex racked the slide, chambering the first of many rounds that would be fired that night, he felt his blood quicken its beat as his secondary heart kicked in.
He spun, ripping off a quick burst of shots that turned the first varren to so much shredded meat. Another blast tore a second varren to pieces, then he was in full-auto fire, sending fusillades of murderous light searing through the night, tearing holes in skin, flesh, bone, and stone alike.
He'd never felt so alive.
His armored boots squished through the gore left behind, making him grin as he savored the stench of death. The firelight on the horizon still called to him, the signs of his own people, but...
But the asshole who'd brought him hadn't wanted to get too close to the krogan settlement, rightly fearing their AA guns. Not so much for their accuracy, but for the sheer volume of fire they could push out. So, he'd dropped Wrex off a good five kilometers away from the settlement, on a large ruin long since looted of anything valuable.
Wrex didn't twitch, but his eyes rolled to the side at the soft sound of clicking and hissing. Carefully, he ejected the current round, and pulled the long sleeve out of the weapon's magazine.
Joru had made him three of them, each to give him as much ammo as he needed. Each produced only one type of ammunition, however, and if he wanted to change ammo types, he needed to swap the ammo sleeve.
It wasn't as efficient as with pre-made ammo, but even as he watched, the shell he'd ejected vanished in a minute flare of sparkles. Having infinite ammo had its perks.
He slid in the third of the three sleeves he'd been given. The first produced fletchette rounds, dozens of shards of whickering metal meant to shred soft targets and chew slowly through lightly armored ones. The second produced solid slug penetrators, perfect for punching holes in armored targets. The third?
He pivoted as the klixen's claw slashed where he'd just been, raised and fired, holding down the trigger and grinning with fierce glee as the high-explosive rounds punched into the venomous beast and tore it apart from the inside. He barely ducked behind a doorway as the beast gave a hideous shriek, its internal fluid tanks bursting and mixing inside its body, cooking off in a powerful detonation that blew the living flamethrower apart.
He shouldered his weapon, giving a deeply satisfied grin and turned once more to the vista.
That was Camp Urdnot down there in the distance. If he wanted to get there before dawn, he'd better hustle.
And so, Urdnot Wrex began picking his way down the rough slope of rubble and debris, jumping from one solid outcrop to another, reveling in the sense of leashed power that filled his body, a gift from the belt that Joru had borrowed one last time, before giving it to him permanently. At his right hip hung the well-oiled leather holster, holding the weapon that would soon become famous.
Running down the length of the barrel, in ancient Tuchankan script ran three words.
Warlord's Last Retort.
Wrex chuckled to himself as he at last landed on the road that ran beside the ancient ruin. From here, it would be a long, but boring jog.
He drew once more as he heard varren baying in the distance. Well, perhaps not quite boring.
"Heh. Urdnot Wrex is back in town."
There was nothing Saren Arterius wanted more than to die right now. How else could he ever atone for what he had done, for what he almost condemned the galaxy he once swore to protect to?
And yet, even if anyone allowed him anything capable of taking his own life, he did not deserve such an easy way out. Turian society always frowned severely on the concept of suicide as the ultimate act of shame, a coward's way out. It was only permitted in the event of avoiding capture, to prevent Hierarchy secrets from falling into enemy hands.
But that was exactly what he had done. Saren had surrendered to Sovereign and cooperated to sign the death warrant of trillions.
No, he did not deserve an easy way out.
Saren idly recalled something that human female, Goto, had told him before he was handed over to C-Sec. In human ancient times, there was a society of honorable imperial warriors called samurai. In grave times, they had a suicide ritual known as 'seppuku'. Death before dishonor. It was specifically designed to be as agonizing as possible so that it could never be a coward's escape. There would only be sincere commitment to atone for any disgrace in their final moments.
For the first time, Saren found himself admiring one of humanity's concepts.
The guards that had been his ever-watchful companions never spoke to him. They all despised him, he could tell, even through their fully-sealed armored suits. The way they held themselves, the way that one guard had held his gun too tightly, then never returned. He was fairly certain that that one had been pulled off the rotation. Two guards with him in his chamber at all times, two more on the doors, and another somewhere he couldn't see, but he could hear him moving about.
Five good men assigned to keep him alive. Saren was quite aware of the irony.
There was movement outside, but he could barely bring himself to care. He lay on his side, back to the door and to his jailers. If the end came for him, he would not resist.
A quick, short series of orders and the sound of armored feet on the peculiar near-transparent substance of his prison. He still didn't turn.
"Hello, Saren." The voice was deep, and seemed to resonate in a way that the others hadn't. "I hope you got my message. I had to damage the messenger, to ensure he would remember it."
Saren didn't flinch. He felt nothing. He merely turned his head slightly to glance at the dragon behind him, staring at him intently, before turning away again.
"Impressive, Saren." The deep voice sounded amused. "You show remarkably little fear. Perhaps because you long for death, perhaps because that part of you has been excised."
"No." He knew he sounded tired, broken, but he couldn't help it. He was. "It's because there is nothing that compares to Sovereign's voice in your head, dominating everything you are. The voice of an ancient devil. You may have killed his vessel, but you're still nothing next to his voice."
"Thank you for your insight." The massive dragon's voice deepened slightly, taking on a more sonorous tone. "No matter, I am here to discuss your future."
"Future?" Saren scoffed as if the very idea was ludicrous. "I have no future. I do not deserve nor want one. Just go away and leave me be."
"Your future shall be painful." Her tone was firm this time, her voice resonating in the small chamber. "It shall be arduous. It will involve removing as many of your prosthetics as can be safely removed, then applying magic to allow us to remove the rest of them. Yes, even your crest."
The turian still didn't flinch at the image. "A daydream compared to how my implants were... implemented."
"Perhaps. But the aftermath will be worse." The dragon's tone was almost a soothing rumble now. "Your mind is your own, Saren. For the present. But you will not be free from the Reaper influence until the last of your implants are removed and destroyed, and your body cleansed of any lingering taint. Then, and only then, will your true healing commence."
Saren's mandibles twitched. "Are you deaf? Even if you have the means, I already told you that I do not deserve nor do I want to be healed! Why even bother with someone like me? After everything I caused? There is no future for me, no matter where I go."
"The healing I spoke of, was for your mind, Saren." The dragon's tone was soft. "To help you come to grips with what was done to you, and to help you to realize that the horrible things you have been forced to do, were not of your choosing. You were a great man, once. Ruthless, perhaps, but with a mind as strong as steel, hardened to carry out the Council's will. To save the galaxy, no matter the cost. For you, the cost was your sanity. And as a man not in his right frame of mind, your own wants and desires do not matter. Until we are satisfied that your mind has been healed to the fullest extent that can be managed, you will not be allowed to inflict further self-harm."
Saren finally looked directly at the darastrix again. "Get to the point, I know a pitch when I hear one. Are you actually offering me a job?"
"I'm offering you a chance at having your old life back, Saren. Perhaps not as a Spectre, but possibly as my agent."
Saren actually chuckled. "You actually think I can walk out of here? I don't care how many political connections you've made, not even the Shadow Broker has the pull to get me out."
"You're not in your galaxy anymore, Saren." The dragon's low rumble was almost soothing, but with an edge to it. "This isn't even your universe. Here, I am the law. I make the rules, I enforce them. If they try to exert their authority here, they will find themselves most thoroughly mistaken. If you decide not to accept therapy, you will be released. Here. To live your life as you see fit, or to end it, if you desire. But you will never see Palaven again. Never speak to anyone, nor see any of your family once more. You will never have a chance..."
Saren waited. He had little other interest.
"Very well then." The dragon gave a soft chuckle. "You will have your chance to atone To make amends for your actions. To drive the spike of rage and hatred you have directly into the Reapers' heart. They violated you on a soul-deep level, Saren, that always leaves its mark..."
The turian was quiet for a long time. Then he finally sighed.
"I'll... think about it. But I make no promises."
"At the moment, that is all I ask." The dragon gave a slow, approving nod.
"He hated you, do you know that? Sovereign." He shivered, if only slightly, and rolled away from her. "I never imagined such a thing was possible for the Reapers but your very existence... It vexed him to almost no end."
"Good." Her voice rumbled soothingly. "What he is infuriates me as well. Did you know what he was, Saren? What he was made of?"
"No, in spite of all my efforts on Virmire to find out."
"The trapped souls of the dead and the damned."
Saren spun around in a blur of motion to face her, the most motion he made in days.
She glared back at him, her tone taking a low, hissing quality as her eyes narrowed at him. "His very substance was a tomb for a destroyed civilization. Their spirits were harvested, trapped, and tortured unceasingly for who knows how many million years. Any semblance of who they might once have been was long gone, all that was left was the never-ending agony."
Saren stared in shocked silence. Then his head looked off to the side, realization dawning on him. "Harvested... Sovereign used that word many times. Spirits curse me... He tricked me. Surrendering, bowing to our invaders, cooperation... The 'compliance' he sought from me would have been turning ourselves into more of them."
"Precisely." The dragon's tone was almost a curse. "Reapers are built from dead civilizations, Saren. And there are thousands of them. They have harvested the galaxy time and time and time again, and each time built more of themselves from the compliant, enthralled wretches who survived the apocalypse. That is why I abhor them. That is why I revile them. They are nothing more than corpse-fueled revenants, mockeries of the civilizations that once were. Each one a tomb and mausoleum, each one a defilement and desecration of countless spirits of the slain and murdered."
Saren's entire posture slumped. Then, unbelievably, he started to chuckle. A chuckle turned to a laugh, and a laugh turned to a bellowing roar of amusement. Saren laughed more than he had in a decade. "Oh, I am truly am a fool. Even more than my elder brother Desolas was! Did you know that he too found the Reaper's secrets, darastrix? He found a monolith, watched how it implanted many turians just like what was done to me! He called it the ascension of our people, the great pinnacle of turian evolution!"
The dragon gave an amused snort, watching the laughing turian as he almost folded in half on his glassteel bench.
"I was shocked, appalled. He was so different from the proud general, and the brother I always looked up to! I thought him mad, but I now know they warped his mind just as they did mine." Saren hung his head in his hands. "I had to destroy the monolith and him along with it. I swore that I would avenge him, but even after thirty years I learned nothing! Even the damn human prisoners he was holding knew better than me, one of them even tried to warn me! By the Spirits and all of Palaven's ancestors, I should have listened to you Harper. But no, I was far too proud and assured of my people's superio-!"
"Say. That. Name. Again." The dragon's voice was a whipcrack across his mind, and when he looked up, it was into the blazing eyes of an apex predator many times his size. One that was staring at a small piece of prey that it was contemplating as using as an afternoon snack. Saren jerked back from the blazing gaze. He still felt no fear for whatever might happen to him, he still deserved it all, but shock was another thing altogether. The darastrix suddenly seemed as furious as when she discovered the Reapers had wiped out her kin.
"W-What?" Saren actually sputtered. "What name?"
"That name you spoke last. Repeat it." Whereas before she had angled her head, to gaze at him with one eye only, now, she was staring at him directly, and looking into her united gaze was like staring into the gun-sights of a tank.
Saren's eyes widened in greater surprise. "The human? His name was Harper!"
"His. Full. Name." The dragon's voice was like a physical weight against his chest as she slithered more of her long neck into his chamber, almost pinning him against the back wall.
"It was thirty years ago!" Saren protested before he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to dig through his memories. It was a long time ago, but he could never forget the day he had been forced to kill his own brother. Nor the first human he ever spoke to. Then his eyes slowly opened. "Jack. Yes, that was it! His name was Jack Harper!"
The dragon stared at him for a long moment. Then in a stunning display of speed for something of her side, her head snapped to one side and a thunderclap of sound almost blew him across the chamber. A wave of searing heat slammed over him, and by the time he picked himself up from the floor, the guards were urgently asking what had happened outside. Inside...
His cell had a new exit, a long, smooth-sided corridor, still glowing from the heat of the dragon's fury. She turned slowly back to fix him in her gaze, smoke drifting from her nostrils. "So. He still lives, even here. That man seems to haunt my every step."
"Tell me, Saren. Was this the man you called Jack Harper?" The dragon seemed to be slowly regaining her composure, but was still staring at him as if he were an incipient meal.
Before he could reply, an image appeared between him and her. A gleaming spot beneath her right eye seemed to be a projector of some sort, showing the image of a man behind a large wooden desk. A cigar was loosely held between two fingers, as he held a glass in that hand. The quality of the hologram was astonishing, allowing him to almost see the texture of the wood of the desktop, see the amber liquid in the man's glass. Even the curl of smoke from the gun-barrel as it began to drop from his temple, and the bloody spray from the far side of his head.
The man's face was still recognizable, though older and more weathered than Saren remembered. Still, thirty years had passed since he and Jack Harper had last met.
Saren studied the image intently for several long moments before giving a tentative nod. "The Jack Harper I met looked much younger than that, but it was thirty years ago after all. I'm certain of it, it's the same man."
"I see." The hologram of the man committing suicide flickered out, and the dragon began to withdraw. "Thank you for your assistance, Saren, but I have other commitments that require my attention."
Saren's eyes narrowed after her retreating form.
"He wronged you somehow." It wasn't a question. "What do you plan to do?"
"I need not discuss my past with you." She turned to give him the double-barreled stare again, pinning him to the wall with her glare. Then her gaze softened a trifle, and she looked away. "Suffice it to say, he robbed me of proper vengeance In a way, I thank him for it, as without that impetus, I would never have come here."
"I will watch for him. If he comes to me, I will listen. But if he is anything like the man I once knew... I will mete out swift judgment"
The words fall silent one by one;
But still the tale is not yet done.
Though the story seems at an end;
It shall return in time, my friend.
This marks the end of Book One of Ripples in the Stream. I'm not sure how long it'll be before I begin Book Two, but rest asured there -will- be a Book Two. ^^ In the mean time, thwere will be an Interval between Books 1 and 2, detailing the events that happen before the events of Book Two. This Interval will cover a period of four years, starting from the Battle of the Citadel, and ending with... well, you'll have to wait for Book Two for that. ^^ In the mean time, history grinds on, slow, but sure, and indivisual stories play out as the first set of Ripples begins expanding into the wider galaxy...