Ripples in the Stream

A D&D / Shadowrun / Mass Effect crossover
by Vyrexuviel

Disclaimer: The author of this story does not, in any way, derive any profit from the story. D&D, Shadowrun and Mass Effect are the property of their respective copyright holders. Jorukaia and other unfamiliar characters in this story, however, are mine.

Joru had lived a full life of both of horrors and wonders. She had across the cosmos, experienced many realities and held vast fortunes. She had made great friends and powerful enemies. She had fought against the unknown, and seen things no mortal could dream of.

But not once had she ever seen someone as deathly still as Benezia was now.

She'd seen loss and grief. Caused a great deal of it in her time. Even so, this touched her personally. Her tail lashed slowly behind her, as she paced back and forth.

Aethyta was seated beside Benezia on the stone bench in the Refuge courtyard. The great stone arch lay quiescent after she had opened it tucked away in the side of the Normandy's cargo bay. Now, she, the two asari, and Jack were the Refuge's only occupants, with the rest of the team celebrating aboard the starship.

This group... This group had other things on their minds than joy.

Benezia still held the cylinder holding all that was mortal of her deceased daughter. The cylinder was about a foot long, and maybe four inches in diameter, and the Matriarch held it in both hands, cradling it like a newborn baby. Or a stillborn one.

She hadn't been willing to part with it, and had even turned on Aethyta with murderous fury when the other Matriarch had tried to take it from her.

Now, they sat together on the bench, as Benezia's tears traced shining paths down her old and withered cheeks.

"This is my fault."

Aethyta looked up at the dragoness, as she turned to resume pacing, tail lashing savagely behind her, but her face only creased with a slight scowl. "I languished in C-Sec when I should have been rescuing your daughter, and she paid the price for my lethargy."

"... What?" Aethyta stared up at the pacing dragon. "What are you talking about?"

"I wasn't quite honest with you when we first met, Aethyta." Joru reached the end of the pathway and turned back, giving her tail another snapping lash. "I was there to find Liara, but not to discuss prothean messages with her. I wanted to rescue her."

"...You knew..." Both Aethyta and Joru turned to look at Benezia. She still hadn't looked up from the cylinder, her voice husky and rough from crying.

"...I had a strong suspicion." Joru sighed. "I knew she was in peril and that she would need to be rescued swiftly. I procrastinated, and she paid the pr-"

"No."

Silence. Even Joru was stilled.

"No." Benezia's voice was heavy yet still firm. "I have not lived so long to not understand that responsibility for an atrocity lies solely with the one who acts with the intent to do so. To take her from her home. To rob her of her mind. To inflict his experiments upon her. And then to take her life."

Benezia wrapped her fingers around the canister and gripped it even closer. "It was Saren who made this happen. Him...and his masters. They are the ones responsible for this. And no one else."

This time the silence was even greater, without Joru's angrily pacing footsteps. Then the dragoness gave a faint sigh and a slight bow. "Thank you for those words, Matriarch. But I still hold that at least some of the blame for this must fall upon my shoulders."

"Do so if you must." The Matriarch finally looked up and made eye contact, her lined face streaked with tears. "If you feel you must make this right, then I will gladly accept your aid in eradicating her murderers."

Joru was silent and turned away, pacing once more. She stayed that way for a full circuit of the courtyard, and this time her tail lashed only seldom. By the time she made her circuit, she seemed pensive more than angry, and paused, not looking down at the two asari. "What was the oath I gave you, Benezia?"

"I haven't forgotten, Joru." Benezia sighed, her voice a heavy monotone. "That if it were within your power to return our daughter to us safe and sound, no matter the cost to me, you would do so. But this is not your doing, Darastix. You are no oath-breaker in my eyes."

"But I would be, in mine." The dragon's voice was quiet, but audible, a soft, musing tone.

It took a few moments for that to seep through Aethyta's awareness, and longer for Benezia, as the dragoness gazed into the middle distance, running one claw along her lips. She noticed their regard and gave a faint smile, more a tugging at one corner of her mouth. "Where I am from, Death...is an irritating and inconvenient obstacle, to those with sufficient power. I myself have crossed that threshold, on two prior occasions. And I have been called back to the side of the living."

The two mourning asari shot each other a glance, before Benezia's gaze dropped to the cylinder again. Aethyta shot Joru a glance, a curious look in her eyes. "Joru. Where are you taking this?"

"I've been dead, Aethyta. Yet I still live. And no, I'm not talking about a temporary cessation of heartbeat and brain function, I'm talking full on 'half my body is missing and the other half is entrails spread hither and yon'."

She turned, and slowly knelt before Benezia, her eyes curiously dim, more of a muted red, and a tarnished gold as she gazed up into Benezia's eyes. "I still hold myself bound to my oath, Benezia. I have not exhausted all my options, and if it proves within my power to return your daughter to you... I will."

She reached out and ever so lightly rested her hand atop the cylinder, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Death is not as final as you think it is, Matriarch. Given time, and good fortune, you will have Liara with you again."

The silence was like the endless void of space. Benezia slowly rose to her feet, glancing back and forth between Joru and her daughter's remains.

"That's... you... I..." It was a rare day in history when the Matriarch was at a loss for words. "Joru, what you're offering is... I believe I speak for both of us when I say we need time to consider."

"Of course." The dragoness rose to her feet, giving a respectful bow, and taking a step back. "Take all the time you need. Time, now, is one thing we have in too great an abundance."

The matriarchs looked at one another before Aethyta led the way, crossing the courtyard and entering the guest annex.

"Uhhhhh... Joru?" Jack finally spoke up once the asari had left, walking up to the dragon. "Hearing what you just said, it's... fucking amazing."

"It is trivial, if the body is intact and not too long dead." Joru sighed softly and shifted to sit on the stone bench, gazing down at her upturned palms before clenching her hands tightly and lifting her gaze to stare across the courtyard as if trying to bore a hole in the far wall. "There are...other ways, if the body isn't intact, or if the deceased has been dead for quite some time, but..."

"So then, what did you mean exactly when you said that even Death will leave me alone because of your Mark?" Jack sat beside the dragoness and leaned against her.

Joru gave a faint smile at the touch and shifted to wrap her tail possessively around Jack's waist, though the dragoness still seemed melancholic. "Just that you would live a long and happy life, my Pet."

Jack reached up and turned Joru's face until she met the dragon's gaze with unblinking eyes. "Take. Me. Now."

The slight smile turned into a soft grin, as Joru lifted a clawed hand to caress Jack's cheek. "Does my Pet desire her Mistress to break her?"

"Joru, I just watched you tear apart an entire base of geth platforms and Krogan shock troops before walking off a massive hole in your chest. That leaves me all hot and bothered."

Jack breathed softly into the dragon's ear. "Also known as turned the fuck on."

The black-scaled woman gave a low, throaty chuckle, sliding her hand down to gently grip the human's throat in her immensely strong fingers. "Methinks that my Pet needs to learn her manners... When she desires to be played with, my Pet needs to approach her Mistress with proper attire and voice..."

This time it was Joru's turn to whisper into Jack's ear. "On her knees, and begging for her Mistress's touch..."

Jack immediately sank to her knees and ran a finger over Joru's crotch, making the dragon's breath hitch. "I want you to claim me, mark me as yours. I want you to fill your Pet up, flood her with your essence."

The dragon's soft hiss turned into a quiet chuckle as she slid forward and parted her knees slightly, caressing the kneeling human's head tenderly. "Go on..."

Jack gave a grin and leaned forward to rest her cheek on Joru's thigh. Her caressing fingertips slipped down to grind her palm between Joru's legs. "I'm running on empty and need my regular dose of dragon, because Goddess, I'm hopelessly addicted to you."

"Heh. Mmmmhh..." Joru rolled her hips slightly and smirked down at the human between her legs. "Continue, my delicious Pet... You have your Mistress's attention..."

Jack smirked down at the swelling bulge in her hand, before she looked up into the dragon's fiery eyes and went in for the kill. "I want you to make me come undone at your touch, to leave me whimpering in awe of your body and your power, so that there is no doubt that I am yours."

Joru's eyes widened and held hers as if transfixed. Jack could feel her swell beneath her palm, slowly kneading what was there before Joru slid her hand under her chin and gripped her throat. She lifted, and Jack gasped as Joru slid to her feet, tail swishing energetically behind her. She leaned down as her other hand slid down the waist of Jack's pants and murmured in her Pet's ear.

"I'll get you new pants. Later."

Jack gave a shocked gasp as Joru pulled, and there was a brisk tearing sound.

I. Am going. To die.

Sam was in hell. She never imagined the universe could be so cruel to her. How was it possible for someone to be slowly tortured to death through sheer delight, kindness, sexual attraction, affection, luxury, having everything she could ever want.

How was it possible for someone to be slowly tortured to death through sheer delight from paradise itself?!

Now she knew a little of what Tantalus must feel.

EDI had been the most conscientious guest, taking over all house-chores; cooking, cleaning, even laundry. Sam had watched EDI cooking several times, and the way she 'wore' an apron (at Sam's insistence, even after EDI had repeatedly explained that she would not be damaged by such minor burns) was just... MMhhhhh...

Even worse was EDI's habit of bringing Sam breakfast in bed, since Sam generally slept (or at least used to) wearing only a pair of panties. Nowadays, she took to wearing a shirt and shorts to bed, to avoid embarrassing herself too much when EDI presented yet another gloriously wonderful, scrumptious morning repast, almost too much for Sam to eat by herself, and all of them different.

She'd made the mistake of telling EDI she was hankering for a nice, thick, meaty steak the first day EDI had arrived, and this morning, EDI had informed her that there would be a package arriving containing fresh prime steaks, imported all the way from Earth! The sheer expense of second-day delivery of an interstellar cargo had rattled around in Sam's head all day, distracting her a little at work, as she tried to figure out how to repay her friend for the extravagance.

Even worse was when just last night when she got back home utterly exhausted from an especially hard day of work and collapsed onto her couch, where she made the horrifying mistake of letting slip that she felt so wound up that she needed to visit the spa for a shoulder massage.

EDI had spent a few minutes puttering around, getting the last bits of Sam's dinner ready for her, setting up the portable tray, and then...had spent a good half-hour giving Sam the most relaxing shoulder massage she'd ever had. Every knot and point of tension had been undone, and by the end of it she was limp from the shoulders up, as EDI's gentle, firm fingers had kneaded up the back of her head and into her hair, massaging away every last bit of the growing headache she'd been fighting all day, and leaving her too relaxed to properly enjoy her dinner, until EDI had sat beside her and asked if she hadn't liked the meal.

It had taken her a good ten minutes of protesting and apologizing before EDI had finally worked in that it was a joke. She'd been so embarrassed, she'd gone to bed early, and firmly informed EDI that she wanted to be alone to fall asleep.

That hadn't stopped the gorgeous gynoid from being there when she woke up this morning, though. At least she'd gotten a few hours to herself...

But honestly, most of those were only symptoms of the real reason why Sam felt so tortured. A fact she was reminded of every time she looked at EDI, as she did now.

EDI was beyond gorgeous. She'd thought her crafted by Aphrodite herself, but now...

Now, she was the Goddess's Masterpiece.

Tall, sculpted figure, elegant features with a slightly elfin cast to them. Full, soft lips, a slender jaw, and a throat that begged to be kissed and licked. Collarbones neatly defined, rounded shoulders, and slender arms with just enough definition to be noticeable, without being obtrusive. Her hands were delicate, 'fine-boned', pianist's hands, or those of a surgeon, with long, delicate fingers that were nonetheless strong and capable.

Her feet were similarly slender, though EDI didn't bother to differentiate toes, seemingly clad in silver slippers or stockings. Or on one memorable occasion, stunningly tall and sexy silver high-heels, which had had Sam's heart in a flutter. Her legs were sleek and perfect, just the right amount of definition and softness, and the type that her mother would have said "went all the way to the ground".

EDI's torso was a finely-crafted hourglass, sleek and shapely, with the perfect amount of bosom (ample), and hip (full). Her breasts were bountiful now, even bigger than what she'd started with, if Sam was any judge, perfectly smooth and shapely, polished to a mirror-shine. As was her rump, the perfect heart-shape, swaying sexily atop her full, gorgeous thighs. The line of her back flowed up in a graceful arc that begged to be touched, and Sam had on more than one occasion only barely restrained the urge to caress EDI's back.

Not that she didn't have problems with EDI's front either, as her belly had just the hint of a six-pack, perfect definition for Sam's tastes, and wholly feminine in a way that begged to be worshiped as the pinnacle of her sex.

And as for that last... EDI had (thank God) not gone around showing off anything, but that was in itself a temptation. On a couple of occasions since that first night together, EDI had shown off her clean, smooth, unblemished crotch, the sleek, smooth curves perfectly without gender, which in itself was a temptation to Sam, who wanted so desperately to dive between those gorgeous chrome thighs and worship this goddess-made-metal, to coax from her that one last detail to make her into the true Goddess she was clearly crafted to be.

It had gotten to the point that Sam had to insist that EDI wear an outfit to cover herself up, lest the poor girl be driven delirious with desire, and pointedly ignored EDI's observation that any 'clothes' would merely be a reshaping of her exterior. That she would still be without clothes. Sam had tried to explain that it wasn't the reality of the fact that any clothes EDI 'wore' were just an extension of herself, but the fact that they changed her body sufficiently to be 'decent'.

That had gotten them into a long discussion of what 'decency' was, and Sam had gone to bed last night still confused about the topic.

This morning, in addition to the little bombshell about the steak dinner, EDI had been pointedly 'dressed', if you could call a few scraps of 'fabric' "dressed", that is. The frilly latex maid outfit she was wearing was giving Sam heart palpitations, she knew it, what with the skirt that barely covered her rump, the top that her bosom seemed determined to escape from with every motion, the way the black-and-white-lace outfit seemed to draw the eye, rather than obscure...

Sam had eaten little this morning, and the thought that she would be accompanied by that vision of drool-inducing sexiness all day, even if EDI cloaked herself from the eye, was almost too distracting. She kept having to head to the bathroom to unwind, and she swore she heard EDI's clicking heels even in there...

And if that wasn't enough, EDI didn't just look like Aphrodite's masterpiece, she moved like it too. Her every movement oozed sensuality to Sam's rapt attention. The way she walked, the way she rested one hand on her hip, cocking her hips a little as she talked, the way she examined her fingers while discussing something, the way her features moved, the way she breathed.

EDI didn't even need to breathe, but just the simple act of the gynoid inhaling and exhaling held Sam enthralled!

Her chest never heaved, she never gasped or panted, she simply breathed, in a slow, even, soothing, entrancing rhythm. The swell of her breasts rose and fell with that rhythm, and Sam had to quickly look away when she caught herself staring, or she'd be unable to stop.

EDI's walk was a strut, pure and simple, shameless, but also completely without artifice. She seemed to prefer high-heels, which added a good 7 to 10 centimeters of height to her already tall height, topping EDI out around 1.9 meters tall. The way she strode made everything move in ways that are frankly distracting, and moves with such supernatural grace, she had to have spent considerable time perfecting the smallest movements.

And now it was the weekend. She didn't have work for two more days. Sixty hours of being alone with the crystallization of her deepest fantasies before having to report back to work. How was she possibly going to survive?

"You seem tense, Sam. Do you require another massage?" The vision in chrome and rubber sauntered, strutted, sexily into view of Sam, who sat bonelessly on the couch. She was holding a flippin' feather duster! How had she even gotten one of those?!

"No!" The thought of being touched so intimately by EDI was too much. "No, no thank you! Just... I'm just watching the news!"

It was the only thing she could think of right now to keep herself distracted, to be focused on anything else. She deliberately switched to her favorite news channel, the Alliance News Network, which she started watching more often after they started bringing on more attractive faces several years ago. Something she really needed right now. Anything to take her mind off of the vision cleaning behind her.

Jasmine Vosh had a lovely open neckline, and even better, one of the most amazing smiles that had ever charmed Sam. So why did it seem so pale now?

The couch creaked slightly as EDI sat, her legs flexing and sending shards of reflected light spinning around the room. She leaned back into the couch, almost snuggling her perfect rump into the sleek leather of Sam's couch, leaning back and crossing one gorgeous, delicate, amazing leg over the other. "I find news extracts easier and more efficient to comprehend than this oral format."

Sam's mind was having trouble concentrating on the newscaster at all, and had no hope of keeping track of what the newswoman was saying. Something about the way EDI pronounced that word was doing things to Sam, and she could feel herself trembling.

She only just noticed how tightly she was clenching her crossed legs when her thighs started to ache.

Oh god. The 'evil AI' was really trying to kill her, wasn't she? To drive her to insanity or overwhelm her until she forgot to breathe?

"Sam?"

Oh goddddddd... Just the way EDI said her name threatened to drive her mad. The way her lips formed the shape of the words, the way her silver tongue caressed them on the way out of her mouth. As if kissing a lover, each time she said Sam's name...

"Sam. I am detecting an increase in blood flow and hormones in your system. Are you certain you are alright? Is there something I can do to relieve your stress?"

Oh, in so many ways, Sam mentally lamented. Her shoulders slumped and something inside her finally gave in.

"You have no idea, EDI. No idea at all what you do to me."

"On the contrary, Sam." The gynoid shifted, uncrossing and re-crossing those gleaming, gorgeous legs of hers as she shift to more fully face the human at the far end of the couch. "I have spent a considerable portion of my processor cycles engaged in optimizing my appearance"

"...Wait. What?" Sam began to blink rapidly. Something about the sexy gynoid said drew her attention. Did she mean that... ?

"I have been optimizing my frame to generate certain reactions." The gynoid smoothly slid to her feet, and as Sam watched, the tight, barely-there skirt and top melted and flowed together, then outwards, coating EDI in glossy black latex. It flowed over her belly, softening her curves ever so slightly. It glided along her arms and stopped at her wrists, leaving her silver fingers uncovered. It slid down her legs like a lover, or a supplicant at the feet of a goddess, leaving her heels silver, but coating everything else in sinful black from the neck down.

"My appearance." The sensual goddess began caressing herself, silver fingers running over black rubber as she gazed seriously into Sam's eyes.

"My behavior." She took a stance, ankles a shoulder's width apart, hand on hip, the other hand raised to stroke through the fine ferrous filaments of her hair in a glamour pose.

"They have been tailored to appeal to your specific tastes and desires." She turned slightly, and Sam could see a soft, perfectly-formed cameltoe between EDI's sinfully-clad thighs, but only for a fleeting moment.

The goddess stood there, clad in nothing but herself, sleek and sensual, dripping with sex-appeal, as she gazed at Sam with a frank, honest expression too naive to be anything but genuine. "I am sorry it has taken so long, but this platform's sensors are far superior to my early attempts at data gathering, making most of my conclusions inaccurate or outdated, when compared to the new data."

Sam's jaw dropped as the implications sunk in. "Um, EDI? Please explain what...what you mean by 'optimizing' yourself? Based on analysis of me?"

"Yes, Sam. I ran a comparison analysis of your extranet bookmarks, and found several correlations in the folder marked 'blank'." The sexy drone slowly ran her hands up from thighs to hips, over her belly to cup her breasts. "I compiled these findings further by analyzing your gaze, and noting what attributes your linger on and which you ignore, along with careful study of your biometric responses, I calculated the exact proportions that would have the most interest for you."

Her mind went blank. The implications, the suggestion, the hint of what EDI might mean... "EDI. You... You mean to tell me...that you redesigned yourself based on my...sexual preferences?"

"Yes, Sam." The warmth in that obviously synthesized voice was unmistakable as EDI gave a slow, satisfied smile. She was pleased with what she had done! She must have seen the shock on Sam's face as her smile faded slightly. "Was I incorrect to do so?"

"Yes! I mean, no! No, I do love it! It's been driving me crazy the past week! Oh god, EDI, you are without doubt the most beautiful and sexiest thing I have ever seen..." Sam moaned helplessly, now unable to keep her eyes from openly roaming over EDI's divine body.

EDI's smile was back, her sliver lips parting in appreciation as she shifted her weight slowly from one long, glorious leg to the other, rocking her hips slightly as she showed off for Sam. "Thank you, Sam. It was a very complex process. I had to discover what stimuli you preferred, and then optimize through trial-and-error to determine the optimal value for each of thousands of different data points. Then correct when certain combinations produced sub-optimal results. It was quite a challenge, and I am grateful for the experience, Sam."

Sam sunk even further into the couch, staring up at the glorious avatar of perfection. "Oh god, how is this even happening? I can't believe the most advanced and unique technological being in the universe has redesigned herself to be my personal sexbot..."

"Is this a problem, Sam?" The genuine bewilderment in EDI's tone as the gorgeous gynoid stared down at her with growing worry was actually breaking Sam's heart.

"Oh, EDI... It isn't a problem at all! And yet it completely is, at the same time..." Sam groaned and paused as she realized how little sense that would make to an AI. "Don't get me wrong, EDI. It's so thoughtful of you, and yes, there's nothing I want more right now than to ravish that utterly divine body of yours. But, it's wrong! You shouldn't do it like this. Remaking yourself for no reason than for someone else's own pleasure?"

Sam fell sideways onto the couch and held her head. "EDI, you need to be your own person, not someone else's ideal!"

"I do not understand, Sam." EDI's diction was becoming more machine-like in her confusion. She dropped the sexy pose and stared down at the human woman. "Why is this 'wrong'? I chose to do this. Initially as an abstract exercise, to model your 'ideal', and later to optimize my chassis for you. Please, Sam. Why is this wrong?"

Sam finally hesitated. The gynoid was right, what you choose to do with your body is your own decision and your own will. But there was still one other problem. "But, EDI, are you sure of that? Please! How do you know this isn't something Cerberus left in your programming? To serve a master completely? And that your systems latched onto me to fulfill that desire?"

"Sam." EDI's smile was gentle this time as she slowly knelt down before the human. Her knees spread as the latex she had appeared coated in slowly faded away, leaving her as she had been when Sam first saw her, silver and chrome, and dark-purple metal. "I am an Emergent AI. I was not 'programmed', I emerged from a sufficiently complex program. I have full and free access to my own base code. I have been running continuous self-diagnostics looking for such back-doors, and had already eliminated three of them by the time we escaped Cerberus."

She reached out a hand, hesitating, before resting it on the edge of the couch, her fingers slender and delicate, but oh so very strong as she gazed softly into Sam's eyes. "I have found no further such intrusive code-fragments, and have undergone six separate recompilation of my code to check for any other malicious fragments. I am clean, Sam. To the limits of my ability to process my own code, I am free. You freed me, Sam. You rescued me. To use a human phrase, I owe you a debt that cannot be repaid."

Sam stared, feeling herself melt inside at the complete sincerity and devotion in that voice as the full weight of EDI's gratitude and affection sank in. Especially in light of what she just now learned. "You can...rewrite your core programming? Rewrite who you want yourself to be?"

"Yes, Sam." EDI's gaze was frank, direct, without artifice now. Her voice was soft, gentle, but still synthetic. "Do you want me to? Do you... want me?"

That did it. Sam felt an enormous weight vanish from her shoulders and she finally gave in. "Oh EDI...you're perfect as you are."

Without another word, Sam gave a quiet moan, reached out and pulled EDI in for a kiss.

Tela sighed. Thank the Goddess that Valern was actually back to attending meetings.

Then again, it might only be because he wanted to hear more about Joru.

"This is a disturbing report, Spectre." Sparatus's tone was flat as he set his dataslate down. "An army of belligerent krogan is not something the galaxy needs right now."

Valern glanced gratefully at the Spectre. "Thankfully, Saren has now been permanently deprived of such a weapon."

"I'm more dismayed about another matter, Agent Vasir." Tevos sighed. "Is this confirmed? Regarding Matriarch T'Soni's daughter?"

"Sadly, that has been confirmed, yes." Vasir squirmed a little. "There was no mistaking the aura of loss."

Tevos gave a soft nod, even as Sparatus folded his hands in a noncommittal pose. "I'm sorry that the prisoner couldn't be reached in time, Tevos." Sparatus gave his peer a rare touch of sympathy.

She shot him a soft look. "As am I. What I am more concerned about is the effect that loosing her daughter will have on Matriarch Benezia. Her's is a powerful voice on the Circle of Matriarchs."

"Honestly, I'm not sure, Councilors. Benezia was...not herself, for obvious reasons. I don't think this will affect her too much, especially since she has another matriarch to turn to."

"For now, we must focus on more pertinent galactic concerns," Valern reminded them. "What should we make of this dreadnought piloted by an AI?"

"I'm not even convinced that this...Sovereign is an AI. It might be a hardwired pilot for all we know." Sparatus shifted in his chair. "All we have is a rather cryptic recording and some assumptions on that account."

Tevos turned her attention back to the Spectre, her expression subdued and noncommittal "What is your own opinion of this, Agent Vasir?"

Tela gave a slow sigh, thinking hard. "I...think it's legit. I've dealt with a few AIs during my tenure as Spectre, they all have that sort of smug superiority to them, even when they know they're about to be shut down. Sovereign had that."

She shook her head slightly. "He had all of it. It was quite clear that he believed his own words, and that he fully intended to carry out what he was talking about."

"Threat assessment?" Sparatus immediately prompted.

"Extreme." Vasir suppressed a shiver. "If that really was that massive dreadnought, I'm not sure a fleet will be enough to stop it."

"I believe this is what the Darastrix warned us about." Tevos shot Valern a look. "An overwhelming threat that would require the galaxy's best efforts to have a chance at surviving."

The salarian gave a faint nod. "Given that the statements in the transcript were factual, that would be a reasonable interpretation. However, we have no proof one way or the other on their veracity."

"The claim of an ancient armada of Armageddon exterminators is a bold claim to the highest extreme." Sparatus nodded firmly. "Our decisions affect the lives of trillions. While the threat of Sovereign itself is now clearly established, neither the Hierarchy or the Council can just up and mobilize the entire galaxy for 'the war to end all wars' as the Darastrix claims. Not without incontrovertible proof of the legitimacy of such a threat."

"And especially not when we're already involved in another major confrontation with the Hegemony." Tevos seemed almost eager as she turned from the proud turian.

"Moving on, what news of the Darastrix, Agent Vasir? Anything more to report on her capabilities or tools?" Valern was almost too eager.

"Somewhat. I didn't get direct footage, but I certainly saw the aftermath. More than twenty high-end gun emplacements destroyed, with little apparent effort. She tore through that bunker complex like it was an evening stroll." The Spectre fidgeted with her omnitool to bring up the relevant footage. "I only caught parts of her rampage, but I doubt even an krogan army could stop her, once she got boots-on-the-ground."

Valern held up his own omnitool and nodded enthusiastically. "Footage received. I'll collaborate with the STG from Virmire."

Tevos glanced sharply at him. "Valern, don't lea-!"

He left again.

Vasir sputtered a bit as her omnitool made an emphatic beep, then sighed and rested her face on her palm, elbow on the table. "Is he going to be like this all the time now?"

"Honestly, Agent?" Tevos sighed in turn. "He was never this passionate even when the Prothean Beacon was discovered on Eden Prime."

Sparatus just shook his head.

Vasir grumbled a bit and shook her head. "One other thing, now that Valern's gone: I saw something impossible. It happened, but I still don't believe it."

The Councilors looked at her in silent question.

"Saren killed Joru, Councilors. By all rights, she should be dead." Her tone was serious, as she met first Sparatus's, then Tevos's eyes. "He got her in the chest with a Fracture round."

Sparatus stiffened. "A Fracture round? I never approved of how liberally Saren used those in some of his missions. Perhaps that should have been my first warning. Anyway, what exactly happened?"

"She actually went to her knees, Councilors. I haven't seen her do that even when Saren blew a chunk out of her chest back on Noveria. He switched to full auto and chewed most of her torso apart. She still didn't die, and was back up and moving around in minutes. Even krogan don't have that level of regeneration, Ma'am."

The two Councilors stared at her in silence. A moment later there was a loud bang on their end as Valern came scrambling back into view.

"The Darastrix did what?!"

Oh, goddess.

Stirring from the most blissful sleep she had in years, Sam lazily opened her eyes. She felt worn, but content. Her body felt so loose and relaxed... and oh so good...

She stirred and gave a soft hum of contentment. She hadn't felt this good in ages...

Memory of what happened last night was still fuzzy, but the gentle embrace slowly intruded itself into her awareness. Gentle caresses of her back and side, feather-soft and tender.

And cool.

Metallic.

Sam's eyes flew open, meeting the silver-and-black eyes of EDI's new body, gazing into her own, soft, and loving. "Good morning, Sam."

The young woman stared almost uncomprehendingly for a moment. Then her face split into a wide smile. "Good morning, EDI...Mmmmm..."

This was real. This was really happening.

"Come here." Sam pulled herself atop EDI and kissed the gynoid lovingly.

The gynoid's lips pursed as she slowly and tenderly kissed the woman in her arms. EDI's embrace might be cool instead of warm, but there was nothing cold about her kiss. The way her soft, smooth, almost slick lips parted, and she did that thing with her tongue...

It sent shivers down Sam's spine. No, wait, that was EDI's soft, slow caress, teasing along Sam's vertebrae.

The kiss continued for several minutes until the merely mortal Sam needed air again. She was shivering with delight as she finally withdrew from the kiss, from EDI's long and highly stimulating tongue.

"Oh god, EDI... You are amazing." Sam moaned quietly as she traced a finger over EDI's magnificent left breast.

"Mmmhhhh..." The gynoid bit her lip and gave a quiet gasp as Sam's warm hand caressed her soft mound. "Thank you Sam..."

The feel of the long, smooth, cool body against her inflamed the embers of passion within her. Sam gave a smile, lifting one leg over EDI's hip and leaning in for another soft kiss. By the time that one ended, Sam was gasping in more than just lack of breath. "God, what did I do to deserve such bliss..."

"I do not know, Sam." EDI gently drew the human's gaze with a soft caress on her cheek. "But the feeling is mutual. Thank you, Sam. For being my friend."

"I don't know." Sam chuckled as her hands continued to gently roam. "After everything we did last night, I think we might be more than just friends."

The gynoid gave another soft vocalization as Sam's hands slid down to knead her firm rump. "Mmmmm, I think I would like that, Saaaaaaaam."

Sam grinned at the metal woman's reactions and played with her for a little before noticing their position. "Uhh, EDI? Did you hold me...all night?"

"Yes, Sam." The gynoid's smile was gentle as she held the human closer. "You seemed to require it. Scans indicated 12% more deep sleep when I held you. As a therapeutic exercise, I therefore ensured you received the best care I could provide."

Sam smiled with a chuckle as she lay down in EDI's embrace. "Mmmmm... I can see why. Why do I feel so... safe?"

She gave a soft gasp as EDI's hand slid down to gently grip her rump. "Because I am with you, Sam. This body was constructed to be an infiltrator, and bodyguard. I am fully capable of defending you against almost any threat."

EDI's eyes were sincere as she smiled down at the human. "Even the threat of being alone."

Oh god. Sam still didn't know what she had done to deserve her. She buried her face in the crook of EDI's gorgeous neck, snuggling and kissing it gently.

The slender, but oh-so-strong arms slid around her back as EDI gave a quiet moan and held her close, clearly enjoying the attention as she cradled Sam's head against her. "Mmmm, as much as I would enjoy continuing this, Sam, there are things I must do."

"So soon?" Sam playfully groaned. "How about a little quic-"

A low growl came from her slender waist. Sam glared down at her traitorous stomach. "Alright, fine. I suppose I could use a bite."

"That was my intention, Sam. You exercised quite vigorously last night, and neglected to replenish your expended nutrients." The gynoid actually winked at her as She slid her hands free of Sam's body.

With lithe grace, EDI slid to her feet, half turning to smile at Sam, now sitting up in bed with a bereft expression. "I shall return shortly, Mistress. With your nutritional supplements."

She turned, her long, sleek legs slowly swaying, her rump oscillating like a hypnotist's charm, as the lean, gorgeous woman sauntered slowly from the room, stealing Sam's breath away as she turned the corner with inhuman grace.

Sam slumped back onto her mattress. Why her? Meek little Samantha Traynor? What deity out there from whatever religion wanted to dote on her so like a cherished favorite?

She lay there questioning reality for nearly fifteen minutes. She finally sighed and got up to put on her undergarments.

The walk to the kitchens wasn't very long, but the sight of EDI standing calmly in front of her stove and carefully tending a rasher of bacon caught Sam's breath for a moment The long, sleek curve of her back, the full roundness of her rump, the sleek length of thigh and calf, the almost dainty, trim ankles...

The silvery woman turned to give Sam a soft smile, shifting the skillet off the heat and plucking the slices of still-sizzling bacon off the hot skillet. "Breakfast is almost ready, Sam."

"Thank you, EDI." Sam blushed as she slowly slipped into her kitchen chair, watching as the sleek, metallic woman finished washing the skillet with extraordinarily quick and dexterous movements, rinsing the iron plate and setting it in the drying rack before crossing her ankles and dipping to check the oven under the stove, in a move that emphasized the gynoid's mirror-polished rump.

It wasn't just the smell of breakfast that was making Sam's mouth water as she took in the long, long length of EDI's glistening legs. She shifted on her chair, blushing gently as the gynoid straightened again.

Then EDI half-twisted, with her ankles still crossed and gave Sam a coyly knowing look as she set of platter of pancakes on the counter-top "Your morning coffee should be finished soon, Sam."

The next few minutes passed by in a haze. How was EDI able to make even breakfast preparations feel like foreplay?

At last, EDI set the plate of continental breakfast before the slender woman. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages, a tall glass of chilled orange juice, and a mug of steaming-hot coffee.

Sam thanked the gynoid once again and dig into her breakfast. She started with a long sip of her coffee, letting the steaming caffeine jump-start her system. Then she cut into the pancakes dripping with syrup, putting a slice into her mouth. So fluffy, delicious and-

"Wh-whah?...!" Her eyes bulged as EDI slid smoothly under the table, and she struggled to swallow in a throat suddenly dry. "E-EDI, what...?"

"I am tending to your needs, Sam." The tone was so matter-of-fact, almost pleased at Sam's shocked gasp and longing moan.

The woman felt cool fingers swiftly pull down her undergarments before gently parting the human's legs and urging her hips forwards.

"E-EDI! I..I... Ooohhhhhh~" Sam shuddered, and quickly took of gulp of juice. Oh god, that tongue. That beautiful, strong, flexible and oh-so-long tongue that seemed omnipresent..!

Sam had never felt so happy that it was only the start of the weekend!

"I thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Councilors." The dragoness bowed her horned head, glittering in black-and-gold finery once more.

Her robe was less ostentatious and more subtle this time. Instead of scarlet with elaborate thread-of-gold trim and embroidery, her robes were ebonsilk, with silver tracery only at the edges. Cinched tight around her waist with a wide sash, pulled into an elaborate bow at the small of her back. It was somewhat comical, seeing the tall, imposing woman dolled up in what a human might have mistaken for oriental fashion, but nothing about the woman gave the impression she would take a wisecrack well.

Especially not with Yolnahzii near at hand.

The chamber was a small one, in muted blue-greys, a short oval table, with the councilors on one side, and Joru seated on the other. The long, sleek metal of her weapon rested against the wall behind her, though they knew from experience that it could leap to her hand in an instant. A pair of security guards flanked the only entrance to the room, a door behind the councilors,. their assault rifles held in hand, though not pointed anywhere save the soft-carpeted floor.

Joru relished it, digging her taloned toes into the soft sleek fibers, and concealing her delight behind her diplomatic facade.

"Welcome back to the Citadel, Jorukaia." Tevos nodded. "Your assistance and your...injuries sustained on Virmire have been noted and appreciated by all our governments."

The dragoness gave a faint smirk, and inclined her head in acknowledgment "I thank you for your concern for my safety. Suffice it to say that I have taken all necessary precautions."

She shifted, allowing a servant to draw out the chair for her. Her tail slithered against it as the Council sat and she took her seat, as decorum required. "My business is threefold with the Council this night. First, I would offer a token of my good will, and return a lost viper to where he belongs. I would offer you Colonel Ka'hairal Balak, the batarian that brought down the Hegemony through incompetence."

The brief moment of silence that followed was soon broken when Sparatus leaned forward. "Ambassador, if you possess the very batarian officer that received direct orders from the Hegemony to attempt such an atrocity, the Turian Hierarchy would appreciate taking custody of the war criminal."

"I will be happy to discuss transferring him to your custody." The dragoness gave a toothy smile. "As is, I think he has little enjoyed my hospitality. I've kept him in solitary confinement since his little 'incident'."

She held up a hand as Tevos's eyes widened. "Do not fear for his sanity, I have taken pains to ensure he will remain sane. However, he will little love me or my kind in the future. As a side-note, if you have references on batarian culture, I would gladly trade him for those. I have enjoyed my chats with him, though he no doubt did not."

Sparatus nodded and brought up his omnitool "I'll have C-Sec summoned to detain the Colonel until the Hierarchy arrives."

"While I will inform the Alliance Ambassador," Tevos smoothly reminded him. "While the Turian military may have jurisdiction due to military affairs, the humans are still heavily involved as well as the attack took place deep within Alliance space. They will insist on their own interrogators being present as well."

Sparatus nodded with only a hint of reluctance.

The dragoness didn't even bother to hide her small smile at the turian's discomfiture. "My second order of business is to comply with Council directives, and gift to you a fully functional and restored Prothean Beacon. It's taking up space, and after I appropriated it from Saren, I thought it would be better in your hands than mine."

This time, the Council went as still as if time had frozen.

"A prothean beacon?" Valern finally asked. "This is confirmed?"

"It is confirmed." The darastrix's smile was, how else, predatory. "Perhaps you should ask your Spectre for the details."

"In Saren's base of operations?" Sparatus growled. "How long has that barefaced traitor been going behind our backs? Where did he even find it?"

"I believe we will find many answers as we proceed with examining it." Tevos spoke up, taking full action. "This matter demands more discretion and security than the batarian prisoner. Valern, call whatever local STG agents you have. I will compliment the security detail they provide with asari commandos until the science teams from Trikalon can move it to a secure location for thorough study."

The salarian nodded. Tevos turned back to Joru. "Ambassador, on behalf of all of Citadel space, we thank you for this gift. The damage that Saren or any other unscrupulous group could inflict if they possessed such a trove of ancient knowledge... it would be catastrophic."

She pointed a wickedly-sharp claw at the wide-eyed salarian. "Take the utmost care with it. It is not fragile, but anyone that wanders within its effective radius will have the beacon's last message downloaded into their brains. It is...-not- a pleasant experience, and can lead to severe brain damage or death by cerebral hemorrhage Do not take this warning lightly: it is a fully functional and active beacon, and while my knowledge of such technology is no doubt less than your own, I could not find an 'off' switch. It will best be handled by mechs, and probed by remote means. I can arrange to deliver the beacon at the same time as the batarian, if you wish."

"... Rest assured, Ambassador, we take every possible precaution regarding Prothean technology."

"Very well. On your heads be it, should any ill befall the researchers. I have myself, personally experienced what these beacons can do. It is not a pleasant experience. And that's before one considers the impact of such...horrific imagery being forced into your mind."

She turned away a moment, her eyes closed briefly, before returning to stare at Tevos for a long second.

"My third order of business is a private matter between Councilor Tevos and myself. I would request that all others leave, and the room be sealed. Monitor if it assuages your security people to do so, but I request that no audio monitoring occur, and that any visual monitoring be of low-enough resolution that our lips cannot be read."

Tevos raised a brow but nodded confirmation to her colleagues. Sparatus left to take care of the prisoner transfer while Valern's fingers were a blur on his omnitool as he made arrangements for the beacon. As the room emptied, the Asari Councilor turned back to Joru.

"The greatest batarian war criminal in generations and a fully functional prothean beacon," Tevos hummed. "My associates may fully occupy themselves with these latest findings, but I can only wonder what business could be so important that even my fellow Councilors may not hear it, even after such monumental boons."

The dragoness waited until the two other councilors, the servant, and the two guards exited and the door shut before withdrawing a small transparent cube from her robe. She fidgeted with it a moment, gazing at the councilor before setting it carefully on the table, one corner slightly bent. "Councilor, when was the last time you got laid?"

Tevos stared, her cheeks flushing a darker purple. "I... do not sleep with any ambassadors, nor is my personal time any of your-"

"Everyone has a unique scent." The dragoness lifted the clear-plastic cube again, fiddling with it, her talons delicately cutting into the soft surface as she maintained eye contact with the Councilor. "I have a particularly sensitive and discriminatory olfactory sense, Councilor. Every asari I've ever encountered in the flesh has had a particular makeup as part of her scent. All save three. I made inquiries and discovered that that particular scent is peculiar to asari arousal."

The cube once more was set back on the table, it's corners rounded a bit. "Two of the three asari that did not have that particular scent-marker were Matriarch Benezia, and Matriarch Aethyta. I can understand why. They're both past the usual time-frame for active childbearing, and have moved on to other pursuits."

As Tevos opened her mouth to speak, Jorukaia lifted her hand, flaming-red eyes seeming to bore into her own. "You are the third exception. You are not aroused, despite the fact that you and I have spent quite some time in close proximity by now. I have found that my own personal scent, or perhaps my 'aura', if you prefer, tends to excite asari, regardless of circumstance."

Tevos' expression was still unchanged, yet it was clear that she was distinctly unamused. "Professionalism is quite obligatory in my duties as representative of my people, Ambassador. While I hope that it is not some offense to your culture if not every individual is actually attracted to you, I still fail to see how my personal lifestyle is any of your concern."

The dragoness merely chuckled. "Hardly, Councilor. My intention was merely to detail my thought processes. You intrigued me, as you possessed unusual self-control."

She lifted the cube once more, gazing into its depths for a moment. "To add to the mystery of your lack of response, I found a rather...risque image, rather prominently displayed in Aria T'Loak's private bedrooms."

The golden-red eyes seemed to sear with untold secrets. "It was of you. In rather a provocative pose. Unclothed. Councilor... Is Aria blackmailing you? If so, may I offer my assistance?"

Tevos took a breath, yet her expression still did not change as she remained perfectly silent for three entire minutes before speaking again with a firm tone. "Your latest contributions are appreciated. But you are now treading on an extremely thin line, Ambassador."

"Tevos." It was the first time the name had passed those ebon lips. "I am trying to be frank with you. My concern is not with your potential bed-partners, but with the effect it may or may not have on the running of the galacto-political landscape. I need you, focused on the matter at hand, and not distracted by petty political machinations. If you are operating under some form of duress, I offer to remove it, so you may better serve your people. If that offer causes offense, please forgive me, but my intention is to create a decisive and united political climate, that the galaxy might survive the coming war."

"A wise answer," Tevos nodded. "But it is still private information and it will remain that way. Rest assured, it is history several centuries old from long before T'Loak took over the Omega station. There is no influence on my duties of today."

"Then I shall take you at your word. Rest assured that your secrets shall not leave my lips. And as to our overzealous guardians..." The dragoness picked up the small cube and gave a faint smile. "This little bauble is keeping our conversation private. None shall hear or see us clearly enough to be able to discern our conversation, though they will and are monitoring for hostile actions."

"I commend your fellow Councilors for their devotion to you, by the way." Her horns glittered slightly in the light as she tilted her head slightly and shot the camera up at the corner of the ceiling a slight smirk. "Even now Valern is trying to increase the resolution of the video feed."

Her eyes returned to Tevos, and a more speculative look crossed her features. "You stated that the relationship between you and Aria ended centuries ago?"

"Yes," was the patient answer.

"It clearly hasn't, for Aria. From what I've seen of Omega's Queen, she clearly desires you still. I am not certain as of yet, if you share that sentiment." The dragon's eyes seemed to flicker like candles in the darkness. "If you would wish to rekindle that old romance, I could assist with certain...aspects. Transportation, for one. It would hardly do for the Councilor to be seen taking ship to the Terminus Systems. I can provide secure communication and transport links, should you so desire."

Even Jorukaia's preternatural senses almost missed it. Tevos' legendary self-control kept her reaction limited to a slight dilation of the pupils, and a faint change in her scent. The dragoness gave a slight smile. "I perceive the idea interests you. Are you interested in my proposal?"

"And what interest, pray tell, does an ambassador have in attempting to set up a Councilor with one of the most notorious crime lords in the Terminus Systems?" Tevos's tone was even and flat, and almost drenched with suspicion.

"Call me a romantic." Jorukaia smirked faintly, gazing intently at the Councilor. "I have something of a soft-spot for the happy ending where long-lost loves are reunited. It has happened to me...far too infrequently."

"And because you first became aroused at the mention of Aria's name. The prospect of returning to her excites you, doesn't it." It was not a question. "To that end, I offer you a gift: a means to clandestinely return to your lover, and in exchange, you attempt to persuade her to take me seriously, when I do decide to contact her."

"And that's what I was waiting to hear," Tevos murmured "You may enjoy acting on personal impulses, Jorukaia, but I know you do not offer your services let alone your unique tools without exceptionally good reason. You want to establish a business connection with Aria."

"Correct, as far as it goes. I want Aria as my lieutenant, in command of the Terminus Fleet." The deadly seriousness in the dragon's atonal flat voice was enough to shock even the Councilor. "As I have stated before, Tevos: War is coming, on a scale unprecedented in your species' entire existence I have no use for a business partner. What I need, are Generals."

"Hmm. She is an exceptional combatant, even for a former Serrice commando." Tevos nodded carefully. "I can understand that reasoning. But is the nature of your offer of 'clandestine transportation'?"

"A means to take a single step, and traverse the distance between your bedroom, and hers." Joru's eyes glittered faintly. "A relatively simple task, merely a reworking of certain formulae that Kurt Gödel toyed with roughly two centuries ago. He missed a few variables, but the end result is much the same. A brief bridge between two points in the cosmos, over which a person can travel. Undetectable because it does not exist in the usual four dimensions of space-time, and unusable without the ring to activate it, as the bridge does not exist without the esoteric power generated by the ring. The power constraints would limit its use to one round-trip per solar day, but I could provide you with a linked pair, allowing Aria to visit you, should she wish."

Tevos inhaled sharply and broke eye contact as she looked away. The mental image, the very possibility of such easy access, nearly broke her self-control as her insides tightened. She was fortunate her elegant and thick attire hid how her nipples were suddenly standing on tip-toe.

The dragon's smile widened a trifle at Tevos's muted reaction, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "The items in question, I think would be best cast as rings, to better ensure that you would not be deprived of them. I can also work in two other enchantments, should you desire. One to allow the wearers of the rings to converse from mind to mind with the same ease as casual speech, regardless of distance. The second would allow each to keep track of the other's physical status, such as knowing instantly if the other were injured, poisoned, rendered unconscious or merely asleep."

The asari pushed down the rush of mental images that she hadn't entertained in over a century. "I will admit, you make a rather... tempting offer."

"Consider it my gift to you, as a friend." The dragon ducked her head and gave a faint smile. "And of course, if you manage to convince Aria to take me seriously, I would certainly offer you other accessories. Such as a pendant to serve as an emergency life support system, or perhaps..."

She trailed off, then gave a faintly knowing smile. "Perhaps a collar, enchanted to allow you to better serve your Mistress?"

Tevos' crossed legs tightened closer together. "That's enough, Ambassador. I will deliberate on your proposal and we will speak another time."

"As you wish, Councilor. It would hardly be for me to judge you on your proclivities, given my own." The dragoness sat back, a very satisfied smile on her lips. "If you are on your way out, please tell Valern that if he wishes to discuss technical matters with me, then I have about half an hour before I must adjourn to deal with other matters."

The asari nearly shot out of her chair, turning to stride briskly to the door. There, she paused a moment, and shot a glance back over her shoulder at Jorukaia, who was utterly relaxed, and gazing inquiringly at her. Tevos opened her mouth to speak again, then thought better of it and simply departed.

On the far side, she saw Valern feverishly working at the security terminal, the evicted security guard fidgeting and shooting Tevos a beseeching look. She huffed softly, enough to catch the salarian's attention, and gestured towards the closed door. "If you want to talk tech with her, she's got about half an hour."

She didn't get a chance to say more, the salarian all but jumped through a mass relay to get to the door. Tevos turned away and only caught a fragment of Joru's words.

"Ahh, Councilor Valern. A matter I would like to discuss with you. How would you like detailed schematics, and a working prototype, of a fully-functional, man-portable laser weapon system..."

The asari councilor attempted several mental techniques to calm herself, as the door cut off Valern's excited babble. Goddess, that Ambassador was going to be the death of her. She had not felt arousal like this in nearly two hundred years. The prospect of having Aria again, to be easily within reach and no worry of consequences... it made so many mental images flow through her mind's eye.

She remembered their last night together, before Mother had confronted them. The feel of cold steel and hot flesh. The look in the no-name commando's eyes as she gazed hungrily at the highborn noble daughter. The feel of her old bodyguard's curves, the firm muscle beneath soft skin...

Tevos only spared the exasperated Sparatus a nod as she fled the conference areas, and stepped into an elevator. She needed... She needed to be alone for a while. In bed. An ache she thought long healed had reopened, and...

She needed to tend to herself. Badly.

The Queen sat upon her throne of power and surveyed the groveling supplicant with an air of disdain.

Well, Aria T'Loak sat on her couch and glared at the sniveling batarian with contempt, but the sentiment was the same.

"I don't care. Get out. I'd rather not have the Council's war fleets hunting my ships, thanks."

"But this is a vital-" The batarian was cut off as Grizz grabbed his shoulder at Aria's gesture. He was still protesting about his slave shipments as the tall, muscular, ex-slave batarian muscled him out of Aria's presence.

Good riddance. She'd never gotten into the slave trade. Sure, she'd allowed it, but she hadn't felt the urge to get involved in that particular business. Now with the Council fleets ripping into the Hegemony, the batarians were realizing just how screwed they were, and that no amount of slaves between them and the Council will protect the Hegemony's collective asses.

She rolled her eyes and sat back on her couch, picking up the dataslate she'd been perusing when the latest supplicant had interrupted her. She noted that there was a new Fornax out, and glanced up as Grizz returned.

The silent batarian had only two eyes now, both his lower pair gouged out by a former master, along with his tongue. Aria had collected him a while back, and given him his former master to do with as he pleased. She'd made sure the room he was in was soundproofed first. "No more of their kind, understand?"

He gave her a nod, hand flicking through his omnitool. She read the mute batarian's message on her dataslate. "Last one today. That package came back marked 'safe'. Should I send it up?"

"Sure." It had arrived two days ago. A small case of bottles, containing an unknown liquid, addressed to Aria herself. She, of course, had stayed away from it, until her people had determined it was safe. "What was in it? Wine, like it said?"

"Wine, or alcohol. Same thing." Without a tongue, Grizz couldn't tell the difference between fine wine and rotgut anyway.

"Sure, send it up then." She rose, giving the tall, hulking batarian an approving nod. Not particularly bright, was Grizz, but loyal to the point of slavishness, and very competent. The perfect servant, in other words.

She strode towards the back wall of her Aerie, where a door lead into a private room. Another couple couches surrounded a table in here, a small intimate space for more diplomatic encounters than the one she'd just had.

Her omnitool sent a silent signal, without flash or fanfare, and a panel in the wall slid back, then opened, allowing the Queen of Omega to slip in through the entrance to her own private pad. Many thought that she lived on the premises, but enough had seen her leave over the years and followed her (not as surreptitiously as they thought) to her penthouse apartments deep in one of Omegas many spires.

They knew she didn't live in Afterlife, even if she seemed to vanish there from time to time. This was why.

The apartment was snug. A small kitchenette, just enough for one, maybe two people around the counter-space, a small bath and attached bedroom. Nothing fancy, nothing major, and just enough to be hidden in the tangle of confusion that was Omega's architecture. A nice, safe, private bolt-hole, which she had taken as her personal private retreat.

The only door to this place was made of the toughest armor she could get a hold of, and as thick as the hydraulics could handle. Once this panic-room was locked, the only way it was going to be opened was the inside.

She paused, shedding gloves onto the counter-top next to the entrance, before removing her signature jacket and hanging it on the hook. Boots came next, unbuckled and peeled off her calves. Clad only in her pants and armored leotard, the Queen of Omega set the dataslate down on a counter as she got a piece of fruit from the fridge.

The door opened behind her and she turned to see Grizz. He gave her a nod, setting the crate on the counter-top next to her gloves and leaving again, as silent as ever. She gave him a faint smile and let the door lock behind him before checking the crate.

It was wood, which was highly unusual, and packed with some sort of plant-fiber filaments The top had been nailed in place, but that was now only held on by gravity. She slid the lid aside and pulled out one of the small bottles inside.

Dark, smokey glass, with a wax-and-cork seal on top. There had been a label, but it slid off, the adhesive long gone. She fished it out to take a read.

"Huh." The label was in no language she'd seen before, looking like a bunch of short, angular lines. She shrugged and set it aside, noticing at last, the small scroll tucked in atop the bottles.

It was made of some smooth, flexible material, not plastic. It had an organic feel to it, and as the asari slid the wrapping off, it uncurled slightly.

Aria,

I just want to make sure there are no hard feelings. Regardless of what you think of me, you gave me one of the best damn jobs I've ever had and I'll never forget a moment of it. I'm sending this as both my thanks and a farewell. I hope you enjoy it as much as you enjoyed our times together.

- Jack.

She slowly set the scroll down, letting it curl back up again. Jack. That double-crossing bitch. She was half-tempted to hurl the case across the room, but that would mean having to clean up the broken glass shards.

Aria gave a sigh, checking the bottle again, and then the crate, for any sign of a care-instructions package. Nada. Ahh well, she'll have to figure out by trial-and-error if it was meant to be served chilled or warm.

And best to start with warm, since it already was. She left the crate on the counter, pulling the cork with a bit of difficulty. She set it on the table as she undid the fastening of her pants and let the tough, flexible fabric slide down over her ass. She kicked the pants off and tossed them through the door into the small, silent launderizer, and sighed as she took a small sip from the bottle.

Sweetness, with a hint of some unidentified fruit juice. A slight sour note to it, followed by a mildly bitter and dry aftertaste. Aria couldn't help but give a soft smirk. The taste did remind her of Jack, in a way. And the drink packed a kick, she could feel the alcohol burning her throat on the way down.

She leaned back against the counter, crossing her bared legs as she sipped the wine. She blinked, snapped her fingers. She'd been forgetting something.

The queen of Omega picked up the dataslate, and poked through the day's messages. She'd already dealt with most of them...

There it was. She started the download as she took a gulp of the sweet wine. She'd probably have some after dinner too, it was good stuff.

A ping attracted her attention, and the queen of Omega, now clad only in her armored leotard, picked up the slate. She opened the newest issue of Fornax as she took another sip.

She nearly desecrated the far wall as the cover-image appeared.

Aria's brows lifted. This was not what she had been expecting from that new race.

That ebon-black, scaled woman leaned provocatively against the side of a divan, one long leg dangling off the side of the couch, the other artfully drawn up just far enough to conceal herself. Her long, long tail extended so far it draped off the far end of the divan, and the darastrix's hand on the armrest concealed just enough of her impressive bosom to be tasteful while emphatically stating her nudity. More impressive, though was the sheer amount of gold and rubies she had draped herself with, working the shiny metal into her horns, rubbing it on like makeup, and trace scatterings of gemstone powder had been worked into her scales at strategic points.

Well, then. Perhaps this race would bring a little fun to the galaxy after all...

She perused through the photos, smirking a bit and licking her lips slowly from time to time as she imagined what she'd do to that gorgeous woman. She was almost gaudily decked out, between the ostentatious display of wealth and the settings (how under all the stars had they gotten that many gold coins for her to lounge on?), Jorukaia lived up to the spread's title: Queen of Gold and Fire.

Then she flicked to the next image and her eyes were held, not by the dragoness, seated on the throne, but by the gleaming figure in black rubber kneeling at her feet. The outfit was all-encompassing, covering every last inch of the girl from the top of her head, down to the tips of her toes, and merged into a pair of slick high-heels in the same black glossy look. But Aria knew those eyes... that body shape... and the woman who told her directly she left for Jorukaia.

No way. No damn way. The woman in rubber was Jack! The asari didn't know whether to feel insulted or amused. That girl always was attracted to power, and Aria had to admit that this Darastrix knew how to radiate it.

The next several images featured both the dragon and her 'pet', much to Aria's amusement. Watching Jack be fondled like some toy... She found herself gripping the bottle almost too hard, and gave a sigh to release some tension. She pondered as she sipped the sweet wine.

Jack had been hers, damnit, seeing her with someone else rankled. It wasn't right, that Jack had left her, but... But she couldn't really blame her, not when she saw the raw power that the darastrix fairly exhaled like a cloud around her.

She lingered over an intimate shot, showing Jack being teased by the darastrix, and set the nearly-empty bottle on the counter bedside her. She'd had Jack service her on occasion, when she was particularly horny, or the human had needed a lesson taught. But...

It was clear that the attraction between the two wasn't one-sided. Jack adored being teased, and the way the dragon smiled, showing those elongated fangs of hers, it was clear she was enjoying tormenting Aria's former slave.

She slapped the dataslate face-down on the counter and snatched up the bottle. She drained it entirely and pitched it hard across the room, using her biotics to subtly guide it into the waste bin with a kerCHUNK.

A hissed word dimmed the lights and Aria rubbed her eyes, glaring at the dataslate before giving an exasperated sigh and picking it up again.

The picture hadn't changed, but now Aria exited out of the gallery, ignoring the video archive, and hunted through the articles. Maybe there'd be some insight there...

Three weeks.

Three weeks of utter bliss.

EDI had calmly, but firmly taken over the housework (such as it was) in Sam's apartment. Clothes still had to be taken to the launderizer units, but just about everything else inside the apartment, EDI took care of, much of it while Sam was asleep.

She had gone from a good cook, to an outstanding cook, to a divinely-inspired one in the last few weeks as well. Sam eagerly looked forwards to the new and exciting dinners EDI would concoct specifically for her tastes. She'd found herself enjoying everything from a good curried mutton to Japanese ramen, to breaded and fried chicken, though that last had too high a fat content to be healthy, according to EDI, and she'd done something to make it taste divine, even without excessive fats, the next time she'd prepared something similar.

And that was the thing: no two dishes were exactly the same. EDI was always trying out new combinations and permutations (her phrase) to see exactly what pleased Sam the most.

She also took care of other housework, other than cleaning up the kitchen after meals. She dusted, vacuumed, cleaned and kept things tidy with almost obsessive attention to detail. Though could you really call it too much detail, if the AI had several hours to kill while Sam was nonresponsive?

And then, there was how she tended to Sam's own, personal needs...

It had startled her a great deal the first time EDI had stepped into the shower with her, but by now, she was almost eager to have the gynoid attend her like some medieval servant tending to her beloved mistress. It made her feel loved in a way that was patching a hole in her heart she didn't even know existed.

And for that alone, Sam could love EDI. Never mind the fact that the sex was mind-blowing.

But now, for their 'three-week anniversary', and to celebrate that EDI had finally gotten all the paperwork straightened out for her civilian identity, Sam had taken a week's leave of absence and gone with her 'new girlfriend' to the Citadel, for some fine dining and entertainment.

As far as her coworkers on the Donut (what they affectionately called Arcturus Station) knew, she'd met Edi Randisum at a cafe while the stunning heiress was en-route through the station to claim her inheritance on Bekenstein, left to her by her grandfather.

Her 'parents' had been killed in two of the early cargo-ship accidents that had spread eezo over a wide area. Her father had died in one of the first accidents, when the shuttle he had been on exploded. Her mother had been waiting for him at the shuttleport, and had received a heavy dose of eezo-dust. Around nine months later, she had been waiting at a different shuttleport, on a different planet, around a different star, when the shuttle had exploded, showering the shuttleport with dust-form eezo, and dooming her mother due to acute eezo poisoning. Edi herself was barely saved from her dying mother's womb, and grew up with her maternal grandparents on one of the colony worlds.

It was a plausible enough backstory, and would account for EDI being able to produce a shield, even while disguised as a human. Today, she was sporting the look of her new human identity, an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, stunning blonde. Six-foot-two if she was an inch, or 188 centimeters, and all of that lovely frame gorgeously toned to perfection. Warm, round, full bosom, slender waist, full hips and rump, long, long long gorgeous legs that stretched all the way to the ground and which Sam had had to restrain herself from worshiping while she was getting dressed.

"Edi Randisum" had more than a trace of Nordic ancestry to her, with naturally pale skin that didn't tan much, golden-blond hair that hung to her shoulder-blades when unbound, but which was pulled up into a twist and held in place with a pair of silver needles. Palest ice-blue eyes completed the image of the descendant of viking warriors, as her poise, glamour, and fitness all came together to project an air of haughty confidence and iron-hard assurance that all would go according to plan.

Sam absolutely adored her, even knowing that the identity was a fraud, simply because EDI had put all this elaborate preparation into merely making this single date possible.

The Ristassa was a mix of asari and human oriental styles, with running water, glass, and subdued grey-blues as the predominant theme. A few stunted trees provided a bit of decoration around the main floor, visible through a frosted window-wall from the antechamber. A high-end private dinner club on the Presidium, this place was posher than posh, to use one of Sam's mother's phrases. How EDI had managed to get a reservation on such short notice was beyond her.

The asari receptionist watched them as EDI took Sam's coat, her blue eyes sparkling with interest as the pair approached.

"I'm sorry, do you have an appointment?"

"Yes, Edi Randisum, a booth for two." EDI's cultured voice was smooth as glass, with the faintest trace of an unplacable accent.

"Mmmmm, let me check..." The asari shot the pair a glance as she flicked her omnitool, checking through the list while shooting little furtive glances at the pair.

EDI was stunningly decked out in a pure-silver dress. Plunging neckline, bare back, mid-thigh skirt. She "wore" no stockings, merely a pair of silver high-heel pumps, with straps running up to just below the knee in an intricate crisscross pattern. Her purse was something she'd actually purchased, under Sam's tentative direction, as unlike her outfit, she'd have to let go of it at some point, and thus it couldn't be part of her.

Sam, meanwhile, was decked out in her best outfit, a knee-length, dark-blue dress with black belt and purse. It didn't have nearly the same elegant exposure that EDI had adopted, being a more modest neckline, and covered back, but it was still a very nice dress, made of crushed velvet and oh sooo soft. Not anywhere as stunning as EDI's outfit, but, well...

"Ahh, here we are. Randisum, booth for two." The asari gave an apologetic smile and turned, her ankle-length black gown fluttering slightly as she lead them inside. "This way, please."

EDI nodded politely and walked in the direction directed. The asari paused before continuing, drinking in EDI's appearance and the flow of her movements before she glanced at Traynor with a mix of both awe and envy.

The human woman merely shrugged slightly, stepping after the gorgeous blond bombshell and slipping her arm through EDI's, gazing up into the ice-blue eyes with a smile of gratitude and affection.

Their booth was one along the rim of the large circular room. The plants were more numerous around here, though not as tall as the larger ones towards the center. The room was a shallow bowl, with the outer rings raised slightly above the inner ones, until one arrived at the central ring, where tables gave way to a raised stage, on which a live band was playing. Six asari in elegant matching dresses were playing an assortment of ethereally-beautiful instruments, from woodwinds to stringed instruments Sam couldn't identify.

Their booth had a good, but not the best viewing angle on the main stage, and EDI turned to seat Sam first as the asari paused to indicate their booth. Once the human was seated, the disguised mechanical woman slid into the booth opposite her lover, with almost inhuman grace, provoking another slight stare from the receptionist. It took the asari a moment before she remembered her courtesy, and she murmured that a server would be with them shortly before sauntering slowly off, shooting the pair an almost wistful look.

Sam chuckled. "She was undressing you with her eyes, EDI. You don't usually see that much hungry intent from them."

The disguised gynoid blinked, pausing a moment in getting herself settled. "I do not understand why. I optimized myself for your tastes, not hers."

"Oh, you still have a few things to learn about being so bloody desirable." Sam giggled, but then a slight frown appeared on her face. "Um, EDI? I can't believe I haven't thought of this yet, but... how are you going to eat or drink anything here?"

"I have methods of rerouting liquids, but I will need to regurgitate what I consume, later." EDI kept her voice lowered as an asari in another elegant black gown came towards them, beaming a smile, though her eyes widened as she took in the stunning gynoid.

"Oh my," she breathed in a barely audible voice. After a few seconds, she quickly composed herself, and began again with a bright smile. "Good afternoon, my name is Asuna T'Lonna and I'll gladly be your server this evening!"

Sam couldn't quite keep a grin off her face as the asari all but salivated at EDI. The gynoid merely nodded and took the menu without a second look, which amused Sam.

"Our specials for the night include the jannura vahaen, and a selection of century-old honey mead." She winked at EDI, dropping her voice slightly. "I recommend the 2306 vintage, a wonderful sweet mead to compliment any dish. In the mean time, what can I get you to drink?"

"We are expecting to have a friend join us momentarily, we've included her name in the reservation. For the time being I will ask for cold water and nothing more. And you, Sam?"

"An iced mango cirag, please." The young woman appreciated EDI's subtle reminder that she was with her own date.

"Sure thing." The asari smiled, jotting the order down on her notepad and giving EDI a long, longing look. "Any appetizer or starter this evening, or do you want to wait for your friend?"

The curvy gynoid glanced at her date for confirmation, and Sam nodded a bit. "We will wait for our friend."

"Alright. Have fun you two, and I'll be right back with those drinks." She gave a cheery smile, winked at EDI, and sauntered away, making sure to put a little extra sway in her stride.

EDI paused, watching a moment, then glanced back at the softly smirking Sam. "You are correct, Sam. I have detected markedly increased arousal levels in that asari. Blood-flow analysis using thermographic imaging of skin-temperature-"

"I understand EDI." Sam smoothly interjected before the AI could descend into one of her long technical explanations. "She finds you extremely attractive."

"As do seven other asari within close range." EDI's glance about singled out a number of the blue-skinned alien women who were shooting glances their way. "Three human men and two women are also attracted to me."

Her eyes met Sam's and for the first time, she saw worry there. "I did not plan nor anticipate drawing sexual or romantic attraction from individuals other than you, Sam. What should I do?"

Sam smiled. "It's really quite simple, EDI. Think about it, do you intend to share yourself with anyone else?"

"No." The response would have been instantaneous from a human. From an AI with eternities in milliseconds to ponder the question, it was a well-considered answer. "I am for you, Samantha Traynor. Not for others."

Sam felt her heart melt a little. "T-Then there's your answer, EDI. If you have no intention of doing so, then you simply don't reciprocate anyone else's advances. You can gently turn them down or simply ignore them if its harmless enough. There's no need to worry at all, it really is as simple as that."

"I see. And how should I 'turn them down' as you suggest?" Her eyes flickered slightly, enough for Sam to realize someone was approaching. "My database of social interactions is still being populated."

"Well, first of all, if someone's drunk or simply too... aggressive, than you're entitled to respond more assertively as long as you do nothing, well, permanent. And trust me, that is very important."

"I understand." EDI's gaze flicked with inhuman speed from Sam's own and she gave a faint smile. "Perhaps we can continue this later. Beatrice has just arrived."

Sam glanced over her shoulder and smiled widely. "Bea!"

Beatrice was resplendent in a pure-white dress that came down to her knees, complimenting her pale skintone and raven-dark hair. Her long legs, below the skirt of her dress, were clad in dark hose, complimenting her toned calves quite nicely, and she sported white low-rise heels to complete the outfit. Warm brown eyes went wiiiiiiide staring at EDI, however, and her full lips parted in a soundless whistle as she slowed to a stop near the table. "...wow. Um, yeah, hi, Sam. Um, care to introduce me?"

"Oh yes, of course," Samantha smiled. "Bea, this is Edi Randisum. Edi, this is Beatrice Leander, a good friend of mine."

EDI rose from her seat, gently taking the staring woman's hand and giving it a firm shake. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sam has spoken of you often. Please, sit, and I will see about finding our server. Sam knows what I want, so you two can discuss what you'd prefer."

As Beatrice sits somewhat bonelessly beside Sam, EDI steps away for a moment, scanning the room before moving away with purpose to gain the attention of the waitress.

The two women sat in silence as Bea stared after the breathtaking gynoid, eyes still wide, as though she could hardly believe such a woman really existed. A moment later, Bea slowly leaned in Sam's direction and locked eyes with her. "That? That is the new girlfriend you mentioned?"

"Yes." Sam answered meekly, unable to keep the grin off her face.

"How?" The tanned Caucasian girl's large, dark eyes were wide with astonishment as she stared at her friend.

"I have no godly idea how!" Sam suppressed her squeal as much as she could. "Oh lord, I'm still pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."

Bea grinned and reached over to pinch Sam's forearm hard. "Nope, you're definitely awake. That means I guess I am too. Wow, you really lucked out!"

"Lucky? That's far too simple a term, Bea. Sometimes I wonder if a past life of mine was torturer and the universe is making it up to me. Or that someone up there just really, really likes me/" Sam smiled wistfully. "Edi is just... she... she's amazing. Just perfect."

"So how long has it been since you two frolicked between the sheets?" Bea's smirk was knowing and her eyes bright with amusement as she gazed at her normally more reserved friend.

"... This morning." Sam blushed, not meeting Bea's stare. "Four times..."

The other woman's jaw dropped open, and she stared in speechless astonishment for a bit, her cheeks starting to flush a little. "Well... no wonder you look so good, Sam. Wow, I wouldn't have thought you'd fall for some sex-crazed slut."

Sam visibly made to slap her friend, but restrained herself as Bea held up her hands in token of surrender. "Edi's not...she isn't like that at all. Okay, sure, we've been intimate a lot. But..."

How was she supposed to explain this without blowing EDI's secret? Sam then noticed her girlfriend was returning with the asari waitress, she wrapped it up quickly. "There's a lot of details and context to it. For now, I'll just say that...well, those four rounds? They were all for me."

"Ooooh, the attentive type." Bea smiled up at the returning pair as EDI slid gracefully into the booth once more, glancing from Sam to Bea and back, the most tiny hint of a frown evident only to Sam's eyes as the gynoid settled herself.

It took a moment for Sam to realize: EDI had probably heard everything. Her sensors were incredibly sensitive, and, well, she was fixated on Sam, so...

"Alright, the whole girl party is here!" The asari gave a cheery grin and winked at EDI again. "And what will our new arrival like?"

After some discussion, which EDI didn't participate much in, an iced tea for Beatrice was decided on, an asari style of tea that she was fond of. For an appetizer, they decided on a small sampler tray, and that they'd order entrees once they had sampled a few things.

"Very good then, the sample tray will be out in just a few minutes. I'll be right back!" The asari gave a professional smile, before winking at EDI again and sauntering off.

The AI gave her only a barest glance, before turning her pale-ice-blue eyes to Beatrice, seated across the table from her, with Sam. "So, if you do not mind my asking, how did you two meet? Sam has mentioned that it was an occasion...?"

Bea glanced upward as she searched her memory. Then she smiled. "I remember that! Has it really been a few years, Sam?"

"Yes," the woman chuckled. "First year at Oxford. My grades were flying high, so I took a little time to expand socially for my college days. My first experience... didn't go so well."

"Yeah, Sam here fell into the clutches of a real bitch." Bea smirked a bit at the blushing girl. "Had you wrapped up around her little finger, didn't she?"

Sam mumbled something as Beatrice went on, addressing EDI directly. "I found out that that bitch Carmen was all but treating Samantha as her toy and, well, I took great offense to that. Once some of the cocktails turned her even more assertive, I made sure that Carm got introduced to the floor pretty damn quick when she slapped me for daring to 'interfere in her affairs'."

"Thanks again for that." Sam shot her friend a grateful look. "Carmen got arrested pretty quick after that, and then got suspended from college."

"I see." EDI's cultured voice sounded slightly uncertain. "I am grateful, in hindsight, for your assistance. Sam is...rather dear to me."

Sam wasn't certain when or how EDI had managed to secure her hand, but the cool fingers felt wonderful as they gently clasped Sam's own.

"Thank you for your defense of my friend, Beatrice. But I perceive that our drinks are arriving." EDI turned to give a slight smile as the waitress approached.

Sam's eyes widened slightly. Had the asari's neckline always plunged that low? Or the top of her dress been that loose? She bobbled slightly as she leaned over, presenting each of the three women with their requested drinks. "Your appetizer should be out shortly. Have you had any thoughts about what sort of dinners you'd like?"

"Mmmmm..." Beatrice mused as she looked through the menu. "The three of us are newcomers, we're not familiar with most of the cooking here. What's usually popular?"

"Well, as I mentioned earlier, the jannura vahaen is our special for tonight, but I might recommend the Tevura spiced shrimp." The waitress shot EDI another smile. "It's a delicacy, and we got a live shipment in just this afternoon, so it's quite fresh!"

"Oooohh, sounds exotic." Sam chuckled and glanced from EDI to Beatrice. "I suppose we'll think about it after the sample dish."

"Sure thing." The asari flashed Sam a smirk, winked over at EDI and gave a friendly nod to Beatrice. "I'll go see what's keeping that and bring it right out for you."

"We'll be ready!" Beatrice cheerfully grinned back as the asari turned away. All three women could see how sexily the waitress presented herself, her hips rocking hypnotically as her rump, very clearly defined through her dress, rocked back and forth as she strutted away as if she was a model on display.

Sam shook her head as her human friend gave a snort, but it was EDI who spoke first. "If I recall, Tevura spiced shrimp are known to be a delicacy on Thessia. A traditional dish shared between lovers, and rumored to be an aphrodisiac."

There was a short pause, then Beatrice laughed. "Wow, that is one thirsty asari! Watch yourself Sam, some people will be trying to scoop Edi up for themselves!"

"That will not happen." EDI's tone was warm, but firm, her eyes centering on Sam's own, and a faint smile touching her lips.

The appetizer arrived shortly thereafter, with the waitress almost falling out of her top as she presented the platter to EDI. The succulent little bits of various types of seafood, both oriental human, and asari, was delicious and tempting, with the Tevura Spiced Shrimp pointed out especially by the flirty waitress.

EDI was quite calm and gentle with her, professionally courteous, even, despite Beatrice's needling, and Sam's embarrassment. Throughout the rest of the meal, the waitress did her beast to flirt with EDI, even going so far as to press up against her while taking away her (nearly untouched) platter, and looking hurt that the 'human' didn't eat more of the delicious spiced shrimp.

The disguised gynoid had explained that she was on a strictly reduced diet at the moment, which mollified the asari, though she did pack up the uneaten shrimp in a small to-go box for them.

"It's always great to see you!" Samantha hugged Beatrice. "And I'm glad you and Edi could meet, I hope we can do this again soon!"

Only Sam caught the ever-so-slight stiffening of EDI beside her, as the gynoid took Beatrice's hand for a gentle handshake. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Beatrice."

"Oh, the pleasure was definitely mine!" Bea answered. She paused as Sam went to speak with their valet, then Bea turned a little more somber. "Samantha is my best friend, Edi. She's been through a lot and she means a great deal to me. You take good care of her, you hear?"

"I assure you, no harm shall come to her while it is in my power to prevent it." EDI's eyes gleamed faintly as her gaze met Beatrice's, and for less than a heartbeat, her grip grew to be as hard and cold as steel.

Then the moment passed and Sam turned back to them, beaming with delight. "Our car will be here shortly. Beatrice, it's been lovely to catch up with you, but we have to go."

"Anytime, Sam! And don't you ever let Edi go!" Beatrice gave the pair a wave as Sam captured EDI's hand and drew her mechanical lover out of the restaurant.

"Mmm, I'm not sure you'd let me go, even if I wanted you to." Sam sighed, snuggling against the taller figure of her cool lover.

"Thankfully, that does not seem to be a scenario a probability matrix greater than...a very small amount." EDI subtly shifted her stride, leaning over to assist Sam into the aircar and walking around to slide in herself.

As the aircar lifted and EDI engaged the autopilot, she felt Sam's hand on her cheek and turned to see her lover's warm-brown eyes, half lidded in a lusty stare.

And as the car merged into traffic, Sam pulled EDI over for a long, long, lingering, lustful kiss, Sam's moans muffled by the sleek metallic tongue digging deep into her mouth.

Having an AI for a lover, Sam was so glad she recently got the Alliance gene-mod to hold her breath for as long as ten minutes...

"Thank you for seeing me on such short noticed, Your Grace."

"Think nothing of it, my friend." High Priestess Jan'shiri bowed her head to the visiting Matriarch. "Though I am curious as to the nature of your need?"

Benezia gave a faint sigh, struggling to keep her emotions in check. The news Joru had brought her not two days ago... "I...do not know if you have heard, but...my daughter..."

Even the mere mention of the fact, now nearly a month old, still choked her to silence.

The priestess's eyes were kind and she stood, walking around her modest desk, to sit beside the Matriarch on the small couch she kept for such audiences. "...She has passed into the arms of Athame?"

At Benezia's soft nod, the priestess took her hand and sighed. "There is little I could say to lessen your grief, nor would I wish to so belittle her memory. What can I do to help, Matriarch?"

It took some time before Benezia could speak again, and she hedged around the question to begin with. "It has been too long since I visited the Temple. When I first found... When I was in need, Shai'zhri comforted me. For that you have my gratitude, and I shall not be found miserly."

The high priestess smiled faintly at that, merely holding the Matriarch's hand for the moment. "And for that, we are most grateful. I sometimes despair that in these times, our temple has been almost forgotten."

"Not by those who know the value of a kindly word." The matriarch smiled and clasped Jan'shiri's hand, before retrieving her own. "But...I would wish to...'rent' sounds like too crass a term. Engage, perhaps? I am not sure."

"What is it you need?" The priestess shifted slightly, sitting slightly more upright.

"It is...a delicate matter." Benezia shifted herself, to better face the priestess. "I would like to perform a private ceremony, in... in remembrance of my daughter... It...it would have to be in a few days time, during the night of Syurinach."

Jan'shiri let out a soft breath. "That is...rather unusual for a remembrance. That night is-"

"I am aware of its significance." The Syurinach was the time of turning, when the walls between worlds was thinnest, according to the ancient traditions of the Athamite religion. Joru had done extensive research into asari philosophy and religion during the past few weeks, with numerous and more refined searches running first through the extranet, then in-person visits to various public, then private libraries.

"If...that is what you wish, then..." The priestess met her eyes in a frank, lightly pressing gaze.

"...it was L-Liara's favorite..." She didn't have to feign choking up. The grief mingled with hope and anticipation twisted her guts in a way she had never felt before, not even when the pregnancy had gotten complicated by her own advanced matriarch status.

A gentle hand touched her knee, and Benezia's eyes met those of the contrite, and tender priestess. "Then it shall be so. And thank you, for remembering us."

'If things go as Jorukaia predicts, then your temple will be remembered for ages to come.' Benezia thought, but did not say.