[Standard Human Date: October 21, 2552.
In the Normandy's hangar, Jane, Jenkins, and Kaidan were lying on the floor, chatting casually.
"You know, Jenkins, you're really in trouble," Kaidan teased, catching his friend's attention.
"Oh, come on, Kaidan, I've already apologized for worrying you. Besides, Sensei isn't here, so I'm sure you won't call him just to tell on me," Jenkins replied, trying to defend himself.
"True, but you forgot that Dr. Karin is on board, didn't you?" Kaidan provoked with a mischievous grin.
Jenkins, upon hearing this, sat up quickly, a look of alarm crossing his face as he remembered his Sensei, who was teaching him to be a medical-nin.
"I'd forgotten!" he exclaimed, eyes wide and slapping his hand against his forehead."
"You really forgot about Dr. Karin, Jenkins?" Jane asked, looking at her friend with a surprised expression. "You're such an idiot! I've said it before, and I'll say it again."
"Jane! You're supposed to be on my side, not against me like Kaidan," Jenkins complained, clearly irritated.
Kaidan laughed, seizing the opportunity. "Don't bother appealing to Jane, Jenkins. She won't save you from Dr. Karin."
"Neither of you are really going to help me, huh?" Jenkins insisted, but seeing his friends' expressions, he realized the answer was a clear "no."
Resigned, he sighed. "I guess I'll just have to face my fate... alone," he muttered dramatically.
"For crying out loud, Jenkins," Kaidan rolled his eyes, losing patience with his friend's exaggeration. "Cut the drama. We also have to go to the infirmary, so you're not going alone."
"He's right, Jenkins. Dr. Karin won't make you suffer... much," Jane commented, trying to cheer her friend up.
"I wouldn't bet on that," Kaidan retorted, clearly skeptical that the situation would be easy. "But anyway, do something useful, Jenkins, and help me up," he asked, extending his hand.
"Seriously?" Jenkins raised an eyebrow, but eventually helped Kaidan to his feet. As soon as Kaidan was standing, Jane extended her hand, indicating that she wanted help as well.
"Has anyone ever told you guys you're really lazy?" he asked, with a slightly exasperated expression.
Jane just smiled, keeping her hand out until Jenkins helped her up as well.
"See? That wasn't so hard. Now let's head to the infirmary and meet the others," Jane said, already leaving the hangar, with Kaidan and Jenkins close behind.
As they walked through the Normandy's corridors, Jenkins couldn't hide his anxiety. "Do you think Dr. Karin will go easy on me this time?" he muttered, more to himself than to the others.
"Doubt it," Kaidan replied. "She always says it's for our own good, remember?"
Jane chuckled. "Yeah, Jenkins, I think you're going to need all the luck you can find."
...
In the MedBay, Dr. Karin was organizing some medical equipment to begin examining her patients. The atmosphere was quiet, with only the sound of the machines filling the space.
She started with questions while checking each patient's vital signs.
The first was Garrus. Placing the stethoscope on his chest, she asked him to take a deep breath so she could listen to his lungs. "Are you experiencing any chest pain or difficulty breathing after the exposure to volcanic smoke?"
Garrus took a deep breath, as she had instructed, before responding. "No, doctor. Just a slight headache and a bit of dizziness."
"Alright, your vital signs are excellent. You just need to rest, drink plenty of water, eat well, and spend some time on IV fluids. Your only symptom seems to be dehydration," Dr. Karin said after checking his other vital signs.
Garrus nodded and thanked her. "Thank you, doctor. I'll follow your recommendations."
Next, Dr. Karin turned to Tali, who was sitting on the bed beside Garrus. Unlike with Garrus, she checked the machine connected to the Quarians protective suit, which monitored all her vital signs.
As she reviewed the results, Dr. Karin noticed that all the suit's safety systems were functioning, but the air filters were overloaded.
"Tali, have you experienced any persistent coughing or throat irritation since the explosion?" she asked, looking at the data.
Tali nodded. "Yes. I've been coughing a lot, and my throat is irritated."
Dr. Karin began examining the suit's air filters. "I may not be a mechanic, but I've studied Quarian suits extensively for situations like this. It looks like your air filters are overloaded, which could be causing the irritation. I'll replace the filters and add a supplement to help with the throat inflammation," she explained as she replaced the filters. "After that, you should start feeling better soon. Make sure to avoid dusty or smoky environments until your suit is fully recalibrated. But don't worry, I'll also give you an immune system booster. You should be fine, Tali."
"Thank you, doctor. I was starting to worry about getting sick," Tali replied, relieved.
"You're welcome, Tali. I'm glad I can help," Dr. Karin said. "If you feel any other discomfort, let me know immediately."
Tali smiled behind her suit's visor. "I will, doctor. Thanks again."
Karin nodded and, after taking care of Tali, moved on to the next patient, Wrex, who seemed a bit impatient.
"And you, Wrex? Any pain or injury that needs attention?"
"No. I'm fine," Wrex replied in his characteristic gravelly voice. "I just want to get back into action."
"I understand, but I still need to do a checkup. I have to make sure everyone is in optimal condition before any more missions," Karin explained, noting a few observations on her omni-tool.
Wrex fell silent, remembering the last encounter where she nearly broke his bones.
"Well, you're right, there's nothing wrong with you. Everything that should be in your lungs has been cleared out, your wounds are closed, and even the minor burns are fading. Great work by your immune system, Wrex," Karin said after completing her assessment of the Krogan.
"Okay," Wrex replied, somewhat reluctantly. "I hope I don't need to come back here anytime soon." He muttered the last part under his breath.
Karin nodded, hearing what he said. "I hope so too, Wrex. Take care and good luck on the next mission. Otherwise, we'll be seeing each other again soon."
The Krogan tried to hide it, but he couldn't help but flinch at Dr. Karin's words, which brought a certain satisfaction to the doctor.
She moved to the next bed, where her new patient was waiting. "Hello, Dr. Liara. It's a pleasure to meet you in person. I'm familiar with your work and find it fascinating. History is one of my passions, besides medicine."
Liara greeted her with a slight nod. "Dr. Karin, the pleasure is mine. I'm glad to hear you appreciate my work. It's a pity that it's not in a less... clinical setting."
Karin smiled, appreciating Liara's sincerity. "You're right. I wish we had more time for a conversation, but we'll save that for later. For now, let's take care of what's necessary. Have you had any difficulty moving or joint pain since the escape? I heard you were trapped in an energy field for quite some time."
"My joints are sore, especially in my knees and shoulders. I think it's from being trapped, as you mentioned, and then the situation with the volcano didn't help. It was a tough run to get out of there."
"I understand. In that case, I'll prescribe you a muscle relaxant and some painkillers to help with the discomfort. Other than that, I don't see anything else that needs attention," Karin concluded as she finished the checks and handed the medications to Liara.
Liara took the medicine, relieved. "Thank you, doctor. Your help is greatly appreciated."
"You're welcome, Liara. I hope you recover quickly. And when all this is over, let's meet in a more pleasant place to chat," Karin said, offering an encouraging smile before moving on to the next patient.
Addressing her last patient, Dr. Karin asked, "Spectre Nihlus, are you experiencing any pain or discomfort?"
Nihlus shook his head. "I feel extreme fatigue and a slight pain in my legs."
"Is that pain more like a burning sensation?" Karin inquired, receiving a nod in confirmation. She took a closer look and noticed minor heat burns with a few blisters. "And how are your lungs? Are you breathing well?"
"I think they're fine. They've definitely improved since the explosion. I'm breathing without any problems now, doctor," Nihlus replied.
Dr. Karin recorded all his responses in her medical log. "I'm going to prescribe an ointment for the burns. Apply a thin layer to the affected areas. Since these are minor burns, they should heal within two days at most. Additionally, take these painkillers to help with the leg pain. They should be taken after meals to avoid stomach discomfort. And please, make sure you get plenty of rest, Spectre. We need you at full strength," Karin explained, handing Nihlus the medications.
Nihlus nodded. "I'll follow your recommendations."
...
Shortly after, Jane, Kaidan, and Jenkins arrived at the MedBay and found the rest of the team in the resting area towards the back
Upon seeing them enter, Dr. Karin looked up and smiled warmly.
"Ah, there you are. And you, Jenkins, I heard you got yourself into trouble again," she said, with a tone that was a mix of amusement and irony directed at her student.
Jenkins swallowed hard. "I... it was a misunderstanding, Sensei. I just wanted to help a little."
Karin raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Well, let's see how much 'help' you need now. Please, have a seat."
As Jenkins obeyed, Jane and Kaidan exchanged knowing looks. They knew that despite the teasing, Dr. Karin would take good care of their friend, but they were also aware that Jenkins wouldn't escape without a proper lesson.
"Now, you two," Karin said, turning to Jane and Kaidan. "What are you waiting for? Sit down as well. I'm sure you didn't come out of this mission completely unscathed."
Sighing, Jane and Kaidan followed the instructions, fully aware that on the Normandy, discipline and medical care were taken very seriously. They weren't foolish and wouldn't dare challenge Dr. Karin.
Sitting and trying to remain as quiet as possible, Jenkins endured Dr. Karin's examination, though he wanted to protest, knowing she was being strict because she was upset with him.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Dr. Karin looked at her student, especially at the Byakugou seal mark, and asked, "Do you have any idea how much chakra you wasted in your little stunt?"
"It was... a lot?" Jenkins replied, visibly concerned.
"A lot? Oh, if only it were just 'a lot,' Jenkins. You nearly drained half of your reserves from the seal!" Dr. Karin started with a sarcastic tone, but by the end, she raised her voice, clearly showing her irritation with her student's reckless actions.
"What! I'm sure I used less than that," Jenkins said nervously, stammering at the end.
"I believe you think that, but I warned you when you started training with me three years ago with the Byakugou. Once you achieved a good reserve, your control should be flawless. So, you ruined three years of work by performing an A-class jutsu, not just stopping one, but SEVERAL erupting volcanoes. With your actions, that entire area is now covered in volcanic rock, and storms are spreading across the planet," Karin responded, her tone heavy with disappointment.
"But I-I..." Uncomfortable with his mentor's tone, Jenkins tried to explain himself but stopped when he saw Karin raise her hand, signaling for him to stop.
"Listen, you reckless boy. I'm frustrated with all the work undone, but..." Sighing, Karin began to express her displeasure with the situation, pausing only to observe her student's reaction.
She noticed Jenkins's childlike enthusiasm, almost as if he had dog ears perking up at the possibility of hearing something positive, and she couldn't help but smile.
"I'm impressed with your jutsu, Jenkins. It was really powerful. I know that strong elemental jutsus can interfere with the surrounding environment, but I never thought you'd change the climate of an entire region. Kid, you're getting really strong."
Karin paused and then continued with a more serious tone. "But enough of the compliments. Now it's time for your punishment for being so reckless. You're going to stay with me and train your chakra control more. This means you won't be going on the next mission."
Seeing that Jenkins wanted to protest, Karin quickly interrupted him. "Don't even try to argue because you wouldn't be going anyway. Your chakra system is all out of balance because of your stunt, and any jutsu you tried to perform could be stronger than planned, putting the mission at risk. So, no missions for you."
Disheartened by the order, Jenkins nodded in agreement.
Wanting to cheer up their friend, Kaidan put a hand on Jenkins's shoulder and said, "Look, Jenkins, there's no need to be down. It's just the next mission."
Trying to help as well, Jane added, "He's right, Jenkins. Besides, I'm sure the mission we're going on will be better."
"You think so?" Jenkins asked, receiving nods from his friends.
"Uh-huh!" Clearing her throat to get their attention, Dr. Karin paused as she realized her goal had been achieved. "I don't want to interrupt, but you two also need to undergo your examinations. Remember?"
The two responded together, "Sorry."
Rolling her eyes at their behavior as if they were newly scolded children, Karin began to examine them.
"You look perfectly fine, Jane," Karin said after a quick check.
Turning to Kaidan, she raised an eyebrow. "As for you, Kaidan, it seems you might have overdone it a bit, haven't you? How many jutsu attacks did you use, you stubborn boy?"
Kaidan scratched the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "Maybe... more than necessary?"
Feeling a vein throb on her forehead due to Kaidan's reckless attitude, Karin took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
"Do you have any explanation for this?" she asked.
"W-Well, I..." Kaidan tried to explain but was interrupted by Dr. Karin, who realized this wasn't going to lead anywhere.
"Forget it. Don't even try anymore, kid. I can see you don't have a good excuse prepared," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, how you frustrate me with your reckless behavior, but complaining now won't help. She paused for a moment, massaging her forehead to illustrate her frustration.
"Listen, Kaidan, I don't need to tell you not to use so many jutsus. Your chakra reserves are naturally low, and using so much for jutsus doesn't help at all. Besides, you can use biotics. I know many biotics don't like not being able to use jutsus as often as other shinobi, but you need to be more cautious."
Kaidan looked visibly embarrassed, lowering his head while Karin continued. "You need to understand your limits and work within them. Biotics have their advantages, and you should learn to maximize them instead of trying to make up for it with jutsus your body can't sustain."
He sighed, finally confessing. "Yes, Doctor, I overdid it. I saw Ashley doing some amazing maneuvers on the last mission and asked her to teach me some of her jutsus. I was so excited that I didn't consider my own limitations. I used several advanced-ranking jutsus, modifying my bullets and introducing jutsu effects, but I went beyond my limits."
Karin shook her head. "You know your affinity is limited to lightning and fire. That means you can't just replicate what Ashley does with multiple elements. Every shinobi has their strengths and weaknesses. Ignoring that is asking for trouble."
"I just wanted to be useful, help out, and try something new, but I got carried away," Kaidan admitted, the embarrassment still evident on his face.
"I understand, Kaidan," Karin said, softening her tone a bit. "We all want to do our best. But you need to respect your limits. Ashley may be versatile, but that doesn't mean you should try the same without proper preparation. There's a difference between being ambitious and being reckless, and you're a better marksman than she is."
Kaidan nodded, a bit more encouraged by the praise. "Yes, Doctor. I'll be more careful from now on."
"You'd better be," Karin replied. "Your health and the team's safety depend on it. Until then, no more overdoing it. Understood?"
"Understood," Kaidan replied firmly.
Satisfied with the response, Karin finished the exam and made some notes on her device. "Now, all of you go rest and get out of my way."
Nodding, the three headed to the rest area to join the rest of the team. Upon arrival, they were met with curious looks.
"So, how did it go?" Liara asked, eyeing the three with interest.
"Well, let's just say Dr. Karin wasn't exactly thrilled," Jenkins replied, trying to keep the tone light.
"Did she go hard on you?" Garrus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We got a few harsh words and a reminder about the importance of control," Jenkins said, sitting down next to Tali.
"But at least we're all here, together," Jane added, trying to ease the tension. "And we know Dr. Karin just wants the best for us."
"She may be tough, but it's for our own good. Besides, I think she was more worried about you than actually angry, Jenkins," Tali said, looking at him.
"That's true," Garrus agreed. "We were worried about you too. What on earth possessed you to face a volcano?"
Jenkins gave an embarrassed smile. "I just wanted to help, you know? But I guess I went a bit overboard."
"A bit!" Wrex roared, joining the conversation. "You deactivated several volcanoes at once, kid. Something I never thought I'd say in my centuries of life. Hahaha! You've got guts, maybe even more than a Krogan."
"We're lucky no one died," Liara whispered softly.
Nilhus nodded in agreement with Liara. This had been one of the strangest missions he had ever been on; he had faced a volcano, something he was sure almost no one he knew could claim to have done, even if it wasn't exactly a conflict but a race to save their lives.
Shaking off those thoughts, Nilhus focused on the conversation with his teammates. "The doctor wasn't the only one concerned, Shepard." Seeing that he had caught the human's attention, Nilhus continued. "I heard our pilot wasn't exactly calm either."
"Joker?" Jane made a knowing expression and tensed her shoulders. "Damn, I had forgotten about him. I guess I'll have to face another judgmental look."
"Look on the bright side, Jane," Jenkins tried to cheer her up. "What bright side? Because I can't see any," Jane retorted.
"Sensei isn't here either," Jenkins said, trying to lift the mood, which was slightly dampened by Kaidan's response.
"And how long do you think it'll be until he finds out?" Kaidan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Damn, you're right," Jenkins said, disheartened. "I'll have to brace myself for his lecture."
"Look on the bright side, Jenkins," Tali said in a teasing tone, "this time he won't be pulling your ears while he talks."
The others burst into laughter, and Jenkins, joining in on the joke, made a pout and crossed his arms like a child, which only made everyone laugh even more.
That moment of levity helped everyone relax, putting their worries aside, at least for a while.
...
Liara stood, staring into space and lost in thoughts about the past few hours of her life. It was curious to her how, for the Asari, a few decades or even a century didn't seem to mean much. Many of her kind believed that such a short time wasn't enough to change their perspectives or the way they lived. Liara had always found this idea ridiculous.
In just one year, most species witness the birth of billions of new lives, each with the potential to shape the future of the universe. In ten years, these children grow up, gain diverse knowledge, and start to form their own personalities. In twenty years, they become adults seeking to define their futures. In thirty, forty, or fifty years, many will have lived half or even an entire lifetime.
Liara couldn't ignore how every moment and every decision could transform destinies. This was something she had learned intensely in recent days, and the reality of it weighed on her mind as she continued to gaze at the stars.
While Asari lived up to a thousand years, forty was still considered young, and they usually left home around sixty or seventy. It was common to see young Asari traveling the universe, making mistakes, and getting involved with gangs and irresponsible activities—something Liara had always despised when she was younger.
Funny, isn't it? Liara, at 106 years old, realizes that, even without admitting it out loud or reflecting deeply on the matter, she ends up behaving exactly like the Asari stereotypes she always tried to avoid: arrogant and convinced of her superiority.
She always saw herself as different, promising to dedicate herself intensely to study and not waste precious years on frivolities. However, not even she, the renowned Dr. Liara T'Soni—a researcher who dedicated fifty years to studying Prothean technology and culture to distinguish herself from the Asari who ventured aimlessly—managed to escape the cycle faced by those Asari who saw themselves as wiser than they truly were.
But in the end, what did it amount to? She had nearly died so many times in the past hours that she could count on her fingers. And who saved her? It wasn't the short-lived species,
the same bellicose ones she used to criticize for preferring weapons over exploring the wonders of the past?
Liara reflected on the irony of it all. Throughout her life, she believed that her knowledge and wisdom would protect her, that her quest for understanding ancient civilizations would set her apart from the Asari seeking pointless adventures and dangers. Yet, in the most critical moments, it was those with fewer years of life but perhaps more survival experience who extended a hand to her.
Liara felt a mix of humility and frustration. Humility for recognizing that, despite all the knowledge she had acquired, there was still much to learn about what truly mattered. And frustration for realizing that she might have wasted too much time underestimating those who lived differently from her, who did not follow the path of intellectualism and yet played a crucial role in protecting what she valued.
"Damn, I really am more like my mother than I thought," Liara murmured quietly. This thought hit her like a punch to the stomach, bringing a wave of discomfort. Recognizing it didn't help at the moment; it only deepened the feeling of being trapped in a cycle she had always wanted to escape.
Liara had always tried to distance herself from her mother Benezia's legacy, believing that she was following a different path and making different choices. But now, reflecting on her own journey and recent revelations, she couldn't help but see the similarities. The stubbornness, the conviction of being right, the tendency to underestimate others—all reflected more of her mother than she would have liked to admit.
This realization left her uneasy. It was exactly what she feared most: becoming what she swore to avoid. But at the same time, this moment of clarity could be a turning point.
Perhaps it was time to redefine her priorities, to find a new balance between the knowledge she so valued and the ability to genuinely connect with those around her.
Lost in her thoughts, Liara didn't realize she had arrived at the command room or that someone was standing in front of her.
--
"Dr. Liara." The voice made her stop abruptly. Liara looked up and saw Tali, the Normandy's engineer. "I've been waiting for you."
The surprise on Liara's face was evident, and her curiosity soon emerged. "Why were you waiting for me?" she asked, trying to understand the reason.
Tali, with a somewhat hesitant but determined tone, responded, "I wanted to talk to you about... about you. I noticed you seemed distant and thoughtful, and I thought you might want to talk to someone."
Liara frowned slightly, surprised by Tali's perception. "I didn't want to bother anyone with my thoughts," she murmured, more to herself than to Tali.
"It's not a bother," Tali replied sincerely. "Sometimes talking helps clear the mind. And... well, I think we might have some things in common to discuss."
"Common? I don't understand what we might have in common," Liara responded, somewhat confused.
Tali paused before speaking, her tone now more serious. "I was on Eden Prime when the colony was attacked by the Geth, Liara."
Liara's expression changed instantly upon hearing this. Memories of the attack, the losses, and the chaos surfaced, along with an understanding of what Tali was implying.
"You were there..." Liara repeated, still stunned.
"Yes," Tali continued. "And I know how hard it was... to see all that, to be in the midst of so much destruction and feel helpless. It's not something you forget easily."
"I... never thought anyone here would understand what I felt," Liara confessed, her voice low, as if allowing herself to be vulnerable for the first time.
Tali nodded, fully understanding. "It's not easy, and I won't say it will get easier. But if you need to talk, if you need someone who understands... I'm here, even if not right now."
Liara let out a deep sigh, looking away but feeling a bit lighter with Tali's words. "I... don't know if I'm ready to talk about it yet," she admitted. "I think I'm afraid to stop and think about it, because if I do... I don't know if I'll be able to keep going. And I... want to, no! I need to keep going. If I stop, I don't know if I'll be able to forgive myself."
"You don't have to force yourself to talk about it before you're ready," Tali replied. "But for now, I think it's better if we head in; everyone's waiting in the command room."
"Thank you, Tali. Maybe at some point, I'll be able to talk about it. But for now, focusing on other things helps distract me."
Tali gave a small smile behind her mask, and the two went into the room.