REQUIEM
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:
REALMS OF INFORMATION
November 12, 2185
1916 hours.
Shadow Broker's Main Office, Halcyon-Class Prototype, Hagalaz Storm Center, Hagalaz.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Chief Engineer Tali'Shepard vas Normandy, Subject Zero Jack, Information Broker Liara T'Soni.
Particles. Molecules. A burnt mark on the ground.
That was all that was left of the Shadow Broker.
The pain in his shoulder and ribcage seemed to melt away as he got to his feet, biotics simmering away as he stood up, watching the last few tidbits of electricity sizzle, dance and evaporate into thin air like water. He stands there, sweat dripping down his skin, joining in Liara at looking at the now empty spot in complete shock, unbelieving of what had happened.
It was over. Liara could stop running, she had rescued the one she loved, and destroyed her nemesis.
The asari stepped forward, breaking from her stupor as she surveyed her surroundings, holstering her SMG on her hip as she did and turning to Marcus, a look in her eyes when she met his that he instantly recognized. He gave her a smile and nodded, a smile quickly reaching Liara's as she turned away, walking up to the spot where the massive yahg was vaporized. He was about to follow her when he felt a hand tighten on his shoulder and spun around, his eyes meeting hers.
Before he could do anything else, Marcus was held in place as Tali applied medi-gel to his gunshot wounds, the spectre wincing as she applied the dabs of orange gel before relaxing, embracing the cool feeling that washed over the blood-soaked injuries as the medi-gel took affect immediately. His ribcage still burned from the beating he had taken, but it was minute compared to the damage the Broker's point blank firing into his shoulder could have done.
"Crazy bosh'tet..." he heard Tali mumble under her breath, "Always trying to get yourself killed! Of all the idiotic things, you charge the Broker?"
He grinned at her, trying to alleviate her concerns, "All in a days work, Tali."
She rolled her eyes, "Sometimes I wonder what I see in you..."
"Is it my charming personality?" he quipped, which earned him a slap on the uninjured shoulder as she finished dressing his wounds, the quarian hiding her smile behind her mask before backing away, rubbing her hands together to get rid of the remaining gel before putting the packet back in her suit pocket. He nodded his thanks and was about to check her broken arm when movement from behind her caught his eye, and he protectively shoved her behind him...
...only to watch as Feron limped into the room, phalanx pistol in his left hand and limping on a broken ankle and stinging thigh. The drell winced at every step as he limped into the room, but all focus on his injury disappeared as he looked up, eyes landing on the burn mark in the middle of the office before his eyes met with Marcus'.
The spectre nodded, and a grim smile crossed the drell's face, the former agent nodding as he holstered his pistol, and he moved forward, crossing the office to join Liara. Both himself and Tali watched as Liara turned around and her smile widened, the asari wrapping the drell in a tight hug, Feron returning it. When they were finished, they pulled away, and Liara gave him a deep, passionate kiss; one filled with loving, tender care and full of a couple of years of absent need. When the asari pulled away from that, she merely smiled at Feron, the drell smiling back, before hugging him again.
They turned away to give them some privacy, and Marcus' eyes immediately landed on Jack's unconscious body sitting against the wall, the convict's eyes closed and her body covered in dried blood while splinters of wood stuck out of her body, his quarian engineer deciding to leave the splinters where they are, out of fear of Jack bleeding out.
At that moment, the doors shot open again, and Wrex, followed by the rest of the squad filed into the room, weapons raised. However, upon seeing that no combat was present and that the Broker was absent, which could only mean he was dead, they holstered their weapons, while Legion lagged behind, the geth locking the door behind them and encrypting it so the Broker's agents couldn't hack their way in.
Mordin immediately rushed to Jack's side, the salarian opening his omni-tool and doing scans of her upper body structure to make sure she wasn't internally bleeding before motioning to Grunt to pick her up. Just as the young krogan was doing so, Garrus, Wrex and Kaidan arrived infront of him, the turian bracing his sniper rifle against his shoulder, while taking off his helmet.
"So, I see you took care of the party for us," Garrus smirked, "Could have left some for us, Marcus. You're very greedy."
"I'm going to have to agree with this ugly pyjak," Wrex growled, waving his claymore at the commander, "You could have left some for us."
Marcus chuckled, shaking his head, "Trust me, there was alot to take on, but its not like I could afford to delay."
Kaidan sighed, holstering his rifle, "At least its over. Just what species was the Broker anyway?"
"A yahg, apparently," he explained, and Garrus and Kaidan frowned, cocking their heads in confusion. Only Wrex seemed to know what he was talking about, the krogan's eyes widening as he holstered his heavy shotgun.
"One of those things?" the krogan grumbled, rubbing his temple, "That would have been a battle to see. I could say I'm surprised you took down something that powerful, but you're Shepard. I've seen you take down geth colossi that were bigger, tougher and faster."
He smiled at the krogan, and Kaidan turned to Wrex with a raised eyebrow, "You know what a yahg is, Wrex?"
"Sure I do, heard about it alot from the Council. They never stopped ranting on about it," the krogan chieftain sighed, squaring his shoulders, "Apparently the yahg originate from Parnack, in the Remus System. They had discovered their system's mass relay when the Council deployed a first contact team to their homeworld. And guess what they did? They killed them, and then feasted on them. You think my people are brutal? The yahg make us look like varren; they were more like thresher maws. Bred as fast, too, if the stories can be believed."
"That bad?" Garrus inquired, and the krogan nodded.
"Worse," Wrex proceeded, shuffling his feet, "My people may be warriors, but we at least have a code of honor; Rites, a culture, respect for females and some form of organized civilization. We at least want to change our ways. We at least have morals and a code of ethics. The yahg have none of that," his blood red eyes met Marcus', "They are animals, Shepard, nothing more. Animals that just happen to be sapient and sentient. They have no honor, and they are always in some sort of war. They have no government to speak of except their designated warlords, they kill because they enjoy it, they flay their enemies, they rape their women legally, and they have no culture to ascertain to. They have no morals, and their ethics are non-existent. They don't even have scientists; how they managed to build a ship is beyond me. But don't underestimate their strength; just one male is strong enough to lift a kodiak shuttle or Mako tank. Those things are living, breathing, tanks. Faster than an elcor, anyway."
"How did the yahg not build a fleet?" Marcus asked, curious, "I mean, if they had discovered a mass relay, they presumably discovered mass effect fields right? How are we not at war with them right now?"
"Council quarantined their homeworld and confiscated their tech," Wrex explained, "Had the salarians sabotage their weapons and launch facilities, while the turians shot any ships out of the sky that tried to leave the planet. They couldn't very well move a mass relay, so instead they sent STG agents to assassinate every scientist involved in the ship building projects and involved in discovering mass effect fields, while also burning all evidence. Its inevitable that they'll find out again, but for now, peace is held. Won't matter when the Reapers arrive though. Yahg are tough, but I bet the Reapers will mop the floors of Parnack with them. They won't be much of a threat. Not for now, though."
Kaidan whistled, "Anything that strong is a welcome ally, if you ask me."
Jacob quickly joined them, throwing in a snappy salute as he holstered his shotgun, "Sir, we've secured the doorway. None of the Shadow Broker's men are headed this way, so that has to be a good sign."
Marcus nodded, wincing as he turned to face the ex-alliance corsair, "At least they won't be pestering us. All we need to do now is detonate this ship's reactor; make sure noone can restart this organization once we've finished it. Destroy the ship and all the Broker's soldiers with it, and then extract to the Normandy," he turned to look at Liara and Feron, who were avidly talking to one another in the foreground, before turning back to Jacob, "Give Feron a ride too, if he wants."
Jacob nodded, smiling, "Got that, commander."
He turned to Kal, "Reegar, take a team and secure that room at the back. I don't want any nasty surprises."
Kal nodded, motioning for Kasumi and Samara to follow him as he equipped his rifle and jogged towards the room at the back. Marcus quickly made his way across the room towards Liara and Feron, cradling his side as he limped over. Tali followed behind him, and a quick glance back showed Jack cradled in Grunt's arms, almost like a mother holds a newborn baby, a peaceful expression on the convict's face. Mordin nodded to Marcus, letting him know she would be okay, but needed 'medical attention fast.'
He nodded to him, signalling the Normandy, "EDI, can you read me?"
"I read you Commander. It would appear the Broker's ship has somehow managed to boost his carrier signal, allowing him to communicate through Hagalaz's atmosphere," with that stated, the AI continued, "What can I do for you, Commander?"
"The Shadow Broker is defeated and we're planning to detonate the ship's reactor and escape. However, Jack is currently unconscious and suffering from multiple injuries over her body. Mordin has stabilized her, but not for long. I've sent you the coordinates for the main airlock; send the shuttle back for a CASEVAC, immediately. Send Madi as an armed escort incase the Shadow Broker's mercs try anything."
"The shuttle is away, Shepard," EDI responded, "ETA two minutes."
He nodded, disconnecting the comm before turning back to Mordin, practically shouting, "Get to the main airlock; shuttle is inbound! Have Grunt go with you to carry Jack."
The salarian hastily nodded, motioning for the lumbering krogan to follow him. He groaned, but followed upon seeing his battlemaster's scolding glare, still holding Jack in his arms as he left the room, the rest of the squad staying behind to secure the room.
He finally arrived at where Liara and Feron were standing, and both of them turned to look at him, Liara beaming largely while Feron smiled meekly, his expression tired and showing signs of extreme malnutrition.
"Its over Liara. We finally did it," Marcus stated, nodding at her drell lover, "You saved Feron, and destroyed the Shadow Broker. You can rest easy now knowing you just killed the galaxy's most infamous kingpin at information brokering. What's next for you two? We're going to destroy this vessel, and I could give you two a ride."
"Well, I was thinking of taking a ride back to Illium, maybe resign my position as an information broker," Liara responded, "Not like I need to remain as one anymore, considering I only joined up to locate Feron and the Broker."
Feron nodded, "That sounds like a plan; I met you on Illium, makes sense we settle down on Illium. Although, from what I've heard, you'll need help stopping the Reapers. I'm sure we can continue to help gathering evidence to prove your point so you can prepare the galaxy."
Marcus patted the drell on the shoulder, smiling, "I'd like that Feron, but I'm surprised you haven't offered to join me Liara," he raised an eyebrow up at her, grinning, "It'd be like old times; we have Wrex, Kaidan, Tali and Garrus! With you onboard, it'll be just like before! We can always find Feron a place too, if he wants to stay with us."
"Actually, it'll just be Kaidan, Tali and Garrus now," Wrex spoke up from behind them, and they all turned to face the krogan.
Marcus was disappointed and saddened by this, "Don't say goodbye, Wrex. I hate goodbyes."
The krogan chortled, a smirk on his face, "Its not a goodbye Shepard; more like a temporary salutations; believe it or not, I'm actually dependable now and I've got my own problems to take care of. I only came to join you when I heard you were taking down the Shadow Broker; that, and from Grunt's message, it sounded like you needed help. I wasn't planning on staying, as much as I'd like to. If I leave Tuchanka for too long, some chieftain might get the bright idea of trying to take over. Maybe even Wreav will try a coup. Gotta make sure I keep things in order just long enough for the Reapers to turn up so we can direct our hatred at them, and not the Council."
The spectre sighed, nodding reluctantly, "I understand, Wrex. Its been good to fight alongside you again; however brief."
The krogan shrugged, "With the real enemy on the horizon, it won't be the last time either. We'll meet on the battlefield again Shepard, and when that happens, I'll be more than happy to fight, not only by your side, but under your command. You made the unification of Tuchanka possible Shepard; the krogan will remember that. I'll make sure of it. Still, I'm not leaving yet. Not like I can. Once we've left the system, I'll have you drop me off at...say...the Citadel? Don't want to bother you by having you drop me off all the way on Tuchanka."
"I think we can manage it Wrex," he eyed the burnt mark on the ground, "Not like anyone is shadowing us anymore, forgive the pun."
The war chieftain could only shake his head, "True."
"I think it'd be more productive for me and Feron to be on Illium as well Shepard; it allows us to find more information to help your cause. To be frank, it'd be much more helpful to your cause. Our cause," Liara finished.
He turned and nodded gravely, but before he could respond, mouth half-open, a flash appeared in his left peripheral vision, and everyone turned to watch as the Shadow Broker's many terminals came back to life, flashes of light and color lighting up and brightening the room as all twelve screens beamed with status reports, updates and requests for video conference. Some even asked for orders.
Wait...some asked for orders.
The first voice that spoke sat on the top left terminal, a volume measurement chart rising and falling as the agent, clearly a salarian by the inflections in his voice, spoke, "Shadow Broker, this is Operative Murat. We had a momentary connection failure, but it seems to have cleared up. Can you confirm your status? Has Shepard and his team been taken out? Shadow Broker, please respond."
More voices quickly followed, and they all spoke at once.
"Shadow Broker, this is Operative Pev! Requesting an update!"
"Shadow Broker, this is Operative Tazzik, what's going on? We had a connection failure, but everything's restored. Is Shepard dead?"
"Operative Shora requesting an update. Are we still online?"
Liara slowly edged towards the console, and everyone followed her, until the asari stopped dead infront of it, the voices still overlapping each other as if they were children fighting for the first say. Feron came to stand on her right, and Marcus on her left with Tali, and Garrus and Kaidan stood behind her, frowning. Liara looked overwhelmed as she eyed the screens, indecision all over her face as she tried to think of what to do.
"Shadow Broker, I've lost our feed. We are online and awaiting instructions."
For a split second, Liara eyed Marcus with that innocent look in her eyes; and it lasted but a meer second, indecision still covering her features. He met her gaze, but by the time he did, she turned back, her face becoming hard as stone as she eyed the screens once again. Her face was determined now; the face of a cold, ruthless woman who would sacrifice many things to get what she wanted. She had done so saving Feron, and in defeating the Shadow Broker. And she was about to do the same now.
She braced herself against the console and closed her eyes, the voices washing over her. She took in a deep breath through her nostrils, and then, in an instant, she opened her eyes, meeting the center console with her piercing glare, and exhaled through both her nose and mouth. And before anyone could advise her against it, she switched on the voice mask and hit the reply button for all agents, galaxy wide and on the ship, even accessing the PA system.
She spoke, and her voice sounded just like the yahg's, but masked.
The voices stopped.
"This is the Shadow Broker," she stated, "The situation is under control. But there has been a change of plans."
Marcus eyed her in shock, as did Tali, the quarian's jaw hanging open. A smirk creased Garrus' face at hearing her and Kaidan just shook his head, clearly amused. Feron eyed Liara with a loving grin, and clasped his hands behind his back, simply standing back and listening as Liara spoke, the asari seeming to be absorbed in the moment.
She quickly continued, "We were experiencing power fluctuations while upgrading hardware, but I have also spoke with Commander Shepard," she took a breath, and finished, "We have reached an agreement. We are no longer enemies, and all further hostile movements against Shepard will be taken. We are now allies, in full and in name, and shall assist in his crusade to stop the Reapers, which I'm sure you all know of."
His look of shock morphed into a grin, and Tali seemed to just lean backwards, crossing her arms in disbelief. Garrus joined them, while Kaidan moved to join the others, Feron not moving an inch. Liara shot Marcus a smile, which he returned, before she turned back to the screen.
"However, we are now back online and at full operation," she declared, "Resume standard procedures and recover our dead and fix the ship. I want a status report on our situation within the next solar day," and with a final hiss, she concluded, "Shadow Broker...out."
The screen disappeared, and all screens went silent before deactivating, showing that the agents understood their situation and orders and were now following them. Liara took one step away from the console, hands on her hips as she stood there in her white armoured labcoat, eyes glazing over the realms of information sitting before her.
Marcus just shook his head at her as she turned to face him, the asari suddenly looking nervous again as she justified her actions, "Well...anyone who's ever seen him in person is dead, so..."
"You're the new Shadow Broker," Feron finished, smiling as he had been since she began her speech, "Never saw that coming, did you?"
"Its one thing to fight your enemy," she responded, smiling at Feron before turning back to face Marcus, hands clasping behind her back, "Its another to succeed them. No Feron, no I did not see this coming, neither did I plan for it."
Marcus nodded, the information broker obviously looking for approval, and he simply chuckled inside. First she's planning on going to Illium, and now she's in command of a galactic empire of resources. We all seem to be going crazy, "Well Liara, maybe you can really help us now. Being the Shadow Broker can work wonders."
She smiled, nodding as she opened her omni-tool and frantically linked it to the main desk console, "Now I have access to an entire galaxy's worth of information! I have his contacts, his trading sources, his private army. All of it is mine, and I can give it to you to fight the Reapers! Think of the things I could do to aid you! Shepard, this is perfect! With this information, I could...I can...oh goddess..." she turned to him finally, a tear forming in her eye, "We can destroy the Reapers with an information network like this. I could find you the Illusive Man. Every dirty government secret. I could upload all of Councilor Sparatus' extranet search history to your omni-tool in a heartbeat. I could start wars, paramilitary organizations, revolutions, uprisings! All at the flick of a finger or command! I have the power to make people disappear, to make all my problems vanish..."
Marcus' grin turned into a worried expression and he lay a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently to gain her attention. She met his eyes, and saw the worry in them and concern in his voice as he spoke, "Liara, please don't become obsessed. Power like this...we humans have a saying. 'Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.' Don't let this take control of your life. Don't let it turn you down a darker path. Use it to help us stop the Reapers and nothing else. If you can help me find Cerberus, that would be a bonus but please, don't do anything that could turn you into...into...into him." He pointed at the spot where they had vaporized the previous Broker.
"I won't. I promise," Liara nodded solemnly, "I...I...in that moment, when those voices required updates, all I could think of was you. Your cause. The Reapers. We need to stop them Shepard, or all life is doomed. So when I heard them speak, and remembered who the Broker was...how could I let such an opportunity slip by? We need to use it to its fullest Shepard. It just...it just means..."
"We might not see each other for a long time. I know," he motioned to the others, "We know. You're making a sacrifice Liara; one for the galaxy's sake. And that takes alot of altruistic guts to do. Besides, you'll have Feron at your side, I'm sure."
The drell bowed, smiling as he did, "I will gladly aid Liara if it means I get to be at her side."
"You'll be my top agent," she nodded to him, smirking devillishly before she turned back to Marcus, bowing to him, "I...thank you, Shepard. I know we didn't get much together outside of chasing the Broker, and I know I've been cold to you, but..."
Two hands on her shoulders stopped her, and her innocent eyes met his again, and he cherished that look; that look that was now as rare as the rarest mineral, "Don't apologize, Liara. We've all changed, and we've all been through rough times, and there'll be plenty of time for social talk when the Reapers are dead and we can enjoy a nice drink on the beach."
Garrus chuckled from behind them, "I like that idea. I'll keep that as a note. 'Defeat Reapers, have drink on beach,' got it. I'll remember the beach chairs, but our new Shadow Broker better remember to bring the drinks. I'll be broke once this is done."
"And I'll know what you've spent all your money on. Although, I can already guess," Liara quipped, smirking at the turian, "Weapon mods? Calibrations?"
"You know me too well. Although I do purchase booze from time to time."
Liara laughed, another rare sound before she turned back to Marcus, a hard expression on her face once more. She hesitated again before leaning forward and wrapping the spectre in a tight hug, Marcus wincing from the pressure she placed on his shoulder and ribs, but ignored it as he reciprocated the gesture.
"I'll miss you," she said softly.
He sighed, "This isn't goodbye Liara; I hate goodbyes. We'll see each other again, its not over until its over."
"You're right," she replied, giggling, "I'm just the sentimental type. I hope to see you again Marcus, and I hope when we do, its side by side, fighting the Reapers, like the old team should be. You, me, Tali, Garrus, Wrex, Kaidan and Ashley's ghost; sending the Reapers straight into the Goddess' barrel."
Marcus frowned as he pulled away, "The goddess has a gun?"
"Yeah, that escalated alot further than I anticipated," Garrus teased, "Consider me a converted...athame...ist?"
"Har-har Garbear," Liara replied and Garrus' expression remained shocked as Kaidan barely held back a laugh, while Tali just chuckled to her heart's content. Wrex just shot the turian a grin, and the sniper himself tried to become anonymous.
Letting Liara pass to say goodbye to the rest of her friends, Marcus held his hand out to Feron, the drell taking it and shaking it, "Goodbye Feron; it was nice to meet you. You're very important to Liara, so please take care of her. The Normandy crew thinks of her, and if you ever need assistance, don't hesitate to call."
The drell nodded in understanding, "Thank you Commander, and I hope we don't need it. There was a time where I wondered why the Shadow Broker would go to so much effort to retrieve a body. I had hoped betraying him and getting chained up for two years would be worth it. I'm glad to say that it was. Farewell, Commander, and I hope we meet again. Kalahira be with you, and may Arashu guide your path."
He bowed in return, and the drell made his leave, and he turned to Tali, ready to tell her to move out when the door behind them opened, and Kal, Kasumi and Samara returned, but this time they escorted a...quarian female? out of the room and towards them, the quarian woman's mask tinted red and her form covered in...the purple swirls of...no...Zorah? A member of Clan Zorah? Who could that be? A relative of Tali perhaps.
Tali turned to them and nodded, Marcus doing the same as Kal came to a stop. Reegar approached Marcus and holstered his rifle, leaning in to whisper to the two of them, "We found this woman inside sir; it turns out the yahg you killed wasn't the Shadow Broker afterall; he was just a pet. I've checked the records, and this woman, one of our own ma'am, seems to be the real Broker. She referred to me by name, but what really got me was that she requested to see you specifically. You and Shepard."
Marcus frowned and Tali turned to look at him, shrugging. He shrugged himself, acknowledging what they both thought: it couldn't hurt. Nodding to Reegar, the quarian marine stepped back and motioned for Kasumi and Samara to step back, weapons trained on the quarian's back. Everything about this quarian ringed like an obvious plot twist; why did he get the feeling he should know this person?
The quarian stepped forward without a word, and Marcus immediately reached for his pistol, hand hovering over it. But he let her continue, the quarian stopping within grabbing distance of Tali, her hands coming to rest on Tali only. She reached up a hand, cupping the woman's cheek tenderly in a overly familiar fashion before facing Marcus, a smile evident in her luminous eyes before she turned back to Tali. And when she spoke, it was with an elderly voice.
"Tali...I...its so good to see you again," the quarian broker stated, "You're as beautiful as I remember; definitely taller, however."
Tali's pistol clattered to the ground from its unholstered position and she gasped loudly, taking a step back in evident shock. She raised a hand accusingly, but immediately dropped it, paralyzed by indecision, and everyone in the room just watched the exchange. Nothing was said before Marcus finally, looking between them in confusion, he turned to the elderly quarian woman and asked the obvious question, "Ma'am, just who are you? And how do you know Tali like that?"
The quarian's eyes met Marcus', "Well, because she's my daughter, and I'm her mother."
"My name is Meru'Zorah."
{Loading...}
November 12, 2185
2041 hours.
Debriefing Room, Normandy-Class Stealth Frigate Normandy SR-2, In Orbit over Hagalaz.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Chief Engineer Tali'Shepard vas Normandy, Ex-Shadow Broker Meru'Zorah vas Rayya.
"You're dead! I mean, I was there when you died! You can't be alive, its impossible! This is a sick little joke! You're just some quarian impersonating her! I was at her side when she died!"
"Tali, please-"
"Don't call me that! You have no right to call me that! You are a stranger," Tali snarled, pointing an accusing finger at her so-called-mother across the conference table, "My real mother wouldn't lie to me about dying and leave me! Meru'Zorah wouldn't do that! She was nothing like my father!"
"Tali please! Let me explain!"
"No, you're done! All I've heard is lies! You are not her! You can't be! She died and she's never coming back..." tears were heard in her voice as she finished, "You hear me...? She's dead!"
Marcus finally decided to break it up, raising his hand to speak and stall them, "Enough!" he turned to Tali, "Please, you at least owe her the benefit of the doubt Tali. She hasn't even explained herself, and you're already shouting her down! You let me explain myself on Freedom's Progress, so why not your own mother?"
She turned to him incredulously, voice laced with anger, "But she isn't my mother! And you can't seriously believe that she is!"
He shot the same glare at her, "Of course I don't! Her being the Shadow Broker doesn't improve her case, but that doesn't mean I won't hear her out. Then we can decide what's bullshit and what's not, alright!?"
She seemed to melt back before standing tall again, nodding as she braced against the polished table, "Fine, but her answer better be damn good or I might rip her visor open for her disgusting lies. I will not have my mother's memory mocked by a cheap imitation."
Marcus nodded to her, calming down, "That's fair enough, and I will happily assist when...if...that time comes," he turned to 'Meru' and spoke again, the quarian standing tall and her hands clasped infront of her lap, "Now, Miss, why don't you explain yourself before my wife decides to kill you for false impersonation?"
She took a deep breath and spoke, her eyes locked onto Tali's, "I did die Tali; technically."
Tali snorted, "I bought that from Marcus and he had legitimate reasons. Don't believe me gullible enough to-"
"Tali," Marcus growled lowly, turning his head to face her, "Seriously. Give her a chance."
A sigh and she waved her hand for the quarian to continue, "I apologize. Please continue."
The quarian didn't even make a gesture before continuing, as if unaware she had even been interrupted, "I technically died. You were at my death bed Tali, and I remember it vividly. I wept for a full night afterwards, but I never stopped thinking about you. I'm sorry to tell you this, and in retrospect, the entire ruse was cruel, but it had to be done."
"What ruse?" Tali asked, genuinely curious, but a hint of hostility still hidden in her tone.
"My death never happened," she hung her head low in shame, "I, we, faked it. I needed to get off the Fleet, to disappear. I didn't to cease in existence, and for that to happen, I had to die. I'm so sorry, but I had no choice."
"Who's 'we'?" Tali asked, crossing her arms as she glared daggers at the woman, "Who else helped you fake your death?"
"I..." she gulped and shook her head, looking at the ground before meeting Tali's gaze once more, "...Shala did, Tali. She helped me, but noone else knew. Noone else knew about...about what was going on. Your father didn't know, as he'd probably try to stop me, and the others didn't know because they didn't need to. I...I was endangering the Flotilla, and I needed to leave. To die."
Marcus eyed her with confusion while Tali seemed to lose more of her hostility, hope entering her tone as she spoke once more, ever the interrogator, "I...how were you endangering the Fleet? The Meru I knew was a kind person; she loved me and she was gentle. She wasn't a marine, only Admiral of the Patrol Fleet. So answer me this; what could that person have done to endanger the Fleet?"
"She did something bad in the name of clan and family," she replied, "Its complicated, but lets just say that the Flotilla isn't as devoid of crime as you thought it was Tali..."
"Wait, wait, wait," he interrupted, hands held up, and both quarians in the room looked at him instantly. He looked at Tali, eyes wide with surprise, "Your mother was an admiral? And of the Patrol Fleet? Why didn't you tell me?"
"You never asked," she replied bluntly, shrugging, "And she was only admiral for a short time. Her death...opened the position and Shala instantly took the position upon her death. Rael and Gerrel were fairly new at that point, and Xen was only a captain still. Same with Koris."
He nodded, sort of understanding, before he turned back to the ex-Broker and nodded for her to continue. The quarian, meeting his gaze, nodded and turned back to Tali, clearing her throat before continuing, "Well...like I said, the Fleet wasn't as safe as we thought Tali. I got...involved, in some pretty unsafe dealings, and it endangered my position; not just as an admiral, but as your mother. I was effectively putting our family at risk; you included. I couldn't tell Rael or anyone else; only Shala knew, and she kept it a secret."
Tali frowned, leaning her back against the table, "What kind of dealings? I don't see my mother getting involved in crime. She wasn't that sort of person."
"Still isn't," she replied, and she avoided Tali's responding glare as she continued, "I tried to purchase MAC cannon schematics from a batarian hegemony dreadnought that they had taken from a turian frigate that they had boarded and raided, but when I find out what they wanted, I refused. It was then that they...they started making threats."
Tali was eager for her to continue, "Of what kind?"
Glowing eyes met glowing eyes, "Family based," she shook her head, arms moving from her lap to land on the table, bracing her against it, "They said that if I didn't hand over the the MAC schematics for our liveships that they would...murder my entire family. Starting with you, Tali. All in your sleep. I told them to leave you out of it; that you were only a child, but they didn't care."
"Batarian scumbags," Marcus mumbled under his breath, barely audible, "Child-murdering, slaver pieces of shit."
Tali walked closer, eyes narrowed in morbid curiosity, "But...how could they do that? They couldn't access the fleet."
"They had access to sources though. On the inside," she gulped, "The Pelszaog Clan. They are long time enemies of Clan Zorah. And the batarians said they'd order them to kill my family if I didn't do it..."
"Oh keelah..." Tali gasped.
She nodded, "I did it; for family. I wanted to protect you; you were too young! And Rael...keelah, I loved him, and I loved you. I did what I did to protect our family, but in the end, I put myself at risk doing it! So I handed them the defense codes for older quarian vessels from the Rannochian era, and that pissed them off. So they sent the Pelszaog Clan to kill me. I became their prime target; I had no choice. If I disappeared, you would be safe. They only wanted me. So I met with Shala, came up with a plan, and set it in motion. I...I had no choice. It was cruel, but I had to protect you. I had to keep you and Rael safe."
"We faked a ventilation malfunction on the Rayya, as you know, and I pretended to die. Shala hired specific doctors she could trust and filled them in, so they knew what to do," she coughed, a sob echoing through her voice, "And when she could, Shala had me shipped off to the Citadel, where I spent the rest of my years until I met one of the Shadow Broker's agents, and requested to sign up. I saw an opportunity, and I took it."
Tali nodded, "The Palszaog Clan...they were reported murdered many years ago...you...?"
She nodded grimly, "Yes, yes I did Tali. I did it. I was taken to the Shadow Broker's base, and I took over. The yahg was surprising, but when I found out how to hack his systems, taking over was easy. I helped him kill the salarian broker, and in return, I would lead, and he would follow; we shared the power. This way, I could protect you while not being directly involved. No Admiral duties holding me back. I also...also saw how Rael neglected you. But I got to watch you grow up."
She looked up and nodded at Tali, "I had the Palszaog Clan murdered, and their leader exiled for being involved in a foreign outside force. Their leader was later gangbashed by a few turians a few days later on Omega. I also found the dreadnought; and the hegemony still hasn't found it since. Of course, they wouldn't be able to, considering it now lives within a sun."
But then her glum expression turned into a smile, one of happiness, "The best bit Tali, was that I got to watch you change, mature, move on. I watched your pilgrimage. I watched you join Marcus Shepard, and I watched you stop Sovereign, Saren Arterius and the geth from destroying the Citadel. I watched over you after he died. I watched over you on your mission against the Collectors," and her smile only widened at her last words, "And now I get to see you; as a grown woman; married and a marine veteran. I'm so proud of you. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your wedding."
Tali immediately waved her hand before her, once again anger, "I don't believe that for one second! Why would my mother send agents to attack her own people! To try and kill me and Shepard! Why would she help the Collectors in recovering my body?"
"I didn't. As you'll remember, I had a pet. A yahg," she shook her head, slamming her fist into the table, "Should have killed him when I had the chance! Everyone of those attacks was done behind my back and without consent! I ordered him to bring you two to my base unharmed, but he persisted in trying to kill you, calling me insane and out of control! He did it again, but then he knocked me unconscious and locked me inside my office. He took over. But when you came and took him out, I almost rejoiced. You were here, and you were...grown up."
"A forgeable story," Tali leaned forward and hissed in her ear, "I want proof. Irrefutable proof."
It seems she instantly knew what to say, "Remember what you said to me, Tali? On my 'death' bed?" she asked softly, fresh tears flowing down her cheeks, "Remember...remember how I said I loved you? How I asked Rael to take care of you? How...how...how I hoped you would become my little galactic hero one day? How I asked...I asked...asked you not to let anything hold you back in life but yourself?"
By the time she finished, Tali was sobbing, falling back against the table as she cried. Marcus was instantly moving around the table to comfort his wife, but Meru held a hand up to halt him, the spectre only stopping when he saw her wrap her arms around Tali, embracing her tightly. Tali's arms quickly followed suit, holding her tight against her.
"Mother...mother..." she mumbled through her sobs as Meru rocked her back and forth, "You're...you're...you're alive! Keelah, ancestors bless me...keelah..."
"Sssssshhhhhh..." Meru soothed, "Its alright. Everything will be alright. I'm here now, and I'm never going to leave you again."
A few moments passed, and Tali finally pulled away from Meru, sniffing and leaning back against the table, sighing, "Keelah, I was such a bitch to you. My own mother. I can't believe...the things I said..."
"Are in the past. You're mistrust was understandable. You believed me dead a long time ago, and my return came as a shock," she nodded, turning to Marcus and smiling, "But it would seem you weren't quite as alone as I suspect you were. I expected you to find a nice man to marry Tali..."
Her eyes widened, and Tali stepped forward in Marcus' defense, "He...!"
Meru immediately finished for her, "...is perfect! Keelah, you caught the man, Tali! He may be human, but he's an alpha male! You chose well for your husband; I'm happy for you. And from the information I've gathered, he loves you very much. A very good catch Tali."
Marcus rubbed the back of his neck embarassingly, heat rushing to his cheeks, "I'm standing right here, you know."
Meru could only laugh, "Oh, I know," she leaned in closer to Tali, whispering her last sentence, "He's as dense as my reports say, apparently, too."
"I heard that, you know."
"And as nosey," she leant back, shaking her head as she shook her humor away, straightening her posture before eying both of them, letting Tali's giggling die off as she faced both of them, "As much as I'd love to stay on this ship, I am no longer the Shadow Broker, and would like to return to the Fleet. They deserve to know I survived."
"Can't you stay?" Tali practically begged, "We have so much to catch up on! You may be the Broker, but there's alot that happens behind the scenes too you know."
"And we'll have plenty to talk about on the ride there," she stated, facing Marcus, "Won't we?"
He fazed out for a moment, but quickly shook his head, faced Meru and nodded, "Yes, of course we do. Alot to catch up on. Our cabin?"
"Yes please. Do lead the way."
Marcus simply shook his head as he lead the two women out of the conference room and headed for the armoury, point of intent being the elevator. He could only inwardly laugh at the insanity of it all.
This day just gets weirder and weirder. Shadow Broker is yahg, who isn't really the Broker, Liara becomes the Shadow Broker, and the real Shadow Broker turns out to be a quarian female who just happens to be Tali's dead mother who's not really dead. What a mindfuck.
But as he eyed Tali's mum out of his corner of vision, currently talking with Tali, he could only smile.
Can't argue with results, though.
{Loading...}
November 12, 2185
2109 hours.
'Humanity's Sanctum,' Upper Levels, Cronos Station, Anadius System.
The Illusive Man, General Oleg Petrovsky.
Smoke trailed from his cigarette as he let a breath of air escape him, blowing the smoke outwards as the tip of the cigarette burned bright red. He pulled it away from his mouth, dipping it in the ash tray next to him before nodding, "Very good, Oleg. Although I'm surprised you let Aria live."
Petrovsky stood on the QEC, his holographic form glowing a bright orange in the darkness of the office, the only light being Anadius behind them, the general's hands clasped behind his crisp, white Cerberus uniform as they always were. He hesitated before answering, but answered in the same professionalism that he always did, "Her death was not required for Omega's fall into our hands. I did not see a harm in letting her go.
The Illusive Man nodded in understanding, "That is your decision, and I will not judge you for it, but I would keep an eye on her. She may cause problems in the near future," he brought the cig to his lips again and took a deep breath, exhaling and letting the smoke drift freely before bringing it away and speaking again, "Although Ashe's death is another matter."
Petrovsky was quick to defend that decision, "His death was necessary. Even if he had not already been transforming into an adjutant, he was a liabillity. He constantly disobeyed my commands at every turn, and almost set an adjutant loose in a civilian area. I could not let that happen, and operational necessity dictated him to be terminated. I'm sorry if you deem that unacceptable, but like you said, it was my decision to make as his superior, and I did it. I will see to it that he is replaced by someone else. Someone who isn't Kai Leng."
"Leng would be my last choice as a commander," TIM replied, "Do not insult me by suggesting such a thing, although I understand your precarious position did demand quick thinking, and I understand that. My only concern was the command gap Ashe's death opened, and I'm glad it is being filled. His life was of no concern to me; we are all expendable, but only if it means the defense of humanity. Even I may be expendable when the time comes; I just hope whoever succeeds me knows what to do for humanity, and when best to do it. I created Cerberus for that sole reason; and none else."
"I understand Illusive Man," Petrovsky replied, "We are currently securing the station and my troops are already enforcing martial law. I have instated myself as the new 'ruler' of Omega, and I am making sure that the adjutants are well-contained; an outbreak could be disatrous for our operations."
"Indeed. Very well general, keep me posted. I want an update in one month. Illusive Man out," with that, he disconnected the call, and Petrovsky's holographic form slowly melted away into nothing, before winking out, and he was about to swivel in his chair when Geoff's voice came through his comm.
"Sir?"
He tapped the holoscreen, responding, "Yes, Lieutenant Dielheart?" He took a sip of his drink as he waited.
"You requested to see Eva when it was completed," he replied, "It has been finished, and she has recently arrived at the station. She is awaiting final approval to see you. Orders?"
A look of nervousness crossed his features and for the first time since the First Contact War, his calm facade dropped and he almost stuttered, "I...send her...it, in. Noone is to interrupt me, and put all calls on hold for me to take after my inspection."
"Yes sir. I've sent it up now," Geoff's voice replied, slightly concerned, before he disconnected, and the Illusive Man silently waited. She's simply a robotic clone of the real thing. Doctor Eva Core, the woman you befriended and loved died on Palaven, at the hands of Saren Arterius' brother. This is merely an infiltration unit; little else. He tried so hard to convince himself of that cold fact.
So why did it haunt him so much? Why was the Illusive Man, ever the calm enigma and hidden shield of humanity, so nervous?
What felt like a few seconds was actually several minutes of waiting as he was jolted from his thoughts by a knock on the door. He hurriedly shouted for the offender to enter, and he sat up, putting back on his calm facade; all of which almost disappeared when she entered and stepped into the light.
The redesign was perfect, the engineers in the Styx Cell having done an excellent job at recrafting her. If not for the fact that he knew what she was, noone would know that she was a synthetic machine. The hair, the skin, the eyes, everything; it seemed so life-like. The only problem was the eyes.
Those damn eyes.
They drilled into his skull; lifeless, soulless, cold.
Waiting for commands.
Eyes connected to a computer inside her head, not a human brain.
He suddenly remembered the real Eva and memories assaulted him. He remembered Shanxi, and how it had felt to be by her side, fighting the turians on the ground as part of the resistance. How they had been captured as POWs. How they had woken up to learn that the war was over. How they had spoken with General Williams. How they ended up meeting Saren Arterius face to face and went to the turian homeworld, Palaven. And how she had died at Saren's brother's hands, who had been indoctrinated by a Reaper artifact inside the temple...that's how he had known of the Reaper's existence, how he found out, but he was young back then...
He had been Jack Harper.
And Doctor Eva Core had died, in his arms.
All that stood before him was a cheap imitation of the real time.
Cooly, he responded, "What is your name?"
"Doctor Eva Core," it responded, its voice sounding so much like Eva's, it was scared. They had obviously taken the audio files he gave them and implemented them well, "Part of Project Eva. EVA is an acronym for Enhanced Virtual Assault, but also refers to dead associate of Illusive Man's. I am an infiltration unit, built solely to replace rogue AI, Enhanced Defense Intelligence, and to combat other AI programs."
Such precision; it was nothing like Eva at all. He simply nodded as he responded, "Very good. To remember anything that the original Eva remembers?"
Eva frowned and hesitated, searching its databanks before responding, "I do not. There is no record of any personality imprint or memory upload. The original corpse of Doctor Eva Core could not be recovered; location unknown."
He nodded, hating how the word 'corpse' was used to describe his long-dead love, "Excellent. You now serve me and only me, Eva, do you understand that? When I give you an order, you follow it. When I tell you to do something, you do it. If I tell you to kill me, will you do it?"
A moment's hesitation, followed by the AI's response, "Affirmative."
What did you expect her to have? Morals? Its a machine! "Very good. You will head to the nearest power plant facility to recharge your cells, understood?"
"Affirmative," Eva replied as robotically as it had before, "I will be located at Power Coupling Y-07 if further orders are needed to be delivered. I will be fully charged and awaiting orders."
He nodded, and Eva left the room, door closing and locking behind her. He shook his head before swivelling around in his chair, suddenly forgetting about the Shadow Broker and Shepard and his takeover of Omega. All he could think of was the synthetic clone of his lost love he had created.
But there was no point dwelling on it. He was humanity's shield.
A shield needed to be in prime condition.
So he straightened his posture, took another sip of his drink, and let his look pierce the sun.
He was the Illusive Man, Shield of Humanity, Leader of Cerberus.
And he would do anything to uphold his duty.
{Loading...}
November 13, 2185
0618 hours.
CIC, Normandy-Class Stealth Frigate Normandy SR-2, In FTL inbound for the Citadel.
Commander Marcus Lee Shepard, Yeoman Kelly Chambers.
It had only been several hours since they had assaulted the Shadow Broker's base and took out the Shadow Broker.
Several hours since Liara and Feron had stayed behind, the former becoming the new Shadow Broker.
Hours since he had met Tali's mum, now ex-Broker, and now had her onboard; a woman who was supposed to be dead.
So many things had changed in those few hours and as Marcus, standing on the podium overlooking the CIC, galaxy map hovering infront of him, arms braced against the railing and looking down into its milky white depths, he could only think of what was to come. Soon they'd arrive at the Citadel and drop off Wrex, and they would then take Meru back to the Migrant Fleet. But once that was done, what then? Continue negoitations with the quarians? Start them? Introduce them to Legion? Would could he really do to further the preparations for the Reaper invasion?
And it was with a sigh and a close of his eyes that he remembered Wrex would not be the only one to be dropped off on the Citadel now. After speaking with Meru, Doctor Chakwas had confronted him about Jack, and he had learnt that she had the resources to keep her stabilized, but not enough to save her from certain death; which meant sending her to a hospital, just like they had done with Miranda.
The doctor had suggested sending her to Huerta Memorial Hospital; located in the Shalta Wards of the Citadel, and he had agreed to send her there, hearing that the place was one of the best hospitals on the space station; his visit would be short, considering the Council's general dislike of him, and he didn't want to give them a reason to ground his ship; again.
He squeezed the railing, quietly mumbling a goodbye to Jack. The convict hadn't woken up, and wouldn't wake up until she was in hospital, as apparently Chakwas had put her into a chemically-induced coma, as seemed to be the norm now. First we lose Zaeed and Miranda, and now Wrex, Jack and Liara...one by one, my crew leaves, and I'm powerless to help...Zaeed, Wrex and Liara had left willingly, but what of Miranda and Jack? Crippled in battle, in severe pain, and having to be sent to an outsourced hospital because they were short on supplies. Who was next...? How long until the whole crew was picked off?
How long until Tali was the one in a coma?
He shook those horrific thoughts from his mind, but he couldn't stop Harbinger's from seeping back into his head.
You will falter, you will waver, and you will die...
Those damn words...just what the hell was Harbinger eluding to? What the hell was that Reaper thinking? He wondered...no, it couldn't be. Reapers may be powerful beyond imagination, but they weren't prophecizers; it was unlike them. But Harbinger sure did seem obsessed with me completing this 'Prophecy...'
"Commander, are you okay?" Kelly's voice roused him from his thoughts and he immediately stood up, eyes turning to look onto the yeoman's, who stood at her terminal, wearing tight civilian garb, while her ginger hair was brushed back. He allowed a small smile to cross his lips, and he slowly nodded, his smile growing larger as he did before responding.
"Yeah, I'm fine Kelly. Thanks," he let out an exhale of breath as he stood up, hands moving away from the railing as he left the podium, walking down the few steps there were and coming to stand infront of her, "Just alittle distracted; the whole taking down the Shadow Broker and all. I mean...so much has happened. You have-"
"The Shadow Broker being defeated, only to reveal said Broker was a pet and the real one was a quarian who happened to be your wife's supposedly dead mother who actually isn't dead; Liara frees her lover and becomes the new Shadow Broker, Wrex is leaving, Liara left, and Jack is going to have to be sent to a hospital, just like Miranda, to save her life, which means temporarily leaving the crew," she had basically read him like a book, and he opened his mouth to respond, but she merely waved it away, a warm smile growing across her attractive features, "Again, I'm a very good psychologist."
"Of course you are. Illusive Man wouldn't have picked you for my crew if you weren't the best of the best," he deadpanned, and she giggled slightly, cringing at her former association with Cerberus, and Marcus merely shrugged it off, "Anyway, was there something you wanted? I doubt it was to read me off and show off your skills in psychology."
She laughed, and he genuinely believed she was recovering from her PTSD, "Of course commander; Thane wants to speak to you in Life Support. He says he wishes to speak with you privately, and that it involves personal matters only you will understand. Also, Grunt would like to speak with you on similiar grounds; he will be in the Cargo Port on Deck Four."
He nodded, "Thank you Kelly. Keep me posted on anything else," and he quickly looked up at the ceiling, "And EDI, make sure Joker is actually piloting the ship, and not looking at porn."
"You're no fun commander, I swear it," Joker replied over the comm, obviously chimed in, "Not like we can't just put autopilot on this thing. What do you think is going to happen; we'll crash into a tree?"
"Knowing you, I don't think so," he jested, nodding to Kelly appreciatively as he moved for the elevator, tapping the interface to open the door as he stepped inside, "Its the things you won't see coming I'm worried about. You know, like pirates?"
"I am more than capable of detecting such things with my defensive tactics programming," EDI dictated, a lace of what he assumed was...offense?...in its tone as he hit the button for the Crew Deck, standing firmly as the box began its descent.
"Sure thing EDI," he replied, grinning as he did, "Just keep an eye on Joker and we won't have to worry at all, will we?"
"Of course not Commander," EDI stated, "I will have all surveillance cameras on him. He will not be watching explicit sexual intercourse videos or pictures while I am in operation."
"Great, the overlord has gone all PRISM program on me. Next you'll be telling me you're initiating the NSA on the Normandy, Shepard," Joker replied, most likely rolling his eyes, "No porn, got it commander. We'll be at the Citadel by tomorrow, in case you wanted to know."
"Thanks Joker," he finished, rolling his own eyes and his grin slipping off his face as the doors opened to the Crew Deck and he stepped out, assuming a more professional stance. Straightening his uniform, he approached Life Support and lightly rapped his one of his knuckles on the door as a knock. Hearing Thane's muffled 'enter', he tapped the interface and stepped inside, walking all the way to the end where Thane sat behind his makeshift desk on the left, hands clasped on the table before him.
Looking up from the grey, metal surface, the drell assassin's eyes met Marcus' and he nodded to the chair opposite him, "Please Shepard, take a seat. I have something I wish to discuss with you," there was a hint of sadness in Thane's tone as he addressed the N7, and Marcus immediately didn't like it. Something's not right...has Kolyat been hurt? Does he need me to help protect him or get him out of trouble again? What's going on?
Following the drell's instruction, he pulled out the second seat and sat in it, clasping his own hands on the desk as his eyes stayed locked with Thane's, "Kelly told me you wanted to inform me of something personal. Is this about Kolyat? Has he gotten into trouble again? Did that batarian slaver ring who murdered your wife target him? If you want, we can help."
The drell shook his head, a slight smile escaping across his lips from the usual stoic demeanour of the assassin, "Nothing like that, Commander. Kolyat, as far as I know, is perfectly healthy and safe, and working under the employ of Captain Bailey, as he has since we liberated him from that assassination attempt on the Citadel a couple of months ago. Everything is fine with him; however, it is about Kolyat, but also about me. I have to come a decision regarding this mission."
He quirked an eyebrow upwards and slowly nodded, not liking where this was going, given the still melancholic look in his eyes. There's something he isn't saying, "A decision about what?"
"My continued part in it," the assassin leaned back, straightening his uniform while also taking a deep breath, coughing slightly as he did, "Your mission, our mission, against the Reapers is one that will be bloody; I saw that when I first joined your team, when I met the Collectors on the field of battle for the first time and witnessed the power this Harbinger possessed. I knew what was coming, and at first, it terrified me. I am not easily terrified."
He was surprised by that, "You? Terrified? You bet that's unheard of. But to be honest, Sovereign kinda spooked me when I first spoke to it too, so don't feel left out on that."
Thane smiled alittle at that before dropping it, "At first, I did not believe the Reapers to be anything more than myth; and if they were real, their abilities were greatly exaggerated. But when I first fought on the battlefield at your side and encountered one of its servants; it shocked me. The sheer power, how its voice seems to echo through you..." he gulped, shaking his head, "It is horrifying. I realized just what kind of enemy we would face; and what that would require. Like it or not Shepard, this war will require sacrifice. I suspect many on this team will die before the war is over, and others will fall to their indoctrination. I've come to terms with the possibility of my own death."
He shook his head, leaning forward, "Thane, that won't happen. I can't guarantee we'll all live, but you have to believe-"
"I do believe. I believe we can win this. That we will prevail," the drell leaned forward, eyes unable to leave Shepard's, hands clenching, "But deaths are needed for victory, and we must be willing to make sacrifices. I have accepted that I may be one of those sacrifices. I am a terminally-ill drell who is the final months of his life. I'll either die in the war, or I'll die shortly after it from the collapse of my own lungs. It might not even be the Reapers that kill me in battle; maybe it'll be simple asphyxiation on the battlefield from oxygen deprivation. But I need to make closure. I need to see Kolyat one last time."
Marcus nodded, seemingly coming to the same conclusion the drell had, and for a moment, they both remained silent, simply eying each other. Marcus gulped, and he spoke first, crushing the silence instantly and awkwardly, "I...Thane, are you asking permission to leave the Normandy?"
"I am," Thane replied coughing, getting it under control again before continuing, "In the time I got to speak with Kolyat, it was during a rushed shore leave and after saving him from C-Sec incarceration, and that was after I practically abandoned him. He is my son, and he deserves to have a father. I want to spend the last days, months, years, I have with him, to know that all areas are closed, and I can rest in peace knowing I made amends for my abandonment, and that he is happy knowing I have accepted my fate. Please, I request permission to leave the Normandy until such time as the Reaper invasion begins. When it does, I will gladly join you, but until then, I must choose family as a priority. I am sorry."
"Don't apologize Thane. Don't ever apologize," he leaned back and rubbed the back of his neck, meeting the drell's eyes and nodding in understanding, "We're heading to the Citadel to drop off Wrex and Jack before heading off to the Migrant Fleet. We'll be there in one day if that's when you wish to leave."
"That time would be most appropriate and the most convenient," Thane replied, stretching his lithe, green fingers, "I am only sorry for having to leave you. This crew has grown on me, I'll admit, and it saddens me to leave. It feels like I have been here for years; to know the crew as not just comrades, but as family, is a powerful thing. I wish I could say, but when it comes to this crew and my own son, I will always choose Kolyat. Its a simple fact I've come to accept over our time together, and if I'm honest, I've known since the beginning that this time would come for us to part ways, if only temporarily."
He nodded, smiling, "And I completely understand Thane. Its sad to see you go, but I'm glad you stayed as long as you did. You are a credit to this team, and if you ever want to return or need our help, you know who to call. We're all family here, and we don't abandon family. When I first met you, I didn't trust you, but I'm glad I've managed to. You're a unique person, Thane. Not many seek the path of redemption as you do. That's a rare thing. Hold onto that; let it fill you and make you feel alive. Kolyat will need it, because admit it or not, he needs you. And you need him. So go, spend what time you have left with him, and when the war drums beat, be ready to answer the galaxy's call."
Thane nodded, standing up and moving to stand beside the table as he held out his hand, "It was an honor to serve beside you, Shepard, and I look forward to fighting at your side again. It months, years, it won't matter, only that we will."
He smiled warmly as he also stood up, taking his hand and shaking it as he nodded in a saddened manner, "As it was to serve with you, Thane. Take care."
And with that, he left the room, leaving Thane behind. He reentered the elevator and hit the button for deck four, waiting as it descended. He crossed his arms and leaned against the back wall, shaking his head at the recent turn of events. Now Thane's leaving too. I'll miss him, but I understand his reasons. We all need somekind of closure after all that's happened and will happen. God knows I wish I could spend my last days with my mother, aunt, and wife...
When the doors opened, he immediately walked down the corridor and knocked on the Cargo Port door, Grunt's rough growl all the answer he needed as he entered. The krogan turned to him an instant, standing tall and proud, showing just how much taller he was than his battlemaster. But Marcus wasn't looking at that; only the claymore attached to the back of his waist and the mattock on his back, followed by the grenade bandolier. Oh please, not you too...
"Battlemaster," Grunt reported, "Chambers sent you? Good. I need to talk to you."
"You want to leave the crew too?" he asked, and the krogan looked at him in shock before slowly nodding, Marcus just shaking his head with a humorless chuckle, "Thane's also leaving. But I don't understand; why do you want to leave Grunt? I thought you wanted to fight more enemies."
He nodded, pounding a fist on his chest, "I was young, arrogant and head-strong battlemaster, but you taught me one thing, if anything," he Marcus' eyes with his hard, steely-blue ones in an instant, a grin crossing his face, "Wait for your enemy to come for you, and the glory will be worth ten times more. I've learnt that well, and know that there is no place for a supersoldier like me on this ship anymore. The Shadow Broker has been destroyed and replaced by a usurper of ours, so what is there left for me to do? What enemies are left for me to fight? The Reapers will come Shepard, I know that, but for now, they are not here, and I am, and I'm not okay with that."
"I've learnt much on this journey, but I knew that once the Shadow Broker was defeated, I would be purposeless once more. I am a machine of war; built for constant combat, and I am not used to peace time like this," with a nod of his own head, as if trying to convince himself as well as Shepard, he gritted his teeth, "I talked with Chieftain Wrex; about returning to Tuchanka. I have decided to return with him. To return to my homeworld. To my people."
Marcus solemnly nodded, finding a crate to sit on and dragging it over, plopping himself down on it as he met Grunt's steely gaze, "I...understand. But what do you plan to do once you return to Tuchanka?"
"Fullfill my purpose as a member of Clan Urdnot," Grunt replied, beating his chest once more before slamming his fists together with a colossal thud, "Wrex has promised me access to the female camp, and I will fullfill all breeding requests given to me after completion of my rite; I'm going to be very busy. He. He. He," he finished with his slow, methodical, sadistic chuckle, and Marcus could only snort at his attempt at a joke, "After that, I will join the krogan commandos and Wrex we'll see what happens after; he wants to groom me for leadership, Shepard. Wants to give me command of my own unit. Says I will be valuable in the battle against the Reapers."
Marcus smirked, slapping his knee, "That's Wrex for you; but if he believes you can do it, you damn well better believe you can do it. I've never known him to make a choice like that carelessly. There's alot of responsibility in being a leader; its not something to be taken lightly. You have men under your command, and their lives weigh heavily on you."
"Of course battlemaster," Grunt replied, now ever the student.
Marcus continued with his lecture, "The key to being a good leader is to not only keep your men safe, but make them respect you. If they respect you, they'll be more loyal, and a loyal soldier is stronger than ten commandos. Just look out of our squad; it isn't the skills that define us, its ourselves. We defeated the Collectors because we believed we could, because this people believed in each other, and in me. That's why we won. We will beat the Reapers using the same ideology. So Grunt, remember this; when you take command, make them respect you, not because your powerful, but because your like them. You are krogan, and as long as you draw breath, there isn't anything that can't face down. Hell, you faced down a thresher maw. That's bound to earn some respect; it worked for Wrex at least."
Grunt grinned, nodding, "You are wise, battlemaster, and I will follow your advise upon my return to Tuchanka. And when you call for krogan support in defeating the Reapers, we will answer, and me and my unit will stand at your side. Remember what I said when I first left the tank?"
Marcus remembered that all too avidly, "You wanted your name?"
He waved his hand, "No, remember what I said about my enemies?"
A bit of realization dawned on him, and the spectre's grin turned into a nostalgic smile, "You said you'd be honored to pit them against me."
"Let the Reapers be those enemies," the krogan grinned, "I will pit them against you, and standing at your side, as your krantt, we will defeat them together. All of us."
"You've definitely changed Grunt," he sighed, chuckling, "My little krogan is all grown up."
He shook his head, standing tall as Marcus climbed to his feet, "Bigger than you, Shepard."
"Keep thinking that Grunt," Marcus quipped back, "There's a difference between bigger in size, and bigger in spirit. Remember that."
"I will battlemaster," Grunt concluded, and it felt like Marcus was saying goodbye to the krogan. He could only nod and accept his bone-crushing hug before leaving the room, entering the room and slamming the button for Deck One, watching the doors close. He felt trapped, as if everyone he ever knew was leaving him slowly, one by one.
Liara, Wrex, Jack, Thane, Grunt. Five names, all leaving. What happens next?
That was the ever present question.
What happens next?
"Thane and Grunt leaving was saddening, and it was only going to get worse."
- Tali'Shepard pav Rannoch.
"So much worse. Harbinger was right; the Requiem was coming."
A/N:
Yes, Meru'Zorah was the Shadow Broker all along. Now, tbh, I had heavily debated to myself whether I should implement her as the Shadow Broker at all. At first, it was a fantastic idea, but as I grew closer to the big reveal, I began to doubt myself. I've seen pretty bad plot twists in my time, and I didn't know whether this would annoy/piss off or cause you all to squeal in delight and pat me on the back for a twist well done.
I planned on removing the uncertainty all together by making the quarian broker someone else, but I was already past the bit where I stated 'it will be someone you know,' and I couldn't very well make it Peta, as that would be a much more unrealistic plot twist. So I kinda...'winged' it in a way...
So tell me, do you like it or not? Tell me in the review section; tell me if it sucked, was decent, was awesome, or was poor. I don't care, just give me a rating.
And this is where things start to get...drifting. As we slowly build up to Arrival, more of the Normandy crew will leave, but legitimate developments will be provided to explain them. I know Myron, you don't like that idea, but I've gone too far into the Holocaust script to pull out now; however, some crew not featured in the ME3 squad roster will return, including favourites like Kasumi; she's my favourite romance (if she could be); second only to Tali.
I hope to have Chapter 27 out next week! Until then, I've got some more Walking Dead to watch, and a Halo playthrough to get through in preparation for Halo 2 Anniversary's release. I'm so damn excited!