Unknown Location
The room was well lit though not by the lights glimmering from the ceiling. They were more of an adornment than executing their honest function. That task was performed by the fiery brilliance of the stars outside that turned the room into a myriad of orange hues that bounced off the shining black floor. Nobody in the room looked out however. Feet padding soundlessly over the floor, servitors filled wine glasses, removed dirty dishes and brought in every succeeding course with brisk efficiency. The three diners did not speak, polishing off deviled eggs, vichyssoise, garden salad, lamb rib chops and petits fours. Soft music played in the background with the clink of cutlery and glasses an accompaniment. Finally, the dishes were taken away. The diners sat back, nursing cups of coffee.
At the head of the dining table, Delmond lit up a cigarette, drawing in the smoke deeply before exhaling. His heavy jowls creased into folds as he glanced at his companions. They looked back impassively, eyes veiled as they waited for him to start the discussion.
"Regrettable," he said simply.
"It's inevitable the moment we move the units out," Bonnet said, seated on his left. He rubbed his sparse beard and shrugged. "Hardware deficiency, the greater demand in the trade exchange and security concerns is forcing our operatives to be more open. There have been inquiries."
"Who's nosing around?"
Trimmed dark beard covering his lower face, Saracino, seated across from Bonnet, reached for a grape from the bowl of fruit sitting between them, popped it into his mouth while he waited for Bonnet's reply.
"A drell working for the Shadow Broker. The Systems Alliance are also putting out feelers."
"The Shadow Broker," Saracino chuckled derisively. "I'm surprise she's even trying. The network is shattered and most of her agents are goo."
"Even so, she could eventually be a problem." Delmond took a sip of his coffee. "It's too bad our mentor didn't share all he knew or we could have her put down in the chaos."
"You give too much credence in her abilities," Saracino said dismissively, "and the capability of the Systems Alliance. They are too busy trying to clean up their own backyard to look in our direction."
He looked at Bonnet for agreement but the man said nothing. "I recommend we move the schedule forward," he continued. "I doubt they can find our assets or deduce our intentions."
Bonnet frowned gravely at Saracino. "I wouldn't dismiss the SA prematurely."
"They're weak but a lame dog can still bite," Delmond agreed. He stubbed out the cigarette in the ash-tray before him, reached for his wine glass and drained it. The moment he put it on the table, the servitor who stood nearby quickly refilled it from the bottle she was holding and returned to her position. Her eyes, a total glazing blue with no visible pupil, stared at nothing. Streaks of black coated cybernetics could be seen creeping up her neck. Saracino gazed at her for several seconds, thinking she looked familiar. He thought he ought to speak to her. He wondered why.
"What should we do then?" he asked distractedly, shifting his attention back to the others.
"Delay the schedule for a while." Delmond eyed Saracino with faint distaste. "Move the units that were involved in the incident to reserve depots. With the Alliance sniffing around to pick up our trail, we should lie low-," he looked at Bonnet, "and that means all acquisitions should cease for the moment."
"Already done," Bonnet said placidly and smiled sneeringly at Saracino when Delmond made a sound of approval.
"Should we try again for our old contacts?" Saracino tried to keep his displeasure from showing. "We are sorely in need of intelligence on the movements of the Alliance."
"A waste of time." Bonnet ignored the unhappy stare from Saracino. "Our old supporters think we're dead. Even if they know Cerberus still exist, we're mere peons in their eyes."
"They'll come around." Delmond rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Once we successfully claim the first phase of our objective, get it up and running, they will see we are still a force to be reckon with. That we still have humanity's interests at heart. They will be convinced to give us their support. We shall then make true our mentor's vision, humanity at the forefront of the galactic community. Humanity shall lead and the rest shall follow or be kicked to the wayside. Humanity..."
Not at all interested in listening to Delmond's oration, one trotted out every other day, Saracino interjected quickly, "What about Shepard?"
Delmond's voice turned ugly. "That bitch will suffer for our mentor's death." He inhaled heavily and winced, rubbing his head, turning slightly pale. "Eventually. We will take all that she treasures and make her suffer, as we have suffered."
"Eventually?" Saracino echoed in disbelief. "We should remove her before we take that first big step."
"I agree." Bonnet nodded. "She's dangerous and can upset our plans."
"Do either one of you have a plan to make it happen?" Delmond inquired silkily. "Name one agent we have now who can pass the gauntlet of security check points, have the ability to overcome the platoon of Asari commandos on the estate and outfight Shepard. If you can guaranteed the success of such an operation, I'll stamp my approval."
He stared coldly at them when they said nothing.
"No? Then be silent. Our mentor's mistake was to convert the agents too quickly. Most ended up as Reaper fodder. We lost the rest when the Alliance attacked Cronos Station. Shepard can wait because she will come to us. Once we begin our conquest, who do you think the Alliance and the rest will ask to lead the forces against us?"
He saw understanding and agreement in their faces.
"She will be leading the fight. We will get her. Make no mistake." He stared at them to emphasize his point before glancing at the chronometer set into the table at his side. "It's time for you to return to your duties."
Without a word, the other two men got to their feet obediently and walked towards the door. Saracino tried to remember what he was thinking earlier and couldn't. At the moment, he knew he should return to his post. He paused at the door and looked back to see Delmond gestured to the female servitor. She put the bottle she was holding on the table before kneeling down between his legs. A spasm crossed Saracino's face, anger flared when her face flashed before his eyes, animated. She was saying words he could not hear. He felt he should do something to stop what she was doing. The anger suddenly died. He tried once more to grasp that fleeting memory. He shook his head, blinking in confusion, shrugged and walked through the door.
Thessia
"You should not have done it if you know not what you're doing."
Sanar did not respond to the sharp bite in the cold censuring voice. Nor to the scorn that lashed her as a foolish youngling. If she was a youngling, the censure would bend her head, an admission of her fault. Instead, she stood with an air of receptive respect in the middle of the audience room and looked steadily back at one of the principal authority of the T'Enaire clan, matriarch Yustine. Of the pecking order in the clan elder circle, Yustine was the second and usually dealt with important affairs of the clan. That it was she who issued the summons to Sanar, it was clear the clan matriarchs were furious with her.
"I am aware of what I have done." Sanar watched the faces of the matrons attending Yustine but could not discern what they were thinking nor taste their aura. They were keeping themselves well tempered. "I have an obligation that cannot be ignored."
"I question your judgement when you hand private files of great import to an outsider."
"Your Eminence, when it comes to a point where I have to choose which is the greater good, clan or Thessia. I choose Thessia."
Showing signs of emotion for the first time, dark purple suffused Yutine's face, a stark contrast to her faded facial markings. "How dare you. Your obligation is to your clan. "
"I dare, your Eminence." Sanar returned coolly. "I question myself when our homeworld remain barren of songs and light. How have I failed my duty in protecting our people? What did I not do? Where did I go wrong? If there is a way to correct my inadequacies then I must take it."
"Have you no faith in the Elders?"
"Forgive me Eminence," regret tinged Sanar's softened voice.
She should show some signs of remorse for openly declaring her lack of faith but she couldn't. This was an opportunity to voice her opinion directly to the circle, a chance to skim whatever she could on what was going on in the upper echelons of the clan herself and she wasn't going to waste it.
"You presume to know better?" Yustine snapped. "Where will we be without their wisdom? The path to the future has always lie with the Elders whose decisions have guided the people to stand where they are today."
"Stand still too long and the sea that is steadily rising day by day will leave nothing behind except broken, struggling people, Eminence."
Sanar was tempted to cite the number of casualties from the TI attack on the spaceport. The assault was overwhelming and unexpected. Far far different from the probing attacks in the past. It was as if rage had taken hold of the TI and they were determined to consume Kelice and Sharzis. She could not guess at the cause of that rage. She was grateful High Command called for Geth support when groups of TI broke past defenses at several spots and surged into the spaceport. The additional reinforcements forced the TI to retreat. Yet if every TI on the planet came at them, there's nothing to stop them.
Why didn't they?
Civilians who were slow to get to safety were killed in the crossfire between spaceport security and the TI. It was the fiercest TI assault thus far. The need to deal with them had risen threefold. Discontent and fear were growing. Heated arguments had erupted over the network of forums. Surely the Assembly and the elders could not be so obtuse as to pretend that the people were not losing confidence in them? Surely they would not continue to deny what was happening? That they would eventually lose what they had gained if they failed to push forward?
Looking at Yustine and the matrons' obdurate faces, Sanar thought they would.
"What occurred was regrettable but you should understand that the crisis we face now is temporary." Yustine's voice mellowed into a persuasive tone. "The Elders' wisdom will guide the people as they always do. Trust in the past to build a brighter future."
Sanar stared at her in disbelief and disappointment. Was that all the matriarch could say? Waved a flag that was going tattered day by day?
"We have been fighting for five years," said Sanar. "The TI have divided us, driving a wedge through us. We will be shattered if we remained passive. We must continue to strike onward and outward. Your Eminence, we will lose more if we continue on our present course. The cleansing must advance."
"You will lose more if you continue as you are," Yustine warned glacially. "You have done well in your first cycle. Do not throw away what you have achieved because an outlander led you astray."
Sanar allowed a trace of contempt to enter her voice. "Your Eminence, I know where I want to walk."
"Are you so eager to be cast adrift?"
The threat gave Sanar pause. She was tempted to laugh. "I am a child of the great consciousness," she said quietly.
"You-." Yustine looked away. "Leave."
Somewhat surprised, Sanar hesitated for a moment before bowing her head. Her hands weaved the symbol of leave taking. She walked backwards to the exit behind her, right hand clasped to her chest. Near the door, she turned around, walked out and through the reception room, ignoring the curious gaze of other members of the clan waiting their turn for an audience.
Out in the corridor, she recognised a few faces, cousins she had occasional contact with. They would want to know what had happened but she had no intention to talk. Nor was she in the mood. She returned their greetings politely but did not linger. She took the elevator to the ground floor and past the clan commandos on duty in the lobby. As she paused at the entrance to straighten her roiling emotions, someone next to a skycar parked at the sidewalk waved to her. She sighed when she saw who it was.
If this is pursuit, she's pushing it too close.
"You're here because-?" her voice rose enquiringly as she walked towards Hiaras.
"Looking after your ass is better than Aethyta's." Hiaras jerked her head at the skycar she was leaning against. "You look like you need a ride."
Sanar contemplated her for a moment and got into the skycar. She brooded over the dialogue in the audience room as Hiaras got in beside her in the driver's seat. Aware of her distress, Hiaras said nothing and contented herself with the outside scenery once she punched in their destination. The sun was low over the horizon, setting the city ablaze in hues of orange and vermilion. Far away, she could see flocks of birds making for the haven of the trees in the parks and wondered if she should try to tame a Qiori in her spare time. She missed her pet dearly and hoped it had survived the war.
"You realised you cut my credence further by going there," Sanar said finally.
"You chose to work with Aethyta. You chose to copy those files. My presence simply stamps the seal of dissent publicly." Hiaras glanced over at her but Sanar was absorbed in staring out of the window. "If you had bowed down to them, those who intend to follow your example will hold their tongues."
"Exactly what are they trying to accomplish? They're incurring losses needlessly." Sanar thumped her seat in frustration. "They threw the wisdom of the elders at me to counter the issues I raised. It only emphasize how weak their argument and stance are. They know such blandishment can only go so far in our current crisis, yet they persist. "
"It doesn't matter if younglings think it weak. All that matters is that they fall in line."
Sanar threw Hiaras a withering look. "I know that."
"We don't have enough to tie the threads yet."
"Goddess, if we fail to convince the Assembly into removing the TI immediately," Sanar whispered as she returned to her bleak observation through the window. "The turmoil could erupt into outright revolt. There is only so much that can be tolerated from an irresolute Assembly. It might even come to dissolution of the clans."
She covered her face with a hand as she imagined clans breaking away, perhaps leaving Thessia to colonise other worlds. It had happened before. An event in the murky past. A few minor sub-clan groups left when they found they could not conform nor support changing policies when the Asari began to make contact with other races. It was hard to imagine what Thessia would be like should core clans abandoned their homeworld. At a moment when everyone was needed to stand together.
Hiaras disabled the autodrive and took over the driving herself. "It was a mistake to convene a new Assembly with remnants of the old nucleus. I'd say get rid of them and restructure."
"How many would support a move to remove an institution that existed since the Asari began to form nations?" Sanar said listlessly.
"Excuses," Hiaras snorted. "The old institution proved it's a failure in the war. No one wants to try something brave and new because they want something familiar to cling to. They're afraid of striking out into the unknown. Lack of passion and courage would see Thessia barren and bereft."
"It's not easy to throw off alliances that have been around for generations."
"True," Hiaras conceded. "But if they really hold the future of the people dear, they would do it."
It was too much. "Oh just..forget it!" Sanar snapped, feeling useless, vulnerable and angry all at once.
Hiaras swiftly grabbed one of her fluttering hands.
"It's all right," she said soothingly. "We are doing something in our own small ways. Aethyta will not allow Thessia to fall. There are more like her. They will do everything they can to make it right. I believe in them."
Sanar wanted to throw off the hand. She didn't want to be touched. The assuring aura of the commando seeped into her. Reluctantly, she allowed it to calm her agitation.
"You're certain," she said after a while.
Hiaras smiled at her. "I am."
That did make Sanar feel better. She didn't know Aethyta very well but she was impressed with the matriarch's pragmatic arguments and opinions in their meetings and discussions. She didn't place the weight of her seniority on her or sprout platitudes. She spoke facts, common sense and knew what had to be done. She reminded Sanar of Zelenia which was why she was willing to break into her clan archives for the data.
A slight uplift to the skycar pulled her attention back to the window. They were descending. Not to a building, she realised when trees towered all around them. Hiaras turned off the engine, patted her hand and got out. Sanar stared at the lush growth all around as she got out of the skycar. Had they gone out of the city? Cliff sides rose on either side in the distance. Glimmers of sunlight danced through the canopy of trees. Birds flitted through the air, casting swift shadows on the ground. They were in a vale, she realised. The faint sound of rushing water could be heard. There was a waterfall nearby.
"Where're we? Why did you bring me here?" she asked.
"We're at the T'Soni estate, near the lake. I thought you could use some time to shake off the clouds." Hiaras looked at her contemplatively. "Am I wrong?"
In that, Hiaras was right. She wasn't looking forward to returning to the academy so soon and was thinking of hitting a bar. Pine for companionship she might be, Sanar was not certain she wished to begin building an understanding with Hiaras. Perhaps she ought to wait. A spasm of pain passed through her as memory of a similar resolve flashed in her mind. Another time, another place, another person. Thinking there was time and then suddenly, there was none. How deep her regret for that decision. Perhaps she shouldn't wait.
She made up her mind. "You're right." She returned Hiaras's smile before taking the hand she offered.
Ilos
The pressure was intense. Liara struggled not to moan at the delightful pleasure running through her. The indignity of it should the others hear!
{laughter} Oh go on, I'd love to see their faces.
No. {adamant...gasp} Where did you learn to do that?
The Xtranet, where else? I looked up expectant mothers and babies and came across that little bit about relaxation.
About Asari? That cannot be ...ooooooo...stop...stop!
Go on, go on.
April collapsed into silent laughter when Liara snatched her foot out of her hands and cradled it in her own hands, shooting an indignant look at her bondmate who grinned unrepentantly.
"I didn't know you've a ticklish spot on your feet."
"It is not," Liara denied, examining her foot. "You are doing it wrong."
"Just because you're loving it and can't yell your pleasure, I'm doing it wrong?" April tried to look put out but failed. "Alright, how about trying it on me?"
"No." Liara sealed the leggings of her undersuit and reached for her boots. "Not here."
"I guess not." April laid back in the bedroll, arms pillowing her head. "The others will think I've gone barmy if they hear me laughing...ooof!" Air rushed from her lungs when Liara let herself dropped on her stomach. "Is that revenge?" she gasped once she got her breath back.
"You are the most convenient soft landing in this small space." Liara cast a meaningful look at their surroundings; a field tent meant for one.
"Yeah? Not exactly the right time but I can't resist." April hooked a hand behind Liara's neck and brought her down for a kiss.
Liara tried to pull away but the kiss deepened. She let herself relaxed. Their heartbeats began to pick up and she found herself trying to work through her bondmate's hardsuit. She pulled away reluctantly.
"No," she agreed, "not the right time." Straightening cautiously so as not to hit her head on the tent flap, she added worriedly. "It is 18 hours. Do you think Module is trapped?"
"I hope not. Let's wait a while longer." April exhaled noisily. The prospect of coming up empty handed after all that slogging and mile high expectation was not something she was looking forward to. "There are probably tons of yottabytes it has to mend."
"How long will you wait?" Liara turned to look at her when she said nothing. "The processing speed of a Geth is very dynamic but there is likely a lot Module has to work through. A day or two?" She waited a beat. "April, we know we may not find an answer even if we get Vigil online."
"I'm trying to think of something. Putting all our eggs in one basket is really not enterprising." Rubbing a hand on her neck, April felt restless. "Come on, I can use a leg stretch."
Reaching for their helmets stacked at the foot of the tent, Liara handed April her helmet before latching and sealing her own. A quick run of a finger on the fastening flap of the tent and she was out. She glanced at the the other two field tents. Closed. Besides the tents on the circular floor, the other object was the still figure of Module standing at the central terminal. She crossed over to its side. The Geth's head was bent towards its chest, its optic perceptor darkened. Only the tiny flickers of electric currents over the console showed its active connection to the terminal.
What was it like in to move in an electronic realm? What did Module actually "see" in there? From April's memories of her foray, once initiated by David Archer, the other by Legion, it seemed there were other strange new worlds waiting to be explored. Both realms were different. David Archer imposed his memories and perception in April's mind. Legion had to assemble a recognizable environment for April from her own perception. If there was no form of guidance, could a living mind be lost? Perhaps organics were not ready for such a venture.
Turning away, Liara activated her omni-tool as she walked close to the edge of the platform and looked cautiously over the edge. The sparkle below seemed to be brighter. The columns were similarly aglow, a stark contrast to the dimness hours ago. Was that sparkle the power core for the archives? Did the glow mean it was near full power or something else? She took another look at the columns and spotted markings on the obelisks that were not there earlier. Odd that she missed them. Engrossed in her omni-tool readings, she nearly walked off the edge but a hand grabbed hold of her.
"Whoa! Watch your step, love or do you want me to tie you up?" April pulled Liara against her.
Consternation suffused Liara, she wasn't usually that careless on a dig site. "I am sorry, I forgot where I was for the moment. I will be more careful."
"So what's bitten you that you forget where you are?" April asked, releasing Liara.
"Those obelisks." Liara pointed to where they stood behind the elongated columns. "There are scripts on them and they are not Prothean. In fact-," she checked the readings on her omni-tool, "they seem ... this is strange."
"What?"
"The readings indicate they are far older than the other columns." Liara looked up in amazement. "They could be Inusannon."
"That means-." April stared around them. "They built upon a Inusannon site."
"Yes." Liara forced her excitement down to speak calmly. "But I am getting ahead of myself. I am basing that assumption on the fact that Javik said that the Protheans gained their technological knowledge from Inusannon ruins. It has to be verified. There have been no samples of Inusannon script to date."
"Interesting, if so," Kedar interjected.
Startled, they turned to see him taking readings with his omni-tool. Peliar was at the other side, doing her own scans. As April opened her mouth to warn her from straying too far, a shimmering field sprang up around the platform. They withdrew uneasily from the edge as narrow walkways and rails rose from beneath to form passages among the columns. Movement from the central terminal drew their attention. Module straightened and turned to face them.
"Eh ... Module?" April's hand crept to her pistol when the Prime did not answer.
"Functional." The eyeflaps wavered. "One moment," it said and shook its head a few times. "Apologies, Shepard, different platforms. I have to re-adjust to transference."
"Are you all right?" It seemed silly but Liara felt she had to ask, that head shaking was a rather organic mannerism.
"All sys-," Module broke off, "I am fine. Thank you, Dr T'Soni. It was an interesting experience."
"Mainframe repaired?" Kedar asked impatiently. Time was wasting. The Geth Prime was a machine, why asked about its well-being?
Module regarded him for a moment before directing its answer to April. "It will take a little longer for the system to calibrate itself and come online but most of the damage is mended."
April waved at the shimmering field. "What's with the shield?"
"It is an automatic barrier preventing access to buried cyphers. To gain entry, codes are required."
"Do you know if any of these archives belonged to the Inusannon?" It was a long shot but Liara thought the Prime might have come across some file reference to them during its link.
"I am not certain. I do not have information on the Inusannon and will not be able to recognise any reference to them. However," it added when Liara looked disappointed, "there is encrypted data buried within. Perhaps what you seek is in there."
"Cheer up-," April began to say when Liara grabbed her arm.
"Look!"
An image was forming in the center of the platform. It was a familiar whirl of jumbled pixels to April and Liara. Didn't Module fix the system? April was about to question the Prime when the pixels vanished for several seconds before a complete holographic representation of a Prothean appeared. It was not "dressed" in the hardsuit Javik wore but a more casual attire. Robe-like with a long knee length tunic that flared slightly at the shoulders.
April stepped forward. "Vigil?"
It regarded her for a moment. "System integrity restored." It paused. "Core capacity at maximum, atmospheric readings of settlement at optimum." It paused again. "This program recognise the speaker. Was the data provided successful?"
"Yes it was. We stopped Saren. We also stopped the Reapers when they invaded."
"Such an outcome was not anticipated." Vigil paused again. "Do you require further assistance?"
"Indoctrination, tell us how to stop it," Kedar rushed in eagerly.
"By removing affected subjects from such devices that emanate Reaper signals or destroying such devices."
"Common knowledge, yes, yes," Kedar spluttered impatiently. "Required, subjects' destruction, accelerating damage, subjects' demise."
"Is there a way, chemical or otherwise, to increase the rate of intellectual atrophy of affected subjects," April clarified further when Vigil said nothing. Perhaps Kedar's manner of speaking was too disjointed for it to understand.
"There is no chemical application but there is an untested signal scrambler the scientists had formulated."
"What does the signal scrambler do?" Liara leaped in with her question before Kedar could demand for the blueprints.
"It interweaves another set of algorithm into the signal emanated by the indoctrination devices. This results in a different set of values occurring in affected subjects."
"What would they do?" asked Peliar, face tense.
"The directive would change to one of self-destruction."
"What?!" Peliar burst out in a tone of astonishment and dismay at the same moment Kedar shouted, "Perfect!" He turned to stare at Peliar who seemed to regret her outburst. She turned away, ignoring the suspicious gaze of the rest.
"You said it's untested," April put in quickly as she exchanged a worried glance with Liara. If Peliar was an active sympathiser, what would she do next?
"During their investigation into the cause of the Reapers' rapid invasion, the surviving scientists sent probes to nearby systems and successfully brought back thrall samples to examine. They were able to detect the devices that were left behind and conducted in-depth study. However, the work to reprogram the Keepers was completed before they could carry out any tests."
"We have to test it ourselves," Liara said, feeling somewhat queasy and upset.
Perhaps she had not completely come to terms with seeding destruction among her own people, warped as they were. No. That could not be. There would be no future if she started having second thoughts.
"I can't believe it of you, T'Soni! Are you an Asari?!" Peliar shouted before turning to run past the pedestal and down the walkway.
"Peliar, stop!" Liara wondered where her colleague was going.
There was no where to go except down. She ran after her, afraid she would do something drastic. They moved so swiftly that by the time April started to go after them, she couldn't stop what happened next. Liara grabbed hold of Peliar's arm only to have a biotic push blasted at her. For a moment, she seemed to hang in the air before she fell over the railing.
"No! Liara!" April shouted in horror. No, no, no. Please...
She dashed to the spot, heart thumping madly and leaned over. Liara hung on the edge by the tips of her fingers.
"April! I ..." Pure panic swept through Liara as she felt her hold slipping. The abyss waited below. Her fear flowed strongly through the link, nearly overwhelming them.
"No!"
April lunged, uncaring that she too would fall. Without Liara, there was no life for her. Like a diver, she fell headfirst and managed to grab hold of Liara's wrist even as she reached out with her other hand to snatch at the railing. Just in time as Liara's fingers slipped. Her shoulder screamed and protested at the double weight but she ignored it.
"Not letting you go," she gasped before looking up. If Peliar leaned over to throw them off, there was nothing she could do. However, something else appeared. Module.
A large metallic hand reached down, clamping down firmly around April's wrist. "I have you, Shepard." Module pulled them up easily.