The afternoon air shimmered with heat, radiating up from the stones below. There were few people about in the streets – the financial district had closed at lunch for the holiday, but there were always some who had to work late – like her.
The Tikkun sun felt hot on her skin, even through her environment suit. Her short fingers tapped out a command on her omni, bringing the security gate down inside the nondescript building. With everything locked up, she turned and started walking home; it was the mid-afternoon on Rannoch; 11 April 2190.
She moved with purpose though the mostly empty streets, and the few people who passed her nodded politely – one young marine, obviously home on leave, even stopped and saluted. That she was a veteran was obvious: 'military bearing' was written in even line of her posture, in spite of the slight limp in her right leg. It would have been faster to take a shuttle, or even the private car that she kept in the garage at home – but the walking was good for her, the doctors said, and she enjoyed having the strength to do so. It was only a few miles, anyway.
She tuned her omni to the news broadcasts as she walked; she found herself settling into an old familiar walking cadence out of habit.
"The Council arrived in the Tikkun system as scheduled today, the last stop on their galaxy-wide condolences tour in honor of the life and death of Commander Shepard. Today is her birthday; she would have been 36 years old. The Council's Ship, Normandy, is the same vessel that Shepard commanded while alive. The Normandy will remain at Rannoch through the rest of the week.
"Turning to galactic travel news, the joint Turian-Salarian restoration fleet this week announced the reactivation of their 50th relay pair. Working from a theory first put forward by a Salarian STG member, the team has restored a number of important relay pairs that originated at the former location of the Citadel. They credit their success to the mission logs of Commander Shepard, which led them on a 2 year trip to the Prothean world of Ilos; computer records contained in their facility showed that before their deaths, the Protheans had created at least one known relay pair. The team used those records to increase the successful reactivation rate of the Relays.
"The Citadel itself remains in orbit around Earth as the Asari and Human engineering corps attempt to restore it to full functionality. The last report from their summit revealed that they have completed a full map of the station, including the tunnels used by the Keepers before their death, but have yet to regain full control or determine how to move it through the relays back to the Widow system. The annual memorial service for those civilians killed when the Reapers took control of the station has been planned for next month, giving the Council time to return from their trip to Rannoch. The Citadel Survivors Association has chosen Conrad Verner to represent them for the second year in a row.
"Turning to financial news, the Omega Consortium announced yesterday the first yield from their newest mining operation in the former Terminus systems; with element zero in such high demand due to the ongoing repair efforts, this represents a significant return for their investors, many of whom are Council governments. Let's go to our financial analyst, Ms. Orianna Lawson."
"Thanks Anatalia. The Omega Consortium, like the rest of the former Terminus organizations, has become quite legitimate since …"
She shut off the omni with a slight chuckle. Today of all days, she wasn't going to listen to work-talk on her way home.
The walk became harder as she left the city limits. With the advent of mass-effect physics, the Quarian people had let much of the land between cities return to its natural condition. The trail between her house and the edge of town was twisty and rocky, but it gave her a chance to stretch her legs. The small sign as she stepped onto the path announced that she was now leaving 'Legion's Landing'.
/ - / - / - / -
The house on the bluffs overlooking the sea was an oddity, to say the least. Built mostly in the antique Quarian architectural style, it had bits and pieces of other styles – the wide wrap-around porch, for example, could only have come from Earth while the carefully-cultivated garden practically screamed "Asari". The roof of the house was clustered with aircars and shuttles in a variety of markings; a Turian diplomatic vessel, a battered old Kodiak, and a sleek Geth-made craft stood out among the assortment. The path from the rooftop landing area led down into the gardens and ended at a wide, manually operated doorway. In the doorframe were two roughly broken halves of a smooth round stone, slightly separated.
Liara stood in the foyer, clad in a simple white and gold gown. She was uncharacteristically disconnected – no omni bracelet on her wrist, no chirping earpiece. She smiled warmly as Garrus entered.
"Garrus, my old friend. I'm glad to see you again."
"Liara, lovely as ever. We really should try to get together more often than once a year."
She nodded, a mock-thoughtful look on her face. "I don't know – could you really stand to leave Palaven?"
His mandibles twitched in amusement. "Well, how I'll ever tear myself away from the endless bureaucracy I'll never know."
They hugged, and he moved into the house to make room for the next guests, right behind him. Admiral Hackett didn't appear to have aged a day, and Liara said so.
He snorted. "Well, if must be all the conventional FTL travel, then, because I swear it's been more than a year since I was here last." He shook her hand. "Dr. T'Soni, a pleasure as always."
"Ditto, Admiral. And Joker – how lovely to see you."
Joker walked in, leaning on his social cane. From the waist down, he was fitted into a powered assistance system that practically walked for him, but he claimed to like the way he looked with the cane. "Distinguished!" he'd argued; the portable holoprojector strapped to his wrist had denied it with a flat "Elderly."
"Hey, Liara! Good to see you."
"How's EDI and the Normady?"
"Oh, same as ever. She's become the unofficial second Alliance Councilor; Hackett's joked about turning the job over to her since she's, you know, the physical manifestation of the council chambers."
A chirp at his wrist, and a drone detached from his omni – shimmering into a holographic projection of EDI's old body (clothed, this time in a light summer dress).
"I have repeatedly turned Admiral Hackett's offer down. I am happy to be doing important work. Granted, I'd like to join the Relay fleet if the opportunity should present itself; but that will have to wait until the Shepard Building has been completed in London."
Liara chuckled. "Well, they could certainly use your expertise out there, but we're happy to have you with us."
The two of them moved in, and Liara continued – a one-woman reception line. Kasumi and Warrant Officer Traynor, a not-so-secret couple, arrived in a subtly expensive limousine; Grunt and Wrex dropped from a hovering Krogan dropship before it moved off to land at the spaceport. Zaeed strolled in, finally retired, and puffing a cigar as big around as a baby's wrist; Jack followed so soon that it was almost impossible to have come in her own car. Samara, in her robes as the head of the Justicar Order, smiled freely as she greeted old friends. Vega and Williams entered together with an easy familiarity that spoke of their years working together in London. She was in her off-duty uniform while he moved easily in a tailored suit. Liara shook his bad hand, feeling the shifting grip of the Geth-designed prosthetic.
"James – a pleasure to see you at last."
"Well, I've been real busy back on Earth – but you know I wouldn't miss this."
Ashley embraced her without a word; Liara returned it and smiled. "Ashley – I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too. I almost missed this year, too, but I knew I had to get away somehow."
Liara cocked her head to the side – Williams was the theater-commander for the Sol system, and was usually extremely busy. "How did you get away?"
It was Vega who grinned, looking her up and down with a lusty appreciation. "Chica here waked out, handed two pads of orders to the poor yeoman and left without saying a word."
Ashley grinned, blushing a bit in embarrassment. "Well, I knew if I said anything I'd just get caught by some other damn thing. So I left, and caught a lift."
"And here we are!" the voice belonged to Cortez. "Sorry, had to finish shutting the old girl down."
"Steven, how good to see you again. Please, make yourself at home."
The kitchen and living room were packed with people; drinks were in every hand. The murmur of a dozen conversations fell slowly silent as Tali came down the stairs from the upper level.
She was absolutely beautiful – a simple off-white dress, the same color as her milky eyes, flattered her figure; her hair had grown long, and was held back by a silver band at the nape of her neck. She wore a pair of elegant silver bangles at her wrists, and no other jewelry. Her lips quirked up in a smile as she looked over her gathered friends.
"Hello everyone! I'm so glad you could all make it today." Her voice was as smooth as ever, but unmodulated by the environment suit. "Two weeks ago was the fourth anniversary of the Crucible, and the end of the Reaper war. We gather today to celebrate the life of the woman who made that possible, and wish her spirit glad tidings on the day of its birth. But I would be lying if I said that was the only reason we have gathered. I have a very special announcement to make, and while I wish that Shepard could be here to say it with me, I know that she would want me to tell you immediately." She took a deep breath, her composure breaking a little. "I am getting married, today, and you're all guests. In fact, you're the only guests."
The silence shattered as each person broke into claps and cheering; Tali sought Liara's eyes and smiled – got a warm, wide grin in return.
She entered through the back door, the dust of the winding trail still on her environment suit. Her limp was a little more pronounced now, but she made her way to the stairs and went up one at a time. When she reached the landing, she unmasked; her hood was a pale blue with silver bars in a hashed pattern. Tali's smooth, soft hands pushed the hood back as her lover claimed her in a deep kiss. The cheering from below started up again; the loud "Whooo-OOOO!" could only be from Vega.
When they separated, the woman turned and pulled her hood down. She looked over the assembled guests with a familiar sardonic smile. "Sorry I'm late …" Shepard said, brushing her fingers through her jaw-length hair. "I got caught at the office."
/ - / - / - / -
The ceremony had been beautiful – a mix of Earth traditions and Quarian customs, performed by Admiral Hackett. Liara had stood with her sister as honored kin, and Ashley stood with Shepard. Their first wedded kiss had been disrupted, however, as an already tipsy Vega started the whole group singing 'Happy Birthday'. Shepard burst into laughter, spearing him with a glare but unable to stop herself.
The 'reception' had quieted down – small knots of conversation scattered through the house. Shepard found herself with Kasumi and Traynor by the fireplace, warming her aching bones. She grinned at the sudden memory from the party four years ago.
"Commander, it's been a few years … have you ever thought about coming back?" Samantha was looking into her glass as she asked.
"Nope. Not even a little."
"But why the deception?" Kasumi joined in. "I mean, don't get me wrong- I love this little trick of yours, hiding in plain sight like this – but don't you think the galaxy still needs you?"
Shepard shrugged elaborately, swirling her scotch. "Yeah, probably – but they're going to have to do without me; I earned my retirement the hard way."
"But you're a hero!" Sam exclaimed. "You could be doing so much for people!"
Shepard held up her hand. "I could – and I did. But if I stay in the public eye, they'll expect me to solve their problems for them. Hell, it was like that during the war. 'Shepard, save my parents colony' or 'Shepard, my sister's clutch needs heaters'. I was the go-to problem solver for an entire galaxy. The best thing I can do is die a martyr that they can point to for inspiration. They'll whitewash my history and use me as a model to help keep the galaxy together. Hell, Wrex is on the Council – you think there would be a Krogan Councilor if they weren't doing it to honor my memory? They'll forget me eventually, but by the time they do there will have always been a Krogan on the council."
Kasumi and Sam exchanged a look; Shepard laughed and tried again.
"Look, it's like this – take the Relay fleet, for example. If I was alive, would the Turians and Salarians be cooperating like this? Would they have mounted their own expedition to Ilos, or would they have sent Commander Shepard, hero?" She exaggerated herself as she spoke, arms akimbo and chest puffed out. Her suit coat had been shed, leaving her in just a vest and pants. The short sleeves of her shirt showed the mess of scar tissue still present on the tops of her arms – the underside was smooth and unlined, studded with cybernetic access points.
"A human leader once said that 'old generals don't die, they just fade away'. Well, I don't want to fade. By letting them all think I'm dead, they get more done in my memory than they'd do if I were still present." She took a deep drink, the pale liquid burning her throat. "Besides, this is a new galaxy. Krogan and Salarians cooperating, Geth and Quarians living side by side. Hell, the Batarians are back in the Council's graces. My era is over, Sam – the Butcher of Torfan doesn't belong to this world, and I'm glad for it."
Liara's voice startled them all. "And besides which, if you were still alive I'd need someone to run the Rannoch office." She grinned as she joined them on the low couch.
Shepard laughed, raising her glass in salute. "Yes, yes, boss lady. You were right, I couldn't have quit cold turkey."
"I know I was right, but it's gratifying to hear you admit it." A mischievous lilt in her voice. "I think marriage is suiting you already."
The sun had finished setting when they all gathered again – on the terrace outside, with the stars so clearly visible in the thin atmosphere. Shepard and Tali stood with the sea behind them, glasses raised.
"To my lovely bride …" Shepard began. "Tali Zhora Shepard vas Normandy."
"Tali'Shepard!" they answered, toasting and drinking.
Shepard turned to her, smiling softly – Tali bit her lip and took a deep draught from the offered cup. The drink forgotten, they kissed slowly.
"Welcome home."