Loyalties:

Mass Effect Trilogy is a Bioware game. For any reference to the Official Game All rights are owned by Bioware. The Fan Fiction "Mass Effect At Dawn Again" is fruit of my imagination and my work, it is a free tribute, passionate and personal to a great video game. It is not allowed any use partial or total for profit and not.

Chapter 12

Just two evils to choose from!

… The next day, Liara reaches Shepard early in the morning. She sits next to her, resting the gaze on her face, looking for every small change. Shepard is still, between her bed clothes, her eyes are closed, her expression is peaceful, as if asleep, but ... she doesn't! Who knows if, she senses Liara get close, and sit next to her, fixing gently her own hair on the pillow. Who knows if, she feels Liara's fingers caress her own cheek, and the tips of Liara's thumbs, slipping slight along her cheekbones. Who knows if, she senses Liara's seductive lips, laying gently to her own, kissing them slowly, with tenderness. Who knows if, Shepard hears Liara's whisper into her breath, as she says, "I love you ... I love you so much, Emy ... I love you!" Who knows if, she guesses Liara's hand looking for her fingers, intertwining tightly in her hand, and then ... who knows if, she has already identified Liara's delightful voice, low and soft, which is already going to speak softly, as every morning, and it heats up in one instant, the whole room ...

L: Your new mission was very delicate, even if compared it, having cross the Omega4 Relay, it seemed a bed of roses. In any case, I was very anxious about you! The very thought you had to deal with a dangerous mission completely alone, it made me distress. So, I spent my days, throwing myself into labor, trying not to think, in continuous extranet checking, hoping to receive news from you soon, but nothing arrived! My only consolation, it was the fact, I didn't feel you inside my mind which, would certainly mean you were not seriously in life-threatening conditions, and this thought gave me back a minimum of security. You had to go to a secret Batarian prison, hidden underground, back on Aratoht in Bahak System to free Dr. Amanda Kenson. She was an Alliance undercover agent, as well as an important human scientist, and Admiral Hackett's good friend. Doctor, was accused of terrorism against Batarian Hegemony, but informed the Admiral, she found irrefutable evidence, about imminent Reapers invasion. It wasn't an official mission, that's why you had to act with the utmost discretion. The Outpost's underneaths were dark and crumbling, passed through with damp and silent passages, where even the slightest noise was amplified, attracting the guards attention, who constantly patrolled the area. However, you know very well how to move in the shadows, slipping warily, without causing the slightest noise. Getting guards' speeches, who were talking to each other, you learned important information about the place where they kept Kenson locked up.

Bat: if she doesn't speak ... kill her!

Luckily, she was still alive! When you reached her cell, she was tied up in a sinister constriction device, which vaguely reminded of "Feron chair," and a Batarian guard was questioning her. For you, it was all too easy, catch the agent off guard behind, knocking him rapidly out. The Kenson, didn't expect to see you. She started to lose any hope for someone kept her rescue ...

K: Who are you? What are you doing here?

S: Dr. Kenson? Commander Shepard, I'm here to rescue!

K: Commander Shepard?! I heard you were still alive ... Hackett, must have received my message!

Doctor, freeing herself, she set off the alarm, blowing your cover. All Batarian guards suddenly knew of your presence, so, discretion goodbye! You had to leave as soon as possible from that place, reaching shuttles' Hangar, but the way was shut off. The only option was by hacking a terminal, to open a way out. The whole area was full of soldiers very soon. They were firing on you from everywhere. You had to provide coverage to Kenson, who worked feverishly at the terminal. After an intense firefight with not quantifiable number of enemies, Kenson managed to override the system, opening a way to the shuttles. However, Hangar's hatches were sealed off, and wherever teeming with enemies who were trying to keep you from blowing up the blocks. At this point, you were almost outside, you certainly couldn't give up now! Kenson gave you a hand like she could, but you were only two, and unlock the exit was not easy. Finally, the blocks jumped, and you brought in save the Doctor, quickly fleeing with her, on board a shuttle.

S: Do you think they'll follow us?

K: I don't rule it out. Batarians don't suit so much humans who want to destroy their Relays!

S: so, the accusation against you it was true!

K: Well, actually there's more. My team and me, we were investigating about Reapers' technology on fringes of this System ...

S: I guess you've found something ...

Doctor Kenson told you a really shocking news! She claimed to have found evidence that, Reapers were about to reach the System, invading from there the whole galaxy, by moving through the Relay, which she called "Alpha Relay"! So, Kenson had already worked out a plan, which from the beginning, it seemed to you absolutely insane ...

S: then, do you decide to destroy it!?

K: right! So, we will prevent the invasion! Even traveling at lightning-speed, it would take several months or even years to reach the nearest Relay.

Kenson and her team, "the Project group," had devised a plan so daring as thoughtless, hurling an Asteroid against Relay, in order to destroy it, preventing Reapers to use it. The Relays are the most powerful force field engines in the Galaxy. The energy generated by the explosion is comparable to the supernova one. Such a magnitude devastation could completely clear the System from galactic maps, destroying the nearby Batarians' colony, where they lived almost 300,000 people! Doctor said you, she had found among Asteroids around the Relay, an artifact called "Object Rho." So, they have established their "Base Project" just on this Asteroid, in order to study it. Obviously, you were really looking forward to examining the artifact. The first thing you noticed, landing on the asteroid, it was a big panel above the front door of the Base, which it was showing a countdown ... two days, three hours, 25 minutes, 20 seconds. Your blood ran cold, in front of such a vision because, it was the time missing before Reapers arrival! It was a terrible eventuality, you hoped with all your heart could be just a mistake! However, the artifact was emitting some kinds of pulse with regular intervals. Since it was found, the interval duration between one pulse and the other constantly decreased ... So, calculate the time remaining, it resulted as easy as chilling, and you were upset! The Reapers could come through the Relay in just over two days! You did not have any time to lose. So, you immediately followed Dr. Kenson to Central Experimental Zone, where the object was stored up. Destroying Relay did not prevent Reapers arrival, but they wouldn't reach quickly any other destination in the galaxy, preventing them from invading the Earth or any other Planet, before many months or even years. For this reason, you also were starting think that maybe, Relay should be utterly destroyed!

… The artifact was remarkable, it gave off a glow, like a sort of energy field, which enveloped it completely. Its shape vaguely resembled a flower, whose synthetic petals, ending at apex with a kind of bright blue eye, in oval appearance. The whole structure reminded damn the Reapers technology. You didn't like it nothing all that because, there wasn't any containment measures, none precautions, and Dr. Kenson approached the artifact, like nothing happened, without the slightest protection.

S: Kenson, I don't like it at all!

K: be patient, Shepard, you are going to get the proof you need.

...When you approached the object, it projected into your mind a vision, like Prothean beacon, back on Eden Prime, but much more clear and detailed. Suddenly, your mind was dragged into an unbearable looming of shocking images of invasion and destruction ... of death! You were wrapped by frost and despair, you throat was strangled by fearing! You were crushed with an urgent need to escape that fate, a burning urgent to fight, to survive! Images were showing Reapers in large number as they were reaching the Alpha Relay! ... In the end, they finally cleared from your head, as you fell down on the ground, in the grip of severe pain, while Dr. Kenson were aiming at you, and all your worst suspicions were sadly making reality ...

K: I can't let you activate the "Project", Shepard ... Arrival cannot be stopped!

While you tried hard to get up from the floor, you realized that, the truth was much worse than expected! Dr. Kenson had been indoctrinated, and she was controlled by the Reapers. She never would allow you, by fair means, looking for a way to stop them. From the beginning, she was luring you in a trap, trying to make you become like her! Unfortunately, Kenson was already hopelessly under Reaper's power, and this filled you with sadness. You thought Admiral Hackett, how much this news would make him suffer. The stakes was proving much higher than expected, but you were still in time to evacuate the colony. So, you had to stay focused, succeeding in activate the "Project", no matter the risk! You were slumped to the ground, holding at gunpoint by Kenson who believed having defeated you. However, you grabbed her gun, with a feline jerk, and quickly you tear it off by her hand, attracting at yourself all her guards' fire, as she runs off by ordering to kill you! You dived behind a shelter, having intention to resist as long as possible. You were hoping in your heart, agents were left in just a few. While you fought like a tigress, with the usual talent and determination, the Harbinger took control of Rho object, starting to talk to you! His voice was chilling, his words didn't know any mercy ...

H: If you surrender we don't kill you! Your Galaxy is near, and even your end. Hang in, much as you like, in the end your mind will be mine! ... You'll be the first to witness our arrival!

His frightening voice, and those disturbing words, but only served to spur on your obduracy, your own desperate will to resist at any price. It just getting to the point to flare you up, allowing you to beat back anyone who, Kenson will launch you on. You were alone against an army, but it was not the first time that happened! Despite the extreme effort, you kept to survive until the last enemy died. Your goal was to reach the Doctor, before she could escape. You pass through, running next to the object Rho. Without even time to realize it, you were overwhelmed by a blinding flash of light, coming from the artifact, which made you instantly pass out. The Harbinger took Doctor's control. Her eyes became like two embers, and her haunting voice, no longer had anything human, as she said ...

DRK: bring her to the infirmary and preparing ... we need Shepard is alive!

… You were lying down, who knows how long, on infirmary exam. table. When you slowly re-opened your eyes, the ceiling lights blinded you. As you were trying to get up, you had a great head pain. There was a woman in the room, she was checking a data-pad, speaking to the comm., saying that sedatives didn't work. When she saw you get up, she called security, quickly fleeing into another room. Two soldiers came toward you with intention to immobilize you. You were without armor and weapons, but you took both of them by surprise, rapidly knocking they out, with skillful movements in hand to hand combat. However, the door was locked, it was already too late because, the woman had erected a containment barrier. You had to find a way to get out of there, immediately, no matter the cost! You had no idea how long it left to activate the "Project", as that damn barrier, kept you trapped. Fortunately, you managed to activate a Mech, using it to bring down door's kinetic barrier ... Finally, you were out, but you have been a long time senseless, very little time was left! Less than two hours to activate the "Project", and run away. Luckily, they had left your armor and weapons. You were running toward Control Center, but soon you met resistance. All Kenson's agents had been indoctrinated, and fought valiantly to keep you from advancing. However, the stake was too important, you couldn't get yourself gunned down! The galaxy entire depended on your success, and you knew it all too well. Your sense of responsibility had never been put to the test so hard. You could never forgive yourself if you failed! You had just to stand up! You had only to advance a few steps again, a few painful steps at a time, just few yards yet, to reach that room ... finally it seemed done!

- Project Control ...-

S: I want to activate the "Project"!

- "Project" activation will cause about 305,000 died ...-

To be precise they were 304.942 innocent victims. You were standing in front of console, and you were staring at that number with a pang of emotion. You had to take a rapid decision, the hardest you ever made in your whole life! You had to choose between saving innocent 304.942, or destroy the Relay, to slow down the beginning of Reapers' invasion. You had to find a way to prevent a war, which otherwise would cause the total annihilation of all life evolved being in the Galaxy. Making hard choices is your job, as well as save as many innocent people. You're a Soldier N7, one Council's Spectre, a wonderful woman, struggling with all herself to promote peace and distention in every situation, at the cost of great sacrifices. Your biggest hope was to still be in time to evacuate the Colony! You couldn't wait any longer, you had to deal at the same time also the terrible risk, incurring losses among the settlers. It really breaks your heart, but you didn't see another way. You had no more time to think, time to look for solutions ... time ... time ... cursed time fuckin'! Maybe, there wasn't even time left to act anymore! You had to take an immediate decision so, between two terrible evils, you have chosen ... lesser!

-"Project" activation in progress ... Beware, Relay collision upcoming, start procedures for evacuation.-

You were trying to alert Batarians settlers about collision, so that they could reach safety. Suddenly, Dr. Kenson cut you off, preventing you to warn Batarians, as she was speaking to terminal comm ...

K: ... You leave me no choice, if I can't stop this asteroid, I will destroy it!

You've tried in every way to convince her not to do it! You told her it was still possible to get away, alerting the settlers, too. However, Kenson was lost! She was completely under Harbinger's thumb, hopelessly indoctrinated, and subservient to the Reapers! In her frenzy of fanaticism, she intended to overload the Reactor Core, by blowing up the asteroid before it reached the Alpha Relay. You had to stop her absolutely. There was no other way if, getting to reactor before her. The race against the clock was fast. You couldn't slow down too much with her men, who unfortunately seemed never ending. Meanwhile, the asteroid was inexorably approaching to the Relay, and the Doctor to the Reactor Room. Thanks to Goddess, you managed to reach her in time!

K: Don't try to stop me, Shepard ... I have to do it!

S: I've already activated the "Project", we can still get out of here!

K: There's no escape, there's no redemption for what you've done! I will die without having known the Reapers' blessings, and you're coming with me!

S: shit!

There was nothing by now you could to do, getting to stop her. When she fled, you could not help but follow her, preventing her to blow up the Central Core. You broke through your way, against her men, as you were blasting away, head down, and never give in! You succeeded to reactivate the first cooling rod, stabilizing the core. However, another rod remained, the way to reach it, was teeming of enemy agents. You were alone, tired, and forced to fight hard against an entire army. However, you are an outstanding soldier who, fights with her heart. So, after a fierce battle, you reached the second cooling rod, activating it just in time, to prevent the core from melting down.

-"Cooling rod B inserted, reactor melting avoided. Temperature falling down."-

K: is useless Shepard! I can still override the engines' power. Try to stop me!

The Control room was near, you didn't take long to get there. By now, Dr. Kenson seemed in the grip of a relentless glorification. She blamed you to have ruined everything because, she could no longer hear the "whispers" in her head, and other things like that. Although she had tried to kill and stop you in various ways, you could not help but feel so sorry for her, thinking how Kenson's fate was comparable to that ... that ... of ... matriarch ... Benezia who, despite her best intentions, she could not resist the insidious influence of Saren and Sovereign who completely annihilate her will, turning her into an instrument in their hands. Paying for just one levity the highest price: the one of ... her life!

Liara stops herself, hiding her face in her hands, as she tries with all her strength, to hold back that wave of sudden tears, which are pressing fiercely into her lashes. She thinks back to her mother, about their last meeting. She misses her mother! She still feels in terrible pain. Especially now that, she would need her so much. Liara tries to resist, she takes a deep breath, then another one, looking for the strength to keep from weeping. Then, she grabs Shepard's hand, kissing it passionately. She squeezes it onto her own heart, who beats against her own chest, and it cannot slow down ... Shepard's beats even, rapidly increases, go out of range, enabling alarm detector. It is no more happened from some time. Karin gets up and speaks to Liara affectionately, over comm ...

K: Liara, what's up? Oh, my Dear, sorry! Please, don't cry! Chin up! Shepard is out of range, you must try to calm you down! I know, re-living certain memories is very hurts, but Angel, you're very strong, you can do it, my Dear girl! All these bad moments will pass soon, you'll see, and your ... Emily will return to you! I'm sure, she only wants hug you again! It's running short of time, cheer up Angel, she will come back!

Karin's words are so friendship and hope full of so, Liara lets console herself. Gradually, Liara's beats are slowing down, her tears subside it, and her voice regains tranquility, as she starts talking...

L: Oh Karin, thank you! You are my dear friend! ... You're right, I can do it! Shepard, don't worry, it has passed! Sometimes, I miss my mother, you know, but I feel better now, we can continue ... Come on, my Star, calm down you too!

Liara's voice reaches deep into Shepard. Her sweet and affectionate tone caresses Shepard's heart, embrace it, hugs it, wraps it of consolation. Soon, Shepard's beats slow down, they calm down, taking up a leisurely pace, regular. Liara's hand squeezes tenderly the Shepard one, slipping between her fingers, reassuring her with Liara's gentle touch. Shepard, let herself lull again, by her wraparound voice, which continues to remember ...

L: You reached Dr. Kenson in Reactor room, at the master control panel, just in time!

S: step away from Reactor ... right now!

K: You've taken them away! I can't hear the whispers, anymore ... I won't watch Reapers' Arrival!

Kenson was raving, with a detonator in her hand. Despite your desperate attempts to dissuade her, she pressed the button. There was an explosion, which knock you violently back to the ground.

-"Imminent Collision ... Imminent Collision … Imminent Collision ..."-

Computer kept send out the most terrible warning! Kenson was dead, evaporated with explosion, which had left you to the ground! After a few long moments, you found the strength to get up, attempting to contact the Normandy. Communications were interrupted, the settlers were lost, and your life under serious threat! Just one hope, to reach the Communications Tower in time, and dash off on board a shuttle. You had less than half an hour to do that. So, you ran and ran, as fast as possible, to the exit. When you were outside, all remaining agents await you in forces. You had to fight to be able to advance. Finally, you were going to reach Communications Tower, opening an external channel to contact the Normandy. However, what you stood before your eyes, it made your blood froze. Harbinger's holographic vision, who reminded the same apparition back on Virmire was suspended just in front of you, flying in the air, and speaking with dark and menacing voice, announcing devastating predictions ...

H: Shepard, I've had enough of you! You are opposed to unavoidable ... it is useless to fight against the cosmic currents. The sacrifice of a System may sounds like a victory. Nevertheless, your great civilization, are destined to break down. Your leaders bow down to us!

Harbinger's inconceivable arrogance, his incomprehensible waste of innocent lives, the senseless threat hymned by him, they got just the result to fly you off the handle! You didn't retreat by one step, as your voice confident was thundering against the Harbinger, like the bravest of all the challenges!

S: maybe it's true! Maybe we cannot win it, but we will fight anyway! As we did with the Sovereign, and like I'm doing now! Maybe we are insignificant, but we will continue to fight, and to sacrifice ourselves, and we will find a way! ... These are humans!

H: Let's know one thing before you die in vain. Your time is over, your species will end. Let you prepared to Arrival!

Having uttered these words, Harbinger vanished as it had appeared ... into thin! Just when it seemed over, you received Normandy's call. Communications had been reactivated and your ship was coming for you! In a flash you were on board, Joker carried you away, through the Relay, just a moment before, the Asteroid crushed against, making it to blow up. There was a huge explosion, which pulverized the entire System, erasing it from galactic maps forever. Together with 304.942 innocent lives! The first few, in devastating war against the Reapers!

… You were still in the infirmary, Karin was treating you few scratches, when you received a very unexpected visit for the Cerberus' frigate. Admiral Hackett in person came on board, talking to you ...

S: Admiral Hackett ... I didn't expect to see you here!

H: you made me a big favor! So, I decided to brief you in person. That was before the Relay exploded, destroying an entire Batarians System! Can I know what the hell it happened, Commander!?

Explain to Admiral Hackett how it happened, it was very difficult. The real danger of a war against Batarians, with so imminent Reaper's threat, it was something politically difficult to legitimize. Hackett understood that, you had no other choice, and also that Reapers' threat was real. Nonetheless, your motivations would have been very difficult to gain acceptance to Batarians who certainly would not have heard any reason. They didn't expect anything but a pretext, to take revenge against humans, by hitting the Earth! Actually, whole galaxy should have been grateful to you because, your intervention proved to be providential to prevent Reapers' arrival. However, that experience caused you a such unbearable pain, a deep wound in your interior that, it would never again stopped bleeding, from that day onward ...

S: they died to save billions of lives! If I could save them, I would have done, I swear!

H: You have no need to convince me, Commander! If I had my way, I would already give you a fucking medal! Unfortunately, not everyone thinks the same way!

S: What do you suggest, Sir?

H: the evidence against you are inconsistent for now, but sooner or later you will have to come back to Earth, facing charges ... I can't prevent it, but I will do everything possible to support you!

S: I could be judged right away ... my mission is over!

… Liara still holds Shepard's hand, she squeezes it in its own strongest. Her gaze glides like a caress on that unchanging aspect. Eyes full of love and deep admiration, rest on that quiet face, looking for the light, hidden behind the closed eyelids of Shepard's eyes, which cannot see the infinite tenderness of Liara's gaze in her bright blue ray ...

L: Ah, you know, I still cannot believe, avoiding a war against Batarians, you have risked to stand trial! You have been arrested, discharged and forced to prove once more, how much the Reapers threat was real! As destroy the Alfa Relay has been unavoidable, and how much has been painful for you. You were forced to prove that, such a number of innocent victims, it has been a tragedy which, revealed absolutely impossible to avoid! I always thought nothing short of disconcerting that, Alliance and Council, instead of give you great praise for defeating the Sovereign, Saren, the Collectors ... for yours unceasing strong opposition to Reapers' arrival, which costing you so high price, for all the tough decisions, and the painful losses that events have forced you to face. However, they will continue to treat you like a mad visionary woman! Systematically not considering all your copious warnings, they wanted even to prosecute you! Although you were looking for a way to stop the Reapers, even at the price of your life! All this, has always enraged me Shepard because ... it's just plain crazy, and intolerable, and you ... you ah, my Love! ... You could walk off, slamming the door, and send them all to hell! Instead, you agreed to get you to judge, as if you knew that, for the purposes of their clear conscience, they had already sentenced you!

Liara is very upset, she has been caught in the vortex of those memories, still too recent. Her protective instincts towards Shepard, for a moment got the better of her. Liara shaking Shepard's hands, then she lays it on her belly, gently. She feels an immediate rush of sweetness flowing inside her, wrapping both of them. It is so pleasant sensation, so reassuring emotion. She immediately calm down, and with no more anxiety, she starts to speak again ...

… It was late afternoon of the same day, when finally, I received a strange chat request, on one of my old extranet encrypted address. It was You! My heart jumped into my throat for joy, as I felt the emotion explode like a cannon shot in my chest. I didn't know anything yet about outcomes of your mission, but the mere fact to know you were back, it filled me with happiness and emotion. Do you remember our chat of that day, Emily? I kept it in my omni-tool, I read and read it again, for hundreds of times when you were not there. I still keep it with me, you know because, I never can part me from anything which concerns You, or Us. So, I'll read it for you now ...

S: Hey, are you there? I'm sorry, I cannot use the video comm. I will explain you late. I came back two hours. Mission … accomplished!

L: Shepard! Thanks to the Goddess! Are you OK?!

S: I miss you so much!

L: I miss you too, but ... you did not answer ... are you okay?!

S: physically, I am okay, but ... Ah, I am in pieces!

L: my Star, please, talk with me ...

S: for details, you are going to receive a copy of my mission report, Edi has just submitted ... Dr. Kenson was indoctrinated! The Reapers wanted to use Alfa Relay, entering the Galaxy, and from there start invasion of every System! When I arrived, they were left a little over two days before the arrival. There was only one way to try to prevent it. An asteroid collision against the Relay, with which causing its destruction, but ... with it, even the annihilation of all Batarians Outposts of the System, and ... the death of 304.942 poor innocents! Only two evils to choose from ... no other way ... no other way ... no other cursed way fucking! Oh, goddammit!

L: Oh, Shepard! It's ... terrible! Why didn't you look for me?! I want to be by your side! I could help you, Emily, sharing your pain! I thought that, you too, you want it! That, you too, you need me!

S: Oh, Liara! I needed you to die for, but! It was terrible! I am sorry! ... I just wanted to protect you, my sweetheart! I have been unconscious for almost two days. Then, the pressure of events! I had so little time to think, and ... all my life to repent! I love you Liara, crazily! I didn't want force you to bear such a weight. I feel like a monster! I am a fucking monster Liara, who caused the death of 300,000 people! I cannot allow you to experience this horrible feeling for my fault! This is my job, not yours! The blame must be only mine, just my own all effects, just my own all the shame! So, my Love ... if from now on, you will feel for me nothing but contempt ... I will understand!

L: Shepard! What are you saying! You are not at all a monster! Cut it out, immediately! I do not allow you, not even to think something like that! ... ... Hey, my Love! My endless love, you are the most extraordinary creature I have ever known! If there had been another way, you would have found it Shepard! I am totally sure, but there wasn't! I ... well, I would have chosen the lesser evil, and now I would be in pieces ... just like you! Oh, Emy ... I love you! I'm so sorry! I would do anything to be able to comfort you, at least a little bit!

S: Oh, Thank you! I love you too! I was afraid I'd lost you forever, Liara! Don't worry, you are already doing a lot for me, my Love, believe me, but sadly … that's not all!

L: I am here ... cheer up darling, and remember ... you do not try to leave me behind, never again!

S: Oh Liara, never again, I promise! Well, I have to come back on Earth, give back the Normandy, and … … ...

L: Shepard!

S: they arrest me, Liara! I will be prosecuted, and ... likely, they will take me away my Ship, and my degree of Commander. I could be also dishonorably discharged, to calm tensions with Batarians, warding off the war danger. They will use me as a scapegoat for their political matters! So, well ... nothing new!

L: … … ...

S: Hey, my little Baby girl! Don't cry ... I love you!

L: OK, I'm sorry ... I'll try! It's just that, I feel so helpless! All this is terrible, but ... I don't know how to help you! If only I could hold you in my arms!

S: eh ... it would be great!

L: How long will it take?

S: I don't know ... I suppose several months.

L: Oh no, no, no! ... It's not fair! They cannot do this to you! Not after everything you've done for the Galaxy! You are a heroine Shepard! They should give you at least a hundred medals, and be ashamed. Damn, they all go to hell! Shit ... oh, no damn it!

S: Hey ... I'm all right. You don't know how much I love you! Don't worry my Darling, thanks to you I will find the strength to resist! I will deal with every thing, fighting with all of myself, with all my heart, to prove my innocence, and come back Home ... to You ... as soon as possible! However, what really matters right now is that, they are ignoring me! They behave as if nothing had happened, almost all, the Council and Alliance, they continue to think I am a poor crazy human freaked out, instead of beginning to prepare us, to organize a defensive line, studying a plan, gather the greatest deal of resources as possible because, ... they are arriving, damn it!

L: Shepard, I will always be by your side! I will not leave you alone, I will use all my resources to get you out of this horrible position, I promise! I will fight like a lion, and in the end they will have to listen us! We'll do it, you'll see, in usual way! So, when the Reapers will come, we'll know how to face them ... Together!

S: ...

L: ...

S: ...

L: hey, please quit! I can't see you cry! You break my heart, you know!

S: You cannot see me ...

L: instead I can! Please ... oh, please don't cry!

S: OK ... OK, now it's better! Don't worry about me, take it easy. We will overcome this situation, you'll see, I'm sure! Unfortunately, we are forced to be far away once again. You know that, if I could reach you, I would do it ... isn't it?

L: Of course I know, Shepard! No matter how long we have to wait! The two of us, we are linked, for eternity. So, I will be here, at home ... for you, as soon as you can!

S: Look attachments ...

L: hey, music! Beautiful! ... Oh, Emy, do you remember the Video lounge?

S: every dreamlike moment ...

L: You know, I can no longer hear that wonderful music. Not without burst into tears, after a few seconds. Not without you!

S: Of course you can't! Ah, me neither ... not alone! It will be our song, okay? When finally we ... well, we will rejoin our souls, our bodies, our minds ... sharing every thought, every emotion, every sigh, every beat, and deep feeling, tying our senses in a unique, and endless wonder!

L: Oh Emy! I love that piece, and ... I cannot wait to hear it together with you!

S: Well, maybe I could escape from prison and ...

L: Don't make promises you can't keep!

S: Hey, sorry, I was just kidding! Anyway, back to the three tracks I send you ... If you really want to share with me also my "unhappy part," since we can't see each other ... you'll need a bit of music! These pieces convey every emotion much better than words. However, the first to be honest, far as my ... "super happy part!" It is just to say I love you! It's called "Beethoven's Silence", by Cortazar. It always has been my favorite piece, and ... now I know why!

L: Why?

S: Because it's you, my Love! Everything about you that, it can't describe with words, but more intimately belongs to you. Every sensation, every feeling, every beat or emotion, which your presence infuses in me. Your sweetness, your strength and courage, the strong determination to fight. All the wonderful feelings you got for me! Your fantastic way of being, to express yourself. Your soul, every thing of you which, reaches my eyes, pervading my heart ... If I knew how to compose music, every musical note, every silence, and harmonic chord, or melody variation, they would be exactly the same, with which my soul would like to talk to you! The second one is at this moment, what better reflecting my mood. It is an "Adagio for violin" of another old human composer of the past, called Albinoni. Its melody minutely expresses, as is stirring within my heart. Every sensation, each emotion, any soul's gasp, the joy and torment, all my thoughts, all my Love for you. Furthermore, also the anger and despair ... my fear! In the last piece of Beethoven, "Für Elise" instead, you will recognize one by one all my intentions, how I plan to react to events that affect us. I don't want to give up, Liara! I wanna fight! Overcoming adversity which keep us away! I want to give my all, getting the credibility that I miss, which will bring us back together! Every night, at 10:30 o'clock, I'll be in my room, with little light. Before sleeping, I will listen these wonderful melodies, thinking of You. To know that you too, wherever you are, you are doing the same thing, thinking to me, it will allow me to feel you closer. If I close my eyes, I will can imagine you within my embrace, perceiving the sweetness endless, with which you hug to me, being able to find, at least a tiny fragment of that peace and consolation that, only You can give me!

L: Oh Shepard, you ... you are the most wonderful creature, this universe has ever known! You are simply fantastic, and I ... I can't describe, not even remotely, all the love I feel for you! Emily ... Emy! ... oh ... I love you! ... I love you! "My Soul," "My Life," "My Just One Reason"!

S: Hey, my little baby girl! Now, I wish I could give you a kiss, Little Heart! Unfortunately, at this moment, the Normandy is mooring back on Vancouver ... I gotta go! So, please, take care of yourself, and remember, you have no need to worry because, our destiny is to be together, and no law court can prevent us for a long time! I will always love you, Liara! See you soon, endless blue sky, my sweet blue baby! Soon, my Eternity!

L: soon "my Life" ... "my Soul" ... "my Everything!"

To be Continue ….