Thessia
T'Soni Estate
The bedroom was lit with soft lights, imbuing the room with a pleasant ambiance that pushed against the darkness of the night outside. Sitting at ease on the bed, Liara watched with little comfort as Shiala carefully packed the bags with necessities that she might need for a prolonged stay at the Citadel. All over the estate, similar activities were taking place with Effia and her assistants. Whatever was not needed was placed in the vaults. Empty rooms would be locked. She wished she didn't have to move, she'd preferred to have the child at home but with the threat of a TI invasion, it couldn't be helped. Not unless she want to put herself and the child in harm's way. Although Aethyta said she had notified Shepard, it was doubtful if her bondmate would be able to make it back in time
"How about this one?" Shiala took out a flowing burgundy suit from the wardrobe and held it out for Liara's scrutiny. "It enhances your eyes," she said encouragingly when Liara looked undecided. As long as they were practical for her daily work and not too garish, she didn't much care if the clothes favour her or not. Festivities were the only occasions she took the trouble to make sure she looked good.
"I suppose," Liara said with a shrug. "I do not know if I should bother," she added as Shiala added the suit to the pile in the bag. "I will be busy with the little one."
"The shops on the Citadel won't be fully operational for a while yet," Shiala reminded her. "We'll be there for many months. What would Shepard say if she sees you in rags?"
After checking that the wardrobe was empty, she sealed the bag and added it to the pile outside the bedroom where they would be collected in the morning. She glanced around the bedroom, looking for any items they might have missed. Her eyes alighted on the wall display. "Does this retract?" She walked to the display. "Or do we have to pack up everything?"
"It retracts. The control panel is on the underside."
Liara wished she could take the Normandy model with her but she knew Shepard preferred no one touched her collection except herself. Quite a number of the ship models her bondmate had amassed were first editions and extremely rare. There was one dating back several hundred years, a sort of Earth ocean sailing vessel called the HMS Victory. A gift from her father, Shepard had said. Worth several million credits by current standards.
Shiala found the control panel easily. Tapping on the screen interface, she programmed it for high security lock down and watched as the entire display vanished into the ceiling. The specially built vault would keep it safe. Looking around again to make sure she missed nothing, she sat down in the armchair by the bed with a weary sigh. It was a long day, spent gathering and packing up the essentials.
"Thank you, Shiala," Liara said sympathetically.
"Think nothing of it." Shiala removed her boots and wriggled her toes. "I can sleep for a day but I doubt I'll be able to. It would be easier if we could get away tonight."
"Dad said she will try to get us up to Sha station but with priority given to others with extreme needs and the rest of the Assembly and High Command doing the same thing with their families, I do not think she will have a chance."
"Even if we do get up there, all the available rooms and services will either be taken up or swamped." Shiala rubbed an aching spot on the heel of the left foot. "We'll be lucky to get a pallet to sleep on. Better to head straight to the Citadel where there's less competition."
"You mean zero competition," Liara grinned. "I am glad dad is coming with us," she sighed. "Shepard's absence is a blessing. If she were here, dad will stay behind."
Shiala nodded. "That's one worry off your list. So, are you ready?"
"I am. I wish that matters have not come to this appalling stage. We may find ourselves losing all we have built these six years," Liara said. Heartache almost swamped her at the thought of how much the asari had struggled to gain a foothold after the war. Would they now lose it to political ambitions and misjudgement?
"Do you have so little faith in the people?" Shiala asked curiously.
"I do not doubt those I stand with. It is those who sought to stand above that is a concern. I have never thought I would think of the Assembly in this way but after I met Shepard, everything changed. I lift my head to see the world around me instead of the world that is long gone."
Shiala understood what she meant. It was the same for her. The difference was that she didn't emerge from the shell until she chose to study under Benezia after a century of wild flings.
"With some of the incompetents out of the way, you can't say the rest aren't trying. Especially with Aethyta leading the pack. If we can overcome this crisis, I am certain we will set ourselves on the road to peace and prosperity."
A contemplative silence fell as they pondered on the future. Under hooded lids, Shiala scrutinised Liara carefully. She was pleased with the young asari's calm clear aura. A far cry from the roiling grey tint she perceived when she first saw her in Telienos's office. Liara had worked hard at her mediation exercises for more than three weeks, deliberating on her actions with detached calm, fully cognizant of her faults and failings. Telienos pronounced herself more than satisfied with her progress. Complete recovery would take longer but she was found competent by the clan elders, passing their exacting examinations the day before with such poise that Shiala couldn't help but feel proud for her. Now all that remained was the birth and that Shepard would be able to make it on time.
"How long is that prothean going to stay?" she asked as she thought of the rest of the household that would take up residence on the Citadel.
"Javik?" Liara blinked. "As long as he likes."
"He gave me such a turn when I came upon him in the garden." Shiala shivered as she recalled her first encounter and the conversation she had with him. "He is very succinct in his opinions."
"He says what he wants when he thinks it is appropriate." Liara smiled when she remembered her first dialogue with Javik. "He is working on his book so he much prefers to be left alone."
"Is there something between him and Telienos? Whenever she comes to visit, she usually drops by the garden. They spent hours talking and talking," Shiala explained when Liara looked at her in surprise.
"He is isolated in a time not his own. If he finds someone he can talk to, I am happy-," Liara tried to stifle the sudden yawn that came to her and couldn't.
Shiala chuckled. "It seems my condition is catching. Why don't you get some sleep now? There're hours to go before Aethyta's ship arrives. You're going to have a busy day ahead of you."
Liara did not argue. Though she had pottered about to help in the packing, she found she didn't have the stamina to endure the arduous process of constant movement and left the rest to Shiala with no qualms. More and more, there were stronger signs that she could not delay the birth any longer. To do so was dangerous and foolish. Moreover, she would only be too glad to be relieved of the burden. She settled down quietly as Shiala fussed around her, making sure the position of the bed was to her liking. She fell asleep before she was aware of it. After making a final check that the room was secured, Shiala tapped the armchair controls to eject the foot rest and lay back comfortably. She closed her eyes and fell into a restful cocoon.
All too soon it seemed, her internal clock nudged her awake. Looking towards the windows, she could see the faint line of grey along the horizon. It would be dawn soon. Seeing that Liara was still asleep, she got up quietly, washed up and and left the bedroom. All the bags piled up outside were gone. Downstairs, she found the household scurrying to and fro across the hall, moving sealed containers and luggage to the entrance. Aethyta's ship must have arrived, she could hear the sound of many skycars outside. Winding her way through the crowd, a mixture of commandos and Effia's assistants, she found the housekeeper herself in the kitchen, setting two bowls of stew on a tray.
"This tray is for you and Liara," Effia said when she saw Shiala. "Aethyta's ship has docked at the station. Both Javik and Chakwas have gone ahead with half the commandos and some of the luggage. Have Liara ready in the next half hour."
"Where is Aethyta?" asked Shiala as she took the tray.
"Overseeing preparations onboard the ship. Be quick as you can, I want the house shut up as soon as possible."
Without further ado, Shiala headed back upstairs where she found Liara awake. Passing on Effia's message, she break her fast with Liara, making short work of the stew. Once Liara had finished hers, she shepherded her carefully to the bathroom for a shower. As she was helping Liara to rinse, she froze when the faint sound of the city wide alarm could be heard.
"Is it another drill?" Liara frowned and then paled when a double shrill pierced the air. The dreaded attack had come.
"Oh goddess, no." Shiala drew a sharp breath, eyes wide. "Hold tight to the bar, I'll dry you off." Grabbing towels from the bathroom cabinet, she quickly wiped Liara dry before guiding her back to the bedroom. Holding fast to calm, she helped Liara to dress. In the midst of this, someone knocked on the door.
"Mistress, it's time to set off," Hilia called.
"Coming," said Shiala, shoving the remaining boot onto Liara's foot before hurrying to the door and opened it. Together, they escorted Liara downstairs. As they approached the front doors, Effia hurried up to them with two of the household assistants.
"Liara," she said hurriedly. "Did you arrange an appointment with Dr Delsa today?"
Liara halted and turned. "No, I told her I would be leaving today. She said she would meet me at the Citadel. Why?"
"She's on her way here right now, saying there is something urgent she has to tell you."
"Can she not message Liara?" Shiala frowned. "What is it that is so important that it must be said in person?"
"Precisely. I suggest not waiting for her." Effia gestured towards the entrance. "We must leave quickly before whoever it is gets here."
"I agree," Shiala said at once. She gently urged Liara towards the front door.
What Shiala and Effia said was true so Liara went without argument. Just as they stepped outside, they heard the sound of skycars and looked up to see a trio of the vehicles heading towards them. They seemed bulkier than usual. Shiala realised the doors were open. Who would drive a skycar with opened doors? When they're up to no good. As that thought flashed through her mind, she was already shouting to the commandos waiting for them at their own skycars.
"Cover! Take cover!" At the same time, she and Hilia pulled Liara back through the front door. Effia closed it quickly.
Just in time for they heard the sound of gunfire. Seconds later, the door and floor trembled with the impact of projectiles exploding against the vehicles outside. Against the backdrop of the wailing alarm from the city, it sounded as if the invasion had arrived right on top of them. Did the commandos survive the assault?
"To the safe room," Effia said urgently, gesturing towards an alcove midway along the hall.
With Effia and the two helpers keeping watch behind them, Shiala and Hilia directed Liara that way. Before they could reach the alcove, one side of the hall trembled violently and caved in, raising a thick cloud of dust and smoke. Out of the cloud, a hail of projectiles shot towards them. Shiala deflected several of them with a broad biotic deflection. A kinetic barrier sprang up within seconds before the next barrage could reach their targets.
"Goddess, not a single one of us have any firearms." Hilia coughed for some of the dust reached her.
"Once we reach the safe room, we'll be fine." Shiala glanced at Effia who was projecting the shield. The two assistants were ranged about her as an additional shield.
"Keep moving," was all the matriarch said, eyes grim. "I can't see who they are. The cowards are not showing themselves."
"Why are they attacking us?" Liara wanted to know, flinching as another hail came at them.
"Their timing is-," Shiala staggered, feeling dizzy and shook her head to clear away the fuzzy feeling.
"Shiala! Are you all right?" Liara grabbed her arm anxiously.
"I think-," Shiala's eyes rolled up and she fell to the floor. Liara tried to bend down, to see if she was alive but Hilia pulled at her arm, shaking her head.
"Pick her up, quick," Effia said to her assistants. "We have to keep moving. Some of the commandos may have survived."
She didn't turn her head when the sound of gunfire outside became more intense. A bone jarring thump went off. Then another, shaking the building. The unknown attackers had to be facing resistance since they did not rush in. Those behind the broken wall seemed to have vanished for no more shots came at the group.
"Is she breathing?" she asked one of the assistants who was holding Shiala up by her arms, the other was carrying her legs.
"Yes, but she is unconscious."
"We'll check-,' Effia broke off at the sudden cessation of gunfire.
The front door snapped aside. The group turned to look, wondering if the commandos had fallen. The wail of the city alarm continued to shriek. Coming faintly on the air were dull booms. For a moment, all they could see through the door was the gleam of sunlight, smoke and burning skycars. A sort of dark round globe appeared at the left side of the opened door for a second before it reappeared. It took a moment for the group to register that it was a helmet. Then someone stepped through.
"Goddess...Shepard!" Liara cried out with relief, recognising the touch of her bondmate's mind. Effia stared hard when another hardsuited figure came into view. She dropped the kinetic shield when she realised it was Hiaras.
"Glad I'm not late," Shepard said as she hurried up to the group with Hiaras. "Come on, I got a ride outside...what happened to Shiala?" She took in the asari's limp body with surprise and consternation.
"Someone fired at us. She must have taken a hit before I got the barrier up," said Effia. "We must go." It wasn't the time for questions and answers, her hard voice implied.
"Right. Let's go, love."
Clipping the assault rifle to her back, Shepard took Liara's free arm and urged her towards the door. By now, marines could be seen standing guard outside. Several bodies lay about. The skycars which they were to take were burning, as were the three that belonged to the assailants. A few marines were helping injured commandos into one of the shuttles that landed nearby. Shepard guided Liara to the nearest shuttle parked close to the entrance.
She made sure the seat restraint was not too tight for Liara. The assistants settled the unconscious Shiala and took the seats close to her. The rest of the commandos that were not injured followed. The shuttle lifted into the air once the hatch was closed. Squeezing Liara's hands encouraging as the link between them flowed, Shepard turned to run a quick visual check on Shiala, slumped a few chairs down, next to Effia who was examining her. There was no visible signs of injury.
"Someone was shooting narcotics at us," said Effia. "Her vital signs are stable but she's unconscious. Look here." She pulled at the fabric of one of Shiala's trousered legs to show Shepard the small tear. Whatever it was that struck Shiala left behind a bruise instead of a wound.
"So they intend on kidnap." Shepard's eyes narrowed.
"Do you know who's behind it?"
"Some. But that's for later, right now we have an invasion to deal with." Shepard turned away and stopped when Effia made a motion to stop her.
"What's the situation in the city?" the matriarch asked tightly.
"They're holding." Shepard lightly touched her hand to reassure her before hurrying to the cockpit. "Patch me to ACS Tilvar at Sha Station," she said to the co-pilot. The link was quickly established. "Most of them are safe," she said the moment Aethyta appeared on the small screen. "We're returning to the Normandy."
Some of the tension around Aethyta's eyes eased. "Do you think you'll be able to transfer them to the Tilvar before the event?"
"I'll try but depending on how fast the situation escalates on the ground, it may take place on the Normandy," said Shepard.
"Effia has experience, she'll be able to help."
"We're going to need it," said Shepard. "I'll get back to you as soon as we have good news."
"I'll be waiting." Aethyta signed off.
Shepard turned her attention to the cockpit windows. The shuttle was already at the outer limits of the atmosphere so there was nothing to be seen of Kelice. She would have to wait till they land on the Normandy to know the situation below. With nothing to do but wait, she returned to the cargo compartment. Sitting down beside Liara, she grasped her hand.
How did you arrive as you did? We were not expecting you until tomorrow at the latest.
When Aethyta sent an update on what's happening on here, I knew the situation will deteriorate so I cleared up a few urgent matters as fast as I could to get here. A colleague of yours sent me a warning too.
Who?
Peliar. I'll tell you all about it later. I also grabbed a few stuff your people are going to need to repel the invasion and started moving before the orders from the Alliance came through.
You know a way to drive the TI back?
Something I came across on this mission. I'm sure it'll work.
I am really glad you are here. I miss you.
Yeah, I wish you had been with me for the past week. You don't know what the bed is like. {humorously}
In all my imaginations, I never thought our child would be born on the Normandy.
Neither did I but I think it's kind of fitting.
Liara turned her head when Shepard nudged her towards the window and saw that the shuttle had reached the Normandy. A shiver passed through her as familiar bulkheads enclosed the shuttle. The ship had come to represent so many things in the last several years and now their first child would take her first breath onboard it. Perhaps it was a sign that matters were about to change. For the best, she hoped.
The shuttle set down smoothly into the shuttle baffle. Shepard helped her to her feet as the hatch opened. An assembled squad was already waiting outside to take the wounded to the medbay. With Effia, Shepard guided Liara to the lift. They alighted at the crew deck after which she took the lift to CIC.
"Line to Asari High Command is established, sir," Araki said as Shepard stepped up to the bridge. "Commandant T'Annor is on the line."
"Izharia, what is the situation?" Shepard asked as she removed her helmet and racked it under the bridge console.
"I'm sending you an update of the incursions," said T'Annor. "There are several breaches at the industrial and military sectors in Kelice and Sharzis. Ground forces are keeping them contained. The breaches at the Kelice spaceport and the central plaza at Sharzis are too large. With the continual upsurge from underground, inflow from secondary tunnels and pressure along the perimeters, we will be forced to pull back in the next thirty minutes."
Studying the topography, Shepard could see what T'Annor meant. The ground forces at the spaceport and central plaza had to contend with three assaults; air, ground level and underground. The continuous waves made any attempts at closing the breach difficult.
"Has there been any attempt to collapse the entrance?"
"We have pre-sighted plausible sites with turrets and missiles but we only managed to chip the boundary. We suspect the tunnels may be lined with a harden material that nothing but a prolonged barrage to have any effect. However, the shear number of the incursion increasing every minute makes this impossible." Something like a grimace flashed across T'Annor's face. "We have deployed every Blackstorm we have to contain the influx but the numbers we're seeing is unprecedented. We will have to call for the heavy armaments from the fleet to close the breach."
"Izharia, the damage and loses-," Shepard began to point out. The spaceport and many soldiers would be lost if the fleet carried out the bombardment.
"There is no other option unless you have something else in mind."
"I do. I recently acquired some SHDs that may help. These are not top of the line weapons that were deployed against Earth but an earlier version. The geth made modifications and are confident they can perform precision strikes."
T'Annor frowned. "Elucidate."
"According to the scouting data provided by the geth, there is only one main tunnel at a depth of point eight klicks running through Kelice. There are two exit points. One within the spaceport, the other outside the perimeter. I propose a SHD precision strike. Detonate at a depth of one klick at two selected points in an attempt to collapse the tunnel entrances." She sent the data of the missile. "The TI in between will be trapped. With their main avenue of attack shattered, the remaining TI will have no choice but to fall back on the usual approach."
"The geth probes will be destroyed. We will have no way of knowing whether the strikes are successful," said T'Annor, caught between hope and doubt, "except when they stop coming up." She closed her eyes for a moment. "How big is the blast range and the target point?"
Picking up a stylus, Shepard circled a point slightly below the opening of the tunnel in the spaceport.
"The blast range is a thousand meters, most of the impact would be absorbed underground. The intended strike is here, several metres off the entry point to prevent further damage to surrounding structures. Ground forces would catch the peripheral effect but if they put up their shields at the exact moment, it would reduce the shock. Unless they can be withdrawn in time."
T'Annor glanced at something off to her left, shook her head before looking hard at the topography. "We cannot retreat until we have to. Will this work?"
"The SHDs are untested," Shepard said honestly and mentally crossed her fingers. "If this does not work, there is always the fleet barrage."
"Very well. We're tying you into our battalion comm network for Kelice and Sharzis. Ground forces will wait for your cue to take cover. Call sign Sky Bolt."
Shepard nodded. "We're directly above Kelice. Sky Bolt for Kelice will commence in five minutes." Once T'Annor signed off, she hit the intership comm. "Adams, status?"
"Board is green. Everything looks good, sir."
"Gunnery crew is ready," Araki reported. "Primary load is ready."
"Go to condition one," Shepard said.
In response, the colour stripes on the deck turned lightning blue as a-grav went off.
"Helm come about." She rattled off the vector coordinates to Joker. "Let's hope this works." She eyed the chronometer and took slow breaths. "Asari ground units, Sky Bolt in three minutes...mark!"
Down below on the ground, every asari soldier heard the warning but kept up their defense fire. The surging waves that boiled out of the huge ragged hole in the middle of the landing pads didn't allow them the respite to retreat or throw up their shields until the very last seconds. Like a lightning bolt out of the sky, a missile smashed down. The impact fissure the battered surface and sent the TI soldiers that were scrambling out of the entrance of their tunnel hurtling every which way. Huddled down behind barriers, the asari soldiers' generated shields held steady. The thunder of the strike was like a frightening hammer that rang through their bones. The sound was so piercing, even through helmet buffers, it left many slightly dazed.
Expecting a huge explosion, the puzzled asari soldiers looked at one another when nothing happened. A sharp command from vigilant officers stilled attempts to look over the barriers. Seconds went by. It was the sounds of screaming TI that brought them back up to look over the barriers. Hearts sank when the swarms rushed towards them, leaping over mounds of corpses.
Orders were barked up and down the line. Assault rifles went back into action. Foremost on everyone's mind was the disappointment that the strike failed. They would have to retreat soon. The next thing everyone knew was the ground shaking beneath their feet. The shakes were so violent no one could maintain a firing stance and fell to the ground. Whatever windows that remained at the spaceport, shattered. Pillars, walls shook like jelly. The entire infrastructure of the spaceport wobbled. The soldiers hugged the ground for dear life for it seemed as if the very planet itself was shaking with wrath.
Without waiting to see the effects of the assault, Shepard ordered the Normandy to Sharzis after launching a second SHD outside the perimeter of the spaceport. An update from the commanding officer at Sharzis revealed a dire situation. As the second acquisition of the asari attempt to reclaim their homeworld, strained resources hampered stronger fortifications. As such, the western perimeter of Sharzis was already overrun. TI swarms were also pouring out of the central plaza of the city. Casualties were mounting. With no structure in the way, Shepard ordered the launch of the remaining SHDs directly into the tunnel entrance. The double detonations would collapse the entry and part of the tunnel.
"Shepard," EDI said softly.
Engrossed in reading the data of the SHDs, Shepard didn't hear her at first until she was called again. "What is it?"
"Please report to medbay."
Medbay? Confused for a moment, she didn't understand why the gynoid would tell her to go there. Then it struck her. "Is she in labour now?" She kept her tone quiet, tempering the desire to rush down to the crew deck.
"She needs you."
Araki heard. "Skipper, go. I can handle it here."
Shepard flashed her a grateful look. "You have command XO. Send me the updates as soon as you get them." She hurried to the elevator. To her confusion, it went up instead of down.
"They're in the loft," said EDI.
"What?"
"The matriarch insists that the loft is the best place for the birth."
"I supposed she told you to get me too."
"She did. I would have, if she did not."
The elevator door couldn't open fast enough for her. EDI helpfully opened the hatch to the loft before she ran into it. Having seen a birth herself on a mission, Shepard rushed into the loft, expecting to see and hear sounds of distress. Instead, she found Effia standing beside a naked Liara on the bed that was covered with a very large carpet-like mat that spread out across the floor. The only other asari present was Hilia, preparing cleaning implements.
"Take off your gauntlets," Effia waved imperiously to her. "The newborn need the touch of skin."
Shepard tossed the gauntlets onto the sofa without argument and wiped her hands with the towel Effia handed to her. She wondered if she had the time to get out of her hardsuit too but Liara held out a hand to her, clearly needing her touch. Crossing over to her bondmate quickly, she sat down on the bed and took Liara's hand. She winced when it clamped down strongly on her own. She could feel the tension throbbing through Liara.
Liara?
Can you feel her?
Shepard closed her eyes, allowing Liara to guide her and felt a spark of fear that did not belong to either her or Liara. The spark hovered, tiny and vulnerable.
Hey there.
She sent a feeling of comfort towards it and felt Liara adding her own touch. The fear abated slightly. The child was awakening and did not understand what was happening, Shepard realised. The cocoon that held the child steady and safe was contracting and she didn't like it. She fought against it. Shepard spoke softly to the tiny spark, speaking only words of love and understanding. Fear slowly changed to curiosity.
I am Liara T'Soni.
I am April Shepard.
{both} We are your parents. We love you. You are asari, created with love. It is time for you leave the cradle. To breathe the new world you will live in.
Merged with Liara, Shepard murmured assurances before the cadence changed. Following Liara's lead and guidance, she gave brief glimpses of her own life. The joy and curiosity as a child, as a maturing young woman and an experienced marine. With Liara's help, she maintained tight control and allowed no negative emotions or any images of the turbulence of the past years to pass through, only the positive events she had experienced.
Contractions seized Liara. She breathed deeply to maintain control when she lapsed momentarily out of the link. Receptive curiosity changed to discomfort once more. The child disliked the pressure around her, forcing her to move in a certain direction and tried to resist.
Kneading with gentle pressure on Liara's belly, hands aglow with biotics, Effia jumped a little when she felt a tiny flash of a biotic protest. Of all the births she helped delivered, this was the third time she felt such a surge. Clearly the child had strong biotic potential. She glanced at Shepard and Liara but both were oblivious to what had occurred, being too deep in the mind meld.
Together, they croon to the child, encouraging her to accept what was happening. A deep squeeze. Then another and another. Faster and faster. On and on. The child wished it would stop. Then, a mental protest at the cold air when she finally slide from warmth into the cold and waiting hands. An indignant cry, extremely upset when her bottom was smacked. Shepard opened her eyes to see something blue, swaddled with cloth, as Effia efficiently wiped and cleaned. Tiny arms waved, little legs kicked, the child continued to cry in protest. Liara could barely restrain herself from reaching for her.
"Here, a fine youngling." Beaming, Effia placed the baby, wrapped warmly in cloth, on Liara's belly.
A smile of amazement lit Liara's face as she gently cuddled the baby to her. Shepard hovered attentively over them. Unlike the red rumpled look of the human baby she helped delivered so long ago, this child only looked sweetly chubby, albeit blue with the crest flattened against the skull. She also looked decidedly put out. She grinned when she touched the child's hand. It closed around her finger.
Hey there.
A wave of recognition. The angry cries died away. The child's eyes opened.
Look, she has your beautiful eyes, Liara.
I think they look like yours.
Ours.
A gurgle. The child was now more amiable to be fussed over now that she was warm and comforted.
Oh she's so sweet. I can look at her forever. Coochee cooo. {tickle}
What is cooochee coo?
Uh...it's just nonsensical sounds.
Humans say that to their babies? Why?
Um...it's...
The intercom beeped. It was Araki, sounding jubilant. "Captain, report from High Command. The SHD strikes are successful. Repeat, the strikes are successful. The TI have retreated."
"Retreated? So quickly? But I just got here," Shepard said in confusion.
"That was five hours ago," Effia said as she bustled about with Hilia in cleaning up Liara. "When you're in so deep a meld, time is irrelevant."
"That is wonderful news." Liara turned to kiss Shepard. "A wonderful beginning." She looked down at the baby. "What shall we name her?"
"We haven't really decide on one," Shepard said with some dismay. "Why don't you pick one."
"No. For our first, you choose."
"You're sure?" Shepard looked at her to be certain.
"Go ahead." Liara nudged her encouragingly with an elbow.
"All right then." Shepard thought for a moment. Effia and Hilia came to a stand still, waiting. "Delenn. Her name is Delenn."