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 18
A sweet lucky charm for the Summit
… Dawn spinning fast. The day comes just too quickly. Liara, is already sitting next to Shepard, early in the morning, she is eager to continuing. Liara smiles tenderly, looking at Shepard, hand in hand. When she starts talking, the sweetness of her voice paints the whole room of sunlight ...
L: When I reached you in your cabin, it was just before the beginning of the summit. You were very busy, sprucing the buttons of your elegant dress uniform. You seemed a bit nervous, but you were really fascinating! However, your voice betrayed some anxiety ...
S: Oh Liara ... you're here, good! I want to make a good impression. So, tell me ... how do I look? Oh, what the hell! This uniform makes me feel like a mummy stuck into her own sarcophagus!
You are very funny when you are not feeling at ease, nonetheless you're even more beautiful. I arranged one of the buttons of your jacket out of place, as I answered with a smile, having the intention to definitively dispel all your doubts ...
L: ha, ha you're ... quite a sight, Honey! Don't worry, this uniform is a beauty, believe me.
I had not even the time to finish the sentence. You already were holding me in your arms, giving me back the smile. Your breath ran down my neck, as you whispered to me, in a low voice ...
S: hmm, many thanks! Although I fear that your judgment is not very reliable, Littleheart ...
Our lips met briefly, in a tender caress, while I was stuck in your eyes because, I was very curious about the reason ...
L: Why not?
S: Well, because ... you're an archaeologist, my Love. All the mummies are very fascinating for you!
L: huh, huh, no ... not all. Actually, just the Prothean ones! I never met one of them, yet, but I assure you ... I discovered this human woman is much more arousing than ... whichever Prothean mummy!
In response, you dipped your sight in the bottom of my eyes, exploring them in-depth, flooding me with tenderness. Your mouth took mine, gently, sweeping my stomach of emotion, dressing my skin with shivers, sprinkling my breath of passion. Your heart in my heart in synch produced a strong explosion which completely enveloped my senses of love, making them hopelessly drown into yours!
Then, my devotion to duty took the upper hand for a moment, got me inevitably back to reality, and ... the real reason for my visit ...
L: Oh, Emy! Don't worry, you look ... beautifully! You'll make a good impression! In any case, the Dalatrass ... made it known that, she was withheld. She apologizes for the delay. She will arrive as soon as possible.
You seemed to greatly appreciate this news. To delay as much as possible the Summit seemed to be your priority program for the immediate future ...
S: Excellent! I really need my sweet lucky charm!
I didn't understand what you meaning, and I was starting to worry ...
L: Shepard? What kind of lucky charm? Wrex will be here soon, and … should not you consult with him before starting?
However, your voice in a flash can become so sensual, so your magnetic eyes, and your smile so bewitching. You are able to dissolve in a heartbeat all my doubts, and till the last ounce of my will ...
S: hmm, Wrex has not arrived yet, and ... not even the Dalatrass. My sweet lucky charm, by contrast ... it's right here, in my arms. So, if you don't kiss me again, long and passionately ... we won't have any guarantee!
I hugged you stronger, lighting my smile. I fondled your face gently, interlacing my fingers through your hair. I was keeping my eyes fixed on your gaze, as I answered in the same seductive tone ...
L: hey, maybe are you telling me that, by my kiss, it will depend on the outcome of your Summit, Commander?
Your tone was more and more alluring, your attitude ever more sweet ... kiss you, the only thing I no longer wanted to give up!
S: Yeah! You'll have to give your all, and thoroughly. It should be absolutely the best of you, if we want to succeed ... hmm, otherwise ...
I closed my eyes, gliding along the profile of your neck. I brushed one cheek slowly, and then the other, staying for a long time linger in your breath, caressing it of little kisses. Then, I approached myself to your lips ever more intimately, gently, with abandon. I kept to kiss you intensely, not allowing our lips to separate themselves, anymore.
We were completely rapt with our feelings, from our senses, with the intense pleasure of being together. We stood for a long moment deeply combined, my eyes inside your eyes, lost on sweets enchanted glances.
So, without we realized, the automatic door had opened. A large dark shape completely filled the doorway. While, a deep voice as unmistakable as amused snatched us abruptly from our pleasant idyll. My mood immediately sunk from bliss to a suffocating embarrassment!
W: Oh, what a beautiful family picture! So, the piece of gossip which get wind of my ears, it wasn't so ill-founded! Ha, ha, ha! Well, glad to know! Ha, what a hellish couple! Few other things can result a more lethal mixture than the two of you put together! Huh, huh, however ... I did not think you so mawkish, Shepard! All this ... saccharine! Hey, I can't believe you're becoming a weakling!
Immediately after, Wrex pointed on me his little mischievous eyes, looking hungrily for my gaze which did not know where to run off ...
W: So long, Liara, nice to see you! I now understand why I can't get the first officer's cabin! Oh, poor me! Don't let me think about my old cot. My poor old bones cry out ... oh, I don't wanna start weeping!
Who knows how, I managed to mumble something! Despite my desperate effort of natural appearing, my clumsy voice showed my great discomfort clearly, making my embarrassment obvious, well beyond the evidence!
L: Humm ...! Nice to see you too, Wrex! Fear not ... we'll find you a well-padded bed, the more suitable possible for your "cumbersome" position!
By the Goddess! Who knows how long he was watching! I felt my cheeks catch on fire, as I wanted to sink through the floor. Fortunately, you didn't bat an eye! Conversely, you've got me out of this mess! You went to meet Wrex, smiling, as if nothing had happened! You shook his hand warmly, giving him a big pat on the back, exclaiming joyfully ...
S: Wrex! My old Scoundrel! It's nice to see you again! Sorry if I can't head you butt! You know, I wouldn't spoil my Sunday uniform! Anyway, you've to tell me later how these rumors get wind of your ears ... I'm dying to know!
Finally, you've prodded with forefinger the belly of Wrex, pushing hard against his armor, as you said …
S: Hey, you look fatter ... the old fat guy who's becoming a weakling it's you, I guess?! I can't believe Grunt and I, we've cut the last Thresher Maw of Tuchanka out!
Wrex burst out laughing, returning the joke ...
W: Ha, ha, ha! Oh no, no Shepard, fear not! The Thresher Maws are still copious on Tuchanka! However, ... all those political tasks prevent me to have a ball like there's no tomorrow! But ... I have a gut feeling, things will change very soon!
Suddenly, the Wrex tone became very serious. His scarlet glance got dark and sombre, as he tried proudly the answer in your eyes ...
W: I would believe that, the Council's bigwigs have begun to heed you! ... Shepard ... I'm sorry for the Earth! I know how it feels to see your own Planet reduced to a heap of smoking rubble.
The time of the jokes ended. Even in your voice it was reflecting nothing but the grim reality ...
S: Yeah! Thanks Wrex. I won't hide you this Summit is about as close to our last survival cry! The time of contrasts is over! We all need not being left alone, to get a chance. I can't deny it will be hard and harsh, my friend! More than the Sovereign. More than Collectors. But, for my part, as long as I am alive, I will never stop fighting! I need you by my side, Wrex ... because, I can't do it, without you!
Wrex had become the best leader that his people could hope to have. He was much wiser and reflective than most of the Krogans. He was trying to avoid the blind fury, if he could use dialog and reconciliation. For a Krogan, it was a quality out of the ordinary. Very precious, and infinitely useful for your negotiations. Also, Wrex and you were connected by deep esteem and friendship which joined you both, making him in fact the nerve centre, to get an alliance with the Krogans. Wrex replied to you with his usual imperious tone ...
W: If we must fight, Shepard, Krogans are ready for war! As for me, I will answer you: here! There's no war, battle or enemy that, I'm not ready to face with you, my old comrade! However, if you are looking for an alliance ... well, not all the Clans are in favor, coming to terms with some mortal enemies like Turians and Salarians! There's air of discontent. Some Clans are organizing themselves, plotting riots. If I want to keep them quiet, I'll have to come back with the promise of something very significant in return!
We understood at once what Wrex required. We knew well, how much our friend suffered for his people tormented by the terrible plague of genophage. Therefore, the price of Wrex's alliance could be only one ... a cure, right now! In exchange, he offered us Krogan's total loyalty, in addition to all the strength of their army to fight the Reapers.
For centuries, all attempts to find a cure had failed. Nevertheless, if there was even a slight chance of finding one, to give back a future to the Krogans, getting a priceless resource for us ... you would never fail the chance to make the most of!
S: I know Wrex, genophage is horrible! But there's no cure. None that I know!
Suddenly, we were interrupted by Edi who informed you of Dalatrass arrival. So, you and Wrex went to War Room, without waste any time.
... From the beginning, the meeting revealed a very insidious snag. The Dalatrass Salarians proved arrogant, insensitive and ruthless in her opposition to the genophage treating.
DS: It was a millennium of peace, free from these … brutes!
With the Primarch's support, you tried to convince the Dalatrass in a polite manner. However, the strictness of that Salarians soon exceeded the limit, and infuriated you. All you could to do was gamble the last card, trying to strike her in the heart, hoping to reason with her.
You shouted out on Dalatrass' face, your fists clenched against her conscience, hitting hard, digging deep ... grazing her soul ...
S: I've seen the result of Maelon experiments with my own eyes, Dalatrass! Those females Krogan died in dreadful agony, by giving their lives, hoping one day, their Species can get their own future back! The same future that you have denied to them!
Don't you believe the Krogans have already paid enough for any mistake made almost 1,500 years ago?! Do you really think, those Salarians and those Turians were better than Krogans?!
Oh, bloody hell! This is why I can't stand the politics! Any decision is the result of nothing more than selfishness, cold maths, and anything but spiritual purpose! Very few politicians have a heart, but most have not eyes! They are blind to the evidence, just like you!
Every mistake must be paid sooner or later, Dalatrass, remember! You will be responsible for the destruction of all your people. Women, children, the innocents!
The Earth is left to its own fate ... it won't resist! Turians will fall because, they can't count on Krogans' help! Then, the day of Sur'Kesh will come! Even your Planet will remain alone, as Palaven, and as the Earth before. So, for all of you, it will be over, and ... it will only your own fault!
The Dalatrass was silent, the dark eyes clouded with black hesitation. Her slender body was contract, vibrating with tension. For a long moment, she stayed absorbed, while you were holding your breath, praying it was not over! Finally, Dalatrass' harsh voice scratched the silence, spreading through the air all her bad temper.
Luckily, her words revealed a ray of mercy, a trace of conscience. At the end, she gave an opportunity to the wisdom, a chance to the hope, granted us the long awaited opening!
Surviving females were kept in an SOS secret Base on Sur'Kesh. The opportunity to synthesize a cure for Genophage was becoming real! Our hopes to get help from Krogans were making a little thin less.
… Several minutes after the summit, I reached you back in your cabin, to find out what had happened. You were lying down in bed with your legs dangling, and arms wide open. You were thoughtfully contemplating the stars, beyond the ceiling window.
You seemed very tired. Your uniform was a mess, completely unbuttoned, with loose pants. A shoe sticking out from under the bed, the other, with the outsole upwards, lay on the floor, next to the chair of your desk. My stomach climbed up in my throat, as I tried to dominate the concern, asking ...
L: Shepard? ... Is everything alright?!
You turned your head toward the door, throwing me a sweet glance. You remained motionless, as you wearily said ...
S: Oh, Liara, it's you! Come in! Please lock the door, I wouldn't someone else swoops down into the cabin, I am exhausted! That Dalatrass is so hateful! What a hellish creature! She's unbearable as a few!
Right after, you rushed to add in very satisfied tone ...
S: However, my sweet lucky charm it worked! The Dalatrass agreed to give back the females to Wrex!
L: Oh, thanks to the Goddess! This is an excellent news, Shepard! So, I let you rest. Come see me later.
Of course, I was greatly relieved by the news, and I was even more happy because, although tired, you'd like to spend some time with me.
S: Oh no, please stay! You know, my old wound to the shoulder, it makes me hurt like hell! Would you take care of me, just a little?
L: Of course! I'm sure your shoulder will be much better after a good massage. Come on, roll over!
While I massaged your shoulder, I felt your tension dissolve slowly. Your muscles were more and more relaxed, stress was loosened pleasantly. Soon we were both very laid-back, and we started chatting ...
L: Oh Goddess! I died of shame with Wrex! Oh, what a blooper! We made a spectacle of ourselves, Emily! I bet by tomorrow everyone will know about us!
You were very quiet, not at all worried. Your eyes were closed, while you enjoyed the massage, and your voice was very peaceful ...
S: Come on, Honey, it was just a kiss! And then, he was joking ... they already know about us since before Iloss ...
L: Okay, our friends know it! I didn't say I'm sorry. However, it was really embarrassing! In addition, new Crew members might not know it ... or maybe, pretending not to know!
A slight tension in your shoulder, made me guess you understood what I was trying to get at, despite a clumsy attempt to avoid the topic ...
S: Well, I don't know! I didn't notice anything strange. You know, I had an excellent impression of the new elements added to the Crew. I'm trying to know them better. However, no one asked me personal questions, yet.
As I answered, I was moving both my hands on the other your shoulder. I paused in the middle of your neck. I went down slowly along your back, massaging carefully. Until all muscles of your body were relaxed and totally loose.
L: Really?! And yet, the new Comm Specialist seems very interested in chatting with you, Shepard. She's always smiling ... I don't think you discuss work so much. Are you sure she didn't ask anything, yet? I'd swear she's flirting with you!
My fingers started to meet with resistance, right in the middle of your back. However, it lasted just a moment. Then, your voice became sweet and reassuring once again ...
S: Nah … Traynor is only a young girl! In her eyes there's the image that media give back of me. Sometimes they represent me as a heroine, you know. They describe our missions accomplished, as amazing heroic deeds. She's not flirting with me, she's just attracted by an ideal!
Your tone was so innocent, you really seemed naive enough to believe truly what you were saying. Naturally, I had total trust in you. However, to see you talk with Traynor inflamed my jealousy. Even though I tried to hide it, my mood was perfectly revealed by my words, pronounced slowly, one after the other.
L: Shepard ... you are a heroine! Your deeds are amazing! And Traynor ... is flirting with you! Maybe, you should tell her that ... you are taken!
My fingers were running on your shoulders, agile gliding down your spine. This time, not encountering any kind of resistance or anxiety. You seemed pleasantly relaxed, and your answer sounded absolutely heart-to-heart ...
S: I love you, Liara! Don't worry, Little Heart, she will get tired! She can't fail to notice the two of us. She can't ignore how much crazily I am in love with you!
L: Oh, I love you madly, Emy! I'm not doubting you, my Star! ... I was just saying ... when someone is already involved with someone else, you should stop simpering with her! Especially if this one is my girlfriend!
You were silent, I didn't get any answer. Your eyes were closed, your breath was slow and steady, regular rhythm. I continued to fondle your back, until I realized you were sound asleep! Your lips still parted in a tender smile. It was so nice to watch you sleep! I felt the sweetness spreads inside me, pervading myself like a warm blanket. That reassuring feeling made me feel very silly, but surprisingly cheerful and carefree, in spite of everything!
To be Continued …