When Fates Collide

Chapter 13

~ ~ Feros – The Plant ~ ~

"Williams, I'm a little busy here."

Kaboom! The entire vehicle shook violently as Liara yelled in her other ear, "Go right! Go right!"

Trying to keep her cool Shepard agitatedly informed the asari, "I am! I am!"

The steadfast marine continued, "I heard you but listen. Wrex and I are trapped in one of the modular units."

The all terrain vehicle slammed hard into the side of a concrete barrier causing the nose of the vehicle to lift off the ground and slam back to the ground below. Liara blasted the driver, "I told you to go right!"

Shooting the endearing asari an irritated look Shepard said, "I'm trying here!"

In her other ear, Shepard heard William's voice rambling, "It was just after we had a break and we were helping install the last of the power cells when all hell broke loose. Those colonists just flipped out."

Metal pinging sounds rattled the outside of the vehicle as the Geth machine gun didn't miss its intended target. From the back of the vehicle Tali shouted, "They're shooting at us!"

Trying to do more than three things at once, Shepard acknowledged Tali's concern, "I know they're shooting at us."

Immediately, another outburst followed from the asari, "Go left! Go left, Shepard!"

"Do you wanna drive?" Shepard impatiently asked Liara.

"Oh Goddess no! I'm afraid I'm not a very good driver."

Chuckling, Shepard mocked, "Say it isn't so?"

Bringing her attention back to her ear piece, Williams asked, "Shepard, why did you ask me if I wanted to drive? You know that you have the only working vehicle."

Trying to remove just one thing from her busy plate, Shepard pleaded, "Look Ash, I really need to go right now, I'm kind of in the middle of something."

Shepard's pleas didn't register as Williams went on about her predicament with the colonists, "When the colonist flipped, we tried not to hurt any of them but Wrex did toss a guy about 20 meters when he went after me. I mean Wrex is so big, you know it's kind of hard for a krogan to be gentle and all."

Shepard's hands draped over her face, "Dear God! Help me!"

Watching the vehicle begin to drift, Liara cried out, "Hands! Hands on the wheel!"

Before Shepard could explain what was going on in her ear piece, a loud rumble shook the tank violently as another explosive made contact. Tali bracing herself for dear life in the back pleaded, "Please don't let that happen again!"

Also quite shaken by the impact, Liara agreed, "I second that! That was close, too close!"

Shepard nodded her head making it unanimous, "I concur. No more direct hits."

Focusing on the battle at hand Shepard yelled, "Williams!"

"Yeah yeah I know. Get to the point. Well what the hell are we supposed to do?" asked the Gunny Chief.

More forceful than she intended, Shepard barked, "Hold your position! Copy that? Hold your position and don't hurt anyone. Stun only!"

"Roger that! Williams out!"

The redhead started to say, "Shepard out!" when the line went dead.

% % % % % % %

The shaken crew lunged forward when the vehicle came to a stop. Shepard asked, "Is everyone alright?"

Tali was the first to answer, "I'm ok but thank goodness we didn't have lunch today or it might be all over my suit by now."

Concerned the soldier asked, "But you're good?"

Slowly prying her three prong fingers from the bar next to her she gave Shepard a thumbs up.

The squad leader's stomach caught in her throat when she saw that the asari was looking rather pale and wasn't moving. Kneeling next to her, Shepard gently placed a hand on her leg, "Liara, you ok?"

Finally taking a deep breath, the asari slowly raised her head to look at the woman in the face, "Your driving really is hideous."

Releasing a stressful breath of her own, Shepard laughed, "I promise to work on that."

Moving towards the cockpit of the vehicle Tali added, "That won't be today will it?"

Making everyone smile, the former marine answered, "No, no more driving today."

Peering out the window the marine noticed the men guarding the entrance, who only a few hours ago were their best friends, were now pointing rifles at them. "Sorry girls, we aren't out of the woods yet."

Neither alien knew what the human term meant but being the intelligent beings that they were. It didn't take long for them to figure out what she meant by it. Rolling her stiff shoulder that was still sore from her fall back at ExoGeni Shepard grumbled, "Ready those gas canisters."

"Aye Aye Commander" Tali replied without thinking about what she had said. Focusing on the impending confrontation, no one noticed Tali's misspoken words.

Even though the colonists were armed and firing at them, the soldier's gut churned. She hated fighting civilians more than anything. It was one level Shepard wouldn't stoop to. It was one of the last things she remembered her mother telling her. "In a fair fight, hit first and hit hardest, but make sure it's a fair fight, always Pumpkin." It had been years maybe even a decade since she had last seen her mother, Hannah Shepard. It was one of the ways she felt she could keep her close. So when Williams accused her of attacking innocents, that is why the hardened soldier about came out of her skin.

Shepard pulled the pins and tossed two gas grenades into the Zhu's Hope facility. Liara squatting only a few meters from her could have sworn she had heard the woman whisper, "Momma I'm sorry" as she released the grenades with pin point accuracy sending the colonist to the ground. Liara would later struggle if she should ever ask the former Alliance Officer about it.

% % % % % % %

The squad feeling like they barely made it out of the facility entered the Prothean building. Inside they saw a humungous plant attached to the wall. Moving down several flights of stairs to reach it, they were greeted by a strangely familiar clone of Shiala. When the asari first dropped from the Thorian's mouth, Shepard had to hold Liara back informing her, that isn't the Shiala you think it was. It tore at the young professor to see her friend so close but not really be her. Shepard made her look away when she had killed the first one.

Shepard was thankful that by the time they put down the third one, the Thorian didn't know the full potential of the lethal asari commando it was controlling, else the fight might have ended differently. If the asari clone wasn't bad enough the trio were pounded on by endless Thorian creepers. When they'd catch their breath from killing them, out popped another clone. The cycle kept repeating itself as they climbed to the fifth level. Finally removing the last coupling that was holding up the ancient plant; it fell littered with ammo from the squad as it plunged deep into the cavern below.

Watching the ghastly plant fall to the depths below, the women turned around when they saw a puss like sac burst and slimy ooze slowly poured out of it. Lifting her trusty assault rifle, Shepard was ready to put down another clone when Liara's hand gently gripped the barrel of the rifle. "Shepard, wait!" The pod like pouch, split wide open and a purple asari fell out. The young couple quickly recognized that it was Shiala from the ship.

Rushing to aid the lavender asari, Liara yelled, "Oh Goddess!" Helping the weakened commando, Liara tenderly wiped the slime off of her face. "Are you ok? What happened?"

With what little strength she had, Shiala raised a biotic barrier between them and the rogue soldier, "Liara, get back!"

Defusing the situation, Liara tenderly reached out and embraced Shiala as a loving sibling would. "Shiala, Don't! She's on our side."

"Our side?" asked the confused and distraught Shiala; dropping her barrier she allowed some of her weight to fall onto Liara. "I don't know what that means anymore."

The trembling commando stammered, "Everything is a blur after Noveria. I saw the whole thing on the vid feed in her room." Staring up at Liara, the vulnerable asari growled in which the maiden had never heard before as she admitted, "I hated her for not letting me go down there. Not allowing me to protect her. She... she... she knew I'd give my life protecting her."

Tali, feeling the loss of her own mother only five years prior, had to look away as the asari confessed her deepest feelings for her mistress. Backing away quietly she allowed the three women some privacy but remained close enough to hear everything that was being said.

Weeping in the younger girl's lap, the heartbroken asari continued, "I am lost without her. She was everything to me, Liara." Taking a moment to mentally relive the memory, tears streamed down her face before she shockingly looked back to the younger asari, "Oh Goddess, Little. I'm so sorry. She was your mother. I can't begin to imagine the loss you are feeling." The asari tried to pad at the younger's face.

Shooting a sideways glance at Shepard, Liara uttered, "I'm managing."

Embracing Shiala's hand Liara said, "Besides, remember Benezia's words. She is with us always…" She lifted the hands to her heart, "…in here."

The purple asari closed her eyes remembering the great Matriarch Benezia repeating those very words. Her eyes peeled open as she smiled and nodded to Liara, silently thanking her for reminding her, that she wasn't alone.

The broken asari taken by Liara's courage, stood. She had always known Liara was strong but she hadn't realized until that moment, as she glanced between her Little Wing and the rogue soldier, how much like her mother she was. She was a T'Soni, and like her mother, she too would overcome inconceivable odds. Collecting herself as her strength returned, Shiala spoke. "The ship, the ship has an affect on those aboard it. We are not ourselves. The Matriarch was not acting of her own accord. She was being controlled by Saren and the indoctrination."

Unfamiliar with the term, Liara asked, "What is indoctrination?"

"Somehow Saren can dominate people's minds; control them. It was like we were being brainwashed. The process is subtle, it can take a few days or even a week, before one becomes…..lost to him. The Matriarch was able to fend off Saren for almost a month before she…" The saddened matron was unable to finish her sentence.

With the pad of her thumb, Liara wiped the last of the tears from Shiala's moist cheek. "It's ok."

Exhaling deeply, the asari continued as her thoughts were becoming hers again. "Most of the asari were indoctrinated right away, but the Matriarch shielded my mind as long as she could. I often felt the barrier long after she herself had been compromised." Her eyes darted between the two women before her as she spoke.

Startled, Shepard asked, "Why wasn't I indoctrinated?"

Half smiling Shiala answered, "According to the Matriarch, you like Saren, were a willing participant. That is also the reason she felt you were the best person to protect Liara."

Shepard's face was completely confused. "That doesn't make any sense. I was so bad I didn't warrant Sovereign's influence, but I was safe enough to protect her daughter?" Scoffing Shepard paced trying to grasp the baffling information, "That just doesn't make sense to me."

Returning more and more to her normal self, Shiala clarified as she answered, "Because you weren't under anyone's influence. You were thinking more clearly than all of us. The Matriarch said that you could be trusted. You would not fail her."

Returning her gaze to Liara, whom she thought of as a little sister, she traced the outline of the younger blue face as she continued, "She would not fail you."

The older asari now lovingly cupped Liara's face as she continued, "It was only when you were brought onboard, that the Matriarch's protective barrier over me begin to sway. Almost laughing, "You see Little, she couldn't protect us both. That is why you didn't fall under Sovereign's spell and why you fought so brilliantly against your mother's intrusion. I can't imagine what it must have felt like for her."

A weak smile stretched across the asari's face, "Know this Little: it was killing her to both harm and protect you. I would see her when no one else was around." Shiala choked on her words at the very thought of it as she stammered, "Seeing the Matriarch, the great woman I had always known to be so strong and so powerful weep. It…it... was awful." the asari matron fell to her knees bringing Liara to the ground with her.

Knowing how Shiala felt about her mistress, Shepard squatted in front of her and tried to change the subject by asking, "What did Saren want with the Thorian?"

"Even with the Matriarch's help, Saren wasn't able to interpret the images from the Prothean Beacons. That is why he wanted Liara so badly. A part of the Matriarch must have known this and prevented him from truly obtaining her. He learned that the Thorian absorbed the essence of the Protheans, creating a Cipher that would provide an understanding of the Prothean civilization needed to interpret the images from the beacon. Saren came to Feros to retrieve that Cipher."

"Saren forced me to meld with the creature to gain the Cipher. In exchange, I was to remain within the creature for all time." Shiala gently squeezed Shepard's hand dangling off her knee. "That is until you came, destroying that thing and freeing me. Thank you."

Not moving her hand to break the asari's sincere gesture, Shepard, still trying to understand the big picture asked, "If the Thorian helped Saren; then why are the Geth here?"

Motioning that she wanted to return to her feet, Shepard and Liara assisted her up as she explained, "Saren sent the Geth to Feros to destroy the Thorian. During the meld there was an understanding that the Thorian would be left alone once Saren received the Cipher. Saren broke that agreement and attacked. He wanted to prevent the Alliance from gaining access to the knowledge needed to understand the beacon's vision. Apparently Saren knows that you are searching for the Conduit as well and is doing everything possible to stop you."

Clearly annoyed, Shepard responded, "I bet Saren has a spy on the Citadel too." She always knew in her gut that she couldn't stand the rogue spectre and for some reason, knowing that he was purposely plotting against her, stirred something deep within the warrior woman. "If he wants a war…" The harden soldier looked at Tali then drifted her gaze to Liara, "I'll give him a fight he will never forget."

Turning to Shiala, resolutely Shepard said, "I need that Cipher Shiala."

Receiving an approving nod from Liara, Shiala answered, "I had a feeling you were going to say that. I can transfer the knowledge from my mind to yours as I did with Saren."

A slightly hesitant expression fell upon Shepard's face as she asked, "You're going to say melding aren't you?"

Liara shifted nervously as she walked over to Tali, giving the two some space for the melding.

The soldiers' jaw clinched recalling how much she didn't like the thought of melding. Snapping her neck from side to side, Shepard exhaled and thought, Well, Liara was gentle, so maybe this won't be so bad either. Ready for a mental assault, a concerned Shepard asked, "Are you sure you are up to this?"

The asari glanced over at her endearing friend Liara and breathed, "Yes, I am."

Remembering the numerous bonds that she and the Matriarch shared, Shiala closed her eyes and centered herself. Her glossy green eyes slowly opened as she spoke, "Try to relax. Let go of your physical shell. Slow your breaths Shepard."

Stepping towards the soldier Shiala recited, "Reach out and grasp the threads that bind us, to one another. For every action sends a ripple across the galaxy; every idea must touch another to exist." Lowering her voice into a seductive purr, the alluring asari softly spoke, "We are all connected; every living being united as a single, glorious existence. Open yourself to the universe Shepard: Embrace eternity!"

%%%%%%%%

"Shepard, you have been given a great gift; the experience of an entire species." reported the asari matron softly.

Massaging her temple Shepard said, "It…. still doesn't make any sense to me."

"It is a lot to take in. Your mind will need time to process this information. Give it time."

As Liara and Shepard silently comforted each other, Tali asked, "What will you do now Shiala?"

Pulling her attention back to the purple asari, Shepard offered, "Come with us."

Nearly overwhelmed, the former Matriarch follower replied, "No, my place is here. I have brought great harm to these people. I will help them rebuild; if they let me."

"I'm sure they will take all the help they can get." Shepard returned.

Sounding more than a little disappointed, Liara all but whined, "Are you sure you won't come with us?"

Placing a gentle hand on the blue skin, the commando said, "I must undo the wrongs I have done. Matriarch Benezia would have wanted it that way."

Echoing the young T'Soni's concern, Shepard asked, "Are you sure you're going to be ok?"

With a twinkle of self confidence the soldier had seen from the commando back on Sovereign, Shiala replied, "I'm fine or I will be in time."

Making their way back to the colonists, Shepard informed Shiala that she would ensure Matriarch Benezia's honor be restored; especially after the information she just received. Even if it was the last thing she did. "But first, I'm going to kill that son of a bitch Spectre Saren."

A glowing smile, brighter than Shiala had her entire time on the Reaper vessel conveyed a very warm thank you, "That should help with my nightmares at least."

%%%%%%%%

Collecting the remainder of the squad, Shepard could tell that the Gunnery Chief was about to explode at being left behind all day. She only hoped that she could get Williams back to the ship before that happened.

Liara and Shiala exchange a long, meaningful hug before they departed. Shiala called out to the former rogue soldier, "Shepard! May good fortune smile upon you!"

Similar to the many tributes that Shepard witnessed to the matriarch on the ship, Shepard leaned forward slightly; touching her fingers to her chest, lips and forehead honoring both the deceased Matriarch and her faithful follower.

Shiala returned an identical salute of the asari nation with a slight bow of her head.

Walking back to the ship, Liara invaded Shepard's personal space and whispered, "I didn't know you knew about the Matriarch homage."

The smirking soldier spoke so close to the asari that her breath tickled the skin beneath it, "There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Liara."

%%%%%%%%

Liara and Shepard were the last to say goodbye and were the last to enter the loading dock. An angry looking marine was waiting for Shepard just before the ship's entrance.

Shepard, clad in her shiny N-7 armor, saw the worried look on Liara's face. Ushering the asari to go ahead and board the ship, Shepard informed her, "I've got this."

Williams's normal tan face was a bright red and Shepard knew a heated argument was on its way; it had been a long time coming. The well seasoned officer inhaled sharply, rolled her shoulders, and awaited the anticipated verbal assault as she headed down the corridor. Barely having enough time to strike her infamous bad ass pose, Shepard crossed her arms, shifted her weight to one side just before the Alliance soldier started in on her. The Williams woman yelled and spat at Shepard who stood there in complete silence with a stoic look on her face. She didn't seem phased at all by the woman's outburst. The aliens who were in the decompression chamber stepped back onto the dock to observe the ruckus before them.

The vehement tone of William's voice echoed off the concrete walls around them. Liara's hands glowed blue as she started to take a step towards the soldiers when she felt a pull on her arm, holding her back. In a low grumble, Wrex said, "This is not your fight." When all eyes looked back at the dueling women, the battlemaster finished, "It's her fight."

Verbally going for the throat of Shepard in the heated argument, the gunny chief began to realize she was the only one participating in the heated discussion. Trying to steady her nerves, Ashley tried another tactic. In a calmer but firm tone, Ash demanded, "What the hell were you doing all day? I thought you were supposed to be leading this team?"

Maintaining her stoic demeanor, Shepard flatly asked, "And what did you do down there?"

Infuriated at the assumed insult, Williams blasted, "While you were out there fooling around with plant matter, Wrex and I helped the colonists. Pacing wildly, the marine explained while she spewed her words, "We reinforced the borders around Zhu's Hope! They'll be able to fend off any attack now from anywhere in the complex. Then we assisted Macha Doyle repair the pipes for the Water Restoration system. We helped that cranky bitch, May O'Connell; install the power cells for the generator." Making a pair of air quotes with her hands, the dark haired woman sneered, "And in our 'spare time' we went hunting for varren."

With a small chuckle, the marine added, "That was actually fun, right Wrex?

Remembering that she was supposed to be mad, the marine continued her rant, "The real soldiers," glancing back at the trio of aliens, "also went back into the tunnels after you left; searching for anymore Geth. You know risking our lives. Where the hell were you?"

Shepard's eyes were the only thing that moved between the krogan and the angry woman.

Ignoring the gunny's question, the senior warrior responded, "So basically what you are telling me is that you did an outstanding job with little to no supervision and you can be trusted to get the job done?"

"Hell yeah!" retaliated the angry soldier. It took a moment for the gunny chief to realize that everyone around her was silent as the words slowly sank in. Finally breaking the silence, Wrex began, "I believe Shepard just..."

"…paid me a compliment?" said the dumbfounded woman rubbing the back of her neck.

A smug grin tugged at the side of the former officer's mouth as she stated, "Now if you're done patting yourself on the back, I need to speak with Presley. I have a good idea where Saren might be headed next."

Not even aware she had done it, as it was so embedded in her very soul, being a generational marine, the gunny snapped to attention and saluted Shepard, who returned a perfect salute, turned and boarded the ship.