Chapter 7

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Virmire ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Turning of the Tides

Across the cosmic frontier of the Attican Traverse, Sovereign hovered over the planet Virmire. The lush world's orbital position on the inner life zone created a wide equatorial band of humid, tropical terrain and vast seas.

Saren who had deployed Shepard, Liara and a couple of Geth squadrons to the surface, shattered the planet's tranquility as he barked at Shepard, "Make sure the AA guns are operational Shepard; they are our strongest line of defense. Also, ensure the Colossus units are in place; including each gate house and don't let the Alliance into the main building!"

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Leaning on the railings overlooking the open water at one of the guard stations, Shepard and Liara stared out into the abyss. As a gentle breeze washed over their faces the soldier finally broke the long silence, "I can't believe how beautiful and peaceful this place is." Another extended bout of silence followed before she added, "Is this what your home planet is like?"

Liara was slightly taken aback by the sudden interest in her home planet of Thessia; though she could tell, from what she had learned about humans that Shepard's tone was truly one of interest. Glancing at the rogue soldier before returning her gaze back out to sea Liara replied, "Yes, but the water is much bluer. It is such a wonderful place to call home."

In deep thought, Shepard gazed curiously at the professor and looked as if she was about to speak, but instead she turned away and slowly headed towards the stairs to exit the structure. Shaking off the soldier's odd behavior, Liara breathed in the salty air once more before she languidly followed Shepard.

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Jumping out of their transport at another security checkpoint, Shepard went to activate the gatehouse while Liara stayed with the vehicle. It wasn't very long before Shepard returned to the vehicle when she saw Liara pacing in a peculiar manner; amused by the young asari she asked, "Is there something wrong?" Liara having little use for indirectness replied, "I'm not sure what bothers me more, all these creepy Geth or all this sand in my…"

Her words trailed off when she noticed Shepard crossing her arms over her chest, shifting her weight on her back leg, and her head cocked to one side in a decidedly swaggering stance. The asari's cheeks blushed as she finished, "Um never mind."

The comment made Shepard snicker as she could tell by the all too common twitching with which she too had experience; sand in an armored suit could be quite "irritating." The experienced soldier muffled a laugh as she stated, "We better get going."

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Activating her omni-tool Shepard reported back to Saren, "All stations are on standby." Without a hint of emotion Saren shot back, "Very well." Disgusted, Shepard dropped her arm and muttered something under her breath. The splashing of water behind her instantly changed her mood and she attempted to stifle a small laugh, as she watched Liara splashing in the shallow water a few meters behind her. Suddenly embarrassed for playing in the knee high, crystal clear water Liara announces, "I used to play in a pool of water much like this back on Thessia when I was a child."

Striking her cocky stance again, she smirked at the young asari. Realizing whose company she was in, Liara gulped hard and lowered her head, 'Certainly,' she thought, 'the enemy would not appreciate such a history lesson.'

To Liara's great surprise, Shepard dragged her heavy boots through the shallow water until she was a mere meter from the professor. Placing her weapon onto her back holster, Shepard leaned over, cupped a handful of water and tossed it at the unsuspecting asari. Failing to dodge the liquid assault, the professor giggled then elicited a squeal, as the cold water ran down her back. "Oh Shepard!" Liara yelped, "You are so going to get it." Shepard wasn't effected in the slightest by the threat, in fact, she just shifted her weight and motioned at her hand already deep in the water. "Take your best shot, T'Soni."

The horseplay was abruptly interrupted by Saren shouting on the soldier's omni-tool. "Shepard, there was a disturbance in the outer atmosphere. Since there is no sign of any ship, it has to be that damn Alliance vessel. Get to the research facility at once!" "Copy that; Shepard out." Looking at the asari she beckoned, "Come on, we have to go." Liara dredged through the water, sad that playtime was over before it had really begun.

Not trusting the Geth, Shepard personally ensured each stationed was armed and ready. It was basic procedure that had been instilled in her when she served under the Alliance. Check and double check your defenses prior to battle. One luxury she did not have during her leave on Azure. Shepard checked into the first gate. "Gate 1 AA Gun armed and ready. All secure!" As she repeated the same procedure for both gates 2 and 3 until all the guard stations were locked down and armed with Geth; Liara thought, 'Well, at least she's very efficient Mother.'

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"Shepard!" blared over the rogue soldier's comm unit. "We are taking heavy fire from outside the complex!" Shepard barked, "What's your status?" An annoyed mercenary screeched, "It seems that three teams of the Council's STG personnel are trying to infiltrate sectors 5 & 7 on the South side. They appear to be attempting to break into the front of the facility." Shepard returned, "If I send more troops that will leave me a little on the skinny side McAvoy." The stressed mercenary answered, "I know what you mean. I just received word that there are more Alliance soldiers on the roof of the complex; including that female Chief."

From Liara's proximity she could hear Shepard release a low growl in her throat at the news. "One more thing Shepard, one of the Normandy's biotic officers is down there with those STG guys." More than happy to hear the news she orders, "Good, wipe them out! Don't leave a living soul. I'm personally going after that gunny bitch who shot the Matriarch." Adding to the transmission Saren sniped, "They are setting up a bomb to blow the whole damn facility. Shepard stop them!" Shepard happily quipped, "I'm on it, Saren; Shepard out!"

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Inside the Genophage complex Shepard's omni-tool whaled again as she received a report that the Triangulation Tower was shut down. "Shit, all comms between the Geth have been disrupted." Making their way through the complex Shepard suddenly stopped right above a series of containment cells currently housing several captured STG members. The rogue soldier quickly reached for her assault weapon and spun around; then around again. The strange behavior surprised Liara as she also tried to see what had caught Shepard's attention.

A deeply concentrated expression covered Shepard's face as she held out a finger to silence the professor's movement. "Did you hear that?" Liara looked around and softly whispered, "No, I didn't hear anything." Attempting to focus on the sound Shepard commented, "I thought I heard a whisper, that wasn't quite there." Determinedly, she continued to look about the room. "It felt like it tickled the back of my spine." Convinced she was imagining it, she ordered, "Never mind, let's keep moving."

Before they were able to resume their pace, another assault of bad news blared on Shepard's comm unit, "Security breach! Security breach! Someone has hacked into the base security system. They summoned the Geth security to the West side of the building." Remembering that the Triangulation Tower had also been hacked, Shepard couldn't help but think, 'Guess that quarian heeled quickly: the miracles of modern medicine.'

Heading to the roof, Shepard and Liara were diverted by Saren's husks and a couple of the Normandy's squad members. They ran past several large bio tanks when Liara stopped in front of one and asked in bewilderment, "Shepard. What are these tanks for?" As she leaned to peer inside one, Shepard reached for Liara's arm, struggling to keep the professor moving. "They're Krogan bio tanks. Saren is building an army." Shocked Liara questioned, "You mean Saren discovered a cure for the genophage?"

"Not exactly" Shepard answered, "They are more like mindless creatures. They aren't capable of individual thought." Standing next to Liara as she stared at the capsules she added, "It's actually kind of sad if you think about it." A large explosion erupted just a few meters away causing Shepard to grab Liara's arm and pull harder forcing the asari's feet to move. "We'll talk about it, when we have more time."

The pair ran down another long corridor leading to an open aired catwalk high above the complex and scrambled into a dimly lit room. Pushing Liara in behind her; Shepard turned to the door's control panel to ensure it had locked properly. She heard Liara gasp in absolute bewilderment and swiftly turned around to hold the asari back from stepping any closer to the large fixed object opposite them. Liara stuttered, "It's a Prothean B…B…Beacon!" Her eyes sparkled as she salaciously stared at the artifact, "And it's working too!"

Excitedly she turned to Shepard. "Do you know how rare it is to find one of these? No wonder the Geth attacked Eden Prime. It would be worth almost any risk." The asari again attempted to walk towards the electrified beacon but was held back by Shepard. Liara looked down at Shepard's hand holding on to her. "Please, you have to let me try it."

Shepard hesitantly looked between Liara and the beacon. The young asari continued her pleading, "Shepard, I have dedicated over 50 years of my life to the extinction of the Prothean race. I cannot afford to miss what would be the experience of a lifetime." Despite her personal feelings towards the Prothean artifact, Shepard slowly released the young woman's arm and allowed her to walk towards the beacon.

Much to Shepard's surprise, nothing happened even when Liara placed her hand gently onto the beacon. It only mildly vibrated as it did when they first entered the room. As a wave of relief flushed over the soldier; she motioned Liara to the back of the room, "Let's get out of here. That thing gives me the creeps." Seeing the overwhelming disappointment in Liara's face, Shepard slowly walked towards her. Suddenly, as the soldier was within a short distance of the beacon; it came to life, glowing an iridescent green.

Looking from Shepard's hand to her face in awe Liara mouthed, "It's responding to you; can you use it?" Not happy about the idea Shepard grimaced, "Yes, and Saren too. Look, don't get me wrong Liara, but the last time I used that thing I was out cold for 12 hours. I don't want to lose consciousness again." Looking back to the door she continued, "We're kind of in the middle of something right now. If I lost consciousness, the fighting would be over and I would just be lying here and you'd be gone. I wouldn't be able to protect you."

Liara's eyes pleaded as she tried to entice the soldier, "Please! You can't imagine the impact on the universe it would have." Seeing the soldier was not convinced, the clever asari added, "Besides, it might shed some light on what Saren's plan is for taking over the galaxy." Shepard's head snapped back to Liara and the professor knew her words had made the desired impact.

The soldier took in a deep breath, cracked her neck characteristically to each side and rolled her shoulders before she motioned with her outstretched arm, "Stay back Liara and keep an eye on that door!" The woman took a few steps closer to the beacon as it began to shine brilliantly. Once the beacon had scoped Shepard off the ground, Liara hoped that this is what her mother meant by leading her down a gentler path. Perhaps the Protheans were the secret after all.

New horrific images burned into Shepard's mind as she mentally screamed in anguish. When the light and humming ceased, she was dropped back down to the ground, falling forward a bit. She slowly lifted herself up when she noticed blood oozing from her nose and ears; she was dazed, but conscious and more importantly, aware of her surroundings. Liara quickly made her way to the seasoned warrior to steady the soldier when the sound of grinding metal drew their attention to the room's entrance.

A flash of light momentarily blinded the pair before the Normandy's squad rushed into the room screaming and yelling, "Put your hands up! Keep them where I can see them!" Behind Shepard the beacon glowed a vibrant red then exploded, knocking out all the large windows in the room. Shepard stumbled forward as she ducked; grabbing the railing to brace herself, then she reached for her head and winced from the searing pain.

Everything else was pretty much a blur to Shepard as she vaguely remembered shouting and the Williams woman accusing her of faking her interaction with the beacon. Wiping the foggy minded Shepard's nose, Liara tried to defend the soldier by saying, "I don't think she can fake blood." The Alliance chief threw the dazed Shepard hard to the ground and cuffed her.

The most wanted human in galactic space had been apprehended by the Systems Alliance and was in a shuttle returning to the Fleet's greatest ship: the SSV Normandy. Shepard screamed from the agonizing pain coursing throughout her entire body. The Gunny was not the source of this overwhelming torment, but rather; something Shepard had never felt or experienced before. The first beacon certainly did not cause her this much distress.

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As the Normandy departed the planet's atmosphere, a nuclear bomb detonated; obliterating Saren's breeding facility. Also gone in the bomb's devastating blast were the lives of Alliance Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko and the entire Salarian STG squadron. They would be deeply missed but remembered as heroes and the giant crater left in the wake of this tragic day would forever scar Virmire's serene façade.

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A/N: Check out this awesome Mass Effect video on you tube. Type is - Liara/FemShep Romance – Fallen. It's great!