Deep is the Flight of the Learning
He was the unseen, the silent blade. She was the protector, the shining lance.
Together, they will fight.
Right and wrong are more often shades of gray than black and white.
Can they change the fate of the galaxy?
Can they save each other?
Thane took Shepard's hands in his and drew her to the far side of the galaxy map where they were less likely to be overheard. "Siha, the Reapers are coming and all life in this galaxy is threatened. Shouldn't we focus on the true threat rather than get side-tracked by individual problems?
She clenched her hands tightly around his; the incessant scraping of an errant foot along the textured metal of the floor betrayed her agitation. She had left her hair loose today, he thought irrelevantly, in order to better accommodate the coronet woven around her forehead. Now, she was glaring up at him through the curtain of hair that fell over her face.
"No. Everyone else, even you, Thane, asked something from me before you committed. I don't see why I can't have a personal mission of my own for once. Why should my loyalty be assumed when everyone else's had to be earned? I deserve this. And so do you. Saving the galaxy means nothing if it means sacrificing my friends and loved ones to do it."
He closed his eyes, bowing his head and pressing her fingers to his forehead. "I certainly don't begrudge you a personal mission, particularly of this type. But I beg you, don't put me above the galaxy."
He couldn't see her face but the surety of her reply struck an answering determination within him. "You're the one that named me 'siha.' I can save everyone. I can. I will."
He felt the rougher texture of her knuckles press into his forehead. "You have always succeeded in the past. But even sihas have limits. I would be content to know that you carry my memory after I am gone, if that was my fate."
"Your arm is mine, right? So you're going to help me save you, whether you like it or not! I'm not letting this chance slip through our fingers." She paused for a moment to seek for his eyes, hidden behind her hands. "No more arguments. You'll just have to trust me. It'll be good for you." She wriggled her actual fingers to illustrate her point, tapping the tips along his lips.
He smiled reluctantly against her fingernails to cede her point. "I do trust your judgment, siha. My apologies for my momentary doubt. I will be honored to show you my planet."
He excused himself to use the secure terminal in his-her-their room. If they were returning to Kahje, he would need to make some arrangements.
They landed during a momentary lull in the constant rain that peppered Kahje with iridescent pearls. A faint gleam through the ever- present clouds hinted that the day was past the midpoint. In their rented aircar, Shepard and Thane quickly left the spaceport behind. The glittering towers and buildings of Kahje rose and fell around them as they navigated past the busy commercial districts into the quieter academic quarters. The structures diminished in size but retained the fluid shapes of the hanar's aquatic preferences; many of them had large reflecting pools and deep, water-filled canals that formed a secondary network from the pedestrian walkways that wove through the city.
Staring up at the wide steps of the Primary Deep is the Flight of the Learning research center, Thane decided that the universe definitely had a sense of irony. He hadn't expected to see Kahje again in his lifetime, yet here he stood. If the thought of returning to Kahje had occurred to him, never in his wildest imaginings would this particular circumstance have come up.
Shepard had given him an odd look when he'd entered the center's address into their car's directory, but she had kept silent. He knew she wanted to see his old home, but he only wanted to accomplish the mission that she had taken on for his sake. Perhaps if there was time, he could show her the place where he had lived, but he would need to make clear to her that he considered his home as where ever she was, now.
"Have you been here before, Thane?" Shepard raised an eyebrow at him questioningly. He examined the building, taking in the angles and joins while she waited patiently for his response. Even a common building like a research institute was decorated with the hanar love of formality, with its curving lines that channeled rainwater into streaming lines that ended in the watery sea-green pools of the city.
"No. I was not...very involved in Irikah's professional life," he answered at last. "Much of it was theoretical and I confess, at the time, my interests lay in a different direction."
They both knew the history of his past, there was no need to to cover it again. She nodded shortly and they walked together the short way up the ramp to the open reception area.
A single hanar floated near the inner doors of the complex. From his experience with the hanar, it seemed to be a younger member of the species. Its dangling tentacles were still rather stubby and the pink-purple of its central mass lacked the full curvage and subtle spotting of the adults. Nevertheless, as they approached, it floated over to them and greeted them courteously.
"This one welcomes visitors to Deep is the Flight of the Learning and offers all assistance. Please refer to this one as Rasodin."
Thane's translator sent the words to his earbud an instant after the meaning took shape in his mind. It was a pity he didn't recognize the receptionist, but he hadn't really expected to. He didn't have any particular contacts in the research sectors of Kahje. If he had, their task might have been much easier. Still, if the hanar could provide even limited information, it would give them a place to start.
He had let Shepard precede him slightly, placing himself in the position of bodyguard; after an amused glance in his direction, she replied for them both.
"Thank you very much. We're quite pleased to be here. I was hoping that we could ask about one of the researchers that used to work here? It's really very important that we meet him if he's still here."
"This one inquires the name of the person whom you seek." As it answered, the hanar floated gracefully over to a console built into the wall that Thane noted was positioned at the perfect height to direct a light scan onto the hanar's body.
"His name was Setir. We're not sure if that's his first or last name. He was a head researcher on a project involving a cure for Kepral's syndrome, about ten years ago. One of his assistants was named Irikah Krios, if that helps at all."
"This one offers refreshments while searches are run."
"No, but thank you. Can you check to see if anyone like that works here?"
Rasodin lifted its tentacles and entered a series of queries via the light sensitive input that was used in lieu of a touchpad for the bio-luminescence based hanar communication. Information scrolled down the screen in amber-silver-green flashes of color for a few moments. Once the screen switched off, the hanar rotated back around to address them.
"Records indicate there is one named Setir Parcon who has been located here for twelve years. Sera Krios was employed by him for a short time before she was given to the sea."
Thane remained impassive in the presence of the unknown hanar, but he could not help but feel a pang at the casual mention of Irikah's death. She had been so very patient with him. He wondered what she would have thought of their current quest; to find the very research that she'd originated and that had been lost with her death. He shook his head slightly to clear it. She would most likely tell him to pay attention to what was happening around him, rather than getting lost in his memories. Fortunately for him, neither Shepard nor Rasodin noticed his momentary distraction.
"It sounds like that's our man." Shepard took a step forward and lifted a hand to point a sharp finger at the console. "Can you ask him if he'll see us?"
Rasodin turned back to the console. "This one will make your request. Be pleased to wait, as all things wait, for answers."
They politely withdrew a few steps to one of the benches evenly spaced around the floor. Nearby, a fountain shaped like a waterfall lent music and moisture to the already humid air. He wouldn't be able to stay long in this environment. While his illness had not advanced to the point where he would start a relentless coughing, he wanted to stave off that point for as long as possible, and the spongy air would not help. He wondered what it would feel like to be able to draw a deep breath without the sticky, harsh edge that precursored pain. He shored up his hopes with the thought that Shepard truly had never failed at any task she set to complete. Surely she would succeed here as well.
Wrapped in thought, it wasn't until Shepard nudged him that he noticed the conversation coming from the console. The hanar was flickering its dorsal striations in mild agitation.
"Professor Setir Parcon, there are visitors who wish to speak with you."
"I told you, I'm not seeing any one this week. Send them away."
Out of the corner of his eye, Thane could see a blurry, brightly colored, humanoid shape. The color and the rumbling raspy voice identified the other person as a drell, although the angle of the screen made it impossible for him to see further details.
"These ones have stated that they are familiar with your previous assistant. This one advises cooperation."
"Too bad. I have my own problems. Tell them I'm busy or I'm gone, or dead, whatever, just make them go away!" came the nasally near-shriek from the console.
"This one understands and will inform the visitors of your preoccupation," Rasodin chimed in the soothing hanar dialect, seemingly trying to reassure the researcher.
"Good! And make sure no one else bothers me."
The rest of the conversation was cut off as the nearby elevator doors whished open and a lunchtime crowd of both drell and hanar poured out. He and Shepard stepped closer to the tinkling fountain to avoid the brief rush and further mask their voices.
"It sounds like he's not going to see us," Shepard muttered, frowning.
Thane nodded his agreement. "And the way he spoke? His words were too rapid, clipped and high. He's afraid of something."
"Then forcing my way in as a Spectre is out of the question. We'd only spook him." She chewed on her lower lip and a scowl formed on her face. "We need to talk to him, or at least get access to his files!"
"Indeed. I would prefer not to draw the attention that a Spectre would bring as a matter of course." Thane flicked his eyes at the hanar receptionist approaching to give them its news. "Allow it to think we accept the delay. I have a different idea."
They pretended inattention until Rasodin floated back into their direct line of sight, then turned their gazes politely toward it. It was hard to read disappointment or regret in the alien's posture, but Rasodin managed a certain tentacle droop that Thane surmised was meant to convey those particular emotions.
"Did you find anything?" Shepard asked with a reasonable attempt at urgency.
"This one apologizes but the one you seek is not available for visitation. Making an appointment for a later date would be appropriate."
Shepard glanced at Thane and they exchanged an imperceptible nod. "No, we'll come back another time. Thanks again, we'll just go now." With a slight inclination of her head, she turned on her heel and led the way back into the warm, dimpling rain.
When they reached the street bordering the institute, she turned to him, raising her eyebrows expectantly. "So, tell me your idea."
He stood under the bright glimmering sky, water pouring over the scales that were designed to shade his eyes from glaring light, but instead channeled water into his eyes. He stood on his planet for the first time in ten years, and he smiled. It would be good to put his true skills to use again. "We'll go in tonight."
A/N: OI. Thank you everyone for reading thus far. If anyone is wondering, hanar are HARD to write. This chapter was originally going to continue past this point. However-MINOR SPOILERS MINOR SPOILERS-with the announcement of the Shadow Broker DLC, I had to cut it short to prevent contradictions. Unfortunately, this means that, depending on when BW releases the DLC-
END SPOILERS
the next few chapters may be delayed until I know what happens!
Thank you for ever and ever and ever, kiwibliss, lyssalu, LunaMax1214 and NSAS. Our Thane-love will endure through eternity! If you haven't read their works, DO SO NOW!
Oh, and thank you to the lovely lovely people who had offered reviews and feedback. I adore every one of you.