124) Liara T'Soni, archeologist, information broker and XO of the Normandy SR-2

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Liara never read the Commander's messages. Jane had managed to get across quite eloquently that she did not enjoy being spied upon and Liara, information broker, spy that she was did not tempt Fate or her friend's fraying and, sometimes, agressive temper.

That changed when it was Shepard striding through her doorstep, sticking Kai Leng's message in front of her eyes. Mocking them and mocking her. Grasping her people's ashes and spitting on their memories.

"It was our fault," Jane snapped. "We weren't fast enough. It fucking happens. But it's not fucking happening again!"

As they had run through her world, every loss felt like a limb torn from her flesh. How could they keep running? How could they keep fighting if all they would have left would be ashes and rubble? How could Jane and Garrus and Kaidan bear it?

Jane didn't offer platitudes. She had none to give.

"I'm not weak," the human continued with an expression which, at any other time, would have scared Liara down to the very bottom of her being. "Neither are you."

The Commander's hand landed on her shoulder, sharp and heavy.

"Mourn later. Right now, we're killing this son of a bitch".

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Author's note - currently trying my very best to finish this prior to the release of ME Andromeda. Thank you for keeping up with it and myself throughout this time.