Shepard went to see Samara, who was busy meditating.
"Shepard," she said.
"I wanted to check in."
"I'm always happy to talk with you."
"I'm interested in hearing more about asari justicars."
Samara broke her concentration and gestured for Shepard since down next to her. Shepard sat down on the floor next to her and the two of them looked out into the void.
"We hold a unique place in asari culture," she said. "Justicars are from another era. Young asari grew up watching vids about our adventures. Pure fiction, of course. Some asari are uncomfortable with us, but so few justicars exist that most have never met one."
Shepard looked at her. "There are only a few justicars?"
"Few asari wish to make the sacrifice necessary to become one of us. And the training has a high casualty rate. It is a life of constant danger. Throughout the entire galaxy, there are only a handful of us at the time."
"Why would anyone want to become a justicar?"
Samara looked down at the floor. "It is a deeply personal matter. Sometimes the most brutal path is the only honest one."
"This Code of the Justicar seem centre to your life," Shepard noted.
"It is five thousand sutras, and covers every situation one could encounter. I have memorise every word. There is only the Code."
Shepard frowned. "Sometimes justice calls for mercy."
Samara turned on him. "It is not exist to bring about spiritual enlightenment. Its purpose is to punish the wicked and protect the innocent."
"What role do you think justicars have in asari society?" Shepard asked curiously.
Samara smiled at him. "I would say that the closest human equivalent as a knight errant, in your mediaeval lore. Perhaps mixed with a bit of Samurai."
Shepard blinked. "You know about knights errant and Samurai?"
"When I knew I must leave asari space again, I studied the history and morals of new species. When I was made and wandering the galaxy, humans had not yet arrived."
"What did your studies tell you about us?" Shepard asked curiously.
Samara smiled at him. "You are more individualistic than any other species I have encountered. If three humans are in a room, they will be six opinions. I like your species; I am curious to see what you will do."
"I should go," said Shepard getting to his feet.
"I'm glad we spoke," said Samara as she re-entered her trance.
Shepard then checked on Mordin.
"Have you got a minute to talk?" Shepard asked.
"Actually wanted to talk," said Mordin walking away from his lab table. "Medical matters. Aware mission is dangerous. Different species react differently to stress. Aware you come by a great deal. Have other species become attracted to me before. Awkward. Not interested."
Shepard try not to laugh. "You had members of other species make up a pass at you?"
"Constantly," Mordin groaned. "Very awkward. Skin-tone apparently attractive by turian standards. Subset of krogan sexual deviants enjoy salarian flexibility. More cartilage in skeleton structure. Asari offers intriguing, actually. Wonder why. Transspecies pheromones unlikely to work. Must be neurochemical."
Shepard shook his head. "Wait a minute, Mordin. You're just yanking me around, aren't you?"
"Shocking suggestion!" said Mordin. "Doctor-patient confidentiality a sacred trust. Would never dream of mockery." Shepard raised an eyebrow, because Mordin was oppressing a big smile on his face. "Enjoy yourself while possible, Shepard. Will be here, studying cell reproduction. Much simpler. Less alcohol and mood music required."
Shepard message from Cerberus informing him that they had information on the Shadow Broker. Shepard knew that Liara was still on the hunt for him or she so he decided to make a course straight to Illium.
Liara was surprised to see him when he entered into her office. "Shepard! It's good to see you again. So, what can I do for you?"
Shepard sat down in the chair. "I know you're looking for the Shadow Broker. Cerberus gave me data on where to find him. Interested?"
Liara looked ecstatic. "Absolutely! I had no idea… Let's me see what you've got!"
Shepard handed her an OSD and she downloaded the data onto her datapad. "It looks like transmission between Shadow Broker operatives. Some hits us to locate, and…" She stopped when her eyes fell upon an image of a drell. "It's about Feron. He's still alive."
Shepard looked up. "Your friend? The one who helped recover my body from the Shadow Broker?"
"The same." She nodded. "He sacrificed himself to save me. I'd never found anything suggesting he was alive. After two years, I haven't been dreaming…"
"Sounds like you and Feron were close," Shepard noted.
"It's funny. He betrayed me more than once. He was double-dealing for Cerberus, for the Shadow Broker… But in the end, he sacrificed himself for me. I owe him."
Considering that Feron saved him from the Collectors, Shepard felt that he owed him as well. "Anything of yours is a friend of mine. What's the next step?"
"I… I don't know." Liara looked dazed from this realisation. "I need to prepare, to think. I'm going home. Use my terminal if you need any local intel."
"You okay?" Shepard frowned.
"I've spent two years plotting revenge," said Liara as she walked away. "Now I have a chance to make it a rescue."
"Let me help. I'll come by your apartment?"
Liara nodded. "Okay. Hopefully I'll have a plan by then. Thank you, Shepard."
Shepard went to the store's advice more equipment now that yet more credits. After which he, Garrus and Tali went to Liara's apartment.
However, when they arrived they found it a crime scene. Security officers were looking around and scanning everything within the apartment.
"Seal off those trace samples and get them back to the lab," said an asari officer.
"We've got multiple shots fired," said an asari cop as she scanned the couch. "Yeah, techs are going over the place now."
"Centre, we got an open carrier on this end," said a turian cop. "Switching to coded relay."
"What's going on?" Shepard asked.
The officer turned towards them. "This area is sealed off. Please step back, sir."
"Sealed off? Why?"
"Someone tried to kill your friend, Commander Shepard," said a voice.
Shepard turned and saw an asari making her way carefully down the stairs. Shepard noted that she wasn't a cop, judging by her armour. She also had better weapons on her person.
The asari looked at the cops. "Thank you, officer. Your people are dismissed."
Shepard and his companions walked across the line much to the offices anger. "You can't do that!"
"Already done."
The officer looked furious, but in question the asari's orders. She and the rest of her people then left the apartment and Shepard made his way over towards the asari.
"Tela Vasir," she said. "Special Tactics and Recon."
Now it all made sense. "A Spectre?"
She smiled. "I heard your status was reinstated. Good. You're one of our most famous operatives. Might even get you to sign my chest plate." She then looked at him business-like. "So I assume you had business with your friend this evening, Commander?"
Shepard nodded. "Liara was following a lead on the Shadow Broker."
Vasir looked up. "The Shadow Broker? Dangerous enemy to have."
"What are the facts so far?" Shepard asked.
"About 25 minutes ago, someone took a shot at T'Soni." She then gestured to the bullet holes in the glass. "Note the bullet holes. She stuck around for almost four minutes before leaving the building. Whatever she was doing was important."
"If Liara isn't here, where is she?" Shepard asked worriedly.
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be shifting through her crap. There's no blood, no body. It looks like T'Soni got away. The sniper didn't plan on her kinetic barriers. Clever girl. Paranoid, but clever."
"Liara was expecting me. He would have left a message here—her office wasn't safe."
Vasir nodded. "I'm not surprised. Illium is just Omega with expensive shoes." She folded her arms. "I haven't found anything useful for tracking her down yet. You knew T'Soni better than I do. Where would she have hidden her backups?"
"Let me take a look around."
Liara's apartment was full of Prothean artefacts, no doubt stuff she did double her digs. Shepard even found in picture of Ilos on her wall. He made his way upstairs and saw a picture of the old Normandy on the bed stand. He picked it up and once the image changed to a Prothean dig site.
"The picture changed when you touched it," said Vasir leaning over Shepard shoulder. "It must be key to your ID. What does it show now?"
"It's a Prothean dig site," said Shepard placing the picture back down on bed stand. "Liara did leave a message."
"There are a few Prothean-looking objects around the apartment. Let's see what we can find."
Shepard looked at the Prothean artefacts one by one, but when he searched the one that stood next to the staircase slot opened with backup disk inside.
"Vasir, I've got something here," said Shepard.
Vasir walked over noted the backup disk and Shepard's hand. "Backup disk. Let's try it on her terminal."
Shepard inserted the backup disk into Liara's terminal and at once the image of a salarian appeared.
"It looks like she recorded a call," Vasir noted.
"What have you got for me, Sekat?" Liara's voice asked.
"It was tricky, but you paid for the best," said Sekat. "I can narrow it down to a cluster, maybe even a system."
"How soon can you have it?"
"Shouldn't take long. Common like my office. Baria Frontiers, in Dracon Trade Centre. Gotta sat though, T'Soni—you're making me a little nervous. How big is the trouble that could come out of this?"
"Relax, Sekat. I'll see you in a few hours."
The recording ended there.
Shepard then looked at Vasir. "This must be important. The Shadow Broker's people already tried to kill once."
"I know where the Dracon Trade Centre is," said Vasir. "My car's outside."
"Let's go."
Soon they were all in Vasir's skycar and were approaching Dracon Trade Centre. They parked of the parking lot and made their way towards the building.
"The Dracon Trade Centre offices are located on the third floor," said Vasir. "I don't hear police chatter; we must have missed the party."
Suddenly there was a huge explosion from the top floor on the building.
"Liara's in there!" Shepard yelled.
Suddenly there was another explosion and this one was so powerful that both Shepard and Vasir were not backwards. Garrus and Tali rushed over to them and help them up.
"Keelah," said Tali as she looked at the devastation front of them.
People were either injured or dead from the explosion or fallen rubble. Shephard couldn't believe that it was a coincidence that the building that Liara was in exploded on its own.
"They just took out three floors to make sure she's dead!" said Vasir. "I'll grab the skycar and seal off the building from the top!"
"I'll start down here and work my way up," said Shepard.
Vasir sat down in her skycar. "Just leave some for me."
Vasir then closed the door and loo up towards the building.
Shepard and the others began to investigate the lower levels of the building. Shepard was amazed at the building was still standing no doubt whoever planted the bomb knew what they were doing.
Shepard tried activate the elevator, but it was sat down. "Vasir—elevator are out, and the building security is down."
"No alarms, no police. Very professional," said Vasir over the radio.
They soon reached the second floor and found more bodies. However, some of them were killed during the explosion. One of the employees mentioned someone telling everyone and setting bombs before he died due to blood loss.
"Casualty, here," said Shepard examining the employee. "Looks like he's got bullet wounds. What yourself, Vasir. They used military-grade hardware."
"Bullet wounds?" said Vasir's voice. "Guess this was more than just an explosion."
Shepard examined the room and then found a boom.
"Vasir, I found a military-grade explosive device. It hasn't been armed."
"Sloppy work. You use that kind of hardware when you don't have time to plan."
"Clearly they were in a hurry," said Garrus. He then looked down at the dead bodies that littered the place. "And again want any witnesses."
"I must've got wind that Liara was coming here," said Shepard.
"But how?" Tali frowned.
"Were dealing with the Shadow Broker, he's got agents everywhere," said Shepard.
"Let's hope that Liara is still alive," said Garrus.
Shepard then access the logs and saw Liara's name right at the top. "Vasir, I'm at Baria Frontiers office. Liara signed in just a few minutes ago."
They didn't get very far when they were suddenly attacked by a strange group of mercenaries. Shepard didn't recognise their armour so they want the most well-known mercenaries and most likely someone's private army.
One of them flew a flash grenade that blinded them for split second. Fortunately, they were close enough to cover to hide behind it before the merc shot at them.
"Vasir! I'm pinned down! Mercs—and they're well-armed!" Shepard yelled as he fired back at them.
"Say hello to the Shadow Broker's private army, Commander!"
They were certainly formidable well-trained and well equipped fortunately Shepard had fought against such odds before. Garrus took other leaders with his sniper rifle while Shepard provided cover and Tali use her drone to distract them.
They made their way towards the third floor, but they were blocked by damaged pipes on fire. Shepard has activate the fire suppression systems and were once again attacked by the Shadow Broker's mercenaries.
Suddenly they heard gunfire from behind one of the doors and opened it to find Vasir standing over a dead mercenary's body and slumped against the wall was a dead salarian.
"Damn it," said Vasir as she hosted her pistol. "If I'd been a few seconds faster, I could've stopped them."
"Is this Sekat?" Shepard asked looking at the dead salarian.
Vasir turned her back on Shepard. "Must have been."
Shepard searched his body, but found nothing. "No sign of that data Liara talked about. Looks like a dead end," he said turning to look at her.
"Speaking of which, did you find your friend's body?" Vasir asked.
"You mean this body?" said a voice.
They all turned and found Liara standing at the doorway with a pistol in her hand. She pointed the pistol directly at Vasir.
Shepard looked at her and then to Vasir. "Liara! Something I should know?"
Liara moved closer towards Vasir. "This is the woman who tried to kill me."
"You've had a rough day, so I'll let that slide," said Vasir as she slowly backed away. "Why don't you put that gun down?"
Liara narrowed her eyes. "I saw you! I doubled back after I left. I watched you break into my apartment!"
"You didn't know where Liara went, because she had the message. You needed me to find it for you," said Shepard as he and the others pointed their pistols at her.
Vasir shrugged. "Thanks for the help."
"Once she had my location, she signalled the Shadow Broker's forces," Liara explained. "They bombed the building to take me out. She found Sekat, took his data, and kill him. I'm guessing she's still got the disk on her."
"Good guess," said Vasir holding out a data disk. "Not that you'll ever see what's on it…" She then flared her biotics in one hand which she hid behind her back and shatter the glass behind her. "… you pureblood bitch."
She then tossed the broken glass straight at them, but Liara created a barrier around them shielding them. Vasir then made a run was the window and Shepard tackled her causing the two of them to smash through the window.
Vasir had flared her biotics are the two of them were floating down gently towards the ground, but she was able to push Shepard away and he landed hard on the ground. She then floated and land on the ground and approach Shepard with the intent to finish him off.
However, Liara jumped out of the window with her biotics flaring. Vasir then decided to make a run for it and Liara followed her the moment she touched the ground. Garrus and Tali looked out the window, but they knew they could make that jump so they ran back downstairs.
Liara continue to chase after Vasir she quickly turned the corner. Two mercs then appeared aiming their weapons at Liara, but used her biotics to push one backwards and tossed the second one aside as she ran past.
At this point Shepard regained consciousness and Garrus and Tali ran to his side. Suddenly the elevator door opened and mercs poured out and began shooting at them.
"Now the elevator works," Shepard grumbled.
"Vasir must have have to control the moment she landed on the roof," said Garrus as he shot a mech down with his sniper rifle.
"Looks like were hunting down another rogue Spectre," said Tali taking out two mercs with her shotgun.
"We need to catch up with Liara and get that data," said Shepard as he fired his pistol.
Once the mercs were finished they rushed outside and found Liara and Vasir shooting at one another. Vasir saw Shepard and the others running out of the building and activated her omni-tool.
Her skycar then flew down towards them opening its doors under the parking lot. Vasir then ran and jumped over the edge of the parking lot and landed in her car before flying off.
"Damn it!" Liara yelled.
Liara the made her way to a sky taxi and hacked the controls opening the doors.
"I'm fine by the way. Thanks for asking," said Shepard sitting down at the driver's seat.
Garrus and Tali sat behind them. Shepard closed the doors and took off after Vasir.
"Come on! She's getting away!" said Liara impatiently.
"I'm on it," said Shepard.
"There she is!" Liara pointed as Vasir's car came into view. "Hang a right! No, wait, left!"
"I'm on her," said Shepard. The one thing he hated was a front seat driver.
Vasir was certainly simply as she zigzagged across the traffic and making sharp turns pass buildings. She then entered into a construction zone.
"We're not going into the construction site, are—oh, goddess," Liara moaned.
"Hold on!" Shepard yelled as they flew under a crane.
Vasir turned her car to its side to go through a set of beams and Shepard followed her much to Liara's dismay. They then went down the wrong way of a plaza heading into traffic. In fact began to remind Shepard of those old science-fiction films that were made in the late twentieth century.
Vasir then rushed past a truck that was parking in a docking area.
"Go go go go go go go!" Liara yelled.
"I'm going!" Shepard yelled as he flew under the truck.
They then entered into oncoming traffic.
"Traffic! Oncoming traffic!"
"We'll be fine!"
Vasir appeared to be growing impatient as she began setting proximity charges as a car.
"She's dropping proximity charges!" Liara warned.
"I noticed!"
Once they pass a few more trucks several gunships appeared and firing at them.
"She's got reinforcements!" Liara yelled.
"What kind of guns does this thing have?" Shepard asked.
Liara turned to him. "It's a taxi! It had a fare meter!"
They soon entered into the tunnel and when they turn round the corner they saw truck breaking as Vasir drove past it. The truck was skidding towards them at an alarming rate.
"Track!" Liara yelled.
"I know," said Shepard turn furiously.
"Truck!"
"I know!"
Suddenly a small truck slammed into the truck causing a small explosion, but Shepard was able to move to the corner just in time and continue to chase after Vasir.
"Yaaa!" Liara gasped as they were almost struck by a smaller truck that was flicked into the air.
"There we go!" said Shepard driving past it as if it was nothing.
Liara glared at him. "You're enjoying this"
Shepard merely shrugged she knew the chase after Vasir. A trap then zoomed past them struck a building, bounced off slammed into another truck and then into another before bowing down to the ground at about 60 feet.
"A head-on collision at this speed…"
"Yeah, I hear that can be bad for you."
They soon drove head-on at the traffic and another truck slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision with Vasir.
"Truck!" Liara yelled.
"Again?" Shepard groaned.
Shepard managed to pull up and skidded across the track just like Vasir. They were now gaining on her and appeared that she was now desperate.
"Watch out!" Liara yelled.
Shepard soon flew side-by-side with her and they could see from the window that she was narrowing her eyes at them. Vasir then slammed her car into theirs straight in the path of the second car.
Shepard quickly turned the main avoided the car by inches and then slammed into her again. They will they continue to repeat this pattern again and again, but Shepard finally caught off guard and she collided with another car.
Smoke was shooting out of the exhaust as she headed straight towards hotel and landed hard on a balcony. Shepard then drove the car towards the hotel and he could see that she had survived the crash albeit heavily injured.
A security mech made its way towards her, but he shot at it and it fell. She they can see that Shepard and the others were landing not too far way.
She reached for radio. "I've crashed on Azure! Get me some damn backup!"
Shepard landed the skycar in the car park, but bidding get very far when the Shadow Broker's mercs survived.
"Watch out!" said Liara. "They're dropping reinforcements to slow us down!" They soon landed at the door blocking their path. "They've landed at the door!"
"Their mistake," said Shepard pulling out his rifle.
Fighting alongside Liara felt good and it made things easier when she floated their enemies into a perfect path with their bullets. Liara formed a singularity causing the marks to float having to be a force Sheppard to shoot them down. Some of the mercs unleashed a drone to distract them, but Tali took care of them and used her own drones to take down the mercs. Garrus found the perfect position began taking them out one by one with his sniper rifle.
They continue this progress until no more reinforcement showed up. They then made their way into the hotel's room and found several destroyed mechs and found the owners cowering in the corner.
Shepard then noticed a vid with several asari dancers performing very seductive dances. Shepard looked at Liara. "What kind of hotel is this?"
"Azure. It's a luxury resort with an… exotic edge," Liara explained. Shepard has a very good idea what the exotic edge was. "'Azure' is a slang for a part of the asari body in some areas of Illium."
"Where?"
Liara shrugged. "Mainly the low reaches, near the bottom."
"I meant, 'Where on the asari body?'"
"So did I."
Shepard decided to carry on the search for Vasir at that point.
They made their way onto the balcony and the crashed skycar, but there was no sign of Vasir's body. However, there was a trail purple blood moving away from the burning wreck.
"The blood trail," said Vasir. "Vasir got hurt in the crash."
"That should slow her down," said Shepard.
They followed the blood trail away from the hotel room and Shepard was amazed how Vasir would still be alive even after losing so much blood.
"She's lost a lot of blood," Liara noted. "We have to be getting close."
Shepard nodded. "She's tough, I'll give her that much."
"She's a Spectre."
They could hear screaming not too far way and had a good feeling who was causing it. They entered into another hotel room and found several destroyed mechs and dead guards.
They follow the blood trail that led to a balcony overlooking a restaurant. They looked over the edge and saw Vasir limping away while blood pulled out a chest. They made their way down into the restaurant.
"Vasir! It's over!" said Liara as she and Shepard pointed their pistols at her.
Vasir stopped and limped over towards a woman. "Hey! Hey, you. Come here. What's your name?"
She then used her biotics and forced the woman into her arms and used as a human shield. She pointed the pistol at Shepard and Liara and people began to scream.
"M-Mariana," said the woman nervously.
"Mariana, you want to live, don't you? Tell these people that you want to live."
Mariana gave a pleading look towards Shepard. "Please…"
"We'll get you out of here safely, Mariana," Shepard assured.
"Well, that's good to hear," said Vasir. "All you do was walk away." She then pointed the pistol at Mariana's head. "Now it gets ugly."
"Please. I have a son," Mariana begged.
"A son? I hope he gets to see you again. I've heard losing a parent is just horrific for child. Scars them for life."
Liara glared at her. "I'm going to end you, Vasir."
"It's okay, Liara. We'll handle it." Shepard then winked at her. "The usual way."
"You want Mariana's little boy to go up without a mummy, Shepard?" Vasir taunted. "Thermal clips on the ground, now. Power cells, too."
Shepard shook his head. "Is that it?"
Vasir blinked. "What?"
"Vasir, I sacrifice hundreds of human lives to save the Destiny Ascension. I unleashed the rachni on the galaxy. So for your sake, I hope you escape plan doesn't hinge on me hesitate to shoot a damn hostage!"
Vasir pointed her pistol at Shepard. "You're bluffing."
Now that Vasir's attention was on Shepard, Liara use her biotics to float the table behind her.
"Now, Liara."
Vasir realised too late and turned just in time to see the table slam into her. She was sent flying and landed in a pool. However, seconds later she emerged the water looking furious as her biotics flared.
Vasir suddenly put on a great find despite her injuries, she created a biotic barrier around her to protect her and used her biotics to jump around. Also whenever they were close to finishing her arm she vanished briefly and had the Shadow Broker's mercenary is to attack them while she healed up.
This time the mercenaries had bought several rocket drones with them, but Tali was able to hack them and use them against the mechs while Garrus took down the leaders. Once they were all dead Vasir returned now fully healed.
Vasir was certainly powerful biotic, but her skills were perfectly matched against Liara. They stared to gang up on her and her biotics jumps were starting to take their toll. Shepard used his disruptor ammo to break through the biotic barrier and Garrus fired a few perfect shots that took out her armour.
Tali's drone struck her in the bag knocking her down and Liara user biotics to slam against the wall. Shepard then fired several rounds in her chest and she toppled over completely exhausted.
"Ugh. Damn it! Damn it," she groaned clutching her chest.
Liara approached her and took the data disk from her. She then accessed it with her omni-tool.
"Sekat's personal datapad," she said the Shepard. "This has what we need to find a Shadow Broker."
"You're dead," Vasir glared. "The Shadow Broker has been in power for decades. He's stronger than anything you've ever faced!"
Shepard narrowed his eyes at her. "Is that why you sold out the Council to work for him?"
"You think I'd betray the Council? Like Saren? Go to hell!" Shepard turned around and walked up to her. "The Broker's given me damn good intel over the years. Intel that save lives and kept the Citadel safe! So if the Broker needs a few people to disappear, I'll pay that price without hesitation!"
Shepard narrowed his eyes. "Spectres don't blow up buildings filled with innocent people!"
"Sure we do. We get our hands dirty to the Council doesn't have to. The councillors might complain about our methods to soothe their consciences, but they never look too closely." She narrowed her eyes at Shepard. "Besides, you're with Cerberus. You have any idea what your terrorist friends have done?"
"I know who they are and what they've done. It doesn't matter."
"I think it does. You want to judge me? Look in the mirror. Kidnapping kids for biotic death camps! Killing Alliance admirals who ask questions! And you're with them. Don't you do judge me! Don't you…"
Though it were the last words Vasir said. Shepard to admit that he had a point, but the Broker was working for the Collectors who worked for the Reapers. Besides he wasn't officially part of Cerberus they were only funding his mission, he still calls the shots.
Shepard then met up with Liara, who was going through the data from Sketa's data disk.
"Eliminate T'Soni and retrieve the data," said a voice, who Shepard assumed to be the Shadow Broker. "Civilian casualties not a concern."
"Vasir's dead," said Shepard.
"I'm putting the data through to the Normandy's computers. We can be at the Shadow Broker's base in a few hours." Then began to walk away towards the parking lot. "He'll know about Vasir before long. If he decides to kill Feron…"
Shepard placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get Feron out of there alive, Liara. I promise."
"I know." Liara nodded and looked at him. "You're here to help. Just like always."
"That's not a good thing?"
"When we first met on Therum, you saved me from the geth. You fought a krogan battlemaster while I cowered. Now you're doing it again. And I'm still leaning on you for help."
"That's what friends do, Liara."
Liara looked at him and continue to walk towards the parking lot. "I can get us there, based on Sekat's data. The Normandy's stealth drive will keep them from detecting us. The Shadow Broker's agents are still shooting their way through Illium. With luck, they won't notice we've left until it's too late."
"That a little cold," said Shepard. "They killed innocent people."
Liara looked at him. "You know what I mean."
"Do I?" Shepard asked crossing his arms. "When I hit the ground back at the trade centre, you went after Vasir without a backward look."
"A little fall wasn't going to kill you." She then turned and leaned over the balcony. "I had to stay on Vasir. I had to stay rational, make the call. Like I did with Sekat."
Shepard leaned over the balcony next to her. "That's Vasir's fault, not yours."
"Sekat had no idea what the stakes were. I put him in harm's way to get the data I needed. I got killed. And I'll do it again. But from here on out, things will be simple. Get in, get Feron, get out." They then resumed their war towards the parking lot. "And kill anyone who tries to stop us."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Shepard then grabbed her arm. "Will you just stop for a second? We'll be jumping several light-years. This time to talk."
"About what?"
"You haven't been the same since I came back, Liara."
"What you want me to say, Shepard? That I mourned you? But I feel guilty because Feron got captured? I made mistakes. I lost people. I helped get you back, and I want to do the same for Feron! I'll sit and talk once he's safe. Until then, enjoying the scenery is an insult to the man who saved both of us."
Shepard nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
Using the information Liara provided they soon approached the planet where the Shadow Broker was supposed to be located. Shepard, Liara, Garrus and Tali ordered a shuttle towards the planet and it was a very hostile planet that that.
They soon approached a ship that just floated in here as lightning struck all around them. It was possibly the biggest ship that Shepard had ever seen the only other closer tender have to be Sovereign.
"Hagalaz," said Liara. "The oceans boil during the day, then snap-freeze ten minutes after sundown."
"The Shadow Broker lives in this?" Shepard stared.
"His ship follows the sunset. Completely undetected in the storm, unless you know where to look."
"How do we get inside?"
"The shuttle bay is locked down. We'll have to land on the ship and hunt for a hatch." He then placed on their helmets and breathers, minus Tali. "But we can't stay outside for long. There's a constant lightning storm where the hot and cold air collide.
They landed on the very nose of the ship and jumped off the shuttle. The wind was so tough that they had to use magboots so they wouldn't be blown away. The shuttle then flew away as quickly as it appeared.
They made their way across the hull and were actually attacked by maintenance drones. Apparently they believe that they were debris from the storm. Fortunately they were quite easy to deal with.
They kept on pressing forward centre they saw lightning struck in some sort of rods.
"Careful!" Liara warned. "Those capacitors discharge built-up lightning."
"Thanks for the tip," said Shepard.
They were soon attacked by the Shadow Broker's mercs, but under Liara's suggestion Shepard shot the capacitors and lightning was shot in all different directions. The mercs were struck were tossed of the ship.
As they moved forwards they were attacked more often by mechs and mercs, but using the capacitors to their advantage they were easy able to blow them away. Also Liara's biotics helped immeasurably by tossing the said individuals over the edge.
They soon entered through a doorway and saw that the lightning was going through some sort of engines that were powering the ship. Shepard had never seen a ship like this before and that included Sovereign.
"This ship is incredible," said Liara. "It must have taken decades to build in secret."
"I wonder what happened to the contractors," Shepard wondered.
"I think we can guess."
"All my years on the Flotilla and I have never seen anything like this," said Tali looking around in amazement. "This Shepard after using a very lightning to power itself up. It doesn't need to refuel at all, it can just fly constantly in the atmosphere."
"Navigating this storm is brutal," said Liara shaking her head. "If the ship's engines. Even for moment…" She stopped and shrugged. "At least the Shadow Broker would go down with us."
"That's comforting," Shepard grumbled.
They kept on moving across the ship's hull hand were attacked by more mercs. Clearly they were becoming more than just a nuisance now, because they pulled all the stops to stop them. They kept on moving and found the path blocked by a capacitor.
Shepard managed to access the controls and lower it to allow the passage across the gangway. As they walked across it they notice that there was no guardrails.
"Not even a guardrail," said Shepard. "I bet the Broker's agents la patrolling the hull."
"At least the beer is nice," said Liara.
"I wonder how many men the Shadow Broker lost on patrol alone?" said Garrus.
"I wondered how he got the men in the first place," Shepard wondered.
They soon reached a hatch, but unfortunately it was stuck fast.
"It's locked," said Liara. "Hang on, I've got a bypass shunt program that can crack it."
He then activated her omni-tool and a holographic device appeared on the hatch.
"How long will it take?" Shepard asked.
"I don't know, Shepard. I've never broken the Shadow Broker's based before." She then shrugged. "Well, not this one, anyway."
Seconds later they took compositions as mercs appeared and the moment they caught sight of them they began to shoot at them with their rifles.
"You sure that shunt is working?" Shepard asked as he fired as a capacitor and lightning shot in all directions.
"It's illegal even on Illium. It didn't come with a warranty," said Liara as he fired his pistol.
"But you tested it, right?"
Liara didn't answer and instead fired her pistol at more incoming mercs. "Here come more of them!"
Shepard groaned. "Tell me you tested it!"
"No time to talk!"
Shepard was afraid she was going to say that. The Shadow Broker's full on all the stops and began firing rocket launchers at them. Fortunately, Garrus was able to take them out with his sniper rifle.
"Liara?" Shepard yelled as more mercs appeared.
"I'm sure it won't be much longer!" Liara assured.
They were suddenly attacked from behind and Shepard had a manoeuvre himself up as a cover. "Remember the old days when you could just slap omni-gel on everything?"
Liara nodded. "That security measure made a lot of people unhappy. Look out! More on the way!"
The mercs came thick and fast for the obvious intention of preventing the entry and they sent in rocket drones to assist. He didn't do much good when Tali hacked into them and cause them to fire at their own people. Nor did it help when Shepard continuously shot at the capacitors chucking lightly in all directions causing several of them to be thrown off the ship.
"Their attacks are disorganised," Liara noted. "They'd be more efficient if they all attacked at once."
"Please don't give the mercs ideas," Shepard pleaded.
The mercs were practically running to their deaths now as Shepard and the others mowed them down with their bullets. The medics tried to move past the capacitors, but that did little good facing against Liara's biotics and soon they stopped coming.
At the same time the shunt program finished in the hatch door opened.
"Oh, now it opens," Shepard moaned.
"Let's get inside before we are tossed off the station," said Liara.
They soon entered into the ship and were greeted by more mercs.
"More of them?" Liara stared as a rocket struck the beams. "How many guards does the Shadow Broker need?"
Shepard shrugged. "I told you."
"Hold your positions, no matter the cost," said the Shadow Broker's voice.
They began fighting back and pushing more inward into the ship and towards the control centre. There was still no sign of Feron, but Shepard had a feeling that the Shadow Broker would want him close by.
"I've downloaded the ship's layout," said Liara. "We're heading towards the prison block… and Feron."
"That's hope he's still alive," said Shepard.
"Who knows what the Shadow Broker's been doing to him for two years," said Garrus.
"I rather not think about it," said Liara.
They soon entered into the prison block and saw Feron structure some sort of torture table.
"Feron!" Liara yelled
Feron opened his eyes and stared at them. "Liara?"
Liara then ran to the controls. "Hold on—we're getting you out of there!"
"No!"
Too late, Liara was already fiddling with the control terminal and seconds' later electricity was sent through Feron's body.
"Feron!" Liara gasped.
"What the hell is the Broker trying to do to you?" Shepard stared.
"The equipment is sensitive to tampering," Feron explained. "This chair is plugged into the Broker's info network. You have to shut off the power. Pull me out now, and my brain cooks."
"You know where we can cut the power?" Liara asked.
"It won't be easy. You'll have to go to central operations."
"Easy or not, we're all getting out of here," said Shepard firmly.
"Good," said Feron with relief. "Central operations is down the hall. You know the Shadow Broker's waiting for you, right?"
"I'm counting on it."
"We'll be back for you, Feron!" Liara promised.
Feron gave them a dry smile. "I'll try not to go anywhere."
More of the Shadow Broker's mercs try to stop them, but their efforts were futile. Liara was a woman I mission and she wasn't going to let anything stop as he slammed the mercs around with her biotics.
They soon found the door that led to central operations and entered. Inside was a computer hub in the centre of four pillars that was over some sort of lightning skylight which had real lightning flowing through it and sitting in the chair was an unknown alien creature the likes of which Shepard had never seen before.
In as if it was some sort of apex predator with four pairs of eyes. It was very scaly and armoured, a triangular mouth adorned with sharp teeth, two large horns and facial markings on their heads. Their hands each have three fingers which include a thumb, as well as three toes on each foot. Its body was very muscular, standing over even the krogan.
Shepard knew instantly that this was the Shadow Broker and he and the others raised their weapons at him. The Shadow Broker looked at each and every one of them placing his claws together.
"Here for the drell?" he asked. "Reckless, even for you, Commander."
"Not reckless, just determined," said Shepard. "Ask your asari Spectre about that."
"Vasir was expendable. All her death cost me was time."
"Expendable like Feron?" Liara glared.
The Shadow Broker looked at her. "Dr T'Soni. Your interference caused all this. Feron betrayed me when he handed you Shepard's body. The drell is simply paying the price."
"Someone was bound to come after you for working for the Collectors?" Shepard pointed out.
"It was a mutually beneficial partnership," said the Shadow Broker. "Your arrival is convenient. The Collector's offer still stands."
"It'll be pretty hard to run a base this side with no crew."
"They're expendable. Your arrival in barely an interruption." He then narrowed his eyes at all them. "Enough talk. My operations are too critical to be compromised by a traitor."
"You're quite confident but someone with nowhere left to hide," said Liara.
"You travel with fascinating companions, doctor." The Shadow broker then looked towards Garrus and Tali. "It's good you brought Archangel, T'Soni. Your friends about he is still unclaimed. I'm surprised you bought the quarian, T'Soni. Her supposed leadership on Haestorm most of her team killed."
"You're not putting a hand on anyone!"
"It's pointless to challenge me, asari. I know your every secret, while you fumble in the dark."
"Is that right?" She looked over the Shadow Broker with curiosity. "You're a yahg, a pre-spaceflight species commenting on their homeworld for massacring the Council's first contact team. This base is older than your planet's discovery, which probably means you killed the original Shadow Broker sixty years ago, then took over. I'm guessing you were taken from your world by a trophy hunter who wanted a slave…" She then smirked slightly. "Or a pet? How am I doing?"
The Shadow Broker then got onto his feet and then slammed his fist into his table smashing it to pieces. He then threw the pieces at them, Shepard was able to push Liara out of the way, but Garrus and Tali weren't so lucky.
They watched as the Shadow Broker pulled out a large rife and began to shoot at them. Instantly they took cover behind the pillars and began to fire back. They flanked him and continue to shoot at his shields and armour.
What happened next was very hard to explain, the Shadow Broker somehow harnessed the lightning from above him to follow the perfect kinetic barrier. Liara fired several shots at him, but the bullets bounced off.
Liara looked at Shepard. "The shield's kinetically sensitive! Energy and projectiles are bouncing off!"
Shepard then cracked his knuckles. "Then we do this the hard way."
Shepard then charged at him and punched him across the face and then hit them again before your chance to counter. Shepard then jumped towards him, but unfortunately he raised his omni-tool and produced an omni-shield which not Shepard backwards.
With that she'll now protecting him he unleashed his bullets at them. The only way to get past that she was a flanker so while Liara distracted him from the fund, Shepard uses stealth tech to sneak behind him and attack him from behind.
The Shadow Broker then reactivated his kinetic barrier and Shepard charge at him slamming him in the face with the butt of his rifle. The Shadow Broker races omni-shield and Shepard slammed into residence in the two of them were trying to push the other one away.
Unfortunately, he was much stronger and pushed Shepard back right into Liara and the two of them to the ground. Liara looked up and saw the lightning container overhead and got an idea.
"If you can get him to bring about shield again, I've got an idea," she said the Shepard.
Shepard looked at the lightning container and nodded. They use the same regulated the first time and it worked just as well. Shepard was able to wear down the Shadow Broker forcing him to reactivate his kinetic barrier.
Then both he and the Shadow Broker charge at one another, but Shepard rolled just as he swung his shield at him.
"Liara! Now!" Shepard yelled.
The Shadow Broker realise to wait what they were planning. Liara fired a biotic blast into the lightning container and it began to crack. Then using all her strength he shattered the glass and the lightning pulled it down right on top of the Shadow Broker disintegrating him.
Then a small explosion ruptured and Shepard was not of his feet. Liara walked up to him and offered him her hand which he took.
Once he was on his feet Liara began to pant hard and at that point both Garrus and Tali came too. The two of them looked immensely confused Shepard went over to them to explain what had happened.
Liara path they console that was connected to several of the Shadow Broker's agents.
"Shadow Broker, this is Operative Murat. We had a momentary connection failure. Can you confirm sadness?"
"Operative Shora requesting update. Are we still online?"
"Shadow Broker, I've lost our feed. We are online and awaiting instructions."
Many the Shadow Broker's operatives began to panic as he tried desperately to make contact with the Shadow Broker. Liara merely looked at them all and closed her eyes. When she opened them again she walked up to the console and access the comm link.
"This is the Shadow Broker. The situation is under control," said Liara, her voice sounding like the Shadow Broker over the radios. "We experienced a power fluctuation while updating hardware. It is a communications momentarily."
Feron then came rushing in and pointed his pistol at Liara. It only took several seconds that it was Liara speaking and not the Shadow Broker.
"However, we are now back online," Liara continued. "Resume standard procedures. I want a status report on all operations within the next solar day. Shadow Broker out."
Feron towards them, no doubt still winded from his torture. "Goddess of oceans… It's you… You… how?"
Liara turn towards him. "Well, everyone who's ever seen him in person is dead, so…"
Feron gasped. "… You're the new Shadow Broker."
"Is taking over as the Shadow Broker really a good idea?" Shepard asked.
Liara shrugged. "It was either that or lose everything: his contacts, his trading sources. Those will really help us. With the Shadow broker's information network, I can give you… I can…"
Feron could see this was a lot to take in. "I'll, uh, check the power systems."
He then limped away and Shepard to Garrus and Tali to accompany him. He then turned towards Liara, who was crying. Shepard placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her.
"It's over. It's finally… for two years…"
Shepard then places arms around her and she did the same to him as she cried into his shoulder.
"It's all right," he assured.
They broke apart and Liara brushed her tears away. "I spent two years mourning you and Feron. And now I've got you both back. I… Let's see what we've got." She then turned and looked at the computer terminal. "No safeguards or user restrictions. It's like he never dissipated anyone but himself being here. And it's all ours."
"What kind of information are we talking about?" Shepard asked.
"I'm not sure. I need to go through his files. Come back later, and I'll try to have something useful for you. All I wanted was to rescue Feron." She then turned and looked back at Shepard. "But… is it wrong that part of me wants this? With the Shadow Broker's network, I can help you. Maybe I can turn this opportunity into something better."
Shepard nodded. "Don't be a stranger this time."
"Come by when you have a chance," Liara smiled. "The doors are always open."
Shepard nodded and the door.
Liara stood there as he walked away. "Thank you, Shepard. For everything."
Rick had returned to the Citadel to provide his report to Anderson.
"Nothing new, I see," said Anderson looking through the report. "The Collectors haven't made a big move?"
"It could be after what happened on Horizon and what Shepard did that their thinking twice before making another move," said Rick. "Though this quiet is a bit unnerving."
"I agree," Anderson nodded. "Still no word from Shepard?"
"None so far, but I hear rumours there was a little incident on Illium."
"The Council knows all about it," said Anderson looking up. "Apparently Spectre was trying to eliminate Liara T'Soni under orders from the Shadow Broker."
Rex said them open-mouthed. "The Shadow Broker got his fingers around a Spectre?"
"I imagine he's got his fingers around everything," said Anderson. "However, the spectres are only supposed to take orders from the Council and she did wipe out an entire building."
"But isn't that normal for Spectres?"
"Usually it is, but usually they are after a threat to the Council not a threat to the Shadow Broker," said Anderson. "Because of her actions we had to label her a rogue."
"Make you think what else he's got his fingers round?" said Rick troublingly.
"With Shepard on his tail I doubt we have much to worry about," said Anderson with a smile.
Suddenly the doors opened and Rick turned around. At once his cheeks were hot, was walking towards them was a beautiful blonde haired woman ran about his age with crystal blue eyes. She was holding a stack of datapads in her hands.
She stopped when she saw Rick. "Oh, sorry, sir," he said looking at Anderson. "I was unaware that you are meeting someone."
"It's quite fine, Rose," Anderson assured. "Lieutenant Commander Rick Ryder allow me to introduce to my assistant, Rose Johnson."
"A pleasure," said Rick shaking hands with Rose.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Commander, I've heard so much about you," said Rose smiling. "Though I imagine you to be a bit taller."
"I get that a lot," said Rick awkwardly.
Rose pondered for a moment. "I don't suppose that you would like to have dinner with me?"
Rick's face lit up. "I would love to."
"Excellent, tomorrow night?" she smiled.
Rick looked towards Anderson, who was smiling. "I think you've earned some shore leave, Commander."
"Thank you, sir."
Anderson chuckled. "Just make sure that you finish up your report, Commander."