Thessia
When Chakwas stepped through the clearance portal of the Alliance security checkpoint, she paused for a moment to get her bearings. She glanced at her surroundings, not certain what to expect. Everything looked familiar and assuring; crowds, screens blaring news and advertisements, numerous exits and entry checkpoints, holo-signboards pointing the way to shops, restaurants, numerous services. Security guards, drones, so on and so forth. A young asari dressed in green and white stepped up to her before she could decide if she should take a stroll to check out the shops.
"Dr Chakwas? I'm Hilia ve T'Soni," the asari introduced herself with a small bow, a hand raised to her chest; her fingers flicked a tiny gesture.
"You're my escort." Chakwas eyed her carefully to be sure she matched the picture she was sent. Ah yes, there was that interesting three tiny stripes of purple along the edge of the upper crest.
"Yes. If I may?" Hilia held up a beautiful green wreath of leaves interweave with cream and brilliant blue flowers and placed it carefully around Chakwas's neck when she nodded. "Blessings of Janiris be on you," she murmured.
"Thank you," Chakwas returned politely. "I travel light," she added when Hilia glanced at the duffel slung over her shoulder and then at her feet, a question clearly forming in her azure eyes.
"Of course, doctor. The car is this way."
Hilia gestured gracefully and led the way through the arrival hall to the car park where another asari in a similar uniform waited by a skycar at the pickup point. On seeing them, she climbed into the driver's seat, started the vehicle and waited for them to get in. Soon they were making for the main traffic lanes.
Chakwas looked curiously through the windows. It wasn't her first visit to the planet. She made the trip to attend Shepard's wedding six years ago. The city then had looked the worse for wear. Ruins and debris spread all over the landscape. It was different now. Towers and buildings gleamed in the warm amber glow of the setting sun as the skycar merged smoothly with the traffic. Most of the stolid but gracefully curve towers looked spindly against the bulk of a huge dome that was the seat of authority on Thessia. Delicate spires wound high around it, seeming ready to snap under the touch of any strong wind but it was of course an illusion. The asari were aesthetic minded, not foolish, when it came to building.
With the onset of spring, there was a breathtaking profusion of spreading flora visibly radiating along ground level throughout the city. Flocks of birds burst forth now and then from the canopy of trees, making for some unknown destination. Compared to the harsh grey enclaves on Earth, Kelice was a flourishing city. It would take a few years and more before any of the enclaves or the environment on Earth would take on the mantle of living growth. Yet, for all its calm beauty, Kelice was not safe. Chakwas lifted her eyes to the distant city perimeters that she couldn't see, wondering how the asari were fairing in their campaign to retake Thessia.
It was only a few days since the official announcement over the galactic network, they wouldn't have made much inroads yet. Chakwas was only too aware that the asari military were attempting something they had never done before. Her mind shied away from the numbers that were all too likely to fall. To think too much about it was not going to help. It was why she buried herself in lab work at the Antarctica Base, to prevent herself from thinking of the struggle going on all over her home planet. The astonishing aftermath of the frightening bombardment offered a brighter ray of hope than she could ever imagine she'd see in the current struggle.
It took some time for it to sink in. As her colleagues around her celebrated, she realised how vital the data she had gathered would mean for the future. If she was right. She wouldn't know for a fact until Shepard returned to Thessia. Was it too much? Taking for granted that Shepard would return. What if she didn't? That seemed so highly implausible given the number of abyss Shepard had climbed out of so many times in the past years. Thinking of those achievements, Shepard seemed superhuman. Godlike even. She snorted softly at that thought.
The skycar slipped out of the main traffic vein and left the city behind. Hills rolled serenely beneath. A tall waterfall foaming thickly at the bottom of a valley came into sight when the skycar banked, heading for a cluster of buildings nestled snugly in growing greenery. As the vehicle set down, she could see two asari waiting at the entrance of the main building. The sight of them sent a streak of trepidation through her. She was surprised at the momentary anxiety. In a flash, she realised what it was. After spending so much of her life on ships (especially most of it with Alliance personnel), patients and sterile laboratory environments, she was feeling out of her element.
Relax, Karin, asari are well known for their hospitality. Besides, there's Liara to keep you company.
"Welcome to Thessia, Dr Chakwas." One of the asari, a matriarch from the slightly faded facial markings and lines, stepped forward as she alighted. "I'm Effia, caretaker of the household."
Her eyes fell on the single duffel Chakwas was carrying and nodded to the younger asari beside her who withdrew with a slight bow.
"Let me show you to the room we have prepared." She turned for the doors as Chakwas fell into step beside her. "Liara sends her regrets that she is unable to receive you. Aethyta is called away but they will be joining you for the evening meal."
"It has been a long time since I last saw Liara, I hope she's doing well."
"As well as she can be."
Chakwas stared in surprise at the matriarch. What was that supposed to mean?
"Nurturing a new path is always difficult," Effia explained, perceiving her puzzlement.
Chakwas wondered if she was warning her of changes or merely stating a fact. She suspected both. Would an asari, especially a young one at that, be much affected by pregnancy? About to ask more, she checked herself and decided to wait till she had seen Liara. She looked around the huge hall (living room? reception room?) they were passing through with keen interest, noting the graceful arches overhead, the pillars, the curved motifs on the ceiling and floor, the flowing streams and budding flora. How odd. Streams through a hall? Did they drink or frolic in it? There was no furniture. This left her confused. She aired the question.
"This is the hall of gathering for the T'Soni clan," said Effia, "and students of the matriarchs. It is also used for festive and important occasions."
That would account for the size. Chakwas glanced around. It could easily hold a few hundred. "Is this the seat of the clan?"
"No. It used to be in Armali. It is now centered in one of the towers in the city."
They came to an intersection and turned right into a round open doorway of a small room. Half the walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. A coffee table, couches and armchairs were arranged before the windows. A living room? The windows offered a view of a large garden. Through another round doorway at the other end of the room, they stepped into a corridor. Effia stopped at the second door and pressed the control panel. Looking down the stretch of corridor, Chakwas saw there were other doors. Presumably, this was the guest wing of the house or mansion. She had noticed rows of upper windows on the front facade.
"This is your room." Effia stood back politely to let Chakwas enter first.
Chakwas stepped into a spacious room with open windows. She was gratified to find a large bed and all the usual trappings she would find in any upscale hotel room. Declining an offer to help with the unpacking, she waited till the matriarch left before dropping the duffel on the bed. It bounced reassuringly a few times. She sat down to test it herself, running her hands over the soft smooth covers. At least the asari knew their creature comforts. After years of hard beds and cramped quarters, she looked down at the carpeted floor and around the room. It was positively palatial. She sniffed. What was that smell? She drew in another deep breath.
Karin, Karin. How long has it been since you last breathe fresh clean air?
Getting up from the bed, she went to the windows. Leaning against the window sill, she stared out across the blooming garden.
Styx Theta System
Normandy
The expanded holographic image of the Erebus system spun slowly above the conference table. Red icons representing possible EWS placements and defense installations flared or winked out as EDI processed the data from the recon probes as they swept into the shuttle bay. With less than half the probes recovered, Shepard hoped there was enough information for them to work on. Pulling up one of the downloaded data to the console before her, she saw that it was marked as a plausible embedded missile turret and examined the scan readout. EDI wouldn't make mistakes but it never hurt to double check. Standing beside her, Miranda stared stony-faced at the holo-image as more and more icons appeared.
"Data download complete," EDI said.
"What do we have?" asked Shepard. The officers ranged around the table looked up expectantly from their datapads.
"I am able to determine the EWS network corresponds to Miss Lawson's premise of two compact orb patterns. Primary and secondary distribution is confirmed. Each primary EWS node is linked to a heavy missile installation, secondary nodes are linked to multiple turret defense systems. There are missing nodes in the web, possibly due to pockets of molecular hydrogen from the Ring."
Shepard watched dispassionately as the holo-image reflected the number of defense structures and distance between each node as Miranda murmured, "Not even the Normandy can run that gauntlet."
"We'll end up being the fish in the barrel," Shepard agreed, bracing herself against the edge of the table. "Any sign of a base in orbit at Nepmos?"
A green icon sprang up at the planet in question.
"Due to the number of probes destroyed before they could reach that area, the best extrapolation is a metal construct measuring three by five kilometers. Energy emissions indicate a working facility."
"Is it a ship or a facility?"
"The silhouette does not match any ship configuration."
Shepard nodded. An immobile target would make it easier. Somewhat. Still, she couldn't take it for granted without confirmation.
"Any sign of warships? Patrols?"
"No metallic mass matching that of a vessel or energy emissions are detected."
"Recon coverage is not a hundred percent. Is it possible they could be lying doggo?" suggested Araki. "If they have ships running with a single-," she paused for a moment as if considering her words, "crew, power output would be minimal."
"It is possible," said EDI. "I can tie in to the EWS network. That will give us a complete analysis of the system. However, my incursion might be detected."
Shepard shook her head. "No, not yet. We have to find out if there are oculus stationed on that base. How many of the probes were retrieved?"
"Two hundred and sixteen," said Araki.
"I'm going to use them as bait." Shepard looked at Adams whose face reflected the same puzzlement in the others. "If we programmed them to fly in a pattern, are there enough to radiate a perceptible DRA (Diffuse Radiator Array)?"
His brows cleared at once before bunching up again as he punched in figures in his datapad. "How big a DRA are we talking?"
"Frigate." Shepard put up a hand when Adams looked up, doubt in his eyes. "I'm not talking an entire configuration, just enough to twitch the line."
"You might spook an entire swarm to come after us," Miranda muttered in warning as she tried to estimate the number of oculus and ships a base of that size could hold. "A smaller bait may be less provocative."
"Not if the probes dispersed and take off on divergent courses the moment a response from the facility is detected. There will be no active feedback to track. They may think the molecular hydrogen from the Ring is affecting their sensors. We collect the probes at a pick up point an hour after the run." Shepard waited patiently until Adams finished his calculations. "How does it look?"
"Not enough numbers to generate a strong emission," he said, "but they should be able pick up a partial ghost signature."
"That's even better. Get to it." She nodded to Adams who saluted before heading for the exit. "While we wait, it's time to call in reinforcements." She turned to Araki. "Send the signal to Ranoch."
"Yes, sir."
Thessia
When the housekeeper said the hall was for gatherings for special occasions, Chakwas never imagined a bar would be part of the setting. When Aethyta suggested drinks, she thought the matriarch was going to bring her out to the city. Never did it cross her mind there would be a full (or near) range of choices in a hidden bar alcove. It didn't take long for her to sit on a stool across the bar counter from the matriarch and let herself be persuaded to a glass of asari honey mead.
All over the hall, small groups of asari gathered around tiny globe-shaped lamps, lay wreaths on one another, bowed their heads in silent prayers or was it meditation, and chatted softly. The quiet atmosphere was at odds with the festivities she sometimes saw over the news vids.
"Isn't the Janiris celebration more lively than this?" she asked curiously.
"Different places, different ages, different interpretation." Aethyta examined the seal of a purple bottle. "We prefer our wild extravagant orgies out of sight." The look on Chakwas's face made her chuckle when she looked up. "Caught you, didn't I?"
"Do people fall for that?" Chakwas said wryly.
"Some people can be pretty stubborn on the salacious details, they don't want to hear about anything else."
"So what is the truth?"
"Exactly what I said. The younglings have their simple parties." Satisfied that the seal was not broken, Aethyta returned the bottle to the shelf behind her. "The maidens, matrons and matriarchs have their own traditions to observe. Rites of fertility, contemplation. The beginning of a new cycle is always a concern."
"Ah. Expectations and aspirations." Chakwas sipped at her drink. The flickers of sweet fire left behind in her mouth left her blinking in surprise.
"Always. Perhaps it was simpler back when there was nothing but farming and basic concerns to worry about-," picking up another sealed bottle, Aethyta eyed it critically, "than the nightmares of this age but who's to say their time wasn't just as cruel." She put the bottle away and nodded towards the groups of asari. "But you are right. Out of respect to those who have gone to the front lines, the observances are muted."
Having no inclination to talk about gloomy matters, Chakwas decided to switch subject. "Liara looks very well," she said, thinking of the dinner they had earlier. "Isn't she due any day now?" she asked worriedly. Engaged with a mission at the moment, Shepard would not be present for the birth. It was an occasion she knew the captain was looking forward to.
"Perhaps." Aethyta flicked out a small piece of cloth seemingly from nowhere and began to polish a glass. "Shepard has to be here for the awakening."
"The birth can be delayed?" Chakwas was startled. Was it possible? But then, why not? Despite their feminine appearance, asari physiology was different from that of a human female in many ways.
"No longer than necessary. If Shepard cannot return in time, the birth will proceed."
"How will that affect this awakening?"
"The child will perceive less of the father."
There was a grim note in the matriarch's voice. Chakwas wondered why that was.
"I wasn't there during Liara's awakening. A good thing too, she doesn't end up with a tongue like mine."
Her interest tickled, Chakwas leaned forward. "You're saying the father makes some kind of mental transfer to the child?"
"How is the wine?"
Taken aback by the sudden question, Chakwas glanced at her glass. "It's good. The taste is not what I expected."
"That impression will remain with you till the day you die," Aethyta said matter of factly. "Such as it is with the unborn. The imprint from both parents is the foundation and guide to her new life. Without it, the basis of her nature is weakened."
"That sounds different from our own. We know the unborn child is aware and absorbs outside influence since she can hear what is going on around her," Chakwas elucidated as Aethyta looked at her without ceasing the polishing of the glass. "This is further reinforce as she matures."
"Our unborn are naturally shielded as we're more sensitive to the surrounding mental ambiance. The child's sole perception while she remains within are the basic comforts generated by the mother. The awakening opens the world to her. She is made aware of who and what she is. The parents provide the empathetic supportive link."
The glass was held up to the light before replaced under the counter. Another was picked up and began to suffer the same treatment.
"Are you saying every asari can recall the moment of birth?" Chakwas said disbelievingly.
"It varies but some would prefer not to. Who wants to remember all that noise, the fuss and having your cold ass smacked?" Aethyta grinned. "The moment of awakening is the child's full consciousness becoming live, like a vidcorder."
"How fascinating," Chakwas murmured, astonished.
"Uh huh. Don't let the hype get to you." Aethyta examined the glass. "When we began finding offworld mates, there were hefty objections and debates until studies showed that these offspring seem more robust and progressive. That shut the old guard up and eventually spawned quite a few assumptions on the old ways."
"Like the link between purebloods and Ardat-Yakshi?"
"Heard about it huh?" Aethyta shrugged. "But of course you would have, running around with Shepard. You are aware that the best traits of the father is passed to the child," she continued without waiting for a response.
Since no transference of DNA occurred, Chakwas was not sure she understood. "How is that done?"
"The taste, the scent, your perception when you drank the wine. Would words suffice or would you share the memory and experience by mental imprint, if you're capable of it?"
Chakwas blinked and looked down at her glass. "I see. Mind melding is a esoteric discipline I'm not familiar with but I think I understand."
"If the father is present, the best traits of her personality is chosen and imprinted on the child. It is in this child's interest to have her father present."
Chakwas frowned before her brows cleared. "Because of whose child she is."
Aethyta sighed. "It is never easy on the next generation. The current crop bears a deep mark from the war."
Chakwas nodded thoughtfully, slowly turned the glass between her hands. "When Shepard began to show signs of attachment, I wasn't certain it was the right choice. Liara was so earnest, so young and unsecured. Ill matched to someone who had already walked through buffeting sands. It wasn't my place to interfere so I said nothing. Only to watch and observe."
Ceasing to polish, Aethyta eyed her intently. "And?"
"With Shepard, there's only one way Liara could go." A wry smile lifted Chakwas's lips. "She moved from strength to strength. She put me to shame with her perseverance and belief. She did what all the rest of us failed to do; retrieved Shepard from where she fell. Through thick and thin, they were there for each other. Even when it seemed all was lost, those two never gave up. Neither could the rest of us."
"You believe this child would go the same way."
"You don't?" Chakwas wondered why the matriarch would feel that way and remembered what the housekeeper had said. "Is there something wrong with Liara?" Was that why she was so insistent Shepard be present for the awakening?
"Liara has matured greatly, further than any of her peers but like all the rest of us, she is not immune to the cuts inflicted by the war. Neither is Shepard." Aethyta threw a meaningful look at Chakwas.
"I can't bring a cow to water when it refuses to move," said Chakwas. "I tried but she clammed up so tight, I didn't want to force the issue."
"What was it?"
"Something happened on the Citadel in that last mission. Her injuries were the worst I've treated ever since she took command of the Normandy. I couldn't think how she managed to survive." Chakwas shuddered. "There was that terrible look in her eyes." She shook her head as she recalled that day. "She lost people through the years but Admiral Anderson's death hit her very hard and it showed. The war was won but the avalanche she was holding at bay, fell."
"Liara?"
"Left out in the cold. I'd never thought Shepard would do that." Chakwas took another sip of wine to ease the memory of her anxiety when she witnessed the couple's first full blown argument.
"You dropped a few words where they would count, didn't you?"
"They needed to be away. She loves Liara deeply and Liara...there are no words I can use to describe her devotion. I had hoped it would pull Shepard out of her anger and torment."
Chakwas stared musingly into her glass. It worked, she was certain. When Shepard finally answered her emails after months of silence, she harbored hope that the former Spectre had turned the corner. When told of the pregnancy, she was delighted. Perhaps it was too soon to rejoice? Rousing herself, she looked at Aethyta who had resumed her polishing.
"What about Liara?"
"She has travelled a long way but is still young at heart."
"You're saying she shouldn't have chosen to get pregnant or because she's not in the right cycle to bear?"
"There is no right or wrong cycle. When an asari feels, knows she is ready, she just do it. Most matured maidens are too restless to want to carry such a burden so soon but they can if they want to. But Liara chose to do it for the wrong reasons."
The glass in Aethyta's hands spun so fast that Chakwas half feared it would drop and shatter but the spinning stopped abruptly. Aethyta put it back safely where it belonged.
"To have a child is an important endeavor. For a human, it's a roulette. For us, an asari put her entire self into the effort, mentally, physically and emotionally. There is no try, there is only do."
"You're saying Liara is not fully prepared as she should be." Chakwas wondered how Shepard would react once she come to know about it. Short of stopping the birth, there was nothing she could do. "How will this affect the child?"
"If Liara cannot achieve the required balance, someone else will be the anchor."
It would have to be within the family, Chakwas was certain and Aethyta was Liara's father. "You."
"I make a poor substitute but yes." Throwing the polishing cloth onto the counter, Aethyta stared at the quiet gathering in the hall. "She knows this, she will do whatever is necessary for the child."
Chakwas said uneasily, "I hope I have not come at an inopportune time."
"On the contrary, she trusts you, as does Shepard. Whatever your intentions, your presence is appreciated."
Not about to reveal the reason behind her visit, Chakwas only said, "There is something that concerns Shepard herself. She has to make some decisions. I doubt it would affect their bond." She returned Aethyta's stare steadily, confident in her statement.
Aethyta nodded, accepting that pledge. "I'll hold you to that," She leaned back to check behind the counter and came up with a luminous green bottle. "Game to try another? Blue Thessia."
Draining the remaining wine in her glass, Chakwas held it out. "Hit me." Aethyta grinned.
Erebus System Heliopause
Normandy
Tension. Not the do or die tension but the "let's get this job done and kick some ass" feeling. It sat like a comfortable cloak around CIC.
"Dog Three and Four are two minutes from launch point," reported Araki. "Dog One and Two are standing by."
Studying the holo display, Shepard nodded. "Ready, Joker?"
"Ready." A belated "Sir" popped up several seconds later.
The icons designating the third and fourth geth fighter squadrons approached their launch points steadily in the heliopause. The first and second groups that were the nearest waited along with the dreadnought. Shepard studied the route the Normandy would take; a direct path to the base. With no confirmation on oculus presence, there was only the heavy defense installations to handle once they went in. It was going to be rough. Hopefully, the geth fighters would reduce some of the heat but she wasn't counting on it. Her eyes fell on the helmet racked under the bridge console. Old habits die hard. She had chosen to wear her hardsuit instead of a skinsuit.
"Dog Three and Four report they've reached launch point," said Araki.
"EDI?"
"I am ready."
Taking a deep breath, Shepard hit the tac net comm. "All ships. Engage."
Like an impatient hound straining at the leash, the Normandy boosted to full speed and barreled into the Erebus System with the geth squadrons not far behind. Tension rose high when the Cerberus defense network immediately targeted the frigate. The full force of the missile and turret installations would have poured straight at the ship but for the geth fighters from Dog One and Two that headed to their assigned targets, presenting a more immediate threat as embedded turrets went up after another. The geth fighters buzzed like angry bees around the defense sites. Silent fiery blooms briefly lit up the dark expanse.
Shepard watched the tactical plot tensely as the Normandy destroyed several torpedoes, missile and turret emplacements as it charged down the chosen path. Despite the electronic countermeasures, a few torpedoes snaked past to impact on the hull but the layers of additional armor on the frigate shrugged them off. Red swathes appeared on the display as active scans detected eddies of molecular hydrogen. Joker was quick to avoid them. The deviation brought the frigate past more defense sites that promptly unleashed a hail of fire at it. Fortunately, the geth fighters from the first two groups caught up and covered the flanks.
More red icons appeared ahead as they arrow in deeper into the system. Almost directly overhead, Dog Three and Four worked their way 'down' to intersect with the Normandy. The defense fire was so intense the two squadrons had already lost a few fighters. Still they managed to clear their assigned zone. Instead of securing the area, they were pressing forward.
Shepard frowned. What the hell did they think they were doing? She tapped into the comm network. "Dog Three and Four, pull back. You're taking on too much fire."
"Negative, Shepard captain. We will continue to clear the designated zone until target is acquired," came the response.
An incredulous look crossed Araki's face as Shepard injected more forcefully, "That is not within the specified mission parameter. We'll be left hanging high and dry if they have advance tactical SHD. Break off, now."
The reply was immediate. "Acknowledged, Shepard captain."
The geth fighters retreated as the Normandy pressed forward with its escort. Nepmos loomed nearer.
"Target acquired," said EDI. "Scanning."
An obscure holographic image sprang up, becoming clearer as more details were added.
"No sign of active drives," Araki noted. "Several cresting waves of molecular hydrogen in proximity." She indicated the large swathes of molecular hydrogen dangerously close to the rectangular structure.
"Power output is enormous, there must be at least three power plants in there." Shepard examined the readings and image minutely. "Look-," she pointed to the upper length of the hull, "what do they look like to you?"
"Hatches and there're a lot of them," Araki said anxiously.
"Power spike!" the ops officer called. "Reading multiple inbound! SHD!"
The temperature on the bridge dropped. Everyone knew a single SHD could burrow straight through them.
"Joker!" Shepard watched wide eye as a huge wave of red icons bloomed from the structure and began to head for the Normandy. "D1 and D2, Deta1."
"On it!" Joker skewed the ship hard in a sharp turn and headed for the corridor cleared by Dog Three and Four as the escort fighters fired off their disruptor torpedoes before following the frigate. "Come on," he muttered as he opened up the engines to full throttle. "Come on." He eyed the huge mass on their tail. A few explosions went off when the torpedoes struck their targets. "What's the high point of their reach if they've powered thrusters?"
"I estimate 35 000 km," said EDI.
"Well they're not going catch us," he said confidently as the Normandy pulled away, "but damn, it's going to be hard nailing that thing down. What the..," he muttered in astonishment when the display suddenly changed.
Exchanging a perplexed look with Araki, Shepard watched as the icons of the entire mass of missiles suddenly disappeared. What was going on?
"Ops, where did those SHDs go?"
"I'm reading a debris field that correlates with the missiles at the last coordinates," the ops officer reported.
"What?" Shepard said in disbelief.
"They're completely destroyed."
"Report."
"A signal originating from the facility was detected prior to the destruction."
The communications officer broke in. "Sir, incoming signal from the Cerberus base."
"Who is it?"
"No ID code. Do you want me to patch it through?"
"Do it."
A fuzzy image blinked to life on the screen before Shepard. A man's voice filtered through. "Is this working? I hope it's working." A woman's voice murmured inaudibly. A hand reached out to shake the screen at the other end. "Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?"
"This is Captain Shepard of the Systems Alliance. Who am I speaking to?"
Shepard stared at the staticky screen in bafflement. Whoever it was certainly wasn't acting very Cerberus like. Perhaps it was a mind warped TI who happened to sound strangely familiar and friendly.
"Shepard? Really?" A face suddenly came into view but whoever it was pressed his face so close to the pickup that all Shepard saw was a close up of his eye. "Damn it, this isn't working! There's no picture."
"I can see you. Who're you?"
The face vanished. More murmurings. Then, the man came back. He stared into the pickup at his end. "Hey this works." A huge grin lit his face. "Wow, Shepard, it's really you! Boy am I glad to see you."
Shepard stared at him in disbelief. "Conrad?!"