Finding a way: Mass effect 3

Finding Leviathan

The trace led them to the Psi Tophet system in Sigurd's Cradle and EDI's additional scans once they reached it led them to an almost entirely aquatic planet - Despoina.

He, James, and Liara huddled up with Aubrey before boarding the shuttle. "Alright everyone, we launched a probe when we arrived and confirmed the energy signal that EDI traced from Dr. Bryson's lab originated on this planet."

"And now for the 'but'" James quipped.

"But," Aubrey continued, rolling her eyes at him, "before we could get any additional data about surface conditions, other life signs, etc. the probe went dark."

"So, we're going in blind," he stated.

"Pretty much," she agreed, her look telling him she was just as unhappy about that fact as he was. "We know approximately where on the surface Leviathan is, but that's about it. Which means we need to be ready for anything."

"Well, one thing we do know – there will most likely be Reaper forces to fight," Liara said.

"Look at you, Bluebird, finding that silver lining," Vega flirted.

"I'm simply drawing a logical conclusion from previous data sets, Lieutenant," she replied seriously, missing the flirtation entirely.

"Relajate un poco, carino," James said. (relax a little, honey)

Kaidan tried to hide his smile. Vega was in for an uphill battle if he wanted to get Liara to notice him romantically. But it'd be great for her if he could. She'd always been reserved and bookish. James' daring, grab life by the horns attitude would balance her perfectly. Hell, she'd probably do the same for him and reign in some of his recklessness. He could tell with a glance that Aubrey was thinking the same thing.

"That is a very beautiful language," Liara said, "The way the 'r' is rolled...it's very musical. I presume it's an Earth dialect?"

"Yeah, Spanish."

"So, my nickname...Bluebird...how would you say that in your dialect?" Liara asked, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

James smiled at her genuinely, "Azulejo."

"That's lovely," she said.

"Well, a lovely nickname for a lovely lady," James replied, making Liara's blush deepen. He seemed to realize that Kaidan and Aubrey were still there and quickly cleared his throat. "Um...so what's the plan, Commander?" he asked, trying to get back to business.

"Cortez will drop us at the last location the probe transmitted from, where Leviathan likely is. We need to locate the creature and then I'll try and talk some sense into it to get it to help us fight the Reapers."

"What if Dr. Bryson is right, though, and it is a defector of some kind? If Leviathan is a Reaper, do we really want that kind of help?" Kaidan asked.

"I'm not planning on making friends with it, but if it has the other Reapers this worried then I think we do," she replied.

The shuttle launched and they entered the atmosphere.

"Uh, Commander?" Cortez said from the cockpit. "You're not gonna like this."

"What is it?"

"The location the probe gave us for Leviathan...there's nothing but ocean, ma'am. Some structures floating on the surface, but that's it."

"Perhaps the probe's data was mistaken?" Liara said.

Kaidan saw when Aubrey's mind kicked into gear and started putting the pieces together. He loved how her brow furrowed and she bit her lower lip in concentration. And how her eyes widened when the solution finally came to her.