THESSIA
Valya is shopping with her commandos in training. She is laughing and not looking where she is going. She bumps into a beautiful asari that makes her heart jump. "Oh sorry," she says as she reaches out to touch her arm. Her skin tingles at the contact. "I hope I didn't hurt you."
The moment the asari makes eye contact her facial expression turns softer. "No, no it's okay."
"Guess I should watch where I am going huh? What's your name? I'm Valya."
The asari blushes a little. "Dara."
"It's nice to meet you Dara."
Dara looks away and blushes again. "Uh…may I have my hand back?"
Valya reaches out to her bondmate, "Dara? Don't go..Dara."
"Shh shh Valya, can you hear me Valya?"
The former commando feels extremely groggy. She opens her eyes and sees her hand being held not by her bondmate Dara, but the medical examiner Akira. The asari has a mixture of sadness and worry on her face.
"Akira?" Valya clears her throat as she blinks away her grogginess.
"Yeah it's me."
Valya looks around. She is in what appears to be a hospital room.
"You're at Thessia Medical."
"Where's Dava?" Valya sits upright but then eases back down.
"She's next door. They thought it best to keep her sedated until…"
"What?" Valya sits up again, this time she stays upright.
"Now calm down Valya."
"Don't tell me to calm down," Valya swings her legs over the bed to get up. Her head still feels a bit fuzzy. "Why, why are they keeping her sedated?"
"Valya," Akira says in a very calm voice, the former commando almost thinks it is too calm. "We do not know what is going on with her. We don't know her state of mind, the fact that she is unaware of what happened to her mother. After conferring with the Doctors they agreed that it is best to keep her sedated. It keeps Dava safe and it keeps those that are caring for her safe."
Valya doesn't say anything for a few minutes. She is thinking. Finally she says, "Did she kill someone?" The former commando will not look at Akira when she asks the question.
"It is looking that way yes."
Valya looks at Akira when she hears voices in the hallway. "Who's that?"
"Meryl and the Justicar are waiting to speak to you. I was adamant that they wait until you wake up on your own. I am not sure how much longer they will wait before barging in here."
Valya starts to feel panic. "What does the Justicar want with Dava?"
"Now hold on." It is almost as if Akira can read her thoughts. "She is not here to harm her Valya. Samara wants to update us on her findings of Shadow."
"What? I don't understand."
Akira looks away.
"What Akira? What is it?"
"She…well she never wanted to harm Dava." Akira finally makes eye contact.
Valya looks at her, more like through her as she processes what Akira just said. "I…I don't understand."
"Valya," Akira places her hand on top of Valya's, "maybe you should hear it from her. And Meryl is not happy. She doesn't know why you were using a safe house without going through the proper channels. Now I can delay them until you feel up to…"
"Just let them in," Valya interrupts. "Let's get this over with." Valya who is still in her clothes moves off the bed and takes a chair.
"Are you sure?"
"Dava is safe?"
"Yes. She's next door." Akira waits before opening the door.
Valya clears her throat, "Akira?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. Thank you for helping me."
Akira nods then opens the door.
The voices in the hallway cease. "She is awake."
The Justicar along with Meryl enter the small room. The only one sitting is Valya.
"How are you feeling Detective?" asks Samara.
"I'm fine thank you."
"Care to explain your actions Valya?" Meryl wants answers now, forget about the formality of a greeting.
Valya sees Akira roll her eyes.
"I am not sure what you mean."
Meryl crosses her arms and stares hard at the detective. She takes in a breath then lets it out. "I would like to know why your bondma…."she stops herself. She lightens her tone. "Why did Akira and Dara take Dava to one of our safe houses? Why did you run from the Justicar?"
Valya looks between her boss and the Justicar and the medical examiner. She looks back at her boss, "I was afraid for my daughter's safety."
Meryl waits for more. Valya doesn't say anything more.
"Did you believe I would harm your daughter Detective?" asks Samara.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Valya remains silent.
"We are waiting Detective," says Meryl.
Valya clears her throat. She doesn't make eye contact with any of them. "The Justicar is here to hunt Ardat-Yakshi." Valya's throat suddenly tightens.
"You believe your daughter is an Ardat-Yakshi?"
The former commando looks at the Justicar and nods.
"Detective, I apologize if I gave you the impression that my sole mission in life is to hunt Ardat-Yakshi. It is true I am after Shadow, but I had no intention of harming your daughter. I simply wanted to speak with her."
Valya feels sick. Her mind is reeling. Is it her fault that all of this happened? By protecting her daughter from a threat that did not exist her bondmate was killed. How is she supposed to live with that?
Akira can see Valya struggling to talk so she says, "Since we are unaware of how a Justicar operates we…."
"Jumped to conclusions," says Meryl.
Everyone is silent.
Meryl finally says, "So you took them to the safe house to do what exactly Valya?"
"To keep them safe. I…I needed time to think and I didn't think home was safe."
"Remember Captain, Valya was recovering from a severe concussion," says Akira.
Valya looks at her boss. The asari is surprisingly calm. Normally she would be yelling at her and giving her a piece of her mind. Guess losing your bondmate spares her wrath. Valya almost wants it. She wants to be yelled at because it is looking more and more like it is her fault that her bondmate is dead. If she didn't have Dara and Akira take Dava to the safe house then none of this would have happened.
"Valya?"
"Detective?"
Valya looks up. It is obvious the three have been talking to her but she has no idea what they have been saying.
"What?"
"I was simply informing you of what transpired after your late bondmate fled with your daughter."
Valya is confused. First to have Dara called her late bondmate and two, what else is going on?
"Shadow attacked Matriarch Aethyta and her granddaughter was caught in the crossfire."
"What?" Valya stands panic hitting her again. "Who? I mean which one?"
Samara explains what transpired. The Justicar followed Shadow but lost her. It was during this time that Shadow attacked the Matriarch. Once Little A was treated Aethyta agreed to speak with Samara. It was then that the Justicar realized that she was speaking to Liara's father and discussing Shepard and Liara's family.
"It is my understanding that Shepard and Liara are on their way home from Tuchanka as we speak."
"So wait a minute," says Valya. "I don't understand. If Shadow was attaching Aethyta then who attacked the safe house and took Dava?"
"That is unknown at this time," says Meryl.
"I may be able to shed some light on this though I know that your detectives and crime scene team are still analyzing the apartment, "says Samara.
"Please." Meryl gestures for the Justicar to continue.
"Shadow's motive is to approach the young asari. Get them while they are young so her influence over them is stronger. She has been moving around the Terminus system for a few decades. She stops on a planet and may remain there for a month or more but not much longer than that. She meets young powerful asari and lures them in. Romances them, gives them what they want, if it is material items or sex she has no problem fulfilling the young asari needs. As she works with the asari she slowly dominates them, uses her powers of influence over them so that they do her bidding even when she is not near them."
"So she is back on Thessia to what? Make sure her asari are still doing her bidding?" asks Valya.
"To some extent yes. I also believe she recruits more asari if she is able. So while she was fighting with Matriarch Aethyta, she had one of her asari take Dava."
"Why? Why do they want Dava?"
"I can only theorize at this point."
"Well theorize away then," says Valya. She is losing her patience. She wants to see her daughter.
"You mentioned that Dava was taken in order to lure in Mia T'Soni?" asks Samara.
"That's right."
"Perhaps Dava is resisting Shadow's influence. Perhaps she is not doing her bidding as she expects and that is why she sent someone to take her."
Valya shakes her head. "Dava is not that powerful a biotic though. I mean she has improved sure but…"
"I am talking about her mind Detective. That is why I wanted to speak with her. I read the report on the incident that occurred at Shepard's home. Where Dava warned Mia to get away from her."
"She did the same thing outside the apartment," says Akira.
"I believe Dava has been fighting this influence that Shadow has on her. When Dava warns people, she can feel it. She feels overwhelmed and knows she cannot contain it."
"It? What is it?" asks Valya.
"Her power," says Samara, "though your fellow officers are still processing the scene at the apartment, there is a dead asari we must speak about."
"What?" Valya looks at Akira. The look on her face tells the former commando that the Justicar speaks the truth. "Dava killed the asari that took her? It's self-defense then."
"Hold on," says Meryl. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"I believe your daughter is more powerful than you give her credit Detective. The destruction in that apartment says as much."
Valya sits down while shaking her head. "I…I don't ….Is…is she under arrest?"
"Not yet," says Meryl. "Sara and Naava should have a report to me by morning. Official charges will be discussed then. In the meantime, Dava will remain here under sedation until we can contain whatever power she has within her."
Valya looks up at Samara when she feels a hand on her shoulder. "My goal is to track and kill Shadow. I think your daughter could help me with that. I would like your permission to speak to her."
Valya starts to nod then says, "Can this power she has be contained?"
"If she has killed and is indeed an Ardat-Yakshi, she will not be able to contain the urge to kill again. I am sorry Detective."
Valya lets that sink in for a minute. "She doesn't know." Valya stands. "She doesn't know her mother is dead. I …Goddess how am I going to tell her? I…I need to speak with her first Justicar."
"Of course."
"If you two would excuse us," says Meryl.
Valya looks at Akira who looks worried. The Justicar and medical examiner leave the room.
"What's going on boss?"
"I am taking you off this case."
Valya sits down again. She suddenly feels like the air has been let out of her.
"I believe you were not thinking clearly while recovering from your severe concussion, which will hopefully help you keep your job. You ascertained a safe house without going through proper channels. You put the life of one of our medical examiners in harm's way and an asari civilian is dead. I am suspending you without pay while an internal investigation is conducted into your actions."
Valya cannot believe it and yet at the same time she can. Everything is falling apart. If she just didn't tell Dara and Akira to take Dava to the safe house none of this would have happened. If she would have confronted Samara to question her intentions, her bondmate would still be alive. How did everything spiral out of control so quickly? What is she going to do? How the hell is she going to tell her daughter that her mother is dead?
Valya quickly runs into the adjacent bathroom and vomits.
Meryl wants until she comes out.
"I am truly sorry for your loss Valya. Dara was a wonderful person. She will be missed." Meryl waits before continuing. "I know this is a lot to take in Detective. I need your badge and your weapon."
Valya looks at her boss's extended hand then looks down. Her sidearm feels like a part of her she didn't even realize she had it strapped on. The detective unclips her badge from her belt then hands it over along with her sidearm to her boss. "This is the sidearm from the sky car. My other one is locked at home."
"I will have an officer accompany you to your home to retrieve it after you have spoken to your daughter."
"Is Kendall alright?"
Meryl nods, "She's fine."
"I…I was just trying to protect my daughter."
Meryl silently takes the badge and sidearm. "I will contact you when your suspension is lifted." Meryl starts to leave the room.
"Do I have to leave the hospital right now?"
Meryl turns to Valya, "After you visit with your daughter? Yes. I don't want you sleeping here."
Valya just nods as her boss turns and leaves the room.
EN ROUTE TO THESSIA
Liara gave up on sleep over an hour ago. She and Shepard once en route were able to contact home though it wasn't Aethyta they spoke to but rather Raina. Their oldest child told them about the Matriarch being attacked by an Ardat-Yakshi and how Little A was hurt in the cross fire.
Liara insisted she see her youngest on vid something Raina was all too happy to do for her mother and father. Though Little A was sleeping it was a big relief to see her. Raina actually gave her parents the update in the adjacent bathroom to Little A's hospital room. She didn't have the heart to wake her grandfather and it was Raina's omni-tool that rang when they could not get a hold of Aethyta. Raina told them that Mia and Eva do not yet know about what happened to Little A or to Dara. Liara and Shepard agreed that it was okay not to tell them just yet.
Liara and Shepard's second call was to Oriana. The human put Mia and Eva on vid screen so they could talk to them. Both were very excited to hear their parents were on their way home. They asked permission to spend the night at the estate and they gladly agreed.
Their third call was to Captain Meryl of the Thessia Police Department. They got her voicemail so they did not leave a message. They figured they would call later.
Since they left Tuchanka in the middle of the night Shepard fell asleep after the third call was made. She was exhausted. It is something Liara has always admired about her bondmate. No matter the circumstances it seems like Shepard can sleep when she needs to and stay awake when she needs to. It's probably due to her training.
Liara is making her way to the pilot's area where Arelia is currently piloting the ship.
"Can't sleep?"
"No."
"I thought you felt better after speaking with Raina and Oriana?"
"I do, yes of course I do it's just…." Liara's voice cracks. She was not expecting the tears to come so fast.
Arelia punches a few buttons then stands to hug Liara.
"I'm sorry, I just…"
"No need to apologize Liara. Dara was a wonderful person. I liked her very much."
Liara steps back from the hug. "Of course. It seems I cannot stop crying." She wipes at her cheeks. "I …well I just cannot believe it. I wish I could be there for Valya and for Dava. That poor girl has been through too much as it is." Liara sits next to Arelia. "How much longer?"
"We are pushing her to her limits. I am hoping twenty-four hours."
Liara stands, "Goddess, I cannot stand this…this waiting. I need to be home, I need my children." She begins to pace.
Arelia punches a few buttons so the ship maintain course. She stands as well. "What can I do?"
"I just feel so helpless Arelia. I mean what if having my daughters at your estate put your children in danger? I could not live with myself if something happened to Shayna and Rose."
"That won't happen Liara."
"How do you know? This Shadow person attacked my father and nearly killed Little A! I just…"
"Liara?"
Both asari look to see Shepard in her tank top and shorts. She looks half asleep. "What's going on?"
Liara shakes her head as her hand cups her mouth. She starts to cry.
Shepard quickly walks to her bondmate and envelopes her into a hug. She nods to Arelia who sits back down in the pilot's chair.
"Come to bed."
"I can't sleep Elly I …I just can't."
"Okay, it's okay." Shepard starts to walk with her back to their cabin. "Then we can talk okay. We can call the kids again if you want to."
"I..I don't even know what time it is there. How can you stand this waiting?"
They make it to the cabin. Shepard guides Liara to a chair. She fetches a glass of water and hands to the asari. "Drink."
Liara takes a few sips. It doesn't stop her tears. "I can't believe she's dead Elly. Dara is dead and we aren't there. We should be there. I mean Little Aethyta what if…"
Shepard hugs her again. "Shh shh you can't go there Liara you just can't. She is fine, you saw for yourself."
Liara stands and pushes Shepard away. "But for how long? And what if they attack Mia and we aren't there? What if Shayna or Rose or Oriana are hurt this time?"
"Liara."
"What? How can you be so damn calm Elly?" Liara stops pacing and places her hands on her hips.
It has been a long time since Shepard has seen her so worked up. "I'm not calm on the inside Liara believe me. My heart bleeds for Valya and Dava. I mean, we have known Dava her whole life. I still remember talking to Valya about having a baby as if it were yesterday. I mean Dara…" Shepard stops a minute then resumes, "she wanted a baby so badly. It took Valya getting shot to realize that waiting was stupid because even for an asari life can sometimes be too short."
"I just…I just want to hold our children Elly I just…" Liara sits hard on the bed, "it's something Dara can never do again." Liara starts to sob into her hands.
Shepard sits next to her on the bed and pulls her into a hug. "I know honey….I know. We will be home soon, they will be in our arms and we will deal with this Shadow person once and for all."
"I hate her Elly. I have never met this person and I want to rip her to shreds for taking such an innocent life."
"I know…I know, I do too. Come on." Shepard pulls Liara with her to lie down on the bed. After a few minutes Shepard is relieved that Liara has fallen asleep. The human kisses the back of Liara's neck, closes her eyes and dreams of revenge.
