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 41
The Beginning of the End
"There is no other way to reach the dawn than through the night..."(Khalil Gibran)
A stealthy thought is crossing through the mind of Liara, as she silently mirrors into Shepard's changeless face. A thought, like some sort of incipient question, kept hidden long, which wakes up sometimes, comes in waves, and can upset Liara's spirit in depth.
Occasionally, it sneaks up amid the other thoughts. It lies somewhere, like a little voice, annoying and stubborn. Without a precise reason, it suddenly begins to whisper, causing subtle shivers of uncertainty along Liara's spine. As small ripples, they spread in a whisper through the folds of her soul. "Am I going to see your smile again, Love?"
A light kick knocked from within makes Liara jump, just a heartbeat before a shadow of sadness gets the bottom of her eyes in the color of darkness. The free hand of hers rests almost unconsciously in that precise area of the belly, a span to the left of the navel, and begins to move, gently. The silent thought fades away with the same speed it came. It evaporates in the sparkle of those eyes, like limpid pools. A sweet smile is reflected in its place now, as if in a mirror of light.
Liara places Shepard's hand over the rhythmic movement, which is gradually becoming more intense. Her gentle voice, which vibrates in the air, has the extraordinary power to seduce Shepard's senses, with the same emotion of a kiss on the lips.
L: Hey, your blue baby is calling you... you're feeling her, aren't you?
Liara whispers to Emily, softly. Lips wrinkled in a fresh, loving smile. She proudly moves her gaze from the face to Shepard's hand that she is gently pressing on her own belly. She tracks down every little movement, and shares it with the father of the little creature who is awakening inside her, peacefully.
L: You know, Darling one, we should start thinking about a name for this little blue...
She says with a crimson excitement. Liara gives her love-mate a lopsided smile, as she tilts her head to the side, as if expecting Shepard's imminent response.
L: How about "Dalika?"
She asks, eagerly. The sound resolute but gentle tickles Shepard's senses, as the beloved voice and sweet of the young Asari continues to arouse pleasant sensations in her never quite asleep awareness.
L: You know, in Prothean language it means, "life-line," which is all that we have always meant for each other, my Love. Besides, it can have the meaning of, "glowing light of a new dawn!" Well, the night in which our daughter was conceived, to be looking together at a new dawn, shining with peace and happiness, was everything we were hoping for...
Liara pauses, like overwhelmed by a compelling need. She leans towards Shepard, slowly. The fingertips of hers runs through her love-mate's hair. As she smiles, their lips meet in a soft touch, and both their hearts get thrilled.
After a few moments, the young Asari sighs. She has a distant gaze, and the senses full of memories, emotions, disquiet. Her heart beats hard in her chest, grabbed by overwhelming love, by impatience and sweet expectations. Memories swarm suddenly in her mind, like bugs through a wide-open door. Liara listens at her own merely trembling voice, as she starts talking in a low tone and thick.
L: OK, Darling one, it's time to go on! It was the beginning of the end, remember? You gave the word, and the execution was immediate and simultaneous.
The Normandy was deployed with the Fighters and some Alliance Frigates, blended in with them. The whole our Fleets opened fire at the same millisecond. Even the Reapers did the same. The space, between us and them, caught on fire, suddenly turning into a colossal tidal of death, which ran in all directions, unrelenting.
The deadly beams of cannon shone and incinerated, blazed and exploded. Like thousands of blades of light, they crumbled the darkness, angrily and ruthlessly, along with whatever else they encountered on their way.
The Flotilla of Fighters did its sad distraction action. Many sacrificed themselves, just to give us a chance to disengage undetected, and quickly aim the nose toward Earth. Those young broken lives burdened our hearts, as heavy as lead, and sorrowful. We could not allow it to be in vain!
Joker skillfully led our descent, with wind under his fingers and a heat heart. The Normandy slipped amid the Allies Vessels, brushing their hulls in audacious evasive maneuvers, silently, invisibly, daringly.
Thanks to our amazing helmsman, we escaped the enemy fire, with masterful precision. Grabbed to the safety handles, with all our strength, we held our breath, to resist the feeling of nausea. The magnetic boots firmly stuck in the floor, as our guts were knocking at the throat with increasing insistence. In the blink of an eye, Sward became a distant dot. The planet Earth instead, seemed like a hell, which was getting bigger and bigger, closer and closer.
Although the sun had just begun to go down, it seemed already night in London. A black smoke was spreading everywhere from the ruins. It floated in thick clouds of darkness. The gloomy sky enveloped our hearts like a cloak of desolation.
Street lighting had gone, but the fires of recent clashes were radiating the rubble, by displaying at the sight the overwhelming level of destruction, mercilessly. Many of the facilities had been torn apart. Cut to pieces by the Harvesters, or by Hades cannons' lethal rays. What was left of them emerged, here and there, stacked on the ground, like a jumble of steel and concrete, grayish, mournful and unrecognizable. Some of the buildings sprawled, completely lying on the ground, like gigantic trash bags and abandoned. Some Alliance transports and Makos popped out through the wreckages, like motionless vestiges, scraped and steaming.
All around us, the darkness was tinging in every slightest nuance of purple and indigo. The sky regularly ignited in a multitude of shades, from crimson to ruby, to be rhythmically whiten at the echoes of the fights, dramatically. Every single explosion that occurred in the distance was carefully underlined, like from a bolt of lightning in a storm.
And above the noise of the battles, the silence of death loomed. Dead peoples' bodies emerged to tens, scattered among the stones. Some of them still clung to their rifles, petrified in their own last breath. It seemed to look at Thessia, but even bigger!
We were flying over a universal destruction, impossible to bear. That dramatic scenario struck us in the stomach, like a stab. We all were struggling, in our own way, against the same dagger.
We were heading for the last, still standing, Hades cannon, in silence. Steve drove the Kodiak in a low-level flying over an area already cleaned up by the Reapers. When your body stiffened as you stared at the screen, I felt my soul winced for the same apprehension.
S: There's something down there, and... it's not a Reaper!
You said nervously, in a thick voice and veiled with alarming surprise. The moment you spoke, you reached Cortez in a jump. An impatient hand of yours grasped to the back of the pilot seat, the other one scrubbed at your own neck in a kind of unintentional gesture of disbelief.
S: Jesus Christ! Steve, get us over there, next to that pile of debris on your left, and open a channel to the support shuttle, right now!
You ordered aloud. The more we got closer, the more details of the confused little figure became clear, crisp. Our anguish grew in proportion, became sharp and painful. I could not suppress a moan of bewilderment, when I finally realized what we were looking at.
Sitting between the smoldering remains of a battlefield, a human child seemed to stare at us, silent, motionless, wide-eyed. Thank Goddess, the little girl seemed unharmed, against all odds!
S: Do not touch down too close, Lieutenant... I don't want to risk spooking her.
You said softly, in a touching, protective tone. We landed about 200 feet from the baby, where the smoke was thicker. The other shuttle did the same. As we set down, I found myself mirrored in your worried eyes for a brief moment. I recognized the same veil of guilt, which darkened your gaze shortly after the Reapers' attack on Earth. When you told me about another child that you had been unable to save.
L: Hey, you're going to save this poor little creature, Shepard! If it weren't for you... she wouldn't have any chance to survive the reapers. No doubt in my mind!
I said, nodding in a confident voice, as I squeezed your arm, affectionately. You didn't need to say anything, because your eyes silently spoke to me, like the little smile on your face that was saying, "Thanks, Sweetheart. It means a lot to me!"
We approached the child, calmly. No sudden movements, but a reassuring smile. The little girl sat motionless on top of a large piece of concrete. She had beautiful light green eyes, oversized and wide open in a blank look, light years away. She was tightly embraced to a teddy bear, big, dirty and battered itself. The toy had just one eye, and an almost completely ripped apart ear.
Not far away, what was left of a young woman lay half hidden among the rubble. The face of hers petrified in the last moment of dread. Hands still extended toward her own baby, in a last-ditch effort to protect her from such a gruesome fate. Thanks the Goddess, the little girl had survived, but seemed in a manifest state of shock.
She was a beautiful human child, dishevelled hair and dirty. The family must have been surprised in their preparations for the night because she was barefoot and wearing just a torn nightgown. It was cold. For one thing, you wrapped her gently in a soft blanket, taking care to cover also her teddy bear.
We both crouched beside the baby. I pinched my omni-tool in silence, as you tried to reassure her, in a soft voice. From my first scan I got an idea of her state of health.
S: Hey, your friend had a rough day, hadn't he? You know, it was the same for me a time or two!
You said in a supportive voice and involved.
S: But, he's lucky because you know how to take care of him. I thought he might be cold out here. So, I brought a blanket for him. I know a very good doctor, by the way. Her area of expertise is just "bears' rehabilitative therapy." She's my friend. Her name is Karin. I'm positive she'll put him back on his feet in no time.
You added softly, as you smoothed a small amount of medigel onto the bruises on the legs and arms of the baby. The child stayed still, in silence. She didn't look at you, but she let you do.
You had such an amazing way with that little one. How you took care of her was... perfect! I could not help but imagine you with our daughter in your arms. I got thrilled by the prospect. I felt my heart tighten hard and swell with emotion almost to the point of blowing up. I must admit that while I was looking at you, I was able to hold back tears, but not without difficulty. I forced myself to focus on the omni-tool scans of the baby, to keep emotions under control as best I could.
L: This poor creature is about three years old, Shepard.
I said, softly.
L: Thanks the Goddess, I am picking up no internal bleeding, no head trauma. Only those minor wounds you are caring with. Physically, she's fine... well, given the circumstances! In any case, the sooner we take her away, the better it will be!
I told you, rubbing my forehead, with some sort of apprehensive relief, as I was carefully scanning the area, to identify and prevent any possible threat.
S: Agreed!
You said by raising your eyebrows slightly, worried eyes. When you stood up, your fingertips gently brushed a cheek of the little girl, who looked at you for the first time.
S: I'm Shepard.
You said, giving her a calming smile.
S: Come on, little one. We are going to take care of your friend. There is a very good place I know. It's not too far from here. Sergeant Evans will accompany you. I'll come and see you later. I promise.
You added, in a caring voice, offering your hand. The child looked at you, just for a moment, before her little hand softly disappeared into your own.
The sweet baby was on her way to the Alliance Outpost, and we were a little quieter about her fate. However, we could no longer count on our support shuttle. So, we could do nothing but take care of the cannon all by ourselves!
As usual, the change in plans seemed not to have any impact on your determination.
S: EDI, what can you tell me about the bloody Hades? Vulnerabilities, weakest points... anything?
You asked in a purposeful voice, hands leaning on the vid-comm console. The silence was focusing our full attention on EDI's voice, as you looked at the screen, intensely.
E: That's a hell of a cannon, Shepard!
She answered quietly from out the screen, in the typical controlled voice of hers. No evidence of apprehension in the look on her face, as she explained what in her mind.
E: In the short distance, the massive directed-energy cannon of it is capable to vaporize the UT-47 to a sub-atomic level. However, you need to get close enough to get it shot by your Cain.
S: Uhm, so...?
You ventured in a detail request, cautiously. Promptly, EDI gave us some alarming specifics.
E: So... you're lucky because, I got an idea! I suggest activating the paradigm of the IFF simulator device I just perfected, in order to trick Hades' sensors.
S: Paradigm ah? Sounds cool. Did you test it?
You asked, densely. I must say that, the EDI's way to get around your question sent a little shiver go down my spine.
E: Preferably combined with a robust kinetic barrier, Shepard... just in case!
You rolled your eyes, sighing, before making your decision, on which there was no going back.
S: Ok, EDI, I'm on it! Let's do it!
C: Coming up on target, Commander. Two minutes.
The voice of Cortez immediately catalyzed our full attention. Even before the new IFF simulator was operational, we encountered a major problem.
Suddenly a big flash struck the darkness, deadly! A Harvester fired at the shuttle, and Cortez was good to steer outside the trajectory, avoiding the shot. However, the energetic recoil ran over the shuttle, and caused an immediate flight system failure. We stood like frozen in our seats, for some endless moments, as our hearts were falling at full speed toward the ground.
C: Damn it! The maneuvering thrusters are damaged, Commander. I can still keep her in the sky, but if we land, we'll not be able to fly out!
Steve shouted nervously toward you, without turning his head. Feverish fingers were moving over the controls. The Kodiak swayed dangerously, as stubbornly aimed her nose at the ground at disquieting speed.
What seemed to last an eternity, actually took place in a matter of seconds. I could clearly read your thoughts inside your wide-opened eyes, in a wordless communication. I knew well that, breaking down the cannon was really the top of your priority list. I also knew that you had no intention of putting the life of Cortez unnecessarily at risk. If there was even one single chance that you could avoid to take him with us. The real question was, how?
You were desperately looking for a solution, thinking fast. Your unaware hands traveled into a rough path, back and forth, between your neck, hair and forehead.
Suddenly, an image of you and Tela Vasir crossed my mind, like a revelation. I remembered the two of you as you crashed downstairs in the Dracon Trade Center, angrily gripped each other, and wrapped in the Vasir's biotics. I jumped up, calling your name, vehemently.
L: Shepard! My biotics and your barrier might restrain our fall if... if we jumped from not too high. I can get a slight singularity, in order to decrease our weight, also protecting Garrus!
S: Do it!
You said abruptly, with a half smirk. A glare of audacity in your eyes, as your hands quickly ran on the big guns. Without further ado, you passed a Cain to Garrus, who grabbed it with a greedy smirk, as you fixed the other one to the back hook on your armor.
S: Steve, do your best to bring us as low as possible, and give us a few seconds.
You said in a thunderous voice. You patted him on the shoulder, as a sign of trust, before heading for the hatch.
C: Yes, ma'am. I'm getting closer as much as possible. I can take you about 300 feet above the ground, but you'd better hurry to jump!
The pilot said with some apprehension.
L: Goddess!
I exclaimed, as the blood began to freeze in my veins.
S: Great!
You stated in the same breath, looking at me with intense eyes. I could feel your unconditional trust in me.
S: Hey! You're amazing! Everything is going to be OK, and there's no one else I'd rather do it with.
All your strength, all your love, all your faith was vibrating in your voice, warmly. Your courage melted with mine, and made me stronger, like the wave of a magic wand. My heart started pulsing of determination, as I said in a proud tone.
L: Thank you, Shepard. Your trust is so... glamorous. OK, if you're sure you wanna jump... let's do it!
You gave me a seductive smile, staring at me, firmly.
S: Oh yeah! I'd jump even in hell with you, Baby Girl!
G: Sounds cool! Just... let's hope they have a bar... you know, just in case...
Garrus claimed in a playful tone.
S: Oh, you bet they have it, dude!
You responded, with a knowing smile, as we both lit our biotics.
G: So, what are we waiting for?
Garrus gave us a knowing nod. We held him in our midst in front of the hatch open, ready for the leap. Immediately after, Cortez gave you the signal, and your voice turned back into a typical battle tone.
S: Steve, reach the Outpost, as soon as we jumped. Stay at disposal, and keep the channel open. We'll call if you're needed. C'mon, we've a cannon to take care of!
C: Aye, aye. Good luck out there!
I could hear the gunshots echoing in the small makeshift clinic, where I was trying hard not to think of you. The medical staff was limited, and I was hoping to be helpful as best I could, to give some comfort to the wounded soldiers.
I had no need to look when the door opened behind me. I felt you already in my soul. I perfectly knew it was you. I could not help but be concerned about you, and... I felt you neither could!
S: How are the casualties?
You asked in a deep, warm, caring voice.
L: They haven't brought in many more wounded...
I barely whispered, trying to ignore the big emptiness that was sucking my stomach up.
S: That's something! ... How are you holding up, Liara?
Your voice lavished me with shivers down my spine. I had my back toward you, as I firmly grabbed onto the omni-tool because, I didn't have the heart to meet your eyes. You were way more fearless than I'd ever be. But, I knew it was not easy for you either. I had never been so scared of losing you, but I had no choice but to be strong! You needed me by your side more than ever. All that I wanted, it was to be there for you with all my love, my support and every inch and ounce of strength I had inside me!
L: This is it, isn't it?
I sighed, with a shiver in the voice. When you spoke again, I recognized the same shiver in your own.
S: Yeah. This is it!
I would feel your gaze approaching, enveloping me, caressing me. The affectionate way of your voice, getting closer and closer. I haven't dared look into your eyes yet. I wondered if I ever again would be able to. It was hard to find the words, but suddenly they gushed like torrents from within me, springing directly from my deep...
L: Karin says the baby will be fine! She's still in shock, but cooperative. The trick of taking care of the teddy bear to get in touch with her seems is working well.
S: Excellent. I'm happy to hear that. So, you'll join with me to see her before the briefing?
You gave me a smile, a little forced one, but sincere. You also were touched, and had to stay focused to keep your voice under control, but your state of mind gave me a little confidence.
L: Sure. I really want to come with you, Shepard. And... you've been amazing with that little one!
I turned to you almost without knowing, and slowly found the way to meet your eyes again. I quickly realized that I would not be able to repress my great need to be deeply joined to you... to be one with your soul... once again.
L: I do have one thing for you, Shepard... a gift! It'll only take a moment, if you want it!
I whispered under my breath. You were very pleasantly surprised...
S: What kind of gift?
You asked, impatiently. To the hell with Asari traditions, I thought! ... I just wanted that it wasn't a farewell! I came up to you, looking in your eyes, as I spoke in a soft voice and tender.
L: Do you remember when I first joined my consciousness to yours? I can show you some of my own memories. Asari exchange them, sometimes. With good friends or... the SoulMate. It can be a way to say farewell, but... it can also join our determination, boldness, all our hope and faith in one and the same thing, Shepard. It can become a deep and unwavering strength to support the both of us!
S: Show me!
You said, keenly. I came up to you even more, putting my hands into yours, caressing your heart, which seemed to blow up into my own.
L: Close your eyes...
I whispered. You abandoned yourself, entrusting your mind to my own, with confidence. The moment I started the melting... we were One. When we opened our eyes, we were in exactly the same place, but you were in my mind that was talking to you about me, about... us.
It was dark all around. The night wrapped everything in its impervious blackness. Just the silence transcended into darkness. Until a bright gleam in the distance called our attention. At first faint and tiny. Soon it began to turn into a sharp blade of light, more and more intense, prominent, gaudy.
I took your hands, as I approached, eyes still closed. I could feel your breath in my breath, and guess your presence on my cheek. Through the darkness your lips were getting closer. I pressed my lips to yours, slightly, breathlessly. Then, the touch became more and more sweet, irresistible, ardent.
A moment later, we were fatally blended into my passionate kiss. Deeply involved in one another by the irresistible strength of our feelings. We stood surrounded in a bright light and protective, which swept the darkness far away from us.
The merging ended in your astonished eyes. You gave me a comforting glance, as you realized that I was feeling your identical emotions. The same sense of emptiness when we weren't together, like a crater in the middle of the heart, which only our Love used to make it fade away. I stared at you in silence, and I just couldn't let you go. Not before I get to say what I felt for you once again!
L: Thank you... for everything! I love you! ... Now, let's do what needs to be done!
I was about to activate my omni-tool, when you...
S: Wait...
You turned your visor interface off, silently. So that, I was able to see at the bottom of your eyes. Then, you took my hands and placed them gently around your hips, as you held me in your loving arms. That voice of yours, soft and sensual, had never been sweeter than that.
S: It was such a magnificent gift... thank you! You know, I'd have something for you, too... if you have a moment...
L: Oh Emy, please give it to me now, then!
I murmured, vibrating with impatience. Your face came closer, almost touching my cheek in response...
S: Close your eyes. Let yourself be carried away by my voice. I'm going to show you our own Future... you'll just have to trust me!
Your breath was searching for mine, as your cheek tenderly stroked my own. You whispered all the intensity of your feelings for me, in a low voice and warm of sweetness. The soft touch of your lips, which lingered around my ear caused me a waterfall of pleasant chills.
S: Oh, Liara... I love you too, sweetheart, beyond all limits! So, to begin with, we'll kick the Reapers back into the hole from which they came. Then, we'll stop saving the galaxy once and for all. If you want it, we can...
You lingered for a moment in a bright smile, before continuing...
S: We can get married, and... look for someplace, where we can spend the rest of our lives... in peace, and... happiness! Finally, all those little blue children will come, and... every night, before we put them to bed, we'll tell them a beautiful story of how their awesome mom and their lucky dad saved the galaxy from monsters, and then...
You paused again, to gently run your lips upon my cheek, like suspended in the sweetest of whispers.
S: Then, I can finally love you... and love you... and love you, Liara T'Soni, with my whole heart and soul! As long as you won't get enough of me!
Then, your smile stroked back my lips, even more softly, as you wrapped me in the most intense, intimate and deep kiss of my whole life. When I opened my eyes, your eyes were there, waiting for them. So sincere and loyal, decisive and firm they could not be contradicted or ignored!
L: Oh, Emy, you... you still keep your promises, aren't you?!
I whispered under my breath, with a thread of uncertainty. You gave me a seductive smile, as you held me tightly in your arms.
S: Always... especially with you!
L: Well, in this case, there is only one problem...
S: Is what?
L: I... I'm afraid I'll never get enough of you!
S: Mmm, then you are really lucky because... neither will I!
L: Thank you, my soul! That's exactly what I needed to hear! Oh, you, Emily Jane Shepard! I absolutely want to have that future, and... I want it with you! I'm not going to give up on Us, never again! No matter what happens, I will do anything to get that Future together, Sweetie, and have you all to myself. I promise!
S: Hey, my little baby girl. My whole Future it's you!
While I told you these things, I slipped in your embrace, even deeper. Our souls deeply bonded together, connected in one special being. We had never been so close, so connected, so strong, as in that endless moment. Our bodies and souls joined together in a pledge of eternal love, indissoluble, indelible, indestructible!
We stood in silence for a while, just the two of us... just One... sharing every emotion, completely in each other, for a period that looked like immeasurable!
Then, the cruel reality came back to be heavy on our hearts. Little by little, it took control on our destinies, inexorably, as your displeased voice brought me back to the present, reluctantly.
S: C'mon, if we want to greet the baby, we've to move. Anderson waits for me at the HQ!
You said with a sigh of disappointment, as your fingers drew a last greeting on my cheek.
L: Aurora. The little one's called Aurora!
I said, cracking a smile, as I took your hand, affectionately. You took my hand into your own hands, gently kissing my palm, before intertwine our fingers together, and moving towards the door.
S: Oh, I love that name!
To be Continued...