Chapter 17

There was a noise from Abby's consultation room. Abby struggled to ignore it. Asura must have seen her expression because she stopped what she was about to say and glanced down at the passage.

"What is that noise?" She asked as Abby cringed. She could now hear Grom growling, which wasn't putting her mind at ease.

"There's a problem with my disposal system," Abby said. "Grom said he could fix it, but…" A whine from machinery made them both cringe as they made eye contact.

"Maybe we should…" Asura began, and Abby nodded immediately.

"Yes. Maybe."

Trying not to run, they both went to her consultation room and looked inside. Grom had squeezed himself between two cabinets and had a wall panel loose. She didn't know much about her clinic's disposal other than it could handle anything. She also knew it couldn't be safe for Grom to do what he was doing.

A glance at Asura confirmed her suspicion.

"Grom," she said, raising her voice above the whining noise. "Do you need any help?"

The vorcha hissed in denial. "I fix!" He snapped. "Laser grid not working. Arr… Need more powa!"

Asura looked worried. "Grom, maybe you should first turn the power off," she tried to say in a level tone. "Or at least bypass the circuit." Abby looked at her, a little surprised. Asura shrugged and looked embarrassed. "There was a time I had to use whatever ship was at my disposal to travel," she pointed out. "I picked up a few tricks."

Abby found both their efforts impressive as she still couldn't drive, much less fly a spacecraft. It was too much for her anxiety to deal with.

"Don't need help," Grom said from between the cabinets. "Just powa!"

Asura shared a look with Abby, which made her shrug.

"We're not going to stop him," the veterinarian said. "I'll call for help if something goes wrong." Abby raised her voice a little. "Grom, I want to remind you that if you lose a finger, you won't grow it back!" Unlike most of his species.

Asura hid a smile as the vorcha muttered profanities from between the cabinets and guided Abby out of the room.

"Could make a good case study for your research," she said, amused. "Are you sure you'll be alright? I just realised I've put your care into the hands of a creature who might lose one today."

Abby chuckled and nodded, slipping an arm around Asura as she did so.

"I'll be fine," she said. "It's just what? A week? Ten days? I'll manage just fine, Asura. You have been gone before. I survived. As did he." She nodded towards her consultation room. "Besides, it will do you good, getting out of here."

Asura smiled, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

"Can you blame me for worrying?"

Abby hesitated, then shook her head. "No, my love," she said. "But it will be fine. Things have settled, and Griss came by to say he knows you are leaving, and he'll keep an eye out. I trust that turian."

Asura nodded. "He said I should stop by Afterlife and pick up a package Aria wants me to deliver," she said. "It's the first time I've heard from her in weeks."

Abby still hadn't heard from Aria but she suspected the matriarch had heard of the incident at her clinic a few days ago. There were more of her guards around these days, and no one had dared to leave Abby another unwelcome message. There was also an increase in Cerberus guards, though they only escorted their own. Abby gave them a wide berth. Her heart still told her someone from Cerberus had done the graffiti. None of the aliens had ever been disrespectful to her near her practice.

"Well, don't let her upset you," Abby said. "And remember, we're going away after this. Beaches, sunshine, warm oceans." She allowed Asura to feel her excitement. As she hoped, it made her partner smile, her eyes bright.

"I can think of nothing better to look forward to," she said, embracing her.

"I love you, Dr Abigail Gable."

Abby returned the hug and was soon overwhelmed by the desire to kiss Asura. She gave in to it, and it was sweet. She felt as if she breathed in Asura's essence and a small knot of worry she had not even been aware of untangled inside her.

She's alright now.

"I love you, Asura," she whispered into her neck when their lips parted. "I want to spend my whole life with you." A giddy thought rose in her heart.

"Do asari marry?"

Asura stiffened, taken by surprise. She put her hand on Abby's shoulders and pushed her away so she could look into her eyes.

"Marry?" She asked. "Like a bond ritual?"

Realising she might have said the wrong thing, Abby blushed. "I… I mean, yes," she stuttered. "Or… no? I… I don't know what I mean; it just came out." She started to pull away from Asura. "It's nothing."

Her partner was having none of it. Warm hands came to her cheeks, cupping her face. Delight and desire filled Abby's senses. "It's not nothing," Asura said. "Do you want to be my wife, Abigail?"

Yes, Abby realised. I do.

"We can talk about it when you come back," she said, barely able to contain her excitement. "If it's something you want. I would love to be your wife, Asura."

Asura laughed, and it was infectious. Abby found herself joining in, feeling like a giddy teenager.

"How am I going to walk through the door now?" Asura exclaimed. "When you leave me with a thought like that? I…" She looked up beyond Abby, her expression one of pure joy. "It would be my honour. I would love to call you my wife. What do we have to do? What are the rituals humans follow? How do they get married?"

The question made her laugh.

"Normally by upsetting most in the family," Abby pointed out. "Let's… Don't do that. Let's…" Desire to touch Asura, feel her, and meld with her came and went. "Let's get this week over with, then we can plan… I mean." She laughed. "Goddess, what have I done?"

Asura laughed. "Rather ask her why we haven't thought of it sooner," she pointed out, her voice low and filled with the same desire Abby felt. "You surprise me every day. And now I must go?" She sounded horrified. "I won't be able to stop thinking of you."

"Good," Abby said with a grin and breathed deeply. "I think we… need to stop." Otherwise, I might drag you to the floor right now.

Asura didn't let her go immediately but kissed her again, her touch soft and lingering. "I'm sure I can be a day late," she murmured. "Vera will understand."

Abby wanted to lose herself in the moment. It would have been so easy. So wonderful.

"I… don't think so," Abby was breathless as she touched Asura's chest and gently pushed her away. "But we are definitely having this discussion again." She was surprised that Asura's eyes had gone dark with hunger. It was both encouraging and a little frightening.

"Go finish your work, Asura; I'll be here when you return." Abby smiled, embarrassed. "Sorry for dropping this on you. I don't know what I was thinking."

Asura stepped away from her with visible effort, though her hand lingered on Abby's cheek. Her thumb traced a line down to her mouth and neck, and finally, it settled on her chest, where Abby knew she could feel her heart race.

"I don't regret a thing," she said and took a steadying breath, her eyes returning to normal. "I will be your wife, Abigail." She relaxed as the desire turned to joy. "What a wonderful life to look forward to."

Abby slipped her hands into her pockets to stop herself from touching Asura again. If she did, the asari might never get out of the door.

"Indeed," she said. "I will miss you, Asura. I will think of you every moment until you return. Come back to me and be safe."

Asura smiled at her, and she was beautiful. There was no darkness left in her eyes, and for the first time, Abby felt as if they had conquered the reapers that had haunted her.

All it took was giving the future hope.

"I have a few large shipments coming from the Omega-4-Relay," the Illusive Man said. "And with it, your requested Element Zero delivery. "We found deposits in the asteroids surrounding the Collector base. It is of a very high quality. I think it's worth covering the inconvenience we've set you through to allow us another docking station."

Aria glanced up from a datapad and smiled at the human.

"Honestly, it's the Blue Suns that we've inconvenienced," she said. "You've helped me remind them that they don't own that area; I simply allow them to use it as a courtesy. If you don't pay the docking fee, you don't get to play with my toys." She tapped the datapad and considered her following words.

"You've upheld your side of the bargain, and your people have been behaving themselves. You have my thanks."

The man smiled at her, his image flickering slightly. A solar storm was interfering with Omega's communications. Her people were keeping an eye on it.

"Aria, you have saved my organisation a lot of time by allowing us this courtesy," he said. "Time we couldn't afford to lose because the reapers' arrival is imminent. It is I who should thank you."

Aria murmured acknowledgement.

"My operative has been doing mining surveys in a private business," Aria said and tapped the datapad. "Trade in weapon's grade minerals has increased across the Attican Traverse. No doubt it is making its way to Citadel-controlled space. What is your take on that?"

Interestingly, the Illusive Man looked smug. "It means they have not completely dismissed the reaper's arrival. What is your take on it?"

He didn't mention Grayson, but Aria knew he wanted to. She had paid close attention to the warehouse's footage and had listened to recordings of Asura's ravings when she was at the clinic. The ardat yakshi had been away on a business trip for more than week. Although she had not asked it of her, Aria had been surprised to find Asura sharing some information with her during her trip. She had been particularly forward with how many minerals Cerberus had bought through numerous third parties.

Aria wondered if she meant it as a warning.

"I think by now only a fool would ignore the rumours," she said. "And I still believe Shepard… And you, of course, believe. When it comes to preparation, I don't think we are lacking. Every single mercenary group here is ready to go to war. Be it under my command. Or against me." She smiled at him.

The Illusive Man sat back in his chair, studying her. "When the reapers come, they will change the whole balance of power," he pointed out. "We will fight against them and everybody who stands in our way. Where will you be?"

"Where the profit is," Aria answered without hesitation. "I'm not as selfless as you pretend to be." She waved him off. "I have approved your extra docking terminals. Make sure your people don't overstay their welcome."

"They never do," the Illusive Man replied patiently. She cut him off and turned to Anto lingering behind her.

"Go to the docks and see what they offload," she instructed him. "I want to see what they are shipping. Report back to me when you are done." She went to her couch and sat down. "And try not to let anybody interfere. I hate to say it, but the Illusive Man's credits are good."

Anto grunted. "They'll run out eventually," he spoke with his usual batarian charm. "His pockets can only be so deep. I have been unable to determine where their main source of income is. And none of our ships have returned after passing through the Omega-4-Relay."

Aria nodded but wasn't concerned. "I remember Professor Solus saying something of a required IFF. If they keep bringing materials we can use, I don't care what they are doing there, Anto." She motioned to where the Illusive Man's image had been. "They are right; we must prepare for war."

Anto's lips curved to a smile. "Anybody in particular?"

Aria chuckled because the answer was obvious.

"Everybody who tries to take this asteroid away from me," she said. "Be they reaper, friend or foe…"

Sometime later, Anto was weighing what counted as interference in his mind. His party was studying a group of Talon mercenaries. They were positioning themselves into a small strike force. The Cerberus vessel had docked, but no one had moved to enter. There were a lot of human scientists hanging around, casually talking amongst themselves, but there were twice as many soldiers. He had seen them fight and knew that the Talons stood no chance to rob them of their wares. He didn't see that as interference, simply good ol'Omega hospitality.

Would serve them right, he thought bitterly. They have become too comfortable.

From the dock, he heard a voice call out.

"What's the delay?"

A reply soon followed.

"We're struggling to communicate with the pilots," one of the soldiers said. "And they haven't initiated depressurisation. The nebula might have damaged the communication systems. Our readings have picked up a change in the radiation levels of the ionised particles."

Anto made a note to communicate that to Aria. It happened occasionally. All they had to do was increase the strength of their shields. He turned his attention back to the mercenaries who were preparing to attack. His scanner picked up some chatter between the armed mercenaries.

"Hitting a Cerberus ship?" That was a salarian. "The Queen won't like it."

"Aria?" A turian. "Who gives a damn? She's getting her cut whether they offload or not. Ready the other teams! We move on my…"

There was a sharp hiss of air. It was a sign the ship had not depressurised properly. Anto turned to see what sort of idiots he was dealing with when a cacophony of noise broke out. Human screams filled the air as large creatures leapt out of the cargo ship. The chaos lasted as long as it took the guards to raise their weapons. Some mercenaries saw it as a sign to move as shots were fired left and right.

Anto cursed and ran forward, signalling his teammates to do the same.

This was definitely interference.

It was chaos. Anto directed his people into the fray. His first thought had been that the mercenaries were the cause of the trouble, but as soon as he caught his first decent look at the creatures, he froze.

She had to give them a docking tube close to the club!

"Fall back!" he snapped at his team. "We need to stop these things from reaching the club. They're not going to go down easily."

Although they didn't look like anything he had ever seen before, there was an alarming similarity to the hybrid Grayson. And they fought like him, too. Monstrous beasts with dark skin charged into the fray of mercenaries and humans. The humans were screaming, some in fear, some in pain. Everybody was shooting, but it didn't change anything.

Anto and his people knew when a fight was bigger than they were. They were the first to run through the docking tube. Anto motioned to his people to keep running as he slammed his fist on the lock. A security code locked it, and it would stay that way until he decided to open it again. Through the small window, he saw a Talon mercenary run behind them and throw himself at the wall.

"Open up!" he yelled. "Open up, you four-eyed mother fucker!" That human curse word had spread through space faster than they did. "Open…" he was cut off as a blue, glowing claw grabbed him and pulled him back into the docking tube. He didn't stop screaming when Anto turned around and reached for his radio.

"Aria," he snapped. "Griss, we have a problem!"

The quiet clinic gave Abby time to catch up with Asura's correspondence. Nearing the end of her tour, she sounded eager to return home and even more keen to discuss their plans.

Last night I spoke to the one foreman, she wrote. He said human bonding rituals and marriage depend on preference and religion. I am at a loss because I never asked you about your faith. It never seemed important until now. One couple had been married by a priest and the other by a magistrate. I have also learned that ship captains can officiate the ceremony. They are not in short supply on Omega, but I can't imagine us performing a ritual there. I am getting ahead of myself. I've tried to call, but there's been interference. I want to know how you are. I know you'll say well, but you looked tired when last we spoke. Don't overdo it, my love. We are nearly finished here. I plan to pass by my home before I return to Omega. I am counting the days, yours forever. Asura.

Abby smiled as she closed the letter and looked around the clinic. Missing Asura was bittersweet, but she appreciated her time on her own. By her guess, her partner would return by the end of the week. They had already discussed their break from Omega. Asura had found a luxury resort that catered to all species. Some beaches sparkled like diamonds, cool evenings, and a warm ocean. They even offered horseback riding, a rare luxury this far from Earth. In the years since the first contact war, equines had become a commodity of trade, favoured by Asari, who invested heavily in breeding them. There was work for her on those farms, but she had chosen not to expand her practice off-world. Omega kept her busy enough.

She thought of something Asura had said in the letter, and her heart ached a little. In years past, sea captains had also been allowed to officiate weddings. She wished they could ask Shepard to marry them, but the chances were slim. Although she had not expected it, no reply had come to her letter. She doubted she would see Jane Shepard again.

Abby was still slightly surprised she had brought up marriage, but it had felt right. Her relationship with Asura was no longer one of need. She loved her and knew her love was returned.

"Grom!" She called out into the clinic. "I think we can start closing. I don't think we'll…"

There was a dull thud. Abby thought she would lose her balance but realised abruptly the floor had trembled. It was such a faint vibration; she would have missed it without the noise. Grom, who had not replied to her suggestion, ran out of the small kitchen. He ignored her and went to the door. There were more noises now. Faint sounds that Abby recognised immediately.

Gunfire.

She had heard it on Omega when she rescued Asura from Lenelle, and she heard it in the Shadow Broker base when Shepard's crew decimated the old broker's forces.

Their omnitools started beeping at the same moment Grom opened the door. He hissed and closed it again, locking it immediately. Abby heard a familiar thud from outside as their blast doors closed. It had always acted as an extra security measure against theft, but now…

"Lockdown order!" he snapped. "Attack. We must stay!" He ran nimbly to the back, and soon Oz came bounding into the clinic.

"Attack?" Abby breathed and was instantly nauseous. "From whom?"

Grom returned to the room, growling as he brought her a shotgun.

"No matter," he hissed. "Aria's business. We stay safe. Everybody hide. I take you home after."

This was the first time something like this happened to her. She vaguely remembered Mordin going through some of the protocols for hostile actions. Most of them involved keeping one's head low until things settled down.

Fear came and went as memories turned inside her. She thought of Tela Vasir and their mad dash across Illium. The spectre was trying to put as much distance between them and Shepard. She had no idea how much collateral damage there had been in that escape attempt.

Shivering, Abby put her shotgun on the counter and went to her medical storeroom.

"If there is fighting," she told Grom, who came with her like a shadow. "We need to prepare for patients. Especially if it is happening right outside our door." She wondered if her profession would be a shield against harm.

Am I going to tell Asura? No. She can't help.

She felt a brush against her hip and realised Oz had come closer, all the ridges on his back raised. His presence nearly made her laugh.

What's happened to my life? How can this feel so normal? I am stuck in an alien clinic with aliens.

Grom didn't sound happy with her plans. "They stay outside!" He snapped. "They die outside!" He turned and returned to the reception, his own gun firmly in place.

"Not cleaning up after fools…" He muttered the last.

His words made Abby smile. He often acted as if working for her was an inconvenience, but she knew he admired what she did. She wouldn't have so many vorcha patients if he didn't because someone had to tell them she had a safe space for them.

The blast doors had dimmed the noise of gunfire, but Abby wasn't fooled. The fighting was intensifying.

She could not begin to imagine what had set it off, but she hoped it wasn't a coo to overthrow Aria. If she understood one thing about Omega, it was this.

The asteroid needed Aria to keep it civil. Without her hand to guide the chaos, it was simply a rock on the constant verge of war between the different factions.

Maybe Cerberus will help, she found herself thinking bitterly as she set out what she needed.

They need Aria, too.

This was Cerberus' doing, Aria thought as she stepped into the chaos outside of Afterlife. The timing was too convenient. She was barking orders at her guards to form a line when she first saw the agents of chaos that brought this destruction to her region. A creature as tall as a krogan stormed towards a cluster of mercenaries. Grayson immediately came to mind, though this thing was not human. A blue pouch stuck out of its back, and wire-like veins stood out across black flesh.

No, Aria thought as her eyes narrowed. It's not a pouch; it's armoured.

From Miranda Lawson's account of their encounter with Grayson, she knew that these hybrids infused with reaper technology were hardier as they acted like armour against projectiles and biotics.

A memory came to mind, catching her off guard. A few weeks ago, she had mentioned Cerberus to Dr Abigail Gable, and the ferocity of the woman's response had caught her by surprise.

"Get them all out," she had said. "They're not good people, Aria."

Aria didn't need good people; she needed obedient ones. But she would hate herself if she had to admit the doctor had been right.

I should send Patriarch to check on her. Asura isn't back yet.

There wasn't time for that now. Aria caught sight of Anto and one of his men fighting their way towards Afterlife. He had warned her there was trouble. Behind him, several creatures were catching up. Aria didn't move immediately, studying how they fought. They were killing people indiscriminately. Some they grabbed and tore to pieces, others were blasted by some energy that shot from a weapon fused to their right arm. It might not even be a weapon; it could simply be a part of their anatomy.

I should have listened to that damn veterinarian.

"Everybody on me!" Aria snapped at her people as she began advancing towards the fray, summoning her biotics and allowing her power to fill her. Anto's team had turned around to try and face their assailants, but they weren't making a difference. "Concentrate your fire on to the left." It was the beast that was closest to Anto. "Shoot on my command!"

She seized the creature with her power, halting its weapon's snaking stream of light. She felt its resistance but also felt her power penetrate its plates. Aria sneered as she threw it back.
"Now!" She yelled, catching a glimpse of Anto throwing himself to the floor out of their way. You better survive, you ruthless bastard; it will take me too long to train someone else.

Her biotics opened small cracks in the creature's armour without expending too much power. Her people opened fire as one, and this time, it made a difference. There was a sound of dying machinery as the creature crumbled. Aria swept it away and focused on the next one. The krogan, who had escorted Anto, had fallen. The bright light tube snaked from its throat as the creature turned around and screeched at them. Aria didn't hesitate as she threw her power at it. She did not need to bark a second command as her team fired on it when it was immobilised.

Anto got to his feet and came to stand beside her, breathing heavily.

"They came from the Cerberus vessel," he rasped. "But I don't think they planned this. Thank you for saving me, Boss." The second creature fell, but there were more coming.

Aria growled and looked around her, seeing a few people in Cerberus uniforms join the fray. "So, are we taking them out with the creatures?" She waved over an eclipse sister. "You! Get over here!"

The mercenary looked irritated till she saw who the command came from. She stepped out of the fray and ran towards Aria.

"They were taken off guard," Anto said. "They weren't expecting it. They're trying to kill them as hard as we are."

"And they are having even less success," she said, pointing to the eclipse sister. "Did you see what I did? No? Hold it with your biotics; don't try and fight it off yourself. Get yourself a team and take them down one by one." She motioned to her guards. "Take my people and spread the word. We must take them down one by one! They are too resilient."

"I will call my sisters," the asari said quickly. "It will be done, Aria."

Aria turned to Anto. "Call the Blue Suns," she said. "Tell them to follow up the same strategy. I want them and the Blood Pack to support the Eclipse sisters. Send them to where the other shipment docked; I remember there were two incoming vessels."

"On it, Aria," Anto said. "Are we going to tell them to take Cerberus out too?"

Aria grimaced as she saw two Cerberus vanguards and other soldiers step forward and deploy the same strategy she had. Quick on the uptake, these humans.

"Let them thin the herd," she said. "How many creatures did you see?"

"More than a dozen," Anto retorted. "I think they slaughtered the crew."

Aria said nothing as she approached one of the creatures she had killed, studying its features. Its face was utterly foreign, but she stopped and hunched beside it as her gaze travelled down to its arms. Picking up its wrist, she ran her fingers over a small golden band stuck on one of the fingers.

"Maybe," she said. "Call Omega control. Tell them to lock down any docks that have Cerberus vessels. And find out where these came from!" More citizens were joining in the fight, but she ignored them and stormed towards a cluster of Blue Suns mercenaries.

"One at a time!" she barked at the vanguard taking point. He was trying to split his attention between two of the creatures. "Get another biotic; you are not strong enough!" She wrapped one in her power, and

barked the order to fire. There are definitively more than twelve… "If there's nobody left, join another team! We must take them down!"

"Yes, Aria," the mercenaries quickly said as one. They took down the second creature and ran to join another one of their struggling teams. Griss came running through the crowd.

"Aria, they're coming from the Omega-4-relay!" The turian had to have heard Anto's broadcast to Omega control. "And there's another problem. We have several more Cerberus ships inbound from the Mass relay. This is an attack."

Aria felt a wave of anger as she whirled around.

"Get me to command," she said. "And bring the defence cannons online. I will not allow this!"

A message came through to Anto's omnitool. He frowned and turned to her.

"A new report says they are attacking those from the Omega-4-relay," he pointed out. "They are firing on their people."

Rebellion? Aria didn't know, but she knew who would.

"Get the Illusive Man online," she said.

"I want to have a word with him."

The End of Chapter 17