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 14
God help us all!
… Do you remember that day, my Love!? Ah, of course you remember! It's a permanent pain, which marked your heart with fire, digging a deep injury in your soul. It's an experience which has upset forever your life, and you will never forget! In that moment, you were in Vancouver in detention block of Headquarters Alliance of Systems. You were under arrest for almost six months, discharged and awaiting trial. You couldn't see anyone, and even less communicate! A really special treatment, no doubt about, for a brave soldier with impressive military records who, had sacrificed so much for the Alliance, humanity and all galaxy! In Defence Committee's room, there was also Admiral Anderson, that day. He was in radio comm with Admiral Hackett. News they were beginning to get, didn't promise anything good ...
A: How bad is it?
H: bad!... We just lost contacts with two of ours deep space outposts. There's something massive on the long range scanners!
A: it this what Shepard warned us about?
H: I'd stake my life on it!
A: how long do we have?
H: not long ... I've sent word. The Fleets are mobilizing ...
A: God help us all!
Anderson called you, and ordered to lieutenant James Vega, escort you to him. There was an unusual activity that day, a sort of general alert status, and you were starting to suspect the reason. When you met Admiral Anderson in the hallway, you were very glad to see him. You missed him. Although it was your superior officer, your relationship has always been very friendly. He shown great trust in you, on several occasions. He had accorded you, the command of the Normandy, which was his Ship. He had always supported you, in front of Council and Alliance, fighting doggedly to convince them of the soundness of your theories about the Reapers. His affection for you went far beyond the normal military relations. Often, he treated you like a daughter, and for you he represented, the closest thing to a father you ever had! Despite trying to hide it, Anderson was rough. So, he hurried to inform you about the situation ...
A: ... Admiral Hackett mobilizing the Fleets ... I'm guessing word's made it to Alliance Command … something big's headed our way ...
S: the Reapers?!
A: we don't know. Not for certain.
S: what else could it be?
A: if I knew that …
S: You know we're not ready if it is them ... not by a long shot!
A: tell that to the Defence Committee.
The Defence Committee wanted to see you. You suddenly became the maximum Reapers expert available to them. So, they expected from you that, you would find a way to defeat them quickly because, coincidentally, the enemy was real, and no one else was familiar with it better than you!
S: that why they grounded me? Took away my Ship?!
A: ... you know that's not true!... When you blew up the Batarians Relay, hundreds of thousands of Batarians died!
S: it was that, or let the Reapers walk through our back door.
A: I know that Shepard, and so does the Committee. If it wasn't for that, you'd been court-martialed, and left to rot in the bring!
S: that, and your good word?
A: Yeah, I trust you Shepard! And so, does the Committee.
The Defence Committee was waiting for you impatiently. There was a lot of concern because, the reports that kept coming, they were increasingly worrying. Whole Colonies were already untraceable. It was impossible to communicate with anything beyond the Sol Relay. On the officers' faces dropped at first consternation, then disbelief which were about to turn into pure terror!
S: what's the situation?!
DC: ... whatever this is, it's incomprehensibly powerful.
"Incomprehensibly powerful," ah! Those words hurt you more than a sharp knife stuck in your stomach. You had to fight with all of yourself, to keep calm in front of the saddest payback. Inside you, you would have preferred a thousand years of jail rather than be right! Much better to be a raving woman freaked out, without degree and without honor! Much better to rot in a cell lifetime, rather than be right! You felt burning with rage, and break out of pain. You wanted to shout out them in face: -"damned dickheads, I was right, wasn't it?! You believe me now, damned assholes! How much time did we waste, dammit?! Who is the freaked out, shitheads?! Who the hell the fucking insane is, now?!"- ... Instead, you even succeed in appearing calm, despite your heart burst in pieces, and your voice was about to reveal the worst of all truths ...
S: you brought me here to confirm what you already know ... the Reapers are here!
DC: then ... how do we stop them?!
You couldn't afford to dwell on the past, no one could do anything about it now! Perhaps, there would have been not even time to repent enough! You could only put everybody in front of harsh reality that, each of them had up to that point so recklessly continued to ignore. Now it could really be too late because, you were not ready at all, there was no time, and no one in the entire galaxy had prepared to face them! We could only try to resist, all together ... trying to survive!
S: Stop them? This isn't about strategy or tactics. This is about survival! Reapers are more advanced than we are. More powerful. More intelligent ... They don't fear us, and they'll never take pity on us!
CD: but ... there must be some way!
S: if we're going to have any chance at surviving this ... we have to stand together!
DC: that's it? That's our plan?!
Meanwhile, another report occurred which informed, you had lost Luna Base contact ... The Reapers had eluded easily, all of your defenses. They were heading straight for Earth high-speed. Then, visual contact with the British Headquarters, wiped out the last doubt about the horrible fate the Earth was about to face ... London was under attack!
… Suddenly, I heard screaming in my mind! My heart desperately accelerate into yours. Your pain overpowered me, while my breath was running to the frantic pace of your breathing. Your heartbeats were exploding in my chest, then ... my eyes in your eyes, and fire and explosions which filled the big screen in a large room! Soldiers fell down to dozens! Screams and despair were filling the room. Suddenly, a huge dark figure appeared in the sky, coming down like a predatory giant insect. Right after, connecting was interrupted! For a long moment, just disbelief and waiting ... your silence in my silence, my dismay into yours ... then, Admiral Anderson's voice ...
A: why haven't we heard from Admiral Hackett?
DC: what do we do?
Finally, only one desperate certainty, in your soul, in my soul, and ... the tone of your voice which sounded bitterly into the room ...
S: the only thing we can. We fight, or we die!
Anderson suggested reaching the Normandy, but it was too late. They were already there! By now, no one could doubt it, never again! From the beginning, the Commander Shepard had always been right! What emerged beyond the large window it was terrifying, disquieting and horrific. A giant Reaper, like an icky armored insect was floating, suspended in the air, aiming its disturbing red eye against Defense Committee. In short, an incandescent beam cut through the air, destroying everything in its path! ... My terror screamed on you, into your immediate reaction! ... -"Move Shepard, move ... go, go!"- … There was a titanic explosion, and groans and lapping of flames! Just after, many soldiers and DC's officers were lying on the ground, lifeless! You had avoided to come struck from the rubble on fire, throwing you to the ground with a leap. However, the tremendous shock wave, it got ran over you! I had the feeling of flying, holding my breath, then a loud crash. Pain everywhere, and unbearable heat ... dark, silence and my world in shards! … -"No, no ... no Goddess! Oh, please, not again!"- ... In my mind, in your mind, only your name … -"Shepard! Shepard! ... Shepard!"- ... Then your breath in my breath once again. A wave of love in my heart, and in yours. My voice along with Admiral Anderson voice in your head. We were calling you all the time, forcing you to open your eyes! … At once you and me! Together again, two in one! … -"Shepard, are you okay?! Do you hear me?! Come on! ... Hold on, my love! Oh, Emy, I love you!"- … -"I'm OK, don't worry! I hear you! ... I love you too! Oh, Liara ... here we go!"- … You could do only one thing ... try to reach the Normandy. Headquarters, had suffered severe damage. You and Anderson, you had to make your way through the flames and rubble, scattered everywhere. Soon, you had to repulse the attacks of the Reapers' death squads who, wandered around, hunting for survivors! To reach the Normandy's docking, you had to come out, and cross through other collapsed buildings. As you went inside an edifice, a strange noise shot your senses on alert, almost immediately. Just after, tenderness and compassion, gripping your stomach, clinging onto mine! It was only a terrified child, hidden inside a ventilation duct. He was no more than six, or seven years old. I sensed you recognize his face, follow him in your memory. You had observed him, just before the attack, from the window of your quarters, while he was playing with the Normandy's model, in the gardens underlying. His carefree running, had filled you with tenderness. Now, those same blue eyes were staring at you, huge and wide open, in the grip of an overwhelming fright. His facial expression, a grimace of disconcert. Your dismay in my dismay, while I felt the tenderness of that memory turning into pain. Your pain into anger, my anger into helplessness, your helplessness into an urgent of protection's desire. Then, you spoke gently, doing your best to calm him ...
S: Hey … it's okay!
C: everyone's dying!
S: come here ... I need to get you someplace safe ... take my hand ...
C: you can't help me!
Admiral Anderson called you, just as you were trying to take child's hand. In a flash the kid vanished into thin air. It left us, pervaded with great distress feeling! We wondered how many children were fleeing desperate, ripped from the tranquility of their families, from the love of their loved ones, but killed for no reason, without any respect for their lives, and for their pain! Your regret in my regret, all our distress inside a single heart! … Inside your voice ...
S: it's hard enough fighting a war, but it's worse knowing no matter how hard you try … you can't save them all!
In your mind, in my mind the desperate need for consolation ... to hope ... -"Shepard! Hey, come on, don't say so! Every life is precious ... priceless! You've already saved many lives, and you can save more and more! You always did your best Emily, and you'll continue to do it! You must be proud of that!"- ... -"Thanks, Liara! Oh, please! Don't stop remind me every day!"- ...
A: they hit so fast ... I thought we'd have more time! And they still just cut through our defences. We need to go to the Citadel. Talk to the Council!
S: The Citadel? The fight's here!
A: it'll everywhere soon enough ... you said it yourself ... the Reapers will destroy everything, if we don't stop them ... the Council has to help us!
S: you're sure about that?
A: No, but you're a Council Spectre ... that has to count for something!
The way to reach the Normandy, was teeming with cannibals and husks. Reapers were firing on all ships coming within shooting distance. When they destroyed a battleship, you lost Normandy's radio connection. However, you managed to use a communication beacon. The area was overrun by enemies, you had to resist at any price, hoping to get an evac in good time. You were under siege, the enemy was pressuring, trying to surround you in every way. By now, you were running out of thermal clips. Luckily, the slim and slender shape of the most advanced Frigate of the Alliance fleet, appeared in the sky, opening you its Hangar's door. Your Ship, was coming to get you! It wouldn't be the same Ship, without you ... without its brave and charismatic "Captain"! I felt an intense heat in the stomach, and your heart speed up into my beats, slamming hard against the chest, and rolling up and down the throat with emotion explosion, while you were watching at Normandy come down. You started a long run, reaching the hatch on the fly, with a feline leap, while Major Alenko grabbed your hand, saying ...
K: Welcome aboard, Shepard!
S: thanks!
Anderson decided to stay on Earth, in order to gather and coordinate the Alliance's ground forces who were scattered, decimated, and with few leaders who could guide them. Not even you wanted to leave. You'd prefered far, to stay at his side, fighting together, getting back the Earth … your Planet ... your Home!
S: we're in this fight together, Anderson!
A: it's a fight we can't win. No without help. We need every species, and all their Ships to even have a chance at defeating the Reapers. Talk to the Council. Convince them to help us!
S: what if they won't listen?!
A: then make them listen. Now go! That's an order!
You were not a soldier, no more! You've been discharged, and compulsorily sidelined. Once again, you could choose to give in, leaving them in the lurch, going to somewhere, away from the Reapers. However, that person of course ... it wouldn't be you! See the Earth burning in fire in that way! All those innocent lives, broken in a few terrible moments, swept away without any reason ... it hurt too much. Your pain was so brutal, in your heart, into mine! You could never give them cold shoulder. You could never leave them on their own! I felt distinctly my place ... simply your place ... two of us, together as one thing, now more than ever, to fight! You felt an irrepressible need to be in front line, fighting as usual. Trying to give all your best, to save as many people as possible: children, civilians, frightened and innocent creatures. To hell with politics! Being able to defeat the Reapers, it was only thing mattered, or ... no future for anyone, never again! ... We Two, Together. My Future into yours! You perfectly knew that, Admiral Anderson was right, but you had been discharged ...
S: I don't take orders from you anymore, remember?
Anderson whip out from his pocket your dog tags. Who knows, how long he kept them with himself! Who knows, how much he wished, give them back you. Anderson threw your tags, and you grabbed them in a flash.
A: consider yourself reinstated ... Commander! You know what you have to do!
S: I'll be back for you, and I'll bring every Fleet I can! ... Good luck!
A: you too, Shepard!
While you were getting ready to fly out, dozens of survivors: poor civilians, wounded and frightened, they were trying to reach the shuttles, on which soldiers were gathering the refugees from the battlefields. That was when, you saw again this little blond child, paralyzed with fear as he watched a Reaper advancing. Your anxiety in my anxiety ... -"Come on, little kid, run! Get on the shuttle, hurry ... hurry up!"- ... At last, the child took shelter himself, by climbing aboard a Kodjak, but when it took off, the incandescent beam hit inexorable, leaving us completely powerless to witness the death of another innocent child. It was only a kid! A small, sweet blond child, innocent and frightened, and ... your tears, in my tears couldn't be enough, to stop all that unbearable horror! You closed your eyes, as your soul desperately shouting into mine … -"Oh, no ... no! Oh, Liara Don't look! ... Please, don't look! ... Oh, I'm sorry ... don't look!"- … My tears, in your tears ... -"Emy! Oh, Goddess! I'm sorry, my Love! Please, hold on! There's still hope, it's not over, Shepard! Maybe, not all is lost!"- … -"Oh, Liara, just tell me you've got a way!- ... -"Yes, I got! It won't be easy, but I think I've found a way! I just have to download all data, and submitting to Admiral Hackett!"- ... -"Oh, my Love, you are awesome! Do it immediately! I miss you ... to go crazy, I hope to see you soon! ... I love you! Now, go!"- ... -"Oh, I love you too, my Star! Shepard, please ... take care of yourself!"- …
… Within hours, the Earth has been ravaged! Vancouver was invaded by dozens of Reapers, as well as, all other major cities of the Earth. They hit on the heart, with no mercy, with no way out. There was no time ... anymore! The only hope was to stay together, fighting with all galactic Races in concert. You had your orders. You had to get to the Citadel, persuading the Council, and gather all Species on a common front. However, this mission could reveal even more difficult than face the Reapers! As soon you took off, Admiral Hackett contacted you on board of the Normandy, but the signal was very disturbed ...
H: Shepard ... sustained heavy losses … forces were overwhelming, there's no way we can defeat them conventionally ... First, I need you … Outpost on Mars … before to lose control of the System.
S: Yes, Sir!
H: ... been researching the Prothean Archives with Dr. T'Soni ... found a way to stop the Reapers ... only way to stop them! ... in contact soon ... Hackett out.
S: Joker, set a course for the Mars Archives!
… Karin stays seated in silence. Despite Liara is already out from several minutes. Usually, she gets up immediately, turning communicator off, then she talks a bit with Aethyta, exchanging impressions, emotions, memories. However, this time Karin is there, silent and thoughtful, looking down, with her mind somewhere. Aethyta notices this immediately ...
A: hey, Sugar ... what's up? You seem very far from here ... are you okay?
Karin sighs, running her hands over her face, then she gets up. She makes a few steps toward the communicator, and eventually she turns it off. She remains standing, her head down, her hands resting on the terminal. Karin continues to turn its back to Aethyta, as she starts talking. There is great sadness in her voice, and regret ... gloom.
K: I was not there! When the Reapers have invaded Earth, I wasn't there! I was on Citadel, working in Shalta Ward's Laboratory, completely unaware ... While all those thousands of people were losing their lives, as they were swept away without mercy ... as the Earth was to fire and sword, and ... my dearest friends, were suffering and fighting ... I was far away, safely, unfairly spared from all that horror!
Aethyta feels a wave of love explode in her chest. Her protective instinct for Karin bites strong within her stomach. It turns into a sudden longing, an intense heat which drops lower and lower, then it climbs back, up till the stomach, and higher, reaching her heart, and swells it, until make it burst. She feels an irresistible urge to pull Karin into her arms, tighten her madly, kiss her impetuously, overwhelming her lips with frantic excitement. To feel Karin's tension loose, fading slowly and gradually disappearing, turning into tender abandonment, and desire, and passion. Until they'll feel both of us burning together in only one thing. However, at the bottom of Karin's every glance, it hides a desperate need to seriously address the topic, to speak. So, Aethyta uses all the consolation she can find.
A: hey Karin, Sugary, but what the hell are you saying?! You couldn't certainly know when they would arrive. Moreover, even if you were on Earth, I'm afraid you couldn't do much for them!
Karin is standing with her back towards Aethyta. She looks up, as feels her eyes full with tears to the limit. She doesn't want to cry. She swallows hard, gritting her teeth, to force out her memories freeze up and dissolve, together with the sadness, and every stubborn tear. She draws in her breath, then her voice full with emotion slips into a long sigh ...
K: Ahh, I know, you're right it's just ... Oh, well, Liara has a very special talent, in describing all those moments passed, those terrible experiences we've lived. She can make them so vivid, so terribly painful and poignant, so touching that ... oh, Thyta! I can feel, really intensely the drama of those days! All that pain, we've endured, and it doesn't seem to go, anymore!
Aethyta approaching Karin. She caresses her shoulders, then enclose her arms around Karin's waist, wrapping her inside the sweetest embrace that she can find. Karin let herself go, inclining her head back, laying it on Aethyta's shoulder. She clings herself to Aethyta's arms tenderly. Finally, Karin let herself hearten by Aethyta's voice, which glides smoothly, like a caress …
A: Hey Baby, listen. When Benezia is dead, I was not there! When Shepard is dead, I was not there! Whenever Liara was in desperate need of me ... I was not there! You know, I think I have any damned rough idea, about what it means not being able to share the pain of your loved ones! So, if you don't mind, feeling myself a goddamn fucking ass, completely helpless and worthless, it's my business! Hey my Love, but you ... other hand ... you've done a lot for the Earth, Karin! Both as a Doctor, and as a person. You've done a lot for your friends, too. For people who matter in your life! I'm sorry, but I am the most skilled of the galaxy in terms of guilt feelings. So, you must believe me Sugary, when I say ... you are an amazing woman, and you have no need to blame yourself, for nothing! Oh, you know ... I'm very proud of you, and having met you, too! I'm totally freaked out with joy to deserve your Love, Karin, and I'm still wondering how the hell it happened! I love you, and … you make sound wonderful every moment of my life ... if I can spend it together with you!
Karin turns to Aethyta, her face lit up by a bright smile. She cannot keep pace of her heart went crazy, as she tries Aethyta's hands, intertwining in her fingers. Karin draws Aethyta in her breath. She caresses Aethyta's face, giving herself again in her arms, while she whispers ...
K: Oh Christ, Tyhta! You can be so sweet! Sometimes I wonder just as you can!
Aethyta struggles to control her breathing, while her beats run in rousing tune with Karin's ones. She gently draws near her lips to Karin's neck, decorating the outline of kisses, and softly telling ...
A: Well, yeah ... you know, I wouldn't ever can happen you get tired to call me ... Sweetie!
K: Oh don't worry, Sweetie, that will never happen! So ... thank you! I love you, too! You know, I'm afraid to have much need of all your Asari 50% tonight, and maybe ... further!
A: Oh, Sugary, no fear because ... all my 100% will be yours tonight, and maybe … further!
K: hmm, sometimes I still think I'm dreaming, but ... if it was not a dream ... I'm grateful Aethyta, for everything you give me! I love you and, I want to spend every moment that destiny will give us, together with you!
A: hmm I'm a screwball mummy, you know, but ... you're awesome Karin, and ... oh, I love you, too Sugary, with all my heart!
Aethyta glides gently on Karin's lips. She blends intimately in her mouth, passionately mixed to her, clinging tightly to Karin's heart. All their emotion is fervently cast on their lips in a long kiss, so tender and endless, intense and compelling, within which they lose balance, inside which they can feel alive, happy together all night long, and maybe … further. They look each other into their eyes, silently and long. They gently brush their face, while slowly they take their clothes off, one for another, running with chills, and kissing again ...
K: oh ... I love you, my sweet thing!
A: oh ... I love you too, my beautiful thing!
K: So, please ... dare not stop you!
Aethyta smiles sweetly, without answering, as her eyes embrace eternity ...
To be Continue ...