Chapter Two
"Joker calling Commander Shepard! Joker calling Commander Shepard! Come back Commander."
The last thing Zoe wanted to hear was Joker's voice after catching some of the best sleep of her life. She realized that she wasn't alone in her bed but she would deal with that after she dealt with Joker.
"Shepard for Joker, what's going on? What's with all the commotion?" Zoe said groggily.
"Glad to hear your dulcet tones Sleeping Beauty. I just wanted to let you know that we are about an hour from the orbit of Therum." Joker said. Zoe could see the smirk on his face just by hearing his voice.
"Good to know Mr. Comedy. Tell the gang to meet me in armory in fifteen minutes. Oh and Joker, it will be one hundred pushups for you every time you call me Sleeping Beauty. I'll buy the whole ship a round if you can do five. Are we clear?" Zoe said.
"Crystal Ma'am." Zoe heard the crackle of Joker signing of the Comm.
"Karin, you need to wake up. The Normandy is about an hour out from Therum." Zoe said as she shook Karin awake.
"Bloody hell, Zoe, I was having a wonderful dream and now that you rousted me so abruptly I'll have no chance of remembering it." Karin said. She looked for Zoe but she was the commander typing away at her workstation. She probably was fixing the ship's log. She was glad Zoe was doing this because she forgot to scrub her onmi-tool data and turn off her locator. There were a few ladder climbing types on the crew who would probably sell out their own mother for a promotion. "How are you feeling Zoe? You looked like you saw Death itself last night. You even called me 'Ren." She saw Shepard sit up ramrod straight. That got her attention.
"I did, didn't I? I am rightly nervous Doc and I shouldn't be I've dealt with all sorts of bad things during all of my training. I shouldn't be afraid of a Krogan War Lord or his geth patrol."
"I think it's because you've finally found your human touch again and it's scaring you deeply. Liara has opened up that side of you that you so carefully tried to hide away. However I think it gives you fuel to fight for her when she cannot fight for herself. I don't know if you know this or not but there will be competition for your affection between Liara and Ashley." Karin said.
"What are you talking about? I didn't detect any sort of interest from her." Zoe said.
"Zoe, I hate to tell you this but your radar doesn't exist. All of your ex's had to pick you up and ask you out. Subtly when it comes to relationships isn't your strongest skill set. I can't say for certain if Ashley is a true lesbian or is just suffering from DIDS." Karin explained.
"Damsel in Distress, I can see it. Alenko and I swoop in there and save her from being impaled on one of those Dragon's tool poles. But DIDS usually doesn't change a person's persuasive. Kaiden and I both saved her. We are both higher ranks. If she was hetero, she would have already hooked up with Alenko. Unless Alenko is gay, I believe our new Gunny is sticking with our side. There's also the symbol of Venus she has tattooed high upon her left bicep. IT's rather small and from a distance you couldn't tell the difference between it and a beauty mark. She is quite a catch I must say and is quite my type if I wasn't smitten. I caught her reading 19th century English poetry." Zoe said.
"Smart people seek each other out. Did you remember to scrub the ship's data logs? You asked me to remind you this morning to do so." Karin asked.
"I did. I also took care of your omni-tool and its locator data right after you signed off for the night. I want you on standby. I already know Liara is suffering from extreme dehydration, heat exhaustion, and probably malnutrition. She's like me Doc. She gets carried up in her work and forgets to eat. According to Pressly's telemetry reports, the surface of Therum is more or less one giant volcano. So prepare for burn injuries along with the normal combat injuries. This planet just looks like one giant powder keg away from detonation. There must have been some reason the Protheans established some sort of settlement here. Granted fifty thousand years ago, Therum could have been a luscious beach resort of a planet." Zoe said as she shifted into her role as the ship's captain.
"Acknowledged, Captain, I shall be ready to receive whatever your squad throws at me." Karin said as she made her way towards the door.
"Is that how the crew sees me? I haven't attained the rank of Captain yet even though I've been given control of the most advanced warship in the Alliance." Zoe questioned herself out loud.
"The title some group of aging men and women slap on you is meaningless if there is nothing to back it up. You, Zoe, don't need a title to tell the others who is in command of this ship and her crew. A natural leader if there ever was one."
"Thanks for the pep talk Doc. Are you sure you weren't a trained psychologist in a past life." Zoe said as she logged off of her workstation. Zoe followed Karin out of her own quarters. Luckily Deck two which housed all of the living quarters, galley, and the medbay was empty. Her crew was either at their posts or fast asleep. Zoe made her way to the galaxy's slowest elevator. It was the only direct route. She could have used the emergency hatches but trying to break through the ship's emergency system's firewall would have taken more time than the elevator ride.
She saw her squad getting into their various sets of armor. Shepard went on an exorbitant spending spree outfitting her team with the Spectre's Private Stocks. She figured if the Council was footing the bill she could expense it. She tasked her new Gunnery chief as the ship's arms master. Even Garrus who was extremely finicky when it came to his sniper rifle couldn't find any fault with the gunny's skills and craftsmanship. Speaking of Garrus, he and Tali were tasked with upgrading the stock Mako Tank. When those two put their engineering and electronic skills together, there wasn't anything couldn't fix. Tali rebuilt the entire propulsion system while Garrus upgraded the gun's targeting system. In just under one solar day, Tali and Garrus had essentially built a brand new vehicle. They stripped the inside of the tank to the bare essentials. It was lighter, faster and was able to bring two extra crew members or one Wrex.
The ground crew included Ashley who shared sniping duties with Zoe, Kaiden who was backing up Wrex with biotics. Zoe wanted to bring either Tali or Garrus to help share the electronic and hacking issues they might face but her two tech heads were exhausted. She had to order them both to their sleeping pods. Exhausted crew members were walking liabilities which made easy targets. She had to buy Garrus a case of his favorite liquor. He improved the Mako's handing controls. In her N training, she learned how to drive the brick on wheels. She barely passed her qualification with one of the lowest passing scores ever. Her instructor told her to stick to using her own two feet or having another drive.
The Mako fell through the sulfurous atmosphere. The temperature readings were nearing dangerous levels. Nobody was leaving the Mako unless they absolutely had to. She felt the retro rocket boosters kick in as her shoulders bit into her seat's restraints. The Mako landed hard on the rocky surface.
"Surface team to Normandy, come in Normandy. Initiating Comms check, can you read us Normandy." Shepard spoke into her microphone built into her helmet.
"This is Normandy, we read you five by five. Your signal strength is strong and your telemetry looks nominal." Joker replied back.
"Normandy be advised, our enemies typically like to jam all forms of communication and even our ground radar. We may have drops in even communications. Follow standard engagement protocol, if we fail to report in after three official hails. I will instruct you if we are going to go radio silence." Zoe advised the Normandy. She hated stating that fact. It seemed like a black cloud was hanging over their heads. Joker replied back that they would stick to protocol if the worst were to happen. Shepard switched on the drive propulsion system from Re-entry mode to Drive and eased her foot on to the accelerator.
Within a thousand meters of the drop zone, the Mako encountered a Geth drop ship. The enemy deployed small mobile units call Armatures with where equipped with small arms fire and a small mass effect cannon. Shepard zigzagged the Mako while Ash manned the cannon. The new tech Garrus put into the cannon tore through the armatures' shields and the Mako's machine guns finished the job. They encountered Geth automated missile turrets and a squad guarding what looked like a gatehouse of some sort. They made quick work of both the turrets and the squad of geth.
"C'mon Shepard, you should have let me out. I could have take those thing down on foot." Wrex complained.
"Oh Wrex, you know me, I save the best kills for last and he's a doozy if the Extranet is to be believed. Somehow Saren was able to contract out Warlord Gatatog Shivka." Shepard said as they neared a rise with another two armatures and a few rocket troopers. Once again Ash make quick work of their opponents.
"Shivka was reported to be dead. I guess if he's still alive then neither the fires of damnation nor the clear skies of the ancients wanted his carcass. Good, there is a huge bounty still on his head provided the winning party brings proof. Shepard, we have to hurry though. There's a reason Shivka is only know as Shiv…"
"… His enemies are dead before they even finish his name. I've done my homework Wrex. I have a little surprise up my sleeve for him." Shepard said with a knowing smile.
"Commander, I hate to break up this banter but we've got four rocket troopers and a massive Geth unit our computer is tagging as a 'Collossus.' I've tried to take its shields down but every time I do, it somehow is able to recharge them almost instantaneously." Ash said concerned.
Shepard drove the Mako behind an outcropping of rock. She punched the button to release the magnetic locks on her seat. One of the tech head new modifications. It saved time getting in and out of the tank. She then shimmied her way passed Wrex and pulled the lever that opened the rear hatch.
"Normandy to shore party, we are reading that one of you is now on foot. Has the plan changed?" Joker asked over the comm.
"Plan is still a go. I am just using a bit of bait and switch to deal with a small problem. Gunnery Chief Williams has assumed the driving responsibilities while Wrex is now manning the weapons systems. We should be back on schedule within the next ten minutes or so." Zoe replied back to the Normandy.
Shepard switched back to her local comm. unit radio. "Ash focus on the Rocket troops and those two armatures. I've activated my tactical cloak prototype. Even with thermal scopes, my body temp blends in with the surface temps. Give me five minutes; I'll have those shields down." Shepard instructed her team.
As she lurked closer to her target, her shields caught and absorbed stray small arms fire with no affect. She found a perfect hide about seventy five meters away from the Colossus. She launched her most powerful hacking program which attempted to get her access to the unit's firing controls. The Colossus detected her hack. That's all she wanted it to do. She used the hack attack as a distraction as she zeroed in her HMWSR-X. She steadied her breathing. As she exhaled, she squeezed the trigger. One phasic round left the rifle barrel faster than she could blink. The shield penetrating round tore though the Colossus's head.
"Another flashlight bites the dust, and another one gone and another one gone, another flashlight bites the dust." Zoe heard Wrex through her comms unit.
"I didn't know you were a fan of human music Wrex." Shepard fired back.
"Queen may have been from Earth but they were a gift to the galaxy." Wrex said with a laugh.
"Well hurry up and come pick me up. I'd rather not have to sweat through my armor much longer. I can't believe how well this cloaking prototype worked. I have to tell my friend the good news." Zoe said as the Mako pulled up alongside her. Wrex opened rear hatch and hopped out. He mumbled something about picked up a souvenir. Shepard climbed back to the driver's seat and activated her magnetic harness. She heard the rear hatch close as Wrex's bulk shook the tank.
"Seriously Wrex, you have to lay off on those varren steaks and pyjak sliders. Try an Asari soup or a human salad once and awhile." Ashley joked.
"I'd like to see how you would survive with a Krogan's metabolism. It takes a lot of energy to power both a redundant nervous system and manipulate dark matter at the same time." Wrex shot back.
"Round one goes to Wrex." Kaiden said. "Besides Ash it's better to be behind a charging Krogan than to be in front of one."
"Unless it's Tuesday." Wrex replied.
"I'm afraid to ask but why Tuesday?" Ash inquired.
"All you can eat varren tacos and pyjack burritos. I still hold that record too." Wrex said.
"I don't want to know any more. I'll just take your word for it." Ashley said trying to hold back her breakfast. Her face was almost as green as Wrex's armor.
"Game, set and match to Wrex." Kaiden said.
"I need you guys to focus. We are going on foot from here." Zoe said. She pushed the radio button on the dashboard. "Normandy be advised, we have reached sector tango and are now on foot. We are still on course for mission completion. I have activated the Mako's Re-entry protocol. It will activate when you are within range. We are about two point five klicks from the mine. As long as the stealth systems are active you should have no problem picking up our ride. We will signal you when we need a pickup."
"Roger Normandy, happy hunting." This time she heard the voice of her XO. Pressly. Joker must be getting some lunch. The Doc keeps him regimented about his medicine and his meals.
Liara was woken up by a loud explosion. This was much louder than anything the geth tried with their rocket launchers and small explosives. She felt the walls shake and saw debris falling from the ceiling. Despite the chaotic scene in front of her and the fact that she was still immobilized, she felt calm. There was no use in things that were out of her control. This newfound calmness had to be coming from Shepard. There was some sort of bond or connection forming between her and Zoe. She could tell that Zoe was close. Before she got trapped inside this containment shield, she noticed that the central core of the ruin had an ancient elevator. The containment field wasn't soundproof. She heard the whoosh of air coming from the central core. She knew this was it. She was either going to be rescued or killed.
"Dr. T'Soni, I presume?" A hard woman's voice came from behind her.
"Are you referring to what Henry Morton Stanley said to Dr. David Livingston when Stanley found him in on the land mass known as Africa or a song by a British band called The Moody Blues Gunnery Chief Williams?
"How is it even possible that you know my name let alone my rank?" Ashley accused the prisoner.
"Take it easy Ash. Dr. T'Soni merely observed her surroundings. It wasn't hard when the fact that your name is printed on the front of your standard issue Alliance armor and well as your rank. The Alliance loves to tag everything as theirs." A softer feminine voice approached Liara from behind.
"Shepard, I knew you would come." Liara said as she visibly relaxed.
"There is no possible way you could have deduced the commander's identity. She has no markings anywhere on her armor. She… She…" Zoe put her hand on Ashley's shoulder effectively stopping what would have been an embarrassing tirade. Zoe walked out to see her Liara's face. She was struck speechless with Liara's natural beauty. Asari fashion even one piece uniforms hugged the body which leaved little to the imagination which made Zoe jump for joy on the inside.
"Liara, do you want to field this one." Zoe said with a knowing smirk.
"I may be a Prothean expert who spends more time on archeological digs than most people but even I have access to the extranet and communications buoys. I almost minored in Human Studies in university. I saw a leaked video of the Commander's Spectre induction after the disavowing of Spectre Arterius. I am very good at comparing and matching voices. Commander, there is a Prothean control panel just to my right. I can make out a few words but perhaps you will have better luck." Liara explained.
Shepard walked over the panel and touched it. She was immediately met with a mental image of how to work the panel. She set the field to release in thirty seconds. She then walked over in front of Liara. She caught Liara in her arms just as the shield dropped and pulled her in close. She whispered, "Is that your pistol in hidden in your suit or are you just happy to see me?"
"We've both been waiting for you to come. I'm sure you debrief me personally later." Liara whispered back.
"I've got you Doctor." Shepard said as Liara tried to walk. "I have a full medical bay on waiting on standby on my ship. We just have to get you to safety first. Are you able to walk on your own?"
"I believe so but by chance do you or your squad have any spare rations? I haven't eaten in nearly forty eight hours and the last thing I had to drink was a glass of Thessian Red right before I ran into the mine." Liara explained. Shepard opened one her gear pockets and pulled out a high energy protein bar and handed it to Liara. She motioned to Ashley to pass over her canteen. Shepard's took a round from a Geth sniper rifle while they made their approach towards the mine. Liara resisted the urge to down the entire canteen. She ripped open the packet and broke off a piece of the energy bar. This should give her enough fuel to last until they made it out of the mine.
"I hate to break up this warm reception but this place is falling apart. We can't go back in the way we came. Does that elevator we rode up on go all the way to the surface?" Wrex asked. Liara nodded. "I thought so. IT's where I would ambush somebody if I needed to. IT's the only viable exit option left to us. I would have suggested leaving the doctor here while we rode up and cleared the way but that's no longer an option. I hope you can cover your own ass Doctor. You have to come with us and we still haven't seen the ugly mug of Shivka yet." Wrex said as he reloaded his favorite shotgun.
"Arterius sent the Butcher after me? By the Goddess, they don't want me to be taken alive at all. He and my mother want me dead." Liara said as she stumbled. Shepard quickly caught her before Liara had the chance to really fall. Shepard motioned to her squad to make their way to the elevator. Shepard was supporting Liara as they slowly made their way. Shepard activated the elevator. The climb up was agonizingly slow but it allowed Shepard to dole out instructions.
"Wrex you take point. I am changing the plan. Ash, I know you are tough as nails but let Wrex take on Shivka. They don't call him the butcher for nothing. I'm tasking you and Kaiden to handle any remaining Geth as fast as possible then support Wrex. I am going to provide full coverage for Liara. She can barely walk. I don't know if you can work your biotics Doctor but if you can just use it to keep up a barrier. I will be using my experimental cloak which will hide Liara too if she stand directly behind me. I know it's a far from perfect plan the fact alone that Liara is four inches taller than I am but I'm improvising. I am hoping one of us gets a clear shot at Shiv. As much as I don't want to steal your kill Wrex, I will if I get the chance. So don't give me a chance." The rest of the ride remained in silent contemplation.
As soon as the elevator docked at the top of the central core, the squad here footsteps approaching. Shepard quickly guided Liara into a blind spot. Liara put up a personal barrier at the same time Zoe activated her cloak. Zoe then pulled out her HMW sniper rifle and loaded her favorite powerful shredder ammo. She would be aiming for a spot right between the butcher's cold eyes. Through her optic scope, she could see four geth units following an abnormally large Krogan. She whispered through her radio what she could see.
"Well well well, look what we have here. A merry band of miscreants lead by Urdnot Wrex, he must be paying you Alliance types a pretty penny. You idealist idiots usually need either a ton of credits or some fantastic reason like the stability of the galaxy hangs in the balance. It doesn't matter, you won't live long enough coll…" Shivka was interrupted when a supersonic round from Shepard's sniper rifle drilled the warlord right between the eyes. If it had been any other species, there would have just been a bloody stump where the head used to be. This gave Wrex the opportunity he needed. With one fluid motion, Wrex pulled out his jagged knife and drove its long blade into Shiv's neck severing one of his major arteries. Shiv dropped to the ground with his clawed hand. He tried to apply pressure to his wound but the wound was too large. Shiv was dead within twenty seconds.
The battle between Ash, Kaiden and the geth couldn't even be called a battle. Ash dropped three out of the four units with two rounds. Kaiden downed the other with heavy overload attack. Shepard deactivated her cloak as she stepped out from her hiding spot. Her dad's favorite saying strikes again. Underestimating your enemy is your greatest mistake. Pontificating like you are an evil mastermind was just plain stupid.
"I was expecting more. I thought the Butcher would have been smarter than that," said Liara.
"They always have to feed the ego which means that they will go into a monologue. I swear there is some sort of training school for wannabe bad guys. That was a fine shot Commander. Your trainer would have pissed you didn't drop that guy." Ashley said as they quickly made their way towards the mine's exit. The mine was falling apart all around them. Shepard took off her helmet and gave it to Liara. She was having trouble breathing due to her situation. The air wasn't toxic but the hot air was tough on her lungs. They made it outside of the mine with only moments to spare before the mine collapsed in on itself. Shepard hailed the Normandy. Joker said they would be there in a few minutes.
"Commander, what are we going to do with my personal ship? My omni-tool tells me it wasn't discovered during the raid thanks to its active cloaking capabilities. It could be valuable to your current operation. Outside of a few Asari museums, universities, and the Citadel vaults, my ship has the most found knowledge of the Protheans in the galaxy." Liara said.
"I think a second ship could be valuable. I have a feeling that the Alliance brass weren't too happy when the Council reallocated the most expensive ship in the Normandy's fleet. There were a whole slew of them who were against the joint construction project in the first place. God Forbid we work with those vile turians. I wouldn't put it past them to try to reclaim it. IT's too bad your ship can't fit inside our cargo bay. I'll have to hire another pilot." Zoe said with a smirk.
"Oh there is no need to hire another pilot. I can pretty much control the ship from my omni-tool. I would only have to be within the ship. Another option is that I can set up a digital tether to the Normandy so that it can follow us." Liara proposed.
"Our next port of call is the Citadel. Digital Tethers don't react well to mass relay jumping. I believe the quarians learned that the hard way." Shepard explained. "Shepard to Normandy, Joker what's your ETA."
"We are a few minutes out. That mine which collapsed into an active volcano is making flying very difficult. The upper atmosphere is full of volcanic ash. The air filters are clogging up faster than our scrubbers can keep up with." Joker radioed back.
"Joker I'm ordering you to abort your landing approach immediately. Reroute to the LDZ for rendezvous, we will be taking the Doctor's ship." Shepard told Joker. As soon as Liara heard Shepard reroute the Normandy, she was on her onmi-tool. She deactivated the cloaking and started the ship's preflight systems. Asari ships kept all of their ships propulsion internal. It made their ships quite a bit slower than the Normandy but speed wasn't everything. Liara also locked down her own private quarters. In her haste to escape into the mine, she left some rather embarrassing unmentionable laying about her cabin.
Shepard relayed the change in plans to the rest of the ground team. They made their way up the gangway of Liara's ship. Liara closed the gangway and input their destination into ship's navigation system. Her omni-tool beeped saying that the propulsion system was active. She tapped in the activation code for the launch sequence. She then motioned everyone into the galley where there was enough seating.
Ashley looked perturbed. She wasn't at all fine with being on an Asari's ship. Kaiden could see it in her eyes. There was a fire storm brewing. Hopefully Ashley could keep her cool and not blow up in public. That was the main reason why she never made it past the rank of sergeant. She was too much of a hothead to see that. She still blamed the Williams curse. Kaiden was a year ahead of her in training before he was tapped for biotic training school. She had a reputation even in basic.
"Commander, can I have a word with you." Ashley asked. Shepard nodded her acquiescence and motioned Williams away from the main group. She saw the same fire in Williams' eyes that Kaiden did. Shepard knew what was coming. She decided to handle this as gently and diplomatically as possible.
"Commander, I thought the Normandy was coming to pick us up? Why are we on the Asari's ship? She is the daughter of Saren's second in command. She…" Shepard held up her hand which caused Ashley to shut down. At least she religiously respected the chain of command.
"Did you hear the radio call between me and Joker? If you did, you would have heard that the Normandy was struggling to remain in the air. If I forced Joker to pick us up, the Normandy would have suffered damage to the air intake system which helps cool the stealth systems which leave us extremely vulnerable on a hostile planet where Geth dropships are patrolling the upper atmosphere and lower orbit. We would have been attacked on sight and given that Normandy isn't in peak condition, we would run the risk of serious damage." Shepard explained. Ashley still looked put out but some of the fire was gone from her eyes.
"Second, I believe you are more of a threat to the squad than Dr. T'Soni even if her mother is Saren's second in command. They haven't spoken in nearly a century. That is some kind of rift if the butcher is sent out after your only daughter. I haven't fully debriefed her but my gut is telling me she is very trustworthy. Ash, you need to control that short fuse of yours. I read up on you after we got to the Citadel. Your records told me that you are a natural leader who exceeds in marksmanship, armed, and unarmed combat. You should have been promoted to at least the officer's training school by now.'
"IT's not the Williams Curse that's holding you back; it's that short fuse of yours. You just proved to me that you're not ready until you cleanse yourself of all that pent up anger and aggression. Ashley, it's going to eat you up from the inside if you don't let it go. It took the life of a good friend of mine during special ops training. I maintain an open door policy for anybody on my crew. Anything we talk about remains strictly between unless I deem it mission critical. Chief I urge you to please come see me. I am only trying to help you." Shepard said softly right before she walked away. Ashley was stunned. Shepard didn't shout nor even raise her voice. She didn't have too. She was seriously considering taking up the commander's offer.
Shepard made her way back to the galley and sat down next to Liara. She felt Liara's hand upon her thigh giving it a gentle squeeze to show support. It made Zoe smile. Liara said that they were about a minute out from the Mako's initial drop zone where the Normandy was waiting for them. Zoe tapped her suit's built in radio comm. "Joker, could you patch me through to the Medbay?"
"Of course commander, putting you through to the medbay now." Joker said.
"Do you need something Commander? How is the ground team?" Doctor Chakwas asked.
"I need you to suit up in your armor with your medical go bag and a canister of pure oxygen. I need you to come aboard the D'nasir for treatment. Liara used up the last of her energy making her escape with us. I also don't want to parade her through the ship. The crew may be a tad hostile towards her as you know some of our crew are from Eden Prime"
"Understood commander. I am already in my light armor. I anticipated the need to have to leave the Medbay to treat our crew in the field. Luckily that wasn't the case. As much as I love my medbay, I can follow your reasoning. Will I be only treating only you and Dr. T'Soni?" Karin inquired.
"Very perceptive Doc, yes the rest of the ground team didn't even receive anything more than a few cuts, scrapes, and scratches. All of which Kaiden treated with medigel." Shepard reported.
"Very well Commander, I shall connect with Kaiden for his mission report to supplement mine for the official medical record." Karin said right before she closed the channel. When Shepard turned her attention back to Liara, she saw that her blue beauty was on her onmi-tool initiating the landing protocol. Liara set her ship down softly fifty meters from the Normandy's open hanger bay ramp. The ship's gangway extended from the ship as the external door hatch automatically opened. Wrex was waiting by the door itching to get off the ship. Zoe swore Wrex was claustrophobic either that or extremely paranoid in small spaces. She told Kaiden and Ashley to rejoin the Normandy as well. Ashley again wanted to protest again but buried her objections. Zoe noted that in the back of her mind. She knew Ashley was trying at least.
"We will have a mission debriefing while we are in route to the Citadel through a secure video conference. Look guys, I don't want to parade Liara around the ship where some of the crew is from Eden Prime. Doctor Chakwas also needs to do a full medical work up. I just thought that she would feel more comfortable, relaxed and more truthful on her own ship." Zoe explained.
"Very sneaky Commander." Ashley conceded before she followed Kaiden off of the D'nasir. No sooner than her two subordinates exited the ship than she saw her chief medical officer walking up the gangway. As soon as Karin was aboard, the gangway closed automatically. Zoe radioed Joker to tell him she, Liara and Chakwas would remain on the D'nasir for their trip to the Citadel for a bit of shore leave. Joker followed her orders which left XO Pressly in command. She also told him that she would need a secure video link between the two ships later linked through the ship's secure comm. room.
"I see at least you are still standing Commander. ThaT's at least a good sign. Have a seat on the table. Where is our newest crewmember?" Karin asked as she
"I believe she went into her personal quarters before I dismissed the ground team. I think she heard some of my conversation with Ashley. Ash reacted as you would expect from her. She was not too pleased with some of my decisions towards immediately trusting Liara. I gently called her on it and I think I got through to her but we will see." Zoe reported trying to hide the raspy tone of her voice.
"The scans are showing that your blood-oxygen level is low consistent with smoke inhalation and your larynx shows signs of slight burn damage due to superheated air. Luckily your condition is easily rectified with pure oxygen, lots of liquids and a few days rest. When you were groundside, I heard by from my friends. Pressly linked into a comm. buoy to do a message drop. Both are willing to meet you and even Dr. T'Soni if she is willing." Karin explained
"Well that is some of the weight off my shoulder now if you could arrange Saren to surrender in a peaceful and orderly fashion; I will offer my hand to you in marriage." Zoe said flashing a smirk.
"There's that famous Shepard sash you are known for. Besides, I think Liara is already planning your wedding. Zoe, I think Liara would hold me in a powerful stasis field." Karin fired back. "Ok, Shepard, I've cleared you and gave you instructions for recovery. I should probably see my other patient." Karin said. She picked up her equipment then made her way towards the personal quarters and knocked on the door.
Karin's eyes nearly jumped out of her skull when she saw Liara lying on the bed naked sporting what looked like a very large phallic erection and very large and very delectable blue breasts. She dropped her medical bag. "You are not Zoe. I thought she was going to be giving me a debriefing personally."
Karin quickly had to find her bearings. Somehow the famous Shepard sass had rubbed off on her. "When Zoe mentioned the debriefing, I don't think this is what she had in mind. I'd like to introduce myself. I'm…" Karin said before Liara interrupted her.
"Dr. Karin Chakwas, Chief Medical Officer recently poached by Captain David Anderson for a prototype new ship called the Normandy. I note the surprise in your eyes as much as I find the Protheans fascinating, my real drive is information gathering. Trying to unravel the mysteries of the galaxy requires as much information as one can gather. I'm not a mind reader Karin but I have deep connections in many places. The T'Soni name does carry a lot of weight which is why nobody but the people on this ship and the Council members themselves know of my mother's involvement. I can't blame Tevos. She was one of my mother's best students. As for me, I think Shepard might have overstated my condition because I feel fine." Liara said.
"You and Shepard are masters of the understatement but your eyes cannot lie. Secondly, you are in no condition for sex. I don't even have use any of my tools. Your lips are almost purple which in asari means that you are very dehydrated. Your eyes are bloodshot and you are barely able to keep your eyes open. You are just like Zoe. You both push yourself far beyond any level you should. One piece of a standard issue energy bar and a few gulps of water are not enough to replenish what an asari needed normally and double that if they use any biotics. Liara, if I were to scan you, my readings would be in the red zone. I am fully certified in Asari physiology and would like to be your unofficial personal physician." Karin said trying to convince the young asari.
"Liara, you would be lucky to be given the opportunity. Karin is one of the most caring doctors yet stern enough to deal with the most problematic patients. She even convinced me to see a neurologist and a psychologist the next time we reach the Citadel." Zoe said as she entered Liara's private quarters. "You really are quite beautiful Li and most certainly unique." Zoe said as she eye Liara's large erect cock and dripping azure. "Can this examination wait Doc?" Zoe asked as she turned back to Chakwas.
"No, Commander, I am barring Miss T'Soni from any activity that may exacerbate her dehydration and exhaustion. Please Zoe, I know you care for her deeply. Listen to me this time. She needed rest and fluids just like you. Please take it easy." Karin said authoritatively.
"Out of curiosity, you aren't going to see Naela Vestra: the founder of Vestra Neural Research Labs?" Liara asked. Zoe was surprised not only that there was no way possible that she had know that but also the look of fright on Liara's face.
"Liara, what's wrong? It looks like you just saw a ghost." Zoe said concerned.
"Let me ask you how much you know about Naela Vestra's early career before she became the famous neurologist. I'm assuming not much. Naela has done very well to cover her past up. What I have to say next stays between the three of us. Once again my mother comes into play her. Benezia before she was an Asari matron was a talented geneticist who had a small team of devotees. Vestra was her second in command. The team was looking to genetic cross hybridization of intelligent beings. Vestra was the resident neurological specialist. My darkest secret is that my mother didn't birth me in the traditional sense. She bred me in a laboratory and implanted me into her womb. If you were to sample my genetic structure, Karin, it would say that I was about twenty five percent Human." Liara said as she started to cry. Zoe dashed to Liara's bed and engulfed the crying asari into a hug. Liara couldn't take it anymore. Her body finally succumbs to her exhaustion. She fell asleep inside Zoe's warm arms.
"Computer?" Zoe asked the ship unsure she would get a response.
"Yes, Commander, how can I help?" A soft feminine voice responded.
"Could you set up a secure video link between us and the Normandy for Dr. Chakwas in the galley?" Zoe inquired.
"Of course Commander, it will be ready when you are Doctor." The ship responded. Karin looked at Zoe rather confused.
"Karin, I want you to get in contact with either Joker or Pressly and tell them the mission debriefing is postponed until you have medically cleared the both of us. If Pressly protests tell him I begrudgingly agreed with you. That will shut him up. Second, keep the appointment with Shelley but I think Liara has changed my mind about Naela. I will keep an eye on Liara." Shepard instructed the good doctor. Karin nodded her acquiescence before she silently exited Liara's quarters. The lights automatically faded as the door closed.
Liara slowly woke up to very warm welcoming feeling. Two hands wrapped around her stomach and pulled her close. She could feel Zoe's warm breath on the folds of the nape of her neck. Zoe was still asleep. Liara tried to move but Zoe had remarkable arm strength. Liara couldn't help but admire Zoe's beauty. She knew how smitten the Alliance officer was with her. She felt that she could return those same feelings. Liara wanted to give the commander a thank you. She turned her head to the side as her lips found Shepard's cheek. Her tongue tickled Shepard's tiny facial hairs. Shepard's gorgeous emerald eyes fluttered open.
"You can wake me up like that every time." Zoe said as she leaned her head closer towards Liara's as their lips connected. Both Liara and Zoe felt this powerful rush of pleasure racing though their bodies. Tongues, legs, fingers became entangled. Liara loved the feeling of running her hands through Zoe's hair. It was a luxury she wouldn't ever experience. Within a few seconds, Liara rolled Zoe on to her back and climbed on top of her.
"It's not fair that you are still clothed and I am not. Then again, I think I look far better without clothes on that with clothes on." Liara said as she slid her hands under Zoe's shirt and pulled it up over her lover's head and tossed it away. She next undid Shepard's belt and pulled off Zoe's standard issue pants. Liara took in Zoe's natural beauty. She loved her dark green eyes and dark red hair. Zoe's breasts while still clad in very lacy very sexy blue bra were nearly as big as her own. Liara undid the front clasp on Zoe's bra and was being deliberately slow in taking off the bra. She lightly dragged her fingers over Zoe's incredibly soft skin. Zoe gasped in pleasure. Her nipples constricted into large and hard pink pebbles. This intrigued Liara as she dropped her head towards Shepard's breast and sucked in the nipple into her mouth.
Shepard thought this was the invitation she was waiting for. One of Zoe's hands wrapped around Liara's large shaft, it was incredibly soft despite the fact it was so hard. She had never been with any man and no adult toy could ever replicate the sensation of a hot living real cock. She shook off her new found possessiveness with Liara's cock and found Liara's azure. Zoe slipped one finger in to her lover's wet folds and it was too much for Liara to take. Liara collapsed on top of her lover. Zoe despite all of her years of combat training and experience went into a full on panic and let out a gut wrenching scream.
"LIARA! Speak to me. Can you hear me?" Zoe tried to wake up her lover. "'Ren, I NEED YOU NOW" Zoe yelled at the top of her lungs. The door to the bedchamber shot open faster than one could blink. Karin was by the side of the bed a few seconds later.
"I don't want to tell you two 'I told you so' but the evidence speaks for itself. Sure you two got some much needed sleep but both forgot to replenish your fluids." Karin pulled her multi-species blood analyzer. She turned it on and set it to handle Asari blood. She then pricked Liara's finger and let the blood trickle on to the sample stick. She placed the stick inside the analyzer and waited for the results.
"I should have ordered you both to the Normandy hours ago; instead I let my heart overrule my brain. I knew Liara's condition was worse than she let on. She is still dehydrated. Her blood sugars are circling the toilet and she's slightly anemic which comes from not eat regular meals." Karin said as she mentally chastised herself for her mistake. "And speaking of you, I can still hear the wheeze in your voice and your breathing. You both are lucky not to have exacerbated either of your conditions any further. Both can be treated with rest, fluids and food but since you didn't listen to me in the first time, I'm placing you on temporary medical leave." Karin said as she began to pack up her tools.
"I screwed up didn't I 'Ren. She woke me up by kissing me and I couldn't help myself. I knew we both were in no condition for sex. We…" Zoe babbled on before Karin interrupted her.
"Oh Zoe do shut up. Liara is fine and is resting peacefully even if she did scare you half to death. Asari physically look weaker but they are far more hardy and resilient than most give them credit for. She could easily out last even you. She should wake in a few minutes and if not let her rest. You have to still to debrief Liara and the rest of the crew. Joker informed me a half an hour ago that the Normandy needed to stop to refuel. Pressly then plotted a new course to allow both ships to swing by Arcturus Station. We should arrive at Arcturus station in about a half hour. It…"
"Zoe, you have the most amazing fingers. Oh, hello Doctor, I didn't think Shepard was into sharing." Liara said rather dreamily as she tried to rub the sleep from her eyes.
"She isn't, I'm far too old for her and she only has eyes for you. However if you wanted up your current twosome to a threesome, I doubt Zoe would bat an eyelash nor raise a finger to fight you." Zoe blushed at Karin's surprising insights.
"I have noticed it too. Secretly, she is the submissive to my dominant. She has to be in control of so much other things in life. If she doesn't accept me as her anchor, she will have a true mental breakdown sometime soon. I believe I was too abrupt with my assessment of Naela. These prothean visions have me worried even if Zoe is remarkably strong willed, they will slowly drive her insane if she can't make sense of these visions. I am reminded of an ancient Asari interrogation technique that was outlawed over a millennium ago. They used to forcefully meld with a suspect and either got what information they needed or they left nightmarish images behind. The only reason it was officially banned was because of the toll on the interrogators and not the suspects." Liara explained.
"More secrets of the Asari, the galactic public do not know about." Karin said darkly.
"My mother thought she had top of the line encryption on her home work terminal. She did but it couldn't stop me. I had top level access to not only the Asari embassy but the Asari government and its archives. I made my own private archive from those files but I expanded my archive to include the turian and salarian governments too. I got out before I was ever detected but this was over seventy years ago. I still have all of that data stored on this ship but my encryption protocols are far better than my mothers. Anyways, Naela and my mother had a huge falling out over her project when my mother tasked her with developing ways to totally control their new creations according to her files. That is why I believe Saren recruited her for her vast knowledge of genetics and work on mind control. I don't believe she was kidnapped unless it was by very unnatural means. She likes to be in control of every little thing."
"Liara, I would like to extend full membership to my crew in my power as a Council Spectre. You have proved to me that you have nothing to do with your mother or Saren. The fact that the Butcher was after you should have been proof enough but this information you just provided proves to me that you have nothing to do with your mother and are actively working against her. Karin just informed me that both ships have changed course because the Normandy needs to refuel at the Alliance maintained Arcturus Station. My Spectre clearance also got us the docking bay next to the Normandy. I will order anybody not on the Therum ground team to have a meal on me at the Arcturus mess hall. We will then have our debriefing in the comm. room which is 100 percent secure from any form of eavesdropping or recording." Zoe said.
"Commander, you and Miss T'Soni aren't going anywhere until you eat these full meals I have prepared for you. It wouldn't be the tastiest meal you've ever had but it will replenish the energy you two have used up. So get quickly get dressed and join me in the galley." Karin said before she exited their private quarters.
Zoe inhaled deeply and it slightly hurt in her chest. Not to mention that she still hadn't washed off the sweat and grime from yesterday. "Li, we are not smelling our best, is it possible if we could shower together to save time?" Zoe asked softly.
"We can if we can keep our hands to ourselves. I don't think we can do that. My shower wasn't built for two. Since you are my guest, you can go first." Liara said as she got up off of her bed.
Liara walked around her cabin picking up her cabin. Zoe could see that Liara had exquisite taste. Liara was looking at Zoe through the reflection in the bulkhead as Zoe traipsed off to the small bathroom. She thought she would surprise Shepard with a piece from her own collection She had just the thing in mind. Liara opened up her closet. Liara pulled out a dark red dress made from Salarian silk and matching red bra. Because of Liara's unique condition, she rarely ever wore normal panties or thongs. Liara could resort to the few pairs of human mens boxer briefs if she really needed support. Then she thought of the people she was about to meet. She knew Ashley would be grilling her enough about her mother. There was no need to give the gunny any extra ammunition. She grabbed a matching pair of red boxer briefs. For Shepard, she grabbed a very form fitting emerald green dress that was made from Asari silk. It used to be Liara's favorite until she hit a growth spurt in the bust department. She paired it with a matching bra and a tiny thong. Combat nor hiking boots didn't go with these dresses. Luckily Liara had a few pairs of black flats. She then laid out Shepard's outfit out on the bed.
Zoe emerged from the bathroom wrapped up in a blue towel. She took Liara's breath away. Liara had to quickly look away as she made her way past Zoe. "Your uniform is not presentable. I pulled something out of my closet for you. It no longer fits me but it should fit you perfectly." Liara said as she entered the steamy bathroom. Zoe looked over at the bed. There was an expensive emerald dress lying on the bed with a matching bra and black flats. She tried the bra on and it fit better than her favorite custom made black one. Next came the dress, it was a perfect fit. She slipped on the black flats and then looked over at the mirror.
"If you weren't quite good at being a soldier, you should take up modeling. I have a few contacts if you would ever be interested. You wouldn't just take my breath away" Liara said as she exited the bathroom wrapped in a towel that matched the one that was now on the floor next to the bed. She walked over to her closet and tossed aside her towel. The red boxer-briefs slid up her legs quickly, the bra went on without a hitch. The dress hugged her hips and caressed her curves. She then put on the black flats and turned around.
"You say I take peoples' breath away. You cause them to suffer from acute hypoxia." Zoe said with a huge smile on her face. Come on Karin is waiting us in the galley. We leave this bedchamber hand and hand together as partners right?" Liara was speechless she just nodded at Zoe. Zoe then extended her hand which Liara gracefully intertwined their fingers as they walked out of the bedchamber.
"You two look absolutely stunning but Commander that dress is certainly not standard issue and breaks a few of the dress regulations. You are also holding hands. Does that mean?" Karin inquired.
"That we are together? Yes. We can't fight this feeling between us and together we are stronger than separate. Secondly, my Spectre appointment supersedes Alliance Regulations. There are no dress codes for Council Spectres." Zoe said as she helped Liara into her seat. She then took the seat next to Liara. "Computer, can you open a link to the Normandy please?"
"Of course Commander." The computer's VI responded back. "It's ready for you."
"SSV Normandy this is Captain Shepard, do you read me Normandy?" Shepard said in an authoritative voice.
"I read you loud and clear Com- uhh Captain Shepard." Joker said unsure of himself.
"Relax Joker, I was just testing it out to see how it felt. I have orders for you to pass on to the crew. When we reach Arcturus, I am ordering everybody except my squad off the Normandy. I…"
"That will not be good for morale." Joker said interrupting Shepard.
"You interrupt me again and you will be spending an undetermined time in the brig. Even better I'll let Wrex fly the Normandy. I was saying that I am ordering off everybody but my squad so we could finally have our debriefing over Therum. I am rewarding the rest of the crew with a free meal at the most expensive restaurant on Arcturus on me." Zoe explained. She could tell that Joker was speechless. "I had the restaurant has been closed for the day using my Spectre authority. It should make for a nice surprise. Make sure that my orders are carried out or Wrex is your replacement."
"I read you loud and clear, Captain. Personally, I prefer Commander. It just suits you better. Normandy over and out." Joker radioed. Shepard happened to agree with him.
The next half an hour went peacefully as Karin, Liara and Zoe shared a meal. Karin regaled Liara in stories about Zoe's awkward teenage years and her first years of military life. "I must say Liara you are the luckiest person in the galaxy because you have found the most loyal, loving and honest person to cherish." Karin said holding back a few tears.
"I hope I can always cherish her even the galaxy is crumbling around us. Zoe, I think we should meld mentally before you have those meeting with Naela and the psychologist. I would like to see those visions of yours. It also would help the debriefing and planning of future missions. But first Karen, could you use your onmi-tool scan our health before I attempt this meld." Karin had her onmi-tool out before Liara had finished her sentence.
"You and Zoe are recovering well. I know I am not a world class chef but this meal and those bottles of water have returned your bodies to within nominal range. I am still not clearing you both for active combat duty yet but light duty shouldn't bring any problems. I know a little about asari mind melding. As long as you don't delve too deep and stay in too long, you shouldn't strain your body." Karin said.
"Doctor, we are 10 kilometers from Arcturus Station. I have initiated our approach already. Arcturus Flight Command has given us an approach vector and permission to use docking bay 12. The Normandy will be right next us in docking bay 11. You and your guests should be able to deboard in about twenty minutes." The ship's VI announced to the small party.
"Thank you again for your help Abbie. You always help me out when I am too scatterbrained to remember the simple stuff." Liara said offering her thanks.
"Abbie? I see you have learned human names." Zoe said surprised.
"Abigail is a Hebrew name given to a woman of intelligence and beauty. Abbie seemed to be the only name that fit her substantial knowledge and the code that runs her programming is a work of art." Liara explained. "Zoe, would you join me over on the floor near the couch?" Liara offered her hand out and Zoe grasped it quickly. Liara lead her lover over to the floor the near the couch. She pulled off her dress and motioned for Zoe do to the same. Tight couture dress didn't fare well in the Lotus position. Clad in only their underwear, Zoe sat mere inches away across from Liara also in the Lotus position. Zoe noticed a sizeable bulge and a wet spot in Liara's briefs as she sat down. Zoe refocused her eyes on Liara's beautiful blue ones.
"Zoe, I know it is painful for you but need you to bring the images of the Prothean visions to the front of your mind. It will be far easier on me if you do. It will save me time and energy if I don't have to go searching." Liara explained as she extended her hands. Zoe took Liara's hands in hers as she brought those memories to the front of her mind. Liara pooled some of her biotic energy inside her. Her eyes went black as she released the energy and channeled it gently towards Zoe's mind. "Embrace Eternity."
Images of horrific images flooded into Liara's brain. Flashes of red, orange, yellow and black assaulted her. Shots of blood and wiring which didn't make any sense kept appearing. One image that stood out the most was of an entity with four glowing yellow eyes. She knew she had seen something similar before. Liara stopped the flow of energy and gently withdrew from Zoe's mind. Karin noticed from across the room that Liara looked paler than ever.
"Liara dear are you ok?" Karin said as she walked over bringing one of the water bottles from the table. She offered it to Liara who took a long pull from the bottle.
"I am Karen and thank you for the water." Liara said as she got back up to her feet. Liara picked up her dress and slipped it on over her head.
"Were you able to make sense of anything I could show you?" Zoe asked as she too got back up on her feet.
"Yes, I was able to pull a few tidbits from the vision but it is still incomplete. The beacon on Eden Prime either was damaged before you interacted with it or didn't contain the full message. I would like to save my findings for the briefing. I only want to repeat this once." Liara said rather coldly. The ship slightly shook as the docking clamps attached themselves to the ship. The boarding gantry extended from the terminal and sealed up around the hatch. They had arrived at Arcturus.