Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 44

Milky Way/Crescent Nebula/Tasale/Illium

Earth year: 2185 CE --- August

Callie was still trying to decide who she wanted on her next mission, when she heard an asari arguing with someone on her communicator.

"But I lost it somewhere on the transport station!" She said. "If you could just have someone go check."

Callie reached into her pocket and put her hand on a locket she'd found while helping Miranda with Oriana. She'd opened it and found the image of a human male inside, but there was no other identifying information.

"Excuse me?" Callie asked as the asari paused in her conversation. She turned a tear-stained face to her and met her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I can't talk right now. I'm on an important call."

"It's just that I was in the transport station recently and I found this." She said, holding up the locket. "Is this what you're looking for?"

"I can't believe you found it." She said, taking the locket from her. "Oh Steven! He was my bond mate. He died while our daughter was still young. This is all she has left to remember him."

"Glad I could help." Callie said.

"Here." The asari said, handing Callie a sum of credits. "It isn't much, but it's less than I would've had to pay for a formal search."

Callie nodded her thanks, feeling her heart lift as the asari walked away, her tears replaced by a smile. Despite the seriousness of her mission and the hopelessness she sometimes felt at the prospect of defeating the Collectors, this small happiness gave her hope. With that thought, she activated her omni-tool. She knew now who she wanted for her next mission.

----xxx----

Callie, accompanied by Zaeed and Kasumi, met with an asari secretary outside Liara's office. As they entered, Liara was on a vid-comm with her back to the door.

"I'll make it simple for you." They heard her say, just before she cut her caller off. "Pay me what you owe, or I'll flay you alive. With my mind!"

Liara turned and catching sight of Shepard, she rushed over to embrace her.

"Shepard!" She cried. "Nixeris! Hold my calls. Shepard, it's so good to see you!"

"You too Liara." Callie said, surprised by Liara's greeting. "It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Busy." She said, releasing her and moving to her desk.

"I can see that." Callie said dryly. "Since when did you start threatening people with your biotics?"

"It's been a long time Shepard." Liara replied, her voice losing all trace of friendliness. "After you, well... I had some things to take care of. Favours to return."

"Does this have something to do with the Shadow Broker? Is he after you?"

Liara laughed, her voice cold. "It's more accurate to say he's on the run from me."

Callie was stunned by Liara's swift change in mood. "You could come with me Liara. I could use your help on this mission."

"I can't Shepard, I'm sorry. Friendship should count for something in this life, but it's not enough. I still have work to do here, people I need to repay." She said, looking troubled. "Now, was there anything I can help you with?"

Callie was speechless. Of all her friends, she had been certain that Liara would be eager to join her crew. That she'd turned her down for reasons she'd been more that vague about was more than she could process. Covering her surprise, she asked about Thane and Samara.

"You just knew all that off the top of your head?" Callie asked, impressed.

"I'm a very good Information Broker." She said with a smile.

"Well, that's all I need Liara. Take care of yourself." Callie said, moving to the door.

"Let me know if you need anything else Shepard. I'll be here."

Callie led them back to the market district and could feel Kasumi's eyes boring into the back of her head as they walked.

"I'm guessing that didn't go as you planned, huh Shep?" Kasumi asked.

"No. No it didn't." Callie muttered, ducking into a corridor that led to the transport terminal.

"That's the thing about friends Shepard." Zaeed grumbled. "People change. Sometimes you can never be sure we know them at all."

"Speaking from experience Zaeed?" Callie asked, turning to look at him.

"More experience than I care to remember Shepard." Zaeed replied meeting her eyes

Callie remained silent as they approached the transport terminal. There was more to Zaeed's story than a few cryptic words. If she had time later, she'd ask him about it.

"Dantius..." Callie repeated as the asari, Seryna told her where they could find Thane Krios. "Why does that name sound familiar?"

"She used to have diplomatic offices on the Citadel."

"I remember now. She had me kill her sister."

"Right, well then you know what she's capable of."

"Why were you willing to help Thane if you know he's an assassin?"

"I found out about what Nassana was doing and when I brought my concerns to her, she fired me. I could have kept her safe, now I just want Thane to succeed."

"So why are you helping us then?"

"If Nassana's mercenaries are busy stopping you, maybe it'll give Thane time to reach her and finish his mission. Nobody hired him, he said he was doing this to restore the balance of his life."

"Let's get moving then."

"So what's your interest in Thane?" Seryna asked as she drove them to Dantius Towers.

"I'm just here to make sure he survives."

"Mmm."

Seryna dropped them off half-way up the tower on an external landing platform. Readying weapons, they made their way to the top of the tower, taking out Nassana's mercenaries as they went.

Passing several dead salarians, Callie applied medi-gel to one who was still alive, but injured. He told them they would find Nassana in the second tower, but they would have to take the sky bridge which had no walls or guardrails.

"This just keeps getting better and better." Zaeed grumbled as Kasumi hacked the door that would get them inside.