Chapter 38 - Prelude to War
The face of an attractive young asari materializes on the vidscreen in front of Admiral Hackett. "Dr. T'Soni, I presume?" he asks.
The asari nods simply. "And you must be Admiral Hackett. Morgan... Commander Shepard asked me to get in contact with you."
"Yes. She believes we should work together to find ways to stop the Reaper invasion," Hackett says. He is silent for a moment, looking a little uncomfortable. "I... feel I should apologize for Commander Shepard's current predicament. It is my understanding that you two were close-"
"There is nothing to apologize for, Admiral," Liara quickly interrupts him.
"But there is, Dr. T'Soni. I can only imagine Shepard did not tell you the full truth," the Admiral goes on to explain. "She was undertaking that mission in the batarian space as a personal favor to me. If I had not asked her to do it, we would not be having this conversation, Doctor."
For a moment Liara looks conflicted, ready to lash out angrily. Then she gathers her emotions and quickly hides them, settling for a serene, accepting smile. "She did tell me that much. It is not your fault, Admiral," she says simply. "Morgan would never have done it, if she didn't believe it was the right thing to do. It doesn't matter if you asked her or not. If she knew about what was going on, she would have gone herself without even conferring with you."
Hackett manages a small smile. "You do know Commander Shepard very well, Doctor."
"I would like to think so," Liara agrees, before her expression becomes all businesslike. "Now, about the way we can help each other. Admiral, I am sure you understand that no matter how large fleets we build, Reapers cannot be defeated by conventional methods. We must find... something else."
"And you know what that is?" Admiral Hackett looks a little disbelieving.
"No, but I have a very trusted source that believed they knew where to look for this... something," Liara says. "I will need your help to access the location."
"Tell me what is needed, Dr. T'Soni."
"I need to go to the Mars Archives," Liara speaks. "I must have full access to the collection of Prothean relics stored there. My source believes that something in there might have been... overlooked."
"Granted. You will have all necessary clearances by the time you get there," Hackett nods.
"That was quick," Liara seems a little surprised. "No second thoughts about trusting an alien with such information?"
"I know how much Commander Shepard trusts you, Liara T'Soni," Hackett says. "That is enough for me."
"I... thank you, Admiral," Liara speaks, touched. "I will let you know as soon as I find anything."
"James, you wouldn't happen to play chess, would you," Shepard says, looking at her bulky second shadow, a young broad-shouldered marine, assigned to be her... guard, protector, personal assistant, she is not sure in what capacity James Vega has been tasked to keep an eye on her. Twice every day he accompanies her on the short walk from her quarters to the gym downstairs. Once every day, directly after dinner, he takes her for an hour long walk outside in the courtyard with fence too high and too smooth to climb.
"I'm more of a cards type of guy, Commander," James smiles in reply. She finds him endearing in his simple, unassumingly macho way, but it is merely a faint attraction, not something she would choose to act upon.
"Figures. I've taught myself how to play over the past two months, you know. Was just looking for opposition." At first, house arrest hadn't seemed so bad. That was before she realized that there would be no extranet access, no communications, only a limited choice of books and recreational vids, recommended and approved by her therapist.
"Sorry, Commander," James Vega shakes his head. "You'll need to find someone smarter than me for that. I would offer you a few games of poker, but I only play for creds."
"Yeah... I'm not sure how well I'm set for that," Shepard replies. "All I know is that you're not supposed to call me Commander, anymore."
James shrugs. "You'll always be Commander Shepard to me, don't care what those pendejo paper pushers decide."
"Appreciate that, James," she says, as they arrive at the doors to her small apartment, two guards standing like frozen statues at the entrance.
"I'll be back to pick you up for the walk, Commander," Vega speaks, turning to leave.
"It's Wednesday, James. Dr. Jennings," Shepard reminds him.
"Oh... right. Gym in the evening, then? Thinking of joining you, if you'd care for a little sparring, Commander."
"Looking forward to it, James," she says, stepping inside the hated four walls of her tiny cage. Not looking forward to the shrink, though, she ponders grimly, thinking about the upcoming appointment. Doctor Layla Jennings is pleasant enough and Shepard remembers working with her after the Skyllian Blitz. She imagines that is the reason why Hackett recommended her, but lately it seems as if these talks no longer serve a purpose. At least they've gone from three days per week to just once. I guess she thinks I'm improving.
She cannot blame Hackett for being worried, not really, not after seeing her breaking down on the Normandy like she did after Aratoht. He must have thought me for a sure PTSD candidate. She remembers the sleepless nights, the nightmares haunting her when she did manage to fall asleep. At least it didn't get any worse than that.
Still, if they really were concerned about my mental state, they would not keep me in this complete isolation from everything. I have no idea what is happening outside these four walls. I cannot reach out to my friends. I cannot hear from my own mother. My love has been torn from me yet again. And these are the circumstances in which they expect me to sort out my head? Good luck with that, you motherfuckers.
As Dr. Jennings gives more positive reports about her mental health, she also knows that the frequency of her interrogations will increase. For now they only torment and hound her twice a week, irritated when she does not have anything new on Cerberus to throw at them. 'Reluctant cooperation', they had put down on their little report sheets. A sure sign of Shepard covering for Cerberus, her loyalty to her old employer clear for all to see.
There is no reason to protect Liara anymore, she knows that her lover by now has taken steps to elude The Illusive Man. Shepard simply does not know anything else than the bare strips of information she has already handed over. But it seems that at this point, nothing will satisfy. James is warned against providing her with any sort of information, but now and then he takes pity on her and allows a few bits to slip by. The batarians are pushing hard for the war, trying to provoke the Alliance. Numerous acts of terrorism with heavy civilian losses have already been performed with that purpose, with even more being planned.
First, humanity needed a hero. Later, humanity needed a martyr. Now, it seems that humanity needs a scapegoat. And Shepard will oblige, whether she wants it or not.
She allows Raan's hands to pull her into a tight embrace, the warmest of congratulations so far. "Welcome on the Board, Admiral Tali'Zorah vas Normandy," the old friend of her family speaks warmly, Koris and Gerrel standing nearby and nodding approvingly.
"I do not see Admiral Xen with us today," Tali says, when Raan has finally released her. "She does not approve of my appointment?"
"Oh, quite the opposite," Gerrel replies. "She and Raan were your fiercest supporters. But to answer your question, Admiral Xen is currently away on a very important mission, to test a new countermeasure against the geth, something that if proven effective will help us to retake our homeworld."
Tali's knees almost buckle under her from hearing the news, and she hopes that nobody else has noticed her brief stumble. Keelah, they are really determined about going to war. I promised Shepard that I would do all I can to stop them, but... can I possibly succeed? "What new countermeasure? Does she plan to attack the geth?" she asks weakly.
"She has developed means that will allow us to completely disable geth warships, making them vulnerable," Gerrel explains. "I understand the tech is heavily based on your father's research. The one that you and Shepard claimed to not having found during your trial," he adds meaningfully, as Tali stands frozen, the sound of her own heart beating painfully loud in her ears. "But that is in the past. Admiral Xen wished you to know that when we finally go to war and retake our homeworld, our victory would have never been possible without you and your father."
Tali staggers, as if having been punched in the gut. We should have blown the Alarei to tiny chunks... she thinks bitterly. And I should have never helped you, father, no matter what your intentions were. In doing what I thought was right... I might have caused the downfall of our race...
"Have the geth attacked any quarian vessel, made aggressive advances beyond the Veil, or shown any hostile intentions as of late?" she finally recovers to ask.
"No. They have not," Koris replies angrily, crossing his hands on his chest. "They appear happy with coexisting... until Xen provokes them with her attack, and we are drawn into a bloody war that we cannot hope to win! But you wanted this all along, didn't you? You're just like your father!"
The accusation falls on her like a heavy slap in the face and she instinctively recoils. "You... you think I support this?" she asks in disbelief. "...but of course you would."
Legion held its word. The geth were happy to let us live in peace, but now... Xen will make sure there is war. And with Shepard choosing to rewrite the heretics... Legion's geth will be so much stronger, far too strong for us! Keelah, if they only knew I had over two million geth at my mercy and we chose to save them, to strengthen the enemy... they would kill me, no, they would do something much worse to me...
"You know that we have no choice. Yes, the geth have been quiet lately, but you all know it is just a matter of time before they attack again," Gerrel bursts out with one of his rants. "They would not just depart Rannoch because we ask them nicely!"
They actually might have... Tali realizes, feeling her insides twist with anguish. If I had known what they were planning, I could have sought contact with Legion, talked to the geth... Legion's kin did not want this war, they might have offered alternatives. Not that I could ever tell my own people that such option was open to us. Of what I have done to enable it.
"Tali, are you alright? You seem... overwhelmed with all that you have had to face today," Raan asks gently, reaching out to support her.
"I am feeling a little tired, Raan. Perhaps I should lie down," she admits. They did not bring me back because they thought I have earned this title. Gerrel and Xen just want to use my knowledge against the geth, and Raan feels like she is making up to my father with this gesture. But when Xen presents her with the evidence that her countermeasure is working, Raan will have no choice but to go along with the war. And I won't be able to change her mind.
Shepard, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that you will not have our fleets for the Reapers. I'm sorry that I cannot stop my own people from this madness, I cannot turn them away from this path of destruction. I have failed you.
"Ah... I see you have arrived. Good," Wrex puts away a datapad he has been studying intently and rises from his 'throne' to greet another krogan approaching him.
"Battlemaster. Clan leader," Grunt bows deeply before Wrex, before the two krogan shake hands. "You have called for me."
"That is correct, Urdnot Grunt. I may have a task for you," Wrex says, glancing back at where the datapad lies on the seat of the throne. "Have you heard of the Aralakh Company?"
"Okeer imprinted the information," Grunt replies curtly. "Elite strike force formed from the finest warriors of each clan."
"Indeed. Before Shepard fell off the grid for the second time..." there is something akin to worry and regret in Wrex's eyes as he speaks. "She was your battlemaster and I asked for her opinion whether you would be fitting to represent Clan Urdnot in the Aralakh Company. 'Without a doubt', was her reply."
"Shepard speaks true. I stand ready, clan leader. I will not let Clan Urdnot down," Grunt drops on one knee before Wrex. "You bestow great honor, battlemaster."
"Do not thank me yet, pup. You will have to earn your place in the Company through hard work, you will need to prove yourself in many different ways," Wrex states. "But I have full confidence that you will succeed, and one day claim the leadership of Aralakh Company."
"It belongs in the hands of the strongest clan, Clan Urdnot!" Grunt roars.
"That it does. Now go, rest and prepare yourself for the trials that lay ahead," Wrex commands, sending Grunt on his way, as the elder krogan returns to the throne and picks up the datapad.
I don't know who you are, stranger, but you are taking care of our females. For that alone you have my respect and gratitude, Wrex muses, deep in thoughts, reading the contents of the message for about the tenth time. For a while his eyes linger on Grunt, easily pushing two larger krogan out of his way as he strides through determinedly. You are right, Shepard, my old and dear friend. He will make a fine leader for the Aralakh Company. He will lead them to Sur'Kesh. He will take our females home.
Even during her brief breaks in cafeteria, Liara takes out her datapad and looks over the notes of her research, double-checking whether she has not missed something during the previous session of her slowly progressing work. She forces herself to focus on her task, and her task only, knowing that every minute her thoughts are not on the job at hand, they drift to Morgan, the anguish of separation slowly tearing her apart.
If only I could get a word through, or get a message from her. I would kill just to hear her voice again, no matter how briefly, the dark thoughts momentarily slip past her defenses, the datapad falling resignedly on the table as sadness overtakes her. I am sick and tired of having to annoy Hackett for scraps of information about her. And there never are any changes. At least I know she is safe and alive...
On the terrace above the quiet corner she has chosen for her private spot, several other scientists dine noisily, exchanging the latest gossip, and it serves to distract Liara from her gloominess as she is forced to overhear the discussion. They seem to be discussing the woman currently strolling through the cafeteria, a recent arrival, tall, dark-haired woman who Liara at first almost mistakes for Miranda Lawson, Morgan's former companion.
"Getting a bit crowded here with Prothean experts," one of the scientists above her says.
"Yeah, but at least that asari is the real thing," another one replies. "This one, I've never heard of."
"Seriously? What's her name?"
"Uh, let me think... Dr. Eva Core."
"Doesn't ring a bell. You, Stevens?"
"Huh? First time I've heard of her. But I guess if she has the clearance..."
"Maybe friends in high places? Security wouldn't just drop a ball on it like that."
"Doesn't look much of a scientist to me."
"Pfft, you were always a suspicious one, Weber."
Liara just smiles at the banter, then pushing it out of her mind, picking up the datapad and resuming her studies. The reasons for the presence of another Prothean expert here should be of no interest of her. Liara has her work cut out for her, and she intends for nothing to stand in her way.
I'm doing this for you, Morgan, for the sacrifice you made. For us. And for the fate of the galaxy.
"Admiral Anderson."
"Admiral Hackett?"
"Admiral, are you reading the news about the comm buoy failure around Khar'shan?"
"The one they blame us about... again?" Anderson shakes his head in disgust. "It seems anything that happens to the batarians is the fault of humanity."
"Not the point I was making this time, Anderson," Hackett speaks impatiently. "The communications have been down for far too long to be simply a technical issue due to increase in solar output."
Admiral Anderson thinks for a moment. "The only other explanation I can come up with, is that they are under attack, but... who would care to attack the batarians?"
"I cannot help but to think of Shepard's warnings," Hackett admits. "She believed the Reaper invasion would start from the batarian systems."
"You mean..." Anderson pales visibly. "Could this really be... if that is true, they will be upon us soon."
"Exactly. That's why I need you to go to Vancouver, ASAP," Hackett orders grimly. "When... and I say when, not if, the Reapers invade, nobody will care about this charade of Shepard's trial, they will be busy running for their lives. I want you to retrieve Shepard. No matter what anyone might think of her actions, we both know she is key in our war effort. Nobody knows as much about the Reapers as she does."
"Understood, Admiral," Anderson salutes. "I will make sure to get her out safely."
"And get a hold of Major Alenko, too. His expertise will come in handy."
"Will Shepard even want to work with him, after..." Anderson hesitates.
"Shepard will not let the past stand in her way like that, considering what is at stake, Anderson," Hackett says. "I thought you knew her well enough to understand that."
"You are correct, Admiral," Anderson nods. "Though for all our sakes, I hope you are wrong about the coming invasion."
"Hope is a fickle mistress, Anderson," Hackett smiles thinly. "I fear she's about to forget all about us..."