CHAPTER 3:

"Where did you obtain this photo from?" asked Samara.

"Well, Justicar, when someone of your stature enters a hole in the wall like this and makes such a scene as you did, I tend to notice," answered the quarian. "I presumed you may have wanted to know that your daughter is here,"

"You surprise me, miss...?"

"Lea'Foris vas Arktannay at your service," answered the quarian. "But people just call me Lea. You and this asari look eerily similar, which is why I'm assuming this is your daughter,"

"Well, Lea, not many know this, but yes. There is truth in what you say," said Samara. "I have been tracking her for the last 276 years. Would you happen to know her current location?"

"Actually, I would," answered Lea. "I've had past dealings with her, none of the pleasant demeanor. She has a place outside the city,"

"Would you be willing to take me to this place?" asked Samara

"I don't work for free, justicar," said Lea. "I know the dangers you justicar en ravel yourselves with in your missions, and I'm not risking my life for nothing,"

"Your apprehension is understandable," answered Samara. "I will only require you to show me my daughter's place of residence; after that, you are free to do as you please. In the meantime, name your price for this information,"

"Well justicar, luckily for you I never turn down a good fight, nevertheless my fee is 2,000 credits," said Lea.

"Done," replied Samara "Please, the sooner we can leave the better chance we have. I fear word of my presence may spread quickly,"

Lea turned and proceeded across the crowded floor. She had no trouble finding a path out, and soon they were out of the densely packed station. Samara continued to follow Lea, until they came upon a shuttle bay area.

"We'll take my car," said Lea as she approached a silver shuttle. Lea tapped a few keys on her Omni-tool and the shuttle's door opened. Samara and Lea entered, with Lea driving and Samara in the passenger seat. As Samara got in, she took her VBR off her back and put it into her lap. Lea pushed on the ignition button in the shuttle's control panel and a slight vibration rolled across the floor. They accelerated out of the bay into the sky and made their way through the city. It was a quiet ride, and it stayed that way for most of the ride.

"You never told me why you've been tracking your own daughter," said Lea, breaking the silence. "As far as my knowledge goes of your kind, justicar, your kind do not pursue a target for 276 years without them being a galactic threat,"

"You would be correct," answered Samara. "Morinth, my daughter, is an Ardat-Yakshi. I do not think your race is familiar with them, if I am not mistaken,"

"No, I'm not familiar with the term, please go on," said Lea

" An Ardat Yakshi is an asari incapable of controlling her melding. When and if an Ardat-Yakshi is to meld her nervous system with another being, the other being's nervous system would be overloaded, and be totally shut down, resulting in necrosis and almost instant death. An Ardat-Yakshi cannot help but continuing to meld and kill, for they draw power from each victim, hence an addiction begins," explained Samara. "When Morinth was only 40, she was given a choice between living in solitude, or execution. She chose to run, and I have been chasing her since then,"

Lea was silent, most likely trying to grasp the idea of an Ardat-Yakshi while maintaining focus on driving. But it was Samara's turn to break the silence this time.

"You are quarian, yet you are also a mercenary. To my understanding your people do not have a tendency to be violent. Is there a reason you chose the path you have?" asked Samara.

"My people have been driven into exile by the geth, a race we created," Lea explained. "The quarian people do not put much emphasis on fighting, and it is a large contributing factor as to why we lost our home world. I grew tired of our people's Admirals incessant arguing over meaningless matters. I set out on my pilgrimage when I was of age and explored the world. In my travels I saw the constant violence and cruelty of the world, and how the physically adept seem to thrive. We are a people of dependency. Dependent on our suits, on our ship's sterilization, dependant on material things just for our basic survival. When I returned and presented the Admirals with a ship named the Arktannay, they welcomed me back with open arms and praise. I no longer wanted to remain with the fleet however. When I told the Admiralty board of my desires to strengthen our military, they criticized and rejected my ideas. So I left and set out on my own."

"Everyone has their own purpose, yours was simply not with your fleet," said Samara.

"I suppose... We're almost there. That's the town right there," said Lea, pointing to an array of buildings and houses in the distance.

Samara looked out unto their destination. She knew this could be the end of her long journey and she was determined to make it so. Morinth had eluded Samara for far too long, and the more time Morinth was allowed to live, the stronger she became and the more difficult she would be to kill. A faint blue glow came over Samara as she subconsciously grabbed her rifle and racked the bolt on it.