Kelice Medical Center
Despite the presence of several Salarian technicians at their consoles, the laboratory was quiet. Fully engrossed in their work, they had little time to spare in irrelevant conversations. They preferred to invest it in growing the fruits of their research, to work undisturbed. Their drive, to finish every goal they set themselves. Time was of essence and commanded every aspect of their short lives. Hence, an hour or so of sleep after the meeting was sufficient for Kedar before he continued in his project, carrying on through the night till the next morning. As did his Salarian cohorts.
The beep from his omni-tool was an affront he wanted to ignore but could not since it was a reminder of his appointment. After transferring the most recent data from his console to his omni-tool before shutting down his work station, he proceeded with briskness to the meeting, mind bustling with various cogitations as he walked down the corridors.
Efficiency. Celerity. Competency. Perception. Four simple principles that dictated Kedar's approach to every problem that appeared on the horizon and guided him to fulfilling achievements and advancement in his chosen profession. There was nothing he felt he could not overcome, no solution he could not find. That was before the advent of the Reapers and the prodigious catastrophe they presented with their intentions that loomed across the galaxy. Never before had he felt so lacking, so inadequate as every effort to find some means of defense against the ancient enemies drew a blank. Desperate were those months as the Crucible was put together, to find any means to slow the Reaper advance. Whatever could be used, were used. Even if it were implausible, it was tried. They had nothing to lose. In the end, it came down to numbers, brute force, military strategies and all out cooperative efforts in a desperate push to finally vanquish the giant synthetic abominations.
A pity the same could not be said of the more lively thralls the Reapers left behind. Too sentient, too intelligent, warped as they were. Although the allied powers were reluctant to begin another conflict, the menace they represented quickly became apparent in the weeks that followed the demise of their masters. Skirmishes had erupted at allied homeworlds and colonies, both in space and on planet. Military depots were sabotaged. Supply and travel routes were attacked, hampering the reestablishment of trade routes.
The initial reluctance to engage them with any force was quickly replaced by determination to avoid another protracted conflict. The cost in lives during the Reaper War was a staggering estimated sixty percent of galactic population. Confronted by the grim prospect of more decimation, the allied powers moved to stamp down on the TI, removing staging bases their masters had set up for them and turning their attention to those hiding on their homeworlds.
Humans, Turians, Salarians and every other race were pushing with every effort to eradicate the menace at their backdoor. The same could not be said of the Asari however. The Asari were the most egalitarian of the Council races, their philosophical approach to any contingency, infamous. To Kedar, it was this ingrained mindset that was proving to be the most aggravating stumbling block to his research. It mattered not to him that any internal conflict in their long history was ancient and that there hadn't been one in the last millennium. The past was the past, history was only meant to showcase progress and pitfalls in the endless journey of evolution. What was the most important was the present. Securing galactic peace and stability was vital and should take precedence over all else but the Asari apparently did not hold the same views. Such stubborn resistance to do what was necessary was incomprehensible.
"Salarian."
Preoccupied in his musings, he did not notice someone approaching from the opposite direction had stopped to speak to him until he bounced off a biotic field that flashed before him. As fast as it appeared, it vanished once he was halted.
"Salarian." A hiss.
"Speak later?" he said after he gathered his wits, not inclined to speak to Jieull once he recognised who it was who threw up the field. "Important meeting I'm going to."
"No doubt. Salarian," Jieull said softly. So intense was the acrimony in her eyes that Kedar wondered if she would release the pent up rage out there in the corridor, in front of witnesses. "Did you find anything new?"
"That is something I would discuss only with the Director," he said, waiting for Jieull to state her actual intent. Friendly discourse she was definitely not making, he need not waste time with her.
"Let me make a suggestion. Discuss appropriately, Salarian," Jieull said with a menacing smile. "Lest you find yourself disaffiliated."
"Clear are my intentions," Kedar said, eyelids half drawn up with displeasure.
"Muddy them, Salarian." Jieull turned away and strolled swiftly down the corridor.
Without bothering to watch her go, Kedar resumed his interrupted journey. Muddy his intentions? What nonsense was she uttering? He was not hers to dictate to. He would find a way to kill off the TI and save everyone, save the next generation on Sur'Kesh. No more hatcheries would be under threat if he had to kill himself to find the answer. His pace quickened in reflection to his bolstered determination that he was almost marching. So unusual was his gait and demeanor when he stomped into her office unannounced, Telienos wondered what was it that was twisting the horns of the unflappable Salarian though she could hazard a guess or two. She waved back her assistant who had attempted to intercept Kedar.
"Possibilities, possibilities!" Fingers wavering in the air, Kedar paced back and forth before Telienos, completely forgetting to greet her. "If initial attempt was an error, result inconclusive. Second error, supportive subjective, differentiating viable. Third to tenth error, indicative of conscious mischief. Insupportable. Missing! Missing! Prothean data holds progressing values, should find. Key to recognizing dissociate axons..."
"Kedar-," Teleinos interjected patiently, cutting into his soliloquy, her tone bringing the Salarian to a halt. "Please, take a seat." She nodded to the chair before her desk.
"Apologies, Director," Kedar said faintly as he sat down, realizing his encounter with Jieull had fueled his indignation and frustration with the TI situation. "Intent not to be discourteous," he said, upset that he had diminished himself before Telienos whom he had come to respect. She was, in his opinion, one of the few pragmatic and astute Asari he had come to know. That she trusted only him to conduct the investigation only infused his confidence that she would do the right thing.
"Intent to resolve complications, apology accepted." Telienos hid a smile when Kedar's almost screwed up eyes snapped open at that unusual syntax that echoed his own. "The research is sabotaged?"
"Comprehensively ascertained," he nodded, rising from his chair to take out a finger length, half a centimetre thick datastick from the arm pocket of his labsuit and placing it before her.
He restrained himself from pointing out that the saboteurs could only be Asari. It was obvious. There was nothing he could detect in Telienos that she was upset at the betrayal, only acceptance. His esteem of her rose; she did not question the validity of his conclusions. She said nothing as she glanced at her console, ignoring the datastick for the moment as she intended to look into it later.
"The report from Sur'Kesh is also positive. Caution is advised," she said. "You are suggesting another examination of Prothean records."
He was not at all put out by her pursuing a parallel inquiry. That she did so was any capable leader would do. "Plausible sources should be investigated," he said. "Dr T'Soni's expertise would be appreciated."
"You trust her judgement?" Telienos wondered he would trust another Asari after the perpetual confrontations he had with Jieull and her cohorts ever since he arrived on Thessia.
"Young she is but objective despite exception, subjective in beliefs," he said musingly. "Correlate data with other experts but expectations, results she is exacting."
"That is high praise."
"Truth."
"She sent a message that she is unable to come in today-," Telienos began to say.
"Cannot wait," Kedar interrupted, dismayed. "Situation worsening."
"I was about to suggest that you could visit her briefly."
"Sick?" Kedar questioned, hearing the emphasis.
"In a manner of speaking." Telienos did not bother to explain when Kedar's eyes crinkled up slightly. She doubted he had the slightest interest in Asari bonding customs. For a moment, she debated telling Kedar to wait a day but on second consideration, decided to send him on. Liara would know to expedite.
"I'll inform her you're dropping by."
T'Soni Estate
Exhausted as she was, April dozed lightly. She drifted in and out, rousing to check that Liara was resting comfortably. Curled against her bondmate's back, she pressed her face closer, breathing in Liara's scent as her hands gently caressed the slumbering body. There was the need to assure herself that Liara was there, it was no dream. She would not be completely rid of her fears yet but she felt more secured now than she was before. Her hand paused over Liara's belly.
Did we really make a baby?
It was silly, she knew, to want some evidence now. The tell tale signs would only be forthcoming in how many months? How long would it take for an Asari to gestate before giving birth?
Damn it April, you really are the ignoramus Effia said you are. You should start reading up on how to take care of expectant Asari mothers and babies.
Another thought struck her. There was no way she would accept Admiral Hackett's offer to reinstate her as the commanding officer of the Normandy after her tenure as Allied consultant. Granted, he hinted the possibility, not explicitly stated it. However, she knew she would not be able to tear herself from Liara's side or the baby even if he came right out and said so.
I'd rather fly a desk.
A soft chime at the door caught her attention. Probably Effia, coming to check why the both of them were not up and downstairs for breakfast. Or was it lunch? She glanced at the window to see the sun had passed zenith. Strange, would not the housekeeper check on them earlier? Damn, how was she to get herself to the door? Her limbs felt enervated. Before she could decide what she ought to do, the door open to reveal the housekeeper bearing a tray with two bowls and two glasses of herbal tea in her hands. The door slide shut as she approached the bed.
"Normally, I would not disturb the two of you," Effia said, placing the tray on the nightstand. "But you have a visitor coming in soon."
"Visitor?" April rasped and felt her throat, grimacing in discomfort.
"Eat. I'll talk." Effia shoved one of the bowls at April which she had to take quickly in both hands or have the contents tipped over her.
"I don't think I can..," April began to say, feeling that she could not move at all but Effia motioned with her arm, using her biotics to lift her to sit upright against the pillows. Part of the blanket lifted to drape over her, covering her nakedness. "What is-," she frowned at the avocado colour mush in the bowl.
"It's Aciavo, a plant stew. Just the kind of energy food to have after a good workout. Eat!" Effia said firmly when April stared at her. "Someone from the medical R&D is coming by for a urgent conference with Liara."
"Why didn't he call her?' April said lowly, taking a cautious bite. The consistency was like oatmeal. She was astonished by the mix of flavours, especially a peppery taste that reminded her somewhat of red wine. "Is this alcoholic?" she asked in puzzlement.
"No. What does it taste like to you?" Effia asked curiously.
"A sort of peppery red wine." April took another mouthful, liking the taste.
"Glad you like it. It's all fresh greens and bits of meat if you want to know, nothing fermented. Back to your question. Director Telienos wants to keep his visit quiet. Don't ask me what it's all about." Throwing up her hands, Effia shook her head in anticipation to April's next question. "I'm only the messenger. He'll be here soon. Perhaps in half an hour. You've better get her up and eat her food while it's still warm-," she nodded to the oblivious Liara and moved to the door.
"How do you know...er-," April held up the bowl, surprised to feel strength returning to her limbs.
"I heard the both of you. Moaning loud enough to bring the house down." Effia vanished through the door before a red faced April could think of anything to say.
Toes curling in embarrassment, she wondered if any of the household assistants also heard them.
She's having me on. There's no way she could have heard us unless she had her head plastered to that door. Still, how would she know we're too tired to get up?
Feeling a liquor tingle on her lips, she examined the remaining Aciavo. Fresh greens? Somehow she doubted it. Returning her empty bowl to the tray after downing the remnants, she gently shook Liara by her shoulder. It took a few minutes and patient prodding before she could get any response.
Wake up, love. One of your colleagues is coming by to see you.
Who?
No idea.
Seeing that Liara was unable to gather any strength to turn over, April pulled her up to sit against her and fed her bondmate when she couldn't hold the bowl. Liara finally roused after the food was consumed. April handed her one of the glasses which she was able to hold, glad to see her looking more alert.
Effia was here.
Uh yeah... {discomfort}
Why are you feeling...ahhh. {chuckle} She was not standing at our door. {laughed at the image April sent to her} I sent her a message, to have her informed the others I will not be coming in today.
When did you do that? April was certain there wasn't any time for Liara to send any message.
I woke up earlier and sent her a message on my omni-tool.
Oh.
Feeling her strength flooding in, Liara sipped the tea but remained ensconced in her bondmate's arms, not inclined to move.
It is customary for bonding couples to remain secluded for a day or two after intense Joining. The better for the new bonding to settle.
New bonding? April frowned and realised there was a difference in the link. Hmm. And time to recuperate?
Um hmm.
April cocked her head, inwardly examining the mental link which seemed augmented to a different level. She could follow Liara's train of thought easily which at the moment was a plain and simple feeling of satiation, warmth and comfort at being held. Joy with their new rapport.
How strong is this link?
It differs with every couple but touching as we are now, we are clear as water to each other. Distance and mental shields would weaken or block it.
I will "hear" you less the farther I'm away?
We will feel the elements of each other's feelings but for clarity, we have to be near or to touch. At least, that was what I was told.
We'll find out together. She nuzzled Liara's neck and grinned when she felt the shiver of delight that ran through her. Her hands began to wander.
April.. not now. {reluctant protest} Whoever is coming would not appreciate being kept waiting while we are... {gasp} preoccupied.
Oh all right.
Removing the empty glass from Liara's hand and putting it back on the tray, April slide out of bed and bent to scoop her bondmate up in her arms.
A shower is in order, ma'am.
I'd expect the best of behaviour from you {mock admonishment} ... April!
Watching the pacing Salarian in the hall, his agitation plain and obvious, Effia wondered if he intended to bore a hole into the ground. She didn't bother to ask him to take a seat. Jumpy Salarians, particularly ones of this type, could never stand or sit still when they had something in their heads. Perhaps throwing him into one of the running streams would cool down whatever was heating up his buns. Whatever buns Salarians had on them.
Such a hustling and bustling lot, eager to amass and attain as much experience and objectives as fast as possible in their short lives. Being around them always made her feel harried. Like this one churning up more and more froth in his wake. She wished she could attach him to one of those ancestral mills depicted in the ancient temples. At least he would be doing something practical with his energy.
"Confirmed, Dr T'Soni knows of my presence?" he enquired for the umpteenth time, pausing only long enough to face her politely.
"She's right behind you," Effia said dryly before making herself scarce.
Kedar wheeled around immediately to face Liara as she walked up with April. "Dr T'Soni, apologies for disturbance but your expertise required."
"Your presence is always welcome, Dr Olor." Having seen Kedar's discomposure from the top of the stairs, Liara had an idea of the intent of his visit. "This is-," she turned to April, dressed casually in shirt and pants.
"Shepard. Captain. One of vital keys to victory over the Reapers," Kedar interrupted, eagerly thrusting out his hand for the human to shake. "Kedar Olar. Always want to meet."
"Indeed, I did not win the war alone." April smiled, relieved by his response. There was none of that worshipful attention often seen in people the moment they heard her name.
"Yes, yes." Kedar nodded in agreement. "Cooperative effort major element. As in then and now, ever."
"What do you need, Kedar?" Liara asked.
"Implications. Confirmation project procedures and results meddled with. Plausible to implement viral component but required more Prothean data to define it as possibility and intended targets. Otherwise-." Kedar shook his head.
"You're saying speeding up TI atrophy is plausible but you need more information to make precision adjustments such that the intended targets are the TI. You think there is more information to find in Prothean archives," April said, stroking Liara's back soothingly when she felt her dismay on hearing Kedar's revelations of betrayal and the confirmation it was possible to create a viable chemical compound.
Oh April!
I know, love. I'm sorry it has come to this.
"Correct." Kedar was pleased the human understood him. Always level headed, some humans were, he felt. Especially Shepard, who advocated that the TI should be dealt with as soon as possible in an interview three years ago.
Liara took a deep breath. She knew she was wavering again into hoping to save the TI. Kedar's words confirmed there was no point in denying it was a hopeless cause. Time to turn her energies to securing the future for her people, herself and the child. A warm feeling of encouragement flowed through the link when April felt her resolve.
"I have searched through surviving Prothean archives. There is no research data that could possibly help you," she said.
"One moment." April touched her arm, having an idea as she flicked through her bondmate's memories on the Prothean archives she conducted searches in. "There's one other archive you have yet to look into." Liara's eyes widened at the image April sent her.
Is it possible?
It's still there. The Reapers never got to it. Their priority was us. Why would they bother with a dead world?
"Where is this archive?" Kedar asked excitedly, looking at one to the other.
"Ilos."