Thessia
Shepard stared out of the window but the white glaze outside had lost its numbing touch. All she could think of was that little incident in Shiala's bedroom. What she learned. A problem made more complicated by outside meddling. Now she had no idea whether what she felt was real. There was one thing she did know. Asking Shiala to sever the bond link would really hurt the asari. If they could read each other when they're close, it meant the mental link had strengthened. It also meant they were emotionally involved. She knew for a fact she admired Shiala for her deeds, her strength and her character but she wasn't certain about anything else.
It wasn't the time to find out. There were a lot of other problems to tear down. She had no idea how and where to begin. She changed the settings on the large window to highlight the collection of ship models. Most of the ship models were in good condition. Baring several that saw some damage from the rough tumbles the Normandy SR2 went through. One in particular, was pulverised. The damage it suffered was a reflection its real counterpart. Fitting. Despite the inaccurate details; extra 'legs' and odd protuberances, it was a fair representation of the real thing.
Taking the Reaper ship model down, she examined it minutely. Thin white serrated lines ran throughout the plasteel, clearly visible despite the paint treatment. There were dents on the surface but on the whole it looked intact. Given what it represented, she could have just left it broken but given the sum she spent to acquire it, it seemed a shame to just to toss it out when it could be fixed.
Besides, it was probably the only model left of the original production design and would likely fetch bigger returns in the years ahead. Regarding it with some amusement, she replaced the Sovereign model back on its stand. Looking at the models reminded her of something. She went in search around the bedroom. Liara would have made sure to clear their cabin on the Glasgow so her carving kit should be around, somewhere. She looked in the wardrobe, nothing. The drawers of the desk and cabinets drew a blank too. Frowning, she looked around before heading for the walk-in closet that stored their armor and weapons and rummaged in her duffel bag on one of the shelves.
Her heart lifted when her questing fingers struck a pouch. She drew it out. Would Liara have looked into it? Back in the bedroom, she pulled out a small triple layered foam bag from the pouch. The blue crystal dropped easily into her hand. It glistened brightly as she examined it. The light within shimmered. She returned it to its safe cocoon and brought out a slim chestnut coloured block of wood from the pouch. More than half of the filigree was already carved. Digging out her tools, she resumed her work. The wood was soft and malleable. Easy to work with and easy to destroy if she made a wrong cut. But once the wood was treated, it would be as hard as any metal. The colour would change to a darker hue. A rare find she picked up on one of the colonies she had been deposited on in her younger years. One she had been prudent not to share with anyone for such wood was valuable.
Humming tunelessly, she spread the workmat on her lap and curved away, concentrating on making fine precise cuts. Tiny shavings fell curling onto the mat. The hiss of the opening bedroom door took her by surprise but she was quick to drop the carving tool and wood into the workmat and had it all rolled up neatly within seconds. She looked towards the door and saw it was Liara. The anxiety and relief on Liara's face when she saw her flitted by so quickly that Shepard almost missed it. She thought she knew why. She should be angry but she was worried instead for her bondmate.
"Is something wrong?" Shepard asked before she jumped to the most obvious reason for her bondmate's unease. "What did the gynecologist say?"
"Nothing is wrong." A tiny smile plucked Liara's lips. She turned away to hang her coat in the wardrobe. "Everything is proceeding properly. The awakening will take place as scheduled."
"That's a relief." Shepard looked at Liara's back as she continued to stand at the wardrobe. "Something's eating at you, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're buttoned up so tight, not even a droplet is seeping past that barrier of yours." Stuffing the workmat into the pouch, Shepard sealed it carefully. When Liara remained silent, she asked curiously, "You're not thinking I'm going to have trouble in the session with Telienos, are you?"
"No. Complex problems like yours required a one to one closed session. It is safer."
"Right." Shepard mused for a while before flipping another stone into the pond. "It's not my mother, is it?"
Liara shook her head. "I have not seen her since yesterday."
"Probably still souring in her pit," Shepard muttered before picking up a bigger rock to toss. "Does it have something to do with Shiala?"
"No," Liara denied quickly. Too quickly. The little agitated movements as she rummaged in the wardrobe told Shepard otherwise.
"You sure?" Shepard watched as Liara turned away from the wardrobe, pulling on the same coat she put away a moment ago. "Are you going out again?"
"What?" Liara looked confused for a moment before glancing down at herself. "Oh."
"Come on, love, tell me what's upsetting you." Shepard got up to hug her and blinked in bewilderment when Liara whirled away, removed the coat and thrust it back into the wardrobe.
"It is time for lunch, we should go downstairs." Liara headed for the door.
"What...Liara?" Shepard stared after her in bemusement. "What's going on?"
The upset and frustration in her tone caught Liara at the door. The asari froze. "I am sorry, Shepard," she said softly, turning back. "I...think I might be just...over anxious over this imminent birth..."
That wasn't it, Shepard knew. She could see the look of guilt Liara was trying to hide and had a good idea what it was her bondmate was worrying about. The question was if she had done what she suspected, why?
"Then all the more you should not keep your worries to yourself!" she exclaimed, moving to catch hold of her bondmate's hands, noting that Liara seemed reluctant to let her touch her. "Aren't we two of one? Your burdens are mine," she said gently when the link between them remained silent. It felt disquieting. She had become so used to sharing feelings and thoughts whenever they touched that she felt left out in the cold.
"At any other time, I would not hold back but you are in a vulnerable situation. It is not wise. It is irresponsible of me to add more to your problems." Liara looked even worse when she said that.
"Telienos never said anything about abstaining from linking with you-," Shepard began to point out.
"No but I think it is best I do not clutter your mind with more anxieties." It all sounded logical, sensible but Shepard knew they were excuses. What was Liara hiding?
"Surely you would wish for a faster recovery?" Liara added earnestly when she saw the doubt in Shepard's expression.
"Yes but-," Shepard said, "wouldn't it be even better if two work out the problems than one given the circumstances?"
"Or perhaps it might become even worse if we linked? It is too difficult to predict but I believe this is the best course for us." Liara squeezed her hands, almost in entreaty on seeing her frown of objection. "Please Shepard, it will lift ease some of the complications if we do it this way."
Shepard opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. Insisting would be futile when Liara was so adamant. It could agitate her further and she wasn't about to do that. Now, more than ever, she wished she had the ability to wrinkle out some clue on what was troubling Liara. She'd rather get the direct explanation from her than to dabble in wild theories that wouldn't do either of them any good. She wondered if she should have a talk with Aethyta.
"Alright." She shrugged, seeing the relief in Liara's eyes. That convinced her more than ever that something had to be done. "Although I'm-," she sighed. "I feel a bit lost."
Never in her life did she think she would say such a thing. She, who had never put much store in gossips and tales about aliens. Amusing at times, nonsensical or downright inglorious in others. Busting chops with pirates, especially the batarians was something she expected when she signed up for the Alliance. Meshing minds with an alien, marrying one and having a kid. That was never on her cards.
What a long way you've come.
The thought flitted through her mind as Liara gave her hands another squeeze before pulling her towards the door.
"I know. It will be only a few days. Why, think of..of the times when we were apart far longer than that," Liara said as she glanced at Shepard and turned away, missing her bondmate's wince at that reminder. The only time they were separated for a long period was when she went down with the old Normandy.
Her problem must be really bad if she's dragging that up. Hmm...I wonder...
"Does that mean we have to get separate beds too?" Shepard almost laughed when Liara froze. "Hey, I'm joking," she said hastily when her bondmate seemed to pale.
"It is something to consider," Liara said slowly as colour returned to her face.
"Are you serious?!" Shepard stared at her in dismay.
Unknown Location
The daily reports seemed endless but Lance relentlessly and meticulously read and sorted out every one deliberately. With phase three of the great project drawing to a close, the fewer mistakes there were, the fewer consequences he would have to face for phase four. The last was the most difficult for what he had in mind but if the event he hoped for didn't happen, there was an alternative he could use. Less satisfying but he would still get the outcome he wanted.
There was a definitive outcome he knew could not be changed. Saracino's fate was sealed. For the umpteenth time, he regretted not choosing to interfere with his friend's decision. But then, how could he, they, have known it would turn out the way it did? He stared at his clenched hands on the surface of the desk.
All right, Lance, that's enough of that. It's already too late. Move on. You have to.
Saracino had gotten the worse of that decision but their people would benefit. All he had to do now was to make sure his friend's actions would not further imperil the future. They had worked too hard, lost too much. He keyed in a series of codes and pulled up another list on the screen. He checked it over one more time. His fingers hovered over the keys as he considered the plan from beginning to end. He hoped that fate would be kind to him and grant him this one personal wish.
Thessia
Kelice Military Academy
"...the latest intake, almost thirty percent are former commandos who were honorably discharged before the war. Most of them could assume a number of positions to further extend the scope of the training modules. This would inflate personnel resources and expedite deferred projects. With stress and fatigue diminishing performance reliability among the academy commandos, I propose that we put the returnees into positions as soon as possible." The sub-commander eyed her audience carefully, especially those seated near her end of the oval table, as she ended her summarisation.
An inaudible murmur of guarded anticipation, agreement and doubt swept around the table. Sanar looked expectantly towards the captain seated near the head of the table but Nyrine remained silent. Having worked with her as long as she did, Sanar was able to discern an air of worry and distraction about her. It had been there ever since she returned from Armali. Was she still thinking over the TI soldier picked up at the staging zone? She had not seen any footage of the TI soldier herself but she heard about the condition she arrived in. It must have been extremely gruesome if Nyrine was so affected by the incident. The matriarch seated on Nyrine's left spoke up.
"These former commandos are indeed a valuable asset with their past experiences and training but their fitness and abilities must be tested to ensure that they are able to lead. As such, their status will remain unchanged until they are thoroughly evaluated." Several heads nodded in agreement as Zelenia interlaced her fingers before her. "Until then, current assignments will proceed as before."
A few faces fell but no one ventured to contradict the statement. "Then," the sub-commander said quickly, "assessment phase six should suffice..."
"No. They will start at phase one," Zelenia corrected firmly, ignoring the astonished consternation on some faces. "A dull old blade is as good as a brittle club. It has to be sharpened properly before it can function as it is meant to be. The edges will be different from what was but no less keen. These commandos graduated under the old doctrine. To return them to active service at once is as bad as expecting a batch of raw recruits of different disciplines to function as a unit in the field. Dissatisfaction and conflicts that can be easily avoided will develop if the proper measures are not taken. I prefer not to hear of such complications."
"Izharia," began the sub-commander cautiously, "some of them may not accept such an arrangement."
"Then remind them of who they are," Zelenia returned frostily. "Are they commandos sworn to defend Thessia or politicos bartering in the forum?" Her cool gaze alight on certain unhappy faces. "If it is the latter, then their withdrawal to another arena is all the more welcome. Make no mistake, they are to be put through their paces like every recruit until they have passed through every phase tests. Once they have performed satisfactorily, they will be assigned suitable positions."
"If there are no more questions to be tabled?" Sanar said after a long moment of uncomfortable silence. No one spoke. "This conference is ended," she said after a nod of affirmation from the matriarch. The group stirred themselves to their feet, saluting respectfully before streaming out the door. Sanar was about to follow after but for a gesture from Zelenia. She sat back down and waited.
"I expect half of them to withdraw their applications the moment they learn of this determination," Nyrine said softly once the door closed behind the last person to exit.
"Which is of no moment," Zelenia flicked her fingers dismissively. "Some of them were forcibly 'retired' because of their aggressive aspirations. Unfortunately, not before they have inflicted irreparable damage with their machinations. The recruits are most vulnerable and open to abuse. I will not have political recusant boneheads sowing discord among them with their misguided idealistic convictions or breeding incompetence."
Tempted though she was to probe further into the returnees' infractions, Sanar held her tongue. Better to run a search through the lists of the returning veterans and do a little digging of her own than to try the patience of the matriarch.
"Or among the staff," Nyrine observed shrewdly.
"Their applications are very timely, aren't they?" Zelenia smiled thinly. "Still, I doubt the measures I stipulated would deter the most intractable of them. That is where I hope I have the support of you and your staff," she glanced at Sanar, "to thwart any attempts to subvert the current administration."
"Of course, Izharia," Nyrine straightened. "I, Lieutenant T'Enaire and the staff will see to it. However, is there something else you would like to discuss?" she added diffidently.
"I've just received a report from KML (Kelice Medical Laboratory) regarding the incident at AFC (Armali Forward Camp) this morning." At that, Sanar tensed. Nyrine went a shade lighter. "You were with Captain T'Vay and had a clear visual of the casualty. What impression did you get?"
Sanar gazed attentively at Nyrine who stared at the table for the longest time. "I am not sure," the captain said finally, "but the changes in the casualty is unusual."
"Unusual?" Zelenia waited for further definition.
"Yes," Nyrine nodded reluctantly. "She was or seemed, sentient."
Sanar frowned in puzzlement at that term. What did she mean? Wasn't all TI sentient?
Zelenia sighed. "We all know of the creation of husks from reports dating back to the initial invasion on the human colony, Eden Prime. The subject, whether dead or alive, was impaled on extraction spikes that convert organic materials into cybernetic parts. Further analyses and data from Sanctuary have shown that nanites were the means by which the conversion was carried out, using the victim's own epinephrine system as the stimulus. But spikes were the not the only method in which husks could be created. Indoctrination devices sown by the Reapers warped the minds and then later infused the victims in the same way once they were no longer able to function individually. In the battle for Thessia, we did not see any extraction spikes, only the indoctrination devices. Do you know why?"
"The Reapers wanted able-minded thralls, not husks," said Nyrine. "By shutting down essential supplies to force the populace to surrender, their intention was to use them as an able force to further their conquest."
"Exactly. An entire population of biotics at their command would effectively remove at least half the resistance on the ground." Zelenia's expression turned graver. "However, if the report is correct, the TI are also using this same method to acquire the replacements they needed but at an accelerated pace."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "Accelerated?" Nyrine said sharply.
"The casualty has been identified as one of those who were reported missing from one of the surviving outlying villages three months ago."
"But that's-," Nyrine's eyes widened in disbelief. "What I saw..."
Zelenia nodded bleakly. "The report included images. I know what it was you saw. Given the extent of conversion, she should have been a mindless husk but she wasn't." She pressed a hand to her brow. "Before she died, she was able to converse for a while. That was how we acquired her identity."
"I don't understand, Izharia," said Sanar, unable to credit what she was hearing. "Is it possible?"
"According to the researchers, the TI must have been experimenting with the technology left behind by the reapers to accelerate the indoctrination process. But either lacking expertise or through the effects of indoctrination or perhaps intention, the technique is seriously flawed. Conversion is unbalanced, it left the victim in a form of de-efferented state, aware of the changes but unable to form any resistance." Looking as ill as her audience, Zelenia shook her head. "I cannot imagine what she had been through. Somehow, she was able to gather the will to attempt to return to us."
"Perhaps she wished to warn us," Sanar said softly, grasping her trembling hands tightly together as she resolutely pushed away feverish imaginations.
"I believe that was what she was trying to do," Nyrine agreed.
"I concur." Zelenia shifted in her seat. "The military council will convene this afternoon to discuss this development but the question of removing all survivors from outlying villages is no longer a moot point. I have no doubt the proposal will be approved."
That was a great relief to hear. The intractable village elders who were resisting removal from their ancestral homes would have no grounds to protest once they knew what the TI intended for them. It would also remove the need to station forces to protect them.
"But there is another problem," said Nyrine, knowing her superior had something else in mind.
"Now that it is confirmed the TI are able to convert their victims faster than projected, the removal of the village populace will force them to harvest heavily from another source."
As realisation leaped to Sanar's mind, Nyrine looked as if she was punched in the stomach. "The recruits?" she almost hardly dared to breathe.
"I'm thinking more of the commandos," Zelenia said grimly. "The recruits will be a windfall given that they may not expect us to field them so early. We can anticipate a change in tactics in future clashes. They may not expect to get their hands on many commandos but whoever goes out there, is now in a more perilous situation than before. The military council may decide to withhold this information from the troops."
"But how can we do that?" Sanar protested as Nyrine straightened with an angry glint in her eyes.
"To keep cohesion among the troops, they may have to. If the troops knew of the TI's latest scheme, we may see an increase in resignations."
"But you don't see it that way," Nyrine caught the reference quickly.
"I do not but I cannot go against the decision if it is made." Heavy regret seemed to weigh Zelenia's tone. "Whatever is decided, I will issue a general statement. The best way to keep anyone from falling into TI hands is to ensure every company, every squad stay together during engagements. I want the both of you to talk to the officers, emphasized strongly to the commandos that independent action is not condoned."
"Yes, Izharia," Nyrine murmured, hearing Sanar echoing her. "Would high command push to deploy the Prothean Device?"
There was no promising news on the testing of the device on Sur'Kesh. Whatever came out of there was the ubiquitous statement that everything was proceeding smoothly. That was not what people wanted to hear when word of the altercation between the Turian politican and the Council regarding the TI solution spread. They did not know what it was but that it existed. They wanted to know that it worked, now. Their displeasure was marked with a range of protests spawning all over the galactic network. As the Citadel Council stonewalled, the protests and debates grew more furious.
"At this point, it is highly likely. However, even if they agree, the consent of the Assembly has to be sought and thereafter, the assessment of the Medical Council of Thessia and the Citadel Council. There is no getting around it," said Zelenia before either of them could voice an opinion on the matter. "That is not what you want to hear. Neither do I. We can only hope the greater consciousness would see the right path and direct us to it."
Local Cluster
Earth, Unknown Location
When she came up against the door, the marines spared her a quick assessing glance. They already knew who she was long before she reached them. They also knew they had no way to determine her true intentions and that she could easily put them out of action within seconds. Which was why they were standing farther away than usual from the visitor. None took an eye off her as the security scans did their work. The doors slide open and even then, they remained on high alert. One of them keyed his omni-tool to get a live feed as she vanished into the room beyond.
Her optics adjusted easily to the slightly dim lighting. She moved unerringly to the farthest office, easily maneuvering around busy officers who spared her not another look. At the triple plasplate door of the office, she pressed the tab of the intercom. The marine sentries only watched.
"Yes?"
"Lt E. Moreau, sir."
The door slide aside. A tall, lean brown-haired man with a deeply lined face in his early forties got up from his seat as she stepped in. Her files automatically identified him as Admiral C. A. Langdon. Waving at one of the chairs before his desk, he said," Have a seat."
Langdon waited till she sat down before doing the same himself. For a moment, he said nothing, only visually examined the officer in front of him. Almond shaped eyes looked back steadily in a composed face framed by a neat bell of dark hair. Her uniform was just as neat, hardly a crease on it. A beautiful exterior but he knew what lay under it.
"Am I too tidy, sir?" she queried when his eyebrow twitched.
A grin pulled at his lips. "Is that what you're really wearing?"
"No, sir. It's a holographic image, I'm wearing a hardsuit." The Alliance uniform vanished, revealing what she had on beneath.
"I suppose if you were to hide a weapon, you would accordingly adjust the projected image?"
"You are correct. I can hide any number of items if I so wish. Although," she added as if an after thought, "the more items to carry, the image I have to project would be extensive. I believe either a woman of greater mass or one who is pregnant would efficiently provide the necessary cover."
"I see," he said gravely as various images tumbled into his head. He forbore to mention a few archaic costumes that would be more than sufficient to hide a large rocket launcher.
"However, the subterfuge can be easily discovered if anyone were to make a closer examination," she continued before pausing as if to reconsider. "Physical examination," she corrected placidly.
"I doubt that'll be put to the test," he said easily. "Have you studied the files we sent you?"
"I have."
"And?" He watched her intently.
"Admiral, the current security and information network employed by the Alliance has many prosaic technicalities due to the need to capture and disseminate data as quickly as possible to all working units. They are exploitable weaknesses that cannot be defended against an invading A.I. An Overlord intelligence can easily sweep aside any counter measures and subsume the entire network."
He blinked at the crisp delivery. Not exactly good news or unexpected though the summary stung. Her next statement was totally unexpected.
"It is this very same structure that the Salarian Special Forces were able to infiltrate and extract information from when humans first appear on the galactic stage."
"What?" He stared at her in consternation. Did she just said what he thought she did?
"Despite your belief that the core network is totally restructured and all loopholes plugged during and after the war, some of the upgrades that were provided or supposedly written by experts originated with STG (special task group)." She cocked her head at his dumbfounded expression.
"Do you have evidence to back up your claim?" he asked dazedly.
"I do."
He stared at her, lost for words. "Do you mean to tell me that a bunch of amphibians have been counting how many times we went to the toilet all this while?" he said angrily, recovering from his shock.
"You would not have known you have inherited a flawed foundation, Admiral. This-," she looked around her, "core was first conceived when the Alliance was formed. New but young compared to STG which has been around for two millennia."
"I see." He scowled, wondering just how much hold the salarians had of the network.
They and the Citadel Council probably knew all the nuts and bolts of the Alliance even as they played their games. The Old Man was going to be stumped when he hear about this. His heart raced for a moment as he thought of the current ongoing operations against the TI and Cerberus that were now exposed. Logic prevailed. They were all against a common enemy, not against one another. He dragged his attention back to the young woman in front of him.
"The core has amassed an enormous amount of data," she said. "It is logical to continue build upon it..."
"Not when worms have insinuated their way into it," he said. "Do you have any idea if Cerberus were as successful in penetrating the network?"
"Not initially. Whatever they needed was obtained through agents and sympathisers in the Alliance. There are possibly a few sleeper programs set to trigger when certain criteria are met. Namely if the Alliance intended to move against Cerberus but they were never set off as all operations ceased during the Reaper War."
"When ANI became mobile," he nodded.
Admiral Hackett's flagship became the new intelligence agency during the war when surviving fleet elements were forced to abandon Earth. Every Alliance center was targeted and destroyed by the reapers but the core had survived intact. With the destruction of most satellites, it was pointless to remain active so it was shut down and personnel transferred to Hackett's fleet.
"When they chose to range themselves against us during the war, they knew we would hit them sooner or later, with or without the backups they put in the core."
"It was an inevitable eventuality in regards to the Illusive Man's ambitions," she pointed out.
"I stand corrected," he said wryly before sitting back in his chair, brows furrowed. "With the core compromised, we need to structure a complete replacement. What would you recommend?"
"Decentralise the new main core, construct several layers of filtrating sub-systems as a feed and use a secondary core to dispense data to operating units."
"That sounds promising. Can you work up a proposal quickly?" He began to compile a list of the personnel he have to pull to thrash out the project.
"Within the hour," she said immediately. She didn't exactly smile at his startled astonishment but there was a amused air about her. "If I may ask, what do you intend to do with the original core."
Now that she brought it up, he mused over the problem for a moment. His immediate inclination was to shut it down but then, when he think about how the Alliance were watched and maneuvered like a tyro all those years, he wanted some payback.
"Turn the tables."
"Misinformation," she nodded approvingly.
"Turn about is fair play, don't you think? It won't last of course." He activated his console to check a few updates. "We have prepared an access node and data banks for you with secure links to DTS (debris trajectory surveillance) and satellites. I would like you to examine all traffic data for the last several months for signs of Cerberus and foreign intrusions."
"Would you like me to monitor current data stream as well?"
"Can you handle it?" he said cautiously. "It would help especially with Operation Ardones imminent."
"With expanded capacity on the ground, I have the ability to supervise multi-phase applications every hour," she said. "The Normandy will also serve as a pair of mobile eyes while I am here."
Smiling, he stood up and extended his hand which was grasped firmly but lightly. Her hand was surprisingly cool rather than cold. "Welcome to ANI, EDI."