literature

As the Seconds Drift: Resignation

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Literature Text

Characters: Sarah Jane Shepard, Liara T'Soni, Hannah Shepard, Admiral Hackett
Timeline: After Reaper Destruction
Location: Citadel

Just about the time Hannah Shepard was through with her congratulations, Liara received a message from EDI.

"Dr. T'Soni, Admiral Hackett is ready to meet with you now. The Alliance has set up a temporary HQ two levels below the one you are currently on. Sending you the coordinates now."

"Thank you, EDI."

Hannah led the way out of the apartment. Once in the hallway, Shepard noticed that the door to the first apartment on the left had been removed and was replaced with a solid wall. She looked back to the Keeper outside of her door. It was busy working away at its terminal never acknowledging her presence.
 
Liara looked at her quizzically. "Shepard?"

"I swear there was a door here yesterday…."

"Perhaps the Keepers are still restructuring things."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Hannah looked back at the Keeper as well. " When I spoke to Admiral Hackett earlier, he informed me that he is arranging for a team of specialists who will address your concerns about the Keepers."

Shepard nodded. "Understood."

They walked in silence as Shepard mentally prepared herself for the debriefing. She laughed when she noticed Liara turn around to see the Keeper had started following them. "Do you suppose they will always follow you around?"

"I've been trying to ignore it. I have to admit, it is a little unnerving but I am doing my best to not let it get to me."

"I wonder if that is Keeper number twenty. It has appeared many times on the Shadow Broker's cameras and it always seems to be the cause of some mischief. Maybe one of Hackett's experts will know."

"Maybe…" Shepard's voice drifted off so Liara left her to her thoughts.

When they arrived at their destination, they spotted Alliance personnel stationed outside a set of double doors.  Surrounding the doors was a full body scanner that relayed information to a set of terminals on the other side. The doors opened, letting through a set of guards. They quietly led Shepard and Liara to a medium sized office while Hannah chose to wait in the reception area.

Admiral Hackett stepped forward to greet them. "Commander Shepard, Dr. T'Soni."

Shepard saluted  "Admiral."

"At ease Commander." He pointed them to a set of chairs while he chose to lean on his desk. " Shepard, I don't know how you pulled it off, but I am thankful that you survived. You have made the Alliance proud and showed the galaxy that we can work together. None of us would be standing here today if not for you. The Alliance is bestowing the highest commendations upon you for your heroic efforts. "

"Thank you sir.  I didn't do it alone, so many good men and women lost their lives. They are all the real heroes in my book. Especially Captain Anderson – he was with me till the end…" Shepard shook her head as she remembered Anderson's last words to her. "Admiral, I… after careful consideration, I have decided to resign from my post, effective immediately."

Hackett let out a big sigh. "The Alliance won't be the same without you."

"Thank you sir. It has been an honor serving with you."

"Likewise." He shook Shepard's hand. " Now then, the guards outside will show you to the clinic where a team of specialists are waiting to look you over."

Shepard nodded at Hackett then took Liara's hand as they followed the guards. Since the Alliance was so efficient at setting up field HQs, it looked like they had been here for years, but Shepard knew in reality, it had probable been less than a week. When they entered the clinic, they were greeted by an abundance of equipment and specialists.

A Salarian approached them. "Commander Shepard, I am Dr. Jordon Keaton…"

"It's just Shepard, Sarah Shepard now."

"I see. You will need to change into this robe. When you are ready, please proceed to the exam table. Dr. T'Soni, perhaps you should wait in the reception area."

Liara's face had a look of determination, her voice lowered an octave as she spoke to Keaton. "I will be staying right here."

Shepard nodded. "I want her to know the results as soon as you do."

Keaton turned to Liara, his eyelids blinking. "Then I will have to ask you to please stay out of the way."

As the minutes turned into hours, it became increasingly hard for Liara to remain seated. She stood up and was about to begin pacing when a fully dressed Shepard along with Dr. Keaton, walked over to her.

"The tests have turned up some very surprising results. It appears that the Keepers must have used a form of Reaper nanotechnology when healing you. The nanoparticles we found in your implants are similar to the ones we recently extracted from a Keeper. The biopsies from your skin graphs showed accelerated healing had occurred. Where we removed the tissue samples, we observed rapid tissue regeneration."

Shepard stared at him for a moment. "And that means?"

"Further studies will of course need to be performed, but this accelerated healing and regenerative ability could extend your life span hundreds of years. At this point the amount of time is merely speculation. Also, regarding your concerns over leaving the Citadel, I believe there is nothing to worry about. The Keeper nanoparticles have integrated with your implants but your body chemistry is still vastly different from theirs. There is only one way to be sure."

Liara turned to face Shepard. They stood, staring into each other's eyes while holding hands, trying to comprehend what Dr. Keaton had said. "If his theory is correct, you could… you could live as long as me…"

"Looks like you're stuck with me for a while T'Soni." She pulled her into an embrace and brought her mouth down hard upon Liara's. The kiss was filled with promises of more, but was broken off when they heard the doctor clearing his throat. "I guess we should be going now." The women both laughed as they walked out of the room.
Disclaimer: Mass Effect and all characters (with the exception of my OC - Dr. Keaton) are the sole property of BioWare. This story is my own.

Title inspiration: Moon Song by Virgin Soldiers ~ Cover Image here

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Comments1
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Maman-Ourse's avatar
Ah, that sounds very interesting! :D