ABOUT THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DESTRUCTION OF THE NORMANDY SR-1
Omega…. In the language of the turians, the humans, the asari, or any of the other species of the Citadel, it has the same name… the end of all things – Omega a station carved from an asteroid in the middle of the Terminus Systems, far from Citadel control…. Ancient, contested ground for the many species that now coexist uneasily inside its pressurized walls. Omega- final destination for so many desperate beings whose hopes have failed. Providing of course that they can get there alive.
A ship was visible floating nearby the Omega.
"We're here a long way to bring one person, though she sure paid well enough. Think there's more where that came from?" The turian pilot of the ship asked his partner who was busy tinkering the gun in his hand.
Without looking away from his gun he replied, "I am sure of it, but I am not so sure about shaking her down. I caught an extranet report on her. She's part of Commander Shepard's team."
"I wouldn't worry about that turian…" A batarian mercenary appeared from the behind the ship holding a shotgun in his hand. "They haven't seen Shepard in a month, since the Normandy got taken out. If two eyes back there…" He indicated towards the back of the ship, "Wants help from a Spectre, she'd better pick one that's still alive."
"I'll thank you not to speak that way about my friends, Captain…" A voice from behind the ship made all three heads turn at that direction. "Dead or alive." An asari was visible standing in front of the three mercenaries, unarmed and without any sign of fear. Her voice was normal but one could detect the hint of barely controlled rage in her tone.
The Batarian captain smiled. "You're awake. So did our little asari cargo enjoy her flight? We tried not to make it too bumpy for you."
"I don't know. Maybe she likes it rough." One of the turians added, smirking eyeing the asari's body from head to toe.
Ignoring their comments, she walked past them and stood her ground. "We are ready to dock on Omega or not? She asked.
"Soon, soon. I wanted to talk to you about certain docking fees." The batarian said with cruelty in his eyes. "This is an expensive ship I run here. You wouldn't believe my overhead. I am reduced to hiring like the brothers here, and I can't afford to give them many perks.
"If you can't pay maybe we can think of something else…." One of the turians who was eyeing the asari previously, suggested with a certain glint in his eyes.
The asari immediately understood what the turian meant. Her eyes narrowed in anger. "You've been paid batarian. Now get back and…."
"Hey, hey… it's all right. We're nice people. Everything is negotiable." The other turian interrupted her, while moving towards her slowly.
"I said…GET BACK." She threw the turian away with her biotics. The other turian and the batarian Captain immediately drew their guns on her. But she was faster… much faster than them. With a powerful biotic punch, she made her enemies unconscious on the floor of the ship.
"Attention Batarian freighter. This is Omega control. Do you wish to dock or not?" The asari's eyes fell on the pilot's comm terminal.
She immediately responded, "This is Liara T'Soni, Omega control. Apologies for the delay. I was… negotiating my fare. Stand by for docking."
"Copy T'Soni. This trip business or personal?"
"Both. I have someone to meet."
LATER, IN THE AFTERLIFE
"No, I haven't seen anyone like that here…. Nor have I been looking. What do you think I am, the bar's information minister?" The Elcor said with annoyance, while not even looking at the asari beside him.
"I didn't mean to offend. I just thought…."
Liara tried to apologise but the Elcor cut her off in mid-way, "You thought because I was an Elcor, I wouldn't be watching the gyrating flesh-things all day. Elcor are good dancers… no one here gives us the chance."
Liara turned her attention away from the Elcor. It was obvious that she wouldn't gain any knowledge from him. She's just wasting her time. This Elcor was not her mysterious contact. Instead, she focused on the news playing – "And rebuilding efforts continue at the Citadel, following the destruction of several historic landmarks. For the total reconstruction the Council expects to spend..."
"…More than they'd ever spend here." The Elcor scoffed. "If it weren't for this place, living on Omega would be downright depressing."
Liara wasn't really listening. Her expression was full of grief and sadness. The purpose for which she came here, will fail. All her hope was lost. But just then…
"You have to love the Elcor. They've got the expressiveness of your typical tree. If they didn't explain the nuance of what they were saying, it'd be like talking to one." A mysterious hooded figure scoffed from beside the Elcor. He wasn't looking at Liara, his gaze was elsewhere.
Suddenly all hope came back to Liara. She understood this mysterious person was her contact. "Wait. You have something to tell me about Commander…."
"No. Not here. Outside." The mysterious person, who happened to be a drell, stopped her and headed towards the exit of the Afterlife. She immediately followed. "It's not really safe, walking around asking questions on Omega…..even if you're from around here. The information you're looking for wasn't easy to find…. Not even for me."
"Where are you taking me? What do you know about…." Before Liara could finish asking him more questions, the drell suddenly grabbed her and pulled her behind a wall while covering her mouth with his hand.
"Sorry Liara…." He apologised, while peeking from the cover. His eyes fell on some figures in the shadows, they were following him. He let go of Liara and looked into her eyes. "We were being followed. I'm Feron and you're right. I do know where Commander Shepard is. But you won't like what I have to tell you."
Liara's eyes misted at the thought of her friend. "Dead?" She asked looking away, and trying to hide her tears.
"Yes. Or very close to it. It's hard to say. The body has been recovered, in some kind of stasis pod. If not dead, then certainly not alive. I know you came a long way…sorry to be the bearer of the bad news." Feron explained.
Liara knew that Feron was telling the truth. John. He….he is gone. He is not coming back. But still she'd need to see him or whatever left of him with her own eyes. For the last time. "I…. I need to see Feron. For myself."
Feron disagreed with her decision. "Liara you are not the only one interested in finding Shepard. I suggest you let the dead sleep."
Suddenly all the sorrow and sadness disappeared from the asaris eyes, instead they begin to fill with rage. Her whole body started with glow with biotics. "I guess my words didn't translate clearly into drell. I said, I need to see John."
Feron gave up. "It's your life. Your money and your choice."
A FEW MINUTES LATER
"This isn't like the Citadel, with transit going everywhere. We're going to go a long way on foot." Feron explained.
"I don't mind, just as long we find…." Before Liara could finish, they were ambushed by Blue Suns mercenaries out of nowhere.
One human grabbed Liara from behind in a headlock, another one grabbed Feron. Liara gritted her teeth in anger and she blasted the mercenary away with her biotics. She saw herself outnumbered badly but still she didn't care. She has to get to him. At all cost. She was ready to destroy the mercenaries with her biotics but voice stopped her.
"Hold it, asari!" She looked behind to see a gun pointing right to the back of her head. A krogan. "Keep those biotics in check. You as much as flinch and you'll have more gouges in your pretty skull than you were born with.!" The krogan warned her.
Not giving her any time, two more mercenaries grabbed her from behind and held her tightly. She could've freed herself easily. But one of the mercenaries was pointing his gun straight at Feron's head. She really didn't care much about him, but the truth was she needed him to find John. If he ended up dead, all the remaining hope will be lost along with him.
"You came all the way to Omega, looking for someone who's dead. The Shadow Broker wants to know why." The krogan began interrogating her.
"My interest is my own business krogan. Not that of some mercenary and certainly not the business of some distant information trader." She didn't back down.
The krogan laughed. "Everything's my business lady. Especially this. Shepard's a hot commodity. Now talk before I decide to…."
But before the krogan could decide anything his head exploded with blood and gore. It was an accurate sniper shot. Several auto rounds begin to rain down on the remaining mercenaries immediately following the sniper shot. Liara saw Feron got caught between the fire, she used her biotics to push him away from harm's way. Both of them begin to run for their life without looking back.
"Which way?" Liara asked.
"Maybe here…." Feron said, pointing towards a tunnel to the far left. "….or maybe not." He finished as they found their way blocked by two armed men. They didn't look like mercenaries though.
A figure appeared from the shadows behind the two-armed men. It was a human woman, with shoulder length jet black hair, pale flawless skin and a pair of piercing blue eyes. She was wearing a skin tight black suit which couldn't hide her physical perfection. By human standards she was extremely beautiful and also dangerous.
"Relax drell. We're working towards the same goal. Finding Commander Shepard." She assured Liara and Feron that she isn't the enemy here.
When Liara saw the woman, it immediately stuck to her that she had seen this woman before somewhere. She wasn't sure where, but she was sure that she did. But why is she trying to find John? What is her interest in finding a dead body?
"But he is dead." Liara said.
Liara's words seem to have an effect on the mysterious woman but she recovered quickly and her expression turned cold as before. For a moment Liara saw vulnerability. She was sure of that. "That's what they say. But Jo…." She stopped and immediately recovered. "Shepard has beaten the odds before."
The others couldn't saw anything through her stuttering. But Liara did. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Who are you?"
"I'm Miranda." The human woman answered.
Immediately Liara's eyes widened with recognition. Miranda…. That name. Now she understood how she knew this Miranda's face. This woman was none other than his Miranda, his Miri. There was no mistake. Now Liara could see why the vulnerability. The man Miranda loved, is dead.
"I represent someone who wants very much to meet you. Work with us and we might be able to bring…. Him back." Miranda explained.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Liara asked. Did she really just said that she could bring John back? Alive? How is that even possible?
Miranda didn't answer though. She turned to leave with her men. "Just follow me. And you can even bring the drell. We're not being choosy today."
LATER, SOMEWHERE ON OMEGA
"We shouldn't have come here, Liara. Us, least of all. Don't you know who these people are?" Feron asked. "They're Cerberus – a pro-human hate group. Never mind that your people sit on the Citadel council. They don't have any more use of the asari than they have for the drell! I wouldn't listen to a word they say."
"I'm not sure I'd call Cerberus a hate group. But I won't be held without reason either. At least they seem to get John back." Liara replied.
"Because Shepard's a human, Liara. First human Spectres, then a seat on the Council. It's all about them with these people. Would they weep if Shepard were a dead hanar? Or a krogan? Like the one they used for target practice back there?" Feron tried to make Liara understand.
"They claim to be able to bring John back. That's a good enough reason for me to listen to what they have to say." Liara said. It was true.
Feron seemed a bit frustrated and angry now. "John… you always bring him up. He is dead and not coming back. It's the fact. Whether you want to believe it or not, it doesn't matter. You have to accept the truth. Your emotional attachment with John Shepard will get you killed."
Liara was on her feet immediately and pushed Feron back against the wall violently with her biotics. "Don't say it …. Feron. You do not know John Shepard and about our emotional attachment."
The door to Liara's right opened and Miranda appeared through the doorway. "Is there a problem?" She asked looking at Liara and Feron.
Liara immediately let go of Feron. "No. Nothing at all. Everything is fine."
"Very well. Our leader will see you now, Liara." Miranda informed.
"No. Thanks. I'll stay." Feron said.
"That's good, because I didn't ask." Miranda said urging Liara to move inside the door. "That way, you'll see."
Liara nodded and walked inside. The door immediately closed behind her. On the opposite side of the door, Miranda slowly turned towards Feron and their eyes met. Her eyes were cold like ice and filled with anger. Feron gulped in fear.
He remembered this woman very well. She was as dangerous as the Illusive Man if not more. After Liara contacted him for information about Shepard, he arrived early in Omega. He was sitting in Afterlife when he suddenly felt something cold touching his back.
"Don't make a sound. Move towards the exit. Slowly. Don't make this any harder. Two more guns are pointing right at you." A voice said in his ear.
Realising he had no chance, he decided to obey. Outside, near a dark corner he was ordered to stop. "Turn around slowly." He obeyed and turned around to find three humans including one woman were pointing their guns right towards him.
"What do you want?" He asked them.
The woman indicated her companions to leave. But Feron knew they are just out of earshot. He had no chance to escape. When the two men left, the woman finally looked towards him with her cold blue eyes. "I want information about Commander Shepard. Why is the Shadow Broker interested about a dead man's body? Where is he?"
"The Broker is just making a deal. He has no interest regarding Shepard's body. It's the Collectors." Feron answered.
She withdrew her gun. "Where is the Commander's body? I need to get to him before the Broker hand him over to the Collectors."
Feron shook his head. "I don't know."
Miranda immediately raised her gun again. Her finger tensed on the trigger. "Don't test my patience, drell. I know you are working for both the Shadow Broker and the Illusive Man. You are a double agent." She then stepped forward and grabbed the front of his jacket. "Now, you'll also work for me."
"Ah…I…" Feron couldn't say anything at first.
"You are wasting my time." She warned with coldness in her voice.
"All right. Listen. I know where Shepard is. But it is not possible for you or just the two of us to do anything. Shadow Broker's top hitman will be there with several of his men. We'll need help." Feron explained.
She let go of him and stepped back. "Then get help."
She was about to leave but stopped. "And listen, this small exchange between us should stay just between us. Not even the Illusive Man…."
Feron raised both his hands in surrender. "I understand perfectly."
She seemed satisfied with his answer. "Good. Now you are a triple agent." Then she was gone.
Liara stepped inside the room slowly. She knew she was risking everything, including her life by blindly trusting Cerberus. But when they claimed to be able to bring John back, she couldn't think about anything else. Nothing else mattered, not even her life. She knew if he was in her position, he would've done the same. Although there was another reason she came here – Miranda. Liara knew that she was Cerberus, but she was his Miri, and what John talked about her, she was a good person. But is she now? Liara had no idea, but all she knew that this woman cares about John. Miranda almost called him by his first name, it means she knew him. Liara got all the proof she needed about Miranda's identity. Miranda wouldn't want John to remain dead. Now, Liara was at least ready to hear out what the leader of Cerberus had to say.
She saw nothing inside the room, except a small circle on the floor. She stepped on it and immediately a cylindrical orange light surrounding her begin to rise towards her face. Once it got past her eyes, she was no longer inside the dark room. She was standing inside a huge room with glass walls. A star was visible through the glass outside. A man was sitting on a chair, facing his back to her. He had a smoking cigar in his left hand.
"Welcome, Dr. T'Soni. You may call me the Illusive Man." The mysterious man greeted her without facing her. "I often need to be hard to find, as well. Someone in my position, you understand has enemies. And thus, I need to be in many places at once. But I hope you and I can be friends, Doctor."
Liara folded her arms under her breasts, when Illusive Man turned around to face her. "Maybe. I thought I'd be friends with anyone looking for the Commander. But I'm not so sure now. Why is Cerberus looking?"
"Shepard is unique. One of the greatest examples of our species. A symbol for all humanity. Dead or alive, we want Shepard back in human hands." Illusive Man leaned back in his chair and took a puff from his cigar.
"I don't understand. If John is dead, what would you want with a corpse?"
"As an asari, I can't expect you to understand our traditions. But our reasons are not important. What is important that the Shadow Broker wants Shepard too, and sent those mercenaries to stop you. In some ways the Shadow Broker is my opposite number in the information gathering business, always working from afar. But now, the Broker has made a deal with the devil, or more precisely the devils – The Collectors."
Liara's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Collectors! But they are a bunch of slavers. Why would they want a dead body?"
"That's what I need you to find out. Few know what the Collectors want at all. They're little more than cosmic vagabonds. Turning up on Omega from time to time, making off with beings of no real use, often with trivial distinctions. Volus middle siblings, dyslexic krogan, Elcor who sing well, Perverse but harmless in the larger sense…" The Illusive Man stopped and got up from his chair. He turned away from Liara and faced the star which was visible through the glass wall, with his arms behind his back. "Or so we thought. But their interest in Shepard is alarming. We would want Shepard's remains in any event, but its vital that the collectors not have them. Whatever their reasons are, they can't be any good. Which is why we need you."
"Why me? You have all these resources and you have Miranda and her people here." Liara questioned.
"It's difficult for me to contend with the Shadow Broker out in the Terminus systems. And while Miranda has her role to play, nothing beats someone with a personal motive driving them. You were very close with Commander Shepard. When I heard you were here, I knew, I wanted you on my team." Illusive Man said with a glint in his blue eyes.
Fool. Liara thought. Miranda has more personal motive than anyone about finding John. The Illusive Man had no idea about John and Miranda's past, and it will stay that way. She turned away from him but didn't speak.
He continued, "The drell, Feron does seem to have a lead on Shepard. I suspect, he also may prove useful, for an alien. Will you work with him? Can we count on you?"
"No… but John can." Liara replied.
"Good…" The Illusive Man seemed satisfied. "That's what I was counting on."
LATER
"If you want to find the Commander, the ones who attacked you earlier are the key. Blue Suns Mercenaries." Miranda said.
"Didn't we see your people kill them all?" Liara asked.
Miranda didn't even acknowledge her question properly. "Oh, the krogan wasn't the brains of the operation, even when his brains were still in his head. From what you told us, their big idiot brigade was just trying to keep you from finding John, which means the drell may actually be right. The body's here …." Her voice shook slightly. "On Omega and the Blue Suns have it. If the body had left Omega, I would know. They haven't made the final hand off to the Shadow Broker's agent. Which means we've still got a chance."
She turned around to leave but stopped and faced Liara again, "Find him. Here, take this." She handed Liara a small communication device. "Keep in touch. I will be there to aid you. The Illusive Man doesn't me to interfere directly but I can't risk it. If the Collectors get the possession of his body, then all will be lost."
Liara noticed although Miranda tried to keep her neutral and cold, her vulnerability and sadness were coming out repeatedly, breaking her exterior shell. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. She quickly turned around to hide her tears from Liara, but she didn't know that Liara already knew.
"Tell me something." Liara softly said.
"Yes?" Miranda asked, her expression was cold again. There were no signs of tears or sadness now on her face.
"I knew Commander John Shepard personally and there were only a handful of people who used to call him 'John', the people closest to him, his family, Garrus, Tali and me." Liara said watching Miranda's face.
"Why are you telling me this?" Miranda asked, annoyed.
"But there was another person who used to call him by that name, whom I didn't mention." Liara ignored Miranda's question. She knew that this is her, there was no doubt, but still she had to know. She wanted to hear Miranda's confession.
"I do not understand. What are you trying to say?" Miranda asked, now clearly angry.
"You called him 'John', Miranda. Why? Did you know him? Were you close to him?" Liara asked straight forward this time. She didn't hesitate. Miranda's eyes widened with her question. She stepped back slightly and leaned back against the wall behind her, unable to answer. She has made a mistake. She does not make mistakes. This is not her – the bitch, the ice queen Miranda Lawson, right now she is just Miranda, his Miri.
"I will answer for you. Correct me if I'm wrong." Liara continued. "You are his Miri."
This time Miranda couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She closed her eyes and nodded. She slid down on the floor while sobbing silently. "I am." That's all she could say.
After Miranda left and promised to be in touch always, Feron approached Liara.
"What did she want?" Feron asked Liara.
"She wants you to help me find Commander Shepard." Liara said watching Feron with suspicious eyes.
"She's a bigger fool than I thought, if she thinks I'd help them and besides you saw what happened last time I tried to lead you anywhere. What do they think I can give you?" Feron didn't agree with Liara.
"Quite a lot, I think. You're an agent of the Shadow Broker and they know it." Liara said, her body started to glow.
"What?" Feron asked bewildered.
Liara slapped Feron, hard using her biotics. He was thrown away three feet on the ground. Holding his jaw while lying on the ground he looked at Liara.
"You could've killed me." He complained.
Liara grabbed Feron by his clothes and pulled him up on his feet. "And those mercs could've killed me Feron! You were the only person who knew I was coming to search for John. But those mercs found me anyway. So, either they knew exactly what you were up to, or you sold me out!" She hissed angrily.
"I didn't sell you out. I've been taking odd assignments for the Shadow Broker for a while now. He pays for eyes and ears everywhere. The Shadow Broker knew Shepard's friends would be searching. I was simply supposed to lead you away. The money's good, I don't get my hands dirty and no one gets hurt."
"No one told the people trying to break my neck?"
"And nobody told me about them either. I don't know why he sent them. Maybe….maybe it was insurance. Maybe the Broker's more nervous about getting to Shepard's body than I thought." Feron said while scratching his head.
"He should be, if he's working with the Collectors. Did you know about that?"
"Rumours. Nothing solid. In this galaxy, Collectors are rare as violent hanar. But they're still nasty customers." He explained. "Listen…" He hesitated. "Maybe you'd be better off doing this on your own."
"Oh no. I paid you to help me find John. And whether it's my money or Miranda's, you're going to do it." She paused as her eyes misted. "I watched from my escape pod as he died, Feron. This is my chance to redeem myself. It can be yours too."
SOON IN THE AFTERLIFE
"This is where we started." Liara said, frustrated.
"Weren't you listening? I was supposed to lead you away."
"He is here?"
"Not unless corpses can dance. No, we're here for Aria."
"This doesn't look like the kind of place for human opera."
"Aria T'Loak is one of your kind, an asari. If anything is going down on this station, she knows about it."
"Queen of Omega, huh? Some palace."
Suddenly someone grabbed Liara's left arm. It was a batarian who was sitting on a table in the dark corner with a Volus. "Oh, I don't know princess, I can find a throne for you. Move it Volus, we're gonna need some room."
The Volus got up from his seat obediently and approached Feron. "Is the girl for sale, Trader? The Market's overflowing with asari consorts since the attack on Citadel. But my associates and I can always find a place for excess inventory…"
'What a bunch of idiots!" Feron thought and smacked his own face.
"I think I understand why this place is called Afterlife. Can we get on this Feron?" Liara asked approaching him.
Feron was watching the batarian and the Volus who were both lying on the floor unconscious. "Uh… right. If the floor show's done." He approached an armed, large Batarian. "Anto. We're here to see Aria."
"She's busy. Too busy to deal with a snitch-for-hire like you." Anto stood guard on the stairs, refusing to let them pass.
But Feron still had a few cards up his sleeve, "I guess I'll have to find another way let her know about the business you and I usually do, but then she wouldn't probably mind knowing someone on her payroll's been selling info on who she sees and when. Would she?" Feron smiled, looking at Anto.
Anto looked angrily at him for a few seconds but eventually moved away. When they reached upstairs, they noticed the Queen of Omega sitting on the sofa with two armed guards around her.
"Your friend is better looking than your usual company, Feron." Aria greeted. "Which means she can't be your friend. I like how she dealt with the gentleman downstairs. But you must really leave poor Anto alone. So many years and he still hasn't learned that nothing is secret from me. Certainly not in my own establishment. He's lucky I am fond of him. It's a good survival trait." Aria smiled, looking at Anto, who gulped in fear. "It isn't often that the Shadow Broker sends his minions to me for help. Something big and juicy I'm betting." She paused and again looked at Anto. "Anto some privacy, please."
"I'll handle this. Just keep quiet." Feron whispered to Liara.
Feron faced Aria who was looking at him expectantly. "Just checking on some merchandise, Aria. The body of Commander Shepard. I know the Blue Suns are set to deliver it to the Shadow Broker. I need to know where."
"You don't?" Aria asked. "I knew the Broker liked secrecy, but for his own man not to know what he's up to." Aria paused, then her eyes fell on Liara. "And you. I know you. You're one of Shepard's crew. Were you able to speak when Shepard was alive? The Shadow Broker is powerful, but Omega is mine. I know everything that happens here. I do know about the transfer, but I need something in return, Feron. Why is the Broker so interested in Shepard?"
"I…I don't know. That's what we're trying to find out." Feron answered.
"Bullshit! Of course, you know and if you want to find Shepard, you'll tell me." Aria smiled.
Liara had enough. She stayed silent all this time letting Feron handle the situation, but it isn't working. They're wasting time here. "Because the Shadow Broker is working with the Collectors! They're the ones that wants John's body."
Aria's eyes widened in fear. "The Collectors?! No one told me anything about the Collectors!" Her expression turned furious immediately following her fear and surprise. "Out of here, both of you. Anto, get them out from here." She ordered.
"Wait!" Liara requested. "I told you what you wanted to know. Where are they taking John?"
Aria let out an angry and frustrated huff. For a moment she didn't answer. "The lower levels of Omega, the old mining processing plant. The Blue Suns were taking your friend there. This meeting is over." She silently indicated both of them to leave immediately.
That's all the information Liara needed and she knew that Miranda also knew. Miranda heard all their conversation with Aria over the comm. She prayed to her goddess that she could reach there in time, get to John. But getting to the old mining plant won't be easy according to Feron, unless…
Unlike the Citadel with its uniform beauty, Omega has been built and rebuilt over generations. It became literally the station that ate the asteroid. Once processed, rich metals inside rose as towers on the exterior. But deep beneath the snarl of structures built by later occupants, the mining levels remain their hangar bays making them more accessible from outside, by ship, than from the labyrinth within. It's also convenient for the sometimes occupants, smugglers and scavengers, looking to export their illicit merchandise. Merchandise including many of the heavy weapons installed on Omega by successive warring factions and much stranger items, coveted by those in the present….
Liara and Feron remained in the shadows looking at the mercenaries below them, carrying a large stasis pod. There were at least eight armed mercenaries.
"Looks like we even got here first. Did I tell you Aria knows her station?" Feron whispered.
Liara had spotted the pod. She was more than anxious to jump down from her spot and run to him. To see him.
"Wait! Damn." Feron cursed under his breath.
"What?" Liara asked.
Another small ship stopped at the hangar. Three more armed personnel exited the ship wearing red armors. One of them was a salarian and carrying a grenade launcher in his hands.
"That's Tazzik. The Broker would send Taz to make the pickup. This day just gets brighter all the time." Feron whispered.
"What's the matter? Who is he?" Liara asked.
"Taz is the Shadow Broker's one and only hitman. For the rare times when he wants something or someone taken care of. The mercs are just hired muscles. Taz, he calls for results. Results he usually gets." Feron explained.
Tazzik ordered the pod to be placed into his ship. Liara couldn't hear what the mercenaries were talking about but when she saw they were moving the pod, she had enough. Her body begin to glow, as she prepared to attack at once. But Feron stopped her.
"Wait. What are you doing? It's too dangerous. There's got to be another way!"
Liara resisted, "I have crossed the galaxy for this Feron. I'm not going to give you time to change your mind!"
"You're afraid I'm going to run?" Feron asked surprised.
"I'm more afraid you'll switch sides again. I haven't let you out of my sight for fear you'll get a better offer!" Liara pushed Feron back forcefully.
"No…I've a better idea though." Feron offered.
Feron indicated towards an old defense turret gun. He explained to Liara that one shot from it could easily destroy Tazzik's ship. Liara agreed to his offer. But things didn't go as planned because missed the shot completely and the explosion alerted everyone around.
Tazzik immediately ordered to get the pod inside the ship. Wasting no more time Liara jumped down and unleashed her biotics on the mercenaries. Tazzik, aimed the grenade launcher right at Liara, whose back was turned to him. A single shot from the grenade could've easily killed Liara, but Feron saved her by tackling her to the ground at the last second.
Liara immediately pushed Feron away from top of her to chase Tazzik. But it was already too late, Tazzik already left with his ship…. And John. Feron started to get up but he found a gun pointing right at his forehead. It was her. Miranda Lawson. She's back.
"Your incompetence let them get away with John, Drell." Her finger tensing on the trigger of the gun.
But Liara stopped her. "Miranda, wait. We don't have time to waste. We must follow them immediately. As much as I want to kill him myself, we still need him."
"I knew this will happen. As a precaution I have already placed a tracer on the ship." Miranda replied looking at Liara. She lowered her gun and let Feron get back on his feet. "I am not taking any chances. It's John."
Liara understood and nodded. She gave Miranda's soldier a small squeeze, to show her support.
A FEW MINUTES LATER…
Liara and Feron were following the Broker's ship to Alingon with the help of tracer signal Miranda provided. As soon as they went through the Mass Relay, they were ambushed by Shadow Broker's sentries. But Feron knew, how to avoid them, he flew the ship through the asteroids full with traps. The sentries followed, Feron avoided the mines, but the sentries didn't. They did manage to land on the surface of the dangerous planet Alingon, but it wasn't an easy ride. They barely survived.
Few worlds in the hourglass Nebula are as hostile to space travellers as Alingon. It's frozen surface hides a rapidly rotating molten core, causing the planet to reside in a huge electromagnetic shroud. Ship instruments get thrown off on approach, allowing pirates to evade detection, once they enter its magnetosphere. Off world communications too, are nearly impossible for those without the most sophisticated technology. As a result, the planet is a favourite destination for those who don't wish to be found. But that's the problem with Alingon. It hides the arrivals both of those who don't want to be found and those who want to find them.
Liara and Feron were looking at the base below them from top of a peak of mountains.
"I can't get a signal at all. I'm not sure your Shadow Broker chose the right real estate for a Command Center." Liara said, while tapping on her omni tool. She then proceeded to climb down slowly with Feron following her.
"You'd be wrong. The Shadow Broker's got a system that can reliably cut through this, but he's the only one who's got it. It forces his hirelings to come to Alingon in person for orders and to make any calls they need to make on his behalf off world. It's another layer of protection, nothing to trace. I'm guessing that's why the Sentry ships attacked, we weren't on the list of arrivals they had when they took off." Feron explained.
"That's ridiculous. He's got so much secrecy his people are stumbling over themselves."
"Maybe, but it sure keeps you from knowing what he's doing. Or me." Feron and Liara were watching the entrance of the base guarded by two turians from behind a large rock. "And maybe it'll help us get in."
Feron approached the two turian guards while holding a gun to Liara's head. "Morning gentlemen. I've got a delivery. Someone the Broker wants to see."
"Hey Feron, good to see you. But you're not on our list for today." One of the turians said.
"Your list? No. And since when does the Broker tell you everything that's on his list?"
"No, but we're supposed to know everyone who's coming. The List…" The turian guard hesitated.
"If your list was his list, you'd be the Broker. Are you the Broker, Delwian?"
"No, of course, not. But…."
"Didn't think so. How about you, Joppa? Are you the Broker?"
"Heh, naw. What business are you running today, Feron?"
"Well, it obviously involves, shapely asari escorts. Maybe I can find another one for you on my next run, huh?"
After that the two turians let Feron inside the base. They didn't question anymore.
"I think the Broker takes this Shadow thing a little too seriously. Where are all the people?" Liara whispered looking around. For such a large base it was awfully empty.
"There aren't many. This place is only used for special business, the Broker needs to conduct. Shepard qualifies." Feron answered.
"I'm getting tired of having my friend treated as merchandise." Liara whispered, angrily.
"I'm not sure Shepard's caring much…." He trailed off and stopped suddenly. "Look!" He said indicating further down the corridor.
It was a Collector, walking down the corridor with a Volus at his side.
Liara wanted to attack immediately, but Feron stopped her, again.
"Let me go! This is our chance!" Liara yelled trying to push Feron away.
"Wait, Liara! I know where they're headed. It'll take them a while to repressurize the landing bay. We need to find out more about why they're doing the deal first." Feron tried to stop her desperately.
Liara let go. "Did you see that thing? How could the Shadow Broker deal with them? How could anyone?"
"I don't know. I always trusted the Shadow Broker before he seemed neutral in all things…but this I don't understand. Maybe it's why I am helping you. I want to know more. And if there's one thing I learned as an information trader, it's that if you need to know something, you go to the source." Feron answered, honestly.
Liara followed him inside a large room with high tech machineries on both side of the room and a central hologram at the middle end of the room. A dark figure was visible in it.
"Reporting in for work, Feron?" The figure in the hologram asked. "People only come to see the Shadow Broker when called, trader. I didn't call."
"Is he for real?" Liara asked.
"This is how he addresses everyone who comes here. I've never been this close before." Feron replied, looking at the hologram figure.
"I am waiting for an answer, Feron. Since when do you think you can come here uninvited?"
"Since you started working for the Collectors, Broker. That simple enough for you?" Liara stepped forward towards the hologram.
"Scruples? Interesting. I see sending the Blue Suns after you both was a wise precaution. You're supposed to be a businessman, Feron. You should understand when I say their offer was too good to pass up."
"I don't understand anyone's selling my friends remains. What could they have offered you that would be worth doing that?" Liara stepped forward, flaring her biotics.
"The compensation is my business, Doctor T'Soni. But it was significant enough. Yes, I know who you are and what you want. I have nothing personal against Shepard, or any of his friends. It was just sound business."
Liara turned to Feron. "You said the Broker's comm system is special. Can you send a signal for me? Otherwise, I will…." She flared up her biotics.
"Liara, I know you don't trust me. But give me a minute with these systems! They handle everything. I can find out everything the Broker ordered here, with the Collectors and Shepard. And yes, I can send the signal for you."
Liara nodded and indicated Feron to proceed. Then she turned towards the hologram image of the Broker. "You don't know what you are dealing with. John died looking for evidence of the Reapers. The ones who attacked the Citadel. Did you ever consider that the Collector's interest might be related to that? What would possibly be worth that risk?"
"You make too much of this Liara. It's a corpse. What could they possibly gain from it?"
"If they're looking for a corpse, I might find an alternative for them or two? You're not here. Where are you?" Liara gritted her teeth in anger. Her whole body begin with glow with biotics.
"Where I need to be. The deal is done, Liara. Tazzik is about to make the exchange. Product for payment, right now. The only people who aren't where they need to be are you two. This room connects me to my permanent staff, there on Alingon. As soon as I give the word, they'll come. If you're working for someone else, they'll get it out of you. It's not my usual way to get information, but it is effective."
"Liara! I've got it! Let it loose!"
Liara smiled. She summoned her immense biotic powers and smashed the rooms machineries to junk. It took no more than five seconds for her.
"That felt good. Did you send the signal?" Liara asked satisfied.
"Signal already received. But who are you….." Feron tried to ask, but Liara ignored him.
"We must leave now." Liara said, urgently.
"Yes, they have just arrived at the north portal. But before we leave, let me tell you, who I am really working for." Feron said, with his eyes closed.
Liara looked at him with sadness in her eyes. She just started to trust this drell slightly, maybe she was wrong… But before they could leave, they were assaulted by Shadow Broker's men. Liara destroyed several with her biotics, still there were more. They were getting overwhelmed when consecutive gun shots were heard, and five of Shadow Broker's mercenaries' heads exploded.
"Sniper!" Feron warned.
"Cerberus?" Liara asked, smashing one turian against the wall with her biotics.
"I don't think so." Feron said.
All were quiet but the mysterious sniper didn't reveal himself. Liara had no time to dwell on that matter. "Come on!"
They boarded a Hammerhead for quick transport. Feron fell down on his seat, exhausted and tired.
"It wasn't always like this for me. I worked for myself until the Shadow Broker came along or rather until his people contacted me. It was just small jobs at first. Information gathering, surveillance. The Broker needed someone with my connections and I needed someone with his Bank account. You've seen my lifestyle such as it is." Feron paused for a moment. "Say, what you want about the Shadow Broker. He pays well. Cerberus learned I was working for the Broker and tried to recruit me a few times to turn against him. That Miranda woman figured I'd be easy to flip. That I was a highest-bidder kind of trader but that's not me at all. If I take a job for a customer, I finish it. Whatever it is. I never once screwed over a client or cared what they were really up to. Never."
"What changed?" Liara asked, softly.
"The Collectors came along. It disgusted me that the Broker wanted to do business with them. I wanted to talk but then I heard they were interested in Shepard's remains. That was beyond perverse. I had to stop it. But I needed help. There was only one option – Cerberus. For a pro-human group to approach me for help, they had to be as concerned about the Collectors as I was. So, I went around Miranda to see the guy at the top – The Illusive Man. We came up with a plan to grab the body. But Miranda somehow found out about my deal with the Illusive Man." Feron paused again.
"And she was angry?" Liara asked again.
"She almost killed me. That woman is dangerous, perhaps more than her boss. She made me work for her. I became a triple agent." Feron confessed.
"What happened next?"
"The Broker had begun to worry about my loyalties. Maybe someone has seen me with Miranda. He started to cut me out. I had to find a way back in. And that way was you. When you told me you were coming to Omega to look for Shepard, you became my ticket inside. I volunteered to distract you for the Broker, while his deal was going on."
"I don't guess it worked, if he sent those mercenaries after me anyway. Didn't he think he could trust you?" Liara asked.
"Well, he really couldn't trust me. Could he? And neither could you or Miranda. I was just going to lead you away and find Shepard myself. But it got complicated when Miranda intervened. And I did let, Tazzik go. I have to thank you for stopping that woman. If it wasn't for you, she would've blown my brains away. She is a total psycho."
"John is way more important to her, than even to me, Feron. I can't blame her for trying to kill you. Anyway, why did you come here?"
"I wanted to get here and confirm the deal was with the Collectors and I wanted one last chance to download whatever I could about his dealings."
"I guess Miranda didn't want to take this risk? She wanted John away from this… mess. I understand now. She knew about your deal with Illusive Man and didn't like it. Illusive Man wanted the information before securing John. But her priority was John. Am I right?" Liara asked, looking at Feron.
"Yes. But I couldn't deny what the Illusive Man wanted. So, I had to take the risk. I needed the information and make sure it is really the Collectors, who are trading Shepard's body with the Collectors. I'm probably done as an info trader after this." Feron pulled out a small drive and placed it in Liara's hand. "I'm sorry, you couldn't trust me. Maybe this will change things. Get that back to Cerberus. Whatever happens."
"Don't worry, Feron." Liara assured him, as her eyes glowed blue.
LANDING BAY
The exchange at the Landing Bay had already started when Liara and Feron arrived. They could see Tazz was there along with the Collector and the Volus. The Collector was ready to take the pod away. Liara was ready to attack. It was now or never. But both Liara and Feron failed to notice a lone sniper was watching the deal from above them. He was sitting silently, completely invisible in a corner, observing everything through the scope of his sniper, waiting for a signal.
Wasting no time Liara attacked, flaring her biotics. She threw one mercenary away with her biotics, who first spotted her. She whipped around and created a singularity, which held three mercenaries floating above the ground helplessly.
Tazz was surprised at this sudden attack. When he spotted Liara he aimed his grenade launcher at Liara. "You will not get away this time, asari bitch!" But before he could fire, he felt immense pain through his whole body. He fell down on his knees and felt his armour breaking.
Three-gun shots were heard and the three mercenaries helplessly floating above the ground, fell down on the ground, all dead. Miranda slowly came into view from behind a few crates, she was hiding the whole time. Her eyes were cold and filled with fury.
Using the distraction, the Collector tried to get away with the statis pod silently, but he was dropped on the ground with a loud sniper shot. Surprised, Liara looked up and saw the lone sniper sitting above. Her eyes widened seeing the sniper. "Garrus?!"
Miranda used her biotics to slam one mercenary to the ground violently breaking his bones and instantly killing him. To everyone's surprise Feron was also helping them in this fight.
"Liara, get John inside the shuttle. Now!" Miranda shouted while dropping another mercenary.
Using the chaos to her advantage, Liara started to push the pod inside the shuttle that was waiting for them. But she didn't spot Tazzik has already recovered.
"Liara! Look out!" Feron warned and shot at Tazzik. The shots couldn't penetrate his barrier it only angered the broker's hitman.
He shot a grenade at Liara, which blasted Feron away. The grenade didn't hit him directly, but the impact has made him unconscious.
"Feron!" Liara looked at him in horror. Immediately she cast a Singularity at Tazzik which made him float helplessly above the ground.
Miranda saw everything. Gritting her teeth in anger she summoned her biotics and hit Liara's singularity with a powerful Warp attack. The collision of two biotic attacks blasted Tazzik away and turned him into pieces of blood and bone.
Liara had already pushed the pod inside the shuttle. She signalled that they're ready to leave. But suddenly she fell down on the ground hard as someone has grabbed her leg. It was the Collector.
Garrus immediately spotted the Collector trying to kill Liara. He turned his focus away from the mercenaries and blasted its head away finally dropping it on the ground, dead. He jumped down from his position and entered the shuttle. Miranda followed him inside.
"Wait! Feron…" Liara started.
"No time." Miranda replied without any emotion. She saw more mercenaries arriving there.
Liara nodded.
FEW MINUTES LATER
Liara was sitting inside the shuttle with Garrus at her side. She turned towards him and saw his gaze was on the pod, sitting at their feet.
"He didn't deserve this." Garrus said, quietly.
Liara nodded. "How did you get here? Why?"
"I was on Citadel. Trying to explain to the C-Sec that it wasn't the geth who destroyed the Normandy. Not even the Council was ready to do any investigation. I was done. Then I met her." Garrus said.
"Who?" Liara asked.
"Alicia. She told me about this exchange. She also said that you are also trying to get his body back and you needed my help. When I reached Omega, I was approached by Cerberus." Garrus explained.
"Wait! Where did Alicia come from? How did she know?" Liara was surprised. "Then?"
"Then I met her." Garrus indicated towards, Miranda who was sitting still on her seat. Her eyes fixed on the pod. She was not even blinking. Garrus continued, "She said that this will not be a Cerberus operation, but a personal one. She kept me feeding information, so I could aid you to save John. She also told me not to contact you and warned me about the Broker always watching. That's why I didn't contact you. I never wanted to do anything related to Cerberus, let alone join them. But I knew I could trust Miranda."
"I do not understand. Where did Alicia come from? Is she also a Cerberus agent?" Liara asked.
This time Miranda spoke, "I can answer that for you." She threw something which landed on Liara's lap.
It was a mask and both Garrus and Liara knew that face very well. "You?" They both asked simultaneously, looking at the mask, then at Miranda.
Miranda nodded. "It was necessary. Both the Illusive Man and me wanted to make sure that John succeeds in his mission and survive. The galaxy needs him."
"Reapers…" Garrus stated. Miranda nodded.
"And you, Miranda? Don't you love him?" Liara asked.
"I…" Before Miranda could answer the shuttle has already arrived at Omega. Garrus and Liara both got out from the shuttle. Liara turned around to face Miranda. Surprising Miranda, Liara took her hands in her own.
"If anyone can bring him back, its you, Miranda. I know you can. Only you can make it happen." Liara said.
"Yes. John used to say, that there was nothing impossible for you. He trusted your abilities, Miranda. And we both trust you. It doesn't matter who you work for, we know that no one cares more for him than you do." Garrus spoke with absolute confidence. There was no trace of doubt in his voice.
Miranda's eyes glazed. She let out a bittersweet smile. "Then, I will try not to disappoint you two and him."
After Miranda bid goodbye to both Garrus and Liara and the shuttle took off with her and headed towards the secret Cerberus station. Her blue eyes fell on the pod, and then she just couldn't control herself anymore. She fell down on her knees and hugged the pod tightly with both her hands while streams of tear fell from her eyes and her whole body shook with heart-breaking sobs. Only one name came out from her lips. "John…"
Miranda had her eyes closed, that's why she failed to notice the dark blue glow that suddenly appeared inside the pod.
Notes: As mentioned at the start this chapter takes place one month after the last chapter. I know how Miranda recovered from her condition isn't mentioned in this chapter. But it will be added in one of the future chapters. I added this chapter from the comics with a few twists and turns, hope you will like it. After reading please leave a review, even it is like 'Writing/Plot is trash' or 'You don't like where this is going' and maybe even if you don't want me to continue. I've seen many people are following the story or adding to their favorites list but no reviews were added. I would again request everyone to leave reviews after you read the chapter(s).
Also someone mentioned before that in this rewrite there are several grammar mistakes or the sentences are not accurate. Yes, there maybe mistakes as I don't have any proof reader, also writing stories is not what I do in real life. English is also not my first language. I am only changing the plot where I thought that I had made some really bad mistakes. I am writing this fanfiction just out of my love to the Mass Effect series, especially Miranda(Because she is my favorite character). I won't tell that the ending of ME3 really sucked, although it was not as the same level as ME2, it was great. But what Bioware did bad was that they didn't give priority to Shepard's LI from ME2 if he/she continued the relationship in ME3, like Jack, Miranda, Thane, Samara, Jacob, etc. I felt that was really negligence in their part to ignore these awesome characters.
