Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 79

Milky Way/Hourglass/Sowilo/Hagalaz

Earth year: 2185 CE --- December

Liara was taking a short break from organizing the Shadow Broker's resources. It had been slow going at first. So many resources and operatives, files, cross-checking, locations of the Broker's agents – the list went on.

Things had improved exponentially after she'd come across the Broker's information drone. Unfortunately, it could not identify the operatives it came across and referred to anyone in the room as the Shadow Broker. She had just finished tinkering with it's settings when her omni-tool pinged. Her brow wrinkled in puzzlement. Who could be sending her a message? Since there were so few who knew her address, it was a short list of possibilities.

"Liara,

I've heard you've become a skilled information broker. I need to see you as soon as possible. Can we meet?

Kaidan"

Disbelief flooded her as she read through the message a second time. Kaidan? What could he possibly need to see her about? She'd been certain that after learning about her betrayal, she would never hear from him again.
She bit her lip in thought, but there was no chance she was going to ignore it. Shrugging, she fired off a reply with coordinates to the broker's ship and directions. Although being the Broker meant she needed to keep a low profile, she had no desire to do the Broker's job in isolation. She wanted her friends back and if Kaidan was offering an olive branch to regain his friendship, she was going to take it, consequences be damned.

----xxx----

After reporting to Anderson what he'd found regarding David Anderson, Kaidan had been granted approval to follow up on Shepard's whereabouts. Once he'd heard the details of Project Overlord, Anderson was just as confused as Kahlee and Kaidan had been.

"Hagalaz?" Tanner asked again, her brow raised in confusion. "That planet has a very violent, unrelenting storm system surrounding it. Are you sure Commander?"

"That's what the coordinates say Dlaney." Kaidan replied, sharing her disbelief.

"Well I suppose if you want to stay hidden, it's good cover, but... I can't imagine how a ship can stay in orbit under those conditions." She said as the Nomad cleared the Hourglass Nebula relay and entered the Osun system. Free of the relay, Tanner plotted a course for the Sowilo system.

"Course plotted Commander." She reported, turning to face him. "Guess we'll see soon enough what this ship looks like."

"Guess so."

"Can I ask why we're going there sir?"

"Liara was operating as a skilled information broker and after what happened, I assume she's the new Shadow Broker. I need information, which means Liara is my best resource for tracking down what I need."

"Dr. T'Soni is the Shadow Broker? But she's the one who..."

"I know Tanner. It's not ideal and I'm not happy I need her help. But if she can do this, then maybe we'll see."

"See?"

"I'm haven't forgiven her for what she did to Shepard. But on the off chance Cerberus succeeded, then I need to talk to her. I need to know why she's with Cerberus and what the goal of the mission she's on really is."

"I don't understand sir." Tanner protested. "I thought you said Shepard replied to your message? What do you need T'Soni for?"

"She did, but when I sent a second message it wouldn't go through. I think Cerberus is blocking her messages. After seeing David, I need to know why Chakwas and Shepard and all the rest are still working with them. I need to know Tanner. I... She needs to know I still love her, that I want to see her. I need to know where we stand."