Chapter 34: Disheveled Metaphors
Liara stared out at the night sky from her balcony. It was rare she made it home to enjoy more than a few hours sleep. But for the sake of the child growing within her womb she ensured she did not overtax the fetus by overwork—an indulgence she could ill afford. By doctor's order and by her own vow she had at least six hours restful sleep and at the very least an hour and half of deep meditation.
The young archeologist cum information broker knew that Samantha reserved an hour if not two to meditations, much of which she shared with Justicar Samara. Liara was ever grateful for the elder asari's presence on the Normandy, for more than one reason. Samara even being a member of the Justicar order or perhaps because of she would be long practiced in the art of meditations. Liara did not doubt the Justicar spent the majority of her rest time in a meditative state. Her wisdom and experience would aid her melethril just as Ndur Shiala had once aided them on the wavecrest.
Unfortunately her mother's ndur had returned to Faros in hopes to return to some semblance of normalcy. And while the headaches elevated at least to some degree, the elder asari's body retained its emerald colour rather than returning to its natural purple. Shiala may have been the only survivor of Sovereign's reign of terror and indoctrination. She was not only nduri of Rian Benezia Tar of Athame however. Gwen Naga'sadow was once one of her naneth's loyal ndur now sworn feredir to Liara. It was with this young asari Liara found peace in meditating when time permitted. Of course Naga'sadow being one of Liara's most trusted agents more often than not was off on missions of the most delicate nature.
Naga'sadow had helped Liara uncover several information caches that led her to the identity of the one responsible for leaking sensitive data on the Normandy SR1 to the Collectors- the Shadow Broker. Due to his betrayal the Collectors were able to find and bring down the ship. The reasons no longer mattered. Liara was determined to put all her resources, all she had in ending the threat the Shadow Broker posed. He sent bounty hunters to take the life of her bondmate; it was he that was the probable cause of her daughter's death, not Udina.
After all, the captive Talon in C-Sec custody said his leader was contacted via a hologram. A hologram could be doctored, made to like anyone or anything. If Udina wasn't responsible then surely the Shadow Broker was. Rage burned nova brilliantly within the young woman's heart. It remained there bright and dark.
There were debts to repay. Even now it was fairly accurate to say the Shadow Broker was on the run from Liara. She devoted all her time, resources to take him down. Liara knew her bondmate would do anything to help her find him and take him down, but the galaxy didn't work that way. Liara knew she'd have to find leads, trace information; she had to make him pay for what he did, for what he was doing in aiding the Collectors, thus aiding the Reapers. He had to be ended as surely as those he allied with and served.
Liara turned away from the cool night air that listed softly through the nightscape of Nos Austra and headed back into her home. There were two things she desired at this moment and she was deprived of both: a glass of Modis Vally white wine and the comfort of her beloved bondmate. A heavy sigh slipped past her blue lips as she made her way into the kitchen to make something to eat. She could no longer simply nibble at enough food just to keep her going. She had a baby depending on her to keep her body as fit and healthy as possible. Almost deliberately her hand touched the minuscule swell in her belly.
Oh laes, grow and be safe. We have lost too much already. Grow for Naneth, for Arda…hmm? Be a good girl. We love you my sweet one.
There was no answer of course, no stirring or fluttering, the fetus was far too young to begin kicking just yet. Even still Liara sent hers and Samantha's love for her into the tiny growing body.
The baby was only now causing her to crave certain foods. When pregnant with little Sparrow Liara had craved both jalapeños and green calishite-an aquamarine colored cheese that was made with ground curry and extremely hot. Ever since Liara introduced it to Samantha, the young human enjoyed eating it with pita bread, sun-dried tomatoes and wasabi. Liara had very little of it and the jalapeños in stock. She'd have to place an order soon, her groceries were slowly depleting. She never bought more than two weeks of fresh produce lest they spoil from neglect due to the long hours spent at the office either down town or here at home.
Liara took out from the fridge another cheese wheel this one was Chessetan lotus cheese. It was out of the Sea of Fallen Stars, made from rose, cherry blossoms, honey suckles and lotus pedals-and very expensive. The expense was so worth the luxuriant taste. As she nibbled on a tiny portion blue eyes closed in soft delight.
They only opened again when the annoying sound of the comm-system intruded on her the moment of gastro-pleasure. The annoyance however was fleeting. The ring-tone belonged to Samantha. Abandoning the kitchen in a rush, Liara sprinted to her bedroom, switched on the outer-white noise scrubbers and firewalls before she answered the call.
She stood before the monitor stock still, staring.
The face…the face was not her beloved Samantha and yet it was.
Her mouth opened.
*Soo….what do you think?* the ever familiar cocky half grin curled the lips upward.
Liara continued to stare. "What?"
Before her was a woman that had some semblance of Samantha's face, only a shade if not two lighter, the splash of freckles across the bridge of her nose and cheeks more prominent. Sparkling blue eyes were replaced with shimmering emerald eyes; short raven black hair was replaced with longer deep red which tips just brushed the tops of her shoulders. Her fringe was a tad longer and hung over the right eye, just as it had when her hair was black. Gone too was the sickle shaped scar under the left eye. Instead there was a new scar running diagonally on the left cheek just above her jawbone.
*Li?" The smile broadened. *Weird, right? Kasumi's idea. My face is too recognizable to go around trying to be all hush-hush master thief.*
The staring continued.
*The hair's a wig but I sorta like the style. So once it grows out a little I think I'll get it cut like this. What do you think?*
"You're a redhead? And green eyes?"
*I know. So not me.*
"I…I… " Liara leaned in and swirled her finger around indicating to her bondmate she should do a 360. Samantha obliged. "I….Like the hair. Yes you should have it done like that." blue cheeks flushed purple. "I…I rather like that your freckles stand out a bit more."
Sam giggled *That's just because now I match you isn't it Angel Eyes?*
"What? No! No….I…..humph….they are fetching…is all."
Sam grinned playful. *I think I told about that after I enlisted and you go through gene therapy treatment, I asked if they could get rid of the freckles they wouldn't do cosmetics. Had to pay for a slight skin treatment, Ma was a bit pissed I'd done it. This is just a topical thing, a temporary skin lightening chem…but if you want I could reverse what I had done, so they stand out a bit more after this job is done.*
Liara shook her head. "No. You must feel comfortable in your own skin, Melethril." It was not the first time Liara had said such to her bondmate.
*I'll think about it.* Sam continued to smile. *So what about the rest?*
"Very beautiful, however I prefer the real you."
The Spectre winked. *Flatter.*
"I try." She put her hand up as did the holographic image Samantha. "You realize of course that you do look a little like the new recruiting posters the Alliance has issued."
*Yeah I pointed that out. Kasumi said that was because the posters were a composite of me and the ideal…whatever that is. Anyway it will work to our favour. The people gathering at Hock's place may recall seeing my 'face', think it familiar but not know from where.*
"Let us hope none of them have said poster at home."
* I highly doubt it.* Sam shook her head. *You won't believe what Kasumi has me dressing in!*
"Oh?"
Sam moved out of the viewfinder of the holograph imager then reappeared holding up a slinky black sheath of a dress and two inch high heels. Despite herself. Liara burst out laughing unable to control her emotional outburst; it came out of her belly like a bubble.
*Oh! I am so pleased you find this funny!* pouted the human.
Liara giggled even more.
*I'm not a girly-girl Li! Disguises yeah sure. Stealth tactics in hostile territory, no problem! But a freaking dress? Kas should have asked Lawson or I don't know Samara, both of them have the bust line and swish to the hips, the femininity to carry this out. Me…I walk like a fracking soldier! I've never worn heels. Not like this—flats maybe, when I had to. And a dress….especially one like this ugh! It's a come-fuck-me dress! I don't do dresses.*
"I believe that was the point best beloved." Liara smiled tenderly taking pity on her poor bondmate. "You're a marine and a Spectre. Adapt and overcome, yes?"
*Humph.*
"You will do well I have no doubt, even if you're in a 'come-fuck-me dress'."
Now it was Sam's turn to stare. *Yeah love, don't swear. Harsh words out of that sweet mouth, with that gorgeous soft voice is just all kinds of wrong.*
Liara shook her head at the tiny chastisement and loved Samantha for it., her warm smile remaining on dark blue lips. How she missed this: light banter, teasing, the soft moments between lovers. Oh how she missed her bondmate.
* I know.* Sam said dreamily as she held her hand up again for the phantom touch of her sweet Liara's photonic skin. *Me too.*
The asari cleared her thought. "When do you go on this Great Heist of the century?"
*Little under an hour. I wanted to show you." A lopsided half smile. "Goddess Li. I miss you. I want you here!" shoulders slumped. "But I want you and our baby safe. I want you there too, away from danger." another very heavy sigh. "Makes me sound stupidly contrary doesn't it? Can't make up my mind, just like a bloody cat.*
"No my sweet dear Melethril, it makes you sound like a married woman. Do you not think that I wish we could just take a ship and get lost out there in the Black away from all war, all strife just thee and me and our babe. That we find a quiet secluded safe place. I know you are a warrior. A huntress… such stillness would make you go mad inside a month if you didn't have something to protect."
*Speaking of protecting…how is our baby?*
A hand went to a belly as it had moments ago. "She is growing well and very healthy." Liara turned to show her profile and lifted her loose shirt to show the tiny swell. She heard a very un-Spectre squeal of delight coming from her space-born human. The sound of it brought a warm prideful smile to her lips.
Instinctively Sam reached out her holographic hand wanting to caress the belly. Her eyes closed in regret she could not, pain yes but it was a sweet pain for she knew life grew there. Her child. *Soon Little One. Arda will be there.*
"She knows." Liara said even though both knew the fetus had no consciousness as of yet. "I play her the recordings of you. Your stories. Brave Captain Sam on her ship saving the galaxy."
*Wait…you said 'Captain Sam.' How did you even get those? Those aren't the ones I recorded! Li….what did my mother do?!*
The asari snickered. "After we told her we're expecting again and I was staying on Illium I received a rather large package. It seems that she had several recordings of the two of you when you were oh…I believe five years old and you were making up bedtime stories. The brave Capitan Sam sailing the stars in her spaceship, righting wrongs, saving the day, stealing from the rich to give to the poor, rescues the princess from evil tentacle monsters and space zombies. All very dashing."
*Oh bother… Li, I was a kid! You make up stupid stuff like that. *
"It was sweet and…let us see. You are a captain."
* I was forced to resign the commission.*
"But in the ranking system of the Citadel fleet the rank of Commander is equal to that of Alliance Captains. And many call you Captain the Normandy do they not? You stole from the rich….mostly Cerberus. You rescued me, though I am no princess."
*On the contrary, a matriarch's daughter, especially one as well respected as your mother who was what Thessia's version of the Divine or the Pope. She was the highest of the high priestesses wasn't she? So that makes you a princess. Sort of.*
Now it was Liara turn to flush. "Yes….I suppose there is that. As for slaying monsters, you fought husks, thorian creepers, if there were ever such a thing as space zombies they are it, and tentacled monsters… I say the Reapers are such a thing. I highly doubt you meant hanar or asari."
*Pft no. Guess you didn't get to the part where Captain Sam saves the day and the asari princess they fall madly in love and Captain Sam takes her as her bride. Mom tried to correct me on that until I pointed out it wasn't fair only boys get to have the princess. She said I could marry a prince and I said boys have cooties. ugh!* she stuck out her tongue like a child causing Liara to laugh. * Then she pointed out my best pal was a boy and I said no he's just Cedric. He doesn't count as a real boy. Real boys were mean. They pushed and shoved you, pulled your hair and called you names. Since Cedric was never a 'meany', never did horrible things like that he couldn't be a real boy, he was only Cedric my 'bestest friend—ever' Well until his mom got reassigned. I don't recall where but I think it was groundside on some station or colony.* the holograph shrugged. *That's what happens with childhood friends; sometimes you drift very far apart. The memory of them is still there even if they aren't."
They shared a soft laugh.
*Please tell me you are letting her hear the other tapes? Or she will think her mamma is some high pitched dreamy eyed hero-wanna be with dreams of grandeur*
"Of course I do, Melethril. The Salish stories especially as well as the others. Have no fear. It is only that her mother thinks the 'Captain Sam' stories are endearing."
The human shook her head. *You would.* her eyes flashed in mischievousness that was the hallmark of 'I've got an idea' in of thought. *Ohhh I should ask Shiala if there any sort of recordings of the dashingly beautiful tomb raider on the epic hunt for the lost histories of the galaxy.*
"I should say not! And the term is archeologist."
Sam grinned brighter. *So there are recordings!*
Liara's hand rose to her forehead as she shook her head. "Goddess you will pester me if I don't give it up, won't you."
*You've already given it up, babe. Several times in fact. * holographic eyebrows rose and fell playfully. *I recall the sounds you made as you did. Round two was…. beyond bliss. The way you writhed, moaned… the flare of biotics in my…*
Had she been there in person, Liara would have shoved her bondmate in the arm. "You are incorrigible!"
*One of my finer qualities.*
Silence fell between them; hands reached for one another lounging to touch but could not. Holographic heads 'rested' upon each other, phantoms hand 'cupped' the others cheek. Phantom lips kissed…air.
More silence. Heavier this time.
Sam looked up to imploring blue eyes. "*I have to go.*
Liara nodded, swallowing hard the lump in her throat for how she loathed goodbyes. "Be safe Melethril. And try not to blow anything up."
*Oh ha ha aren't you funny. It's not like I actively seek to explode things. It sort just happens.* she feinted a pout but she smiled mischievously nevertheless. The light humor took the sting out of their farewells. "Liara, you mean everything to me, you know that, right? You and our baby."
"I am yours, Samantha. We are yours. Always. Return to us best beloved."
*Always. I love you.*
The holoimage of her Spectre nodded then winked out. Liara stood in her bedroom alone, her eyes closed, and for a moment she felt Sam's lips upon hers, a ghostly touch of fingertips upon her cheek 'I love you Samantha' she uttered into their bond.
It had been a long lonely night. After dinner, Liara didn't feel much like working. Instead she listened to little five-year-old Sam tell wild adventurous tales, because listening to her lover's adult voice was too painful. She curled up barefooted in her silken nighty with Sam's hoodie cuddled close to her as a child's blanky and softly wept for her missing heart.
ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME
Almost as soon as she took her seat behind her desk the door to Liara's inner office opened admitting the ever trusted Naga'sadow and her small team consisting of Nual Saphyria and Te'Kari.
The four had been instrumental in the seizure of the Normandy SR2. And while she had not worked so closely with the latter two as she had with Naga'sadow and Nual, Liara had ever confidence in their abilities and devotion. Yesterday had been proof of their abilities as they had acquired several much needed data caches for their mistress
The afore mentioned caches had been sifted through thoroughly. Last night it had been a distraction from missing Samantha's presence. What Liara found illuminated previously darkened doors and opened up new leads. Leads which now must be taken least they evaporate into the ether.
"I'm glad the four of you are here so promptly." she greeted them "Be at ease." she commanded noticing that three of the four stood at attention as they might have a commanding officer on the battlefield. Behind them was her assistant Nyxeris, lurking almost as it were by the door.
All four took parade rest until Liara motioned for Naga'sadow to take one of the seats next to her desk while Nual took the other one.
"The data you found was extremely helpful, it gave me a target." Liara addressed the quadruplet though her focus was mainly upon their leader. "The Shadow Broker has several contacts here on Illium. The most powerful here is the Observer. Taking down the Observer will get me that one step closer to the Shadow Broker."
"Tell me what you need me to do." The young feredir sat forward elbows on knees.
"Your data pointed me to logs kept by Shadow Broker agents. The logs were deleted. But it maybe possible to reconstruct some of it. The Shadow Broker is cautious. His agents are referred to only by their title and race."
Behind her Nxysars said. "My inquiries have narrowed the Observer down to five operatives. A turian, a salarian, a krogan, a batarian and a vorcha."
Liara followed her PA's information with her own orders. "If you can narrow down the list I will know where to strike."
"Do you have any specifics on these agents?" asked Naga'sadow.
Liara shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Nyxeris was lucky to get as much as she did."
The purple skinned maiden stepped up closer to the desk. "I was happy to help ma'am."
The PA's near saccharin tone made the young feredir's skin crawl. How Liara put up with her, Naga'sadow could never fathom. She must be one hell of a typist and daily organizer. There could be no other reason to keep around someone so soppy and wet. If Liara hadn't had a bondmate there might of course be one other reason, but the feredir believed her héru had far better taste then to bed that purple strumpet.
"That data is our only hope in determining which one is the observer." Liara shook her head drawing Naga'sadow's gull attention back to her "and if we wait too long they will all disappear."
"I'll reconstruct the data and tell you what I find." the huntress vowed solemnly.
"Thank you lieutenant. When you find something call me on the radio channel Shepard issued your squad on the Victory. I can't risk handling this in person."
Naga'sadow rose from the chair at the unvoiced dismissal. "I'll report in soon, Héru." She placed the tips of her fingers to her forehead and brought them forward palm side up in the traditional asarian salute to her superior. The other three huntresses followed suit filing out of Liara's office after their Lieutenant.
Nyxeris's eyes trailed the four before she turned back to Liara. "Naga'sadow's becoming more competent. I can see why you rely on her so heavily."
Liara's eyes had been on her monitor as her PA spoke but looked up at the sound of the other asari's voice. "She is. Your point?"
"Oh! None. Though it is a shame she allowed that…drell what was his name? That drell agent of the Shadow Broker's …Freon"
"Faron." Liara corrected.
"Yes him. Well she let him slip through her fingers on Omega didn't she?"
Liara stopped typing and looked up, her eyes narrowing. "I assume you are attempting to make some sort of point here, Nyxeris."
"I only meant he was able to betray her and by extension you twice. And yet she did not see it, either time. Had she not failed to keep him, imagine the wealth of knowledge we might have gleaned from him for your personal hunt against his boss."
"We learned enough. We learned the truth of the attack behind the Normandy SR1 and who places such a quantifiable bounty on Commander Shepard. He redeemed himself when he sacrificed himself so that Naga'sadow could escape with the data."
"Or we are meant to believe that." Nyxeris pointed out.
"You think it was yet another ruse?" Liara voice became cooler. "Do you not think that thought had not occurred to me? No his capture was earnest as was his sacrifice. I trust the judgment of my agents. Naga'sadow's in particular. Her report on the incident was thorough and concise." She looked back to the computers and began to type once more. After a second she looked up though her lashes "Do not let me detain you Nyxeris." Liara waved her hand imperiously towards her assistant clearly the conversation was over.
The older asari bowed her head. "Of course Dr. T'Soni, I'll return to my duties."
Once the door was closed, only then did Liara let out a breath of air. Her mind reflecting on the events playing out on Omega. On Feron, the betrayals, the discovery of the Shadow Broker's motives and his connection to the Collectors and the sacrifice Feron had made in the end.
But it wasn't Naga'sadow on Omega chasing after the lead, but Liara herself. Liara who had been betrayed twice by the drell, Liara who had been captured by the Blue Suns and Cerberus and the Shadow Broker's private mercenaries. Naga'sadow had remained on Illium piloting a VI with hard-photonic imagery. It was an extraordinary piece of design-wear: custom designed by Mouse the leader of the Duct Rats leader. The VI had been programmed to sound, look and respond exactly as Liara. Naga'sadow had issued all commands through the double, insuring the masquerade remained intact while Nual, Saphyria and Te'Kari had gone with their mistress to the Pirate Queen's lair hunting down this agent Feron and what he carried with him.
Feron had a certain lifestyle that needed a large bank account. He didn't have such but he had talents the Shadow broker wanted, the Shadow Broker had the credits Feron wanted. It worked. The drell was a small jobs man, information gathering, and surveillance nothing large.
He admitted that Cerberus had learned of his connection to the Broker and tried to recruit him a few times. Coincidently enough it was Miranda Lawson who made the attempts. She figured Feron would be easy to flip that he was the highest-bidder kind of trader, but that wasn't Feron. If he took a job for a customer he finished it, what ever it was. Never once did he screw over a client or cared what they were really up to, that was until the Collectors came along.
When he learned the Shadow Broker was making deals with them, he wanted to walk, after learning that they wanted Shepard's corpse-they didn't even want her alive, he thought it perverse. He wanted to stop it. But he didn't have the means, or the ability. But there were those that did. Cerberus.
Before she joined or rather was pressed into service, Lawson was Feron's contact—his handler. Why the prohuman group had approached Feron in the first place the drell admitted he never actually understood that, even if the Illusive Man 'made attempts to explain this was thing with the Collectors and further still the Reapers was beyond the agent of any one race'
Feron was to make a grab for the Collector Intel before it reached the Broker and then hand it over to Lawson. But the Broker began to worry about Feron's loyalties. The drell spy theorized that someone must have seen him with Lawson and so he was cut out of a lot of dealings. He had to find a way back in. That was Liara. She was his meal ticket. He volunteered to distract Liara for the Broker while his deal was going down.
Trust is never found on Omega. The Broker hadn't trusted Feron anymore than Liara did. he had sent mercenaries after him. He was just going to lead Liara away and find the Intel on Shepard himself. The Illusive man had other ideas, ideas he had neglected to tell even his right hand.
Feron had allowed the mercs to get away so that he could get into one the Broker's stations and confirm the deal was with the Collectors and one last chance to download whatever he could about the Broker's dealings. The information he gave to Liara knowing he was done for as an info-trader. The Broker would see to that.
That was the last she truly saw of the drell, the Collectors were onboard the station making a trade with the Broker's merc not only over data but apparently over medical containers that housed a collection of Shepard's DNA. Not quite her corpse but it was an interest to the Collectors. Whatever perverse reasons they had for wanting it never came to fruition as Feron destroyed the samples during the firefight that allowed Liara to flee with the data caches. And while she had indeed fled, Feron was taken by the Broker's people. His sacrifice was yet another debt the Broker owed. Why he wanted Shepard's DNA, or rather why did the Collectors? Where they trying to grow a clone? For what purpose? A clone would not contain the memories of the original… Was Samantha such an anomaly that it had the Reapers concerned?
After Liara returned to Illium she resumed her work behind her desk with none the wiser for her absence. Naga'sadow and the VA posing as her body doubles she had not been enough of a masquerade to keep everyone in the dark. They also had a plausible excuse for not taking personal calls or meetings-the pregnancy. It had occurred not long after Liara started to make a foundation for herself on Illium. While Sam was out collecting a Krogan 'baby,' Liara had gone on her own hunt.
Samantha would be livid if she found out the risks Liara took but she knew more than most some things needed to be handled personally. Since then however, Liara trusted the young Naga'sadow to act in her stead when in the field. She made a daring risk once with their new baby; she'd not take a second gamble. The Prothean Expert doubted Lady Luck would be so generous a second time.
Nearly two and three-quarters hours passed before the radio clicked twice, indicating her Lieutenant was calling in. And as ordered it was on the secure frequency the Normandy used for its ground troops when deployed.
Liara activated the ear piece. "Did you get any information on the Observer?"
*All five of the suspects are male. The Observer is female.* Naga'sadow relayed over the radio. *Something's not right, Héru. Who gave you the lead?"
"My assistant Nyxeris she got the information….Nyxeris gave me the information." Liara paused as realization dawned on her. It had been right there, the bitch even flaunted Feron's betrayals before her as if to say 'you didn't see it then and you're not seeing it now.' White hot frozen rage wafted through her. Right there! All along! She had been so utterly blind! The fury she felt was swiftly capped—kept from her voice as the Prothean Expert reached for the inner-officer comm. "Nyxeris can you come to my office for a moment? Naga'sadow, I'll talk to you later." She turned off the radios ear piece cutting off the huntress's connection.
The door opened, data pad and stylus in hand Nyxeris peered. "Yes?" she took a step in and closed the door behind her.
Countless battles along side her beloved honed Liara's skills, sharpened her natural talents. No warning, no 'I trusted you! How could you' or even 'Betrayer' Liara gave no hint that Observer was standing right before her when she attacked.
Nyxeris had not expected the blast when she walked through the door. It struck her square in the chest flinging her to the opposing wall with a massive painful THUD! She cried out in pain and shock as she flew. The momentary advantage Liara had didn't last beyond the first strike.
"So you figured it out you pure blood bitch!" The Observer jeered rolling to her feet wiping the blood from her mouth. She slung a warp field into Liara but the other's barriers were far too strong and held against the assault.
"If you're so observant you'd know I am one-fourth krogan." Liara taunted, continuing to push back the warp field with her own. From within it felt like same sides of two magnets pushed towards one another. She braced her feet against the floor, she never known Nyxeris to be so strong. Her barriers were weakening if Liara could just break in…
"How did you imagine this playing out, T'Soni?" The other panting with effort yet holding her own. The power warped and furniture began rocking, twisting around them as opposing fields held. "You and the Shadow Broker fighting it out to the death? Maybe your pet human along for the ride, to save you as she always does. You will never catch him!" She was growing more desperate, her barriers were far weaker than T'Soni's: they both knew it. "You could have been great you know. But you're too mired in your personal affairs to see anything beyond them."
Liara refused to be baited. She spiraled away from the warp, the blast shot past her ricocheting off the wall. Before Nyxeris could respond, Liara used the skills of the Echo game, rebounded off her own energy turning around into a flare. But before Nyxeris could launch another assault Liara struck with her free hand using one of Shepard's tactics, her fist slammed between Nyxeris's eyes.
Nyxeris's head snapped back, the world flashing, and she landed hard on her knees. Liara was on her in a second, her fist creating a biotic choke hold lifting the purple woman into the air, an invisible hand crushing her windpipe.
Liara wasted no breath on speech. Her eyes blue-white with the power of her biotics, pitilessly she watched as Nyxeris clawed at her throat, screaming silently desperately gasping for air. Liara's power pulsed anew, slamming the elder asari upwards towards the ceiling then down to the floor. There broken the body moved no more, blood trickled from a shattered nose, pooling around the crippled head.
"T'is a pity I do not own a varren to dispose of your corpse, for that is all your body is fit for, Nyxeris," she said to the dead woman. Walking past the body Liara went back into her office's foyer collected the laptop on Nyxeris's desk and returned to her office. "Oh and your services are no longer required. You're dismissed. Don't bother with recommendations or severance pay. I don't think you'll need them in the abyss." the quip was worthy of her lover. After spending so much time with humans T'Soni saw the value of a good joke or even a bad one at a time like this.
The fight hadn't lasted long, by the time Naga'sadow and her team rushed in from the lower markets it was over. Though not having this information they swarmed the office securing it only to realize their efforts were for naught. But it had not gone unappreciated by their mistress.
"That will leave a stain." Naga'sadow said looking at the puddle of dark purple near the corpse's mouth and nose. "Think you might want to replace the whole carpet. Be easier than hiring some maid service to scrub it out."
Liara smiled at the poor jest. Apparently humans were not the only ones that took to humor in stressful situations. "Indeed. However disposing of the body is a little more pressing."
"I'll take care of it." the feredir said.
"Nyxeris has some interesting data hidden away." Liara sighed, her voice returning to its softer tones as if she didn't have a dead body her office which was still disheveled. It was probably a very apt metaphor for what the young Prothean Expert was feeling within her at the moment. Though she was extremely careful not to allow it to show. This was Illium, after all.
"Thank you Naga'sadow. I would never have caught her without you. I'm one step closer to the Shadow Broker, thanks to you and your team." Liara slid an OSD across the desk. "Here, Nyxeris was very well compensated. You need it more than I do."
"Did you have any trouble with Nyxeris?"
"She was very talented. I imagine that had she been ordered to assassinate me, I'd never seen her coming. But her barriers needed practice. Practice I'm afraid she won't be getting."
Naga'sadow gave a warrior's smiled grimace. "So what's the next step in your hunt?"
"Now I gather information. Peel away layers of lies, and shine light into the shadows. And when I find the Shadow Broker I hit him with a biotic field so strong what is left of his body won't fill a coffee cup."
The anger surprised the young feredir. It stemmed she knew from what happened on Omega and the hidden base. The Shadow Broker wanted Shepard, more specifically her corpse, he wanted it to sell to the Collectors. The whole mission had been a screw up. Liara barely escaped with her own life, hers and the baby's. The Shadow Broker drove Shepard into desperation, into Cerberus, who would use her beloved for their own business. It was why Liara had to destroy the Shadow Broker, for what he did to Shepard; what he planned to do to her, what he did to Feron and for whatever he was doing with the Collectors.
"Tell us whatever you need of us." Naga'sadow said, "It will be done."
"You've done more then enough, feredir. Thank you."
The lieutenant nodded. "We'll get rid of that." she gestured over her shoulder to the body of Nyxeris. "No worries."
"Héru, if I may?" Nual stepped forward. "I volunteer to act as your PA, That is until you find one more suitable."
"You?"
"I served as such to Major Morwen for years. I was her Data Specialist." the hundred and twenty-six year old affirmed. "To be honest I'm happier piloting a desk and compiling data than out in the field."
"Yeah she's less twitchy compiling reports than flinging biotics." Saphyria teased. "She can whip out a hundred page report in no time flat but ask her to hold a barrier for more than forty minutes and she's winded."
"You're so flattering." Nual tossed back. "My biotics are strong enough to pass through the Academy.
"Of course they are, you wouldn't be feredir otherwise." Te'Kari offered. "But your strength is in all the crap no one else wants to do like tedious paperwork. I've never known anyone to get as excited about filling out forms in triplicate, data sheets, spread sheets, logarithms and all that crap as you do Nual. Hell you even do data charts in your spare time!"
Liara could not help but smile at the easy batter between squadmates. It reminded her so much of the teasing of the Normandy's inner circle. As she listened she couldn't help but notice something else quite striking. Of them all she was by far the youngest at a hundred and eight. If she recalled Naga'sadow was actually thirty-five years past her first century. Te'Kari and Spahyira were both around a hundred and forty give or take a year. Yet they all deferred to her, paid her respect and called her Héru…Mistress. They saluted her with upward palms as they would an elder asari. It was humbling and empowering.
Nual was eager to serve, and why not give the Specialist the opportunity. She knew the feredir from her service to her mother. And she was far more trustworthy than Nyxeris had ever been
"Take your station, Specialist Nual." Liara conceded to the offer. "It will be good to know I have someone to rely on."
The older asari bowed and saluted. "At your service, Héru."
Her first task was to get the office back into an orderly function once more, as she did that her sister feredir took care of the body just as Naga'sadow had vowed.
ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME~ ME
AN: please note I will no longer be posting translations of Asarian to English. I posted translations in my asari glossary which can be accessed via my profile page. Again all Asarian language save for those we are given in game is the elfish language taken Professor Tolkien's wonderful imagination. No intellectual copywrite indented. As I bow to the great professor as much as Peter Jackson has done.
AN2: Yes Shep's disguise in default ME3. I love the look, I just wish I could have made the hair black, ( on Xbox so no mods) and if they had such a cute face all the way back in ME1 or even in 2, I would have kept it thus, red haired and emerald eyes. But I've already established black hair and blue eyes, so just pretend default Shep in ME3 is what Sam will looks like only with black hair and the blue eyes.