1009, September 10, 2560 (Military Time)\Earth

It had been a few weeks, if not even later since he visited the Citadel to meet with the Council. Kedzuel wanted to visit it one more time, for one specific purpose. He knew it was a liability. Dr. Liara T'Soni wanted to speak to him about the Citadel. Only a few moments ago, she had that chance. The massive Kethosian ship, Shi'lithra orbited around Earth as Kedzuel monitored the last of the repairs. Though he had revealed the ship and allowed it to travel to the Citadel as it was, still some minor repairs needed to be maintenance. There were some issues with the shield emitters, and Kedzuel was worried whether or not the device was operational. However, he had nothing to test it out with. Despite all of this, the ship was working properly.

Kedzuel crossed his arms, smiling at the image of his younger sister, Nercine, who only smiled back. He had to contact her, see how she was handling his job. Though Kedzuel was the Emperor, because he was not on Kethoi, he had to temporarily turn the position over to the current next in line, his sister Nercine. For the time being, she was the Emperor while he was away to Earth and the other worlds of the Milky Way Galaxy.

"I hope Serina is behaving herself," said Kedzuel.

Nercine laughed: "Oh, she is. For now at least. Which worries me even more."

"Why's that?"

"I feel like she is scheming something when she's not being her–boisterous self," said Nercine.

"She has quite a bite, sis," said Kedzuel. Then, he leaned closer to the holographic screen. "But I know you can bite back, and harder."

"I take pride in that. How are things on Earth? How is Malcho?"

"He's doing well," said Kedzuel. "Right now, I have a guest on board my ship. An alien known as an Asari. She is a doctor in archeology and anthropology and more than eager to learn about our ways. One of her specialties was studying the Protheans and also figuring out a connection between them and the Forerunners."

Nercine shook her head, her dark brown hair swaying about her shoulders.

"There isn't any," she said.

"You know that, I know that," began Kedzuel. "But she does not. Actually, they found out about it rather too late, I'm afraid. However, she and many others discovered a unique find, Forerunners who were sympathetic in humanity."

"Never thought I'd meet one," said Nercine.

"Unfortunately, you never will," said Kedzuel, in a more stern and deeper tone. "Kiryuu Knight has provided me with some interesting information, mostly from his–ah–protégé, Vice-Admiral Telek 'Heros. Telek, during the time when he was with this faction of aliens known as the Covenant, ran across many Forerunner facilities, some especially ran by one called the Librarian."

"I recall that name," said Nercine, dipping her head in deep thought. Her eyes glowed a more intense blue as she focused upon the name. "One of the leading life-crafters of the Forerunner people. She cataloged millions of species, including our own."

"Those life-crafters were responsible in stealing our technology through the Forerunner mutations, Nercine," said Kedzuel. "However, she knew that Khan was right in choosing. The People of Erde-Tyrene proved themselves over and over their willingness to fright the Hydra, and after what one of the Forerunner life-crafters did to create the Flood, were willing to set aside everything in correcting that mistake." His eyes narrowed. "There was no question about it, they acted as we would have acted."

"My dear brother," began Nercine, cocking an eyebrow. "It seems you wish to defend our uncle's choice."

Kedzuel nodded: "I think that choice he made was the only sensible choice he had. To intrust such a great duty to a species even we considered beneath ourselves, he must have seen greatness in them. After speaking to some of them, I now see that greatness he saw. Khan had made some stupid mistakes in his days, but this wasn't one of them." He flipped a lock behind his shoulder. "However, I am not going to follow his example. Humanity alone is not the only one now burdened with the protection of this galaxy. They all are."

"It was always all or nothing with you, Kedzuel," said Nercine. "We all give one hundred percent, or we do not."

Kedzuel chuckled and nodded, crossing his arms.

"Can you blame me?" he asked. "I see the talents of others shining just as bright as we Blitzardi. What makes us the only ones capable of being at the top when we can share it? Everyone must put forth their best if any of us want to see a happy ending."

"I hope we can deliver one, especially with all the hype I've heard we're getting," said Nercine. "You've made us all out to be miracle workers. But in all seriousness–don't let your ego get the best of you." She raised a talon, pointing it at him. "It got you in trouble once."

Kedzuel straightened his back and bowed his head: "Keep reminding me that. I think all the brains from father went to you." He grinned. "But I got his good looks."

"Keep telling yourself that," said Nercine with a laugh.

Kedzuel cleared his throat and his face grew stern: "Alan told me the issue about the Sangheili and their civil war. If I ever wish to prepare this galaxy for what's about to come, what can I do about this war?"

"The Council has suggested not to involve yourself in their war, Kedzuel," said Nercine. "At least not involve ourselves."

"Not involve the Emperor, you mean," he said. "What about just me?"

"I'm not in control of you," said Nercine. "If you want to go out and get yourself blasted by aliens, that's your problem."

Kedzuel took in a deep breath, wagging his head.

"Look it is clear that as a government body, in which you represent as Emperor, is..." she began. "We cannot involve ourselves in civil conflicts, not without good reason." She leaned closer to the screen. "But it doesn't mean you can't find one."

Kedzuel grinned: "That's all I needed to know."

"I will keep in touch," said Nercine. "Good luck, big brother."

With that, the screen faded to black, vanishing. Kedzuel took in a deep breath and pressed a dark indention in the stony gray wall. A door pulled up from the floor, slowly creaking open to a vast, lush field of trees and flowers. He began his walk down a wooden corridor covered in kudzu vines and lilac flowers. He could smell their sweet, grape scent as he walked on. His path was lit softly by golden orbs above casting leafy shadows along the golden, wooden floor. One wall was covered in nothing more than dense, twisted branches, tipped in emerald leaves, and crimson vines with fiery orange leaves. The Blitzardi were fans of nature, as controlling nature itself to create their vast, luxurious palaces was a testament to what they considered their divine power. Kedzuel straightened out his emerald green, silky coat and the decorative collar of golden leaves. A Blitzardi guard passed him followed by a crystalline sentry of blue tourmaline. He paused for a moment and bowed respectfully. Then, he moved on without a return bow from Kedzuel. As he turned a corner, walking towards the guest quarters where Dr. Liara T'Soni was staying in, he noticed someone coming out of her door. It was a Khazabi with long black hair. She was dressed formally in the similar formal robes that Blitzardi nobles would wear. Her wings were hidden under her cloak. Kedzuel grunted and shook his head at the red-scaled Kethos and then strode hard on up to her. The Khazabi's glowing blue eyes lit up when she noticed him wedging her between the door.

"Hello, Jackie," Kedzuel.

"Your Imperial Majesty," she began. "I was–just checking on our guest."

"I bet you were," said Kedzuel. "Spying on her for Serina like you spy on me?"

Jackie Jurith sighed heavily and leaned her slender frame against the wooden wall.

"I think the best interest for the Council and its Chancellor needs to be taken into an account, Emperor Kedzuel," she began. "Including respected guests." Jackie looked back through the crack of the door. "However, Dr. T'Soni wanted to learn about our customs. I suggested that if she wanted to learn so much about Kethosian customs, perhaps dressing like one of us would give her some idea." She pushed open the door and Kedzuel peeked in. "I only gave her a modified suit–the latest fashion on Kethoi. Serina Khyel thought that she might like it."

"And no doubt some sort of little camera installed in the collar, or microphone, or whatever little spying devices she likes to put in to keep an eye on me," Kedzuel huffed as he watched Liara examine herself in the mirror. "Tracking device–you both are little nosy snoots I really don't need to deal with."

"The dress was scanned, Kedzuel," said Jackie. "No devices installed."

"So you say. Go about your–business Mss. Jurith."

Jackie bowed pertly: "My Emperor."

With that, she turned on one heel and swiftly walked down the corridor. Kedzuel growled, curling his lip into a snarl and walked right in. Liara was dressed in a rather slender robe that folded much like the heavy kimonos that Kedzuel wore, except it was lighter in fabric. She wore an under robe and he could see the lining of the white color above the crimson red. On top of that was a draping, cool, asymmetrical jacket. The sleeves of the jacket only came up to her forearms. She wore a pleated skirt hanging to her ankles. She wore simple black, suede shoes. Liara turned and gasped seeing Kedzuel come walking up.

"Your Majesty!" she said. "I–uh–Miss Jurith gave me this–rather nice outfit."

"You look nice in it," he said. "That's a more modern style than what I normally wear. Nobility usually wears the cumbersome, heavy, traditional garbs." Kedzuel banged on the hard vest he wore over his heavy coat. "Like what I'm wearing now." He cleared his throat. "If you don't mind, I'd like to have a look at that dress you're wearing."

"Uh, what?"

Before she could get an answer out of him, Liara saw several cilia of his glowing cords rise up from the floor. Liara slowly began to back away.

"Just hold still," he said.

The tips softly traced along her curving lines, touching the fabric lightly.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking for bugs."

"Bugs?"

Kedzuel took in a deep breath: "Liara, don't trust everyone you meet on this ship. We're not the haloed angels coming to rescue you from the devil like you think we are. Not everyone here has good intentions."

"But Miss Jurith–"

"Jackie is a political spy," said Kedzuel. His cords withdrew and fell slowly back to the floor.

"A spy?" Liara asked.

"She is Serina's Inlet-Outlet," Kedzuel began. He walked to a chair and sat down. "An Inlet-Outlet is an information vampire–as I like to call them. Jackie's job is to spy on me and report anything that might incriminate me back to Serina Khyel."

"Why?"

"It is a long story, Liara," said Kedzuel. "One that has to do with the near genocide of the Khazabi by my uncle's hands. His actions created many Khazabi extremists who not only hated him, but all Blitzardi. Serina is one of them. Serina, when I lopped my uncle's head off, wanted to take the throne herself. I warned her if she did so, she would make life for the Khazabi even worse. The Blitzardi did not want to bow to a Khazabi emperor. I said if I was made Emperor, I would make sure that the Khazabi are treated with the proper respect the deserve and that they would have positions on my council. To even make her happy over this, I appointed her as High Chancellor, meaning she has control over the civil-political institutions of the Kethosi government. However, I still had control and power over the military branches." He sighed. "That's what Serina didn't like."

"So, she's trying to find ways of kicking you off the throne," said Liara.

"She can't remove me from the throne politically," said Kedzuel. "But I have many enemies. Oh what information they could get a hold of if I even stumbled and fell flat on my face for a day."

Liara took hold of herself and shivered.

"Did you find anything?"

"No, thank goodness," replied the Blitzardi. "I'm still not satisfied though. But you do look nice in it."

"Thank you," said Liara.

Liara reached up to scratch something that irritated her neck. Kedzuel leaned in with a coppery golden claw to touch her neck. He spied a small red bump against the teal blue skin and he rubbed it.

"Damn it," he said.

"What's wrong?" asked Liara.

Kedzuel wagged his head and huffed. Reached up to the air and then his claw glowed a cyan blue. The glow extended outward, forming a square shaped cyan holographic projected screen. The Blitzardi pulled the screen down, placing it in between him and Liara. He saw an image of her form, X-rayed by the screen. He could see every detail of her, her bone structure with a ghostly outline of her form.

"What happened?" Liara asked.

"Jackie may have placed a probe inside of you," he replied.

"A probe?"

"Yeah, just stay very still, Doctor T'Soni. I have to see where that probe is. Maybe we can remove it."

"Would she create a probe that isn't traceable?" Liara asked, holding as still as she could, her hands at her side. She looked up at Kedzuel, her blue eyes blinking.

"It's possible," said Kedzuel. "Only, I know what I'm looking for. She's planted probes on me before and we were able to find them–after weeks of search. But after we found them, I made sure I programmed my particular Connection Cords to recognize any of those probes." He straightened up, allowing the cilia of his cords to once more graze over her body. "This might tickle a bit." Kedzuel smiled. "Don't laugh too hard, okay?"

The cords slide up and down her form, touching very softly to her skin. Liara felt them against her skin, tickling her like tiny down feathers.

"Hope you don't think I'm some sort of pervert just doing this to take advantage of you," said Kedzuel.

"Well...um..."

"What we consider our version of Human Resources is down the hall and to the right," said Kedzuel with a slight chuckle. "If you wish to file a complaint." He paused, seeing the insides of her body as his cords passed along her skin, gently inserting themselves to gather the data. The screens flashed with several red dots and Kedzuel's cyan-blue eyes narrowed. Concern drawing taunt upon his muzzle. "I don't see the probe. But–what in the name of my Aunt Justi is this?"

"What?" asked Liara. "What's wrong?"

"These dots," he said. He saw the many augmentation implants that lined Liara's spine, her hands, her arms, her legs, her waist. Each one flashed with red. "These dots mean–Far Realm contamination. What the hell are these implants in you?"

"They are my biotic implants," replied Liara. "It's what a biotic uses to enhance our psychokenetic abilities."

Kedzuel pulled his cords from her and the screen vanished: "You use Strange Energy to heighten psionic powers?"

"Well, we Asari–our biology has come to rely upon Element Zero," Liara began, placing her hands together. "We were always very psionically gifted–it's just that when the Forerunners–"

"Those guys," said Kedzuel, his eyes widening in horror. "They altered your genetics to be more in tune to Strange Energy. That stuff is–" He backed away, wagging his head in disbelief, trying to calm himself down. "Liara, the energy you call Element Zero is highly dangerous stuff."

"I know," said Liara, her face flushing a purple color, her hands clinching into fists. "Of course I know! But I just can't get rid of my biotics. They're not exactly removable. And I don't care how highly advanced you Precursors are, I doubt you have enough information on my species to safely remove them. The Asari–whether we chose to or not, are dependent upon it." She crossed her arms, looking away from the Precursor Emperor. "It's not our fault that we were made the way we are. We had no idea what Element Zero really was. And besides, your people–the ones who were supposed to prevent those Extinction Cycles from happening decided to leave, and not tell us. Don't blame my species for being ignorant."

Kedzuel sighed slowly: "I'm not blaming your species. Or you. My attitude comes from my utter shock of it. My people have been so adamant about preventing King Ghidorah's energy from being used for–well–that because what it could ultimately do to a species when it does. And to see this–it reminds me what a mistake it was to leave without even a simple message to species like yours of this danger. But even if we did leave a message, how could we ultimately know that it got through with the Usurpers trying to purge the galaxy of the evidence of our existence."

Liara relaxed, walking back towards her bed. She exhaled heavily, plopping upon the bed. Kedzuel followed, his tail lightly tapping against the strange wooden surface of Liara's lavish quarters. A cylinder of wood rose up from the floor as if it knew that he wanted to sit down in front of her and Kedzuel took his seat. He leaned over, folding his coppery-golden claws together in his lap.

"I'm not angry," he said. "I'm concerned. Alright? My species has seen many others fall when they attempted to alter their genetics to be–powered up by Strange Energy. I've seen what it does to them. I've seen what Strange Energy does to people who have been around it for a very long time–it does some of the strangest things–"

"Is that why they call it Strange Energy?" Liara asked.

"Yeah," he said. "Now my concern is how much does Jackie know and will she share this with her boss?"

"Serina?" asked Liara. She looked up at him.

"That scratch on your neck may have come from Jackie's attempt to take a sample of your DNA," said Kedzuel. "You're right, we don't know much about your anatomy, we don't even have your genetics on file for access."

"But the Array," began Liara.

"Can't rely on it for everything."

"So, if she studies my genetics and finds what the Forerunners did to my people–"

Kedzuel reached up and scratched his neck: "Yeah, allowing my forces to remain here may be very difficult. I had to convince the Council to allow me to bring this much back to your galaxy. I intend to return to Kethoi and fully force the Council to relieve power back to me once more due to–the Kethosi are going to war–thing. That's the only time the Emperor has full control over everything. Serina doesn't want that to happen. If they find out that one of the species that we are defending happens to be potentially Far Realm touched–the Council will rally behind Serina even more and calling my decisions to return here foolish."

Liara groaned, her head falling into her hands.

"And that's my other concern," said Kedzuel. "We honestly didn't know. Now I know. And I am not going to share this with anyone else. I expect you won't either. I don't want more of my people to find out. Trust me, Zhane is a bit head-lopping-happy if he suspects you're a danger to me. So, no telling him."

"A danger to you?" Liara asked. She started laughing at the utter ridiculousness of that statement. Then, she was silenced when she saw the stone expression of Kedzuel. "You're serious. What danger am I to you? You–you're big enough to squash me flat in reality. And your abilities–what you did to the Shadow Broker for one. I wonder if my biotics can even keep up."

"It's not what you can do now," said Kedzuel. "It's what you could do once King Ghidorah controls you. Much like the Connection that allows us to draw upon a 'cosmic' power–and provides us with unlimited energy to fuel some fantastic feats–King Ghidorah can do the same to any of his Acolytes. A person connected and controlled by King Ghidorah is an antithesis in abilities to the Array. And that person can mimic much of we can do. And given that you are already psionically gifted, well–"

"I see," said Liara. "Okay. I understand."

"It makes me wonder if there has been any genetic deformities in your species due to your constant exposure to Strange Energy."

"Well, not much as you may think–but there is one," said Liara. "It's what happens when one Asari and another Asari–have children."

Kedzuel tilted his head, leaning it upon a fist.

"We Asari pride ourselves in mating with other species," she said. "We take the best traits from our partners and add it to our children. It's looked down upon for two Asari to have children. And when one does–the child is called a Pureblood, which is an insult among my people. I'm–my mother–she and another Asari–I'm a Pureblood."

The Blitzardi nodded silently.

"Well, there is this neurological disease that can happen with Purebloods," said Liara. "It causes an Asari to become sterile–for one, and for another–affects their telepathy. It is called Ardat-Yakshi, it means Demon of the Night Winds in the old dialect. When diagnose with this disease, the Asari is given two choices, exile or execution."

"Why so extreme?" asked Kedzuel.

"It has to do with what the condition does to the nervous system of the Ardat-Yakshi. Each time the Asari Embraces with another, she absorbs the victim's memories, their knowledge. During the Embrace, the victim is violently harmed–the brain hemorrhages. Sometimes, if the condition is exceptionally severe, the victim of an Ardat-Yakshi can in fact die from the experience. The Asari is motivated by a compulsion to mate because the Embrace that she experiences is adicting. So, in order to keep others safe–because we know the afflicted cannot help themselves, it is best they either die or be exiled. There are monasteries for some Ardat-Yakshi and they go to live in quiet solitude with others of their kind. They are least compelled to–attack others when they are around their own."

"So, are you–"

"No," said Liara. "Thank the Goddess I was lucky not to have it despite my parentage. I knew because when I was asked to help Commander Shepard deal with the visions she had through the Beacons left by the Forerunners, my mental link did not harm her in any way. Besides, upon maturity, Ardat-Yakshi are rather identifiable by their compulsive behavior. I do not have such behavior. Still, being called Pureblood–it does hurt. I can't help who my parents are."

Kedzuel took in a deep breath and nodded: "You're not alone. Though my father was no evil tyrant–my uncle. And I can't help the fact that I look very much like him either. You can't choose your bloodlines."

"I know," said Liara. "My mother–Matriarch Benezia, she helped Saren bring Sovereign to the Citadel. There are so many questions as to why–but when I realized how powerful King Ghidorah is–that he could break even one of the most powerful biotics I've ever known–"

"Makes me wonder if what you have inside of you made it rather easy for him to break her," said Kedzuel. "The materials were already there. As for this Ardat-Yakshi, absorbing the minds of others and killing their victims–that does sound like what King Ghidorah can do. He feeds off of knowledge. It is one of the reasons why he is here. This place is full of knowledge." He placed a gentle paw upon her shoulder. "I won't say anything to anyone about this. Not unless I know who all I can trust."

"That's so–odd..." said Liara. "You're the Emperor and you can't trust anyone with anything–you have to keep secrets even from those who are beneath you."

Kedzuel sighed: "It's because having power means I have to have the means to keep it. Being on the top grants me more enemies than I do have friends. Or can make friends into enemies, or false friends out of enemies. This position has given me a constant problem with paranoia. In some way, I can kind of see why my uncle got a little crazy at the end–why he became so susceptible to King Ghidorah's charms." He looked to her eyes. "No one is safe."

He looked up when he heard the sound of a chime softly ringing from the ceiling. A voice boomed from the trees.

"Your Imperial Majesty. The Serenity has arrived. They are ready to send over Commissioner Megellan."

"Thank you," said Kedzuel. "I'll be down in a moment." He looked back to Liara. "Well, I better go take that. Care to come with?"

"Sure," said Liara as she rose when he rose. She took his paw and they vanished in a spark of golden light.