Chapter 84 - News From Beyond the Veil
The sight that meets Shepard's eyes as she enters Liara's quarters almost makes her chest burst with overwhelming emotions. Her bondmate is sitting on the side of the bed and talking softly with Rila, perched next to her, while Falere has already tucked herself in under the sheets, occasionally inserting a word or two in the conversation, but starting to quickly drift off to sleep now. The two Ardat-Yakshi appear almost fully comfortable with Liara by now, no longer timid and afraid, not even when they notice Shepard's arrival in their quarters.
I don't want to lose her, I won't let death part us again, a sharp and painful thought strikes Morgan suddenly, as she watches Liara bidding the two other asari goodnight, embracing Rila and Falere in turn, before approaching Shepard, Morgan turning away as she struggles to keep her emotions in check, fearing that her distress would show up in her face. She accepts Liara's hand as the asari leads her out of the XO quarters, trying to keep her voice from breaking as she offers quick parting words to the Ardat-Yakshi sisters.
"You have really managed to hit it off with Samara's girls," Morgan remarks, having recovered slightly on their way towards the elevator.
Liara chuckles in reply. "I guess I have. They are so charmingly innocent, are they not? And the way you call them girls, even if they are both considerably older than I am."
"Sorry, babe, I keep forgetting that you're only 109 and I am literally robbing the cradle," Shepard manages a crooked grin, earning a soft, playful punch in response.
Once up in the captain's quarters, Shepard has to fight her own desires to reject Liara's invitation to take the shower together, claiming that she intends to pass on it altogether, statement that Liara meets with a sigh and roll of the eyes. Once Liara is out of her shower, however, Shepard decides that she has reconsidered and darts for the shower after all, earning a painful smack on the bottom as Liara can't stop herself from venting her frustrations with Morgan's odd behavior.
Liara is still awake when Morgan reappears to her view, mussed dark red hair dripping with water, and the asari observes the show shamelessly as Shepard vigorously rinses herself dry with a towel before slipping under the sheets fully naked, feeling Liara's delightful curves immediately pressing into her as the asari wastes no time to capture Morgan in her embrace.
"I've been meaning to ask you something ever since we got back from Lesuss," Liara confesses, as Morgan quickly and much to her delight discovers that her bondmate is not wearing any irritating and obstructive nightclothes either. "I still do not understand just what happened between you and Morinth on Omega. She thanked you for letting her escape, but I cannot imagine why you would aid her."
"Well, to put it plainly, I simply failed," Morgan replies. "I had too much to drink in combination with Hallex. She must have done something to me as well, because I was like putty in her hands, I felt like I needed to protect her from Samara. I don't know how, but she messed with my head, somehow."
"Ardat-Yakshi can be devious like that. Do not blame yourself for what happened, they can overpower even the most strong-willed amongst us," Liara says softly. "It's hard to imagine that those two sisters sleeping in my quarters have something in common with cold blooded killer like Morinth."
"So, you approve of how I handled things at the monastery?" Shepard asks.
"Yes, I do approve," Liara smiles. "I'm not sure what to think about trusting Rila and Falere in Aria's care, but she might be the only asari who would risk taking them in, and who would understand the risks involved and make sure to take all preparations. Though just how you expect to talk her into this, I don't know, Shepard."
"Yes... could be tricky," Morgan nods in agreement. "We are on good terms though, perhaps we can work something out. I'm just wondering about something... she seems to have some kind of connection with Tevos, so I'm worried that the Councilor might find out about the two sisters."
"There definitely is some link between the two of them, but my agents so far have been unsuccessful in their research. I think you have nothing to fear, though. Aria tries to keep her secrets very safe, even from those very few she allows a little closer."
"Yeah, I think you're right," Morgan says, before softly kissing Liara's brow. "By the way, I hope that blowing up the monastery also means that we won't be seeing any of those horrible mutated asari banshees ever again. Talk about unnerving..."
"I sincerely hope not to see them again, but knowing our luck..."
"So very creepy, and incredibly dangerous too," Shepard sighs. "What else we haven't seen mutated and turned into some kind of horrible monster? Oh, I know, elcor! They could turn them into synthetic-organic elephant tanks that carry a dozen of husks in their belly. Mount some particle ray cannons on their backs and they'd be all set!"
"What about mutated hanar?" Liara asks. "A robotic, armored jelly, fast as the speed of light due to Cerberus implants, carrying twin shotguns in extra appendages added by the Reapers, catching its enemies unawares with a biotic charge..."
"Enough... enough, your imagination has defeated mine!" Shepard laughs, admitting defeat. "In fact, I think my imagination has crawled into a dark corner to sob and sniffle."
"Perhaps you could coax it out of there, so that it helps you to please your long suffering bondmate," Liara says alluringly, her body rubbing against Morgan in a way that makes her momentarily forget how to breathe.
"That should not present a problem," Shepard grins, her head disappearing under the sheets, and shortly after Liara rolls over to lay on her back, allowing Morgan to explore her body. However, when Liara's biotics flare and she feels ready to initiate a meld, Morgan suddenly freezes, looking up at her. "Please, Liara, could we keep things simple tonight with the meld? I'm feeling a bit drained and my head's an unsorted mess, so..."
"Of course, Morgan, you need only to ask," Liara admits graciously, the biotics subsiding a little, though the look in her eyes is one of concern and Shepard realizes well enough that her bondmate will try to get to the bottom of her reluctance. And I will let her, but tonight I want to keep her away from my worries, my fears and my obligations, I want her to be free from my burdens, at least for a short while.
Shortly afterwards, the first cries of pleasure escape Liara's lips as Morgan bends to the task of satisfying her bondmate, making her forget to worry as the asari grinds her hips against Shepard's probing hand, feverishly seeking her release, happy for once to be distracted from any dark thoughts that might be plaguing her mind...
The next morning, Shepard and Liara have their breakfast in the XO quarters, together with Rila and Falere. The two Ardat-Yakshi appear to find it difficult adjusting to not having a strict daily schedule like at the monastery, looking at Liara almost as if expecting her to give them classes on asari art and literature. After the breakfast, Liara magnanimously allows them to use her Shadow Broker resources for extranet access, and Rila and Falere immediately jump to the opportunity to horrify themselves by watching some vids from their homeworld of Thessia.
Seeing that the Ardat-Yakshi no longer require her attention, Liara sits down to browse through the latest Shadow Broker data feeds, while Morgan decides that this might be a good time to go through the messages on her private terminal, unpleasantly surprised about just how many of them have accumulated over the past few days. Most of it is the useless 'increase your sexual prowess' spam, which Morgan sets to swiftly delete.
"Have you spoken to Aria yet?" Liara asks, continuing to send updated orders to her network of agents.
"No, but we'll be on the Citadel in eight hours," Shepard replies. "It just seemed like something better discussed in person. Also more dangerous, but I have complete trust in my irresistible charm and force of personality."
"In that case, I will inform Dr. Chakwas to have the medbay at full readiness," Liara returns, completely deadpan.
Shepard sighs deeply. "You of so little faith. Right, let's see what else is here. Miranda wants to get in touch again, looks like she has found something new about her sister," she says.
"Considering that her father has Cerberus ties, this could be useful," Liara replies. "I urge you to follow up on her request."
"I will, yeah," Shepard nods. "Hmm, a message from Primarch Victus. Volus ambassador Din Korlack is a Cerberus mole? Oh, that doesn't surprise me, that guy was such an ass to me during my first visit to the Citadel. I'm going to check that out, that's for sure. Also... Kaidan has sent messages with heartfelt apologies. Seven of them altogether," she sighs. "I guess I should speak with him as well."
"Are you going to ask him to join us on the Normandy for the next mission?" Liara asks. "Whatever that might be?"
"I was thinking of that, yes," Shepard nods. "Many of the crew will not be happy to have on board someone who shot you and tried to shoot their Commander, so it's going to be hard on him. But, I think it is needed."
"I quite agree," Liara says. "And then hopefully at some point the stream of apologetic messages will cease," she adds, muttering quietly.
"More and more spam, you'd think that the krogan testicle transplant market would collapse after we cured the genophage. I guess not everyone has heard of it yet," Shepard sighs, deleting more messages. "Wait... Takashima, that's one of Hackett's aides, I think? Attached is a comm message intercepted by... the SSV Orizaba? My mom's ship! They're alive!"
"That is wonderful news!" Liara exclaims, rising to quickly embrace Shepard from behind. "I'm so happy for you, Morgan. You mentioned that your mother's ship was trying to track down the Migrant Fleet, didn't you? I wonder if the message might shed information on the quarian situation."
"Let's take a look... hey, it's even addressed to me, it has to be from Tali!" Shepard realizes, her heart skipping from excitement. "Oh... oh, no... no, gods, they really are that stupid..."
"Goddess, they are attacking the geth," Liara says and Morgan can feel her bondmate's hands trembling around her shoulders. "Their timing could not be any worse! Are they completely oblivious to the Reapers tearing up the galaxy?"
"Garrus needs to see this," Morgan rises suddenly, heading out of the XO quarters, Liara hot on her heels.
"I'll go with you," she says, seeing that Rila and Falere are completely distracted by their extranet activities.
They track down Garrus in his usual lair at the forward battery, Shepard wasting no time in delivering the news. "We've found the quarians," she says quickly and Garrus immediately forgets all about calibrations, turning around swiftly, blinking in surprise. "Tali took a big risk to get this message through their self-imposed communications blockade. Their jamming is very effective, if my mother's ship hadn't been in a nearby system, it would have never been intercepted."
"What's this all about, Shepard?" Garrus asks, looking deeply worried. "The Flotilla has always been evasive, but to go to such lengths... what's going on?"
"They've struck the first blow against the geth in the war to retake their homeworld," Liara is the one who delivers the astounding bit of news, watching the turian's mandibles twisting with shock of realization.
"Spirits... are they insane?" he exclaims. "We have to get there, do all that we can to stop this stupidity! I have no love for the geth, and I sympathize with the quarians wanting their homeworld back, but this is not the time!"
"We'll be going there as soon as we've conducted our business on the Citadel," Shepard speaks, ignoring the protests made by Garrus. "No, I'm afraid that the Citadel visit is quite urgent and cannot be ignored."
"Does it have anything to do with the two asari hiding in Liara's quarters?" Garrus asks.
"Partly. I'm not bringing two non-combatants into a warzone, I need to offload them on the Citadel," Shepard explains. "There are several other errands I need to take care of, including something for your own Primarch. It should take a day at most."
"I just hope there's anything left of the Migrant Fleet by the time we reach them," Garrus mutters, looking jittery with worries.
"Tali mentioned you in her message," Shepard smiles at her friend. "She said she hopes that you're with me, and that I'm taking good care of you."
"Well, you're not, you are sending me to disgusting pits like Noveria and Gellix," Garrus does not miss his opportunity to complain. "I am sure that Tali will not be pleased to hear about that, Shepard. Spirits... I just hope she will be alright."
"Tali is very resourceful, Garrus," Liara says softly. "She will be fine. We'll get there in time."
"Yeah, the Admiralty Board may be filled with particularly irritating individuals, but they would not have attacked the geth unless they were really confident about their chances," Shepard says. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Garrus. If necessary, we'll beat the crap out of those stupid admirals until they agree that they should be fighting Reapers, not the geth."
"I hope you're right," Garrus sighs. "Don't take too long on the Citadel, Shepard, or this turian will be a gibbering, nervous wreck by the time we catch up with the Migrant Fleet..."
Visiting the Huerta Memorial Hospital is the first on Morgan's list of tasks as soon as she steps off the Normandy, having extended shore leave of eight hours for the crew, immediately hearing excited whisperings about meeting in Purgatory echoing throughout the ship. Her path will eventually lead there as well to speak with Aria, but for now she has other priorities.
The doctors and nurses at Huerta Memorial greet her as an old acquaintance, and she sighs, realizing how depressingly often she has had to make her way there as those close to her keep getting thrown in mortal danger. The timing of her arrival could not have been any more perfect as she runs into Kaidan in the exact moment he has finished gathering his things, ready to leave the hospital after receiving a clean bill of health.
"Soldier, I want you to drop those things off at the Normandy immediately and get settled!" she bellows a quick order in a way of greeting, Kaidan almost jumping several feet in air from sudden fright.
"Gods, Shepard..." he puts his hand across his suddenly skipping heart, trying to compose himself. "Commander... I'm so sorry..."
"I know, Kaidan. I am too," she replies simply. "I am partly to blame as well. I could have done more to convince you of where my loyalties lay, I could have put in more effort to make sure that Udina's lies fell on deaf ears. You had reasons to mistrust me, reasons that I did not care enough to disprove and it almost ended in a disaster."
"All that pales in comparison to what I did, Commander. Damn it, Shepard I tried to shoot you! That you are giving me another chance after that, I can scarcely believe it. Why, Shepard? Why?"
"Because I am genuinely sorry for what happened, Kaidan," Shepard says. "After all that we have gone through together, I cannot allow things to end like this between us. There is another reason, too, and that one is less noble and more selfish. If we remain on bad terms, then Udina would have succeeded even in death. I cannot give him this satisfaction."
Kaidan manages a small smile. "That's a very good reason, Shepard. Very well, if you are serious about your offer, then I accept it."
"I am serious. You are already expected aboard the ship, Kaidan, and your quarters in the Starboard Observation have been prepared," Shepard says simply. "You still have seven hours of shore leave should you wish to make any last moment purchases."
"That sounds like a good idea," Kaidan replies, shaking his head and looking at her in admiration. "I still can't believe all that you are doing for me, Commander..."
"It won't be all sunshine and roses, Kaidan," Shepard warns him. "Joker is pretty pissed at you for what happened, and there are others amongst the crew who will probably make your life hard. But I'm sure you can understand that."
"I can understand and deal with it, Commander. Please, Shepard," he says, smiling. "I'm one of the first human biotics. I have dealt with hostility from my peers for many years. For once it will be for a good reason."
"Alright, I'll see you back on the Normandy, Major," they exchange salutes, as Shepard turns to leave, starting to type a short message on her omni-tool to alert Miranda about her arrival on the Citadel and asking her to send coordinates for a meeting. She receives a reply not even a minute later, feeling a little worried while reading Miranda's explanation that a meeting in person would not be advisable at this time, in light of the recent Cerberus coup. She asks Shepard to contact her on a secure channel, preferably from the Spectre office, and Morgan immediately heads there, growing concerned about Lawson's safety.
The Spectre offices are as always completely empty, most operatives stopping by only for very brief stints to receive mission updates and debrief, make use of the secure comm channels or test new weapons and mods in the excellent shooting range. Shepard makes swift use of the comm channels, queuing a call to Miranda, watching the image of her former XO appearing before her eyes, pacing around nervously.
"Ah, Shepard," she speaks, relieved to see Morgan. "Good to see you're all right. According to my intel, you are certainly getting around a lot."
"Good to see you too, Miranda," Shepard nods. "I have to admit I'm a bit worried about you. If things get too hot for you, I just want you to know that you'll always have a place on the Normandy."
"I... thank you, Shepard, but hopefully that will not be necessary. After the coup, I am not trusting C-Sec to care that I am ex-Cerberus. And the Illusive Man's agents are growing more and more relentless in their attempts to track me down. Look, Shepard, I don't have much time, but I know what happened to my sister."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know it yet, but my father was definitely involved," Miranda says. "If he has done anything to her, I'll kill him."
"From what you told me, I thought he wants to control her, not to harm her," Shepard muses.
"I don't care, I will kill him regardless," Miranda's face is briefly twisted by anger. "Listen, Shepard, you were right. My intel suggests that my father is working on something very important for the Illusive Man."
Shepard immediately feels alerted. "This could be big, Miranda. We have to act on this, Cerberus is a major threat in this war. Do you have any other specifics, location?"
Miranda hesitates with her reply. "No, nothing conclusive yet... but, Commander... this is something I need to do myself. It's time I stopped running from him."
"Miranda... I realize that taking care of this is important to you personally," Shepard starts to speak slowly, trying to remain patient. "But consider what you are saying. Any major plan by Cerberus could present a big threat to the galaxy. Would you really jeopardize the fate of the galaxy for your need of revenge? If something happens to you, and you do not manage to share your intel with anyone else... if your father and the Illusive Man put their plan in motion and help Reapers win this war... are you willing to take this risk, knowing what is at stake?"
"I... I had not considered it, Shepard," Miranda finally admits. "Damn it. I cannot think straight until I will know Ori is in safety!"
"That's why you should not take such decisions on your own, Miranda," Shepard tells her, speaking softly. "Talk to me. I'm here for you, whenever you need me, okay?"
"Okay, Shepard," Miranda is smiling now, albeit still a little nervously. "I don't know any specifics yet, but when I have them, you will receive the intel as well before I attempt anything."
"I'm glad you agree, Miranda."
"Well, we should wrap this up, Commander. What's next for you?" Miranda asks.
"Right now? A visit to the Purgatory."
"Oh? Business or pleasure?"
"Business first. Then..." Shepard breaks into a huge grin. "Depending on Liara's mood, possibly pleasure..."