Citadel

The floating sensation was heady. Liara felt like a leaf. So relaxing. So light and free. She gloried in the feeling. The stressed and strained muscles from the pregnancy and childbirth were slowly returning to their former resilience. In another day or two, she should be able to resume the usual biotic and daily exercises she was not able to practise for many months. Her fighting form was sadly not as sharp as it used to be when she had fought beside Shepard but now, with uncertain factors in the future and a child, it was time she returned to fighting trim. So entrenched was she in the dreamy state she didn't hear someone speaking to her until the shock of a rather large ball of water landing unexpectedly on her face propelled her upright.

"What?!" She wiped water from her eyes to see Shiala grinning down at her as she stood beside the hot tub, wiping herself dry.

"I called." Shiala held up her hands defensively when Liara eyed her with some annoyance as she gathered a large ball of water with her biotics. "Several times in fact."

"Why?"

"We've been soaking more than an hour. It's near time for Delenn's feed."

"Oh." Slightly mollified at that reminder and feeling guilty that she had forgotten Delenn, Liara waded towards the edge of the hot tub. "You could have done a light tab."

"Well-," Shiala gazed dreamily at the tub. "I would if I wasn't thinking of the fun I used to have in a hot tub when I was little. Temptation beckons." Quick as a flash, her hand flashed out to block the glob of water coming at her but something wet hit her in the back the same time. "Oh that's backward," she chided with mock criticism at Liara who grinned impishly at her.

"You can do any better." Liara wagged her fingers in challenge, eager for the biotic exercises all practising asari biotics were familiar with.

"On your head then."

Dropping the towel, Shiala stepped quickly into the hot tub, her glowing hands flashed towards the water. Just in time, she ducked two globs of water hurled at her by Liara. Responding to her will, the two balls of water she 'seized' split into smaller globes which headed towards Liara in two directions. Diving into the water would have lost her the game so Liara deflected them. They exploded inches from her face. Months out of practise, she was too slow, she knew. Before the hundreds of tiny globules finished raining down, she was on the offensive, launching three water balls. The confined space in the bathroom was soon aglow with generated biotics, the walls drenched and streaming.

Being older, Shiala's mastery of her biotics was better than Liara's. The younger asari was finding it hard to keep up when the other stepped up her game. Still, she was enjoying herself, vibrating with energy as she tried to come up with innovative ways to land a hit. When Shiala split three water balls further and launched six all at once, Liara knew she was in trouble. Generating a shield would break the rules of the game. The best she could do was to deflect three and try to dodge the rest. The water in the hot tub suddenly erupted around her. Reflexively, she threw up her hands to shield her face. She lowered them to find an equally wet Shiala staring back at her dumbfounded.

"I understand the stress is excessive these days-," Effia frowned severely at the two from the entrance of the bathroom, "and such an endeavor in self improvement is laudable but-," she directed her gaze at Liara, softening her tone at the look of guilt, "there is a young one awaiting attention."

"Thank you, Effia," said Liara as she climbed out of the hot tub, taking the towel the matriarch offered to her.

"Hilia is soothing the little one," Effia added when Liara only made a quick swipe at herself. She handed another dry towel to Shiala.

"Oh."

Heeding the hint, Liara dried off properly before hurrying to the bedroom. Effia bustled off once Liara was settled with the baby. Not inclined to disturb mother and child, Shiala dressed quietly and left the master bedroom. Having arrived at the apartment unconscious, she was keen to look around the place.

A group of Effia's assistants were gathered at the small living room just outside the master bedroom, busily tapping into omni-tools. From the many murmured references to schedules, stocking of food and essentials, it was clear what they were about. A small art gallery overlooked a large living room at the ground floor, empty saved for a couple of Effia's assistants dusting away at the furniture. Small cleaning bots roved around, picking up any dust mote they found.

Heading in the other direction, she went down the stairwell. There was the bedroom she woke up in. The kitchen was bustling as Effia directed the rest of her assistants in the preparation of the noon meal, the air rich with aroma. She steered a wide path from this hot bed of activity, went past the main door and paused by a strange box on four legs near the windows. The front was patterned in black and white. She wondered what it was.

"Would you like to hear a tune?"

The tiny voice startled her. She saw it came from a small holographic drone that appeared from the control panel at the corner.

"What is this?" she asked.

"This is a musical instrument. It is called a piano." The drone turned and dipped its gaze to the black and white bars. "Pressing on the keys will produce a range of tones. Would you like to hear a sample?"

"Yes, please." Soft tinkling notes filled the air. Shiala listened in thrall and fascination for they reminded her of a laughing brook. "What is it called?" she wanted to know when the song ended.

"It's called In Memory."

"Shepard listens to this?"

The drone bobbed and twisted as if considering the answer. "It was one of many songs added to the library during her last stay over."

Which probably meant yes. "Thank you."

The drone bobbed again and disappeared when she moved towards the living room. Partitioned into two, shelves lined with books ranged above the fireplace. Small spouts of holographic fire burned merrily. Comfortable plush sofas and armchairs were arranged around a large coffee table. On the other side was a well stocked bar on the right. Another sofa faced a screen with a display of a group photo that riveted her attention. Except for three, everyone in it were strangers to her. Like a magnet, her eyes were drawn to the couple seated in front, gazing at each other, clearly having no eyes for anyone but each other. She smiled.

There were more images at the bar. All of which featured Shepard. Sometimes alone, at other times with groups of Alliance marines. She looked more closely and realised they were arranged in chronological order. A younger Shepard; she knew she was younger for there were no strips of rank on her uniform, receiving an award. Leading a parade. Posing with an officer who was smiling in a proud manner beside Shepard. Shepard with second lieutenant bars. A company of marines were ranged around her. Who was the young marine with an arm around Shepard? The same officer again, this time with the strips of a senior commander, presenting an award to Shepard. Later on, he stood as a captain beside Shepard with the strips of a commander. With them was a crew. Behind them, the Normandy. Not the SR2 Normandy.

The crew of the first Normandy then. She spotted familiar faces and realised a couple of them were in the large group image on the screen. The next image was the SR2 Normandy. The crew was smaller. Everyone was not in uniform. How odd. The surroundings tickled her memory. The image was taken at one of the docking bays on the Citadel, she realised. The ward arms were visible in the background. When was this? She recognised Dr Chakwas and one other. The others were strangers.

"You found some of Shepard's memories," Liara said behind her.

"Who is the officer with Shepard?"

"He was her mentor. His name is David Anderson."

From the sad tone in Liara's voice, Shiala knew he had died. "The war?" she asked.

"Yes," Liara said softly as she came up beside Shiala. "They first met when she enlisted. Their paths crossed again when she was in the ICT (Interplanetary Combatives Training). They maintained contact after she graduated. Anderson was later promoted to captain and took command of the SR1 Normandy, she became his XO. He was always supportive and believed in her. When he died in the last battle, it hit her very hard because she was the one who shot him."

Shiala burst out in disbelief. "What?! How is that possible?"

"It was not by her own will. Both of them made it to the Citadel in the final battle and encountered the Illusive Man. He was implanted with Reaper tech. Somehow he was able to control their actions. She could not stop herself. Though she killed the Illusive Man, it brought it little comfort. This was-," Liara looked around the apartment, "Anderson's home. He passed it to Shepard in his will."

With that revelation, Shiala looked around the place with a different view. "These are Shepard's holopics."

"Yes. They detailed some of the people she knew." Liara pointed to the image of the young woman with her arm draped across Shepard's shoulder. "That is the 2rd Company, Third Corp of the Systems Alliance Expeditionary Force, Medusa Marine Regiment. That young woman next to her is a childhood friend. The company was lost to a thrasher maw on Akuze, only Shepard survived. That was the first encounter she had with Cerberus although she didn't know they were conducting experiments at the time."

"That picture is odd." Shiala pointed to the SR2 Normandy image. "Not an Alliance crew?"

"That was taken before she returned to Earth almost three years after the Alliance declared her MIA, presumed dead. The crew were Cerberus though they were mostly former Alliance personnel and civilians who lost faith in the Systems Alliance."

"Lost faith?"

"Some were not happy with the policies of the Systems Alliance. Some felt the Alliance were failing to help when human colonies went missing. Most of them were handpicked by the Illusive Man. Like Dr Chakwas and Joker. They signed on when they knew they were going to serve with Shepard."

Shiala shook her head. "I'm missing a huge chunk of Shepard's history."

"I can fill some of it for you but I think it will be better if you ask her about it," said Liara. "There has to be some mysteries to talk about," she added cheerfully.

Shiala laughed. She waved to the large group picture. "Who're these people? I recognised the Alliance uniforms, the Prothean. A couple of them were with her on Illium."

Regarding those familiar faces with affection, Liara said softly, "They are beloved companions who made everything possible. Shepard organised a party after the war to celebrate and remember those who are gone. We still keep in contact."

"There is nothing like the bonds forged through the fires of blood and pain," Shiala murmured, thinking of the survivors from the Feros colony. "That reminds me, I haven't been able to get through to Asteria for the last few days. It's not like them not to answer."

"You have been unconscious so you will not know that Asteria is under a communications blackout. Pubnews reported they're under quarantine," Liara added when Shiala looked at her in surprise.

"Quarantine?" Shiala repeated worriedly. There had not been any epidemic since the colony was founded, why was it happening now? "Is that why my emails have been bouncing back?"

"It is not a plague outbreak." Liara touched her arm lightly to assure her. "The colony is safe but the allied taskforce was attacked by a Cerberus fleet that was eventually destroyed."

"How did you know about this? Aethyta?"

"Yes, I also have my own sources to confirm it."

Liara moved away to the bar. Shiala waited for further explanations but when Liara remained silent, she decided not to pursue it when it was clearly something that was not meant to be shared.

"Did Cerberus manage to take anything from Asteria?" she asked instead, nodding her assent when Liara lifted an empty glass in silent query.

Picking up a bottle of light wine, Liara poured out a careful measure into two glasses. "Ten shipments of grain. I believe their target was the stronger new strain of grain seeds the colony have successfully developed and sending to Earth."

Taking the glass proffered to her, Shiala took a sip. "When I left Asteria," she said, "the prototype was in the final testing stages. If they're ready to transplant the seeds to Earth, it's a major breakthrough."

"It will bring much relief to many worlds and speed up reclamation but I am curious," said Liara as she sat down on the sofa with a glass of tea, "where Terra Firma intend to use it."

"Terra Firma? Didn't you say it was Cerberus?"

"Terra Firma is a Cerberus civilian support group that share the same ideals except that they are perhaps less zealous in imposing their principles."

Swirling the tea in her glass, Liara regarded it thoughtfully as she contemplated the information she recently acquainted herself with. What with the pregnancy and the constant mental flip flops, she hadn't been able to fully absorb the data sent by the remaining agents. With Feron found and coming back into the fold, it was the first time she could properly assess the information.

"Recent incidents have led the Alliance to believe that due to their collaborative efforts with the Reapers, the present Cerberus hierarchy are seriously undermined. Since we know how working with the Reapers always ended, that assessment is all too accurate. They also believed that as a shrouded subsidiary, Terra Firma is not affected."

"So Terra Firma is in control of Cerberus's military assets." Shiala frowned as she mentally pieced together what she had gleaned from public news before she was struck unconscious on Thessia. "Civilian or not, they may move against Earth."

Liara shook her head. "I do not think so. The Alliance are taking precautions but I think Terra Firma would rather remove themselves from a sphere they cannot accept. Long have they held the view that the Alliance failed to protect human interests. That in allowing alien interactions and influence in every social and economic aspect, they diminish and taint the purity and prospects of the human race."

"They sound like the Acherons," Shiala said. "A small faction of Asari who hold similar views," she explained when Liara looked puzzled. "They were part of a subject study I did a century ago when I was with Benezia."

"I have never heard of them."

"No one would. Not unless you're specifically looking for them in the heaving sea of history. They uprooted themselves from Thessia when our ancestors began to take on offworld mates and vanished. No one has heard of them since. This human faction, Terra Firma, will do the same. The taking of the grain can only mean one thing."

"Yes. One day, they will return but with what intentions? That is what I am afraid of."

"Surely the Alliance do not mean to allow them to leave?"

"At the moment I do not think the Alliance have any choice," Liara said glumly. "They have lost too much. From the Sky Fire and Asteria incidents, Terra Firma do not seem interested in using Cerberus military units to take control of Earth. I believe that they tried instead to gain adherents from the surviving colonies. Even so, deploying their remaining strength on an unproven theory will compromise the safety of their home planet so the Alliance will not be drawn into a pursuit. That is why they are seeking to locate and destroy all Cerberus bases and units as they are the immediate threat. If they can clear all of them, Earth will be safe for at least a few centuries. For that matter, so will the rest of us but that just leaves a questionable equation out there."

"You believe Terra Firma will return with conquest of their homeworld in mind."

"Terra Firma believe their world corrupted. They will want to return to "save" their own. By now they will have accessed every project Cerberus had been carrying out through the years and that does not bode well."

Shiala's attention became more keen. "What's your projection?" she said as she sat down on the sofa.

"Cerberus have assimilated some Reaper and other unknown technologies but Terra Firma may be able to go further given time," Liara said gravely. "I do not think the person in charge will fall into the same trap as the Illusive Man but he is still a danger."

"What do you mean?"

"Before the Reaper invasion, Shepard destroyed the Collector base to prevent data from falling into the Illusive Man's hands because he was capable of converting his own people, constructing and controlling a fleet of Reaper ships himself if he thought that would repel the invasion. Allowing one person, especially someone like the Illusive Man, with that insidious capability will make him no different from the Reapers. She made the right decision then but this time, circumstances are different."

"How is it different if they believe in the same creed?"

"Because this person, Greenacres, is not in the Illusive Man's inner circle. The original intent behind Sky Fire was to remove all resistance but it was diverted. Alliance Intelligence believed Greenacres was behind it. He has his own agenda."

Liara squashed down her misgivings as she remembered the report on Ominicron she asked from Admiral Hackett and gave a silent prayer that this man from Shepard's past would not harm her bondmate.

"His ideology may change in the years to come but if he has held on to his beliefs this long, then it is unlikely he will change direction. He will use the information but not likely to turn his own people into monsters. Under his direction, they will become a powerful faction."

"Have you discussed this with Shepard?"

"No, but I think she will come to the same assessment."

Shiala frowned. "If I'm not mistaken, aren't the allied task force due to carry out their mission soon?"

"It is but they are under comm blackout. I sent an email but I do not know if it will reach her in time."

From the deep furrow at Liara's brow, Shiala guessed there was more. "There is something else, isn't it?"

"Council laws forbid further exploration of unopen mass relays but the Reapers most certainly had a comprehensive chart of the entire network and more..."

Shiala immediately saw where she was heading. "But is it likely they would share such information?"

"Even if they did not, Cerberus may have taken advantage of the chaos during the war and after to conduct explorations. Terra Firma may have found what they are looking for to make a fresh start but what is it that they have found?" Liara got up and began to pace restlessly. "We understand so little about the relays beside their basic function. The capabilities of the Alpha Relay in the Viper Nebula had lain hidden for decades and would have remained so if not for the Reapers. What if another dormant relay hold as much potential and danger?"

Not having read the classified files, Shiala was not sure she understood. "I understand that Shepard destroyed the Alpha Relay to prevent the Reapers from arriving too quickly but what's so special about this relay?"

"It seemed like any secondary relay but certain controls can be adjusted and increased the capabilities of the relay. It could access dark space, sixteen relays and its range could reach the Citadel."

That made Shiala sit up. "That isn't in the public records," she said, eyes wide.

"Of course not." Liara closed her eyes as various scenarios passed before her eyes. "If there is one, there may be other relays with similar or even different and dangerous capabilities."

"That means..oh, I don't like this projection at all," Shiala muttered, eyes clouded as she mentally shifted possibilities. "What with everyone trying to straighten out their own problems, I doubt any proposal to further explore the relay network will be entertained."

"No, it is not the best time," Liara agreed, trying not to feel she had to start planning for three dozen projects all at once.

"Small steps," Shiala said encouragingly. "We'll just have to hope Shepard came to the same conclusion and stop this Greenacres before his plans bud and flower."

"If she does not, I will have to start planning. I hope to have your support and help." Liara turned to Shiala who raised her glass in a toast.

"Whatever I can do, I will," Shiala pledged solemnly before finishing the rest of the wine.

Omega Four Relay
Normandy

With care and precision, Shepard made the last cut and held out the finished product. She eyed it critically. It was hardly a master crafter's work but it didn't look too bad to her. Turning it over to check for any blemish, she ascertained there was none and wrapped it up carefully and put it in her duffel. The next time she had the chance, she would harden the wood and make the final finish.

A glance at the chronometer. She was not surprised an hour had passed. Distracting herself with the pendant holder had cleared her mind. No signal since the geth drone made translation through the relay. No news was good news? Seating herself at her workconsole, she found an email waiting for her. From Liara. A frown creased her brow as she read it.

The intercom beeped. "Captain, probe results are in. Shall I notify the representatives?" asked Araki.

"Go ahead. Ten minutes."

She herself was in the lift within seconds. The tension in the air when she stepped out at CIC was so thick it was a wonder no one dropped dead from breathing it. Garrus was poring over reports when she reached the conference room. No surprise there. With no weapons to calibrate, something the weapons officer would not be too pleased with, he spent most of his time trying to wring out more droplets of useful data.

The geth representative, Cy, stood nearby, eye flaps moving minutely as it examined the holo displays. Although the geth looked like any other trooper, its chassis sported a camouflage pattern. Unlike the single signal receptor often mounted on geth platforms, there were twin protrusions, shaped like an X over its back.

An augmented booster for communications, it had said. When it outright refused to discuss the subject when the quarians pressed for answers, she steered the conversation elsewhere. She wondered if its reticence was a sign of recent trouble being stirred up by Admiral Daro'Xen on Rannoch. Tali hadn't said exactly what Xen was doing in her last email but clearly, something was brewing. She wouldn't be surprised that Xen picked up the thread again after her failed attempts to deconstruct the geth platforms more than six years ago.

The door hissed open and the representatives filed in. Garrus looked at her expectantly.

She nodded to Cy. "What did the probe pick up?"

The holo displays blinked out, replaced by another image that Shepard was all too familiar with; a glaring center of swirling heat and debris.

"There is a mile long clear corridor at the relay." Cy pointed to the hologram, highlighting the area.

"How clear?" asked Kirrahe.

"Safe for ship passage. There are shield deflectors encircling the area. Beyond that, clusters of multi-mounted turret and missile platforms scattered among the debris. Some of these are attached to larger pieces of wreckage."

"That is a lot of crackers, " Garrus rumbled as Nehra, the quarian representative shifted uneasily. The krogan, Thax, only looked on with eager bright eyes, seemingly ready to burn into action.

"Are their positions fluid?" Shepard looked at the total tally of the clusters. More than enough to blow up several cruisers.

"No change in platform locations have been noted in the duration of the recon. No occuli or any fleet presence detected. There is a viable target beyond the defensive perimeter." A slight pause as Cy enlarged one of the images. "It is a singular large structure of at least fifteen decks. We are not clear if this is the Avernus Station that Aria T'Loak visited once before. The hull structure does not conform with her report."

"The bottom does look like a clam," Garrus pointed out as he peered at the image.

"They could have expanded on it," said Shepard.

"It is possible." Cy nodded. "There are several docking arms with clearly defined maintenance and construction mechanisms." The bottom of the structure flashed. "They have the forging and repairing capacity of six large merchant freighters or frigates in one manufacturing cycle. There are currently no ships docked at the shipyard."

"Can it be retooled for cruisers and dreadnoughts?" asked Shepard.

"It is possible."

"Six years is too short to be throwing out dreadnoughts," Garrus said doubtfully. "A cruiser maybe."

"Not building," Shepard said thoughtfully. "Refitting damaged ships and possibly one dreadnought. It's probably where they put back the SR1 too."

"Ah." Garrus nodded. "They have to be packing defenses right up to the hilt." He threw a quick glance at Shepard. "How are we going to cover a station of that size?"

"There are a total of fifty defensive turrets," Cy elaborated further. "Five airlocks on each deck and a docking bay capable of holding either a small fleet of freighters or fighters."

Shepard weighed her options. It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She was expecting more bases and heavier defenses. "Did the probe try a close run?"

"The defensive perimeter. There was no reaction."

"Was the probe able to detect any life signs?"

"None was detected."

"Omnicron left the door open for you. Do we knock or do we sneak?" Garrus regarded Shepard with a grin.

"We charge!" Thax slammed a fist down on the table.

"Are we back to this again? Yes, charge in and find ourselves trapped in a heavy crossfire," Nehra said derisively, gesturing at the defense nodes on the station.

"You can stay behind and let us show you how we take the heat." Thax showed his teeth.

"I won't argue with that if that'll remove some blighted dead weight from the immediate vicinity."

Pitching her voice higher, Shepard cut across the rumbling that was starting in Thax's throat. "This is the window of opportunity to remove a threat. None of us want to waste any resources to keep a permanent presence in Omega. If we leave this to simmer, it may cost us more than we're willing to lose later on. We have to act now."

Ignoring Thax's glare, Nehra said defensively, "We can't go into that corridor when those defense nodes could have been programmed to fire once they identify the Normandy."

"I believe this probability has already been been touched on earlier," Kirrahe said softly. "The geth squadrons will proceed?" He looked at Cy and Shepard.

"The probes and squadrons stand ready at your command, Captain Shepard."

"Thank you, Cy. We couldn't have come so far without the geth's support," she said. Cy nodded.

There was no expression of course but she got the feeling it was satisfied at the acknowledgement, if that was even possible. The others around the table made no comment although Thax snorted.

"The enemy facility is designated as Averus Station. We're going to need more teams breaking it down. The Alliance team, asari, turian, salarian, krogan, one quarian squad and three geth squads will recon from deck five up. Nehra, lieutenant Warren and the remaining geth squads will take the lower decks one to three."

"I object-," began Nehra. Was she confining him to the lower decks?

Shepard cut in before he could finish his objection. "If Avernus station is converted into a shipyard, there may be useful information on Cerberus hardware. Technical materials, ship designs are the quarians' forte. Since the lower decks are clearly the docks, workstations with pertinent data should be nearby."

Nehra stared at her, his glowing eyes blinking rapidly as if he couldn't believe she said that. Thax shifted as if he intended to say something.

"If there are biolabs on the upper levels, you will not be exposed to any biohazards," she added.

Thax snorted derisively as he regarded a dithering Nehra. "You're wasting my time, idiot."

Ignoring the insult, Nehra glanced at the others, seeking an opinion. "Your consideration is appreciated but.."

"It is a fact that quarians have adapted to their homeworld but in the hostile environment we're proceeding to, you could be very vulnerable," Osinae, the asari commando, said before he could finish his sentence.

"Indeed, we cannot risk a valued ally," Kirrahe agreed.

"Quarian participation is not isolated," Garrus added with a sidelong look at Shepard that was filled with amusement. Did Nehra know they were ganging up on him?

"We're wasting time with this quivering jelly," Thax growled when Nehra hesitated. "My people can do with better hardware designs. We have hardcore immune systems that none of you can best. The krogans will go to the lower decks and find it."

That decided Nehra. "I agree with your assessment, Shepard," he said.

"Operation Break Through is now officially in effect. Geth squadrons will move out in fifteen minutes, follow by the Normandy and the Dynius. Assuming that all defenses remain quiescent, we will confer again once the translation operation is concluded and more detail scans are available. Thank you."

Shepard watched the group filed out with silent relief.

"That went better than I thought," Garrus murmured after they were all gone.

"Didn't think Nehra would swallow the lame sales pitch, did you?" she said with a slight smile as she studied the holograms.

"I'm surprised he took it. I wouldn't," he grinned. "But I wasn't worried, you know Thax will push him. Either way, you got one of them contained."

"We can only hope Thax would be suitably engaged by whatever we'll find. There may not be anyone alive but there could be plenty of walking tin cans in there."

"Where're you going to graze Thax?"

Shepard pointed to the center of the station. "I'll start him from deck four. If there's trouble below, he can respond faster."

Garrus nodded. "You know there's no way we can thoroughly sweep out the target within a day."

"One thing at a time, Garrus. Right now, I'm not concern with how long it takes. It's how long we can stay."

"It's nice to know you haven't lost your touch for bad ass scenarios."

"I'm always the cheerleader, aren't I?" she said wryly.

"I'm going to settle some stuff so I'll see you at CIC in about fifteen." He headed for the door and paused as it opened. "Do you think he'll be there?"

"Who?" She looked startle. "Greenacres? I don't know. Maybe he will."

"If he is, you can be sure he'll arrange a hundred ways to slip away."

"I'm sure he will," she said dryly. "Bad boys always have a way. Reminds me of someone I know. Went by the name of Archangel."

He flashed a grin at her and left.