2183 CE – Artemis Tau /Knossos/Therum Orbit
SSV Normandy
Sitting in the Comm Room, Liara dabbed the remains of black soot from her skin, painfully aware of the eyes boring at her. She knew humans were not the most xenophillic of races but that didn't explain the animosity of the other aliens in the room. The hostile Krogan had mentioned Saren and it wasn't a large jump in logic to presume these aliens had similar motives. Oh Mother, what have you involved yourself with? What have you embroiled me in?
The door behind her swished, as the Commander was led blindly to the head of the room by Dr Chakwas, who promptly left. The Commander's head was fully bandaged from the nose up, as if she were wearing a mask. She posed an amusing figure, leaning nonchalantly against the main console, her enveloped face looking at nothing in particular. The other human female in the room, who had been giving Liara the angriest of glares, piped up.
"Hey, Skipper, Halloween isn't for another six months."
"Laugh it up Williams; at least I can take my costume off."
A voiced crackled over head.
"Too close Commander, ten more seconds and we would have been molten sulphur. The Normandy isn't equipped to land in exploding volcanoes. They tend to fry our sensors and melt our hulls. Just for future reference."
"Come on, Joker, like you don't enjoy the challenge."
A snort from the speaker, before the comm clicked off. Liara was astonished.
"We nearly died down there and you're making jokes?" The Commander shrugged and gave a smile.
"It's a coping mechanism. You'll get used to it."
Liara was unconvinced.
"I see. It must be a human thing. I am afraid I have limited experience with your species, Commander. However I am grateful to you, you saved my life back there. Those Geth would have killed me, or dragged me off to Saren."
It was the human male's turn to look accusingly. Shepard's mouth quirked down at his tone.
"What did Saren want with you? Do you know something about the Conduit? Or Matr-" He stopped short as the Commander sharply turned her head in his direction, he felt the burn of her gaze even through her bandages.
Liara was unperturbed, thankful for the Matriarch's omission from the discussion.
"I only know that it was somehow connected to the Prothean extinction. That is my real area of expertise. I have spent the past fifty years trying to figure out what happened to them."
A smirk appeared on the Commander's face. She had experienced this conversation before. Williams' surliness gave way to unbridled curiosity.
"Just how old are you exactly?"
Liara blushed.
"I hate to admit it, but I am only one hundred and six."
Williams gaped, amused.
"Damn! I hope I look that good when I'm your age."
Liara delved into explaining Asari aging and the difficulties she had encountered attempting to have her work taken seriously, as well as theorising on the disappearance of the Protheans.
It was familiar for the Commander, who was revelling in her good fortune. She had never expected to run into her Asari friend again and standing listening to her only reminded Shepard of how much she had missed her. An unconscious smile spread across her face.
"Did I say something amusing, Commander?"
"No, no." She blinked, or tried to. She cursed mentally at the bandages that had her head in a vice like grip. She cleared her throat, as a pink tinge became visible at the bottom of the dressing.
"I, uh, have my own theories on how the Protheans disappeared."
Liara dismissed her, not unkindly.
"Commander, please, I have heard every theory out there. The problem is finding evidence to support them. The Protheans left remarkably little behind. It is like someone came along after the Protheans were gone and cleansed the galaxy of clues. According to my findings, the Protheans were not the first galactic civilisation to mysteriously vanish. This cycle began long before them."
Shepard expressed as much smug as her mouth would allow. It was a curious case of déjà vu. Now she merely waiting to play her trump card. She feigned ignorance.
"Where'd you come up with this theory? I thought there wasn't any evidence."
The Asari, believing she had gained the upper hand, responded with equal self satisfaction.
"I have been working on this for fifty years. I have tracked down every scrap and shred of evidence. Patterns begin to emerge. Patterns that hint at the truth. It is difficult to explain to someone else. I cannot point to a specific piece of evidence to prove my case. It is more a feeling derived from half a century of dedicated research."
"But I know I am right. And eventually, I will be able to prove it. There were other civilisations before the Protheans. The cycle has repeated itself many times over. I have dedicated my life to finding out why, like so many before them, they just vanished."
"I can save you a century or two; they were wiped out by a race of sentient machines called The Reapers." She smirked at the sound of a sharp intake of breath.
"The- the Reapers? I- how di- what evidence do you have?"
Incoming flood of brownie points for Commander Shepard. She gave a sly grin.
"There was a damaged Prothean beacon on Eden Prime. It burned a vision into my brain." She deflated slightly, shifting her weight between legs.
"I'm still trying to figure out what it all means."
Liara bound to her feet. She paced the room, flailing her arms with gusto.
"Yes! That makes sense. The beacons were designed to transmit information directly to the mind of the user. Finding one that still works is extremely rare. It explains the attacks; the rewards of such information are worth practically any risk."
Shepard heard the Asari stop pacing, faintly aware of the body heat in front her.
"But the beacons were only constructed with Prothean physiology in mind. Any information you received would have been confused, unclear."
She could feel the intensity of Liara's gaze and reckoned there was barely a few feet between them.
"I am amazed you were able to make sense of it all. A lesser mind would have been utterly destroyed by the process. You must be remarkably strong willed, Commander."
Shepard blushed furiously and gave an involuntary sheepish smile. She heard a faint snort from Williams' direction, and the smile was quickly replaced with the lower half of a scowl. Stay. Cool. Kaidan re-entered the conversation.
"With all due respect, this isn't helping us find Saren, or the conduit."
"You're right." Liara stepped back. Shepard immediately missed the faint warmth.
"My scientific curiosity got the better of me. Unfortunately I do not have any information that could help you find Saren, or the Conduit." Or Mother, she thought morosely.
Shepard once again closed the distance between them.
"Look, I don't know why Saren wanted you out of the picture, But I think we'll be a lot better off if we bring you along." She offered her hand, which Liara accepted.
"Thank you Commander. Saren will most likely come after me again and I can think of no where safer than your ship. Hopefully my knowledge of the Protheans will be useful later on."
"Good to have you on the team Liara, welcome aboard." She gave a broad grin.
"Now if I know Chakwas, and I do, she'll want to give you the once over to make sure your fine and dandy. You know how to get to the med bay?"
"Yes, Commander, I'll go right away"
Liara left swiftly. She made her way to the med bay, suddenly overcome with light headedness.
After a short dialogue with Dr Chakwas, Liara had been prescribed several days rest and given the stock room of the med bay to use as a makeshift office. However instead of curling up on the cot, she sat at the desk, leaning on her elbows, steepled fingers covering her mouth. She closed her eyes. Liara was shattered, but her mind was racing. So much had happened so fast, she was struggling to process it.
The revelation of the beacon. The mere fact that the Commander had survived contact spoke volumes for the strength of her mind, her soul. Fascinating. Liara was giddy at the thought of melding with her, to experience the Protheans nearly first hand. I'd settle for merely being inside the Commanders mind, Liara thought idly. So bold. So strong. She couldn't help but feel safe around her. Her thoughts drifted further. The Commander walking up behind her, wrapping Liara in lithe, muscular arms. Smelling the sweet scent of cinnamon and soap on her skin, feeling the warmth-.
Liara's eyes snapped open. That was new. She'd never day dreamed like that before. Her cheeks bloomed furiously. She shook the stray imaginings from her mind. Instead she thought about the ship. It was primarily human. Galactic civilisation, or at least the politicians in charge, were not too fond of humanity. However, from Liara's own experience, she had found them no better or worse than any other race. Goddess, even some of her favourite people were human.
Her thoughts were drawn to Alex. Although it had been fourteen years, Liara often found herself wondering about her young friend.
She had cursed herself immediately as she got on the shuttle to leave earth. She should have gotten her Omni key to keep in touch. As it was, they had parted company, permanently. Perhaps being on this human ship was a sign to find her friend again. But how? Earth alone had 11 billion inhabitants and the Alliance wouldn- her thoughts were cut short as the door behind her swished open.
Turning around startled, Liara was greeted with the sight of the Commander blindly fumble her way into the room, arms comically outstretched. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut short by the Commander stumbling, cursing under her breath. Instead, Liara watched silently, perplexed as the Commander groped the air, her mouth held tight in concentration. Liara felt a palm gently squeeze her face, crushing her nose slightly. Her voice was muffled slightly by the hand.
"Cumb do check ub on mbe, Combandah?"
Shepard gave a small yelp, jumping back as if scolded. She stiffly fell to parade rest, her hands clenched firmly behind her waist. She cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Sorry. I, uhh, just came to check up on you miss- doctor- ma'am," she gave an apologetic smile, feeling her face burning despite the icy medigel. "Just making sure you're alright. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Liara regarded the Commander for a moment. Shepard was not facing directly at her, instead staring off into the wall to her right. Liara decided that she would have looked imposing, if not for her bandaged head. She shook the thoughts from her head, instead recalling her previous musings.
"Well, actually Com-"
"Wait, do you mind if I take this off? It's been an hour and I think my nose is going to explode if I don't itch it soon. Please, keep talking, I'm listening."
"Of course, Commander," Liara turned around in her chair, away from the Commander, allowing her some privacy.
"Actually, I was hoping you could help me find someone, Comman-"
"Please, call me Shepard," She interrupted, unpinning the bandage at the back of her head and began carefully unravelling. "Who?"
"Well, therein the problem, Co- Shepard. I have a friend, a good friend, one of my best. She is human and from earth but apart from that, I know very little about her. We lost contact a decade and a half ago and I have been unable to get back in touch since. She could be anywhere by now." Liara sighed, downcast.
Shepard however was grinning manically. She remembers me. Her heart gave an uncharacteristic flutter. She could have a little fun with this.
"What do you know about her? Who knows, we might get lucky." She tried to keep the mirth from her voice. Liara seemed not to notice.
"Like I said, very little. She allowed me to call her Alex; I do not know if she chose to keep that name, I was the only one to use it. She lacked a family name, which made finding her again exceedingly difficult. I know no way to trace her."
"Alex? Rings a bell." Shepard offered, feigning nonchalance. She set to work on the second pin.
"She also had patronage of several children and associated with the Tenth Street Reds. It appeared she was quite popular in her area."
"Yeah, actually now you mention it, I think I might've heard of her. Ginger, green eyes, big ugly scar down the side of her face?"
"It is not ugly. It is distinguished." Liara bit back, hotly. Immediately mortified, she apologised.
"Sorry, Commander. But yes, I think sounds like her, if ginger means what I believe it does. She had such striking red hair and the most beautiful green eyes. If you had met her, you would never forget. I was so relieved to see her down in the ruins. But it was just a hallucination," She shrugged weakly. "Dehydration, I guess."
Behind her, Shepard was blushing furiously. She had received compliments for her looks before but had never felt the childish glee she did now, hearing them from Liara. Unfastening the final pin, she continued unravelling.
"No, no, I think I've heard of her." Liara sat bolt upright, resisting the urge to swivel around in her chair, insisting on allowing the Commander her privacy.
"Yeah, she enlisted on her 18th birthday, became an N7 top operative by the time she was 23. Made quite a name for herself in the process. I can put you in touch if you like." Shepard peeled the layer of congealed medigel from her face. Examining herself in the dull reflection of the door, she was pleased to see her lacerations reduced to faint pink lines. No new scarring, Just like Chakwas said.
"Seriously, Commander?" Liara's eyes lit up, incredulous at her luck. Shepard looked over, smirking at the joy exuding from the Asari. She walked over, standing behind Liara's shoulder.
"Sure. Last I heard she'd been giving command of some tin can, on some kind of super secret mission. Oh what was her name, again?" Shepard scrunched up her face, exaggeratedly thinking. She folded her arms and leant her back against the desk, staring down at Liara.
"Something to do with keeping goats, or sheep, I think."
Liara looked up at her, eyes like lamps. Shepard met her stare with a lopsided grin.
"Hey Blue."
Shepard heard a squeal as she was blindsided by blue arms wrapping around her neck. After the initial surprise, she flung her own arms around the Asari, pulling her off her feet, laughing.
"Alex!" Liara tucked her head into the crook of the Human's neck. She had grown. The arms she was wrapped in were stronger, she could feel the taught muscles flex against her body. She sounded different as well. Her voice was slightly deeper and carried a quiet confidence, not unlike her Mother's. But she smelled the same. Soap and cinnamon flooded Liara's nostrils. It was warm, comforting. She felt as if she could melt into the embrace. She tore herself back, fully examining her friend.
The human was now slightly taller than the Asari. Her face had changed, too. Before, it was round and soft, making the fresh scar that trailed its length stand out, unwelcome amongst her youthful visage. Now, however, it had healed, forming a thin line, cutting through her eyebrow, over her prominent cheekbones, down the side of her face and lining her strong jaw. She had received another scar, smaller, that ran into her lip. It was barely noticeable when she smiled. Goddess, that smile. Liara couldn't help but grin back.
Her hair was as vivid as ever. While it was still slightly unkempt, it looked well maintained. Liara could swear she smelt a faint hint of sweet fruit radiating from it. Alex had called them strawberries back on Earth. It was taking every ounce of the Asari's self control not to thrust her fingers through it and plunge her nose into her tousled locks.
"Alex, you look-" Glorious, gorgeous, stunning, handsome. "Good."
"Well, you look beautiful." Although her dazzling smile didn't falter, a flash of terror crossed the Commander's eyes as pink tinged her cheeks. Did I really just say that? Beautiful? Shepard you ass. It's been 15 years, she's your friend. You're a Spectre for Christ's sake, act like it. Not some hormone riddled teenager.
Liara barely registered the remark, still enraptured with the sight in front of her. She gazed down at the Commander's chest. Her eyes caught the Velcro name tag.
"Shepard? That is spelt wrong."
The Commander snorted as the colour in her cheeks abated.
"Hey, not all of us got one of them fancy college educations, Miss Prothean Expert, ph.D."
Liara blushed gently as she thumbed the badge, her brows knitting in mild confusion.
"If you are here, where are your children?"
"They're on Earth. Being awesome. I'll show you." She grinned, offering Liara her seat back as she fired up the Terminal.
Liara sat, painfully aware of Shepard standing over her, the Commander's powerful arms surrounding the Asari, scarred jaw perilously close to her face. Liara's head tilted back, stretching out her tongue- No. But if you could just lick-No. Shaking the images from her mind, Liara blushed violently, eyes concentrating on the screen.
There was a picture of a familiar tenement. Only now, it wasn't boarded up and covered in graffiti. The adjacent courtyard was free of debris and instead housed a rather pleasant looking garden, filled with a mixture violets and roses. There was a small, brass sign at the entrance.
"The Ezekiel Home for Independent Children," Shepard announced with pride, before looking down at Liara sheepishly. "It's a more poetic way of saying orphanage."
Her eyes glazed over, as they always did when talking about her family.
"James came up with the name. It's the source of a quote in this book called the Bible. We thought it was appropriate, so we kept it. Never pegged James as religious type." She shrugged. "Different strokes, I guess."
"You never met James did you? You would've liked him, he's practically me, except built like a Krogan. He joined the Alliance first chance he got, too. Corporal now. Haven't seen him in months." She trailed off, lost in thought. Liara was just happy to bask in her emotions.
"But anyway, yeah. Soon after you left, David got to age where he could help look after the kids like I did. But I was still his mother and I'd be damned if he joined up with the Reds like I had to. So we created a project. We brought in kids who didn't have anywhere to go. Taught them how to survive, fix tech, grow food. Skilled work, you know? All kosher, too. Legit." She beamed.
"Once we'd built up our work force, we opened our doors to business, taught the kids money management. Of course, that was all optional. First and foremost we offered them food, shelter, family. But it worked. Got to the point that a recommendation from us could take you a long way."
"After two years they had no use for me," she looked slightly downcast as she stood up straight, before fixing Liara with a soft smile.
"But, that gave me the opportunity to do something I always wanted. After all, I did make a promise. I keep my promises."
"The only marketable skill I had involved shooting people, so I joined the Alliance, travelled the stars."
Shepard's military career flashed through her head. Elysium, Akuze, Torfan. She didn't like thinking about them; she sure as hell wasn't going to talk about them. She shrugged her shoulders.
"Then stuff happened and here I am."
"Here you are." Liara nodded, smiling.
"So what about you, Miss Croft? Raid many tombs? Shoot any exotic wild life in the face?"
Liara gave a puzzled look
"Who- I- no. Shooting faces tends to be your area of expertise."
Shepard glared, petulant, with defiance etched across her face.
"Hey, we went through this. Nobody hurts you. Not while I'm around."
Liara nodded, grudgingly. However inside she was oddly joyous at Shepard's defiance.
"Regardless, my life has not been as eventful of yours. Unless you would like me to regale you with my findings of a Prothean public bath and difficulties in creating a functional Cipher."
"I would, actually." Shepard said with genuine enthusiasm. In truth, Shepard would sit and listen to Liara recite the dictionary. Plus, now that she had found Liara again, Shepard wanted to find out as much as she could about the Protheans, if only to share one of Liara's passions. Shepard put an end to her idle musings as she noticed apprehension etch across the Asari's face.
"I, ah, Shepard, I hope it is not too imprudent of me, but perhaps later we can discuss your interactions on Eden Prime. You were marked by that beacon, touched by working Prothean technology. I must admit, I find you fascinating- n- not that you were not fascinating before-" Her eyes widened, panicked.
"- I- I do not mean to offend you, I only meant that you would be an interesting specimen for in-depth stud- no that makes it sound worse."
Shepard gave yet another lopsided grin.
"Sounds like you want to dissect me in a lab somewhere."
"I- No. I did not mean to insinuate- oh," Liara was tripping over herself, babbling incoherently as her cheeks bloomed in colour. She's so cute when she's flustered. Shepard gave a reassuring smile.
"Its okay, Liara, I'm only joking."
Liara blushed profusely, hanging her head.
"By the Goddess, I am so dense. You must think me a complete and utter fool. I have yet to fully understand the intricacies of human humour. Mother always said I should have spent more time honing my social skills."
Shepard sighed, finally having arrived at where the conversation had inevitably been heading. She scratched the back of her neck, before dragging her hand through her hair, dishevelling it further.
"You haven't, by any chance, talked to Matriarch Benezia recently, have you?"
Liara gave an exasperated snort, folding her arms and clenching her jaw.
"No I have not. I haven't seen her since Earth." Her expression softened as she looked up at Shepard, uncertainty in her eyes.
"The Krogan at the dig site mentioned her, before he started chasing me. He said she wanted me to be with her, for my knowledge of the Protheans. But she hates Protheans, thinks my studying them is waste of a time. Archaeology helps no one, that's the last thing she said to me when I was leaving for university. Why would she change her mind now?"
Shepard shrugged.
"I don't know. What I do know is that she is an associate of Saren Arterius, a rogue Turian Spectre, wanted for the murder of Nihlus Kryik in addition to heading the attack on the civilian colony of Eden Prime. He's the reason we've got Geth beyond the Veil."
Liara shook her head despairingly.
"I warned her he was not to be trusted. I knew it. Spectres, they are all the sa- sorry. But surely you can see why I feel this way?"
Alex nodded, pulling the Asari into a tight embrace.
"And now, mother is implicating me in all this, Goddess. I see the way your crew look at me. They do not trust me. I do not blame them." She pulled away.
"But Shepard, please believe me, I am not-"
"-Your mother. I know. And I'll always trust you. You're my friend Liara, remember that."
Silence fell between them, both reluctant to continue the conversation, neither one daring to make eye contact.
"Noveria," Liara had finally said, no longer able to bear quiet. "Mother had mentioned a Binary Helix corporation. I did some research not long after our final confrontation. They are based on Noveria. I can only hazard a guess as to her location, but I would start there."
"Thank you," Shepard nodded. "Liara, I'm sorry-"
"For what? Do not apologise for my Mother's actions, Shepard. They are not your doing." Liara was met with a weak smile. Her stomach churned as she worked up the nerves to ask her next question.
"Shepard, if I may, could I accompany you when you land on Noveria? While I do not doubt your words, I would like the opportunity to see the Matriarch for myself."
"Of course."
A crackle of static rung over head, before a voice came through.
"Commander, the Council have responded to our hail. Do you want me to patch them through in Comm Room?"
Shepard turned her gaze skyward, addressing the voice.
"Affirmative, Joker, I'll be there shortly." She turned back to Liara. "I have to go butt some heads, but I enjoyed our talk. Perhaps we could pick it up afterwards, over dinner, or at least, what passes for it on this ship?" She grinned. "Y'know? Properly catch up. And hey, if you play your cards right, I might even let you dissect me."
The Asari only blushed. Shepard held her gaze, her grin softening.
"Liara, I'm glad I found you again."
"As am I, Shepard."
The Commander bowed and made for the door. She reached out for the green hologram.
"Alex!" Liara gasped, striding up to the Commander and spinning her around.
"I almost forgot to properly thank you for rescuing me from that barrier down in Therum."
She clenched her fists, steeling herself. Leaning up on tip toes, Liara gave Shepard a peck on the cheek. Shepard attempted to form a response, but only produced a startled high pitched squeak. Swallowing, she turned around and proceeded to march through the door.
Looking up from her data pad, Dr Chakwas watched as her Commanding Officer strode past, oblivious to her presence, a dumb grin plastered across her face. Chakwas made a mental note to check her morphine stock for depletion. The Doctor chuckled, shaking her head as she returned her attention to the data pad.