Chapter Text
RRW Gallena—Bridge
“Tovan?”
Tovan Kev, currently seated in the Gallena’s center seat, quickly responded as he heard Tali’s sobs through the comm.
“Yes, Tali? What’s wrong?”
“Can you meet me in the Raptor’s Nest when you get off duty?”
Seeing that his relief, Lieutenant Commander Cilla Oudekirk, had just exited the turbolift on to the bridge, Tovan replied, “Or course. Cilla has just come on to the bridge. I will meet you there in…fifteen minutes?”
“That’ll be fine.” Tali responded, “Thank you.”
“I relieve you.” The willowy blonde Dutch-Trill Starfleet officer announced as she handed a padd to the Gallena’s XO.
“I stand relieved.” Tovan replied as he authorized the shift change and handed the padd back to his relief. “You can find the Subcommander in her ready room if you need her, Cilla.” Tovan said as he relinquished the command chair. “Have a pleasant shift.”
“Enjoy your time off.” Cilla answered back with her usual placid expression as she entered the shift change into her log and then, settling in the center chair, took out her padd and began reading a paper on Prothean archaeology that Liara had sent to her.
RRW Gallena—The Raptor’s Nest
At once spotting his quarian friend seated at the bar sucking a quarian liqueur through her ‘emergency induction port’, Tovan noticed by her body language that something had upset her—seriously. Walking up to the bar, the Romulan centurion signaled the bartender to bring him a drink as he took the stool next to her. “What’s wrong, Tali? What happened?”
“It’s horrible.” Tali replied, choking back a sob.
“Tell me.” Tovan encouraged as he took a sip of his khali fe.
“I’ve been charged with treason.” The young quarian moaned. “The admirals have ordered me to report to the Fleet to stand trial. If I don’t show—I’ll be automatically exiled.”
“Did they explain why you’re being charged?” Tovan inquired.
“No.” Tali shook her head. “I was just told that I’m being put on trial.”
“When do you have to report back to the Fleet?”
“Soon.” Tali replied, “They’ll wait for a while, but not for too long. I’m going to charter a shuttle to take me to the Fleet…”
“You don’t have to do that.” Tovan interrupted, raising his hand, “I can speak to the Subcommander about requisitioning a runabout and…if you’ll have me…accompany you to the Fleet.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.” Tali protested, only to be again interrupted by the handsome Romulan centurion.
“I insist. You’re a member of the Gallena’s crew and it is my duty as executive officer, and my desire as your friend, to come with you. Please.”
Touched by her companion’s gesture, Tali placed her hand on his, “I’d like that, Tovan. To be honest, I was afraid of going alone.”
“Then, it’s settled.” Tovan replied with a warm smile. “I’ll speak to my Little Sister about getting that runabout while you make preparations.”
Leaning over, Tali gave the Romulan officer an affectionate embrace. Resting her chin on his shoulder, she said in a low voice, “Thank you.”
RRW Gallena—Captain’s quarters
“Captain’s Log…” V’lana, lying face up on her bed, paused for a moment before continuing her log entry, “Computer? Enter in the current stardate—I don’t feel like looking it up.”
“Affirmative. Stardate entered into log.”
“Thank you.” The subcommander reflexively acknowledged before continuing, “Item one: I’ve granted Centurion Kev permission to take my gig so that he could accompany Tali to the Migrant Fleet. Hopefully, they’ll be able to clear up that matter regarding her treason charge. Pause recording.” Shaking her head, V’lana got up from her bed and walked to the replicator, “Tarkalian tea.” Taking her beverage, she returned to her bed and sat down on the edge. “As if Tali could commit treason. I haven’t heard anything so ridiculous in my life. This whole thing smells like a giant pile of mugatu shit. My Romulan blood is telling me that Tali’s a pawn in someone’s political powerplay.”
“Item two: After I finish tying up loose ends on Omega, we’re bound for our next destination—what in our universe is the Celes sector. There we will be mapping and scanning—looking for any possible wormholes or gateways or anything else that might serve as a bridge between our universes. Tubac, our resident Ferengi trader, is currently on Omega helping to set up the dabo tables I promised Aria in exchange for us taking a ten percent cut on their take, and training some of her strippers to serve as dabo girls. I’m heading down to the surface to speak with Aria and finish up our business here. Hopefully…Tubac hasn’t pissed someone off enough to space him.” Hearing the door chime, she called out in acknowledgement, “Come in.”
“Subcommander?” Samara, the asari justicar, remarked as she entered the ready room, “Remember when I told you that I was hunting a very dangerous individual.”
“Yes.” V’lana nodded her head as she gestured for the elegant asari to take a seat, “I remember you said that she was incredibly vicious…what did you call her again? A…Ardent…Akshi?
“Ardat-Yakshi.” Samara corrected, “Yes. You are correct. This does concern her. Thanks to the resources of your ship, I have finally been able to track her down.”
“Where is she?”
“Here.” The justicar declared, “On Omega.”
“The perfect hideout.” V’lana replied, Samara nodding her head in agreement. “It’s an open port where you can do pretty much anything you want…sell anything you want…kill anyone you want—so long as it doesn’t affect Aria.”
“Also correct.” Samara acknowledged. “The problem is that Morinth knows me by sight. Should she see me before I am able to act…”
“She’ll run and kill more people.” V’lana interjected, finishing her guest’s thoughts.
“Yes.” Samara replied, “That is why I am here. I must ask a favor of you.”
“Sure.” The subcommander answered back, “What do you need?”
“I need your help in finding and killing her.” The justicar pleaded.
“Is it absolutely necessary to kill her?” V’lana inquired, “Wouldn’t just confining her to a prison or penal colony be sufficient?”
“I’m afraid not.” The justicar shook her head. “Assuming she would allow herself to be captured, she would only escape to kill again.” Taking a deep breath, Samara confessed in a haunted voice, “I have no choice but to kill my daughter.”
“Your daughter?” V’lana exclaimed as she got up from her chair and began pacing. “I think you need to tell me what’s going on here, Samara. Everything.”
“It will take some time, Subcommander and it is not a story I enjoy telling.” Samara replied.
“I understand that.” V’lana replied as she returned to her seat, “But I need context here. After Garrus and Zaeed, I am not in the mood for any more honor crusades or wars for personal justice. The only reason I’m giving you a hearing on this is because the law on Omega is pretty much what you make of it and your daughter is so dangerous. So…again I repeat…is Morinth’s death absolutely necessary and if so…why?”
“Please understand…” Samara began haltingly, “what I am about to tell you is very personal and must remain in complete confidence.”
“I swear no one will hear what we say in this room.” The subcommander solemnly vowed, “You have my word.”
“Very well.” Samara replied, lowering her head as she began her tale. “During my maiden years I was a mercenary. Reasons caused me to leave that life and I found someone…an asari…and settled into my matron phase and we had three pureblood children together. Unfortunately, all three of my girls were Ardat-Yakshi. The doctors believed that as I was a pureblood and mated with an asari, the genetic defect that caused one to become Ardat-Yakshi was passed on to my daughters.”
“So what happens in cases where an ardat-yakshi is born?” V’lana inquired, “Are they killed or…”
“No.” Samara shook her head, “They are offered a choice once old enough. There is a monastery on Lessus that houses those with conditions similar to my daughters. They are well treated and comfortable…” the justicar assured, “but once admitted, they are not permitted to leave until they can show with absolute certainty that they can be reintegrated into asari society once again.”
“So, it’s not necessarily life imprisonment.” V’lana surmised, the asari justicar nodding her head in confirmation.
“Correct. Those who can prove that they can control their condition are eventually permitted to leave, but those who cannot or will not, are confined in the monastery for the remainder of their lives.”
“I see.” V’lana responded thoughtfully. “So two of your daughters accepted imprisonment while the third didn’t.”
“Also correct.” Samara affirmed. “Rila…the eldest…and Falere…my youngest…currently reside at the monastery. Morinth…my middle daughter…rebelled. She is the one I seek.”
“And there’s no way to correct her condition?” V’lana inquired.
“No.” Samara shook her head, her tone tinged with regret. “Once she made her escape, she began a spree of murder and destruction. She cannot be saved. The sickness is like an addiction—one that cannot be cured and will only get worse with every life she takes.”
Taking a deep breath as she weighed her options, the subcommander made her decision. “All right. I will help you track down your daughter and will aid you as far as stopping her is concerned. Neither I nor anyone on my crew will help you kill her though. If she dies in combat or resisting arrest—then that is the way it goes. But…if she chooses to surrender…we take her alive.” Her eyes boring into those of the justicar, V’lana declared firmly, “Those terms are non-negotiable. If you cannot accept them, then I am afraid I cannot help you.”
“Very well, as I have no other choice, I agree to your terms.” Samara reluctantly acknowledged.
“Good.” V’lana nodded, “Is there anyone in particular you want to assist you in this?”
“Yes.” The justicar replied, “I would like to ask Commander Alenko if he would aid me. He will not alert Morinth as a Romulan or one of the other races on this ship would. He has also served with Shepard in taking down Saren and would appeal to my daughter’s penchant for violence.”
“The decision has to be his.” V’lana replied, “But if he is agreeable, then I have no problems with him accompanying you.” Tapping her comm, the subcommander spoke, “Kaidan?”
“Yes, ‘lana?”
“Can you come to my ready room please? Something important has come up—something that has to remain confidential.”
“Sure. I’m on my way.”
Minutes later, her lover entered the ready room with a questioning look on his face as he saw Samara sitting in one of the chairs opposite the subcommander’s desk. “Madame Justicar.” The human biotic politely greeted before turning his gaze to his paramour, “What is it, ‘lana? I’m assuming it has something to do with Samara?”
“It does.” V’lana replied with a single nod of her head as she gestured to the other chair, “Have a seat, Kaidan and I’ll let Samara fill you in on everything.”
“Sure.” The handsome Canadian answered back as he took his seat, “What’s going on?”
Nodding her head at V’lana's unspoken permission to proceed, Samara replied, “I need your assistance on a very delicate matter.”
Quietly listening as the justicar explained the situation, Alenko waited until she had concluded before speaking. “So…you’re saying that she’s beyond hope?”
“I’m afraid so.” Samara asserted, “But…I promised the subcommander that if Morinth surrendered voluntarily, she would be taken into custody.”
“This could be very dangerous, love.” The beautiful Romulan warned, “If this Morinth gets her claws into you…”
“I will be with him.” Samara solemnly vowed. “I will see that he comes to no harm.”
“Can you guarantee that?” V’lana pointedly asked.
“No.” The asari justicar shook her head. “All I can promise is that I will do everything I can to ensure his safety. But, yes, a lot of things could go wrong.”
“That’s assuming you’re able to find her.” V’lana pointed out, sounding another cautionary note. “She might well have moved on in the time between your receiving your intelligence and now.”
“Aria might have an idea as to whether she’s still on Omega or not.” Kaidan suggested.
“She is wired into everything that goes on in that station.” The subcommander mused, “All right. I’m on my way to see her anyway about some other business, so you two can tag along and we’ll see what she knows.”
Nodding her head in agreement, Samara affirmed, “That is acceptable.”
“Works for me.” Kaidan assented.
“Okay.” V’lana nodded her head, “I don’t like this and I have a bad feeling about it, but I’ll go ahead and authorize it. Meet me in the hangar bay in one hour.”