BioWare; killing things with swords, lightsabers, and guns since 1995.
Dig Site Alpha, Therum, Knossus System, Artemus Tau Cluster, May 27, 2183
Petty Officer (Third Class) Sara Elaine Ryder stood in front of the clinic of Dig Site Alpha, and tried not to wince.
It was early morning Therum, where Knossus had yet to fully bloom over the craggy horizon of the geologically-active planet when Ryder went to visit the dig site with the intent to establish the clinic, meet with the expeditionary leader of the dig site, and get to work. Three Marine Privates had been assigned to her to carry her medical equipment, having four medial supply chests delivered to Alpha from Nova Yekaterinburg courtesy of the Systems Alliance Navy. Each one of them hauled the supplies over by hand over the rocky terrain the hundred or so meters to the actual entrance of the dig site, set in a deep depression that was likely a sink hole millennium old. Sara herself had the 'drug' locker, filled with supplies and prescriptions that would been need in the garden-variety, everyday manner, as well as a cache of combat drugs and painkillers. There was a chest filled with portable equipment for check-ups and diagnostic equipment, another to set up the clinic and its various tools, and the last was office equipment. It couldn't have been more bare bones if she tried, but at the least she would be able to treat anyone with even serious cases of injuries if required. She'd been getting more equipment next week, so at the least she was well-stocked for the time being.
The clinic, or the small pre-fab trailer that was to be the clinic, was a bit of a joke.
It was a container unit, twelve meters long by three meters wide, and was obviously used to transport the necessary equipment for the expedition. It didn't have a door, per se; it was locked with its original locking doors courtesy of two locking bars secured with handles. It didn't have any power or air conditioning connected to it, either. Obviously, a clinic with no health care provider wasn't a big priority.
"Well, this isn't cozy at all." Ryder looked over to Private Broussard, who had volunteered to help Doc lug the equipment over. It was already beginning to be near extreme temperatures for Human norm this early in the morning, and the clinic was simply a no-go. Sara was already beginning to sweat through her Sirta Foundation's Phoenix Light Medic Armor despite the environmental seals and system meant to regulate the internal temperature. 'Regulate' didn't mean 'comfort', just 'not sweating to death in ones' armor'. In an hour, it would be even worse. "Bet the clinic is an actual pre-fab building that some self-important mucky-muck took for themselves so they'd get more room and have to share less."
"I believe it." Broussard admitted readily enough. The general opinion of civilians was pretty low amongst the military. Just because they enlisted to protect them didn't mean they had to enjoy some of the more retarded things that the colonists or civilians did. "We could probably shuffle things around and open the clinic at the barracks, Doc."
"And make these poor roughnecks walk all that way so they could stomp around our wig-wag?" While it wasn't a far distance, it did involve a path through a rocky face that had several switchbacks and would be pretty treacherous for anyone not paying attention. Plus, if someone were hurt, it made more sense to be closer to the accident site, not having an injured person be carried further away. Especially through a series of switchbacks up an escarpment. "Closer is better, Bra. We were promised a facility, and if we let them start reneging on things, next thing you know is that we'll be chiseling the damn walls for them for doohickies." Broussard and the other two Privates chuckled at that. When it came to civilian laziness, there was no end in sight and nothing they'd stoop to. "We'll throw the chests into the 'clinic', and then I'll head on-site and find the expedition leader… or manager… or whoever runs this taco stand. Then I'm going to pin their ears back." The Privates loved it when a Non-Com talked dirty like that when it didn't involved them. The military was all about discipline, and it was a leaders' responsibility to correct infractions. For Doc, it was a double-dose; both physical and medical. Someone shirked on their health? Doc ripped them a new a-hole, plain and simple.
The doors to the container were opened, and Ryder wasn't surprised at all to find out that the container unit was indeed a storage locker, equipment laying about in a haphazard fashion, most of it lying on the floor. One of the Privates snorted at the sight as he pulled his medical chest in and placed it along side the wall, snug and proper. All four ended up stacked nice and neat, one atop another, just like the military taught.
"Alright, this will be good for now." Sara replied, knowing that she had the only key to the chests, and they wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. She closed the container doors and rotated the handles to lock the doors in place before setting them in their respective cradles. "You Marines can go back to the barracks and let Gunny Halverson know that the dig site dropped the ball and I'm going to have to the ball rolling to make things happen. Might take a while."
"Gonna need a battle buddy, Doc?" Broussard asked, looking to her. Marines didn't do anything alone, but then again Marine Non-Coms were trusted to actually accomplish things alone without supervision. That extended to Navy Non-Coms as well.
"Nah, I'll be good." Broussard looked a little unsure at the response, having it drilled into him since Boot never to leave anyone behind. Of course, there was also the male need to be there for females, to protect them and such. It wasn't sexist, it was just nature. Of course, it could be that he wanted to spend time with her for other reasons; that was just nature too. "Semper Fi, Broussard."
"Hoo-rah, Doc." The Marine was mollified, orders given by a Non-Com, to be obeyed. "We'll head back to the wig-wag. Try not to let the civilians nag you to death."
"Ugh. Civilian nagging." That had the Privates chuckling as Sara made a gagging noise. "Thankfully, I have my armor and my big-girl voice. Head on out, Marines." She got the sir sandwich as a response as all three of them turned to leave, heaving out of the sinkhole to head back to the Marine Barracks set in a defensible position, complete with walls, auto-turrets, security station, gate, and even a small garage for vehicles. Gunny Halverson had taken the security of the site seriously, and had made a hell of an obstacle for anyone that would like to come knocking. Sara watched the Marines leave, and wasn't really surprised to see Broussard turn back to look at her, double-checking. Well, perhaps he did have a thing for her. Wasn't like Combat Armor made anyone look sexy. At the least, he was a man looking out for a woman, that whole white knight thing. It was nice, if impossible. Docs didn't fraternize with their units. That spoke of rank stupidity. Sara had worked too long and too hard to get where she was just to blow it on some silly short-term romance or barracks marriage.
Ryder left the container that was the clinic and moved towards the entrance of the actual dig site, a loading ramp constructed to make the way easier to reach the cave located in the side of the sinkhole instead of constructing stairs or using the terrain, making it easier for people to enter or loading or unloading equipment. The Corpsman took to the ramp and headed towards the constructed access door, a double-pressure door meant to preserve the environment inside wile protecting any artifacts from outside interferences. Sara reached the circular door and found the access panel beside it, complete with an alphanumerical pad, a camera lens, and a card swipe. Ryder entered the thirteen digit access code that Gunnery Sergeant Halverson had given her to enter Alpha, and the first of the set of doors opened up for her, Sara entering into the airlock-styled entrance as the exterior doors slid close after she entered and the containment protocols activated. She waited a full minute as she was swept with hard blasts of air to dislodge dust, bombarded with weak ultraviolet rays to destroy any bacteria or microorganism on her, and then misted with a bleach/chlorine solution to disinfect and sanitize; the standard containment and decontamination protocol. Decon finished, Sara entered into a world at least fifty-thousand years old.
She might have been born on a Prothean space station, but Ryder found herself having to pick up her jaw at the sight of a Prothean ruin.
The Complex, whatever it was, started with a huge antechamber dug deep into a volcanic mountain, one in which the geothermal energy was tapped to power the Complex. Sara had read a small dossier given to the Marine unit, and had been impressed by the research already underway. It seemed that researchers and technicians weren't skimped out on as a dozen fields were represented in unearthing the Prothean ruin, discovering and cataloging anything and everything. Prothean tech and culture had always fascinated Sara, and in another life, that would have been the field she would have picked for herself if she had never boosted herself to Elysium. Sara disengaged her helmet, allowing it to collapse upon itself as the translucent faceplate slid into the curved helmet and the sides retracted upward, allowing her to connect it onto her left pauldron for storage as she entered the Complex. The start of the antechamber was a huge lava chamber, a cavern that could easily fit a part of a Citadel sub-block inside where Prothean architecture laced into the walls, possibly for structural support, but it could even be for power integration. Sara walked slowly, looking all around and marveling at the sight. Even being born on the Citadel and having lived on it for almost two decades, the sight of it all was simply incredible. It had the same feel as the Citadel, with its graceful line and construction, but seeing it embedded into bed rock was certainly new. None of the walls were the same color as the Citadels', that off-white gleam present everywhere in the space station. Instead, they were a gunmetal grey, almost blending into the rock of Therum.
"What are you doing here?"
The tone was acidic as Sara looked to the speaker to find a small group of people standing at the end of the ramp that she was taking that would lead her down into the antechamber floor. There were five in all; three Asari, and two Salarians. Each of them were in heavy duty jumpsuits colored green with white paneling and borders, and the logos on the chest was the symbol of that of the Serrice University. Ah, this must be the Asari team of archaeologists and paleontologists, Sara figured as she approached the group at the end of the ramp. The tone had come from an Asari who stood in the center of the group, slightly taller than her Thessian kin, though the Salarians naturally towered over her. Most Humans identified Asari from one of three features; coloration of skin, the centurymarks upon the face, and… yes, the size of their somehow non-feminine breasts. Having lived on the Citadel and seeing Asari all of her life, Sara could recognize more subtle differences in facial features and posture, knowing that Maidens always deferred to Matrons, and Matrons to Matriarchs. She could even figure out a good deal of the social strata matriarchy, knowing which Asari belonged to which family clan by the kind of centurymarks they had, where they were positioned, and the coloration. The one who had spoken to her was obviously a Matriarch; she was much more busty than the others (somehow, Asari got even more voluptuous as they got older), and the markings on her face were both numerous and intricate. By the purple coloration of her centurymarks and the fact that it was actually going into her head crest, it meant that she was not only a native Thessian, but likely her family was of importance in Thessia. While the Republic didn't necessarily have nobility, purple markings meant one of the Great Houses; an ancient line that did something quite important in Thessian past. Like all Asari, Sara knew to be exceedingly polite, to tread carefully, and try not to punch them in their smug faces when they were dealing with one of the 'lesser, shorter-lived' species.
"Matriarch? My name is Petty Officer Third Class Sara Ryder, of the Citadel." Instead of the customary handshake between Human beings, or the military salute between members of the armed forces, Sara effected an Asari courtesy; she held her hands at the small of her back and bowed at a thirty degree angle, her left foot only slightly forward of her right. In Asari culture, it was a greeting of respect and deference, something she knew quite well about from the Citadel. She waited the customary three seconds before straightening up, keeping her hands behind her back and returning her left foot alongside her right. Despite all of their culture and advancement, the Asari were inherently a dominant race, and probably didn't realize they craved supplication in others. Amongst Asari, it was normal to give one's name, their place of birth, and their lineage. Likely, this Asari could probably give a shit less about Human lineage, considering it was customary to name one after their father amongst mankind instead of their mother with Asarikin. "I am a Systems Alliance Navy Corpsman, Matriarch, and the health care provider assigned to Dig Site Alpha." It was obvious to Sara that this Matriarch would likely be a stuffy, smug bitch who saw Humanity as menial workers, much like the Salarian Dalatrasses did with their males.
"You do realize that you are six weeks late, Maiden?" The tone hadn't gotten any less acidic. In fact, it had gone hydrochloric. "Any number of accidents may have occurred while excavating, and we were forced to do without." Heaven forbid the dig site stuck towards safer methods or activities, but Sara knew this was a one-way conversation, and she wouldn't win any argument here. Honestly, a Human-ran operation would have likely gone ahead with full excavation without a health care provider as well. Sara was going to have to do her best to rationalize this before she inserted her foot in her mouth with the Matriarch who had yet to name herself. That was allowed in Asari culture, but everyone else found it rude as hell. "The clinic is at the base camp, where you belong." That dismissal couldn't have been more obvious. Somebody didn't like Earthlings, evidently.
"Stuffed full of your equipment with no A/C and no power." Sara interjected, getting fed up with the attitude. Simple courtesy wasn't much to ask for, but if someone wanted to play belligerent, she'd play ball. "Unless you want me to toss it out onto the ground and make do with whatever I can find and steal. Or you could cuddle the laser auger the next time you get hurt, sweating to death in the dark. And I'm pretty damn certain 'clinic' doesn't equal 'transportation container', Sai." Sara used a Turian term that meant 'one who should remember'. It had multiple uses, and depending on the sentence used, could be praise, used to honor a fallen one, or a horrible insult. Sara meant it as an insult. The Matriarch's forehead wrinkled upward in a raised eyebrow fashion, obviously shocked that someone would talk to her in such a fashion. Probably hadn't happened in a few centuries. "Should have been done six weeks ago." There, that tidied it up nicely.
"Making friends I see, Lysana."
Sara looked over to see another Asari arrived, dressed in the same Serrice University jumpsuit, but this one had… some sort of brassard on her right arm, gold with three Asari logogrammatic letters in silver. The letters displayed were 'DPR', and while Ryder didn't know acronym, she had a pretty good feeling that this was the expeditionary leader for the Serrice University Team. Dean of Prothean Research, perhaps?
"Professor T'vara, I…" The Asari began to stammer as the Corpsman noted the other two Asari and two Salarians began to edge away slowly. Ah, someone had screwed up or overstepped their bounds. That was a serious boo-boo in Asari culture, forgetting one's place and acting in the steed of another without permission. Especially when said person was older and/or in charge. "T-This Human…"
"My name is Petty Officer Third Class Sara Ryder, of the Citadel, Matriarch." Again, Sara bowed in proper etiquette towards the new Asari. She was certainly surprised when the Asari in question responded by extending her hand, palm sideways and fingers forward. To shake hands? Sara had never seen an Asari use the Human greeting before! The Corpsman straighted up and took the hand, shaking it properly with a smile. "I'm with the Systems Alliance Navy, and I'm the expedition's Corpsman and health care provider, Matriarch."
"Professor Irissa T'vara, of Itoma." Yes, Ryder could see that the centurymarks were almost yellow; the further one was born from Thessia, the more yellow the markings got. The Matriarch was most definitely a Matriarch, but identified herself by her profession instead of her age. And… Sara was pretty certain she was younger than the rude one, Lysana. "As I understand it, you have just completed a much more advanced course of medical training for this position, Chief Ryder."
"That's… technically true." Sara was a little surprised that this Asari knew some Human idioms, such as calling a Petty Officer 'Chief', as well as shaking hands. "I'm afraid my orders didn't go into details about the fact that I'll be responsible for so many species. I've ordered supplies and some basic manuals on everyday cares and concerns for the species involved, but thankfully I spent three years in the CitEMS as a Skybulance Paramedic." She wasn't afraid to admit that. "Regardless, I can provide emergency care, trauma care, basic check-ups, booster shots, immunotherapy, scans, and health advisory for those here for the time being while I order up on some of the medical necessities I'll need to complete the duties here."
"That will be more than adequate, actually." The Professor smiled, though the other one, Lysana, sniffed primly, as if she expected the Human to be sub-par. Well, fuck her. "Are there any concerns you wish to address?"
"Just the general ones about safety practices. Work sites are notorious about small injuries due to negligence, bad habits, and careless mistakes, sadly." Sara replied shrugging her shoulders. It was pretty standard on Systems Alliance vessels that Non-Coms or a Chief Medical Officer would do just that to make sure that compliance with safety regulations were followed. Preventing injuries from happening was better than being able to fix one. "A quick tour wouldn't hurt, and anything I might notice means less time missed due to injuries, as well as the possibility of some of the artifacts you're looking for getting damaged. Hate for you to go through all that work just for some weak catwalk to collapse at the right moment and a fifty thousand year old artifact gets broken like a egg." That was the words a Protheantologist wanted to hear for sure. All works sites would automatically insist that their safety practices were to standard despite statistics defending that there were always injuries from dropped tools and careless mistakes. But lost time or lost product from the same mistakes would have even the most ardent of foremen listening. Dad taught her that it wasn't what you said, it's what the other person wanted to hear.
"An outside, independent review would be good." The Asari Professor agreed, and Ryder almost had her jaw drop at the agreement. Obviously, this Irissa T'vara was… quite different from her Matriarchical kin. Hell, from her Asarikin, too! She actually listened to others! "Doctor M'ala? Could you be so kind as to fetch Doctor T'soni? I believe she had some issues that she thought needed to be corrected." Matriarch Lysana squawked at the thought of being made to fetch, and Ryder tried not to smirk at the sight. The others that had been around her, the two Asari and Salarians, had wisely fled to avoid being remembered or associated with her. Doctor Lysana M'ala, Sara would remember that name. The Matriarch in question flounced away in a huff, and it was almost similar to what some of her brothers' little female playmates had done back when they were teenagers whenever they didn't get their way. It almost made her laugh out loud. "Doctor T'soni is our resident conspiracy theorist and general… I do believe the Human term is 'nutjob'," the Professor waited for Sara to nod at the identification of the term, "but I find her ideas to be refreshing and coming from a different perspective than others. Such ideas might not be correct, but Liara is very intelligent and very bold. She also noticed a few issues of safety that were waylaid by certain individuals to keep the deficiencies from being corrected, never reaching my nodules." Ah yes, that was the Asari term for ears, which they technically only had thin membranous skin for auditory reception under the lowest flaps of their crest on the sides of their upper skulls. A holdover from their evolution as aquatic creatures. No doubt Doctor M'ala was the reason said concerns were never addressed. "Doctor T'soni is very passionate at her work and in her ideas. Most will do what she asks for the chance to get away from listening to her go on, at length, about her radical ideas of Prothean extinction."
"You know… if it works, it works." Dad had a philosophy; if you can't beat it, use it, along with a hundred other anecdotes that equated to quit bitching and get it done. "Wasn't Doctor T'soni the one who stitched up someone's hand when they got hurt?" Sara had seen the report, and it indeed had been an Asari Protheantologist to suture up a Salarian workers' hand when he had gotten cut using a power tool.
"Yes it was." Professor T'vara replied with a smile. "I would have done so myself, but Liara was on the scene and wasted no time cleaning the wound, suturing it, and dressing it. I was impressed for one with little to no medical training. She certainly has not served in the Republican Forces as a Sister Hospitaller." The way the Professor said that… implied that she had.
"You were a combat medic?" Sara perked up at the realization, looking at the Asari in a new light. While different species had different views on different professions and ideas, the role of emergency trauma care professional was generally seen in the same view throughout all the species; an honorable position who helped those in need in their time of need. Sara had volunteered as an EMT on the Citadel for Presidium General to get experience and insight on the job she had selected for herself while she was still at school, assisting in emergency care and learning the basics from other Citadel Emergency Services EMT's. It had gotten her a leg-up on her training to become a Hospital Corpsman, and the Skybulance EMT's she worked for knew who she was and what she had planned to do. All five had taken her under their wing, teaching her and training her, volunteering three hours a day, every day even while going to school at the Presidium Academy of Education. Combat medics were seen in an even more illustrious light, those who served for those that served. For the Hierarchy, they were known as Frontline Barber-Surgeons. For the Republic, Sister Hospitallers. In the Union, Battlefield Trauma Specialists. From normal operations involving taking care of small injuries and illnesses to the most elite of units, combat medics could be found keeping warriors and soldier fit and ready during times of peace and saving them in times of war. Sara hadn't met a similar professional from another species since becoming a Corpsman, but now that she had? All she wanted to do was pick this Asari Professor's brain and talk shop!
"For twenty-five years." T'vara replied with a smile. "Kept my Sisters fit and functional, and carried more than a couple from the line of fire before bandaging their wounds and pressing them out of the battlefield. I endeavored myself to make sure that any I picked up alive remained that way." Sara couldn't stop the stupid grin from spreading on her face, listening to someone who got it! It wasn't a profession; it was a calling, a righteous duty. "I see you see it in the same light as I do, Chief."
"My Marines call me 'Doc'. And God help the asshole who tries hurting one of my Marines." There was a knowing smile on the Professor's face, an understanding between the two of them despite their species and (dear God) age difference. No doubt the Asari remembered feeling the same way, defending her Sisters with weapon and Biotics, rushing into the heat of battle to pull out one of her unit members from the line of fire when wounded or surrounded, telling Death straight to the face not this time, fucker.
Sara rather thought she was going to like here.
The tour with Professor Irissa T'vara and Doctor Liara T'soni proved to be both enjoyable and enlightening, Petty Officer Sara Ryder decided as they went through the Dig Site Complex, moving though the many levels and work sites of the Prothean ruin. Much of the complex hadn't been delved into due to its enormity, but certain sections believed to be ladened with artifacts and finds were the first to be exploited. Both Asari took turns talking, the Professor highlighting some of the areas that they had found, naming them for their potential and expectations of what they might find, and the Doctor practically gushing at the thought of relevance and discovery that they might make. Doctor T'soni was obviously a true believer, a young Maiden with no centurymarks upon her face, someone who like Sara had discovered her passions at a young age and dedicated her life towards that endeavor. Yeah, Sara could see why Professor T'vara mentioned the good Doctor as a 'nutjob'; she had discussed at rather great length what she had hoped to discover that would prove her theory on Prothean extinction. Liara wasn't the typical Maiden; not only did she have all her clothes on, but she also didn't flirt with everything with a pulse, either. Unfortunately, once she started talking, she proved Newton's First Law; an object in motion stayed in motion until counteracted. Doctor T'soni spoke for almost an hour straight as Sara checked out gangplanks, catwalks, structural support apparatuses, and hand rails about possible theories of why the Protheans were all gone, and her ideas as to why that was. At least she was nice and friendly, for a nutjob.
Professor T'vara seemed amused with the whole ordeal.
"…while the evidence in of itself is circumstantial," the Asari Doctor continued, having gone on for the past fifteen minutes while Ryder looked at one of the Site's elevators to make sure that the emergency brakes worked, "I believe that there were multiple extinction events throughout the galaxy spanning eons, more than just what affected the Great Prothean Empire." Honestly, Sara had reached the point where she just nodded at the right times, having tuned out the effervescent Asari some time ago.
"Must be a real pain in the ass to try and murder a whole galaxy." The Corpsman coined, immediately regretting it. Shit, she was encouraging the Doctor now. "Professor? Looks like someone didn't actually install all of the Otis brakes on this elevator. There should be a set of four on the top and on the bottom, both hydraulic and mechanical for redundancy. I'm only seeing the ones on the top. Let your maintenance and utility guys know I'm getting on their ass." Such a slipshod thing to do, utter laziness. The elevator was Human-oriented, and thus the safety features were Human-centric.
"Good eye, Doc. I will see to it." Irissa T'vara was thankfully a professional; she was letting Sara do her job, and listening when she made observations and suggestions. Considering it was all to keep the workers safe and to prevent accidents, the Asari Professor was listening with attentive clarity. She hadn't argued once, which was nice. Safety inspections were a pain in the ass, but there was a good reason behind them. Any deficiency Sara got addressed now meant a injury prevented in the future. Oh, there'd likely be some irregardless, but it wouldn't be due to negligence on her behalf.
"I think that covers just about everything." Ryder wiped her hands off to knock off some of the dust and dirt of the Complex as she looked at the two Asari. "Hopefully the Clinic will be ready by tonight so I can address concerns that you and your faculty members might have. No doubt there will be minor issues that can be address with simple anti-inflammatory medications or booster shots. Do you happen to have any medical records on the workers here for known allergies or medical conditions?"
"We do." Irissa nodded with a smile. "I have been holding onto them as the expeditionary leader. I will forward them to you when you have set up so that you can review them."
"Thank you, Professor. I would certainly appreciate it." Surprisingly, Liara managed to be quiet for an entire minute. She was actually looking rather sheepish, come to think about it. Odd. She wasn't sure if she had ever seen a sheepish Maiden before. Most of the ones on the Citadel couldn't shut up about themselves, flaunting their bodies in their near-transparent clothing while quacking about whatever 'in' thing was currently socially popular all over the Artarva Network; the Asari Social Networking Site that incorporated everything from politics to fashion. Sara wasn't exactly a big fan of the Asari due to their general snobbish ways, but she had met a couple in the past that were unlike the others, and seemingly decent folk. Liara was a nice change. Professor T'vara doubly so. "Is anything pertinent I need to be aware of at this time, Professor?"
"That perhaps heading outside may not be the wisest of choices at this time." The Asari Matriarch replied, a slight smile upon her face and an amused tone to her voice. "It is near feasting, which I believe you call 'supper'. Perhaps you could join us for our meal."
"That sounds wonderful." Ryder replied, a little at a loss for words. She was trying to imagine some large space with everyone eating at once, some sort of picnic-styled chow hall or mess hall for everyone to come together to talk shop while enjoying whatever it was that happened to be on the menu. It would almost be like being back on a ship, save on a planet and not surrounded by Sailors and Marines, but actual qualified and intelligent people. Not having to listen to dick jokes from the guys and mindless pussy prattle from the ladies was certainly a pleasant change. "I would love to join. Probably don't require armor." Sara was still wearing her Sirta Foundations' Light Phoenix Medic Armor, not really having anywhere else to put it. All she really had on underneath was her combat undersuit, which was a body-conforming durable ballistic fabric meant to cushion impacts and blows. It wasn't exactly socially proper to go prancing about in a skin-tight heavy duty leotard. Especially spelunking as they were. "I… ah, left my uniform at the barracks though. Not exactly dressed for dinner."
"We have spare uniforms for you to change in if you desire." The Asari Professor replied. "I do not wish to compromise you in any fashion." Sara couldn't help but notice that Liara was… trying not to blush? At the least, the Doctor was looking away to hide the fact that her teal cheeks were now heading toward a more sanguine hue. That was odd. Then again, Liara was a nutjob, albeit a nice one, and probably was thinking the worst. At least she had the propriety not to act like a hussy.
"That would be appreciated, Professor." Sara bowed her head in formal acceptance, in the common way that Asari did to someone their elder, a posture of respect.
"Please, call me Irissa." The Matriarch replied. "If you would follow me to my lodgings, I can make sure that you are adequately attired for the evening." Sara felt her belly do a lazy flip-flop at that, especially when Liara failed not only to cover the blush on her cheeks, but the almost goofy smile spreading over her cerulean lips. Certainly that wasn't what was happening here, and Ryder chided herself for thinking or assuming so. Not to mention not to slap Liara for implying as such. She was simply reading into things that weren't happening. T'vara was an Asari Matriarch and a Professor at an extremely prestigious university and a member of a race that generally looked down upon other races for being 'immature' and 'short-lived'. Yes, the Professor seemed much nicer and more accepting than that, but the truth was that Sara was Human being. Matriarchs were suppose to be with other Asari, letting their Maidens dally about with the so-called 'lesser' species. The Corpsman followed the Protheantologist as they returned towards the main portion of the Complex.
The jaunt only took a few moments, but Sara found herself in the so-called 'living' area of the Complex, where the researchers and scientists had temporary quarters set up in small SnapTents, a few lights and intrinsic field generators set up to power equipment and run the lights. Two dozen were erected, and Sara briefly wondered how many of them were work tents and how many of them were resting tents. Likely, one or two were for mid-day meals instead of going outside. That made sense.
"These are my personal lodgings." The Professor explained as they approached one of the large SnapTents, somewhat separated from the others on top of a raised embankment in which a series of constructed stairs led to. Sara followed after the Asari as they entered through the magnetically-held thermoplast door, only to find herself in a personal lodgings that looked exactly tailored towards an Asari. A lifetime of living on the Cit had Ryder fairly nuanced on the lifestyle that Asari lived, as well as a fair degree of their social expectations and outlooks. One did not see a 'poor' dwelling for the Asari, a Matriarch usually hosting several of her bloodline or Clan-line in a large domicile, a near-palatial manse of exquisite wealth and taste. Maidens generally didn't live on their own, instead 'serving' Matriarchs in return for comfortable lodgings, social education, the gift of wisdom, and all the things that most non-Asari assumed happened behind closed doors. In the Asari Districts of the Cit, most Humans called them 'Harems'. Considering that a good quarter of young Maidens generally sought rather illicit professions for their first few decades or so, that certainly didn't hurt the notion.
Thankfully, Professor T'vara didn't seem to have the same idea for her lodgings. The furniture inside was pre-fabricated portable furniture that collapsed for movement and size, and the bed was an actual cot with the addition of a rollable mattress pad. Honestly, the lodgings didn't look too out of place for a Marine barracks. The Asari Matriarch went to a lightweight metal container in which she opened up to display more of the University of Serrice heavy-duty jumpsuits, obviously enough for several days worth before they needed to be laundered. Irissa pulled out a pair, handing them over to Sara.
"I have a changing station if you require." The Professor informed her, pointing out a small screened area for dressing and undressing away from scrutiny, a sign of modesty and privacy. That was… a little unusual for an Asari, actually. Most that Sara had ever known were practically nude even when wearing some for of attire, with plunging necklines, opened backs and bellies, and high slits along the thighs that went to the hips. Most of the fabrics that Thessians wore was generally quite sheer, form-fitting, and with a certain degree of translucency. Seeing a changing station was a sign that Professor T'vara was different from her kin. "Will you require it?"
"I… ah… yes, Professor." Ryder replied, clearing her throat for a moment, her mind returning to reality. The fact that she was about to change in someone else's house, essentially, was a bit unusual. "Sorry, just…"
"Nervous?" Irissa's brow raised up slightly as a knowing smile teased at her lips. "There is no need to worry, Chief Ryder. I take it you have only had to interact with other species in a public manner?"
"Yes." Sara's voice drifted off, still holding onto the jumpsuit. God, why did her mouth and throat feel dry. "That's… not entirely true, but for the most part it is." She wasn't about to delve into that particular issue with a complete stranger. She didn't even like delving into it just with herself! What was the past was the past, and what was done was done, simple as that. "I'll go ahead and get changed, Professor, with your leave."
"There is no need to stand on ceremony with me, Chief." The Asari replied with a nod of her head as Sara moved to the changing station, standing behind the opaque partition as she began to remove her armor a piece at a time, starting with her pauldrons and arms before moving to the torso, hips, and legs. It took about a minute for her to detach and remove the hard ceramic-and-alumnisteel armor, resting each piece as she would have done in her armor locker until all she stood in was her black combat undersuit. Sara took the University of Serrice jumpsuit, unfastening the torso's joiners at the flank as she slipped on the synthetic fabric one-piece jumpsuit, pulling it up from her feet and slipping her arms through the armlets before refastening the joiners along her left ribs. The jumpsuit was sized for an Asari, and was a little bit too long in the arms and legs, and certainly too big in the bust and hips. Well, at least it wasn't so form-fitting that one could count the freckles indentions. Ryder stepped from behind the partition to see that the Professor was casually sitting in a folding chair, awaiting. Irissa gave her a warm smile as the Petty Officer reappeared.
"That will certainly do for feasting, Chief." Irissa gave her a nod as she stood from the chair. "Feasting will be a simple but intellectual affair that I believe you might find quite enjoyable. The debates are simply entertaining." That had Sara chuckle as she imagined Doctors and Scientists arguing over a dinner table over obscure calculations and opinions on findings, using verbose words that would send everyone else to their scientific dictionaries and thesauruses.
"Looking forward to it."
Dinner had been as entertaining as Professor Irissa T'vara had suggested, and Petty Officer Sara Ryder had found the experience both enlightening and enjoyable. A mess tent had been set up for several pack-styled benches for meals, along with a couple of portable air conditioning units to drop the collective temperature a few degrees Celcius, making it more comfortable. There were a hundred and nine people at Dig Site Alpha, ranging from fully-accredited Doctors, College-aged interns completing credits, and laborers who took care of the less-than important job such as clearing rubble, marking locations, and hauling. There were only a few Human Doctors and researchers from Oxford University, considering that most Human Protheantologists were likely at the Mars Archives, still exploiting the site even after thirty-five years. There were four Human-oriented Doctors and about six undergraduates in total. The rest of the thirty or so Humans were either laborers, catalogers, or forensic researchers. Only a third of the dig site population was Human, the rest being from the University of Serrice. Most of the laborers for the Asari University were Turians and male Salarians, which wasn't surprising, really. There were a couple of Hanar with Drell accompanying them, as well as one Volus; probably a financier or investor of some kind. Sara couldn't see the suited Irunian digging or working heavy equipment in a pressure suit filled with chlorine atmo, honestly.
Sara had sat across from Professor Irissa T'vara, considering she was the only person in the dig site that the Petty Officer had spent time with, as well as being the expeditionary leader. Ryder did spy Doctor Lysana M'ala move through the mess tent, staring daggers at the Corpsman, which perturbed her not at all. Doctor Liara T'soni sat by herself, interestingly enough. One would think that with her love of all things Prothean and a couple of Hanar present, they would be chatting up a storm. The Humans all occupied their own little clique, and Sara noted a few dark looks from them in her direction. The Petty Officer realized that with the University of Serrice jumpsuit on, they wouldn't know her to be a member of the Systems Alliance Navy. All they saw was a Human associating with others during a meal. Evidently, a no-no. Sara wasn't here to pick sides.
"As I understand it," an old Turian male sat next to Professor T'vara, also wearing the same style of jumpsuit, though made for a Turian's proportions, "you went and inspected our equipment for mandatory safety regulation procedures." Ah, the old Torin was addressing her. "It is good to see that someone sees to their duties without fear of reprisal. Doctor Hortus Antanin, Xenopaleotechnology." As Sara understood it, that meant that he was a Doctor of Prothean computer systems and devices. "And you are…?"
"Petty Officer, Third Class Sara Ryder, Systems Alliance Navy." Sara dipped her head politely as she addressed the Turian Doctor. "I am a Navy Corpsman, our version of a Frontline Barber-Surgeon. I did the checks because this is a worksite, and worksites sadly have a lot of mishaps and incidental injuries due to negligence and arrogance."
"This is true." Doctor Antanin replied as he began to eat at his own food, doing so with his talons, as Turians did. They never developed utensils, using their talons to pluck and tear into their food. "Been at more than a few digs where there are injuries due to badly-constructed apparatuses and mishandling of equipment. If they can be reduced, then you will have done your job better than just merely treating an injury when it occurs."
"A gram of prevention prevents a kilogram of cure." Sara quoted, getting both the Turian Doctor and Asari Professor to nod in agreement. "There will be injuries, sadly. But if I can keep it below the statistic, and hopefully keep the medical emergencies down to zero, then I'd say that we've all done our jobs right. Everyone is responsible for another's safety, after all." Again, she had the both of them nodding. The Systems Alliance Military had a saying equating the same thing; everyone is a safety officer. Great in words, not so much in practice, though. "So as I understand it, this was a Prothean Imperial Government Complex?"
"That is what we believe, yes." Irissa began, smiling. "Of course, this is based upon circumstantial evidence. Sadly, the Protheans forgot to place a placard or a sign on the site to identify it."
"Wasn't that true of the Cit as well? When the first Asari explorers discovered it?" Sara was enchanted with Early Citadel History. She loved reading about the Hespera and Thessinaut Commander Dalanasa T'mori, the Asarikin Mission Commander responsible for not only the discovery of the gigantic Prothean space station, but to be the first sapient to grace it in fifty millennium. The event had been heavily documented and recorded, and Sara had viewed the public records many times, trying to imagine the Citadel devoid of life, without shops or businesses, without people living inside. How brave those Asari explorers must have been! They had been like Dad; risk-takers, willing to dare the unknown for the chance at being first to see something incredible, be it a new planet or phenomenon. Dad had been the Ground Commander for the Excelsior, the first man to walk upon an extrasolar planet, and both Sara and Scott had absolutely ate those stories up when they were kids, listening to him talk about landing on Demeter, planting the very first colonial beacon, putting the first spade into its earth. Her father was a hero in more ways than one. Many more ways, honestly. "Almost makes you wonder what if we got it all wrong. Protheans rolling in their graves, scoffing at us all. 'Bah! Silly primitives, they think that is a research facility'." Sara mimed, putting on a snobby air as she deepened her voice for the pantomime. "'It is obviously a bathhouse.'" That had Doctor Antanin chuckling while Professor T'vara merely smiled while shaking her head. "Still, even guessing with circumstantial evidence, it's exciting to think that we're still discovering ProTech and sites like this after all this time. I think it's honorable that we do our best to try and paint a recreation of what the Protheans were, to unearth and recreate their existence. They were our progenitors, our predecessors. They left so much behind, I think it's only fair that we do something in return."
"A very noble view, Chief." Irissa replied, a large smile upon her face. "Sadly, I feel that most have forgotten such views, replacing them with some more-modern opiate that does little to advance us in any way. Tens of thousands of years of evolution and cultural advancement, and the most visited page on UPDATR is who is wearing what." The scorn in her voice was thick enough to fill a canister with. Obviously, she wasn't one of those Asarikin. Ryder personally stayed away from UPDATR, the popular ExtraNet site that was constantly updating with the newest news, fashions, happenings, and controversies. It was about as impressive to her as its Human equivalent, TWITR. Sara had better things to do.
"Still, it's exciting seeing an actual Prothean ruin form the inside. Considering I was technically born and raised in one, I'm glad I still get goosebumps at the thought." Ryder said, looking at the ceiling of the cavern in which the expeditions' temporary living area was located.
"You were born on the Citadel?" The Asari Professor asked, a little surprised.
"Firstborn, in fact." She informed them, and Irissa T'vara looked a little shocked at the news. Sara was only twenty-years old, and for someone like the Professor, that probably didn't seem so long ago. "Lived on the Cit my entire life until I joined the Navy. It's interesting to see the architectural differences between the Citadel and the Dig Site. But then again, one was built in space, and the other in an earthquake-friendly lavaball. Bound to be some differences."
"So, this is home." Petty Officer Sara Ryder opened the pre-fab transportation container that was the clinic, showing Professor Irissa T'vara her new digs. It was past sunset at Dig Site Alpha, and Knossos had relented its murderous gaze upon that portion of Therum. The temperatures were now a balmy forty degrees Celcius instead of fifty-five, and long-term exposure outside was actually survivable, even sustainable. An hour ago, several laborers had been tasked with the removal of the equipment stored in the clinic, and a portable generator had been set up. Her clinic now had a few ceiling lights, an air conditioning unit, and a great deal of space. It wasn't a clinic yet, but tomorrow that would change. Her storage lockers had been left alone, and she would be setting up the bare basics. By the next day, she should be able to run a dispensary. By the end of the week, Ryder should be able to do full check-ups, perform trauma care operations, and have the necessary equipment and supplies to fully do her job, both for the Dig Site and the Marines. "It's not much now, but give me a few days and some cans of spit and polish, and it will suffice."
"What was the quote your people have? 'Necessity is the mother of all inventions?'" T'vara said, a small smile upon her teal lips, making Sara chuckle in response. "It seems that you have done your best to endeavor yourself with the necessities in a quick amount of time. It is good to see that you take your duties seriously. Few show such dedication."
"I… have spent years to get here, honestly." Ryder looked to the Asari, who stood inside the container with her as Sara opened up the first storage locker, filled with check-up and diagnostic equipment, such as a monitoring apparatus for pulse, breath rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximeter. "Volunteered as a Paramedic when I was still in school back on the Cit, doing three hours a day while going to the Presidium Academy. Joined the Navy as a Corpsman, and attached myself to a vessel's Marine detachment so I could get recommended for Fleet Marine Corpsman. That took two years of training, physical exercise, hammering myself to become better at my job while working alongside my Marines to be like them as well. Earned a healthy rep for myself, they called me TBG; toughest bitch in the galaxy." That had the Asari shaking her head slightly, obviously amused. "I pushed myself to do better, to be better. I did better than the other Corpsman, I pushed myself harder than the Marines, and I was always the first to have my hand up to volunteer when it came to ranges, training, exercises, and operations. It was an uphill battle every step of the way, but this is where I wanted to be. My only real enemy was myself, and I conquered it every day."
"Good. Good for you, and wise of you to recognize as such." The Professor replied as she took a seat on one of the unopened storage lockers as Sara set up the cardiogram monitoring device. "When I was a Sister, I elected to be a Hospitaller because I felt I had something more to offer than just as a Commando or a Huntress. I, too, pushed myself forward, wishing to earn the respect of my fellow Commandos. Wherever they were, I would be standing next to them, fighting their enemies and striving to keep my Sisters alive though the worst, be it in battle or wounds."
"It isn't a profession, it's a calling." Ryder replied as she turned from the storage locker, pulling out an intravenous tree. "The Void? Houxin? The Spirit Eater? The Grim Reaper? I don't care what his name is, but it's my personal mission to make sure that when it comes to my Marines, he goes empty-handed." The smile on Irissa's face was both wide and bright. Sara saw the Professor stand from the storage locker, moving towards her with that smile. The young Human woman certainly wasn't expecting for the Asari to take her hands gently, bringing her up from her kneeling position from the opened storage locker she was rummaging through. Sara felt herself shivering slightly as those blue hands went from her own to around her waist, pulling her in slightly as she felt weak and unsteady, those hands keeping her steady as Irissa moved forward gently.
And kissed her.
Sara was a little shocked by the sensation of soft lips against her own, a slight tingling sensation playing over her lips as the arms pulled her in gently, embracing her. She felt weak at the knees as Sara grabbed onto the Asari's shoulders to keep from falling, a soft noise coming from her throat as she held on, feeling the warmth of a body pressing into her own. The kiss was long and soft, and Sara had her eyes closed the whole time as she felt overpowered by it all, giving in into the act. The tingling sensation spread from her lips and rippled through her body, a pleasant electricity that had her whole body quivering for the briefest of moments. Oh Lord, she was turning into jelly! The kiss ended, and Sara felt as if her head was being almost pulled along as the Asari looked at her, already missing that wonderful sensation. Ryder was panting slightly, still clutching at Irissa's shoulders, looking at her, shocked at what had just happened.
"I… wasn't expecting that." Sara wasn't sure what she meant, the words just tumbling out. It could have meant the kiss, or how it felt. "I've never been kissed by an Asari before." That came out in a hushed tone, as if someone might overhear her declaration. Sara was truly noticing just how close they were, the Professor with her arms around her waist, Sara with her hands holding onto the top of the Asari's shoulders, their bodies pressed together softly. She hadn't been anywhere this intimate with anyone in quite some time, and the surprise of it and the closeness of it had Sara aching.
"Was it not to your liking?" T'vara asked her softly, her voice a little sultry. Sara was keenly aware that one of Irissa's hands was slowly sliding from her waist to up to her back, holding her a little closer, supporting her. Sara was having trouble standing, trouble breathing. Hell, she was having trouble thinking!
"It was quite enjoyable." Ryder admitted in a rush, clutching at the Asari, the ache in her growing. Two years spent on a ship with plenty of eye-candy to choose from, but Sara hadn't broken her rule about relationships and crew members. One kiss from an Asari, and she was putty! "I…" Sara looked into Irissa's eyes, finding herself a little lost in those cyan depths.
The next kiss came, obliterating whatever thought Sara might have had.
The tingle this time was a little stronger, a little deeper as their lips met, and Sara practically melted in the Asari's embrace as she felt herself losing control to it. Those warm lips were so hard to pull away from, so soft and intoxicating as Sara latched onto Irissa, feeling their bodies pressing more firmly into one another as the rippling sensation that she once felt surged through her again, bringing a warmth and pleasantness to every nerve in her body. The young woman cried out from the sensation, caught in her throat as she felt her back being pressed against as wall. The ache within her grew teeth, gnawing at her as the Corpsman moaned as one kiss blended into the next, swept away by the act. Her hand slipped around the back of Irissa's neck for support and closeness, feeling the soft folds that laid them as Irissa purred softly at the touch. Oh God, is this really happening?
"I need a breather!" Sara pulled away, gasping as she disconnected from Irissa, having to come up for air as she realized just how close they really were. There was no denying that they were in a lover's embrace, the Asari having pressed Sara against a wall. She hadn't even realized that one of her hands was pressed against the wall in a submissive manner as she held onto Irissa, the Protheantologist's own hands cupping her face as her blue body pressed into Sara's own. The ache in her was fierce, and quite angry at the sudden break. "Sorry, I…" She was still gasping slightly as she looked to Irissa, who was looking at her fondly, not pressuring her or looking aggravated at all. "Am… am I doing this? Is this really happening? I…" It was like cold water on her soul as Sara realized that she was in the arms of an alien, in a rather intimate way as well. Not only was she allowing it to happen, she had been enjoying it, too. A few more moments more of that wonderful tingling sensation, of those soft lips, of those caressing hands, and Sara would have drowned in it and never come back. "I certainly didn't expect… that."
"Biotics certainly add a zest to it, do they not?" The Asari said with a smile, and Sara felt a little shocked that the Protheantologist knew that she was a Biotic.
"Is that what that… tingling sensation was?" The sensation had been like fuel on the fire of lust. God, she had almost went overboard! It certainly never felt like that with anyone else, ever.
"Just a taste, but yes."
"There's… more?" Oh, that ache just twisted deep inside of her, and Sara was having trouble ignoring. It was just throbbing within her, mindless and insistent. She was still in the Asari's arms, still being held against the wall, still very much vulnerable and doing nothing to change that.
"Oh yes, fair one." Irissa smiled, her cyan eyes looking at her with a mixture of kindness and want. "There is indeed more. And better." One of her thumbs softly traced Sara's lower lip, and the young woman felt the slightest touch of that tingling sensation dancing upon her lip as the thumb traced the outline of her full lips, going from the bottom, curving around the corner of her mouth, and moving to her upper lip. Sara couldn't help herself as she parted her lips and took the very tip of Irissa's thumb and pursed her lips upon it, sliding her lips off of it as her eyes stayed on Irissa's. Oh God, had she just done what she thought she did? But the sensation that had been delivered to her lips when she had done so had been electrifying, and that ache had sharpened, contorting hard in her belly. She opened her lips again and slipped them over the thumb once more, pursing them around the first knuckle as she dragged her lips along the soft, fine-scaled flesh of Irissa's digit, gliding it down to the tip before her lips slipped off. Sara was shivering, caught in that embrace, losing herself to the sensations and her own desires.
Now she understood completely what all those trashy romance e-novels were talking about when they said 'a moment of weakness'.
"I… I need… to stop." Ryder breathed out huskily, barely able to force the words out as she looked to the Professor who held her so tenderly… no, don't think that!
"It is not a problem." The Asari replied softly, looking a little concerned. "Are you well?"
"I've… never been with anyone not my kind. Please don't take that the wrong way!" Sara quickly interjected, afraid she might have said something wrong. "I just… I grew up on the Cit, and most of the Asari that I knew were really immature and… probably not the best examples of your species. And… not… entirely comfortable." She winced at that admission, knowing that she likely just shoved a foot in her mouth. That ache deep within her was screaming something fierce, and God she had damn near caved in. "I'm not the kind of girl who just puts out on the first date, it's just been quite some times since I've been with anybody." Fuck! Did I just say that out loud to a complete stranger? "And I'm blathering."
"You are being vulnerable because you were caught off-guard and unaware." Irissa placed a gentle hand upon Sara's cheek, giving her a measure of comfort. "I would not take advantage of you or what you have shared with me. If you wish time to collect yourself and examine what you want, I will not chide you or pressure you into a decision that you are not in agreement with personally."
"I would like that." Sara answered, her voice barely able to make it out of her mouth. God, she had been so close, one part of her thrilled while another was alarmed. This smacked of stupid on so many levels, but talking to T'vara was quite enjoyable, someone who showed passions and intellectual endeavors, someone who wasn't just interested in sex, video games, and drinking like most Marines were. Besides, Ryder had a really good rule; no one in her unit or vessel. Technically, Irissa didn't violate it, but Sara hadn't felt any interest for Asari before. Then again, she was use to either tizzy Maidens or snobbish Matriarchs. The Professor was… different, in a wholesome way at that. "I just… all the Human that I've seen with Asari on the Cit were… practically pets or objects of gratification. I am most certainly not either, nor do I seek to be."
"In that, you have no worries." The Asari replied with a smile. "I do not seek something to merely answer my base needs. I seek someone with a personality, someone with values and goals, someone worth sharing with on both sides. I love what I do, and I would like to share it with someone who can appreciate my efforts and endeavors, while being able to listen to the same beliefs in what a partner enjoys."
"A real relationship, in other words. Something mutual." Sara pointed out.
"Exactly." Irissa smiled. "I know that perhaps being Asari makes it easier for myself to seek others not of my species, so I do respect the fact that you are not so easily swayed, that you will take the time to find it in yourself what you wish. That speaks quite well of you, fair one. Your male kin are perhaps a bit too eager to flaunt and embarrass themselves." That had Ryder chuckle.
"I've noticed." Sara surprised herself by leaning forward to give the Asari a chaste kiss upon her cheek. "I… very much enjoyed sharing my time with you, Irissa. Listening to you talk of your profession was truly fascinating, and almost makes me want to grab a pickax and start digging." That had the Dean smile. "I'd probably strike quartz long before I found anything useful. The only veins I'm good at finding contain blood." That had the former Hostpitaller laughing softly. "I think it would be best that I say goodnight here and now before I do something thoughtlessly and have no one but myself to blame."
"Then I shall bid you good eve, Chief." Irissa lightly touched her forehead to Sara's own.
Author's Notes: I thought it somewhat funny making Liara the Asari version of the conspiracy theorist, like the blue alien chick version of Agent Fox Mulder of the X-Files (and… I just showed how old I am).
Sara is a Biotic, as Doctor Ellen Harlow-Ryder had been conducting Biotic research before the twins were born, and likely was exposed to minuscule amounts of Eezo while pregnant without realizing. Considering she (almost) died of ANED, Advanced Neurological Entropic Dystrophy, that explains why Sara (and also Scott) will be Biotically capable. While Biotic were a possibility in Andromeda, they really didn't get into as much save for Cora's whining about being an overclocked Biotic (and perhaps under the impression she was some peach-skinned Asari)
No, Sara isn't a Vanguard. She will actually be a Sentinel, with Tech Armor and Barriers. So a medic meatshield.
Liara, realistically, could not have been alone on Therum. Anyone who knows anything about digs and archeology knows that it is a host of a team of specialties, along with workers and laborers, researchers and catalogers, financiers and porters, and everything in between. There was, after all, evidence on Therum that the Site was occupied and adapted for the current cycle of sapients, though only Liara was found.