Chapter 6: Diplomatic Solutions
In the weeks since capturing Omega Hazel Shepard has made some enemies, in the Terminus and abroad. Most fear her reputation as a ruthless soldier and former spectre agent. Many have joined her cause; others have tried to unsuccessfully assassinate her.
She has refused to meet with any council authorities and has only requested an audience with the quarians, the geth and representatives from krogen clans. But some have already set into motions that would disrupt her plans.
"So you've got orders?"
"Yes dead or alive."
"It's safer to kill her!"
These three individuals have had the unfortunate luck of having to bring in Commander Shepard. They are council spectre's, elite agents on a mission to take Shepard down before she becomes a threat to the galaxy.
The one leading this group is an asari, who has been an agent of the council for almost two hundred years. The other two are turian.
"No our orders are to get her to open talks with the Citadel." One of the turians said.
"Shepard is a warrior and only respects strength!" The other turian proclaimed. "She'll never listen to some politician."
"Correct and we are going to show her that it's in her best interest to cooperate, before the deadline." The asari said calmly. "If all else fails…we eliminate her."
"Now that's a horrible plan!"
The three specters looked around and in an instant they were surrounded by Shepard's crew coming out of tactical cloak, with Shepard at the lead.
"Now I told Feldmen that I didn't want the council putting their noses in my business." Shepard grunted. "So they think they can intimidate me?"
"Shepard we came here to discuss your terms." The asari said.
"So I take it you're the leader of this group?" Shepard questioned.
"Yes."
"Then you know that I've already discussed my "terms" with Feldmen!" Shepard snorted.
"You're building an army and expect the council to not…"
Shepard interrupted the turian with a pistol shot to his leg. "The grownups are talking, so I suggest you be quiet." Shepard said coldly.
"Bitch!" The asari mumbled, with her biotics illuminating the room.
"I will ask you once…leave!" Shepard ordered.
Shepard's safe house.
"That was a close one Hazel." Garrus sighed, tying bandages around her ribs.
"Ouch!" Shepard yelped "Not so tight!"
"Don't be a baby!" Jack laughed. "I didn't know the savior of the galaxy was such a puss."
"Fuck you Jack!" Shepard snapped as she winced in pain as Garrus tied the last bandage.
Shepard had just barely made it through her encounter with the specters. Of the twenty she brought with her, she was the only one that lived. The asari was killed in the fight, one of the turians escaped and the one Shepard wounded was taken prisoner.
"You can't be so reckless!" Kolyat yelled. "You should have gone with one of us!"
"I'll put that under advisory." Shepard said slipped into a tee-shirt that she had laying on her bed.
"I'm serious next time…"
"I'll bring forty!" Shepard said interrupting Kolyat.
Kolyat sighed "why do I even bother?"
"The assembly is next week Shepard you can't go all beat up like this!" Garrus said with a hint of worry in his voice.
"I'll be fine." Shepard grunted. "Brief me."
"The quarians are coming with the geth all the way from New Rannoch." Kolyat said. "But Urdnot Wreav has denied the invitation.
"Jack?"
"We're pushing into other systems, but we don't have enough resources and man power to take'em." Jack sighed.
Shepard gave Garrus a serious look; he knew what Hazel was thinking. "Don't worry it's still happening as you planned it."
"Good…crew dismissed."
Garrus and Jack walked out of Shepard's apartment, while Kolyat stayed behind. "Need something?" Shepard asked.
"I'm worried about you Shepard." Kolyat muttered.
"Don't be, I'll be fine." Shepard assured. "I'm ready for anything and everything's going as planned."
"I hope so Shepard." Kolyat said.
As they talked more a knocking on Shepard's door was heard outside. Kolyat and Shepard had their pistols aimed at the door. "It's open!" Shepard yelled.
The door opened slowly to revile a woman in a dark hood. "Don't move and keep your hands where I can see them!" Kolyat walked behind this woman and patted her down.
"She's clean." He said.
"Take off the hood slowly!" Shepard ordered.
The woman took down her hood showing herself to be an asari. Shepard glared coldly at the asari. "Kolyat leave, I'll radio you if I need anything." Shepard ordered. Kolyat gave a nod and left Shepard's apartment.
"What do you want Liara!" Shepard questioned.
"Zel…I mean Shepard we need to talk." She replied. "The council is worried that you could be planning to attack the Citadel."
Shepard laughed "What if I am?"
"Shepard this is not the time for jokes!" Liara yelled.
"You want to hear a joke…it's you!" Shepard yelled back. "I don't hear from you in ten years and now that I'm out of prison you want to talk because the council sent you."
"Shepard I'm sorry I…"
"Ash at least visited once in a while, Garrus sent the occasional holiday post card and hell even Grunt sent messages!" Shepard shouted. "But I don't hear from the one person I wanted…no needed to hear from!" Shepard bellowed, this time tears streaming down her eyes.
"I'm…I'm sorry." Liara said. "I didn't know you hurt so much." She said looking away from Shepard.
"Forget about it…rant over." She chuckled wiping the tears from her face. "So what did the Council send you here for?"
"They want me to try and talk you into talking with the council." Liara said.
"I told them no and I meant it!" Shepard snorted.
"I know you do, but if you don't talk to they will be forced to act."
"I in that case let the best win!" Shepard proclaimed.
"Shepard this is a fight you can't win, you'll die!" Liara shouted.
"I've done that once…you where around…that time." Shepard mumbled spitefully.
"But this time I won't be able to save you!" Liara retorted.
"Probably for the best at least you can't give my body to terrorists!" Shepard shouted.
"Hopefully no other fool tries to do what I did for you, you ungrateful bitch!" Liara shouted back.
"Yeah at least I won't care as much if I see them turn into something that isn't them at all!" Shepard barked. "And who was it who asked to help them with a certain problem?"
Liara looked away from Shepard. "Shut up."
"And since then you've been bitter as all hell about what I did!" Shepard spat.
"I told you to shut up!" Liara screamed tossing Shepard into a wall bioticly. Liara looked at Shepard…she wasn't moving.
"Oh goddess!" she exclaimed. "Hazel Shepard get up!" Liara shouted trying to shake Shepard back into consciousness.
"Scared you didn't I?" Shepard said giving Liara an evil smile.
"For a split second you looked like your mother." Shepard said. "I didn't know you could be so scary."
Liara sighed agitatedly and rolled her eyes. "Are you hurt?"
"No."
" I guess I have to tell the council I failed?" Liara asked.
"Not completely." Shepard said.
Liara gave Shepard a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"That means after I've spoken to the geth and quarian representatives, I'll start talking to the Council." Shepard grunted. "But only because you asked so nicely."
"Thank you Shepard." Liara sighed. "I've got one more question."
"What is it baby blue?" Shepard asked.
"Why didn't you let me?"
"Because I couldn't let you become like me." Shepard answered uneasily. "The old Liara that was still exploring ruins and making a fool of herself in conversations with other people was still there." Shepard said trying to fight back tears.
"I couldn't let you go."
"Oh Shepard." Liara whispered, tears starting to fall down her face.
Liara walked to Shepard and held her. "I love you Liara!" Shepard cried.
Liara and Shepard shared a long kiss. Liara answered. "I never stopped."
End.
An/ Sorry if this chapter is a little vague on details. (A little guess work on the Liara DLC.) The next chapter is big and a lot is going to be happening on Station Omega.
With this chapter I wanted to show that Shepard does have feelings and cares for something.
Please review.