Ilos
SSV Glasgow
A hand braced against her face, elbow propped on the armrest of the armchair she was lounging in, April stared with half closed eyes at the images playing on the vid. Beside her, Liara leaned forward, hands clasped between her knees. Her attentiveness was a contrast to her bondmate's seeming sleepy countenance. Dorrin stirred his cup of coffee. Having seen the vid, he watched them keenly for their reaction. He wasn't expecting shock. They were after all, veterans of the Reaper War and much more. They would have seen the worst. Rather, he was watching for signs of rage from April. So far, she only looked weary. Tired of watching old foes tear an ally apart or tired from the ground side expedition?
No one said anything as the vid played. The image quivered, steadied for several seconds and quivered again. Against the inky backdrop of space, beams of light lashed out alongside torrents of projectiles. Grey, almost unseen vehicles flashed past. Static blanked out the image now and then before everything turned black. Dorrin reached for the console and changed the settings. A few still images appeared, expanded and enhanced.
"Those are definitely ocuili." April pointed to one of the images that showed black globes against the backdrop of the asteroids. Though small at that distance, the red "eyes" were distinct. The eyes were not optics but particle beam weapons. She had a close encounter with one on the Normandy during the suicide mission six years ago. "With that many, the Kolin didn't stand a chance."
"An overkill." Dorrin nodded at the swamps of fighters and waves of torpedoes. "That the Kolin wasn't blown outright was a miracle. We wouldn't have known what hit her."
Liara scrutinised the data flowing through the screen. "The Collector oculus was controlled by the nervous system of a drone, what do you suppose are directing these?" she wondered.
A grimace of disgust crossed April's face. "You're suggesting Cerberus did the same thing," she said.
After Sanctuary, nothing about Cerberus surprised her any more. The more they find out what Cerberus were up to, the more she felt like she was finding out exactly what terrifying horrors lurked within the realms of the Styx. She found it surprising Cerberus were not crushed by the depths of the darkness they were dipping in so deeply.
"I am not suggesting." Closing her eyes, Liara leaned back in her seat as she rubbed a finger across her brow, wishing the data had read differently. "The frigate sensors were able to pick up trace signals of unidentified life signs. That more than anything else proved that there were living beings in those ocuili."
Her mind shied away at the thought of an unfortunate victim hooked up to the Reaper apparatus.
"That is what Alliance intelligence suspect as well but until we can get hold of one to examine, we can only speculate." Dorrin changed the images. "Docking and launching facilities were found inside the larger rocks." He highlighted the asteroids in question. "It's pretty clear where those ocuili and fighters come from. With the constant fluctuation of gravitic fields from the nearby star and the asteriod belts, the Kolin did not detect them."
"Are there any other facilities located in the nearby systems?"
Dorrin shook his head. "None. I think we'll find nothing even if we do locate more depots."
"They know to cut loose." April straightened and steeple her fingers, a faraway look in her eyes. "That asteroid belt could very well have been one of their staging areas to launch their next phase. Whatever that is."
"So soon?" Liara murmured in dismay. "I do not think they intended to provoke the engagement," she said thoughtfully.
"Wrong place, wrong time," Dorrin nodded. "The Kolin happened to wander into their backyard."
"That was no engagement, that was a slaughter," April said grimly.
"There are no notable planets in that sector except for its proximity to the Omega Nebula. Could Omega be the intended target?" Liara suggested.
"If Aria is right about the current state of Omega, it's possible," said April. "No one is paying any attention to the outer sectors. They could retake the station and fortify the Sahrabarik System. They will have to change their plans now their presence have being exposed. There's one place they can withdraw to that we can't get to without suffering heavy losses."
"The galactic core," Liara said at once. "It is possible but is it not too convenient?"
"It's the most inaccessible place in the galaxy," said April. "The normal route entail an extremely long travel time. The fastest route is through the O4 relay. I'm sure they know how to change the IFF with all the Collector tech they picked up."
"Even if they didn't, it's not advisable to take a leap in there." Dorrin shook his head, rubbing his chin as he considered the outcome of such a foolhardy move.
"So where does that leave us?" Liara looked at them.
"Not up for a kamikaze run?" April grinned at Dorrin.
"Only if I'm really sure they didn't lay a tripper at the entrance. Any one with half a brain would."
"How suicidal do you want to be?" Liara nudged April's foot with her own, recalling her bondmate's first and only trip through the Omega 4 Relay. It had put her through the loops, thinking her bondmate wouldn't come back.
"Hey, I know when to jump, even with eyes closed," April returned. "We can mouse trap our end, we don't have to go through the relay at all."
"Stalemate. We can't go in, they can't come out. I wouldn't like to go to bed knowing there's a gremlin waiting to spring on me in the days to come," said Dorrin.
"True. Leaving them to stew isn't the answer. There could be a whole lot of unpleasant developments they might be coming up with that we may not be able to deal with further down the road." April frowned when she realised there was something else that should be considered. "We should not presume that they are totally reliant on that relay. They could have found another way to travel with all the unknown technology they picked up."
"There are no natural resources at the core but there are countless ship wrecks they can use," said Liara. "How much they could have developed if they were confined in there is debatable. However I think you are right," she continued, "we should consider that they would have left themselves no backdoor. We should also consider that their acquisition target is elsewhere than the Terminus Systems and that they may not be using the galactic core as a bolthole."
"The backwater zone is ideal." April pointed out. "The Nemean Abyss is pretty much overlooked-," she trailed off as another thought struck her. "Does anyone think it strange that they are bothering to venture onto the road where everyone can see them? The Reapers pretty much stomped over this galaxy, I doubt there is much credible resistance left in the Terminus Systems. Rich in eezo and pretty much everything else is there for the taking. They could easily gobble up the territories with everyone busy in their own backyards. Why are they attacking fuel depots, shipping routes and exposing their presence?
"Perhaps to lure the Alliance into expending precious resources?" Dorrin frowned. "But no," he amended when April cocked an eyebrow at him, "they would have been more careful in hiding their presence. Their actions are reckless unless they are confident they have the means to take the Alliance on."
"But if they are not," Liara said slowly before turning to April. "You are thinking there is something wrong with the people in charge."
"How far would the Illusive Man had gone in altering his troops?" April went on before either Liara or Dorrin could answer. "Victory against the Reapers at any cost. TIM would have wanted absolute loyalty. Everyone, from the lowest grunt to scientists would have gone through the chip implantation procedure. What if-," she leaned forward to emphasize her point, "his lieutenants are carrying out his programmed directives?"
"That could mean they lack flexibility and tactical foresight," said Dorrin, straightening in excitement. "They need not attack the Kolin at all but they chose to. If they allowed the frigate to depart, we would have been none the wiser. But they did and failed to clean up properly after themselves, leaving a bunch of clues for us."
Liara nodded in agreement. "They should also realise that a great deal of the galaxy is unexplored. I am sure the Illusive Man had sent out expeditions. They could set up bases in the uncharted regions."
April snapped her fingers. "Exactly. With everyone distracted with the TI, they could anonymously employ all the workers they need, salvage suitable wrecks from the Reaper War, build shipyards in the Nemean Abyss or elsewhere and steadily expand their forces and resources. If they're truly still running on the old track, the odds of their bases at the core are still existent is very high."
She felt no satisfaction in her analysis. If it was right, it didn't provide any solution to the Cerberus problem, only panned out a more difficult situation.
"If we found no solution to the TI, we would be depleted in the conflict and in no shape to face the forces they might have brought against us years later," she said grimly.
Dorrin's face was dark. "I hope you're right in that their mental faculty are warped. Any mistake they make right now is a huge favour to us."
"There is something else to consider. The kidnapping of colonists-," April rested her elbows on the armrests of her chair, clasping her hands loosely, "might not necessarily be the TI. Cerberus could have been responsible. The dreadnought is enough to weigh it in their favour. Whether Cerberus are cooperating with the TI is at best a premise. It doesn't change the fact we have to get rid of the two. Which-," she paused, "brings us to Omega and Aria T'Loak. We need whatever she's holding and we need access to the files at the Cerberus base on station."
Dorrin slapped his armrest. "I'd never thought we'll work hand in hand with her again."
"The dance to victory doesn't mean you have to like your partners."
"Can you dance, Shepard?" Dorrin laughed, well aware of the stories about April's ability to dance and pretended to cower when she glared at him. "Fine, I'm not bringing you to any dance parties. Can't imagine how ducky my feet would end up."
April jerked her thumb at Liara. "I've got a much sexier partner. Have you seen her-."
"We are not talking about dancing right now," Liara interrupted as she recalled the time she tried to dance with April on the dance floor at Flux on the Citadel.
Though she had enjoyed that unexpected interlude, she was admittedly trying to get April's attention. That desire was revealed in her movements though April wouldn't have understood the signals she was sending out. There hadn't been any further opportunity of dancing since. When was the last time she enjoyed herself with such activities? She couldn't remember.
"I am sure Aria has plenty of notes to share where Cerberus is concern," she said.
"Spoil sport," Dorrin teased before sobering. "If it is true she has been monitoring the region for years, she would have the drop on their movements in the Omega Nebula. It's going to be of tremendous help."
Unfortunately, that information did not come free. Liara was miffed with Aria's price tag. "I wonder how much help you can offer regards Omega," she muttered to April who shrugged.
"I have no idea," April said. "I guess I'll find out. The question is, when."
"Kedar, Module and the rest of the team are not going to come up with that modification any time soon. It's going to take weeks, so why not now?" Liara suggested.
It was not a bad idea since they had completed their mission objective on Ilos. Hanging around, twiddling her thumbs was a waste of time. A prospect April could do without though she supposed she could spend that time asking Vigil half a million questions. That would mean competing with the researchers for access. She had no intention of doing that. The thought of the researchers brought up another gnawing problem.
"Has Peliar or any of the others break their silence?" April sighed when Dorrin shook his head. "We should send them back to Thessia since we're not going to press charges. There's hardly any point to them remaining onboard the Glasgow."
"The Assembly have requested their return," he said. "The Allied units for the Ilos garrison will arrive tomorrow and-," he pulled a sad face.
"What?" She frowned when he grinned at her impishly the next moment.
"I've been designated your chauffeur," he scowled in mock anger when she laughed. "Hey, if I could, I would have told you to take a hike but the old man thought you need a ride."
"A ride to where?"
"Councilor Tevos said the pirate queen's at the Citadel, awaiting your royal highness."
"Really? Tevos said that?" April found it most amusing. Aria putting herself out on her behalf? On the other hand, why not? She did specifically ask for her help.
"Once the old man got wind of your success, he added two and two together and thought you need another job so he went to play ball with the pirate queen. Guess he scored a home run." Dorrin grimaced. "I'm offloading the Asari research team at the Citadel. Someone from Thessia will pick them up and they become someone else's problem which brings me to-," he looked at the chronometer on the wall, "my duties. So-," he looked at the two of them, "if there is nothing else of note?"
They shook their heads.
"I'm off. Let me know if you think of anything else." He got up and moved to the door. "By the way, Shepard-," he turned back. "The Normandy went to Alchera to check on the wreck of the SR1. I hate to say this but those dogs snapped up every rivet."
"Thanks." April nodded impassively before rubbing her hands over her face once he left. Damn Cerberus. Couldn't even let the dead sleep in peace. Getting to her feet, she went to the desk and poured two glasses of water from the waterflask.
"The more I hear, the more I want to personally grind every last one of them to the ground." She handed a glass to Liara and leaned against the armchair. "I once heard stories of how the ancient conquerors would sow salt into the fields of their enemies as punishment so nothing could ever grow. Cerberus deserve nothing less."
Sipping the water, Liara said nothing though she heartily endorsed April's vehement goal. The drive to stamp out old foes was not solely theirs, she could feel it in the people around her.
Though the discovery of the scrambler was top secret, known only to the Council, Admiral Hacket, Kedar, Peliar, Module, Shepard, Dorrin and she herself, the crew was aware that the mission was connected to eliminating the TI. When they were told the mission was a success, the dark mood onboard the cruiser lifted. The crew's behaviour reflected that elation and belief that they would prevail. There were far more smiles now than she saw on the trip from Thessia to Ilos. It was both comforting and worrying.
She was not certain how long the Council was willing to wait for the modifications of the scrambler. The longer it took to rewrite the algorithm or failing to achieve that, it was inevitable the Council and the other representatives would vote to deploy the scrambler with its original programming. Six months from now, the level of TI conflict could drop drastically so why was she feeling so unsettled, so conflicted, so apprehensive?
"What?" Sensing her turmoil, April bent to peer into her face. "Something's boiling in there-," she touched Liara's face gently.
Too many things. {she leaned into her bondmate's caress} I cannot stop thinking of the archives below, the wealth of knowledge for the taking, the technology the Reapers had brought with them and what Cerberus had done with it. Twisted, loose and unchain. What kind of a future will we face?
Ahhhh...love, you're reaching too far, too much. Every door we open swings both ways. There is no getting around that.
I know. Sometimes, I wish it does not have to be so complicated.
Why not respin the web? I think that'll make you feel better.
You approve? What would you do in the mean time?
Taking the glass from Liara's hand, April placed it and her own on the nearby coffee table before taking hold of her bondmate's hands.
I've to admit I've been in a dilemma ever since our child was conceived. The thought of leaving the Alliance is difficult but it is insignificant to leaving you and our child behind. I cannot do without you. {a kiss on their clasped hands}
Nor I you.
If Hackett accept my decision and the Assembly accept my proposal to continue to work at their academy, I don't have to. We'll both stay on Thessia, work on what we both love and at the same time, we rebuild the network and try our best to be the vanguard against the night the doors let in.
April.. I never thought...
I know. You have been patient, waiting. Thank you.
Their lips met in a kiss of solemn promises. Days of restraint, long hours on Ilos and the lack of intimacy limited by the thin walls of the prefab dwelling, desires flared brightly now that they were alone by themselves. Gentle caresses turned more passionate Liara smoothed her hands down April's back and slipped them under her tunic as their kiss deepened and then wandered. Unerringly, despite the confines of the armchair, April unbuckled Liara's suit as she nuzzled her neck, feeling her bondmate shiver as her tongue ran down the crest ridges.
You're overdressed.
So are you.
Closing her eyes, Liara let herself float in the waves of rising desire as April nipped her neck. Hands slid down her back. She arched when fingers found her sensitive spots. Her own fingers entangled themselves in her bondmate's hair as kisses trailed down her semi bare body. She hardly felt the coldness of the deck when they slipped down from the chair or the slight wrenching scrape of her suit when it was peeled back. She thrust her leg between April's and nudged her, feeling her response and her own. Warm moist kisses trailed down her neck, a soundless moan escaped her at the sharp frisson of pleasure that ran through her when fingers graze another tender spot at her spine.
Shriek. Shriek. It drove into her mind. Who was shrieking? Her eyes snapped open in confusion, meeting those of April's startled blue eyes. It was then she realised April was as disarrayed as she was.
"Damn the comm," April muttered in annoyance when she discerned what it was.
The sound increased, screaming for attention it was striving for the past minute. The caller on the other end had obviously hung on when there was no response and the comm reacted accordingly.
"Goddess." Liara hastily pulled her suit around her, closing up the seal as fast as she could and leaped for the comm, totally forgetting that April hadn't had time to tidy up.
"Yes?" she tried not to snap at the human on the other end as she fought through the clouds of passion to bring herself to a semblance of composure.
"Dr T'Soni, you have an urgent call from Thessia," the comm officer said quickly. His face was promptly replaced by that of Aethyta who peered into the pickup at her end. The sight of her parent cooled Liara's hazy senses.
"Not intruding am I?" Aethyta said after a moment, eyes directed at a corner behind Liara.
"Dad." Liara pulled out the chair at the desk and sat down. "No, no, you are welcome to call at any time."
"Really?" Aethyta cocked her head. "From the looks of it, you have been getting right down to the bare basics though I did say bed, not the deck."
"Dad!"
"Taking my advice, I see," Aethyta nodded sagely. "Like I said, if it's all civilised, you're not doing it right."
"You did not call to talk about that," Liara said evenly.
"Just to see your face, I'd call just to say I have a gum check in 15 minutes."
"Dad, you know I-," Liara began to say, wishing Aethyta would come to the point. She was sure something had occurred back home.
"Fine." Aethyta shrugged. "April, you can stop hiding in the corner. Get over here."
"Should have known nothing escapes you," April said wryly, tugging down her uniform tunic as she approached the desk.
"Yeah, maybe next time you," Aethyta looked at Liara, "would remember to buckle up tight before you answer a call and you-," she winked at April, "would duck down even lower if you intend to stay out of the vid pickup."
"Noted." Liara tried to keep the heat off her face and refused to look down at herself to see if her suit was indeed gaping open.
"My, she blushes so easily," Aethyta observed as April tried to keep a grin off her face. "I've to say your little conversation with our metal friends brought results."
"For a good cause." April leaned on the back of Liara's chair. "Though they were worried they were meddling in Asari affairs."
"Good thing they look to you. Say what you like about those metal heads but they are screwed on better than some of the organic ones here," Aethyta snorted. "Without their help, I might not bag the prize. Well, some prize she is."
"Which is?" Liara tried to keep the impatience out of her voice.
"Nyrine was reinstated at the academy a week ago. First thing they threw at her was a sneaky mission to the borders near Armali to speak to someone and yes, it was a rendezvous with the TI," Aethyta added, anticipating their question. "No surprise there. Both Sanar and that new Alliance instructor, Gallia-," she looked off screen for confirmation, someone murmured something, "got caught up in it accidentally."
"Sanar? Is she alright?" April queried.
"Made it out in one piece. A fine gal, by the way." Aethyta ignored a cough off screen. April wondered who it was. "Both of them. We crashed the party, kicked a few butts, flattened several and took the prize. The downside to that trip, Nyrine's injured, concussion and all. We're waiting to see if she'll pull out of it." Worry creased her brow.
"So who is she?" Liara repeated, certain Aethyta was deliberately holding back.
"Damn if I know," Aethyta said irritably. "But she is clearly important enough to certain people for them to try to derail the TI campaign. With our own archives as extinct as the Reapers, the clan records, whatever I can get, are the only documentation I can look into. The one thing I can say with certainty is that she is old. Older than all the wine I have in storage."
"Is this an exception?" April was puzzled.
The lifespan of an Asari ran up to a thousand years and slightly over but Aethyta seemed to imply there hadn't been an Asari who passed that mark in any significant way in the centuries after they made the technological leap to space.
"Ever seen a Krogan break into a dance at the bar? Or a Salarian having a bout of the weeps for a day?" Aethyta chuckled at their bemusement. "I see all kinds of weird stuff in my stint behind the bar," she leaned into the pickup, "but I've never seen or heard of an Asari hitting more than three centuries over the top."
Liara could hardly believe what she was hearing. "That's incredible."
"Yeah but it isn't helping clear up matters here. First thing she did when she woke up was to try to bend one of my commandos out of shape so we have to knock her out cold again and keep her that way until we can move her to a more secure holding. There's a possibility she might be from the T'Enaire clan. I'm checking up on that one. One way or another, she's the reason the Assembly is stalling and I am going to find out why."
"How can we help?" April wasn't sure what it was Aethyta thought both of them could do.
"I take it that lot are still reticent."
"We tried several times," Liara sighed. "They clammed up."
"You could ply them with drinks, never seen anyone who doesn't blubber out tons of dirt once they hit the bottle," Aethyta suggested and plowed on before they could answer. "Sanar said she called herself Aiahcra," she paused meaningfully.
"What does that mean?" April asked when Liara remained silent.
"It can either mean the Ancient or the One," her bondmate paused. "It is an unusual title to use."
"Never heard of such a vintage, bet it's all sour piss right now. I suggest you try that on this...Peliar, is it?" A hard note entered Aethyta's voice. "You'll also want to know Jieull is also in on it."
"I thought so," said Liara. "She has never tried to hide her opinions."
"An honest villain among the lot, she gets a drink on the house but Peliar has better not sit at my bar."
"Dad. She has apologised and explained she did it in the heat of her emotions."
"I mean it," Aethyta said icily. "Let me know if that doesn't crack Peliar. I've to go." Her face softened as she gazed at Liara. "You watch your ass. I want you safe back home, you hear?"
"I will be careful," Liara promised.
"Make sure she does, April." Aethyta nodded to them and the screen went dark.
"Come on." April made for the door. "Time to rattle some answers out of Peliar and find some ammo for Aethyta to break the deadlock." At the door, she paused to give Liara a once over. "She's right, you missed a fastening."
"No, did-." Liara began to check her suit but her chin was caught and a kiss planted on her lips.
"Nah, caught you that time," April laughed, caught hold of her hand and palmed the door open.
When the Asari researchers proved uncooperative after the incident in the lower archives, April opted to have them moved to the Glasgow. Although it was unlikely they would take it into their heads to sabotage the cruiser, she thought it prudent to have their movements restricted to prevent any mischief.
For the past few days, the Asari were confined to quarters with scheduled visits to the wardroom and the gym, always accompanied by marines. Right then, there was a quartet standing guard outside the two cabins assigned to the researchers. April requested for entry rather than march in unannounced. For a moment, there was no response before the door slid open. The Asari who opened the door stood aside when she saw them. Peliar was seated at the desk, tapping away at the console.
"We need to talk, Peliar." April threw a glance at the other researchers in the room. "Alone."
"There is nothing to hide." Peliar did not look at them, continuing with her typing.
"Something has happened on Thessia." Liara moved to where she had a better view of Peliar whose fingers ceased to move.
Shifting in her seat, Peliar nodded to her colleagues who exited the room. April had a word with the marines outside and they were escorted down to the wardroom.
Peliar turned to face them as she crossed her arms. "What is it?"
"What does Aiahcra mean?" Liara watched her carefully and was startled when Peliar leaped up. April tensed, eyeing her keenly.
"What? Have they found them?" Incredulity blazed in Peliar's eyes.
"Them?" Liara was astonished. If it was a group, how was it no one, outside the Assembly, ever heard of them?
"There's more than one?" April asked, taken aback.
"They have found one then." Peliar closed her eyes and began to pace. "The Assembly-," she began haltingly. "I know very little really. Only what I was told."
"Told by whom?" Liara probed curiously.
"When work began to find a solution to resolve the TI problem, I was sought out by my clan doyen. I was instructed to find ways to undermine the project should the objective turn to eradication instead of rehabilitation. Knowing the effects of indoctrination, I knew it was a matter of time before harsher steps would be taken to remove them."
"Then you support extirpation," April said, wanting to hear her state her stance clearly.
"I am not blind, Shepard." Peliar rounded on her heatedly. "Despite what you think, I know this is a situation where the Asari cannot allow emotional deadweight overrule the wisdom of eradication. The people have to remove the disease before they can heal and prosper. I want Thessia, our people, to rise stronger from the ashes. That is what I want." She turned away and resumed her pacing.
"I voiced my objections. It is not an easy thing to go against the elders." She looked at Liara who nodded in empathy. "One may question to a certain limit but in the end, obedience is expected unless a credible argument is presented. I thought mine was prudent, logical, sensible," she laughed bitterly. "But she overruled every single contention I brought up. It was totally-," she shook her head in wonder, "beyond my comprehension but then, that is how it is, isn't it? The old ones emphasized they know more than the young. We are expected to fall in line."
"What did she say to persuade you?" Liara asked softly.
"That the TI are holding hostage the heart of the Asari." Shoulders slumping, Peliar sat on the nearby bunk. "That was the first time I heard of Aiahcra. According to her, they are the ones who have been guiding Thessia through the centuries, enabling our people to reach the apex in the galactic community. If we harm the TI, we also harm them. Therefore, every means must be tried to pacify the TI in order to retrieve the Aiahcra who will guide the people once they return."
"If they're with the TI, doesn't that mean they're indoctrinated as well?" April pointed out.
"She said no." Peliar saw their disbelief and shrugged. "She said that they have immense abilities no Asari of the present generation know. They are able to protect themselves. It's just that they are not able to escape the overwhelming TI numbers. I thought the abilities are exaggerated, impossible and said so. I was told off. I was too young to understand and all that."
"And?" April felt there was more that tipped the cart.
"I questioned the existence of the Aiahcra and was told only a select few in the Assembly knew of them. I suppose that meant the leaders within the Assembly who usually swing the votes one way or another." Taking a deep breath, Peliar continued. "I didn't know what to think except that it must be the truth. What was more, she emphasized that Thessia need the Aiahcra. The people, the clans need their wisdom. She is the elder. I'm what, in the middle of the second stage cycle. How much do I know compared to her? So, I said I will try my best."
"Then you and Jieull are the ones behind the sabotages at the lab," Liara said quietly.
"I didn't want to do it." Peliar jumped up, agitated. "With the way Thessia is right now, every decision the Assembly made, I keep thinking it's wrong but Jieull is insistent. Her faith is total, unlike mine."
That she was conflicted, April sympathised. Peliar had sought her and Liara out when they returned and apologised for her actions. It was sincere but she couldn't easily forget how Peliar had nearly caused Liara's death and was not ready to overlook it. Yet.
"Did she say anything else about the Aiahcra?"
"Other than they're the oldest of all and they have abilities beyond what we know now," Peliar snorted. "The elder declined to clarify further."
"Are the others privy to what you know?" asked Liara.
Peliar shook her head. "I don't know. They're members of those clans that advocate rehabilitation. They cooperate in the project since the objective runs parallel to their views. They would have resigned the moment the project changes to killing the TI." She looked at them. "So what happens now?"
"You will return to Thessia with the rest," said Liara, brows furrowed as April watched her. "Say nothing of this conversation. If you want Thessia to regain her feet, work with us. Return to the doyen and let us know if she has any further plans for you and Jieull."
"I can do that," Peliar said, relieved. "What are you going to do?"
"Work on a hunch," Liara said cryptically, cocking her head at April who nodded.
"I guess we have the same idea," she said, grinning. "We have better get back to the bartender. She may not like the wine we're bringing."