Nihlus typed up his report on Shepard, along with his official evaluation and recommendation. If they made her a Spectre, it was highly possible that they would give them separate missions. This thought kept him from hitting the 'send' button on his console. It was exceedingly selfish. He knew that, but he wasn't ready to let her go. There was something deeply personal about his attachment to her. He didn't understand it, but felt he needed to. Besides, making Shepard a Spectre wasn't going to instantly propel the human race toward galactic inter-species peace. A few more days wouldn't damage anything there was to gain, and he may need her on Noveria.
Noveria. A frozen wonderland, that is if you're trying to hide questionable or flat out illegal research and business practices. Nihlus wasn't sure if he would find Saren there. He had received reports from the Council of Geth interest in the corporate research colony. They wanted to know why, and so did he.
Shepard was on the bridge when they dropped out of FTL. The blue planet below looked as frozen as it was, no deceptions. At least the planet itself was honest. It's inhabitants were a different story.
"Approach control, this is the SSV Normandy. Requesting a vector and a birth." Joker's fingers prepared the ship for docking as he spoke.
"Normandy, your arrival was not scheduled. Our defense grid is armed and tracking you. State your business." The reply was less than friendly.
"Citadel business. We've got a Council Spectre aboard." Joker said flatly. He didn't take kindly to his ship being threatened.
"Sending you coordinates for docking. Be advised, we will be confirming identification upon arrival. If confirmation cannot be established your vessel will be impounded."
"What a fun bunch! I think I'll take my next leave here." Joker teased with a smirk.
Shepard grinned and him and walked away. It was time to shoot things. Eventually, it always came down to shooting things.
The docking area was cold. The ship hanger shielded them from the wind, but the chill bit right through his armor. He hated the cold. Most turians did. Their physiology just wasn't meant to handle it. Shepard's skin looked a little taunt, a human reaction to cold, but seemed otherwise unaffected. Dr. T'Soni came with them on this trip at Kryik's request. If there were Geth, then Saren had an interest here. If Saren himself was not overseeing it someone was, maybe Benezia. Bringing her daughter may give them an edge, or it may undo them. The potential advantage was worth the risk. However, as the team rounded the bend, their entry into the main building was impeded by a small armed security team.
"That's far enough," said a dark haired woman.
"Is there a problem, officer?" asked Kryik.
"You better hope there isn't." The words were spoken with venom by a blonde, stern looking woman who stood to the left of the other.
"This is an unscheduled arrival. I need your credentials," replied officer.
"I'm a Spectre. My name is Kryik," the turian answered.
"Load of horse crap, ma'm," said the blonde.
"We'll need to confirm that." The officer said, ignoring the Sargent. "Also, I must advise you that fire arms are not permitted. They will be returned upon you're departure." She paused, turning to the blonde. "Sargent Sterling, secure their weapons."
Kryik unclipped his weapon and took aim. Shepard and T'Soni followed his lead. Their opposition echoed their movements.
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," said Kryik firmly.
"Captain Monsuo, stand down," a female voice came over the loud speakers. "We confirmed their identity. Spectre's are authorized to carry weapons, Captain."
The guards lowered their guns and took a step back, except the Sargent. Sterling remained by the captain's side.
"You may proceed, Spectre. I hope the rest of your visit will be less confrontational," said Captain Monsuo.
Kryik and his team replaced their weapons.
"Parasini san will meet you up stairs."
"Behave yourselves." Warned Sargent Sterling.
Nihlus nodded to the captain, ignoring the Sargent and went through the doors. It appeared this colony's security was a match for that of the Citadel. There were mounted weapons detectors and hovering turrets. He also noted the water feature at the entrance. It was infinity warmer inside the walls of the colony. They passed under the beam of a weapons detector. Alarms sounded. A woman in a pink asari robe ran up to the service desk.
"Weapons detectors. Don't mind the alarms!" She shouted over the noise as she keyed in the code to turn them off.
"I am Gianna Parasini, assistant to Administrator Anoleis. We apologize for the incident in the docking bay. Welcome to Port Hanshan."
"Who pissed in your Sargent's coffee?" Shepard was about to ask before Kryik beat her to the punch with a more diplomatic comment.
"I'm here on urgent business."
"One of my duties is the orientation of new arrivals. Do you have any questions?" Parasini asked.
"Has anyone unusual passed through here recently?" Shepard asked, stepping up beside the Spectre.
"Unusual? An asari matriarch passed through a few days ago. Lady Benezia."
"Saren's aid is here..." Kryik brooded.
"Mother? She's here?" Liara couldn't hide the surprise in her voice.
"Passed through? Where is she now?" asked Shepard. It seemed she was the only one keeping focus.
"Benezia left for the Peak 15 research complex days ago. To the best of my knowledge, she's still there."
"Then that's were we need to go," interrupted Kryik.
"You'll need to ask Administrator Anoleis for permission to leave this port."
"Understood. May we go in now?" Kryik asked politely.
"Of course. If you have any other questions you can ask me at the administrator's office."
Parasini finished her sentence over her shoulder as she turned to walk away. Kryik glanced at Shepard and nodded, silently thanking her for keeping the mission in mind.
Shepard stood behind and to the right of the Spectre in the elevator to the main floor. She was used to being second in command, so she didn't feel shame or frustration at being in his shadow. It was her job to keep the focus. To take care of what slipped through his talons. Shepard took advantage of the eye shield on her helmet to hide her gaze wandering over his alien form. Since their 'date' the night before she had difficulty in keeping her hormones in check while on duty. Granted it had been less than 24 hours ago, but she felt that, as a soldier, she should be able to turn off her personal interests. It was more difficult to do that when she thought of him.
The group headed strait for the administrator's office. Large windows lined one wall, allowing a view of the blizzard outside. The main floor was decorated with zen like water features and large, smooth stones. It was meant to offer a peaceful atmosphere, but it felt cold and sterile. A low, whispering din echoed through the space like secrets hiding under the stones, eager to be uncovered.
Assistant Parasini was where she said she would be. Kryik approached her, walking briskly across the floor. Shepard and T'Soni had to jog to keep up.
"I need to speak with Administrator Anoleis."
"Just one moment please..." She held the com button down. "Mr. Anoleis?"
"Yes, what, what what?" came a nasally, irritated voice.
"Spectre Kryik is asking to see you, sir."
"Right. Fine. Come in."
Kryik didn't wait for the receptionist to repeat the answer. He rounded the privacy wall and entered the office with purpose.
"You'll excuse me if I don't stand up. I have no time to entertain turian outsiders and their pets," the salarian rudely stated.
Nihlus' eyes narrowed and his mandibles pressed flat against his jaw. "I'm here as a Spectre, not a turian. Keep that in mind." He said coolly.
"Believe me, that is foremost in my mind." Anoleis commented. "This greeting is a courtesy. I will only cooperate as required by the executive board. Businesses come here to avoid the second guessing of galactic law."
"I'm here conducting an investigation. It's a matter of galactic security," Kryik stated.
"Yes, isn't everything." Anoleis mocked. "I will not allow you to harass our clients. This world is private property." The salarian shook his head in a defiant manner at the Spectre from the Citadel, such as he was.
"I'm looking for the asari matriarch, Lady Benezia. I know she's here." Kryik continued. He was slightly bluffing, but his confidant words gave him some power in the exchange.
"She arrived here a few days ago accompanied by a personal escort and some cargo. She's up at Peak 15." Anoleis answered.
"I need to get to Peak 15." Kryik said sternly.
"I'm afraid I can't allow that either. Look out a window, turian. There's a level three blizzard out there. All ground transports are locked down until further notice. You're not leaving this port, unless it's in your ship. A suggestion I think you should follow." Anoleis was growing more smug by the second.
"Thank you for your time, Administrator." Kryik said politely. He was already thinking of ways to get around the problem.
"I've received a dozen urgent messages while you've dithered about. Don't thank me, just leave." Anoleis spat
Kryik didn't offer a bow or even a nod before he left the room. He was not about to be stopped by an insulting salarian with too much power. He was passing the reception desk when Anoleis' assistant called for his attention.
"Mr. Anoleis isn't the only one who can get a pass to leave Hanshan."
Kryik walked over to the woman in the blinding pink robe with caution.
"Tell me what I want to know." His voice rumbled deep in his chest.
Sonya felt her heart rate quicken at the sound as it sent a chill up her spine. Liara gave her a side long look.
Liara was very observant. A skill that was useful in studying Prothean ruins and old tech. She noticed the quick glances and lingering eyes. She saw the way Shepard would rub her neck briefly or how her lips and cheeks blushed when the turian spoke to her. The turian's signals were more subtle. A slight swagger in his step that always carried him a little closer to Shepard, or that less than a second touch to her wrist when he wanted her attention. Things that no one else, including the two involved, seemed to pick-up on. It was none of her business. So she kept her mouth shut. Secretly she thought it was cute, but also disappointing. Shepard was an intriguing and lovely human woman.
The team took the elevator up to the hotel bar. They had a name and a species. Lorik Qui'in, turian. Gianna had suggested they speak with him regarding a pass to leave the port. Kryik knew there was going to be more to it, they were on Noveria after all. The Spectre scanned the room. Despite the fact that most of the guards were turian, there didn't seem to be many in the hotel lounge area. He spotted an older looking male with white face paint sitting at a table near the large fountain in the center of the room. A good place to start if he wasn't the target.
"Afternoon!" The older male greeted him warmly as if they were old friends. "Sit down, have a drink." He gestured to the empty chairs around his table. "What can I do for you?"
"Are you Lorik Qui'in? I've heard you might be able to help me." asked Kryik.
"You are the Spectre that just arrived, are you not? What could an old man like me possibly help you with, young one?" Lorik said calmly.
"I'm trying to get into the garage. I have places to go." Kryik cryptically replied.
"You need a pass... How fortuitous. I'm the manager of the local Synthetic Insights office. For the moment, at least. Mr. Anoleis closed my office. He claims to be investigating reports of my corruption. The Administrator is an interesting man. He has become quite wealthy since he took direct control of rents."
"By 'rents' you mean bribes for Anoleis." Kryik guessed.
"Indeed." Lorik eyed the younger turian. "I acquired evidence of Anoleis' actions. His hired goons are ransacking my office to find it." Lorik paused, looking over the human and young asari with the Spectre. "I suspect your goal lies outside this port. Mr. Anoleis would be disinclined to let you wander. If you recover the evidence from my office I will give you my garage pass, as well as a sum of credits."
"A fair exchange." Kryik nodded.
"Violence against Anoleis' thugs may be necessary. He has members of Hanshan's security team searching my offices. He's paying them under the table. Ms. Monsuo is unaware of their outside employment."
"If Anoleis is paying them under the table, they're mercenaries. I can kill mercenaries." Kryik stated flatly. He could have been talking about his favorite flavor of tea.
"Excellent. Here's my pass into our offices. It will activate the elevator. The evidence is on my office computer. This OSD contains ang encryption key to access the information. It will auto execute." Lorik handed Nihlus the pass and OSD.
"Oh, and do try to keep the blood stains off the carpet, would you?" He added.
Kryik ignored the sarcastic remark and headed for the elevator. Down stairs, across the court yard and up more stairs they found the elevator. Kryik swiped the pass, half expecting an alarm to sound. When the doors opened the team kept formation as they stepped inside. On the way up, Kryik addressed his team.
"Technically we are no longer in Citadel space, we must be careful." His eyes lingered longer on Shepard than T'Soni. "Avoid casualties if possible. We haven't even begun our primary mission here. We cannot be prevented from reaching Peak 15."
He looked sternly at each of them. They nodded to confirm they understood. Satisfied, he faced the doors as they opened and they exited the elevator. Two armed guards were just inside.
"Freeze! Hanshan security. This office is sealed." A human female blocked the path.
"I am aware of the situation. Step aside." Kryik demanded.
"You're the Spectre , right? Lorik Qui'in is under investigation, "she replied.
Kryik took a step toward the officer. The bare faced turian guard with her drew his weapon. Kryik reflexively glared at him, mandibles flashing a warning. The turian guard took a few steps back.
"I said I was aware of the situation. I cannot allow you to stop my own investigation," he warned.
"You wanna cause trouble?" She pulled her own weapon.
"No, but I will resolve it."
Kryik grabbed the muzzle of the human's gun and tore if from her grip, turning her own weapon against her. Shepard and T'Soni aimed their guns at the turian guard to dissuade him from interfering.
"Drop your weapons," Kryik ordered the turian.
The 'good turian' complied, laying his gun on the floor as quietly as possible.
"Take me to Qui'in's office, quietly," Kryik ordered.
The woman nodded, then moved toward the stairs on the right. She took a few steps, her colleague at her side, the Spectre and his team armed at her back. She waited until her foot was on the first step before shouting, using the echo of the stair way to amplify her warning.
"Intruders!"
Kryik shot her in the head and then the turian. No hesitation, no mercy. Not for traitors or the bare faced.
"Poor choice of last words." He commented. He almost smiled at the lack of carpeting on the floor.
Shepard ran up the stairs and took cover behind a large planter. Reinforcements were running up the walkway from an office at the other end. She assumed it was Lorik's office. A blue aura surrounded her as she threw them over the side of the suspended bridge. She heard their lightly armored bodies hit the floor below with a dull thud. The clicking of boots on tile came up the stairs. Kryik took cover beside her, putting his back to hers. She could faintly smell him. She absently used one hand to rub her neck.
T'Soni used her biotics to create a small singularity. The mercs rushing out of the office where pulled off their feet, floating in mid air helplessly as Kryik and Shepard's bullets ended their lives.
Kryik tapped his armored shoulder against Shepard's as he left cover to lead the team over the bridge to the office. He briskly walked over to the computer and retrieved the data. When the console beeped completion, he glanced up at Shepard.
"Okay. Let's go," he nodded.
Across the bridge they found their way blocked yet again. This time it was Sargent Sterling. Shepard and T'Soni drew their weapons.
"I don't think you're supposed to be here, Or you," Sterling said chidingly. Her voice still carried the 'someone pissed in my coffee' tone.
Nihlus instinctively put an arm out protectively on the side Shepard was on. Sonya blinked, confusion crossed her face.
What is he do... He's protecting me? she wondered. She tried not to let her personal feelings distract her from the current threat, but it gave her a warm feeling to know he cared for her.
"We were just leaving," Kryik said casually.
"Leave? You think I'm gonna let you walk out?" Sterling asked sarcastically. "Uh, uh." She lifted her chin, pointing over her shoulder to the dead bodies.
"Anoleis would throw you off world for what you did here. I won't. You know what we did to cop killers on my world?"
"Your men are dirty, Sargent. You're here, off-duty, breaking the law for bribe money," said Shepard.
"You can't stop us," announced Kryik as he drew his weapon.
"You talk the talk, but let's see if you can walk with two broken legs," the Sargent retorted as she pulled her own gun and fired.
Shepard ducked behind a planter in time to avoid a powerful biotic burst from Sterling. Unexpected, but not surprising. Shepard's own biotics flared as she returned fire with a warp blast, followed by armor piercing rounds. She glanced around for Kryik and T'Soni. Kryik was behind another planter near by, firing rounds at the Sargent. T'Soni was no where to be seen. Shepard threw Sterling into a wall, interrupting the Sargent's warp blast. She didn't get up from the floor. Shepard caught the blue light of biotics out of the corner of her eye. Somehow T'Soni had made her way to the other side of the terrace. She sent a wave of biotic power toward the remaining mercs, knocking them to the ground. Easy targets for Shepard and Kryik to finish off.
Parasini was waiting for them at the entrance of the hotel lounge when they arrived to deliver the evidence to Lorik. She waved them over to her table.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. Parasini, Noveria Internal Affairs."
"You've been working undercover to reveal Anoleis' corruption, haven't you?" Kryik asked. It wasn't really a question.
"You're quick." Parasini said with a smirk.
Shepard felt her face get warm, but it wasn't embarrassment. She mentally kicked herself for being so juvenile.
"The Executive Board knows what he's been doing." Parasini continued. "I've been trying to find sufficient evidence to convict him, or at least charge him. I want you to convince Qui'in to testify before the Board. With his evidence, this planet can run profitably again."
"Noveria is full of corruption. Why worry about what Anoleis is doing?" Shepard asked.
"Anoleis is driving away business. Without clients, Noveria will soon be just another barren frozen world. If you help me I'll get you a garage pass and a transport." Parasini promised.
"I will speak with Qui'in." Kryik agreed.
"Thank you. You know where I work. Come talk to me when you find out if he'll play ball."
Parasini disappeared into the hall leading to the elevators. Shepard watched her leave, then turned her attention to Kryik. He was still standing at the table, thinking about something. His eyes weren't focused on anything in particular. Sonya's eyes wandered over the black and red armor and back up to his fringe, then followed the white pattern on his face until she found his bright green eyes. She was in thought as well. What-the-hell am I thinking? He was so different from her. Alien. Inescapably dangerous. Unless she wore crotchless armor, she was going to come out of an intimate encounter with him bearing wounds. Not to mention how their bodies might react to one another due to the amino differences. What about being a Spectre? Sonya began to doubt if pursuing him was a good idea. Shepard mentally kicked herself, again. She was on a mission. Why can't I focus?
"Okay. I'm going to try and convince Qui'in, but we may need to find another way. I have an idea if this doesn't work out." Kryik paused, looking up from the table to find the dark eyes that so haunted him.
"Shepard,"
It took him a second to continue talking. He'd been so focused on the mission, seeing her as a soldier, he'd forgotten how striking her dark eyes were in her pale face.
"You and T'Soni will hang back by the fountain. I'll signal you if and when I want you to join me. I may have better luck with him, one on one."
The words trailed off in his mind... one on one. He was one, he wanted to be on one. The one standing perfectly still in grey and red armor with eyes the color of ebony and the power of a storm. He blinked to hide his change of focus to T'Soni. He needed to concentrate on the mission.
"Always a pleasure, Spectre. Any news on that matter I asked you to look into?" Lorik asked as pleasantly as ever when Kryik walked up to him.
"I have the data," he nodded. "An Internal Affairs investigator contacted me. She wants you to testify against Anoleis."
"Now that you have my property you want to dictate how I use it?" Qui'in spat. "I have no interest in a public spectacle."
"I'm not here to force you to do anything," Kryik said firmly. "I have my own problems. It's an opportunity for you to improve the situation on Noveria. Your testimonial would help remove Anoleis from office, creating the opportunity to return Noveria to a profitable port." Kryik tried reasoning with the old male.
"Agh." Lorik sighed and shook his head. He looked away from the Spectre for a few moments. "Very well. I will testify. Make whatever arrangements you need with your contact. I will wait here."
Kryik half bowed with respect to the elder and took his leave. Parasini was true to her word. After the immediate arrest of the angry salarain, the investigator saw to it that the garage pass was delivered to them and a mako secured for their use in the bay. Kryik briefly expressed his gratitude before heading toward the garage.
Shepard glanced out the large windows as they passed. The storm outside had not let up and it was nearly night fall. She decided to speak up before they went careening off a cliff into the dark.
"Spectre," She addressed him formally.
"Yes, Commander?" He asked over his shoulder, not slowing his brisk pace.
"Should we consider waiting until morning?" She indicated the growing darkness with one hand.
"Evening has lost it's glow for the day, but Saren will not let lack of light stop him. We must continue." He replied, thinking of an old poem his father had read to him as a child.
"I understand, sir." She paused for a moment. "With respect, I have to insist we wait out the night. We won't stop anyone from doing anything if we slide off a cliff and die, entombed in a mako at the bottom of some frozen mountain." She waved her hands in the air.
Nihlus stopped in his tracks and turned on his heels to face her. "And I suppose that tomorrow you'll object to driving in a blizzard." He didn't disagree with her, but they didn't have time to wait around for the sun to come up.
"No, but braving one in the dark is taking an un-necessary risk." She defended, clasping her hands behind her back in military fashion.
Nihlus admired her quads for standing up to him. He drew himself up to full height and looked down at her. She remained undaunted. He repressed a smile. She had no fear, unless it was of snow and ice in the dark.
"Very well. We'll head back to the ship." He nodded. "Commander, I expect you to report to my quarters. I think we need to have a little 'chat' about who's in charge of this mission." He wasn't thinking about conversation when he gave her the order.
The doors hissed open and Shepard stepped into the door way.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
Nihlus glanced up at her from the desk. She was still in her armor.
"Yes. We need to discuss your behavior in the port," he said firmly, loud enough for those in the mess to know what was going on.
He pointed with his chin to the sofa. Shepard moved away from the doorway toward the sofa. As soon as the doors closed behind her, Nihlus remotely locked them from outside entry via his computer. He got up to face her. She was standing at attention, hands clasped behind her back.
"Relax, Shepard. I'm not going to reprimand you," he said casually.
"Sir?" her brow furrowed.
He took a seat on the sofa and gestured an offer for her to join him. "I can't evacuate the deck every time I want to see you, can I?" He smiled.
Shepard relaxed, but remained standing. She wanted to sit next to him. To pick up where they'd left off and see where it went, but... "I'm not sure this is a good idea," she said softly. "You're a Spectre and my mentor. How objective can you be if we're involved? Besides that, we couldn't let it get out that we were seeing each other... it could cause riots. I don't think either of our species is ready to accept something that intimate between our peoples."
Nihlus nodded, "I understand your concern, Sonya." He said thoughtfully, hoping to bring the conversation to a personal level. "I'm not expecting you to risk you're career. I'm not planning on risking mine... but I don't care as much about what others think. I'm not going to flaunt it, if we should purse this, but I won't hide it either. I don't believe my status prevents me from finding happiness or..." Nihlus trailed off.
He'd meant to finish with 'love', but he was unsure if she would return the sentiment or even if his own feelings had progressed that far. He liked her, respected and admired her... wanted her. Love her? He wasn't prepared to go that far, yet.
Sonya knew what he was about to say. It made her heart jump into her throat. She suddenly felt nervous. He was so different in private than he was on duty. He was quiet, thoughtful, and tender when they were alone. On deck or on a mission he became cold and calculating. She couldn't say she wasn't the same way, but he was like two different people. Which one is his true self? She rubbed the back of her neck and sat next to him. His eyes seemed to pierce her soul.
"No, it doesn't. And neither does mine, but we aren't free to run around holding hands, talons... whatever, or even go to each other's bed at night without possible negative consequences," she said softly. Her brow was pinched with concern.
Nihlus could smell her skin, her hair... her musk. Her nearness to him in the privacy of his cabin roused him. He heard what she was saying, but his mind was else where. He wanted to tear the armor from her body and reveal the creamy skin hidden beneath, To take her in his arms to his bed and ravish her. He wanted to feel her legs wrapped around him and hear her pleasure sounds as he mated with her. He suddenly realized she'd stopped talking and was looking at him with one brow cocked.
"Consequences... yes.. the social dynamics between our peoples is not where it needs to be I agree..." He tried to sound as if he'd been listening.
"You weren't listening were you?"
Nihlus' mandibles twitched. She sounded angry, or that she would be soon.
"I was, uh... I'm sorry," he relented.
"You were purring," she told him, almost smiling.
"I was what?" He asked, surprised that she wasn't shouting at him.
"Purring... there was a low rumbling in your chest, like a contented cat," she said with a smirk, unable to hold back her amusement.
"Oh, uh..." He looked away from her, embarrassed, and cleared his throat. "That's all for now, Commander. I hope we won't have to have these talks again."
He started to get up when he felt her hand catch him by the wrist. He looked at her, she was smiling. He let her pull him back down to the sofa. With her free hand she grazed the left side of his face.
"I liked it," she smiled, a low tone in her voice.
Nihlus grinned. He couldn't help it. Warmth consumed him when she told him she liked his purring.
"I want you, Sonya. I think you want me as well. Why not allow ourselves the pleasure of our bodies? Do we not deserve some release?" He purred as he ghosted his face over hers.
"I care about you, Nihlus. I do want to share something with you, but I don't want a fling. I don't do that. Intimacy is more than just sex to me," she told him, searching his eyes for his reaction.
She was lying, of course. There were times as a teen and a cadet when she'd taken a dalliance, or two, home from the club for a night of drunken fucking, but she hadn't done that since graduation night from the academy. That's not what she wanted with Nihlus. She wanted to make love with him, and she had to be in love for that to happen. She thought she could be, it was something she was open to finding out, but she needed to know him better. She wanted to be sure she loved him and not the idea of him. It wouldn't hurt if he loved her back, either.
Nihlus was silent. He wasn't sure what to say. He could tell she was lying, at least partially, but the beginning had been truth. There were so many unknowns. A fling might not be caught, or could be over looked. A relationship would certainly be more trouble, but also more rewarding. He couldn't deny that he wanted more as well, but the complications that could arise; his growing feelings for her, he possibility that he may want to keep her if he let his emotions take their course were all things that could go horribly wrong. He needed to consult with an outside party. Who can I talk to that I can trust with this? His closest friend had tried to kill him. There was no one left that he felt he could trust. He trusted Sonya, though. He hadn't known her nearly as long as he'd known his most distant acquaintance, and yet he trusted her more than he had trusted Saren. It was as irrational as it was real. Sonya trusted Anderson. Maybe he could speak with him the next time they docked at the Citadel. He would have to craft the conversation subtly and see what the Captain's response was.
"Okay, Sonya. I'll think about what you've said. You'd better get some sleep. We're going to Peak 15, and whatever horrors await us there, tomorrow."
"Of course, sir." She teased and gave him a quick peck on his right mandible before leaving for her quarters.
Nihlus sat staring at the doors for a few minutes, wondering to himself if it would really be so bad. If a relationship with her would cause something as grand as a riot or issues within their professions. There would be less than desirable opinions, that was nothing new, but their status amplifying the issue to a public scale involving the media didn't seems as likely. He shook the worries away. It was an un-needed distraction. He went to bed, tired and alone. He longed for the warmth that he had not yet experienced. He dreamt of her dark eyes and soft hair, and of a life that was free of barriers.
It was probably the most un-nerving ride in a mako she would ever experience. Liara was scared to death. She was grateful that Shepard had talked Kryik out of taking the path in the dark. They dodged rockets and geth ground troops, colossus', anti-tank turrets, sliding precariously close to the icy edge of the cliffs all the while. She nearly kissed the ground when they reached the entrance to Peak 15 with the mako in flames behind her.
"Oh, thank the Goddess, we made it..." she breathed.
Shepard gave her a side long amused look and turned away to hide a grin. Liara didn't care. Her life before the geth had come after her was a much quieter one. She missed it dearly.
"We should get inside. While we have a lovely bonfire, that may explode any minute, we could still freeze to death," Shepard commented.
"Agreed." Liara nodded and she headed for the door.
Inside, Kryik brought up his omni-tool in attempt to scan the area beyond the walls of the small hall they found shelter in.
"There are a few life signs on the other side of the garage door through there." He nodded to the entry door opposite the one they'ed just come in through. "What concerns me are the energy signatures, probably Geth. They are many."
Shepard nodded and popped a depleted heat sink out of her rifle. The look in her eye was a fire. She was ready. Kryik nodded back, her fire sparking his own. They loaded their weapons and flanked the garage door. Liara hit the button.
The geth were waiting for them. A krogan was positioned on the upper walk way armed and firing. A very large geth rounded some nearby crates accompanied by a hovering turret. More geth troopers fired from crates further in. The team returned fire with a vengeance. Shepard concentrated on the krogan. He was slowly taking down her shields. She wouldn't last long if he succeeded. She aimed a biotic warp field at him, but he dodged it. It blasted into the wall, leaving a giant scorch mark. She heard him laugh. It infuriated her. She shifted her fire to the Geth with another warp blast. The geth fell back and exploded, taking out the turret with it.
"Focus your fire on the geth!" Kryik shouted.
T'Soni moved forward to cover that would protect her from the krogan and the geth. A wave of blue flame rippled over her as she created a singularity near the geth troopers, pulling them from cover. She and Kryik took them out easily as they floated helplessly in the air. Shepard was ahead of them. Too far ahead of them. Her shields were weak and getting weaker. Three more krogan flanked her by the stairs. Nihlus' heart pounded in his chest.
"She's crazy!" He mumbled, then chased after her. T'Soni was hot on his tail.
Shepard was a ball of blue flame. She pushed the krogans back, smashing them into crates and support beams. She unloaded her weapon into the one nearest her, then popped the heat sink. Another throw blast field saved her from the remaining two charging her. She couldn't take any more hits. Her suit had plenty of medi-gel, but a shot to the face would be all it took. Her shields were down. She was biotically exhausted and running low on assault rifle ammo. She switched to her pistol. One left, and the one on the walk way waiting for her.
Kryik appeared at her side, firing his own weapon into the krogan. Together they took him down, barely. The body skidded to a halt at their feet. The turian angrily turned on his heels toward the human.
"Are you insane? Stay with the team!" he shouted.
"Did you always stay with the team, Spectre?" Shepard shot back at him.
"No, I did not, but I didn't 'take un-necessary risks' either!" He echoed her words back to her. As his heart pounded in his chest he realized he was falling for her.
Shepard glared back, but said nothing.
"There's one more." Liara reminded them as she ran up behind Shepard.
"Indeed." Kryik replied without taking his intense gaze from Shepard. "Well, Shepard, you've gotten this far. Your shields should be fully restored. Eliminate your target." He ordered with a wave of his hand.
The glare in Shepard's eye changed to something excited. She smirked up at him before ascending the stairs. T'Soni moved to follow her. Kryik followed more casually. The krogan didn't last long. Kryik walked passed Shepard, re-taking his commanding position with that slight swagger he always had. She wiped the blood from her face with the back of her hand while she eyed him hungrily. Suddenly a computerized female voice came over the inter com.
"User alert. All Peak 15 facilities have suffered a great deal of damage. Bio-hazard materials present through out facility. Virtual intelligence user interface off line."
"We need to get the reactors back on line." Kryik said as he opened the hatch to the next section. The short passage between doors housed two turrets. They were facing inwards.
"Why are these turrets facing backward?" T'Soni asked.
"They want to keep people in as much as they want to keep them out," answered Shepard.
Kryik crossed the space and opened the opposite door. There was an empty store room on the right and an elevator on the left. Kryik activated the elevator. Through a short snowy hall and another door, they were greeted by geth. They removed the threat easily. In the quiet they heard something not geth and not krogan.
"What was th... " Liara's question was cut off by a raised talon.
Spectre Kryik tilted his head, listening, finger ready on the trigger.
"Just breath. Don't have a panic attack. I'll protect you." He said in a low tone.
Shepard found it hard to not laugh at T'Soni's expense.
"Enemy contact!" Kryik shouted.
Shepard was ripped from the moment of amusement. Little glowing green bug like creatures came crawling out of every corner and crevasse in the room toward them. Shepard shot one with her pistol. It exploded beyond what seemed natural. The resulting goo ate holes in the steel partitions.
"Kryik?"
"Just keep shooting and stay out of the blast zone!"
A larger bug like creature descended the stairs leading up to the next level and elevator. It wasn't green or glowing, but it was huge and screeching. It fired acidic goo at them from pod like openings at the end of two antenna-like apendages. Shepard erupted into blue flame firing a warp blast at the creature. It screeched an reeled back. That seemed to hurt it more than bullets. She sent another blast into the creature. It crumpled to the floor in an unimpressive slump.
"Good work, team." Kryik praised them in the same flat tone he praised Joker with. "Let's keep moving."
"What were those things?" T'Soni pressed.
"I think they were rachni." Kryik responded as he activated the elevator.
"Rachni? I thought they were extinct." Shepard said with one brow cocked at him.
"They were. I plan on returning them to that status." He responded coolly. "We can't let them escape, Shepard. Not one."
He singled her out. Maybe it was because she was second in command on the mission. Maybe it was because his emotions were bleeding into his professional manner. Whatever the reason he maintained focus on the mission. He caught her gaze out of the corner of his vision. She seemed to be distracted. There was no doubt there was chemistry between them. Even now he felt a heat in his body, a building carnal desire for her. He tried to push it away. When he succeeded, the more subtle emotions weighing in his heart beat a steady pulse in the undertow of his blood; feelings he was ignoring because he didn't know what to do about them. He didn't know how to handle them, or her. Saren would have mocked him for having interest in a human. Saren had never hidden his hatred for humans from Nihlus. Saren would have tried to provide him with an asari distraction. One Nihlus usually did not oblige.
Once Liara figured out the activation code to reset the system, the AI was of little help. Many rachni deaths and exploding geth later, the reactor and tram systems were repaired and activated. They had to 'purge' the access tunnel to the tram station of 'foreign contaminants' before moving on.
Shepard watched the walls flash by in grey steel and give way to the black shadow of the tunnel. Liara sat meditating at the other end of the tram car. They could only guess how far away the hot labs were. Shepard wondered how Liara would react to being reunited with her mother under such circumstances.
Sonya lowered her head. She didn't remember her mother. She never knew her parents. Her father had died in an element zero accident. Her mother held on to life long enough to reach the hospital. Sonya was saved from sharing her mother's death by emergency c-section. The care taker at the orphanage gave her the file on her fourteenth birthday. All her information, medical and personal history, her parents medical records and brief profile on each. Last words were recorded whenever possible if the adoptive child was an orphan by death of parents. Her mother spoke of her newborn's beauty before giving her a name with her last breath. No next of kin had been listed. Shepard was pulled from the memories by a set of talons on her shoulder. Nihlus leaned down to her ear.
He spoke, barely above a whisper, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, sir. I'm fine..." She said, looking up at him over her shoulder. It was difficult to see him in the darkness.
Nihlus smoothed away a stray tear from her cheek with the thumb pad of one talon. Sonya's hand flew to her cheek in shock. She didn't realize she was crying. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"You can tell me about it after the mission." He tried to console her. "I need you to focus right now."
He gave her shoulder a squeeze. She nodded. He caught her chin as she turned her face away from him. Her deep eyes searched his fiery ones, lit by the red glow from his armor. He pressed his mouth to her lips. Shepard stepped back in shock.
"Spectre... Dr. T'Soni's..."
He cut her off by taking her in his arms. "She's meditating. Probably preparing to meet her mother. We are, 'for intent and purpose' as you humans say, alone." He answered her unfinished statement.
He let her eyes search his, waiting for the calm to settle in them, then kissed her again as he pulled her in close. He purred softly when she slipped her arms around his neck. Her armor caught on his neck plates, ticking the nerves. The pleasurable shivers that trickled down his spine spurred a need in him. He tightened his arms around Sonya, pressing his hips into hers. Her armor made a loud clanking sound when it hit the glass. Sonya moaned softly and ran a finger along an outer fringe spike. He purred a little louder against her mouth. The sound vibrated through him into her. It made her lips tingle.
"I may be meditating, but I'm not deaf." Liara said, unable to keep the amusement from her voice.
Nihlus stepped quickly back from Sonya. He shot a look in Dr. T'Soni's direction. He could see that her eyes remained closed. There was a subtle smirk on her face.
"I would appreciate some quiet, please." Her request was a hint at her disinterest in their activities.
Nihlus understood. She'd kept her eyes closed for the purpose of being able to deny having 'seen' anything as much as to not break her concentration. He grinned unseen at the young asari with gratitude and a new found appreciation for her wit. He returned his arms to Sonya's waist. She grinned up at him as she pulled his head down to her and gently kissed him. He purred against her mouth.
"I thought we needed to 'focus?" Sonya teased.
"We can focus when the tram stops moving." He grinned down at her.
As if he'd tempted the fates with his statement, the tram began to slow. Light filtered to them from the docking platform.
"Now arriving at Rift Station, Binary Helix research facility," the automated announcement came over the tram speakers.
Sonya kissed the turian one last time before he reluctantly released his grip on her and stepped away. The brakes squealed and sent sparks flying as the car gradually came to a stop. Shepard could almost see a physical change in him as Nihlus pushed his emotions down and resurfaced as Spectre Kryik.
Both doors leading down to the hot labs were locked. They took the one that was not in hopes of finding a way to unlock them or find an alternate route. They were surprised to find armed survivors holding down the entrance.
"Stand down." The captain ordered.
His men lowered their weapons. Kryik stood at full height in front of the soldier. Imposing and impossibly sexy.
"Sorry about that. We couldn't be sure what was on the tram." Apologized the captain.
"I take it you've encountered the creatures?" Kryik began.
The captain shook his head and looked around uncomfortably.
"Look," He said at last. "You're not one of them. That's enough that I won't shoot, but I'd like to know who you are."
"Kryik. I'm a Spectre."
"Uh, hu... Well, I won't look a heavily armed turian in the mouth, so to speak. The aliens over ran the hot labs last week. A volus survived, and he ain't all there anymore. They overran my command post. We had a lot more staff then."
"We can handle them." Kryik said with a confident growl.
"You've got my support," said the captain, backing up a little. "The board sent in an asari to clean up the mess. She went down into the hot labs yesterday and we haven't seen or heard from her since."
"We need to get to the hot labs." Kryik stated mater-of-factly.
"There's an emergency elevator by the trams. This card will let you activate it." The captain handed the turian his pass, no questions. "It can take you down to the hot labs. There's a doctor back here if you or your team needs patched up." He thumbed to the door behind him.
Kryik took the card and turned to leave. A familiar squealing echoed off the walls.
"Aw, shit." grumbled the captain. "Man the perimeter!"
Kryik armed his weapon. Shepard and T'Soni were ready and behind the temporary walls set up by the security team. Three rachni juveniles broke through the ventilation shaft covers spewing acidic goo. Between the seven of them, the aliens went down quickly. Shepard watched as Kryik fired the last fatal shot. She felt a heat rush to her face.
"Thanks for your help," said the captain. "We've been fighting them off since they got out of the hot labs. Even animals should learn not to stick their noses in where it hurts."
"Did you ever think that maybe they were more than animals?" offered Liara.
Shepard and Kryik both looked at her, surprised at her sudden desire to speak up.
"Uh, well... No," replied the captain, taken back a bit at the thought.
"We have work to do." Kryik excused himself and the team, then left.
The card worked. Their weapons were at the ready, prepared for whatever they may find at the bottom of the shaft. Shepard saw Kryik's brow plates raise when there was nothing more than a single man sitting in a chair in the center of the room. He moved forward with caution.
"Are you here to secure the situation?" the man asked in a heavy Russian accent.
"In a manner of speaking." Kryik answered.
"What happened here... it is our fault. You understand?" the man told them.
"You let these things out?" asked Shepard.
"I am only following orders," the man replied. He paused before continuing. "Binary Helix found an egg on a derelict ship, thousands of years drifting. This was rachni ship. Inside they find many eggs in cryogenic suspendtion. Binary Helix planed to clone them, make an army. When they get here they find the egg it is a queen. After she lays eggs they move her to a different station. Thinking they can raise the babies to be obedient without her. It doesn't work, though. The little ones must need the queen to develop properly. These rachni are uncontrollable."
"They should have destroyed the ship. They're getting what they asked for." Kryik said unsympathetically. "I'm going to destroy them. Don't try to stop me."
"Actually, I agree with you. It is a sad thing, but the Neutron Purge must be set off." The tech sighed.
"How do we do that?" asked Shepard. She moved to stand beside Kryik.
"Controls are near , insert this key." He moved to retrieve the key from a pocket. "I will give you distruct... UH!"
A rachni pod protruded from the scientists chest. The man looked at the wound in his body with less shock and more expectation before the rachni threw him aside. The attacking rachni screamed at the turian boldly facing it. Kryik aimed his weapon into the open mouth and fired an explosive round. It detonated in the throat of the creature, sending blood and tissue in every direction.
"Shepard, retrieve the card and the code from the body." He ordered coldly.
She did as asked and found the card and the code in the left pant pocket of the body. She tried to keep from looking at the gaping hole in his chest. She'd seen bloody wounds, bone sticking out of flesh, watched the dieing attempt to place their organs back in there bodies; the horrors of war. She could see it a thousand times and never get used to it.
Shepard slid the card into the slot. The AI materialized in front of them.
"Connecting. I have full access to the facility and am at your disposal."
"Activate the Neutron Purge." ordered Kryik.
"Do you have the proper code authorization?"
Kryik looked to Shepard. His steely gaze un-nerved her.
"Code input: 875020079 code omega zero execution." She recited.
"Verified. Code omega zero execution in 120 seconds."
Immediately after the count down began they heard the screeching of dozens of rachni outside the doors.
"When those doors open, we're not shooting to kill. We're shooting to keep them back. Make a run for the elevators." Kryik spoke quickly and clearly. They could not screw this up. "Dr. T'Soni will follow me. Shepard, I want you to use your biotics to throw them out of the way. Doctor, you do the same. Move!"
He hit the button that opened the door. Shepard flared with blue fire as she sent out the first pulse providing them with a clear path down the steps to the room they first entered. She fired a second wave as Kryik descended the steps, shooting shredder rounds. T'Soni was at his heals. Another biotic thrust and the way was clear, if only for a few seconds. Shepard broke into a dead run. Kryik was right behind her. T'Soni was lagging behind. They heard the boom of her throw and gun fire. Shepard turned back, weaving around Kryik.
"Shepard!"
"I'm not leaving her!" She shouted back, firing into the mass that was threatening to surround the asari.
"Damn it!" Kryik swore as the provided cover fire from the door way of the elevator.
Shepard paused by Liara, concentrating in a semi-crouched position. A radial burst of energy exploded from her, pushing the rachni against the walls. Nihlus breath caught in his chest, his mandibles fluttered. He'd never seen anyone do that. How did she...?
The burst pushed him back into the elevator. He stopped the doors from closing with his foot.
"Hurry, Shepard!" He shouted at her.
Sonya grabbed Liara up off the floor and tossed her over her shoulder. "Sorry Liara, we don't have time." She apologized as she ran for the door.
Shepard thew herself and T'Soni the last few feet, rolling to the back of the elevator and hitting the wall. The doors closed and the elevator ascended. They were just beyond the emergency break off point when the elevator shuttered from the explosive power of the purge below. Kryik recovered his footing, then helped Shepard and T"Soni out of the heap they were in. Liara threw her arms around Shepard as soon as they were on there feet.
"Oh, thank you! Thank the goddess! I thought I was going to die down there." Her soft voice cried in Shepard's ear.
Liara pulled away then planted a earnest kiss on Shepard's mouth. Shepard's eyes grew wide in surprise. Her hand going up in defensive surrender. Kryik laughed a deep chuckle.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Liara apologized. "I am just so grateful to be alive. Archaeology is nothing like this!" She tried to defend herself.
"It's okay, Liar... Dr. T'Soni." Shepard cleared her throat. "I'm glad I could help..." A light blush settled in her cheeks.
Liara was lavender with embarrassment. She averted her eyes and fidgeted with her fingers.
"That was an impressive biotic display, Commander." Kryik said, trying to change the subject. "How did you manage to that?"
Liara was thankful for the diversion as she composed herself in the corner.
"I'm not sure," admitted Shepard. "I just envisioned what I wanted to happen; what the most efficient strategy would be, if it were possible, and I tried to do it. It would either work or it send out a normal wave."
"Others have tried and failed, Shepard. I don't know of any that succeeded that were not extremely powerful asari, and that was only once that I know of. Before that it was only theroy." Kryik complimented her.
Shepard met his gaze. Her voice thanked him and offered a suggestion that it was luck. Her eyes were a wanting beast of desire, ravaging him. It made him nervous in a different way. His gut tingled, his loins warmed, and his mandibles fluttered a nervous grin.
Liara rolled her eyes and pouted in the corner. She was being ignored for a turian. She sighed. At least he wasn't a volis or a batarian.
They made their way back to where the captain and his team had been. They were gone, but not dead. There were no bodies.
"Let's go see the survivors," suggested Shepard.
Kryik agreed with a nod and lead the way. Around the bend they found the captain again. He didn't look as pleased to see them as he had before.
"I'm sorry, Spectre. We've got orders from Benezia."
"Mother?" Liara asked.
The captain heard her words right before he gave the order to open fire. It astounded him that someone could order bullets to be fired at their own child. He thought of his own son and wife at home, not for the first time, and wondered if he would see them again. He would not. An anti-personnel round killed him instantly when it shot through his skull.
The door slid open. They could see Benezia on the upper platform standing at a console. There was a large containment tank of some kind suspended in front of her. Something big, dark, and alive was in it.
Liara's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't seen or spoken to her mother in years. She knew very little about the woman before her. She knew of her alignment with Saren. Saren had sent the geth after her. All her thoughts were questions.
Lady Benezia noticed the intruders with her peripheral vision. One of them seemed very familiar. She knew why when she looked directly at them. They brought her daughter with them.
"You do not know the privilege of being a mother. There is power in creation. To shape a life. Turn it toward happiness or despair." She looked back to the rachni queen in the container. "Her children were to be ours. Raised to hunt and slay Saren's enemies." She walked over to the top of the stairs, looking hard on the trio. "I won't be moved to sympathy, no matter who you bring into this confrontation."
"Liara's here because she wants to be, not because anyone asked her to be." Kryik replied.
Liara assumed a military pose behind Shepard, hands clasped behind her back. She looked at the matriarch as if she were unknown to her. The face she saw was hard and full of hatred, not the face of her mother.
"Indeed... What have you told them about me, Liara?" Benezia asked the young asari.
Liara immediately became agitated. Her hands flew up into defensive surrender.
"What could I say, mother? That you're insane, evil?. Should I explain how to kill you? What could I say? I don't know you!"
Her mother seemed unaffected by her words. "Have you ever faced an asari commando unit before? Few have lived to tell the tale."
"I can't believe you'd kill you own daughter." Shepard seethed.
"I now realize I should have been stricter with her."
"We don't have to fight, Lady." Kryik said. "You could return to the Citadel with us."
"I think not." Benezia's replied callously.
She crouched down in a blue aura of biotic flame. The team moved to take cover, Shepard wasn't fast enough. Benezia caught her in a stasis field.
It was a rough battle. Benezia had more geth as well as the commandos at her disposal. Shepard did her best to dodge Benezia's stasis fields. It seemed the Lady had it out for her. Liara focused on the geth and the commandos. She couldn't bring herself to fire on her mother. Eventually Benezia ran out of fodder for Kryik's bullets. They cornered the Lady on her platform, cowering.
"This is not over. Saren is unstoppable." She rose to her feet and faced them.
"I stopped him once. I will do it again," relied Kryik.
"My mind is filled with is light. Everything is clear!" Benezia rambled on.
"Tell me what he's planning."
"I will not betray him." Benezia said as she turned back to look down on the rachni queen, remembering the words Saren spoke to her in the darkness of the ship Sovereign. The promises he whispered to her in his arms.
Something in her mind was fighting against the indoctrination, clawing it's way to the surface.
"You will... you will.. ahh." Her eyes closed in a moment of pain. "You must listen." Lady Benezia turned toward her daughter and the Spectre she followed. Her face softer, the mask of hate was gone revealing a shadow of the woman Benezia had once been.
"Saren still whispers in my mind. I can fight his compulsions, briefly. The indoctrination is strong."
"Mother?"
"Why are you able to break free of control now?" Kryik asked.
"I sealed a part of my mind away from the it for a moment when I could help destroy him. It will not last long."
"You will turn again..." Liara said softly, her eyes blinking back tears.
"Yes, but it would not be my will, Liara." Benezia told her daughter, her eyes were sad. "He sent me here to find the location of the Mu Relay. It's position was lost thousands of years ago. Two-thousand years ago, the rachni found it. Queens share the memories of their mothers. I took the location from the queen's mind... I was not gentle." Benezia hung her head in shame. "
"Why does Saren need the Mu Relay?" Asked Kryik.
"He believes it will lead him to the Conduit. I know nothing more. Saren did not share his council with me. I transcribed the data to an OSD."
Benezia crossed the short distance between them, handing Nihlus the OSD.
"Take it, please!"
He reached for the OSD in her shaking grip. He had to pull it from her fingers.
"Knowing the rely's location isn't enough. We need to know where he's gong from there." Shepard said, stepping forward.
"Saren wouldn't tell me his destination, but you must find out quickly. I sent Saren the coordinates before you arrived. You have to stop... me. I.. I can't!"
Benezia's breathing quickened. She grabbed at her head.
"His teeth are at my ear, fingers on my spine!"
She quickly walked away from Kryik toward the console as she struggled to maintain control. Kryik and Shepard aimed their weapons, waiting for the change.
"You've always made me proud, Liara." She told her daughter, with the last of her calm.
Gradually Liara's body was surrounded by a faint blue aura. She knew she would have t kill her mother. It was the only way. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"You must... ahh!" Benezia cried out in pain."You must... Die!" She spat as the turned on the intruders, alight with purple flames.
Kryik and Shepard immediately unloaded their weapons into Benezia's body. Liara and Shepard provided Kryik with cover with biotic waves of warp fields while he reloaded. One last round sent the asari matriarch stumbling back, blood seeping from the holes in her leather dress. The hateful expression melted away one final time.
"I cannot go on. You will have to stop him..." she panted.
"We have medi-gel. Maybe we can..." Liara's desperate plea was cut off.
"No. He is still in my mind. I am not entirely myself. I never will be again." Benezia said, shaking her head. She looked to her daughter and swooned from the pain and loss of blood, falling back against the rails.
"Mother.." Liara breathed. She knelt by Benezia's side, taking her hand in her own.
"Good night little wing." Benezia looked up into her daughter's eyes. "I will see you again with the dawn."
Her face turned away, her eyes focusing on nothing.
"No light. They always said there would be a... ahh." Her last breath escaped her body, leaving her slack and lifeless.
Liara let go of the hand already growing cold in her grip. The tears she'd been blinking back for her mother's sake now rolled freely, silently down her face.
Shepard went to her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. There was nothing to be said. No words would be of any comfort in this moment.
Kryik approached to containment modual, examining the creature within. The transparent surface was dirty, making it difficult to see through. He turned his attention to the console looking for a fail safe to destroy the creature.
Behind him one of the dead asari commandos rose sluggishly to her feet. Shepard saw her first and trained her pistol, but something wasn't right. She held her fire.
Liara looked up and gasped, reflexively clinging to Shepard's armored leg. They both jumped when the rachni slammed an open pod against a panel of her prison. Kryik stumbled backwards, startled by the pod, and nearly tripped over the walking dead. He pulled his weapon. A hair away from pulling the trigger he stopped.
The commando was limp, dragging her toes across the floor as she walked toward them. Her head rolled loosely on her neck when she stopped and turned her back to the containment modual. Her eyes sprung open wide and unseeing.
"This one serves as our... voice." A flanging female voice emanated from the body. A low hissing echoed on the heals of each word. "We cannot sing. Not in these low spaces. Your musics are... colorless."
"Musics? What?" Shepard asked.
Kryik neared the body, looking between it and the queen.
"Your way of communicating is strange. Flat. It does not color the air. When we speak, one moves all."
"This is going to be a fun conversation." Shepard mumbled.
"We are the... mother. We.. sing for those left behind. The children.. you thought silenced. We are rachni."
Kryik lowered his gun and looked in at the queen through a foggy panel. "How are you speaking through her?"
"Our kind sing through touchings of thought. We pluck the strings and the other understands. She is weak to urging. She has colors we have no names for, but she is ending. Her music... is bittersweet. It is beautiful."
The asari's body quaked in odd waves and jerks. The head awkwardly tuned toward the turian.
Liara eased off the floor, keeping a hand on Shepard who kept her gun trained on the speaking dead.
"The children we birthed were taken from us before they could learn to sing. They are lost to silence. End their suffering. They cannot be saved. They can only do harm as they are."
"I have already ending the suffering of many. I will do the same for any others I find." answered Kryik, coolly.
"Our elders are comfortable with silence. Children know only fear if no one sings to them. Fear has shattered their minds."
"That makes since. A child who is unloved and left alone will not be sane." Liara commented.
"It is... lamentable, but necessary. Do what you must." said the queen. "Before you deal with our children, we stand before you. What will you sing? Will you release us? Are we... to fade away once more?"
"There are acid tanks set up on the modual. If you activate them, it would effectively kill her." Liara pointed out. "But if we kill her, we kill the entire race."
"They killed millions in the wars, Liara." Shepard reminded her. "We can't let that happen again."
"You're companions hear the truth. You have the power to free us or return our people to the silence of memory."
Kryik studied the insect like being in the tank. The conflict building within him. His training told him to kill her; to prevent the past from repeating. His heart pleaded with the reasoning of his mind to preserve her life. All life was precious. All life was unique.
"If I let you live, would you attack other races again?" He asked, pointedly.
"No. We... I do not know what happened in the war. We only heard discordance, songs the color of oily shadows. We would seek a hidden place to teach our children harmony. If they understand, perhaps we would return."
"What if there are others, survivors... what about their 'songs'?"
"We were only an egg, hearing mother cry in our dreams. A tone from space hushed one voice after another. It forced the singers to resonate with it's own sour yellow note. Then we awoke in this place. The last echo of those who came out from the Singing Planet. The sky is silent."
Nihlus considered the queens words carefully. If she was the last, and she stayed true to what he believed she was saying, there was no reason to kill her. Their races could live in peace with the rest of the galaxy. The problem arose if she was lying. Could they lie? Did they have a 'color' or a 'song' for that? Surly others would end her life. He was not like others. It was one of the traits that got him into the Spectres. A reason he was not like Saren.
"I won't be responsible for the extinction of an entire race. You must keep your word of your desire for peace." he decided.
"You will give us the chance to compose anew? We will remember. We will sing of your forgiveness to our children."
"How about that? Bugs are going to write songs about you, Kryik." Shepard teased. She was trying to ease her own tension. The whole thing made her very nervous.
Nihlus glanced at her. He could tell she was nervous because she kept readjusting her grip on the pistol in her hands.
He looked down at the controls. His mandibles twitched nervously. He hoped he was making the right decision. The queen was growling or purring in the tank. He wasn't sure which. He entered the loading sequence.
Servos whined and whired as the containment modual was lifted to a large open hatch near the ceiling. The asari's body dropped as the queen paused in the doorway. The panels near the end of her tank lifted. She looked back down at the aliens that released her. Her thanks to them sounded like squealing in their ears.
Shepard came up behind Kryik as he watched the rachni queen leave. She put a hand firmly on his shoulder. He looked down at her. The warmth of her dark eyes comforted him in his doubt.
"Let's get out of here." she said softly.
He nodded in agreement.
The halls were empty. Everything was dead or had fled the station. The chill in the air would keep the bodies from rotting or smelling for days. Eventually they would freeze, or a clean up crew would dispose of them if one was ever sent. It didn't seem to matter either way.
Shepard sat next to Liara on the tram with one arm around her shoulders. She couldn't hear the asari crying, but she could feel her shoulders shuddering. When the light from the docking platform began to chase away the privacy of the shadows, Liara wiped the wetness from her face.
Liara sought the comfort in the empty spaces of the doctor's office in the back of the med-bay. Shepard decided it was best to let her be for a while. Benezia may not have spent her last days the way a matriarch should, but the woman had still been Liara's mother. It would take time for the pain to pass. Shepard sought the 'professional council' of the Spectre in his quarters.
Nihlus was not surprised to see her in his door way. She stepped inside quickly so the doors would close behind her. She didn't speak a word to him before settling on the edge of the sofa. She waited patently for him to finish typing his report on the mission and send it. They would receive a response from the Council in an hour or two.
"What do you think the lyrics will be?" He asked her casually as he rose from his desk to join her on the sofa.
"What?" She asked, cocking a brow at him.
"The songs the 'bugs' will sing of my forgiveness?"
Sonya rubbed the back of her neck with one armored hand and turned a little pink.
"Oh. I'm not sure. Maybe something about the heralding hero who saved them from the darkness? I'm not much of a poet." She shrugged.
Nihlus chuckled. He touched her face, smoothing back a stray hair that had escaped the bun at the base of her skull.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm worried about Liara. Seeing her mother die, having to help kill her... It's gotta be rough." Sonya said softly as she shook her head.
She stared through the floor, thinking of her own parents, of Captain Anderson. He'd sacrificed so much to give her a chance at the Spectres. She wasn't sure what she would do when he died. She never had to mourn a parent she actually knew.
"She'll be fine. It will take time, but she knows our mission is more important. I have confidence she will find a way to put it behind her." Nihlus said softly. He was doing his best to be comforting and keep focus.
"I should get out of this armor and shower." She replied distractedly, and left him alone in his quarters.
The doors almost sounded sad as they hissed closed behind her.