Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 71

Milky Way/Crescent Nebula/Tasale/Illium

Earth year: 2185 CE ---November

Seated in a private booth, Kaidan sipped at his ice-cold Canadian lager, the availability of it due largely in part to the lucrative black-market trade on Illium. Whatever the reason, he didn't much care since it was doing great things to calm his frayed nerves.

Movement near the entrance of the bar caught his attention, and he looked over to see Liara enter. She looked different from what he remembered. Walking with purpose and an energy of confidence she'd never before possessed, she saw him and headed over. Dressed in a form-fitting, white outfit with blue trim, she looked all business. From what he could tell, it was probably a cleverly disguised form of asari armour, likely concealing a shield barrier with a back-up battery source.

"Kaidan." She said, her tone casual as she took a seat across from him. "It's good to see you."

"Likewise Liara." He replied, keeping  his voice neutral. "I wasn't sure how long you'd be so I already ordered. Would you like something?"

"That would be nice. Just give me a moment." Before he could respond, she was on her feet and headed to the bar. She returned a few minutes later carrying a large glass containing a mysterious, swirling, purple liquid.

Settling into her chair, she took a healthy swallow of it before turning her attention to him.

"Have you come far?" Kaidan asked, unsure how to proceed.

"Not really, no." She lied, taking a deep breath. "I suppose you're wondering why I asked you to meet me after all tgis time."

"To say I was surprised to hear from you would be an understatement." He agreed, feeling the hairs on his arms rise.

"I thought you might be."

Kaidan waited. It was clear she didn't want to continue, but since he had no idea what she wanted to say he felt it best to let her proceed on her own.

"I made a promise." She began, breaking eye contact. "But now that I'm here, I don't know how to start."

Kaidan had no idea how to respond, even as her words increased his growing alarm.

"I have something I have to tell you. It will come as a shock and you'll probably be very angry with me."

"Liara. You're beginning to scare me. What's this about? What's going on?"

"I... " She looked away, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "I'm the one who gave Shepard to Cerberus." She blurted. "After the Normandy went down, I... I helped get Shepard's body back from the Shadow Broker."

"Helped?" Kaidan croaked, unable to say anything else.

"Helped by Cerberus. They gave me the intel and an agent to track down a Blue Suns group that were planning to give Shepard's body to the Shadow Broker. They said they could bring her back and I... I missed her so much."

Kaidan could feel his biotics beginning to tingle over the surface of his skin. The tell-tale blue glow shimmered in the periphery of his vision and knew he was losing control. Always before when he lost control over his emotions it had proven dangerous. For him and anyone nearby.

Seeing it, Liara gasped and pushed back from the table

"This has got to be a joke." Kaidan seethed in disbelief. "You stole Shepard's body and knew where she was this whole time? For two years?!"

"I'm so sorry Kaidan." She stammered, her eyes brimming with tears. "I know I should have told you, I know what I did was wrong, but... by the time I stopped believing Cerberus could bring her back too much time had passed. I didn't want to hurt you."