Chapter 6 – Conspiracy

"I have a job for you. Spread the word that Tarak, Jaroth and Garm were all killed by Shepard on my orders." Aria said to her batarian security operative which was standing in front of her in what one might call her office.

"But…" the poor soul in front of her tried but Aria wouldn't listen.

"I don't care if you have to dance to get their attention, but I expect the current leaders of Eclipse, Blood Pack and Blue sons to know by this afternoon." Aria's voice was soft, calm and threatening; perfect for getting her underlings to do her bidding. She gestured dismissively at the person in front of her who immediately left the room.

Aria stood up. Her office was a circular room that didn't hold a desk but a dresser with her things and her bed where she only occasionally slept. It wasn't the same bed that Lucia had died in, no that thing had been thrown out with Lucia's limp body. Aria had wanted no reminders.

Her omnitool buzzed and woke the queen of criminals up from her line of thought. Without checking who it was she answered.

"Speak."

"Yes, hello Aria," it was Tevos' calm and collected voice on the other end, "I was just calling to see if you had dealt with the issue that we talked about the other day."

Aria sighed, annoyed.

"Yes, I have dealt with it," she said and then added sarcastically, "I asked them very kindly to apologize or they would get a time-out."

"Good," Tevos replied, "But there is another reason I am calling. Your visits to Illium this year has not gone unnoticed. The other Matriarchs have voiced a concern that you are extending your criminal activities to Citadel space."

Aria looked up.

"Are my kids in danger?" She asked in a low voice.

Tevos was quiet for a while, long enough for worry to tug at Aria's soul.

"I'm afraid they have already taken them."

"WHAT? Who?"

"Yes," Tevos' voice remained calm, "they are safe, but have been shipped to the Citadel. The Matriarchs are trying to figure out why you keep visiting and supporting three human children. I just wanted to t…"

"Where?" Aria interrupted her, "I'm coming to get them right away." With that the queen of Omega turned off the call.

"No, Aria, I…" Tevos stopped talking when she noticed that Aria had already hung up on her. Damn it. The asari councilor had known that she shouldn't have called Aria with this information, but she also knew that she had too. She had seen sides of Aria that most probably didn't think existed; she knew that if Aria cared about anything or anyone it was those three humans who were right now locked up somewhere on the citadel. Tevos wasn't sure where, or what she would do when Aria arrived, she just knew that trouble was up ahead.

…

Aria never visited Lakshmi in her home again. She didn't want the girl to be a spectre, and she didn't feel like imposing where she was not wanted. Instead she lived her life, continuing as usual, sending funds to Lakshmi's mothers as she had promised. She started hiring human dancers, instead of just the previously asari and also one turian who had been specifically requested by some of Afterlife's regulars. An Omega rebellion rose and was conquered. For the queen of Omega, life was life again.

In the beginning, Lakshmi continued writing to Aria, as the girl had done ever since she mastered writing and reading, but as the years flew by fewer and fewer letters came. Five years came and went, barely a moment in the lifetime of an asari but Aria neglected the fact that for a human girl, the time span between the ages 16 to 21, many things can happen.

It had started as a usual day, Aria had lazily enjoyed the morning with one of her dancers in bed. Then she had been called to have a look at some dancer auditions. Afterlife had a big turn-over of both customers and dancers, people were always moving or getting killed and because of this there were auditions for dancers almost every month.

Aria sat back on her sofa and watched as the human went in front of her and started moving; swaying to the music. She was short but knew how to move, using her long dark hair as an accessory. Despite herself, Aria had to be impressed, this human moved as an asari and her hair didn't look revolting as Aria usually found human hair but rather beautiful and inviting. Aria nodded to the batarian on her right. Yes, this girl can stay. Then she leaned back, placed her arm on the back of her head and rested her head on it, still watching the woman.

Aria didn't know where the sudden inclination came from, but she stood up and walked up to the woman, who had stopped dancing and was simply staring into the floor as Aria approached her. Aria reached out and made the woman face her but then had to take a step back in shock.

For a human girl, the time span between the ages 16 to 21 can hold so many events and feelings. It can hold the secret to why a 16 year old girl, with ambitions to become a spectre, would one day find herself auditioning to become a dancer on Omega. Lakshmi was back on the station where she had been born and this time she had no intention of leaving.

I hope you are all enjoying the story! I'm trying to update as often as I can, but this story is proving itself somewhat difficult to write. I have another story, based on Dragon Age II, that I'm going to start writing in hope that it is going to lift my writers' block. Don't worry, I am going to continue this one too, I'm just not sure when.

Oh, and if anyone has any ideas or want something specific happen in this story, please write to me through PM or review, I really need ideas for this one.

Thank you for all reviews/follows/favourites!

/Magdelope