Chapter 14: Politics and a Second Date

Shepard, Alenko, and Williams entered the Human Embassy and found Udina at his desk with Anderson standing next to the desk. Udina had his usual scowl on his face as he stared the three down. "You found a rachni queen and you let it go?"

"Yes, I did." Shepard said.

"Well let's hope that it doesn't come with plans of galactic domination because I am already fielding complaints and fears Shepard."

Anderson wanting to end Udina's tirade spoke up. "What's done is done, what I am more concerned with is this Cerberus group."

"Yes, our mysterious mercenary group." Udina said stroking his chin. "Before this mission I have never heard of this Cerberus."

"For an unknown mercenary group, they were highly organized and unusually loyal." Alenko stated.

"Your right lieutenant but we have very little information to go after them directly." Anderson agreeing with Kaiden.

"So what can we do?" Williams asked.

"Exogeni is now under investigation and alliance's investigative wing is going through all their files and finances due to the rachni incident." Udina explained. "They should also uncover any links to this Cerberus group."

"I will also talk with some of my old contacts to see if they have heard anything about this Cerberus." Anderson said.

"In the meantime, I trust that the council will have a mission for you soon." Udina said dismissing the meeting.

Udina went back to his screen going over reports and writing his own reports for the Alliance. Anderson followed Shepard and the ground team out of the office. "Good work on Noveria and don't take what Udina says personally."

"I have a feeling that he would be grumpy even if we killed the Queen." Ashley said.

"Part of it has to do with the council." Anderson started explaining. "The Council put pressure on humanity to fit in with the galactic community, but at the same time our reputation with the other races makes it difficult."

"It must be why we are colonizing the traverse so quickly." Alenko guessed.

"Exactly." Anderson said confirming Kaidan's guess. "The races of the council are stretched thin enough as it is and the other races that have been part of the galactic community longer than we have are dealing with their own issues that make it difficult for them to expand."

"If they are the one's pushing for us to expand faster then we usually do pre-contact then why are they not the ones funding it?" Shepard asked.

"It's more complicated than Alien governments not funding them , it's also about human expansion, corporate interests, and people not even waiting to coordinate the funding and resources to set up a colony."

"What's going to happen with Noveria because I remember seeing a Turian patrol heading that way?" Shepard asked.

"It's the agreement that exists between Noveria and the council." Anderson answered. "With the overwhelming evidence of the rachni the council will now be investigating the planet and how the corporations are doing business there."

"Will anything really change?" Alenko asked.

"Not likely, maybe a press release and promises to do more due diligence." Anderson with an exhausted tone. "But that's for another day and enjoy your shore leave."

Anderson took his leave for his holo desk. "I'm going to check in on someone and I will probably be gone for a while." Shepard told her team.

"Alright have a good time commander." Alenko told her.

"Thank you Kaiden I will see you both tomorrow." Shepard said walking away.

Shepard headed toward the presidium's science center. She entered and approached the Asari working the front desk. The Asari looked up and saw her approach.

"May I help you?" She asked.

"Yes is Dr. T'soni available?"

"Let me check." The Asari said checking her holoscreen. "She is not in a meeting currently can you leave your name please?"

"Kat Shepard."

"Okay." She said pressing the call button. "Dr. T'soni a Kat Shepard is here to see you."

After a moment the receptionist looked up. "3rd floor 2nd door to the right."

"Thank you."

Shepard walked over to the elevator and entered it. Once the elevator reached the 3rd floor, she exited the elevator and fallowed the directions the receptionist gave her. The door opened and saw Liara reading through data pads. She looked up seeing Shepard.

"Oh Shepard it's good to see you again." Liara greeted putting the data pads down on the table.

Liara stood upquickly walked over to Shepard. Shepard smiled slightly at this. "It's good to see you to Liara."

"What brings you here?" Liara asked.

"Just got back from a mission and wanted to check on you and see if you wanted have dinner with me." Shepard inquired.

Liara widened her eyes at the invitation. "Of course, let me go to my apartment and get changed."

"Of course, lead the way."

Liara made sure that everything was put into their proper places before exiting and locking her office door. The two then exited the building and took a taxi to Liara's apartment. They entered her apartment and Shepard quickly noticed the many unopened boxes in her apartment.

"Need help unpacking?" Shepard asked.

"Oh, my stuff came last night. I haven't found the time to unpack yet."

"And do you want any help?"

"Maybe later, I have the day off tomorrow if you want."

"Sure, I will bring some music."

"Sounds good." Liara agreed. "I am going to change, and Shepard thank you."

Sheppard nodded before heading for the couch and sat down before pulling her omni-tool to check the net. She looked through the news to see any news on the Rachni not seeing any she closed it and waited for Liara to get ready. Liara soon exited her bedroom wearing a purple body suit/dress.

"Ready?" Liara asked.

"Ready."

The two exited Liara's apartment. Shepard allowed Liara to choose a restaurant. The restaurant looked to be a diner. The two took a seat at a booth. Liara looked at Shepard wearing her dress blues.

"So, what have you been up to since we last saw each other?" Shepard asked.

"Not much I can say really, looking over a Prothean beacon is exciting and I have a theory on how it works."

"Oh." Shepard said sounding intrigued.

"I think it keyed o a Prothean signature." She explained. "I think the Protheans use these Beacons to communicate across systems, but we know so little about their biology that we won't be able to know for sure."

Shepard was grinning on the verge of laughing. Liara noticed this and became nervous. Shepard seeing the shift in Liara's face she decided to speak. "I just like that you are doing something that you enjoy."

"Oh." Liara said in embarrassment. "Sorry when I saw you were smirking, I thought that you were about to laugh at me."

"No, I like someone doing something that they are passionate about."

Liara smiled softly. "Thank you, Shepard."

An Asari waiter came over and took their orders before heading back. Liara then looked back at Shepard. "So, what have you been up to?"

"Most I can't speak about, but I can say that I had to deal with corporate politics."

"I imagine that Noveria's weather is not the only pleasant thing about the planet."

Shepard kept her face cool. "What's happening on Noveria?"

"My mother is a powerful Matriarch and has shares in a company called Binary Helix and when I asked how she was doing, and she said that she will be visiting soon on the Citadel for a share holder meeting."

"I see."

"She wouldn't say much only that it involved a Turian Spectre and three Alliance soldiers one of whom had red hair."

"Maybe I can verify a few details once certain aspects of my mission become public; however, until then I can neither confirm nor deny where what, and how."

Liara giggled. "Of course, you are working with a Spectre so everything is top secret."

Shepard smiled widely starting to laugh and singed. "I'm an international super spy, super spy."

Liara laughed loudly, and Shepard smiled widely. Liara calmed down a little before the two continued telling stories of their adventures and laughing when something funny was being told. By the end their food was eaten and the two left with smiles on their faces.

The two headed for the movie theater Shepard that was showing classic human movies. One of them being Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark. Liara had never heard of it before, but she was assured by Shepard that she would enjoy it.

After the movie was over and the two were walking back to Liara's apartment. "I will admit that the movie was highly enjoyable though as an archeologist I can say that my profession is usually not so exciting."

"A Blood Pack raid being the exception."

"Yes, it makes me think that excitement is overrated."

"So, no running from runaway boulders on your next dig?" Shepard asked rhetorically.

"Thankfully they were more advanced than to use something so primitive." Liara countered.

"Maybe but I can see you the beautiful dashing Asari archeologist escaping a runaway boulder looking great for the camera."

Liara giggled. "Should there be music while I am doing something daring?"

"It helps with the atmosphere." Shepard pointed out on the verge of laughing herself.

Liara started laughing. "I will not argue with you there."

The fun came to an end however, when they reached Liara's apartment. Liara used her omni-tool to unlock the door to her apartment. Liara turned towards Shepard. "Thank you, Shepard it was lovely."

"Your welcome Liara I am glad that you enjoyed yourself."

They both smiled at each other before in a moment of courage Liara moved forward and kissed Shepard on the cheek. "Goodnight Shepard." She said nervously.

Shepard's smile stayed on her face. "Goodnight Liara." She said before the door closed.

Sorry for taking so long, my job and personal life keep me busy. I have had two comments that I wish to address.

As hard to believe I would imagine an Elcor being Spectre is possible most likely as political decision and/or used as more of an interrogator given their communication system revolves around pheromones more than speech. (Also I am sorry for the typos I am not very good at editing).

I have been asked about another story that I wrote and to be honest it's a story I am burnt out on and I wrote it with a bunch of other stories and I was doing too much and beyond my abilities. Again I am sorry but certain stories may be abandoned in the future so I don't burn myself out again.