Three Little Lovebirds
Chapter 23 – The Man In Black
Liara couldn't help but smile. It had been several hours since Lucy had left and not once had the big, ear-splitting grin left her face. It was getting to the point where it was making her jaw ache and yet she still found herself unable to stop. How could she? The unprecedented levels of happiness she felt had to be expressed somehow.
Before, Liara had always considered herself an observer; someone who catalogued what she saw rather than experiencing it. She'd seen people fall in love; seen couples kissing, or simply telling each other with their eyes. It had just been a thing people did…you were born, you grew up, you fell in love, you had children and finally you died. Yet, somehow, it had taken one incredible woman to make her realise that those same desires applied to her as well. Liara was no longer the impartial scientist…she was the experiment.
No, not experiment, that's too crude a term. Liara searched her extensive vocabulary, and found herself drawing a blank. She couldn't describe what she felt. Love was the closest applicable term, but even that seemed lacking. Maybe it was true of all couples that they thought their bond was something special, something more than 'ordinary' love.
Liara filed that thought away for later contemplation. Right now, it was taking away too much time from remembering how Lucy had kissed her. It had been a scene straight out of her dreams…the soft lips, the moist warmth of laboured breath, the way Lucy had whispered lovingly in her ear. She sighed deeply; the next one couldn't come soon enough.
Jerking her head up from where it had slouched over her terminal, Liara forced herself to concentrate on what she'd been doing before thoughts of Shepard had pleasantly distracted her. With shore-leave coming up, it seemed like a good time to research some of the more prevalent human customs and social norms. She'd studied such things briefly when she first came aboard, but her lines of enquiry then had been more general; not to mention limited by patchy extranet connectivity. Now that they were approaching the more commonly traversed shipping lanes close to the Citadel that shouldn't be a problem, and with Lucy otherwise…occupied, she had some down-time to spend brushing up on the more important facts.
Liara was well versed in hunting down relevant data on the extranet; afterall it was pretty much her entire job when she wasn't actively on a dig or helping save the galaxy. In no time at all she'd located several guides to human behaviour written by various species; some more complementary than others. Just as if she was researching a new thesis, Liara immediately discarded a few which were either irrelevant to what she wanted to know, or proved false by her own observations on board the Normandy. One account stating that the human female devoured her mate during childbirth was clearly made by someone simply seeking to provoke argument.
After settling on a particular article entitled 'A Further Guide to Homo-Sapiens' as a good place to start, Liara began to skim read, looking for the paragraphs pertaining to social interaction and relationships. She'd been going for less than a minute when something caught her eye. A sub-section labelled 'The Mechanics of Intercourse'. Although the title was somewhat dry, the meaning behind it was obvious. Liara stopped scrolling. A second later, she opened the link in a new tab.
Before the Asari's eyes was a list of pairings. 'Human/Human', 'Human/Turian', 'Human/Batarian'…the list went on for several screens, even containing links such as 'Human/Elcor'. Liara didn't dwell on that thought for too long. Instead, she sought out the entry for 'Human/Asari', finding it about half way down.
Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, Liara glanced at the doorway behind her, as if the whole crew of the Normandy was about to parade in. She really wished she could lock the door; but owing to the fact Chakwas may need access to this room at any time for supplies, it couldn't be done. Perhaps this wasn't the best idea...
Don't be so silly, She admonished herself, turning back to the screen, Everyone's either asleep or busy. No one's going to come in.
Before she lost her nerve, Liara moused over the entry and followed the sub-link for 'Human Female/Asari'. What came up was not what she expected. In the place of a body of text, there was an embedded video player, displaying the title 'Azure Nights: Vol. 3'. Along the top was a message in red 'Warning: NSFW Do not view unless you are beyond the age of consent for your species'.
Liara felt the beginnings of a blush creeping up her neck. She'd expected a clinical description, perhaps with a few diagrams but nothing more explicit than that. She'd certainly never set out to watch an adult movie. Moving the pointer to navigate away from the page, she stopped short of actually clicking the button. A brief, internal conflict between her natural demureness and newfound desire was quickly resolved. A video would be a lot more informative than paragraph upon paragraph of description. She wanted to know what was expected of her after all, so as not to disappoint Lucy when they finally, uh...consummated their relationship (just the thought made her tingle all over).
Liara took a deep breath, and released it slowly. She suddenly felt childish for worrying so much; it was just a video after all. There couldn't be any harm in taking a brief look; just enough to help her understand the concept. With fresh resolve, she adjusted the volume so the sound wouldn't carry beyond her cabin, and pressed play.
A message popped up 'This video is for illustrative purposes only: actual situations may vary. For more personal advice, please visit out forums.' It stuck around for a few seconds, before fading out. Although playback could be stopped at anytime, Liara got the distinct feeling that she was passing a point of no return.
"Just a brief look." She repeated to herself, "30 minutes at the most."
A small light blinked on his desk. Someone unauthorised had penetrated the perimeter.
Angling his chair away from the window, the Shadow Broker pulled up the feeds from security cameras 1 through 7. Silent videos appeared on the screen depicting, for the most part, empty corridors; all empty except one. Enlarging that image revealed the ghostly forms of armoured figures advancing down the hallway; bold logos of a setting sun emblazoned on their chests.
'Eclipse.' He muttered to himself, stubbing out the remains of a cigar and doing a passable imitation of a frown. There was no way such a group of thugs could have located, let alone gained access to, his office. That meant this was either a case of organic incompetence (it would be far from the first time), or more seriously; an informant within his ranks. The prospect of having to waste resources witch-hunting at such a critical juncture was most displeasing.
It was of little consequence however. He had planned to relocate within the next few days anyway; events were simply expediting that transition. The 20 or so hired guns posed no threat to his personal safety, but there were between him and the only untraceable means of exit. Blowing out the window or cutting his way through a wall would be immediately picked up by the Citadel computer systems.
It looked like he was going to have to deal with them himself. A small smile touched his jaw; the idea was not without appeal. It had been too long since he'd truly had a chance to let loose. Besides; there was no telling when he may need the image or memories of an Eclipse mercenary. The party currently slogging through his security systems would provide more than enough genetic material.
"Computer; disengage encryption algorithms 5 through 7, and patch me through to pedestal C."
"Man, he must be shitting himself right now," piped up Kulthodix, mandibles flaring at the thought of the kill ahead "Poor bastard doesn't stand a chance; not a chance."
"Shut your beak or whatever the fuck you guys have." came the terse reply, snapped by an irritable Salarian named Polan who was trying to hack the door, "Intel classed him as a Tier 1 threat, which means we don't fuck around and we don't get cocky."
"Pffft, yeah right! Shepard herself couldn't take us on; what's one weedy info trader gonna do? Hack us to pieces with a sharpened data pad? Stab us with his propelling pencil?"
"I said shut up idiot! This place could have mechs and all sorts. Perhaps if you keep your finger on the trigger and out of your ass we'll all go home in one piece."
The arguing pair were interrupted by the sudden sound of charging machinery on their right. A dais, inset into the wall, flickered to life displaying an amorphous humanoid figure. The image was nothing more than a silhouette of light; indistinguishable as any particular gender or species but the way it held itself spoke of someone in a position of authority, used to talking down at people.
"What the fuck did you do Polan?"
Kulthodix levelled his rifle and fired a quick burst at the hologram. The rounds passed harmlessly through, leaving small eddies of distorted light in their wake and burn marks in the wall behind. The ghostly figure rippled for a moment but was otherwise unaffected.
"That's no way to treat your host gentlemen." The cocky Turian physically recoiled at the sudden grating tones emanating from the pedestal, tightening his grip on his weapon "Anyone would think you were here to kill me."
"Eclipse has a contract for your worthless hide." Interjected an Asari from the back of the group, "Funny story; seems a lot of important people don't like you profiting from their corporate secrets."
"Your bravado is impressive if, ultimately, futile. Do you think you're the first group that's been hired to topple me? I have more enemies than you have brain cells, and they all vie for my blood. Ironic, really, that I have none to offer them."
"You think a fancy lightshow and all this smart-mouthed shit are gonna scare us?" Kulthodix snapped, "We're Eclipse! I eat cowards like you for breakfast."
"Ever the hothead Kulthodix. You use brashness and showmanship to compensate for the guilt you feel about abandoning your poverty-stricken family. You told yourself that becoming a mercenary was the best way to provide for your ailing mother, and yet you are unable to bring yourself to contact her. Is it her disappointment you fear, or her anger? Do you know how much it hurts her, not knowing where you are? If you're safe? I could give you a video of her crying herself to sleep. Of course she doesn't let it show, just like she doesn't let on how badly the illness has taken hold. She has to keep up an appearance of strength you see, for your sister. How old is she now…13? It would be a shame for anything to happen to her. It would break your mother's heart for sure. Then again I hear it's a regular occurrence in the slums. It's not like the police would care; just one less thieving vermin for them to worry about..."
"Shut up! You shut your fucking mouth right now asshole! Don't you talk shit about my sister, I'm gonna rip your fucking head off! Come out here you fucking coward! I'll take you down!" The Turian was screaming, practically foaming at the mouth with fury. "You stay away from them, you hear me!?"
"Guys relax." Polan's voice was shaky, but he stood his ground, "It's just mind games. He's trying to psyche you. Don't let him get under your skin."
"You'd do well to listen to this one." The Shadow Broker's avatar turned its featureless face to the Salarian "I'm postulating that he's the brains of this so called operation."
Turning back to the group, he continued "Let's cut to the chase, shall we. Despite your brutish, inelegant equipment, you will eventually break through my security codes. C-Sec will hardly come running to the aid of a known outlaw, and I am unable to escape through any exit except the one you are occupying. I would tell you to prepare yourselves, but nothing you can do now will make any difference. Instead, know that your deaths will serve a purpose greater than anything you could accomplish in life."
With his last words still echoing in the hallway, the hologram flashed briefly before dissolving away into nothing. No one spoke for several seconds except for a muttered "Well…shit."
Everyone turned to Polan. The Salarain was looking distinctly pale, and he was clutching his sidearm nearly as venomously as Kulthodix.
"Better get ready guys." He muttered, "I think we've got a fight on our hands."
Liara had always been somewhat poor at keeping track of time. It probably came with the job; she could lose hours on a dig site at the best of times and had been known to go for days without sleep when in the midst of a particularly exciting spate of discoveries. Of course, the fact she usually worked alone meant that there was often no one to remind her of trivialities such as eating and resting. It was a counterproductive habit really and one which her mother and later the professors at university had constantly tried to talk out of her. After all, a tired mind produced shoddy work and overlooked subtleties that a refreshed intellect would spot.
Liara was reminded of this failing when, several videos later, she was able to tear her eyes away long enough to notice that 4 hours had passed since first coming to the site. What had started out as simple research had become something...she wasn't really sure what it was. The videos were definitely informative, but there was no way she could pretend that watching them was a purely educational matter. Liara had lost her clinical detachment after about 10 minutes, around about the time the actresses on-screen began removing their clothes.
It had been almost dream-like, especially the 2nd video. Perhaps it was because in that one the human woman had had blonde hair and a face not dissimilar to Shepard's. The actresses had all been gorgeous, but that one had captured Liara's attention the most. After a few minutes, she'd forgotten that she was watching a porno. Instead, it was her and Lucy in the bed; naked bodies pressed together with a passionate fervour.
In truth though, Liara had even more questions than before. It was apparent that, when it came to intimacy, there was no 'right' or 'wrong' method. Perhaps if she was able to talk to someone with more experience...her first thought was Lucy, but she was unsure whether it would be appropriate. Humans were so alike to Asari in some ways, and yet so alien in others. Her people's traditions implied that Shepard should be the one to educate her, but what if human traditions were different? Perhaps Lucy would expect her to come prepared with prior knowledge.
Liara felt completely lost, and she hated it. As a scientist, she was used to coming across things she could not understand; indeed, it was what made her job fascinating. This was different though; she had no basis from which to work from, no firm axioms to build a logical framework upon. Indeed, logic itself seemed to play little part in the whole thing. She had to rely on her emotions and, quite frankly, she wasn't sure how.
An idea formed in her head. She hadn't made many friends since coming aboard, but one of the few she did have was Dr. Chakwas. The medical officer had always been open with her, and they'd discussed Shepard in the past. Perhaps she would be able to help with some of her concerns; or at least say whether or not it was acceptable to discuss them with Lucy.
Liara paused the video she was currently on. She hadn't noticed it so much before, but watching people making love had had a surprising effect on her own body. Some responses she was familiar with; elevated heart rate and quick, shallow breathing; signs of excitement. Others were entirely new and she recognized them from some of her earlier readings as signs of arousal. She added the hardening of certain areas and accumulation of moisture in others to her rapidly expanding mental list of things to enquire about further. That was assuming she could even raise the subject without dying of embarrassment.
Liara closed the extranet browser, and was pondering what to do next when a voice sounded from the stack of crates behind her.
"Awww, it was just getting to my favourite bit."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Polan knew he'd been grossly understating the term 'fight'. The doors to the right of his squad opened and he caught the quickest glimpse of silver before 3 of his team were cut down where they stood. The Asari who'd taunted their target earlier and the Salarians next to her now lay on the floor in at least two pieces each, orange and blue bloods mixing together in a sickly purple hue.
"Engage hostile!" He heard himself screaming, more as a desperate plea than any coherent order. In the time it took him to yell, Kulthodix was immolated in some kind of plasma-fire; both bony plates and soft skin melting away from his carbonised skeleton.
Killing four of the mercenaries had slowed down the Shadow Broker enough for the survivors to get a good look at their attacker. It was odd that even as the rest of his mind was filled with the urge to flee or fight, Polan felt strangely privileged to know that he was one of the few people to see the man in person. Not that it would matter unless he lived to tell about it, and the chances of that were looking increasingly small.
The synthetic seemed to completely ignore the gunfire that was now being sprayed at him from every direction, calmly sidestepping the guard of a terrified Turain and severing his head from his shoulders with a sword-like weapon protruding from the back of his right wrist. The blade shone brightly along its edge; more plasma, this time focused into a deadly cutting implement.
Arguably the most unnerving thing was the Shadow Broker's complete precision. Being a Salarian, Polan's mind worked quicker than most other species, and it was that which allowed him to notice these subtleties. There was no error in the way he moved; none of the organic expression, not even the slightest deviation from the most efficient way to act. He didn't stop at beheading the hapless Turian; he kept right on going, spinning on the spot and driving his blade directly through the gut of an Asari who got too close. Even as he did, the same green flames which had melted Kulthodix torched another merc...he wasn't even looking where he was aiming!
Fresh screams filled the air as the Shadow Broker sliced upwards through the impaled Asari's body. It was like a knife through butter; organs and bone providing no resistance to the super heated plasma-cutter. Her screams were suddenly silenced; voice box split neatly in two. The eviscerated corpse slumped to the floor, still sizzling slightly as the blood along the wound boiled away.
"Fall back dammit!" Polan had found control of his voice, but he knew it was already too late. In less than 30 seconds half his squad lay dead and there was not a scratch on their attacker to show for it. The assault rifles favoured by Eclipse were highly illegal; mainly down to the experimental, black-market mods that boosted their power well above conventional levels. Even that didn't seem to be enough however. Either the Shadow Broker possessed personal shielding of an unprecedented level, or his shell was quite simply bullet-proof.
The retreat was disorderly and panicked as the mercenaries fled for their lives. The information dealer turned to the wall, a control panel materialising on its surface. he tapped in a few quick commands and the door at the end of the corridor slammed shut, shearing an arm off the leader of the group.
Grabbing the pistol off of a nearby body, the Shadow Broker went to work on the remaining intruders. He generally favoured a more up-close approach or the use of his in-built ranged capabilities but this way was probably the most effective and was sure to sow a bit of confusion amongst the investigating authorities. It took him less than 5 seconds to deliver 9 lethal headshots, the targeting matrices in his program plotting the exact vectors required for maximum lethality.
The sudden deathly calm was broken only by the ragged breathing of the only surviving mercenary. Polan was huddled in a corner, quite literally covered head-to-toe in the blood of his companions. It was almost difficult to pick him out against the gore-splashed walls.
"Ah, Polan." The Shadow Broker casually discarded the pistol, approaching the stunned Salarian, "I think it's time you and me had a little chat."