Chapter Seven
The Normandy had just docked into one of the Alliance docking bays on the Citadel. It took just under twenty hours from the Armstrong Nebula. Zoe had sent off her final report on the Armstrong Nebula incidents to Admiral Hackett. Hackett granted her request to allow the Normandy and its crew a week's long leave. He thanked the Normandy for clearing out the geth threat from the nebula. Zoe neglected to tell Hackett about what they found in that bunker on Solcrum. Those files had political nightmare and shit storm wrapped into one. Zoe issued a memo as soon as she woke up stating that all crew were granted leave provided that all assigned tasks were completed.
As soon as the docking tube was connected the crew of the Normandy was greeted by a surprise inspection from a legendary pain in the ass otherwise known as Rear Admiral Sergei Mikhailovich. He chastised every single aspect of the Normandy. From the designs of the engine and the CIC to Zoe's choices in the extra members of her crew, Mikhailovich had a negative opinion. Zoe weathered this cynical storm with many thanks to Liara for her soothing mental messages. Somehow Zoe was able to convert Mikahilovich over to her side. Sure the Normandy had its faults and flaws however there wasn't a ship in the Alliance fleet that could match it for both stealth and speed. Zoe was just thankful when that massive pain in the Alliance's ass walked out of her airlock and down the gangway.
Zoe told Liara, Ashley and Tali to meet her at The Pulsar Suites Resort on the Presidium. Liara had gotten the foursome the Council Suite which included a deluxe clean room for Tali. She had a few errands to run before she could join them for a relaxing weekend. Somehow the so called famous Asari consort Sha'ira wanted a word. That would have to wait until after her higher priorities. She first had a meeting with Captain Anderson in a small café just out of Citadel Embassies.
"It's good to see you again sir." Zoe said.
"Child, if you call me sir one more time, you be spending Christmas in the Brig." Anderson said as seriously as he could before laughter broke out from his lips. "In all seriousness, why did you request a meeting through back channels? It has trouble written all over it."
"Can ask you about Navigator and now XO Pressly? Did you hand pick him or was he assigned to you by the brass?" Zoe inquired.
"I knew this conversation was not going to be easy. No, Zoe, Pressly was assigned to me on the orders of Rear Admiral Sergei Mikahilovich. Where does this interest in Pressly come from?" Anderson fired back.
"Mikahilovich? That figures. Those two morons might as well be brothers. Those two are cut from the same cloth. I just talked my way out of repermands and a courtmartial after a surprise inspection of the Normandy." Zoe said before she took a sip of her tea.
"Mikahilovich may be the galaxy's biggest pain in the ass but is the furthest from a moron as one can be. That man has the fastest promotional record in the Alliance. Zoe, the man is a political shark. I would advise you to limit your exposure to that man. He has a nose for blood which could rival a sharks'." Anderson explained.
"I had an equipment mishap aboard the Normandy during my last mission where the stealth systems were deliberately sabotaged. We were able to trace it back to Pressly. He has also been passing off our classified logs to sources we've traced back to a black ops group. He is guilty of high treason and yet I haven't arrested him because I know he has powerful friends who would be able to have the charges against him dropped. I have this all documented on two OSDs. I just don't know what to do with it. The one thing I want the most is that idiot off of my ship." Zoe said annoyed.
"Zoe, give me a few days and let me see what I can do. I have some pull with Admiral Hackett who as we both know outranks Mikahilovich. We also both know that Pressly has been passed over for promotion a few times. I think I can convince Hackett to fine a captaincy of a small supply ship. You know that it's tough enough getting the horse to the water that just the sight of water would encourage the horse to drink but we both know that's not the case. However I am glad you were able to come to me with your concerns. It shows you are willing to trust others again." Anderson said before he finished his cup of black coffee. He stood up from the table and turned towards Zoe who just stood up. He pulled her in for a hug. She wasn't expecting and slightly flinched. Anderson felt her flinch and released Zoe. "It's okay child."Anderson whispered.
"I know… I know… every time I think I have some sort of a control on my past. It strikes back with a vengeance. Thanks for always having my back." Zoe said as she wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. "What would Udina do without you?"
"I wouldn't be wrong in saying that I would be a happier man without serving under Udina but it appears I am stuck here for the time being. If I can help even one soldier by serving under Udina, I will feel like I am making a difference. Now, I know that I am keeping you from your shore leave. I will let you go now." Anderson said before he turned and headed for the exit. Zoe's next port of call was the office of Dr. Shelley Hatana.
Zoe thought that she had made good progress but that flinch brought back events she thought she had buried deep within her mind. The mental dam was close to breaking. She bid farewell to Anderson and left the café. She then hailed a Sky Cab to take her over to the Tayseri ward of the Citadel. Dr. Hatana's office was located at the north end of the ward in the Satari building which housed various companies. It was strange to find a doctor outside of a building full of other doctors.
Zoe felt like she was being watched as she entered the building and it wasn't because she was on closed circuit camera either. She was pretty sure that someone was following her. She wished that she had on her battle armor which had her own built in cloaking devices but showing up to a psychiatrist's office in full battle armor wasn't the best way to make a first impression. Zoe showed her credentials to the security guard at the front desk. The salarian checked his list and let Zoe pass through the gate. Zoe took one of the elevators up to the forty second floor. Dr. Hatana's office was just a short walk from the elevator.
Zoe checked in with a young sounding Quarian receptionist. The young quarian introduced herself as Nina'Haen nar Rayya. Zoe raised her eyebrow when she heard the last part of the young Quarian's name. Nina said that Dr. Hatana was running late with a difficult patient but that Zoe was the last patient of the day.
"Do you go by Nina or Nina'Haen?" Zoe asked softly.
"It usually Nina'Haen if I am back on my home ship the Rayya. I use my full name anywhere else. Nina only gets used between family and close friends." Nina'Haen responded.
"The universe might be massive in space but on the other hand it can be very small." Zoe said with a slight chuckle.
"What do you mean by that? The galaxy is just one part of the universe and who really knows how big it really is." Nina fired back.
"What I meant by that is that I am very good friends with a Quarian who happens to be one of the best flight mechanics and soldier I have ever encountered and she happens to also be from the Rayya. I'm somewhat familiar with Quarian set up. Some of your lifeships can house a few thousand people. By chance have you ever heard of Tali'Zorah?" Zoe inquired.
"I know more about her father than her. Tali's father is a member of the Admiralty board. He was in command of many research projects. I don't know much more than that other than the fact that he was extremely xenophobic. A true Quarian's Quarian. A mindset like that is what drove me away from the Rayya. I don't think I'll ever head back. Shel er I mean Dr. Hatana takes very good care of me. I'll give you one piece of advice Commander; never ever lose the trust of a Quarian. We are fiercely loyal when you earn it but lose it and you will never get it back." The screen on Nina'Haen's desk flashed. "The doctor will see you in a few minutes. You can go on through." Nina punched a few buttons on the optical door unlocked and opened.
Zoe went on through to a spacious and tastefully designed office. Zoe couldn't believe that this doctor had a waterfall feature built into one of her walls. This place was quite out of place. It seemed more like an expensive apartment in a posh condo complex. Zoe walked over to the large glass windows and looked out into the night. She could see the lights coming from the newly opened performing arts center where that avant-garde theatrical producer was putting on a production of Hamlet using an all Elcor cast.
"Some say that Francis Kitt is out of his mind for trying to use an elcor cast for a production of Hamlet and that Krogans would never understand Romeo & Juliet. All I know is that his shows have been sold out for months and the show hasn't even premiered yet." A voiced spoke as it approached Zoe at the large windows. Dr. Shelley Hatana was a short yet statuesque woman of Indian descent. Her long curly salt and pepper hair framed a heart shaped face with silver rimmed glasses. Zoe could barely make out an accent but it was still there.
"Dr. Hatana I presume?" Zoe asked.
"Please do not put me on the same level as those two bumbling fools. However I am glad you came Commander Shepard. Your news exploits alone make for a rather interesting read." Hatara fired back.
"You can't believe everything you read or see on the extranet especially if it's about me and from a reporter by the name Al-Jilani. That vulture has had a vendetta against me for years." Zoe relented.
"Care to share? You're not going to be making headlines for decking that walking virus on a live broadcast, are you?" Shelley said with a smile.
"The thought has been a favorite of mine for a while but that's not why I am here today."
"I am curious as to why you are today. My practice is by personal referrals only and even then I am picky about my patients. Karin just happens to be a very good friend whom I no longer owe a favor to anymore. She didn't tell me anything about your situation but if she set this all up then there is something seriously wrong." Shelley said. Her tone changed from rather playful to nothing but strictly business.
"Can I make a request first? Can you please call me Zoe? I am sick of that Commander Shepard persona I have to present day after day. If I am going to be your patient, I want to be Zoe Shepard and not the Commander and first Spectre." Zoe said delicately.
"Of course Zoe, there will be addressing you in any professional capacity while you are in my office. Is there anything I can get for you?" Shelley asked.
"I suppose a finger or two of Jameson is out of the question?" Shelley nodded. "Then I'd like a glass of water." Shelley nodded. She motioned Zoe to sit down on her plush leather sofa. A moment later, Shelley handed Zoe a bottle of cold water. Zoe thanked Shelley for her hospitality and took a long sip before placing the bottle on the glass coffee table. She saw that Shelley sat down across from her in a matching plush leather chair.
"First off, we need to take care of some ground rules. This first session is complementary and is more of a personal assessment and diagnostic of your mental state. If Karin recommended you to come see me, she wouldn't have done so lightly. I specialize in some of the worst types of post traumatic stress imaginable. I usually deal mostly with soldiers and victims of domestic and sexual abuse. I am financially very well off and do not charge anything for my psychiatric services. I could tell you where I went to school and where I was board certified but those are just pieces of papers on the wall. I was there on Elysium for vacation when the Batarians decided to strike. I wasn't at the space port but as soon as it was retaken I was offering my services and skills to the survivors."
"Small world isn't Doc? What are the odds that I run into another person with whom I have a somewhat personal connection?"
"What do you mean by that?" Shelley asked.
"Your receptionist grew up on the same lifeship as one of my crew members and best friend." Zoe heard an almost inaudible gasp from Shelley. There was more to their relationship that just an employer and employee. "Miss Nar Rayya was very cordial and welcoming when I arrived today."
"I will pass along your compliments however talking about my lovely receptionist was a nice diversionary move. You want my help. I don't currently need yours. Zoe, can you please tell me why you are here?" Shelley asked.
"What I am about to tell you is considered beyond top secret by both the Citadel Council and the Alliance Navy. I assume you have taken the necessary precautions to safeguard your other patients' privacy with top of the line anti-eavesdropping countermeasures?" Shelley nodded. "This story goes back to my encounter on Eden Prime." Zoe picked up the bottle of water and took a long drink that nearly emptied the bottle.
"I am sure you heard that Eden Prime was attacked by a Spectre who went rogue named Saren. That was the official story. The Normandy was officially ordered to complete its last proving run doing a full systems shakedown test in the atmosphere above Eden Prime. In reality, we were ordered to covertly pick up a Prothean beacon. Before we landed groundside we picked up an emergency transmission from the surface stating that planet was under attack from mechanized AI units and a giant ship. We didn't know at the time who was responsible for the attack but we responded in force.'
"I had a Spectre by the name of Nihlus Kryik shadowing me. He was going to be evaluating my performance on the mission for my consideration for induction into the Spectres. Unfortunately, Kryik was ambushed by Saren and shot in the back. Let me back up a little bit. We landed on the surface and made our way up towards the first village when out of nowhere my squad was ambushed by automated Geth turrets. Those guns ripped right through one of my guys suit before he even had a chance to get his shields up. I really wanted to scream out loud at losing a good soldier. For the two people killed in action my lieutenant and I were able to save not only able to save some of the residents of Eden Prime but a fellow soldier whose whole platoon had been eviscerated by the geth." Shelley noted that Zoe had a small smile on her face when she talked about saving that one soldier's life.
"We made it to the spaceport after battling wave after wave of geth squads. My new squad covered my back as I defused four small neutron pulse bombs. The geth had brought the Prothean beacon to the space port. It stood there emanating a green hue bright enough that we could see it from a distance. I made sure that the perimeter was secure while Lt. Alenko and Sergeant Ashley Williams guarded the beacon. Things happened rather quickly and somehow Alenko somehow found himself being dragged towards the beacon. Ashley was frozen by shock. I reacted quickly and shoved Alenko out of the way. The beacon's energy drew me in and elevated me into the air. I don't remember floating but my squad both attest to that fact." Zoe took a long sip from the water bottle.
"The next thing I remember is seeing these horrific visions of death and destruction. These visions must have been some sort of Prothean warning sign. Why else would you leave behind such images of total annihilation unless you happen to be a race of absolute sadists? Anyway, it is these nightmares that were the initial reason as to why I was referred to you." Zoe said.
"That is quite the tale Zoe and not what I was expecting. I was expecting something from your past say the Akuze incident or some other battle related stress. You don't have to worry. I believe your story even if some high government officials do not. The truth lies in your eye contact and your vocal cadence. If you had been fabricating such a fanciful story, it would have been extremely difficult to keep your voice from slightly changing pitch and your eyes wouldn't have made as much contact with mine. It's scary to think that the same fate the Protheans suffered could happen to us." Shelley said before she reached for her cup of coffee.
"You strike me as a person who cannot stand bullshitters and liars. I know you can never give me the full story because if you did then both of us would end up in a military jail or worse. I can sense that you found another way to deal with these nightmares but you still kept our open appointment and even showed up. I know there is more to the saga of Shepard but here is my offer. I am here as your friend and not a shrink. I don't report to anybody in any form of government. I am just another sounding board. My door is always open to you." Shelley explained.
"That is very comforting to hear Shelley. You are right there is a lot more to my story than just some ancient nightmares. I feel though that if I tell you more than the emotional dam I have built up will finally come crashing down. I am really afraid that I won't be the same if that were to happen. I feel like Humpty Dumpty some days."
"I see so much of my younger self in you Zoe except for the military service. You are a bright young woman who has been through ordeals that would probably make other people faint. I had that same emotional dam and it did break. I was able to put myself back together with help from my friends. I am primarily a doctor who works with only the patient but in your case I think having your friends here would help you. They need to know about the things that you have been hiding from everybody."
"How could you possibly know about that? I have never told a soul." Zoe said stunned.
"Your voice and word choice betrayed you and I did and still do the same thing. I sometimes refer to men only by their last name and present rank if they have one. It's rare for me to ever udder a man's name unless I have to directly address him. That whole mannerism is based upon the lack of trust I have for the male side of most species. Zoe, these events that you have bottled up inside of you will boil over under the worst inopportune time unless you deal with it in a controlled environment. I am a rape survivor. I was raped when I was in high school. It is a part of me and I did let it define who I was for a long time until I told a brash young doctor whose humor is as painful as a rusty hacksaw. She helped me through everything. She unknowingly guided my path into becoming a psychiatrist." Shelley said.
There were tears in Zoe's eyes. Shelley's story had finally broken through her emotional dam. All of those terrible memories started flooding back.
He was standing over her. He had a knife in his hand as he forced her to take off her clothes and then he told her to take off his pants. She almost started to laugh at the microscopic size of his penis. She would have to if it weren't for the knife. She was just into her first week at boot camp and he was her sadistic drill instructor who had a nasty bone to pick with all women.
Somehow he got the tiniest erection she could ever imagine. She would never forget that putrid smell that came from his crotch. She sucked him off until he came into her mouth. She wanted to spit out that vile fluid but didn't have a death wish. The next thing she remembered was she was tied down to her bunk bed and he was on top of her. Somehow he was able to get another erection and against the laws of nature it was bigger than the first. That couldn't be right. There had to be somebody else in the room. They had blindfolded her and no amount of facial muscle movement allowed her to see around the blindfold.
She felt her legs were spread wide open and then she felt something hot and fleshy violate her inner sanctum. Zoe had never been with anyone intimately before and these fucking bastards were going to steal this most sacred moment from her. A sharp stabbing pain ripped through her lower abdomen. He got in a few thrusts before the sounds of gunshots rang out. She heard her attacker fall to the floor. The next voice she heard was that of her mother. Zoe had woken up in base's infirmary. Her mother explained that she wanted to have lunch with her daughter. Hannah Shepard was the one to discover her own daughter was being raped. She took out her service pistol and executed the drill sergeant from across the room. Hannah told Zoe that Zoe had been in a medically induced coma for three days due to the head trauma Zoe suffered. She also told Zoe that she would only be receiving a demotion from captain to executive officer. There was nothing but blackness after that.
For the last twenty minutes, Shelley tried her best to get Zoe out of whatever sort of trance or state Zoe seemed to be in but it was no luck. Her omni-tool chimed. Nina was the only one who was able to ping Shelley's omni-tool and was told only to do so if her life was in danger. Shelley answered the call.
"Doctor, there is a very agitated Asari with a biotic charge aimed at my head not to mention an Alliance marine and a quarian have shotguns trained on me. All three of them are threatening to either rip the door off of its hinges or just blowing up the door." Nina announced.
"For the love of all that is holy send them right on in. I need their help and have paramedics on standby." Shelley yelled back through her onmi-tool. She was still by Zoe's side when the door to her inner office opened up. She saw a blue blur running towards her.
Ashley, Liara and Tali were slowly making their way through the crowded and expensive Presidium Fashion District. Liara had explained to both Tali and Ashley that many of the top Asari designers had their main stores here instead of on Thessia. The Citadel was a far bigger market than Thessia. They had just entered a store called Xan'raha's. Even Ashley had heard of the famous designer. Xan'raha Jannise was known for her radical designs. Ashley thought it was highway robbery to use such little material and yet charge so much for it. And yet there was this one purple number that she couldn't keep her eyes off of until she saw the price tag. That one dress cost more that she made in a year.
Liara saw what Ashley was looking at and her mind couldn't stop picturing the beautiful marine in that purple dress. Liara walked over to Ashley and asked what she thought of the dress.
"Everything about it is perfect except for the price tag. It's more than I would ever spend on myself. It's more than I make in a year." Ashley said dispondantly. "
It's a good thing we are not using your credit cards. Zoe lent me one of hers and I ran a credit and limit check on it. Let's just say that you could buy a dozen of those dresses and not put a dent into Zoe's financials. She has one of the best financial minds out there. She easily could have put Barla Von out of business if she ever wanted to leave the military. Now having said all of that, I think you should really try on that dress." Liara said as she took the dress off of that rack.
Ashley wouldn't back down from a challenge. She took the hanger that the dress hung from and headed towards the changing room. Liara looked around for Tali but the young quarian had ran off somewhere else. She was unprepared for the waves of emotion that had come over through her bond with Shepard. First she felt a wave of mixture of fear and annoyance.
Liara knew that Zoe was heading to that psychiatrist friend of Dr. Chakwas after she met with Captain Anderson. It then felt like Zoe thought that she was being followed from place to place. Liara couldn't explain why these feelings seemed to be delayed reactions to things that already happened to Zoe.
Liara knew that Zoe was fully capable of defending herself in any situation with or without backup or a weapon. However, Liara knew that Zoe was also vulnerable if the right buttons were pressed. She could sense that Zoe hadn't told her entire life story and it would have been extremely rude to use a meld to go digging through Zoe's past. She pushed those thoughts to the side when she saw Ashley walking out from the dressing room. The gorgeous marine took Liara's breath away. Ashley needed to let her hair down more often. The Asari silk clung perfectly to every inch of the fit marine's body. Yet Ashley made an Asari fashion faux pas. Dresses like the ones Xan'raha Jannise designs are not meant to be worn with any undergarments because they could be seen as clear as day from a mile away.
"Ashley, you look stunning that dress but I recommend you return to the dressing room before anybody else sees you."
"What are you talking about? First you say I look stunning in this dress then not five seconds later demand that I return to the dressing room. What the hell Liara?" Ashley fired back.
"Would you like me to accompany you to the dressing room or can you wait for my explanation until you return in your normal clothing?" Liara asked. Ashley turned around and stormed back to the dressing room like a woman possessed. Ashley returned a few minutes later in her casual dress and carrying the purple one. She was about to put it back on the rack when Liara stopped her.
"There is a reason why I brought you and Tali into this store. I know you are uncomfortable around the Asari other than just me. You looked amazing in that dress and I am buying it for you as a gift from me and Zoe. I only made that comment was because you didn't wear that dress as the designer intended. Xan'raha's clothing is meant to be worn without anything else on. The asari silk while not see through is thin enough that I was able to discern the flowery print of your bra and panty set. These dresses are meant to entice people and are only worn between those who are either looking for a good time or people like us. People who have found love already and want only to share it with a very select few. So Miss Williams, you have a choice. You can reject a gift from both Zoe and I or you can man up and accept our gift as it was intended." Liara explained.
"Ohh fine, your logic always wins over my doubting side." Ashley saw Tali walking towards them with a bag from a store she didn't recognize. Tali must have found a store that served Quarians. She was interesting in what Tali was able to find but didn't have the courage to ask after her debacle with Liara. It turns out she didn't have to wait long.
"Welcome back Tali. Ashley and I were just having a debate as to whether or not she should purchase that purple dress she has in her arms. I say she should get it and surprise Zoe later tonight at the hotel." Liara said.
"I agree with Liara Ashley. She has a great eye when it comes to fashion. I have seen her outside of that lab jumpsuit she seems to be favoring these days and she has great tastes. She wouldn't steer you wrong." Tali said jovially. The two girls had said enough to convince Ashley to accept Zoe's gift. They walked over to the register and Ashley allowed Liara to pay for the purple dress. The girl at the register claimed that the two lovers had great taste as she boxed up the dress. Tali had left the store and had hailed a Sky Cab.
The three ladies climbed into the cab and Liara told the Salarian cab driver to head to the Pulsar Suites. The cabbie took off and told the ladies that the trip would take about ten minutes in rush hour traffic. Tali was sitting next to the driver as Liara and Ashley were speaking softly to each other in the back when all of a sudden Liara went quiet and her skin turned a few shades lighter.
"Liara… Liara… what's wrong?" Ashley said as she tried to shake Liara out of her trance.
"Tali…track...her… find… Zoe…NOW!" Liara stammered out before Liara lost consciousness. Tali was on her onmi-tool as soon as she heard Liara give her that order. The cabbie was starting to freak out. It was understandable when one of his passengers was unconscious in his backseat. He was about to fly to the emergency landing pad of Huerta Memorial when Tali told him to fly to some coordinates in the Teysari ward. She threatened to pull out her heavy pistol if he didn't follow her instructions. He wasn't stupid. He quickly changed his course and threw the cab into overdrive.
The cab pulled up in front of the Satari office building while held Dr. Hatana's office. Liara had regained consciousness by the time they reached the building. Tali quickly paid off the cabbie with a generous tip. That extra tip was also to ensure that their packages made it to the Pulsar Suites. Liara and Ashley sweet talked the building security officers. Tali quickly and quietly followed her two squad mates into the waiting elevator. Ash and Tali pulled out pistols they had hidden on their persons while Liara was charging up her biotics. According to Tali's onmi-tool, Zoe was located on the forty second floor in an office near the elevator.
The elevator quickly reached the right floor. The elevator doors opened and Ashley took point. She led the others right to the door of Dr. Hatana. They formed up in a triangle defense pattern. The door was locked thankfully they had Tali with them. The door was unlocked but Ash didn't press the button to open the door until they were ready. She took a few deep breaths and used her fingers to silently count down from five. The door flew open and the three commandos surged into the office. They nearly scared the Quarian secretary to death. Liara demanded that the quarian unlock the door to the inner office. The quarian was either brave enough or stupid enough to call her boss and tell her that three armed commandos were banging on the door.
The doctor gave the quarian the clearance to open up the inner office door. Liara was firs through the door. Tali was about to follow Liara but Ash lightly grabbed Tali and held her back.
"This is a moment between Zoe and Liara. I think we should wait here until we are asked or they come walking out of the office." Ashley explained to Tali. Tali nodded her comprehension. The two comrades could hear Liara's angered voice from the lobby.
"What the hell have you done to my bondmate? She is almost in a full coma. I know you are a friend of Dr. Chakwas but don't think that I won't flay you alive with my mind. Please stand back and I will see if I can reach her through a rather forceful technique." Dr Hatana backed away from the leather couch. Liara sat down on the couch right above Zoe's head. She then gently lifted Zoe's head and placed it into her lap. Liara then drew upon their bond. Her eyes went black as she whispered embrace eternity.
If Zoe had been awake and conscious, she would have been in some discomfort. The act of melding is conscious effort that usually needs consent from both parties. The alternative is a kin to mental rape. Liara saw no other way or method to reach Zoe. She couldn't feel Zoe at all through their bond. The first image Liara saw was that off a military barracks. They were similar to those her mother had taken her to when she was threatening to send Liara into the commando Program. She heard soft cries for help coming from the other end of the barrack. She then saw a younger innocent Zoe strapped down to a bunk being violated a brute of a man. Liara's biotics flared but this was just a memory. There was nothing she could do to save her beloved.
Two shots from a pistol rang out from behind her. The shots must have gone right through Liara's avatar and hit their target twice in the head. That ugly brute fell to the floor with blood pouring out of his wounds. The person who had fired the gun ran up to the bunk and kicked the brute a few times while cursing at the man. She then turned back to the bunk and gave Zoe a warm hug. Liara wanted to do the same thing but there were limitations even to the Asari. Liara did hear the older woman whisper something about mommy's got you now and Zoe being safe in her arms.
The whole scene went black. Zoe must have lost consciousness. Liara started mentally chanting a mantra. I love you Zoe. Tali loves you Zoe. Ashley loves you Zoe. Please come back to us. Please come back to us. Please come back to us.
I love you too Little Li. Zoe mentally replied back to her lover.
I'll have you know that I am not very fond of nicknames. Second, there is nothing about me that you could ever classify as little.
What about your cute little blue toes? I'd go crazy if I didn't get to see and feel those wrapped around my legs. Zoe replied rather sassily.
You are incorrigible sometimes love. Do you feel well enough to tell this doctor and I use that term loosely about that scene I just witnessed. Liara asked.
You…you…you…saw…that? That was the worst day of my life even worse than losing my dad. The asshole took away my sense of security, my ability to trust authority figures, even my special gift that I was saving for somebody like you but after that event I was rather promiscuous.
Your past is a part of your life and only becomes an anchor if you let it. You really do have the most beautiful blue eyes I have seen. I really don't want to leave your arms right now but I think we should inform that so called doctor that I am going to be alright. I love you Liara. Zoe said as Liara flashed that beautiful full smile.
"I'm terribly sorry about that Doctor but a painful memory from the past just decided to return to the front of my mind. Is there any way you can redo your door locks and whatever other protocols you might have in place." Zoe said as Liara helped her up into a seated position. Shelley nodded as she brought up her omni-tool. The lovers saw the door to the inner office close and lock itself. Zoe let out a inaudible sigh. She was in the arms of her lover. She felt safe once again.
"I am sure that seeing a patient relive one of the most terrifying moments of their lives is something you have seen before. I don't think I've ever blacked out that long before." Zoe explained.
"It's not generally a thing I see on a daily basis but I have helped patients deal with such episodes. However, I can't recall a time where any of my patients have experienced any loss of consciousness. Losing consciousness isn't common Zoe and it definitely isn't a good thing. Do you feel up to sharing anything about this memory?" Shelley asked. Zoe took a deep breath.
"This memory is about what happened to me during my first week of boot camp. I was raped by one of my drill instructors in the barracks. I thought I processed the event enough that I was able to put it behind me. I don't know which part was worse the thought that I being raped by a superior officer or the fact that my mother was the one to rescue me. She executed him right in front of my eyes. She blew his brains out from across the room. Some of his brain ended up splattering on my body. I don't remember much after that other than waking up in the hospital. The doctors told me I fell into a state of shock which was understandable at the time." Zoe said.
"If I could sue the Alliance Medical Core for malpractice I would have a long time ago. Zoe, you have a textbook case of post traumatic stress disorder and yet again the Alliance wrapped it all up keeping it a secret. Your indomitable will and a record streak of stubbornness kept this ugly problem at bay for a long time. The planets seemed to have aligned against you and you suffered a mental relapse. You are lucky that a relapse of this size didn't happen while you were in the midst of battle. How would you feel if you got your entire squad killed because you blacked out? These are terrible thoughts and yet we need to address them. I don't know how you were able to pass any recent psych evaluation but if it were up to me I would have placed you on inactive duty until you passed a full evaluation." Shelley explained.
"Where do we go from here Doc?" Zoe inquired with a worried look on her face.
"I don't know Shepard. You are indeed with the unique case. I am a private physician and not under the arm and purview of the Alliance. None of my reports would ever get back to them but I know that they will make your scheduling rather chaotic. I want you and your bondmate to come back for a few more sessions. I have a feeling she will be able to help you on a level I would never be able to reach. If one of you would contact my secretary ahead of time, I will give you a full session that comes with no time limit."
"Your offer is very generous Doctor. I will take care of the arrangements. Goddess knows that Zoe has so many other pressing matters to deal with these days. I am sorry about my attitude towards you when I first arrived. My friends and I were in the Presidium marketplace when I felt Zoe lose consciousness. We hijacked a taxi and came right here. I thought she had been severely injured." Liara said shamefully.
"I accept your apology. I can't imagine what that must have felt like. I would have done the exact same thing if I were in your position. If there is nothing else, I will let you two continue on with your day." Shelley said. She brought up her omni-tool and unlocked the door which then slid open. Liara helped Zoe to her feet. They both shook Dr. Hatana's hand before they made their way out to the lobby. Zoe was greeted by hugs from both Ashley and Tali. The three friends apologized to Nina for their rough arrival before exiting the office. The four friends made their way to the elevator.
"Are you alright Zoe?" Tali asked with worry laced words.
"No Tali but I am on a road to recovery. You two deserve the full and unabridged version of my story but that won't happen in a public elevator." Zoe said as the elevator rapidly descended from the forty second floor. The rest of the ride was silent except for the horrid elevator music. The taxi cab was still waiting for them at the landing pad outside of the office building. Ash took the seat next to the driver while Liara, Tali and Zoe squeezed into the back. Liara told the drive to head towards the Pulsar Suites Hotel. The cabbie quickly put the skycar into the air. The flight time was about twenty minutes before he pulled the skycar into the portico of the Pulsar Suites Hotel. The four friends piled out of the cab. Liara thanked the salarian for being understanding and gave him a generous tip.
Tali and Ashley were in awe of the huge hotel lobby. The floor of the lobby was tiled in white marble. There was a massive fountain in the center of the lobby which some of the streams of water were able to reach a height of nearly sixty feet. They followed Liara over to the reception desk. Zoe hung back and took in all of the beauty the lobby had to offer until someone caught her eye. Over at the hotel bar, there was an Alliance officer whose dress blues jacket seemed to be three sizes too small. Something wasn't right. Zoe guessed that she was close in size to this woman but her dress blues fit perfectly and didn't show any cleavage. She knew she was dealing with an imposter. As Zoe made her way to the bar, she made sure her pocket knife was ready to go if things went south.
Zoe pulled up her omni-tool and connected to the extranet. She searched the net for an anagram decoding site. She found one and entered Admiral Wannos. She received 44,740 possibilities. She huffed and closed her onmi-tool. If the high tech solution doesn't work why not use an old fashioned pen and paper. She walked over to the concierge desk and asked for a pen and pad of paper. The Asari working the desk gave her a strange look but still fulfilled the request. Zoe sat down in one of the comfy leather chairs outside the bar.
She wrote out the name Admiral Wannos. The only name that came to mind when she looked at Admiral was Miranda. She wrote out Miranda below Admiral and then crossed out the corresponding letters in the name above which left her with L, W, A, N, O, S. She rearranged the remaining letters to spell out Lawson. Zoe then pulled up her omni-tool and logged into the secure Spectre database. She typed in the name Miranda Lawson into the search engine. She then pulled up Miranda's dossier from the Spectre Database. Miranda's picture matched the person Zoe saw standing at the bar.
Name: Lawson, Miranda
Sex: Female
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 130 lbs approx
Allegiance: Cerberus
Role: High Ranking Officer – Assassin
Notes:
It is unclear whether Miss Lawson joined Cerberus to escape her father or Cerberus recruited her but nonetheless she joined the known terrorist group at the age of eighteen. She quickly rose through the ranks. She is a marksman with both pistols and submachine guns. She is lethal with her biotics as well. She is suspected in carrying out the assassination of the batarian ambassador and terrorist Jath'Amon and several other high profile assassinations.
APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION: CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS
Zoe logged out of the Spectre database and then closed down her omni-tool. Once again she had more questions than she had answers. Why would a known Cerberus operative wanting to meet with me. There was no way they would ever want to recruit her. Zoe was a prime supporter of interspecies relations and communication. Cerberus didn't follow Zoe's beliefs. Zoe looked back over to the reception area. It seemed like Ash, Liara, and Tali had finished their business at the check-in desk and were making their way across the lobby towards her.
"We are all checked in for the Council Suite. The bellman asked if we had any luggage and I was almost tempted to say that we didn't need any." Liara said with a smile.
"You guys go on up to the suite. I have a meeting in the bar with an admiral from the Defense Research Projects Group. Hopefully, this won't take long but I will be in full contact with Liara if things don't go well." Zoe said calmly.
"There is no way that we are letting you out of our sights again Shepard. Besides, that woman who is posing as an admiral is far too young to have achieved that rank in that branch. Our dress blues are always tailored to fit. Hers looks like it was shrunk in the wash or she bought it at a surplus store. Regardless, we three will go into the bar first and get a table across the room from your meeting. Liara will keep us informed if anything gets hinky." Ashley said.
"It's a true shame that the Alliance hasn't promoted you higher. Your critical eyes and quick tactical thinking are being wasted as a Gunnery Sergeant. You ladies get your table and message me when you are all set." Zoe said. She watched her ladies walk into the bar. She looked over at Lawson and saw that there were few empty glasses in front of her. Her omni-tool beeped to say that she had a new message. She opened it up and saw that the girls were ready in position. Zoe got up from her comfy seat and slowly strolled into the bar trying to make it look like she was admiring the bar's expensive décor.
"Looks like service around here is pretty slow tonight. I wonder if my friends got better service at a table than here at the bar." Zoe said as she sat down next to Admiral Wannos.
"It's usually better if you are willing to show a little cleavage. It's what works on most Asari bartenders." Wannos said letting her light Austrailian accent float on in. She took another sip from her near empty glass.
"You've certainly got the right stuff for the job. A skill set few naturally possess that I would even call Kireina." Zoe said before she flagged down the Asari Bartender.
"I'm glad you were able to figure it out but then again you were always one to do your homework." The Asari bartender walked over. "I would like one more Serrice Brandy and my friend would like a glass of your finest Irish whiskey on the rocks," said Wannos.
"I have either Bushmills twenty one year old single malt or Jameson eighteen year old single malt." The asari bartender replied. She noticed the black haired human giving her a subtle nod. She just as subtly returned the nod.
"I will have a glass of the Jameson please." Zoe said with a smile. Zoe unconsciously puffed out her chest a little.
"You got it babe," replied the bartender. Zoe and the faux admiral were silence until the bartender brought back their drinks. Zoe just didn't know what to say to this known Cerberus operative. The bartender first put down a napkin in from front of Zoe and then her tumbler of Bushmills. Zoe picked up the glass and took a drink. There was something written on the napkin. At first she thought it was the logo for the hotel but it was a note written in perfect script.
I want to defect. Life in danger. Can you help me? Zoe quickly finished her drink and used the napkin wipe up any remains. She crumpled the napkin up and kept it in her hands. She knew that there were people probably watching over their meeting. She glanced over at Liara. Liara gave her a subtle yet approving nod.
"Well Admiral, I think your proposal for that new technology application will meet Council approval. It's a sweet deal that the Council would be fools to pass up. Then again this is the Council we are talking about. Do you think it will take me ten minutes to get a skycab at this time of night?" Zoe asked before she reached out her hand.
"You're Commander Shepard the first human Spectre. It should take you twenty minutes to catch a cab. Good luck Commander." Wannos said as she shook the Commander's hand.