Notes:

Inanna - pinnacle of Asari blending, perfect unity of two spirits into one (from 'real world' Sumerian Goddess of Love, Fertility, and War)

Ionúin Álainn - beautiful beloved (Gaelic)

Siame - "one who is all", a loved one cherished above all others (Thessian/Source: CDN)

New Friends

Chasca, Matano, Maroon Sea – 16 Sep 2190

"So, with the Thorian thrall fight over and the survey teams settling back in, I suppose you'll be heading to the dig site at the pyramid?" Jat relaxed back in his chair, glancing between his two friends and studying their expressions. Realizing they both looked tired, he added, "Though, you look to me like you should take a bit of a break, first."

"Another six weeks and we will," responded Liara. "We plan on being back at the Estate in time to celebrate Samhain on November first, and we'll stay through the New Year's celebration before heading back out."

"That's all good… but you look exhausted now." Jat scratched his chin in thought. "You know what? I'm staying to help you out… and, seeing as it's Alliance space, I just might call Ash… We can have a good ol' time with a Spectre reunion… make a real party of it."

"Jat, you don't need to do that…" started Liara, but the Krogan was having none of it.

"Didn't you just say something about having friends like me?" Jat grinned. "It's what friends do, so there'll be no more discussion. I'm staying." He gave a small shrug. "Besides. If the SILC are going to duplicate the Huli, they kind of need to look at it, don't you think?"

Shepard chuckled, finally understanding Jat's real reason for being here. "So, you had to deliver the ship, just so they can study it… and pull any schematics and systems info they need to build the next one!" Still laughing, she added, "You are going to be bored to death, just sitting around. You're actually hoping we do find something in that Pyramid… something that needs fighting!"

Catching on, Liara smirked. "Like, I don't know… perhaps a group of Blue Suns trying to ruin our day?"

"Bah!" Jat showed his teeth in a huge grin. "You got me, there. But… that doesn't mean I'm not also looking forward to simply spending time with the two of you. I can do both, can't I?"

"Hate to disappoint, Jat, but we've already scanned the area." Shepard smiled softly as she continued, "Sorry, buddy. No Blue Suns. No raiders, pirates, slavers or beasties, either. Boring as all get out and just a routine archaeological site this time."

"Hmph. Go figure." He suddenly sat up a bit straighter. "But I can still hope, right? I mean… it's you, Shepard! Trouble has always gone out of its way to find you… why should now be any different?"

Liara gave him a look that could scald a volcano. "And don't you dare go looking to find it, Hailot Jatok. Did you not just observe that we both look tired? If you go and find trouble, you're on your own to take care of it!"

"Message received, Liara." Jat's reptilian eyes glittered with the repartee. He really did miss the companionship of Shepard and Liara… but having his own Spectre squad was not something he would give up to have it back. A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he asked, "So… this doctor's family. What are you doing?" He knew them both well enough, and his eyes went to Liara to look for the answer. "Using the Brokerage, I assume?"

"To locate them, yes, which has been done." Liara had expected the question eventually, so had been prepared to school her expression, even if it was Jat inquiring. "We then relayed that information to the proper authority for interracial affairs."

"The Spectres." Jat panned. "But not me."

"No offense, Jat, but the company is headquartered in Sol."

Shepard didn't get to finish as Jat cut her off. Looking at Liara, he continued, "Which is why you were trying to dissuade me from calling Ashley… because she's not available!"

"Actually, no. That's not the reason." Shepard chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Ashley can be too… straight up; too… by-the-book for this one. The problem needed someone that's more of an operative, so I called a fellow N7; Lee Riley."

"Well, I'll be fucked!" Jat's eyes widened just a bit. "Ash will be pissed you didn't go to her first, but I understand completely why you didn't. Riley's a right proper piece of work, no argument there. Hell! She's almost as bad-ass as you are… and she has the Knight Shade… custom made for the job. I can't say I disagree with your choice."

Raising a brow and canting her head slightly to the side, Shepard asked, "And Ashley will never be pissed, because she's never going to know, is she?"

"No, I suppose not. Not from me, anyway!" Jat chuckled. "You just better not ever have them together at a party, getting drunk and swapping stories!"

"If that happens and I need to explain it to her, I will. By then, it will be done and over with, so no need to get all worked up over it." Shepard smirked as she continued, "Besides, I don't think accusing Ashley of being too… Systems Alliance Officer… will be taken badly. She'll likely believe the criticism to be a complement… and take it with pride."

Chasca, Matano, Maroon Sea – 18 Sep 2190

Liara woke, a comfortable and rather familiar weight on her chest. Her eyes not yet open, her lips held a contented smile as she gently ran her fingers through silky, auburn hair. She didn't need to use her eyes to see the color of Samantha's hair, nor the startling intensity of those gorgeous emerald eyes, in her mind. There was nothing intense about that gaze now, however, as Shepard's even breathing confirmed the woman was still sound asleep.

The day prior, they had started their investigation into the next pyramid, only to find they were most definitely not the first ones to gain entrance to the Prothean labyrinth. Several small Prothean artifacts had already been located and carefully packed in a sturdy crate – including a nearly pristine Prothean data disc – but the former researcher… or thief… was nowhere to be found. There was no evidence to point in either direction but, by the care of the cleaning and packaging, Liara assumed the person to be more of a researcher. Even so, there were no permits on file for the location so, whoever it was, they had been operating an illegal dig.

Liara had immediately captured an image of the small camp, along with the crate, and created a quick inventory list; she then forwarded it to Tevos and the Council, confirming the expedition's current location in their search for the Protheans at the same time. They had received a text reply from Rae within moments, followed quickly by a video connection request, which they had happily accepted.

As Tevos' image resolved before them, she smiled warmly. "I have news to relay. Spectre Riley has already located Gamorle's family and is formulating her plan to extract them. As far as we know, they are alive and well, being kept in staff housing at one of ExoGeni's remote research stations. In a day or two, I should know more as to whether or not she and her team were successful; I will pass on their status as soon as I know more."

Liara and Shepard had both thanked her for the update, then chatted briefly about other, normal and mundane things, leaving them both feeling good to have simply had an opportunity to chat with a friend from back home. It had made Liara realize how many sacrifices everyone with her was making in order to accompany her on this expedition. She smiled as she remembered Riana's response to her saying such, aloud.

"As if this is any different than your doctoral years?" she had laughed. "This is, quite honestly, soooo much better. I can actually be with you, instead of shadowing you from a distance, all because the powers-that-be thought I could possibly assist you with your work, rather than simply being your First, as I was assigned. Every one of us loves you, Lady Liara, and would go anywhere you desire, to ensure your safety and the future of House T'Soni. Never doubt that… Ever!"

It was then that Shepard observed, "Who in their right mind would do such an expedition on their own, anyway? Don't most researchers take a team?" She had shaken her head in disgust. "They wanted you to fail, Liara, because they all thought your thesis was a load of Vorcha shit! No one wanted to believe you, because no one wanted to think about the real potential for a cycle of extinction. It was the stuff of nightmares; when any of them bothered to give it any serious thought, it scared the living Hell out of them… and your thesis forced them to do just that."

Shepard had then chuckled and added something about the fact that Liara was smarter than any in the bunch, and they likely didn't appreciate that, either. "No one likes to be knocked off their pedestal, and you did it with style! In spite of them throwing roadblocks in your way, you not only earned your degree, but you also became a major contributor to stopping the nightmare that happened!" Shepard grinned. "You're the true hero of all this… first by saving me… and then by locating the plans for the device that ended up saving the galaxy. That's my girl!"

Now awake, Liara simply remained lying still, with the woman snuggled comfortably against her and using her chest as a pillow. She sensed Shepard's awakening mind, and trailed fingertips gently down Samantha's cheek as she quietly whispered, "Good morning, Siame."

Shepard hummed in contentment, then yawned and rolled away to lay flat on her back as she stretched and struggled to open her eyes. Finally succeeding, she smiled softly while focusing on the Asari at her side. "You wore me out yesterday… and am I in error at assuming we can look forward to more of the same, today?"

"In error? No." Liara rolled to her side, raising herself up on an elbow as she met her bondmate's still sleepy gaze. "But perhaps I can wear you out at a bit slower pace than I did yesterday."

Shepard chuckled quietly before responding. "You are totally in your element here, that's for sure. The tireless researcher, crawling through caverns in a relentless attempt to force them to reveal all their secrets." She raised a hand, placing just her fingertips on Liara's lips to halt the coming apology. "No, don't… don't say it. I love that part of you… and it is extremely satisfying to me to have the opportunity to see that person come forward again, instead of hesitantly lurking in the background. It's who you truly are, Liara! I absolutely adore the curious scholar in you." She drew a deep breath and released it slowly, approval oozing from her mind. "I've missed that part of you, and I'm glad you've managed to find it again, Blue."

Shepard's use of her nickname never failed to completely melt Liara's heart. The surge of devotion it pulled from the deepest part of her soul continuously amazed her; the emotional rush brought glistening moisture to her blue eyes, and she managed to force out a whispered, "Oh, Shepard," as she pressed breathless lips to those of her chosen life partner.

The quiet chime of Shepard's alarm interrupted the moment and the woman chuckled. "Well, myIonúin Álainn, at least it's not Joker, telling me I have a call from the Council."

Liara couldn't help but smile, knowingly. "Goddess, isn't that the truth?" With a quiet sigh of resignation, she added, "Though, the team will be waiting on us, so I do suppose we need to get going, don't we."

It was most definitely a statement, not a question, to which Shepard answered with a smirk. "As you wish, Doctor. The hidden tunnels of Chasca are calling… as soon as I place a quick call to Miri, wishing her a happy birthday."

"Oh, that's right!" Liara turned and dropped her legs over the side of the bed, standing and stretching as she added, "Give her my love and best wishes for a happy day."

The last thing they had located the day before had not actually been part of the Pyramid, but a series of tunnels that departed from a hole in a basement wall. To say 'departed' was actually a misnomer, as the direction of what little remained of the debris indicated the entry had been made from the outside-in. Exactly how it had been accomplished remained a mystery… other than it appeared to have been done by some sort of special cutter, there being no evidence of blasting or other types of high-energy forced entry. Shining a light into the underground passage had shown an intersection with many possible paths, so they had decided it best to wait and get a fresh start in the morning.

So, now, here they were – Shepard, Liara and her Personal Guard, also accompanied by Commando Team 1 from the Liberation – ready to begin the exploration of the tunnels. Lieutenant Vasir was adamant about the group staying together… at least initially… until they had some way to assess the risk within the tunnels. Not knowing who or what had made the penetration into the pyramid, she refused to let the group split up for convenience and increased search speed. "The technology to cut the wall of the pyramid is beyond us, so I honestly fear what we may discover if we actually find the source. I cannot let you go alone into such a situation, or I will have failed in my duty to both the Council and to House T'Soni."

"Well," started Shepard, glancing at Liara. "It's kind of hard to argue with that logic." A quick mental exchange and the captain continued, "So, lead the way, Corrina. I say we start with the left-hand tunnel and see where it takes us. Then, we can gradually work our way left-to-right." Her gaze drifted across the group as she asked, "Objections?"

Hearing none, the lieutenant quickly nodded once. "You heard the captain. Sari… your turn to take point." Commando Sari Batha's eyes lit up in anticipation, and she immediately started cautiously down the left-most passage, quickly placing a navigation marker at the tunnel's entrance.

It took a while, but after roughly twenty long minutes of near-silent passage, the first commando to speak was their Sentinel – Andrea T'Gelles – who nearly scared the rest to death with her words, sounding like a cannon shot in the silence. "No signs, no sound. You think there's even anything in here?"

Shepard chuckled, mostly at herself, not any more immune to the surprise of the unexpected voice than anyone else in the group. "I don't know, Andi… but you sure as hell woke us all up just now."

Liara also let out a nervous laugh after taking a deep breath. "Goddess. That was… unexpected… but a welcome break in the tension."

Just as the croup began to relax, the quiet clatter of small stones captured their attention, accompanied by quiet, ghostly chittering noises, which Liara and Shepard immediately recognized, "Goddess. Is that… Rachni?"

Shepard gave her a knowing look. "Sure sounded like it to me, but let's not make any assumptions." She focused on the squad leader as she added, "Be sure to check your fire. There may be friendlies in this tunnel."

Corrina raised a brow marking and asked, "Do you honestly trust the Rachni, Shepard?"

"Yes, I do. I saved their only living Queen… twice; she delivered construction helpers to the Crucible, as promised, and they now have a seat on the Council. I have no reason to believe anything has changed and, with their communications system, I see no reason why a group out here wouldn't know of the current political climate. I imagine they are more afraid of us than we are of them."

Understanding where Shepard was headed, Liara continued, "They have no way of knowing who we are. We could be pirates or treasure hunters, willing to kill anyone we come across to prevent our discovery here. It will be up to us to keep any potential situation from exploding."

"And if it's not the Rachni? Or, if it is and they are Reaper-tainted and somehow survived?" Corrina's eyes nervously shifted back and forth between the two persons of authority as she waited for an answer.

It was Liara, as the leader of House T'Soni, who provided the answer. "There has been zero evidence that anything Reaper-tainted survived the war. As for not being Rachni… that is a possibility we must consider, and we will simply treat any encounter here just as we would anywhere else… and standard Council first-contact protocols will be in effect." She made a point of meeting the lieutenant's gaze as she continued, "I do not want us being the ones to fire the first shot that starts a new galactic war."

Corrina nodded once in acceptance. "Understood." Turning to her team, she continued, "You heard Lady Liara… so let's move out. Keep your wits about you and assume passive defensive postures should we make contact… unless, of course, the situation dictates differently."

It was much later in the day, and they had backtracked to the second tunnel, after reaching a dead end in the first one they explored, when they finally made contact. A solitary Rachni worker stood in the center of the passage carved in the stone, blocking their progress. Shepard stepped forward, only to feel a halting hand on her elbow. Expecting Liara, based on the emotions she felt through the link, she was surprised to see Sari Batha, Corrina's second… and the one who had been on point all day during their search.

"Let me, Shepard." Sari stated. "I have witnessed the actions of Matron Dalyna Trapso during Council meetings, as she translates for Sharp." Her voice conveyed awe as she continued, "It is an amazing relationship she has… and I am willing to be the voice of this Rachni, if it is willing to accept me."

Shepard glanced at Liara, who nodded in enthusiastic agreement. "Alright. I just don't know if this individual…" she glanced at the Rachni for a moment before continuing, "… which I believe to be a worker… is capable of conversing that way. We have always spoken directly to either the queen or to a drone lead… such as Sharp."

"I guess we won't know until I try." Sari glanced at the worker and made a show of removing her weapons and laying them on the floor of the passage before moving slowly forward. As she closed the distance to within arm's reach, she stopped and held both hands out, palms up. After a brief hesitation, the worker raised one of her front legs, laying it gently in Sari's palm. After a brief moment, it pulled the leg back and turned, starting to walk away before looking back and quickly tapping all four feet, multiple times in succession, creating the well-recognized chittering sound across the floor.

Sari looked back at her compatriots. "I got nothing through the touch, so it appears your suspicions were correct, Shepard."

"However," answered Liara, "it seems as though she wants us to follow her?" She looked to Shepard for confirmation.

"I have to agree." Shepard's eyes travelled to Vasir. "Ready and willing?"

"If they are truly friends, I believe it would be rude of us to not accept the invitation, Captain." She glanced quickly over her squad and shrugged. "We have a nav marker at the entrance… let's see where she wants to take us."

They walked onward through the passage following the small worker, who moved incredibly quickly and who frequently had to stop and wait for them to catch up. Liara remembered how their quick motions had been so unsettling the first time they had experienced it, hardly getting a glance at them before they vanished into the shadows of the twisty caves in which they dwelled.

Shepard glanced at her, a knowing smirk on her face. {What bugged me the most was when we didn't even catch a glimpse… just heard the clattering echo of the stones they displaced as they traveled… having no idea where they actually were or what direction they were in. I never liked the idea that they could be at our back, and we'd never see them coming… until it was too late.}

{Agreed. But those were different days.} Liara paused and Shepard felt a little stab of fear from the Asari as she continued. {At least I hope so.}

{They were, Liara. I trust the queen completely; she has never given us reason to doubt her. Even after the Reapers captured her, they still had to chain her because she would not willingly cooperate with them. Like Saren, like Cerberus… the Reapers also had to try to force her hand, and they failed just like the others.}

{The sour yellow note.} Liara's soft smile returned, along with the brightness in her eyes and the jaunt in her step. {You are correct, of course. Your judgement of character has never failed you… never failed us, Samantha. Thank you.}

{My pleasure, Doctor T'Soni.} She paused for a moment of self-doubt. {I just hope I'm right on this one, and not allowing us to be led straight into a trap.}

{You are correct in trusting the Rachni, Siame… and it is your well-considered doubt that helps you keep your edge and what has kept us safe through it all. If you can love the archaeologist in me, I can love the military strategist in you. Don't ever let that go.}

They made their way around yet another twist in the tunnel, finally emerging into a decent-sized cavern. Before them stood a large drone, who almost seemed to bow before them. Liara glanced at Shepard for a brief moment as their private conversation suddenly changed, then turned to the commando squad. "Sari… it appears now would be the time for us to take you up on your offer."

Not bothering to remove her weapons this time, Sari simply nodded and holstered her pistol before moving slowly toward the drone and repeating the action of offering her hands, palms up, to the Rachni for him to begin the conversation.

He immediately complied; a long tentacle unfolded from its position against the side of his body and softly contacted the palm of Sari's left hand. Sari's voice sounded halting at first, gradually finding the odd rhythm of the Rachni speech. "We are happy to encounter Savior Shepard in our tunnels. I am known as The Bringer of Order and Progress, the one who organizes the chaos that is The Hive, in order to best serve The Queen. But that is too much… you may refer to me as… Regent… or, to create something more of what you call a less formal… nickname… as Reggie."

Liara had raised a brow as the Rachni began. {Savior Shepard?} Her mind held a smirk she did not allow to appear on her face. {It appears your reputation precedes you, Samantha… and, I do believe, you will need to be our spokesperson, not I.}

{Not funny, Liara.}

The smirk converted to an honest smile – one she did allow to show. {Not honestly meant to be… but they apparently know exactly who you are so, whether we agree or not, it is you who needs to speak for us.}

With that, Shepard had no argument, so stepped forward and nodded politely. "Thank you, Regent. I am a friend of your Queen, and we come as such – friends – and meant no intrusion. We are looking for the lost Protheans and are simply following a trail that led us to this place. If you agree, I will call you Reggie… but you must do me the favor of my nickname in return, which is simply 'Shepard.' Amongst our Rachni friends, there is no need for the title of savior to precede my name."

"This Queen is not yet your friend, yet she desires such an alliance." The Rachni shifted, almost appearing nervous as he continued through Sari. "The Queen you refer to is Queen Mother. Ours is the First Born of Queen Mother; the first to age out of The Prime Hive and begin her own conclave. She is still young, just coming to the age of bearing."

{Goddess! That is tremendous news! It is no wonder Regent appears nervous… to reveal such information must be difficult. A lot of trust is placed in us with that knowledge!} A murmuring was growing in volume behind them, so Liara turned a critical eye toward the group, who immediately grew silent under her scrutiny. "That information is not to be spread. Understood?"

With nods of understanding in response to her question, Liara returned her attention to the conversation at hand. Her attention had been diverted, so Shepard was already halfway through a sentence when Liara tuned back in.

"… as far as I'm concerned. It would be my honor to meet your new Queen. How do you recommend we approach this meeting?"

"This one… this Sari… grows weary. Her mind is a bit overwhelmed by the contact, as many are when they first encounter our music. It is… difficult… to process such a differing mode of communication. You, however, have spoken with the Queen Mother and have a unique strength about you. If it is acceptable, The First-Born Queen would like to speak with you, directly, as a display of the trust you desire with our alliance."

"I accept… but there is something you and the Queen must know." Shepard looked back at Liara, who gave a nod of both acceptance and agreement with her plan. Returning her attention to the drone, she added, "Lady Liara's mind and my own are linked as one… a blessing known as Inanna. If the Queen speaks to one, she will speak to both, so Liara should come with me to the meeting."

"This is not a problem." Regent bobbed as if bowing again. "The entire group is welcome, as we understand separation at this point in our negotiation would cause… concern… amongst any left behind. We accept your terms. Please, follow me… but we will not depart until you indicate Sari has recovered sufficient strength to do so. Please prepare to catch her when I release."

A bit alarmed, Vasir rushed forward, dragging commando Cori Jackso along with her, to which Regent replied – with, seemingly, a bit of amusement, "Please, do not worry. I will not let her fall. I would not even think of releasing her until you are in place and holding her steady. I do not wish harm to come upon any of our newest friends and allies… and I most certainly would not want to be the cause of such, even inadvertently."

Blushing slightly in embarrassment, Vasir slowed down to an almost normal pace. "Thank you, Regent. This relationship is very new to me… and I do not know what to expect. I apologize if my reaction caused you any distress."

"It did not. It merely demonstrates to us how much you care about your friends." He released Sari as the two Asari stepped to her side and grasped her upper arms to help stabilize their friend.

Sari immediately drew a deep breath, then whispered, "By the Goddess, that was… amazing!" She staggered as she attempted to pull away from her friends and walk on her own. "Oh… definitely a bad idea. I had no idea that could be so… exhausting! I think I need to sit."

Shepard looked at Corrina, then at Regent. "We can go ahead with you if necessary – Liara and I, along with her Personal Guard – while Corrina's team remains here with Sari until she fully recovers. But, if we do so, I would like the worker… Does she have a name?... to remain behind to reunite them with us, once Sari is able to navigate the passages under her own power."

To facilitate the answer, seeing as Sari was temporarily out of the picture, Shepard stepped forward and offered her hand. Regent immediately bobbed his entire body and reached out to make contact. No one else could understand a single word, because he actually spoke to Shepard, and not through her. "To answer your question, yes, she has a name… but it is long and would likely be meaningless to you. She offers the option for you to give her a pet name… such as Lady Liara is known as 'Blue' to you. She would consider it a great honor."

Again, Liara was astounded. {Goddess, they read everything through their contact, don't they? A true hive society, where everyone knows all and trusts all to keep their secrets. Similar to the SILC Consensus… and she is willing to take whatever name you give her. You inspire such devotion, Sam, and it is amazing how it translates through, even to such different cultures!}

It surprised Liara even more when Regent answered her, through the link, via Shepard. {Shepard saved our entire species, twice, when we believed we were lost to the ages yet again. She has earned our trust, Doctor T'Soni, as have you for standing by her decisions without judgment. I apologize if use of your personal connection is a violation of privacy… but it seemed the most expedient way to reply.}

{No. You are correct… and you never would have been able to do so if Shepard did not allow it. She has excellent mental barriers when she needs to use them. It is obvious she trusts you… as do I.}

With the link enabling three-way communication, the Rachni now spoke to them both. {She did tell us you would be with her, within her mind, so your presence here is no surprise, Doctor. And the First Born has the necessary patience of the Queen she is; we have waited this long to meet the Savior, we can most certainly wait however long is necessary for your worker to recover enough to rejoin the group.}

Liara could not help but to comment. {I must say, your mastery of our speech is incredible. No insult intended, but the last time we conversed with the Rachni, the communication was halting… off tempo, as the Queen Mother struggled in her search for the correct words. How can that have possibly changed in such a relatively short period of time?}

{As you stated, we are a Hive mind. The daily communications between Sharp and the various members of the Council has honed our understanding of your syntax, to include the variations between species. The Queen Mother has taken that information and sung your songs to her new children, improving the conversational abilities of us all. Most of those songs are bright and welcoming.}

{Most?} asked Shepard.

{Yes, most.} answered Regent. {The songs of the Krogan… and the Turians… are mixed, sometimes dark and bitter. They do not yet trust our motives, nor our species in general. The songs of the Rachni Wars were not kept from our people during our rebirth, so we understand their hesitancy. Hopefully, it will change with time, as we continue to act in good faith. It is all we can do in our efforts to overcome our old conflicts and not let them dictate our new futures.}

"Ha," Liara scoffed aloud. "If only all our allies would approach everyone with the same attitude, we would all be so much better off." Looking at Regent she smiled, "I truly do appreciate your approach to all of this."

Glancing over her shoulder, Liara saw Sari standing under her own power, having consumed both an energy bar and an eezo booster drink, and giving the team lead an affirmative nod, indicating her readiness to proceed. Liara looked back to the Rachni representative, adding, "And, it seems, we are ready to be on our way. Shall we go meet your Queen?"

Her comments being relayed via Regent's contact with Shepard, he answered with a quick, "Absolutely. Please, follow me," before withdrawing his tentacle from Shepard's hand. Turning quickly, he began to make his way down a side passage without looking back, knowing full well the entirety of the Asari's expedition team was following in trail.