Return

The Asari did not recognize the value of mankind. At least the stars definitely wanted to wait. The comets wanted to start further investigations. But those who were very open to their potential was the Primarch. He had requested his reports and even invited him. For weeks he had been with him every day and had told him about his observations. Even things he hadn't written down. The humans could fight and with the right equipment they could penetrate areas that were difficult for his people to master. Cold made them mean less trouble than his people. So the Primarch demanded further investigations of the humans. After almost four years, Garrus was back on an expedition ship. This time the Turians provided the means. Nevertheless, Liara and some of the Salarians were there again.

"You put a lot of pressure on your father, Garrus."

"When he was appointed primary he was no longer my father, Liara. I haven't seen him since my childhood".

"Why not?"

"We don't want a monarchy. The primarch could prefer his children. If they always get the best missions, then they could easily be built up to be his successor."

"Nevertheless, the Primarch is chosen from the hierarchy. Always certain families."

"Yes... success allegedly lies in the genes... yet appearances should be preserved."

"So you haven't had any contact with him for years?"

"Yes, we write to each other. He knows everything about my life and that of my sister. He gives us advice, consoles us and rejoices with us. But always only from afar".

"That is nonsense after all."

"How many times have you heard that you only lead a mission because Benezia is your mother? How many times have you asked yourself this question?"

"Too often. Not you?"

"No. Being a Vakarian makes things easier, but I'm here because I'm the best for it."

"Is it worth it, Garrus?"

"I don't know, Liara. I really don't know. We're there."

"And already nervous? At least you'll see your princess again?"

"What?"

"Oh, Garrus... you like her. You really, really like her."

"If it escaped you, people seem really strange to me. They look funny."

"You didn't deny it."

"Let's go."

As before, they set up their camp near Memphis. Liara jumped straight into town as he sneaked back to the training ground. Pure relief spread through the Turian when he recognized the princess. She seemed taller. Apparently she hadn't been an adult yet. He had to talk to Liara about it. If that was true, her cool approach was all the more impressive for a teenager. This time she was sitting on one of the benches. Next to her sat a man. He was huge for this people and extremely muscular. His hair was short and dark, as usual for this people. He had smaller scars on his face, one of which reached down a little from his lower lip.

"And you really think your tactics are working?"

"Yes. We will dismantle these ships and transport them over land. Then we'll reassemble them and use the river. So we get our army supplied and we can cross."

"I see... But why?"

"How, why?"

"Why does father want to go so far north?"

"We need wood and there is the best. We have to secure our borders and access to the sea is not wrong either. You do love the water. I would not have expected the question from you in particular."

"I just want to understand it."

"I wish our brother would be just as curious. We don't want to conquer the area. We want to strengthen the borders further and make it clear to them what they are getting into if they come too close to us."

"A pre-emptive strike."

"Exactly. You are clever. You'd clearly be the better heir."

"Then you should become a pharaoh, Shepard."

"You and your nicknames... I will never be a pharaoh. I have two brothers who are old enough."

"I could marry you."

"By the gods, brother. You would be the most unfortunate man in all Egypt."

"So much would not change. You taught me everything."

"Probably rather the priests and your teachers."

"You showed me how to fight. You showed me what the people need, how important it is to take care of them. So why not?"

"Because, unfortunately, you will not become a pharaoh."

"Also true again. There comes our brother. Are we still training some more?"

"Sure."

Immediately the two seized their spears and began the training fight. She didn't spare her brother a bit and he seemed to like it very much. The two seemed very free to interact with each other. It reminded him of him and his little sister.

"Meritamen, as God's Wife of Amun you should be in the temple and not play in the dirt."

"We're not playing, brother. We train. When I go into battle with father, someone must be able to defend our kingdom."

"You are now the supreme priestess of Amun. You don't belong on a battlefield."

"Mother was. I only inherited the title. And where could our father use Amun's blessing better than on the battlefield?"

"You belong in the temple."

"Do you want to go into battle at his side? No. So let me do what I do best."

"Your future husband won't let anything like this happen."

"There's probably nobody stupid enough to marry me."

"We will see."

Angrily she sparkled at her older brother and he was smart enough to disappear. Her other brother put an arm around her and just held her. Apparently a way to express his support.

"Let's keep training..."

"The last time I was this angry, I hurt you in practice. I..."

"I'll get your horse ready. You ride into the desert and prepare yourself as always. Before you leave, go to the temple of Amun and pray there. Then you can say that you have done your duty and if asked, I will say that you pray."

"Thank you."

"Not for that, Shepard."

"You just don't like my name, do you?"

"It just doesn't suit you."

So the two siblings disappeared. Garrus went in search of Liara. The Egyptians went back to war and he would be there. This time he would even record the battle. It took him several hours to find the Asari. In one of the temples, of course. She sat there, camouflaged in a corner, listening to a priest teaching children. Since he could not release her from it anyway, he sat down with her. For Garrus this lecture lasted hours. Finally it was over and the Asari went out with him.

"There's another war?"

"Yes."

"And of course you want to watch it."

"Yes."

"Good. Then we split up again."

"Liara?"

"Yes?"

"How old are the king's children?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I assumed they were adults. Now I'm not so sure anymore."

"I suppose the princess is now about eighteen. One is an adult here earlier."

"That changes everything..."

"Why?"

"When she won this war, she was just a child..."

"Well, in our understanding..."

"Liara, can't or won't you understand it?"

"Understand what, Garrus?"

"If as children they already have such tactical skills..."

"That's what you mean. Yes, it is even more impressive. But their lifespan is also very short."

"We should get the second shuttle. I don't want to miss anything."

"Good."

The journey of the army and the king's daughter took a long time. When they finally reached the city of Kubna, the Turian was amazed. A large part of the army was already camped here. So the army became even bigger. They took with them several carts pulled by oxen and continued their journey. It was amazing how well this train had to be planned. Unfortunately he could not sneak into the camp every night, but he had noticed that the Egyptians had conquered the areas in the north. This campaign was based on a deception. They wanted the enemy to believe that they would only control their territories. The princess was outside the camp. Alone she inspected the riverbank. Even though he would have liked to follow her further, the sniper turned around and went to the camp. Suddenly, fighting noises struck his ear. As fast as his legs carried him, he ran back. Meritamen was surrounded by several fighters. But they had reckoned with an easier prey. Two of them were already lying dead on the ground. She held her ground well, against this superiority. But finally she was hit in the head and fell into the water. The current immediately pulled her under the surface and away from the action. Even if it was senseless, he hurried after her. His visor still showed her warmth. Suddenly her head broke through the water surface again. She was alive! On the edge of her strength she somehow managed to get near the shore. His eyes widened in horror as a giant crocodile held her close. Without thinking, the Turian pulled his weapon. He heard Meritamen crying in agony. But not because the animal had beaten his catches into her. She glowed blue. Again and again the crocodile pushed against the barrier. The barrier flickered strongly, but it held. The princess owned Biotic? That was impossible. He quickly overcame his rigidity and shot. Dead the animal sank into the water. The woman on the other hand looked around in panic and tried to lift herself up. He quickly put his gun away, put his hood back on and went to her. She was still so light.

"Garrus?"

"Shepard."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you're a Messenger of the Gods."

"Hardly."

Carefully he put her in the sand and examined her head wound. It was still bleeding, but it didn't seem to be very deep. She would definitely survive.

"What are you doing here?"

"There was a strange thunder and my stupid dromedary threw me off. Then I saw you again in the water."

"Your dromedary?"

"Yes..."

"Garrus, what are you?"

"A traveller."

"You're bigger than any man I've ever seen but only got three fingers?"

"I guess the gods thought that if I got that big, they'd save up somewhere else."

"You're joking if you don't want to answer, right?"

"Could be."

Prompted, she looked at him and grabbed his hands. For such a small, dainty and soft-looking creature she had a firm grip. She tried to peek under the fabric, but he wouldn't let her. Sighing, she gave up and fought her way to the feet. With wobbly steps she walked along the shore. She wanted to go back to the camp.

"What was that blue glow, Shepard?"

"What was that strange thunder, Garrus?"

"I see... good. You should rest."

"I need to get back to camp."

"You can hardly walk."

"Too bad your dromedary ran away."

Laughing, he walked next to her. The woman was shaking again and again, but she marched on. They went through the whole night without a break. Thanks to the spirits it wasn't so cold here at night. When the sun rose they reached a small settlement. Normally they would already have been in the camp, but Meritamen seemed to be more severely injured than she admitted. At least she was very slow. Some of the Pharaoh's men rushed towards her. Apparently her father had sent search troops. She briefly turned away from the soldiers once more. She took off one of her golden bracelets and handed it to him.

"Thank you, Garrus. For that you should get a new dromedary."

With the help of a soldier she got on a horse and rode off. The Turian looked for a hiding place and activated his camouflage again. On the fastest way he hurried back to his shuttle and slept first. The troops wouldn't move that fast. But the Egyptians didn't take their time as long as he had thought. Already the next day they crossed the river and were now on enemy territory. Their tactics worked. There was hardly any resistance. The few who were organized in a hurry were simply put down. Then, however, the tide turned. The rulers of the other side had managed to raise an army. Now the two armies faced each other. His shuttle stood rigidly in the air and he sent out some drones. Would it now come to negotiations? Apparently no side wanted to make the first step. Surprised, he looked at the picture in front of him, which a drone offered him. Meritamen stood prepared in her chariot. She was supposed to rest after all. Tensely he held his breath as the chariot shot forward. Completely alone she hurried towards the enemy. She shouted something to her soldiers, which he unfortunately did not understand, but immediately the whole army set itself in motion. Again the battle was enormous. Pharaoh and his daughter were again in the middle of the battle. The drones buzzed over the entire battle and he only hoped to get enough good shots. Despite the primitive weapons, the fighters moved incredibly fast. The enemy of the Egyptians sought his salvation in flight. To Garrus' astonishment, however, they did not follow them, but let them withdraw. It was real, as the princess had said. Her empire demonstrated strength. As before, the Egyptians took care of the wounded and their fallen after the victory. Meritamen was again involved in the other raids and stopped her people if they exaggerated. He did not accompany the army on its way back, after a short stop on the ship he returned to Liara. After all, they had been separated again for months now.

"Ah, Garrus. Do you have the data your people insist on?"

"I did."

"What is going on? Has something happened to your darling?"

"She's not... I think she's a biotic."

"That's impossible."

"I thought so too, but... she was glowing. Blue. It was like your biotic shield, only more volatile."

"Garrus, to develop Biotic most peoples need contact to Ezero. There is no Ezero on Earth."

"Maybe they do. The Protheans were here. What if they left something behind?"

"They were on Mars."

"Nevertheless, they could have erected something here somewhere. And if it was only a small camp. They looked for slaves everywhere, why not also with the humans?"

"You mean they set up a camp here almost 50,000 years ago and her mother discovered it?"

"We find ruins everywhere. Why not also here?"

"It would be possible..."

"What if their belief in the gods is based on the protheans?"

"Garrus, even if we start the origins of culture early, the protheans have been gone for over 40,000 years."

"Unless there were illustrations."

"Okay, okay. You have me... They should probably move back to Thebes. At least their brothers went there. But they will need some more time."

"Maybe we'll find something in the city. If the pharaoh isn't there, there should be fewer guards."

They found no traces of Protheans in the city. Also not in the holy of holies of the temples. Which of course made Liara doubt his observation. The triumphal procession of the Pharaoh was an incredible spectacle. He just didn't like the fact that his daughter always stood in second row. Actually even further back. Because her brother stood in front of her. Only when the ruler brought all his offerings to the temple of Amun, she made progress. She wore a strange crown on her head. Only after hours did she come out again and disappear into another building. The larger of the two brothers followed her. Garrus quickly grabbed Liara's hand and pulled her behind him. The young Asari was not very enthusiastic, but he simply pulled her on. Soon he had found the princess in the building. Her brother helped her take off all the jewellery.

"How are you?"

"We were very successful."

"I didn't ask that."

"I'm fine."

"Meritamen, it's me. Please..."

"It... it happened again."

"Was it bad?"

"Painful... and I'm terribly hungry."

"I'll get you something to eat."

"Thank you... if our brother..."

"He won't know. I am tall and strong. When I get more food than usual, nobody wonders."

"It's nice to have a brother who dances out of line like me."

"What happened when the light came?"

"I was lying in the river and a child Sobeks liked me."

"So it saved you again?"

"So about..."

"Mother understood that it was a gift."

"She also understood that it was dangerous. It was good that she never went to this place with you."

"But the light..."

"Have only me and our brother is sick and weak."

"And an idiot."

"Amenhotep, I see it just like you, but when I talk about him like that, it still works. You could be his direct competitor. Hold back a little when we're not alone."

"Yes, Shepard."

"That's not her name. Stop calling her that."

"The name suits her."

"This name gave her the simple people. You have to call her Meritamen or God's Wife of Amun. What are you doing here?"

"If you had read the letter father sent you yourself, you would know she was hurt. The crown and the jewellery are heavy. I help her."

"You were hurt?"

"Yes. I survived it and could fight on."

"As a priestess you would have..."

"Sobek's kid didn't kill me. So I was where the gods wanted me to be."

"Whatever you say... our father is waiting for us to eat."

"Good. Why don't you tell him we'll be there as soon as I'm done?"

After all, all the king's children had disappeared from the room. Liara made a very serious face.

"You might be right, Garrus. We have to keep watching her. Maybe she'll lead us to this place."

But even though they were constantly chasing the princess, she didn't lead them to such a place. Liara became really impatient. He had never seen the young Asari like this before. However, her people became really nervous when it came to the protheans. Garrus, on the other hand, did not find the whole thing so tragic. So he got the opportunity to watch Meritamen even more. She and her brother spent some time together. Soon the king's children would go back to Memphis. The princess would now probably travel back and forth between the two cities more often. Her older brother wanted her to stay in Thebes. Her other siblings seemed to submit to his wishes. She, on the other hand, often enough referred him to his place. He was not a pharaoh and had nothing to command her. He liked her more and more. She trained every day and occasionally went to the temple. She also took care of the administration of the empire. Here Liara could experience falling, even if she seemed to be very distracted.

"She seems to avoid this place."

"Unfortunately."

"Why don't we just ask her?"

"And you think she'll show us this place so easily, Garrus?"

"Maybe if you demonstrate to her that she's not alone with this ability."

"That would be insane."

"Do you want to find this place or not?"

"Why do you insist on it so much?"

"If the protheans left something here, the people were worth something in their eyes. That would perhaps give the stars the necessary push."

"And you are sure that your feelings for the princess have nothing to do with it?"

"Could you stop doing that. I have no feelings for her."

"You always watch her."

"I also observe other generals."

"But she prefers."

"Why are you so fixated on my non-existent feelings?"

"I'm just a romantic."

"More like a fantasist."

"Oh, Garrus. You Turians are really a strange people. How do we actually talk to the princess? We can't just show up in the palace or in the temple."

"She and her brother wanted to inspect the construction site of the temple today."

"And you think the guards can just go to her and do nothing for her?"

"Maybe she'll come to us?"

"I better not ask now how often you have already talked..."

So they both made their way to the temples. Meritamen and Amenhotep were really there and looked at the construction progress. Whenever the two of them passed by, the people bowed deeply. Much deeper than at their older brother, who also crossed the square. The people simply did not like him. Or it was simply because the two younger brothers and sisters were priests. The Sniper liked the first explanation better. Fascinated, he watched as these small, dainty people lifted huge blocks of stone. Some of the workers slipped. Immediately, the two siblings grabbed their hands. They acted as one. Too bad that he had never seen the brother in battle. The two together were certainly a deadly duo. The stone was now safely in its place and the two went on. Slowly, the Turian moved out of the shadows into the Princess's field of vision. The princess nodded at him for a moment, but kept talking to her brother. Would have been too easy, too. After a few moments, however, the two of them approached him and the Asari.

"I told you he was taller than you, brother. Greetings, Garrus. That must be your travel companion."

"Glad to see you again, Shepard. This is Liara. She would love to talk to you."

"And about what?"

"About a... blue light."

Directly the princess's gaze became rejecting. Of course. She had no explanation for it and apparently she did well to keep it secret.

"I don't think..."

"Sister, they know something. Wouldn't it be good to know what?"

"Well, well... follow me."

The young woman marched forward unerringly, without reassuring herself that they were really following her. Of course they did. Accompanied by the two, they passed all the guards unharmed. They went to the furthest corner of the gardens, where the training area of the two was located. Waiting, she looked at them.

"Show it to her, Liara. Otherwise she will hardly believe us."

Garrus eyes widened in shock. Had the Asari lost her mind? A biotic field lay around the prince and he floated in the air. Of course the princess tore up her Chepesch. As fast as he could, he stepped between the two women.

"WITH THE SPIRITS! ARE YOU COMPLETELY STUPID, LIARA? LET HIM DOWN! Take it easy, Shepard. She didn't want to hurt him. She has never fought in her life. She doesn't even know what that is. She just read about it."

The young man was quickly put back on the ground. Garrus couldn't help but sparkle angrily at the Asari. How stupid could she be? Only now did she seem to notice that her action had to be considered an attack. The glances Meritamen threw at them were clearly hostile. The situation seemed more than clear to her brother. He gently put his hand on his sister's shoulder and waited for her to lower her weapon.

"I'm fine, Shepard. It felt funny. A tingling sensation all over her body. I'd like to do it again."

The dark-haired woman looked at her brother skeptically. She took a deep breath and apparently tried to calm down. Nevertheless she brought herself between the two aliens and her brother. She wanted to protect him at all costs, even if he didn't like it.

"I am sorry. I hadn't thought that Biotic was so unusual for you."

"Biotic? Is that what you call the blue light that my sister owns?"

"Yes."

"And with you, that's... not unusual?"

"No. We all have it."

"That is..."

"Enough, brother."

"But..."

"I said that's enough! They both want something from me, and I want to know what now."

"What makes you think that, sister?"

"They're trying to build a community. Why else would she demonstrate her Biotic to me?"

He had underestimated Meritamen. She saw through her intentions and she was damn suspicious. Of course. She probably feared now that they were threatened by someone much more powerful than her people. As a warrior she had to see a threat everywhere. They had to win her trust now and that wasn't really easy after Liara's action.

"Sister, she..."

"They've been following me for some time. I don't know how, but they do."

"I was with you the whole time. Only not in the temple. I didn't see anything."

"I didn't see them either, but their tracks in the sand."

" Their tracks?"

"Yes. Traces, a curtain that suddenly moves without draught, twisted leaves of plants... they were there all the time. So who are you, or much more, what are you?"

Damn... they had been so cautious. But apparently not careful enough. They had clearly underestimated humans. Until now they had never been noticed with their camouflage. They had blindly trusted the technology, that had been a mistake. A huge mistake. However, part of his mind cheered. That was something he could communicate to the primary. Her powers of observation were amazing. Resigned, he looked at the Asari.

"What now, Liara? She will not believe us unless we tell her the truth."

"That would be a violation of all rules, Garrus. All my research would be gone."

"And what if here is another key to victory? We don't know what the Protheans left here. Isn't it worth the risk?"

"Probably... and what should we do now?"

"I would suggest that you take off the hood."

"Me? Why not you?"

"Great plan. We want to build trust and scare them to death. You look more like them."

The Asari could not reply to this argument. So she took off her hood very slowly. The eyes of the young man widened in shock. Directly he threw himself to the ground. At first Garrus didn't understand his behaviour at all, but then it became clear to him. He probably thought Liara was a goddess. His sister reacted quite differently. She stopped and scrutinized the Asari closely. She seemed to be superior and to classify what she had seen. A lot of time passed before the woman raised her voice again.

"Your people... consist only of women, Liara?"

"WHAT? How do you know that?"

"What you are looking for has shown me... do you have four eyes, Garrus?"

"No, I didn't."

"Hm... Amenhotep, get up at last."

"Are you crazy? She is a goddess."

"She's not."

"Yes..."

"What did you see, Meritamen?"

"Not here... we'll talk more in Memphis. And that should be a very long conversation."

Roughly she pulled her brother on her feet and walked past them both. He activated his camouflage again and made his way back to the shuttle. The princess certainly wanted a quid pro quo for this information. He just didn't know what she was asking for. Weapons? Knowledge? Both? He would demand something.

"I really complicated things, didn't I Garrus?"

"Yes."

"And you're pretty angry..."

"Yes."

"Do you think she'll show us?"

"Not for nothing."

"What do you mean?"

"She will demand something for it."

"And what?"

"I don't know, Liara. Weapons, knowledge, training. It could be anything. We will find out. Let's go to Memphis."

"Even if they leave today, they won't get there until tomorrow."

"That's right. But that was just a friendly expulsion. She doesn't want to see us here anymore."

The next few days, he was very nervous. Every day he went to the harbour and watched the arriving ships. This people preferred the river to travel. Even though he believed that the princess preferred the horse. Sighing, he looked into the blue sky. It was unspeakably hot. Although the people were used to this climate, they also had to fight. He felt sorry for the dock workers. Finally he spotted a conspicuous boat on the horizon. It literally flew over the water. The prince was an excellent sailor. Quickly he jumped up and ran to the young Asari. Together they hurried to the palace where the princess lived. It took half a day before Meritamen was alone. She went into the garden. But this time into a corner he didn't know yet. There was a big water hole here. A pond. That was what people called it then. The water was very clear. Large trees provided pleasant shade. Under a big tree stood a chair. She sat down on it and closed her eyes. She was probably tired. No wonder, given the temperatures. And then there was the journey... maybe they should come again tomorrow. Then some servants appeared. They put two lower chairs in the shade. Followed by a table and drinks positioned on it. Calmly the dark-haired waited. Only when the servants were out of earshot did she raise her eyes again. Slowly she let him roam and then slightly tilted her head.

"Won't you finally come out, or show yourselves?"

They both became visible. Shepard didn't even flinch, but remained calmly seated. It was amazing. At least she knew how powerful Liara was. She wouldn't have a chance. And she was certainly aware of that. Nevertheless she remained at least externally completely calm and relaxed. Meritamen pointed to the two chairs. They sat down. Both parties seemed to be waiting for the other to take the first step. He would wait. He wanted to know how long she could stand it. Patience was important. The Asari of all people ruined his plans. And yet her people waited so gladly.

"Well, we are here."

Shepard's corner of his mouth twitched. The point went to her and she knew it very well. She grabbed a cup and drank a sip.

"You want me to take you to this place. You want to know what's there."

"Yes..."

"What do you want for it?"

"Garrus!"

"That's what it boils down to, Liara."

"He is right. I see it like this: You are in a war. Or you are preparing for a war. Your opponent is overpowering. I don't know what you can do or what you are capable of. But what I do know is that you are afraid. Great fear. Those who were here before you have lost the war. Since you are so fond of this place, I assume that these beings with four eyes were superior to you. They have lost anyway. Is that true so far?"

"We are not the only ones in this war. So will you soon too!"

"The last time they left us alone."

"You were still too primitive!

"Liara!"

Again Meritamen made this face. She had revealed information. Important information. Something was in that place that had told her all that. It was impossible that she knew so much and yet she did. Only the outbreak of the Asari had told her much more. So much more...

"Compared to you, I think we're still very primitive. Depending on when your enemy shows up... Maybe he'll leave us alone again?"

"And if not?"

"Can you hardly change anything about it? You are desperate. So desperate that you reveal yourselves to a primitive. So mighty, and yet so helpless."

"I could get this information from you..."

"Stop it, Liara. You're only making this worse."

"Listen to him. As I said, I don't know what you are capable of and yet I'm very sure of what I'm doing. What do you think, why?"

"There are safeguards. They must be so good that you are convinced that we cannot overcome them."

"Right, Garrus. These beings did not want everyone to enter this place. On the one hand it is well hidden and on the other hand, it is closed. Only a few can enter it. Most see only one wall. I don't know why it opens for me or why it did for my mother. I only know you need me and that puts me in a damn good negotiating position."

"Very cold-blooded, Shepard."

"Thank you, Garrus. I would suggest you answer a few questions first. Where are you from?"

"From the stars."

"Liara... It's hard to explain, Shepard. I... it's very hard to explain something you can't even imagine. As if I wanted to explain to a blind person what the color blue is... your kingdom is part of something much bigger. There is so much land that you could travel half your life with your horse to see everything. And then the water wouldn't be included yet."

"So big?"

"Yes and that is only your world. They often look up to the stars. Every star is a sun".

"Suns? You mean there are billions of suns? If those are suns then... your worlds are out there? Near one of these stars?"

"Yes. Imagine the sky like a sea. Our worlds are scattered islands and we can reach these islands with our ships".

"Amazing..."

"Yes. Our peoples have united. We live in peace and share our knowledge."

"To win the war?"

"Yes. Even if it's still years away."

"Why are you here?"

"Like you said, we hardly have a chance."

"You are looking for allies."

"Yes."

"If you can do that, sail between worlds... you're more desperate than I thought."

"We are looking for peoples whom we can help to develop. Those who have potential."

"And one of your peoples thinks we have potential."

"What makes you think that?"

"You are here again. I haven't noticed you for years. Either you were somewhere else in my world or you left it. At least you've come back."

"Garrus' people insisted."

"So your people put the warriors, Garrus?"

"How..."

"You were suddenly there every time I went out on a campaign. You watched our battles. Either you personally, or your whole people has great interest in it."

"The Turians are extremely military."

"So your people wanted you to come back."

"What makes you think that, Meritamen?"

"I am proud of my people, Liara. I am proud of our buildings, our farmers, our craftsmen, our scholars and much more. But if you really can do so much... we are still primitive in comparison. You don't come here because we can do something you can't. Probably you can build all that we do, and it will be faster. So there is only one reason. Since it is not our knowledge, it is our soldiers."

"Your soldiers are not bad. You can fight. Only there aren't very many."

"How many brothers and sisters do you have, Garrus?"

"One sister. Why?

"How many brothers and sisters do you have, Liara?"

"None."

"Did any of you siblings die?"

"No."

"Our medical care is much better than yours. Only a few children die with us."

"I have six brothers and sisters. Six who are still alive. With your knowledge about medicine, care and so on and so forth... Give us two generations and you will receive millions of soldiers. And that only from my people. If the world really is that big, there would be much more."

"You can multiply so fast?"

"Yes, Garrus. With the right environment..."

"This is... incredible."

"Is that what you want from us, Meritamen? Knowledge?"

"I'm not sure, Liara. On the one hand, it would help my people. Very even. I cannot imagine how your means would simplify our lives. On the other hand, I would also condemn my world. We would be drawn into this war. What protects us is our primitive nature."

"Thousands of years will pass... probably you would be far enough developed to be a target anyway."

"Then the question arises whether we are ready for it."

"What do you want then?"

"First of all, I want to know more about your peoples. After all, you have the advantage."