Mass Effect: Cry Out For a Hero

It felt wrong. Smelled wrong. Looked wrong. And I think it was the silence that sent a chill up the spine, that feeling that crawls up the back of your neck. Nervous tension filled the air, or at least I could feel it coming from others. I ordered them to take a breath and say loose. The last I needed was for them to tense up should things go sideways.

Lights continued to flicker like a scene out of a horror film. A robotic voice continued to provide information of the damage that Peak 15 has sustained. Liara murmured her concern for her mother, wondering quietly to herself what she was up to and hoping that even if she was doing something stupid that she was okay. I think she still believed that her mother could be saved. I still wasn't sure if I was just going to put her down or at least try and reason with her.

The security entrance had provided little detail of events that had taken place. What had many of us concerned was the fact that machine gun turrets which would usually be facing visitors were facing the other way.

"Well, that's just adding to the list of concerns," Ashley muttered as we walked by.

The silence continued as we approached an elevator. We crammed on, quickly checked over our weapons, before the doors opened and we stepped out onto another level. The geth were lying in wait and we quickly put them down, working as an effective team. Once we'd eliminated the enemy, we took a look at our surroundings and figured we were in a cafeteria. The long benches and chairs plus kitchen gave it away.

"Where is everyone?" Kaidan asked, "And where are the bodies if the geth attacked?"

"They probably came with Lady Benezia," Tali replied, "She somehow got them through security at Port Hanshan."

We were about to move out when we heard another sound. It wasn't anything particularly terrifying though I knew we were curious. Before we knew it, the sound ended and there were animalistic growls, our team swinging around to see some sort of… something towards us. I just gave an order to open fire as more of them moved towards us. They were ugly, spat acid, and when they died, their blood bubbled on the ground.

"This smells wrong, Shepard," Wrex stated, and I could see he was getting restless, "Smells wrong."

"You have an idea what they are, big guy?"

"No… Well… No, I don't want to say it, because if they are what I have an inkling… Then something is fucked up here, Shepard."

I just called them monsters from then on out and we found a lot of the fuckers waiting for us going forward. We left plenty of them on the ground, finding they were quite susceptible to biotic attacks, Liara and Kaidan making our lives easier by throwing and lifting them so they were easier targets for the rest of us.

We also checked for information while moving around, hoping to find something that would tell us what was going on. It hadn't been easy going and a couple of my teammates did lose their shields for long enough that they needed to find cover. One version of the monster we found had long tentacles that suggested that we keep our distance. That's when Liara and Kaidan came in handy.

Another elevator led to what looked like the core of the station. A gaggle of little monsters came charging towards us, my assault rifle ringing in the confines of the elevator. The little bodies bubbled and steamed away once they were dead.

"Okay, I'm going to put it bluntly. This is totally fucked, Shepard. What the fuck are these things?" Ashley exclaimed.

"I don't know but I think we're all here to find out. You're right. This is fucked."

The next couple of hours were spent fixing the station so we could continue as the damage sustained meant that trying to move on was impossible. Communication had been cut off from the rest of the Noveria so that needed to be fixed. The reactor was offline. We needed that for power. Then the VI (Virtual Intelligence, called Mira) mentioned something about contamination. It was more of those monsters that needed dealing with. That's when we found our first bodies. A whole pile of them. Humans. Asari. Salarian. Turian.

"Goddess," Liara whispered before she turned away. So did many of the others.

Ashley and I crouched near them to check wounds and any identifying marks. It was a grisly scene. Even Garrus, who had perhaps seen similar things during his years as a cop, didn't come too close.

"Shepard," Ashley whispered, "What the fuck is going on here?"

"Don't know, Ash," I whispered back, "I intend to find out. What has me worried is that I think Wrex has an idea of what these things are, but I think even the big krogan is terrified. And that just leaves me wondering what the fuck they are."

"I've never seen anything like them."

"Me neither."

There was nothing else we could do. I genuinely felt sorry for them. I had no idea what they'd been up to on Peak 15, but the way they'd died must have been horrific, their last moments of lives spent in terror. The only way forward now was taking a tram from what was signposted as Central Station, and the tram would take us somewhere called Rift Station.

During the tram ride over, most of my team took a seat and remained silent with their thoughts. I sat next to Liara as she leaned against me, wrapping an arm around her. She wasn't distracted but I knew that what might have happened would lay in the back of her mind.

"I've never seen anything like that before, Shepard. It was horrible," she said softly, "I'm used to finding dry bones and long-lost artefacts on a dig site. Not… Not all of this."

"Not going to give up on me, are you, Doctor T'Soni?"

She heard the use of humour in my tone. "Never. It's just… It's all so new. I guess it'll take some getting used to."

"I'm used to things like that. What I saw on Torfan… It's fair to say that it hardened me so that even the most horrific things that one could see wouldn't bother me. Elysium was bad enough. Saw enough during that, but Torfan was a whole other magnitude of horrific."

"I'll be okay, Shepard. I'll just need a good rest when we get back to the ship. I'm not used to using my biotics so much."

"I think we're all going to need that. Before this tram stopped, your mother. I will try and take her down. I want Saren. Your mother can be dealt with… I hope without anyone dying."

"Thank you, Shepard."

She managed a slight smile when I met her eyes before I stood up and issued a couple of orders for our arrival. I had no idea what to expect, figuring that some of those monsters and perhaps more geth would be waiting for us to arrive. But when we stepped off the tram, we were greeted with silence again. Certainly no sign of anything that I'd call an enemy. But no humans or others who might have been residents of the station.

There was yet another elevator ride before we finally found survivors. It was a rudimentary barricade behind which stood three humans. They were ready to start shooting at us before realising that we were probably there to help them.

"Who the hell are you guys?" the man in charge asked.

"Commander Shepard. Council Spectre. And you are?"

"Captain Ventralis. I'll admit that we're glad to see you, Commander. I'm sure you've already realised the shower of shit that we've found ourselves in."

"What's the situation?"

"We've been on lockdown for at least a week. Everything seemed to be going well the, bam, these monsters show up out of nowhere and just start killing anything in their way. We've already lost a lot of good people. We're low on supplies. Hungry. Tired. And most of those who survived are at their wit's end."

"We'll do what we can. Has an asari matriarch come through here in the past week or more?"

"Yeah, she's in the Hot Labs. I can give you a pass to go in if you'd like."

Before we could leave, the barricade came in handy as more of those monsters attacked. The noise in such tight confines was deafening as every weapon from my team lit up. The monsters didn't stand a chance, turning back towards Ventralis once the fight was over to see he was ashen-faced.

"Jesus, you lot don't fuck around," he muttered.

"Anything else we should know before we head inside?"

"No. Just that I don't think getting to the asari matriarch will be easy. She sealed herself away and no one has been able to get inside since."

I'd seen people under stress suffering from the warning signs of a full-blown case of PTSD and most of the survivors in the mess hall were well on their way to that. There was a mix of species though most of the survivors were human. The fact that most of them were jittery wasn't a real surprise. The only one who seemed cool, calm and collected was an asari. Although she appeared okay, she was surprisingly blunt with me, verging on rude. I thought she would have had information for me, and when I asked her about Lady Benezia, I think she told me to fuck off, just not using those exact words.

It was obvious that these people needed help though, so although I was urgent to move on and find Benezia, if I could help these people before then, I figured Benezia wasn't going anywhere. It was obvious that once people realised that help was at hand the relief that swept through the survivors was palpable. Unfortunately, most of the people we spoke to didn't really have all that much information to give us. I figured as much.

We were investigating a quarantined lab when I heard the door open behind us and then lock. Sharing a glance with a couple of my squad members, I turned around with my rifle in hand to see the asari we'd met upstairs flanked by a couple of other people.

"Lady Benezia was expecting your arrival, Commander," she said, "And she ordered your death should you be stupid enough to come here."

"Asari commando," Liara whispered.

"She'll be disappointed to know that you're alongside this human, Doctor," the asari said, looking directly at Liara.

"She's made her choices. So have I."

She might have been a commando, but the sheer firepower and weight of number meant that she was dead in seconds. Walking back outside into the mess hall, there were a few glances in our direction as I approached a scientist who had been talking to the asari. When I explained what just happened, I think he was worried that I would blame him.

"I don't know her, I swear!" he insisted though the tone was of fear, "She's barely been here a month."

"She arrived here before Lady Benezia?" I asked.

"Yes! Yes! The documentation that arrived with her said that it was at the behest of one of our investors."

"And who is that?" I asked though I already knew the answer.

"Saren Arterius."

I shared a look with all my squad members. "Just how much influence does this turian have, Commander?" Kaidan wondered aloud.

"I think the media might be interested to know that a rogue Spectre is an investor in Binary Helix. I'm sure that I'm not the only one to have read reports of the years of the sort of shit this company gets up to."

"The research we do here is vitally important, Commander," the scientist explained, "Here, we can do our research without the sort of constraints that exist in Council space."

"Yet I bet it's that same research that unleashed whatever those fucking monsters were across the station and led to who knows how many deaths," Ashley retorted.

There was more work to be done, including heading downstairs to find another scientist. That wasn't the concern. What sent a chill through all of us was what we could see outside the windows in a cave below us. Thousands upon thousands of those monsters.

"We need to kill them, Shepard. We cannot let these things get out," Wrex exclaimed. The fact he was so restless may have concerned others, but it was that same feeling that he instinctively knew what they were but simply couldn't admit it. Made me wonder what he was thinking.

The scientist appeared out of it while sitting on his chair, as if he was injured or on drugs. His eyes only cleared when he noticed our arrival. And it was while questioning him that came the startling revelation.

"We found a drifting rachni ship. It must have been doing so for over a thousand years. And on it, they found an egg. A perfect rachni egg. The company… They planned to clone the rachni and turn them into an obedient army. Imagine an army of rachni marching across the galaxy. Whoever had such an army would have been unstoppable."

"Idiots!" Wrex shouted, and I noticed the shotgun pointed at the scientist, "My people spent nearly two centuries making sure those fuckers were extinct. You weren't around to see the chaos and destruction they brought about."

"Yes. Yes. We know all about that. But what you don't realise is that the egg… The egg was a queen. A rachni queen! So instead of cloning, the decision was taken that we would take her children instead. Not a good idea. Not good at all. The children… They were driven insane because of the separation. We could not control them. And now… Now we can only hope that they do not escape."

"How do we kill those down there?"

"Instruct Mira to perform a neutron purge. It is the only way. They will all die. A pity. So much research for nothing."

As soon as the scientist gave me the code to activate the purge, Wrex shot him. While there was a cry of surprise from others, I found that I didn't give a shit, walking towards the console nearby and keyed the code. There was a countdown and we hurried back to the elevator. It was while we were ascending that the elevator was rocked by the explosion.

"I want to kill them all, Shepard," Wrex growled, "Every single one of these idiots. They have no idea what they've done."

"None of us were around. Humans, I mean. But it looks like it wasn't just humans stupid enough to do this."

"If there's a queen here, Shepard, you have to kill it."

"I'll see…"

Walking out into the mess hall again, I felt every pair of eyes upon us and the fear had returned. They were no longer scared of the monsters. They were scared of us. I have no doubt they would have felt the explosion below their feet. They would know that we'd now put two and two together or even been told the truth. I walked towards the scientist that I'd spoken to before and loomed over him. He cowered back, probably fearful that I was going to hit him.

"Lady Benezia. Where is she?" His hand was shaking as he pointed towards a door that had been locked earlier. "Who unlocked it?"

"Ventralis… He's figured out that you know the truth… He was told to delay you for as long as possible, kill you if you find out too much."

"Where is he now?"

"On a tram back to Central Station and probably trying to secure passage of Noveria as quickly as possible."

I wasn't worried about Ventralis. The door towards the Secure Lab opened when I keyed the console. Before we entered the lab itself, I stopped and glanced over my team. My eyes met Liara's last. There was a mixture of determination and fear.

"I think we're going to find two things in there. One will be Lady Benezia. I will be honest. I don't want her dead. I want her taken in so we can interrogate her. She will no doubt be fully aware of Saren's plans. Two will be the rachni queen. Wrex suggests that I kill her. I'm not willing to make that decision yet." I met the eyes of the krogan. "That was two thousand years ago. I know it's almost ingrained in you to hate them. I have a fresh perspective. Understand?"

"Don't like it but I understand, Shepard," he replied, "And I'll go with your decision. I just hope we don't live to regret it if you do let her live. But… I follow your lead."

We were all carrying weapons when we walked into the Secure Lab. Benezia was waiting for us on a nearby platform. She was… She was intimidating. One could almost feel the aura of her power. She was tall. Moved with grace and ease. And she was absolutely beautiful. I'd never encountered an asari matriarch. Shai'ra and Councillor Tevos were still in their matron phase.

A glance towards a holding area next to her showed some sort of creature which could only be the rachni queen. Her eyes drifted towards it as well.

"Men will never understand what it is like to create life," she said, placing a hand on her stomach, "To carry it within you for months. To feel it grow and develop." She then gestured to the holding cell. "But to create other life is just as wonderful. She has provided so much life for us."

I figured that I might as well just be blunt. "Where is Saren, Lady Benezia?"

"Out of your reach, Commander. He searches for the Conduit. Once he has that, all it will take is one final step before it will allow for the return of the Reapers." She turned towards me; her eyes boring into mine. "You have seen the visions, Commander. You know they cannot be stopped. The Protheans, with all their apparent might, could not stop them. What chance do we have?"

"And the queen? What have you done to her?"

"She has provided Saren with the army he needs. Convincing the geth to join our cause was rather easy. It was quite pathetic how susceptible they were in believing in the benevolence of the Reapers. As for the rachni, we just needed an army to crush our enemies."

"Your army is now dead, Lady Benezia."

"True although we have made contingency plans. You are more formidable than either of us gave credit." Her eyes then fell upon her daughter. "Do not think that I will simply stand aside because you brought my daughter with you. And I will not hesitate should it come to pass."

"I don't wish to see you die, Mother, but what you are doing… How could you…"

A blue glow surrounded Benezia and I knew she was getting ready to attack. Before she could strike, I raised my weapon and put bullets through both of her shoulders to incapacitate her. She cried out, stumbled backwards, and then chaos descended as geth and asari flooded into the lab.

"Cover your mother!" I shouted at Liara as the rest of us got to work. The asari were tough as their biotics were powerful. Tali helped take care of the geth, hearing her almost giggling with glee as she used her technical prowess first before putting them down with a shotgun. Wrex was pissed off and it showed, ending up in between a pair of asari and practically throwing them around. One of the asari ended up crashing into the wall, hearing her neck snap before she slumped to the ground.

It was a short, sharp battle. Kaidan was nursing a wound on his arm that he solved with medi-gel. Garrus had scuffed armour as he was getting up close and personal. Ashley had a face of thunder while Wrex seemed to have worked off some of his anger about the rachni in dealing with the asari.

Liara was covering her mother with her sidearm, Benezia having dragged herself back against the cell. Above her sat the rachni queen. Getting down on a knee in front of Benezia, I removed her head covering and she didn't look as intimidating. When her eyes raised to mine, she looked… scared. And I knew she was also in pain. The wounds in her shoulder were bleeding. Depending on what happened next, I'd make sure that we'd help her.

I pressed against one of the wounds and made her cry out. I heard Liara gasp. "I don't think you are you, Lady Benezia," I stated, "Something is going on here. To fall under the spell of that piece of shit? No, I think we need to talk." I pressed again and again until she whimpered and almost passed out. I let go and waited for her to raise her eyes to mine again. They were clear and a real reminder of her daughter. "That's better. Lady Benezia, I'm Commander Shepard."

"You must listen to me, Commander," she said softly, "Saren… It's not him. Not really. It's his ship."

"His ship?" I thought hard about what I'd seen on Eden Prime. The fact it looked nothing like a geth ship. "Is it a Reaper ship?"

"Yes. It is the vanguard of the Reaper forces. I think it has influenced Saren. And it has done the same thing to me." She cried out, her hands at her temples, rubbing them hard. "Even now, I can feel it in my mind."

I think I would have surprised everyone by taking her hand. "Benezia…" I waited until she met my eyes. Thankfully, they were still clear. "Benezia… Why are you here? It's not just the army. Saren already has his geth. What was the true purpose?"

"The queen. The egg was thousands of years old. Saren sent me here to discover the location of the Mu Relay. The location of the relay has been lost for over four thousand years. It was the lone relay that allowed access to what we believe would be the rachni homeworld. The queen carried the location in her genetic memory. I was… not kind when I extracted it."

"And I'm guessing that you've already sent it to Saren?"

"I have, Commander."

"And the Reaper is still in your mind?"

"It's called indoctrination. It is subtle. Whispers in your mind. Saren is lost. His thoughts are not his own."

"And you?" I asked softly.

I was surprised to see her eyes start to glisten. "Help me," she whispered, "I thought I could stop him, but I was a fool. It's not that Saren that needs stopping. It's his ship. My mind is clear right now, Shepard. I promise. But I don't know how long…"

"If you want to live, then we'll need to take you back to the ship. Figure it out from then. We'll need to restrain you until then." Garrus had kept a set of handcuffs and although she cried out in pain again, she cooperated as I cuffed her hands behind her back. Sitting her nearby, I had Liara look after her wounds while I stood up and looked at the rachni queen. I was left wondering how I would communicate with it when I sensed something moving, our group turning to see one of the dead asari commandos moving along the ground.

"And you know what, that isn't the most fucked up thing we've seen today," Ashley stated to inject a little humour.

Now I'll be honest in that I didn't exactly understand a lot of what the rachni queen talked about. She used the asari as a way of communicating with me. She did talk about songs and I assumed that was the way that they all communicated. When she spoke of her children, I guess it was the song that stopped them from going insane. Perhaps that explained why they spread across the station and attacked without a second thought.

The interesting titbit from our conversation was a suggestion that her genetic memories suggested an outside influence on their songs. A 'sour yellow note' as she put it.

"Are you suggesting that you were influenced to start what we call the Rachni Wars?" I asked.

"The song came from space that hushed our voices. We could only hear their song," she replied.

I glanced at Wrex before looking around the others. "If the Reapers are somewhere out there… Could they have used the rachni two thousand years ago to cause havoc, leaving everyone weakened before they invaded?"

"An interesting thought, Shepard," Liara replied as she tended to her mother, "What do you think, Mother?"

"If not the Reapers, beings that are equally as powerful. Who knows what lies behind many of the dormant relays or in dark space?"

"Is it some sort of telepathy?" Kaidan asked, "I mean, if they communicate via thought, I guess that would leave them open to having their thoughts influenced by outsiders, particularly if those outsiders are powerful."

I turned to my krogan ally. "Wrex, what if everything that went down two thousand years ago wasn't the fault of the rachni? Take a moment and give it a thought. What if these Reapers were already influencing matters in the galaxy that long ago? The rachni invade and decimate the Council races. The Reapers arrive with everything in disarray. If it wasn't for the krogan…"

"It still took us two centuries to wipe them out, Shepard," he replied, "But… I've lived long enough to see all sorts of things. I lived through the Rebellions. I remember how we were thanked." He looked at Garrus. "Not a word, turian. I already know what you think about that."

"If this queen is now free of whatever was influencing them, who is to say that she won't be peaceful?"

"We never wanted war. We only wanted peace. It was the sour note that stopped our songs. It was the lost children that couldn't hear my song here. Let us live and spread our song again. We will show the galaxy that we can live in peace."

"Shit, Shepard… I know we made them extinct, but I wasn't alive at the time. I've only heard the stories."

I turned to face the rachni queen. If I killed her, that was the end of her species yet again. Humans had made too many species extinct already. Thousands if not millions back on Earth. And I had a feeling that this queen wasn't lying. She had the memories of her ancestors. She would know what truly happened.

"I'm going to let you go."

"Thank you." Two simple words though I sensed how relieved and grateful she was. "We will live in peace."

"Better not bite us in the arse, Shepard," Wrex stated.

I pressed a button that would release her. Before she disappeared, she turned in my direction and made a sound. I think she was saying 'thank you' again. Helping Lady Benezia to her feet, I kept a tight hand on her forearm as our group began the long journey back to Port Hanshan and the Normandy. We offered to escort the survivors back to the garage where they could take transport, but when I told them about the restored communications, they said that they would call in for an evacuation once the weather had cleared.

Benezia remained silent the entire time we escorted her back to the ship. Liara sat with her in the Mako and continued to tend to her wounds. They didn't talk all that much which wasn't a real surprise. When it came to being on the ship, we decided on holding her in the room that Liara had taken, making sure the door was locked and that she couldn't get up to any mischief.

"Where are we going, Commander?" she did ask.

"I'm taking you to the Citadel. We will meet with Councillor Tevos and discuss the next steps. I have a feeling that arriving with you still alive will surprise many."

"Why didn't you kill me?"

"I didn't want to kill you in front of your daughter. And I've been of the opinion since the start that Saren is the enemy. I think you just overestimated your influence and power. Thank your Goddess that you are still alive."

"I can still feel it in my mind, Commander. I don't know… I don't know if I can be healed."

"That's why we'll speak to the councillor. Maybe she'll have an idea of how to help."

On the journey back to Port Hanshan, I'd sent a message to Gianna, letting her know that we would be departing rather quickly. I met her on the docks as the ship was undergoing final preparations for departure. She was dressed for the cold though remained as sexy as hell in my eyes. There was no sadness on either of our parts as we were realists. A short fling with the hope that perhaps we would meet again in the future.

We parted after sharing one last kiss, the sort of kiss that held the promise of something more the next time that we'd meet. Then she cuddled into me, and I held her tightly in my arms.

"Girl is bound to get attached, Shepard. But I know you have to go. I'd wish you good luck, but I don't think you're going to need it. Get the bastard."

"I will. And I'll keep in touch. Let me know if you end up somewhere interesting. I might just come and join you again."

During the journey back to the Citadel, I spent a lot of my time interrogating Benezia. Some of my questions were about simply getting to know her, what made her tick, what had made her so powerful and influential that she believed that she could influence Saren. During our conversations, I could sense her personal struggle against the indoctrination that she'd been put through. More than once, she seemed on the brink of tears. I could only surmise that it was a powerful strength of mind that kept her lucid.

"I'm not sure that I can be saved," she said sadly in the last hours before we approached the Citadel, "I feel like a prisoner in my own mind, Shepard. It's insidious, how it works. And I'm not sure that even being away from Saren and his machine that it will ever wear off. I wonder if those who are indoctrinated can ever be saved."

"Did you feel like a mindless slave?" I wondered.

"No. It was just a willingness to obey."

"Can that be reversed?"

"I honestly don't know, Shepard. That's what scares me the most."

She was no longer restrained though she was confined to the room. I'd found some comfortable clothes for her to wear, a t-shirt and a pair of long pants. The t-shirt did nothing to hide her generous bust, and when she stood up, there was no missing her height. Even though she was downcast and sullen due to her circumstances, she still had an air of authority, her movements still carried out with grace.

"What are your intentions with my daughter?"

"How do you mean?"

"Her interest in you is obvious to everyone. Have you been intimate yet?"

"No."

"Why not? She is young, intelligent, beautiful… And to be honest, Shepard, she could probably do with a solid fuck." I couldn't help chuckling as she managed a smile. The first one that I'd seen on her face. "I know my daughter is different from me. It's what led to the breakdown of our relationship. It was my fault. I should have been there to guide her even when doing something that I didn't agree with. I've made a lot of mistakes, but that is the one I most regret."

"You may get another chance, Benezia."

She met my eyes and nodded. "I thank you for your kindness, Shepard. I do not deserve it."

I let Kira know that we were coming, and she insisted on us coming straight to her chambers. I hoped to get Benezia there incognito. I would make my report to the Council eventually, but we would be doing this without the other two councillors being aware. Well, I had a feeling that the salarian councillor would learn about it from the network of spies that I assumed he had on the Citadel.

Kira was waiting for us at the door to her office, beckoning us in quickly. It was only me, Liara and Benezia, giving the rest of my squad time to themselves and the crew of the ship time to get off and stretch their legs. Once we were in Kira's private quarters, Kira turned to Benezia.

"What did you do, Benezia? What did you do?"

Benezia lowered her eyes and suddenly looked incredibly weak. "I thought I could stop him. I truly did," she replied.

"There are voices on Thessia who know that you are alive and who want you punished to the harshest extent that is allowed under our laws. But it's Shepard who might just be your saviour in the end."

"I have no idea if this is possible, but she's been indoctrinated by the Reaper. I don't think anyone would have a clue how it actually works except that it affects the mind. Now I've got a little experience with melding, but I was wondering… Well, Benezia is showing immense strength of mind right now holding off the worst. If we were to get someone equally if not more powerful, could we somehow reverse it and free her mind?"

"You mean go to battle in her head against this indoctrination?" Liara asked, "That's a brilliant idea, Shepard. I'm not sure if it's possible…"

"Actually… Take a seat, and I'll explain."

Tara walked in with a tray of drinks, her eyes lighting up upon seeing me though she remained professional when laying the tray on the table. I winked at her which made her grin, Kira beckoned her with a finger and whispered something into her ear. Tara giggled before she was over to me and leaned down to give me one hell of a scorching kiss. I glanced afterwards to see Liara blushing while Benezia seemed to approve.

When we were alone, Kira cleared her throat. "What I'm about to suggest is something frowned upon within the Asari Republics because the practice can be and has been abused in the past. Only the most powerful of matriarchs are capable of doing this, but even then, it is fraught with danger."

"I know what you're going to suggest, Kira," Benezia stated, "I'm willing to do anything it takes."

Noticing my blank look, and Liara looked curious, Kira turned to me. "You've melded before so you're aware of the basics. It is a joining of nervous systems and minds, where we can share all our thoughts, feelings, memories. What you wouldn't know is that the strongest of matriarchs are capable of changing those very things, particularly memories. Putting it simply, a powerful matriarch can effectively wipe out memories of the asari or person they are melding with. If they so wish, an entire mind can be wiped."

"Like Ardat-Yakshi," Benezia muttered, "And I'm either left dead or a drooling husk of a person."

"No, nothing like them, Benezia. You will be willingly undergoing treatment. And I already have someone in mind to help you. I think she is one of perhaps three powerful enough to help fight this off. I'm not saying it will work, but it's better than the alternative." She turned towards me. "Her name is Lady Tessia. She is one of the most powerful and influential asari alive. Eight hundred years old and then some."

"Tessia? She'd help me?"

"Yes. And I believe she'll help Shepard. Her interactions with humans have been few and far between. I'm sure knowing that she'd be assisting the first human Spectre would definitely interest her. And as for you, I'm aware that you're last meeting…"

"Words were exchanged, Kira. Harsh words. The sort that can't be undone with a simple apology."

"Therefore, I'll use my role as a diplomat to help smooth things over. I will contact her now and hopefully she can be here in a matter of days. Shepard, I would suggest that for the time being that Benezia remain here. And given her condition…"

"I'll stay here," I said, "Liara?"

"I'll visit, but… um…"

"Research?" her mother teased good-naturedly.

"Yes, Mother. We need to know our enemy. Saren. And the Reapers. And I believe that there must be more information about the Protheans that will give us the leg up we need."

"I will open the Citadel Archives for you, Liara," Kira offered, "There is a treasure trove of information there."

As the three asari made plans, I called Pressly and let him know that the Normandy would be remaining on the Citadel until the situation with Benezia was rectified. I said to put the crew on rotation and make sure they all had a chance to let their hair down… If they had hair.

Benezia was kept under guard by a pair of Kira's personal guards while I made my report to the Council. Sparatus wasn't particularly pleased to hear about the return of the rachni and questioned the wisdom of allowing the queen to live. I said that I wasn't going to be the cause of extinction for a species that promised peace, adding what I'd learned from her. The Council agreed that it was a worrying development but that if the queen was telling the truth, it changed history.

I returned to Kira's chambers to find Benezia relaxing in the living room, looking out over the Presidium. I dismissed her guards as I was armed, and I didn't think Benezia would attack me anyway.

"Thank you," she whispered as I felt her head rest against my shoulder, "I just feel lucky to be alive, Shepard."

"You're welcome."

Kira returned in time for dinner, and we remained relaxed and calm while we ate. Adjourning to the living room afterwards, we enjoyed a couple of tasty non-alcoholic beverages, agreeing that it wasn't a good idea for Benezia to drink alcohol. Kira received a mess in the middle of the evening from Matriarch Tessia. She would be leaving Thessia the next morning and would arrive by at least mid-afternoon.

Escorting Benezia to her bedroom for the evening, she thanked Kira for being so understanding before she hugged me tightly. I felt her large breasts press into my chest and as I chose to hug her in return, I couldn't help running one hand down her back towards her arse. She felt me gently squeeze it and I heard her gasp before she pressed firmer into my body. She kissed my cheek before turning towards the bed. We told her the door would be locked, just to be cautious.

Kira took my hand and led me to her bedroom. She was naked in seconds and eager for me to join her in nudity. There was next to no foreplay once we were on her bed, Kira taking my cock and guiding it towards her pussy. She whimpered when I gently slid inside her, watching her eyes as I slowly buried my length.

"Missed you," she moaned softly as our bodies moved, "But did you have fun while you were away?"

"I did."

"May I see?"

"Of course. No secrets from you, Kira."

I was now used to having an asari lover in my mind and I hid nothing from her. The sex with Gianna had been wonderful and I could feel Kira's arousal heighten as she viewed my memories. The surprise was when she looked further back for that second night from Jane and specifically viewed the memories of when we enjoyed anal sex.

Gently breaking the mould, Kira blushed when she admitted, "I saw that before and wanted to see it again. I'm over six hundred years old, Shepard, and I've never done that before."

"You don't have to. But did you enjoy seeing it?"

"I've seen such things in movies. It's a popular genre in asari-human movies. I've never really been curious about doing it myself, but seeing how Jane enjoyed it so much, and knowing it was with you, someone I know would make it special…"

"Maybe one day in the future?"

"Save us all and you definitely get my butt." I stopped moving and couldn't help laughing. Kira released such a delightful giggle that when she fell silent, we simply met each other's eyes before sharing one hell of a kiss. "For now, I just need you like this," she whispered.

I woke the next morning with Kira snuggled against my side, opening my eyes to see her gazing at me with such a look, it genuinely scared the shit out of me for a couple of seconds. She must have sensed it as she gently squeezed me before chuckling to herself. "Can't help looking at you like that after a night like last night," she admitted.

"Well, I'd be a poor lover if I didn't make my asari lover squirm, squeal and moan like you were last night."

And I continued to show her as I rolled her onto her back and ended up with my face between her legs. She cried out to the Goddess quite a few times over the next half an hour as I revelled in her taste. When I gazed up and lifted my head with her juices on my chin, she grinned before leaping forward to kiss me. She then rolled off the bed and rested on her knees on the floor as I sat on the edge of the bed, the councillor of the asari almost subservient as she pleasured my cock with her mouth. Her eyes sparkled with near joy as she made sure to make me cum hard before suggesting it was time for breakfast.

"You fucked last night," Benezia stated as we ate breakfast, "Although I heard you this morning as well." She lowered her utensils and looked across the table at Kira. "What's it like?"

"What's what like?"

"Having a male inside you. I've never had that."

Kira wasn't surprised by the revelation. Noticing my surprised look, she glanced my way. "Benezia has only ever been involved with other asari. It's something that our society has increasingly disapproved, but Benezia always loved who she loved and, putting it in words you'd understand, suggested other people should fuck off and stay out of her personal life."

"Excellently put, Councillor," Benezia stated happily.

"How did you sleep?" I wondered.

The glance away was my answer though she replied, "Nightmares all night. I'm exhausted fighting it off. But the one thing getting me through it… No, two things. One is the hope that Tessia can help me. Two is the hope that I can mend things with my daughter."

Kira attended to Council matters, leaving me alone with Benezia for most of the morning and into the afternoon. I was sitting on the lounge reading through a pile of datapads, simply reading them for information's sake, when she padded over, wearing a tight t-shirt and pair of shorts, sitting next to me and resting against my side.

"You seem relaxed," I suggested.

"I'm drawing strength from you, Shepard."

"How?"

"It's just this sense I have. You are powerful in more ways than one. There is your physical strength which is obvious to anyone. But there is your strength of mind. Willpower. Determination. Resilience. I can feel that flowing through you. And it's giving me strength to endure."

"I know that you are strong too, Benezia. Just sitting here like this now, knowing the turmoil going on in your mind…"

She took my arm and made it loop around her as her hand relaxed on my chest. "You know, I should be mad that you shot me. Twice," she stated before chuckling to herself.

"It did seem like a good idea at the time."

"The pain meant that I was never in the right state to do anything else. Is that what you thought?"

"I just didn't want to kill you straight away. And once we were talking, that sealed my decision."

"Another reason to thank you."

Kira walked in mid-afternoon and announced that Lady Tessia would be arriving within the hour. She disappeared to get changed while Benezia had nothing with her so Kira offered her something to wear. I had my Alliance blues so dressed in those, the three of us then waited for our guest to arrive. Tara eventually walked in and announced her arrival; Lady Tessia walked through the door with a trio of asari behind her. I could only imagine they were acolytes of some kind.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet us, Lady Tessia," Kira stated reverently.

"It is good to see you again, Councillor."

She wore a cloak that was tied at her front. She undid the knot and one of her acolytes grabbed it. I found myself wondering just what it was with all these asari who were so much older than me. Tall. Beautiful. An air of grace and sophistication that human women could only imagine holding when they were older. And being a man, I was drawn to the cleavage on display, and I could only imagine what she looked like otherwise.

Her eyes drifted to Benezia. She was standing on the other side of Kira. "Benezia," she stated coolly.

"Tessia. It's good to see you."

Tessia kept her face blank before her eyes moved to me. That's when she stepped forward. "Commander Shepard. It's good to finally meet you."

I bowed slightly at the hip. "The honour is mine, my lady. I've spent the morning reading up about you, so I wasn't caught out too much."

"It's safe to say that billions of asari know all about you in return after your many feats." She gestured behind her. "My three acolytes would certainly know all about you. Girls, for the moment, you are free to go and explore. Just don't get up to too much mischief."

Once we were alone, I knew business would begin. "My lady, we discussed what I needed when I contacted you, but I guess I need to ask if such a thing is possible?" Kira asked.

"It's possible though given what you described regarding Benezia's condition… I will do my best to help, of course. First thing is that I need to assess someone here. I'm aware of how powerful Benezia is. Given that she's here now and showing no signs of the struggle is impressive. Kira, will you be observing?"

"I will make sure we all remain safe."

"Where is Doctor T'Soni?"

"I would prefer she is not here to witness this, Tessia," Benezia replied, "If it goes wrong…"

"Very well. Commander…"

"Call me, Shepard, Ma'am."

"Then I must insist you call me Tessia as that is my name. Follow me, please. I need to assess you before we begin. Kira, is there an empty room?"

"Please use my master bedroom."

"Thank you."

"And if you're a little longer than necessary, we'll understand why," Kira added.

Tessia gave her a curious look before I led her to the bedroom that I'd shared with Kira the night before. The bed had been made and there was no sign that there had been plenty of antics the night before. Tessia closed the door as I stood at ease in front of her. She strode towards me until our bodies were inches apart, her eyes searching my face.

"Strip," she ordered softly.

I laughed as a reflex before I started undoing my jacket. I folded that and placed it on the bed before my shirt joined it. I took off my boots and socks, then lowered my trousers and finally my underwear so that I stood nude before her. She walked around me a couple of times, feeling a soft hand trail off my muscles and scars.

"I've never seen a naked human in real life before. You are a remarkable specimen, Shepard," she said, "You have honed your body for battle. For war. I can feel the strength inside you. Not just in your muscles, but in your heart and in your mind. You are a leader, it comes naturally."

"You've spoken to Sha'ira?"

"Ah, you have met with the Consort. She is wonderful, isn't she?"

"It was definitely a memorable experience."

Tessia stood in front of me and then turned her back. "Unzip me, Shepard," she requested quietly.

I lowered the zipper off her dress as it slowly fell down her back, revealing that she wore no bra and no panties. Her arse was fantastic as she stepped out of the dress pooled around her ankles, leaving her only a pair of heeled shoes. She turned around to face me, and I couldn't help gazing down her body.

"Not bad for eight hundred and something," she said casually before I gasped as felt a soft hand take hold of my cock. It thickened rather quickly, and she looked down to look at it. "Goddess… Are all human males so blessed?"

"Some of us."

"I have been with males before. I've had the love of three turians in my life. They gave me many daughters. My last husband died over two hundred years ago now. I told myself that I would not marry again though that would not stop me from having fun. I have lived a long life. Am I not allowed to enjoy myself now and again?"

"Are you suggesting something?"

"Not right now. What I need to do now is meld with you, Shepard. I need to know exactly who you are. What I plan with Benezia… It's not me who needs help, it will be her. She will need your strength of body and mind for what she is about to endure. I have read about these Reapers though they were never called that. They were a mystery and they have always been dismissed as a fairy tale by most. There are some of us, though… We know about the Protheans and knew there was something out there that wiped them out."

"Are you suggesting a meld?"

"I am."

"The last few times that I've melded…"

That's when she laughed lightly. "Kira has told me about that. Not this time, Shepard. The idea… It arouses me, it truly does. My first human at this age. No, I will mould my body against yours while we meld our minds. I want to feel you as well as know you."

"Ready when you are."

She pressed her body against mine, her lips so close that it would have been easy to kiss her, and I reckon she would have kissed me back. I watched her eyes watch mine before hers turned dark.

"Embrace eternity."

I opened my mind and let her explore. She was incredibly curious about my life, my upbringing, my time in the service, and the people that had come and gone throughout my life. It was a long process as I figured that she was looking for particular traits. While she was doing that, I thought that I might have a little fun with her.

I started to think about the fact we were naked and what we could be doing otherwise. I thought of what it would be like if she was on her knees before me, my cock buried in her mouth and down her throat, my hands caressing her crest as she gazed up at me, mascara and eyeliner running down her cheeks while her chin glistened with spit and drool.

Tessia stopped. "Goddess…"

I sensed the spike of arousal before she resumed her search.

The next vision was of us together on the bed behind us. I let the vision slowly assemble, wondering what would really spike her arousal. I went with her on her knees, body forward with her head resting on a pillow. I held her hands behind her back with my left hand. I pumped my cock deep into her, hearing her cries of pleasure. As for my right hand, that was gently slapping each blue cheek available, giving them a light pink hue.

Tessia moaned softly. "Goddess… Shepard…"

I felt a wave of arousal through her body. I also knew that it was a distraction, but I sensed her looking through memories that I simply didn't want to see again. But I knew that was what she was looking for. I could have gone looking through her memories, but the way she spoke of her three husbands suggested sadness and heartbreak.

The last vision was of her in a similar position on her knees though this time she was sitting back against my chest. My hands caressed her breasts, her head turned so we could kiss. As for my cock, that was buried in her arse while one of her hands fondled her pussy.

Tessia gently broke the meld, and her gaze was filled with lust. Her soft fingers caressed my cheek, and the smile was almost shy. "It's been a very long time since I was with a male, Shepard. I'm far closer to death than birth…"

"And that stops you from making love because?"

She resumed the meld and then showed me something. It was of her home on Thessia. She sat back on a large armchair, the doors of her home open to the gorgeous view in the distance. On the ground between her legs was one of her acolytes, her mouth busy working her pussy. Tessia occasionally moaned though her focus was on the floor beyond. At least a dozen asari were in the throes of passion, fingers and tongues at work as it was a veritable orgy on display. I sensed the happiness in Tessia in that moment.

"I fill my time with love, Shepard. I have many young asari who choose to follow me. And my daughters… They have no problem performing in front of their mother as they enjoy many lovers."

Gently breaking the meld again, her hand rested on my chest before she left a soft kiss on my lips. Without a word, we walked together out to join Kira and Benezia. Kira wasn't surprised by our nudity while Benezia laughed, shaking her head.

"Benezia, please strip for me please," Tessia requested.

To my slight surprise, Benezia didn't hesitate, and I let my gaze linger once she was completely naked in front of me. Her eyes moved to my hard cock which was throbbing from excitement.

"Shepard, please sit down on the floor. Cross-legged as I know you've done before," Tessia instructed.

Doing as she asked, Tessia then glanced at Benezia. "Please join with Shepard," she added softly.

"Tess… I've never… I mean, I would have loved to try, but…"

Tessia grasped her hand. "You will need his strength for this, Bezzie," she stated, "And joining him will provide you with all his strength. His power. His fortitude. This is going to be a battle, a test of wills, of all our strength. If this foe is what I think it is, we're going to need all of us."

Benezia walked over to stand above me and I noticed her pussy was already glistening with excitement. At least that made this easier. She sat down on my lap, feeling her legs around me as she wrapped her left arm around my neck. With her right hand, I could sense her nerves as she gently grasped my cock, earning a giggle when I couldn't help grunt.

"First time for everything," she stated softly before she pressed against my cock and I felt it slowly slide inside her. "Oh Goddess!" she exclaimed rather quickly as she slowly sank down my cock, feeling both of her arms around the back of my neck. I watched her face and the utter bliss that flowed through her. Once I was buried inside her entirely, she threw her head back and released a loud moan. When she then moved her head and kissed me, it wasn't a real surprise.

"Oh fuck," she moaned as she started to move her hips, "Oh fuck, Shepard… Tess… Will you start soon?"

Tessia joined us on the floor, kneeling behind Benezia as she slowly rocked herself on my cock. Gently grasping the side of her head, I watched both of their eyes darken before they both stated those two words. I wasn't drawn in just yet as Benezia continued to slowly ride me. I felt her arms and legs tighten around me, stroking her back and feeling her relax.

"Goddess…. Bezzie…"

"Help me…"

I pulled Benezia closer so that her head rested on my shoulder, continuing to provide comfort. Tessia moved with her, so our bodies were almost pressed together.

"What have you done, Bezzie? What have you done?"

"I thought I could stop him."

There was silence as Benezia kept moving. I whispered encouragement into her ear. Tessia mumbled to herself as she clearly searched for something.

"There!" she exclaimed, "Right there. We need him now, Bezzie. Right now."

Tessia opened her eyes, resting one had on Benezia's temple and one on mine. With those two words, I was drawn in. There was a blinding white light that had been shielding my eyes before I blinked rapidly and found myself standing by myself on a grassy field. I looked down and saw myself dressed in my uniform. Assault rifle in hand. Weapons on my back.

"Kill it, Shepard. You must kill it. Kill it, and Benezia will be free."

I was about to ask what when it appeared. It was the ship Saren had been on. The Reaper. It lowered itself from the sky and released a deafening roar. In the moment, I felt utter terror from Benezia, her body almost crushing mine as we continued making love.

I released a war cry, raised my weapon and started firing. Commander Shepard does not retreat and does not surrender. He will hold the line and defend when necessary. He will attack and fight otherwise. I charged forward with my weapon still firing. The Reaper fired a weapon in return, causing me to jink and swerve.

My weapon overheated and I threw it away, stopping to throw a grenade, before I unhooked my shotgun and started to blast away. The Reaper moved forward to meet me. I felt no fear. No terror. I was calm. This was my home. I would not die. We would not die. This was just the start. I'd stop Saren. I'd stop the Reapers. No matter what.

Benezia fed off my determination. So did Tessia. Suddenly, they were both beside me, resplendent in their commando leathers.

"Die!" Benezia cried before she unleashed a powerful biotic attack.

Soon the three of us were unleashing everything we had, and it was then that the Reaper staggered backwards.

"Die! You will have her no longer!" Tessia shout.

My shotgun overheated. I threw another grenade, and I noticed the Reaper stagger. I found my assault rifle back in hand and released another roar as I fired again and again. The Reaper was wilting. We could all free it.

"You have no power here! You are nothing compared to our power!" Tessia cried.

"Begone!" Benezia added.

The Reaper released a loud roar… And then it simply disappeared. I could feel Tessia searching us both, concerned that it had escaped. But after what must have been only a couple of minutes, the sense of relief that flowed within us was immense. Tessia gently broke the mould as I opened my eyes to feel Benezia moulded against me, her body still moving as she moaned into my ear. She moved her head back and kissed me hard as we moved our bodies, so she was lying on her back.

"Goddess… Oh Goddess…" she moaned, "You feel so good, Shepard."

"You're free now, Bezzie," Tessia assured her, "Somehow, the three of us killed the infection. That's what I'm going to call it."

Benezia locked her legs at my hips and kissed me again. "Thank you. Both of you. Goddess… Does it always feel this good?"

"Absolutely," Kira stated behind me, "Helps that he does have a lovely big dick that is just perfect for any asari."

Benezia couldn't hold back the tears when I came inside her, kissing her softly as she felt my cock throbbing. Turning my head, Tessia was lying next to us, watching us with a look of sheer arousal in her eyes. I leaned over to kiss her as well.

"Shepard, you realise that you're spending the rest of the night fucking all three of us, right?" Kira stated.

I came inside Benezia within a couple of minutes, coming to a stop and watching her face. It was her eyes. No longer clouded. They spoke of an asari now free. We shared another kiss before I pulled back and out of her pussy, Benezia lying there with her legs still spread, chest rising and falling. I wasn't particularly surprised when Tessia positioned herself between Benezia's legs.

"Tess?"

"Oh please, Bezzie. You think Shepard hasn't figured it out that we were lovers before."

"But what about…"

Tessia leaned up and kissed her. "Bezzie, I felt your overwhelming sadness and sorrow. I know you're sorry. I am too. I want to put it behind us. For us to be friends and more in the future. Enjoy our last centuries."

"Oh, fuck this," Kira stated behind me, watching her stand up and slowly strip off. Noticing me watching her, she added, "I think making love will be the best way to end what's been a difficult day."

I was happy to watch Tessia going down on Benezia while Kira was figuring out what to do before she straddled Benezia's face, no real surprise that Benezia eagerly started to eat her out at the same time. Benezia and Kira were soon moaning softly while Tessia seemed to be enjoying the fact that she was licking some of my cum out of Benezia.

Positioning myself behind Tessia, she glanced back and smiled as I rubbed the head of my cock against her pussy. "Going to make one of your visions reality?"

"Want the whole thing or for me to be gentle?"

"Gentle the first time. I haven't had a male for a very long time."

I groaned as I slid inside her as she was ever so hot and tight. I ran my fingers up and down her back as I watched the three asari enjoy each other at the same time. Tessia did find me distracting as she needed to stop pleasuring Benezia every few seconds to release a moan. I leaned forward, leaving a trail of kisses up her back that made her shudder, and she turned to kiss me when I was resting my head on her shoulder. As for Kira, her face was a picture of delight as I knew Benezia would be an expert at eating pussy.

"Can I make a request?" I had to ask, "I'd love to take a photo and send it to a friend?"

I was surprised there was no concern, so I used an application on my omni-tool to set the scene. Me behind Tessia, my cock buried inside her. Tessia's mouth clamped to Benezia's pussy. And Kira straddling Benezia's mouth. I cropped out Kira's head so she couldn't be identified. I took a few snaps, including one far closer of my cock buried inside Tessia, and Tessia eating out Benezia, and sent them all to Jane.

I received a reply within seconds.

JS: Totally fucking hot, Shepard. Who are they?

Shep: Two matriarch's and a matron.

JS: Invite me next time. You know I'll eat pussy though I much prefer your big cock. Are they enjoying it?

Tessia moaned and begged me to fuck her harder.

Shep: Yeah, I think it's safe to say that the three of them are definitely enjoying it.

Benezia and Kira both enjoyed more than one orgasm before Tessia asked me to move. Kira fell forward to pleasure Benezia in a sixty-nine as Tessia rolled onto her back and beckoned me back inside her. I felt her legs wrap around me as we kissed while our bodies moved.

"Goddess," she moaned softly, feeling her fingers run up and down my back, "Goddess, Shepard. Two centuries since my last man."

"Well, let's make sure it's not even two years until your next one."

"My acolytes will be jealous when I tell them. As for my daughters…"

She wept when she felt me cum inside her. I understood why, her body clutching me tightly as my cocked throbbed as I unloaded inside her. We stayed joined together though turned our heads to watch Kira and Benezia together. They were obviously enjoying each other, only stopping when they heard silence and realised that we were watching them.

Benezia returned the favour on Tessia next as they enjoyed a sixty-nine. Kira took my hand and had me sit up on the lounge so she could straddle me, both of us moaning as she slid down my cock.

"Three asari in one evening, Shepard," she whispered before kissing me softly, "Yet I'm left thinking that we are the lucky ones."

I caressed her cheek and her eyes softened. I loved running my hands all over her body whenever we were intimate. And there was no doubt in my mind that she couldn't get enough of me in return. She felt wonderful as her arms ended up looping around my neck, our foreheads almost touching as she stared into my eyes. Tessia and Benezia were watching us, noticing them out of the corner of my eye.

"I think our councillor is falling in love," Tessia whispered.

Kira blushed though she didn't deny it. She'd read my mind and knew my thoughts and feelings about falling in love, and about love in general. Yet I also knew that someone like Kira, Naira or possibly Jane would help finally break down the walls that I had built up and convince me that falling in love was worthwhile. I did care for people. Respected them. Liked them. When it comes to love, I'm reminded of a song from the Twentieth, titled 'I Want to Know What Love Is.' Having grown up and lived without love for so long, I probably wouldn't even realise when it finally hit me.

We stopped our activities to have dinner, amused that none of us bothered to get dressed. Tara and Ariana were not surprised by our nudity, Tara earning plenty of chuckles when she didn't hesitate to sit on my lap. The only thing that stopped my cock from sliding inside her was the fact she was still dressed. Kira invited her two employees to join us for a drink after eating, no real surprise that Benezia was now a little quiet as the memories of everything were starting to hit her. I moved to sit next to her, and I don't think anyone was surprised when what was once a powerful and influential matriarch buried her head into my shoulder and needed a little cry.

"Thank you for your strength," she said softly, "And for making me feel so good afterwards. But I have a feeling these memories are going to remain with me for a long time."

The discussion turned to what would happen next. Kira eventually decided that Benezia would remain with her under what would effectively be house arrest for the next few weeks. She was going to let the furore die down before she would return with Benezia to Thessia and Benezia would simply have to hope for mercy. Tessia promised Benezia that she would do her best to defend her. Kira knew the consequences of such an action and that it could blow up in her face, but she was confident that as long as Benezia was cooperative regarding Saren and anything else in the future that she would be shown mercy.

I woke up the next morning feeling rather drained as we'd spent the rest of the night having fun. I had Tessia cuddled into my right and Benezia to my left. Kira was spooning Tessia. I felt Tessia's hand under the sheet trying to bring my cock to life yet again.

"You three are insatiable," I murmured.

"Shepard, do you know how sore my pussy is this morning?" Tessia retorted, "It's been two centuries, and you fucked me hard last night. I loved it, by the way."

"I'm already a little addicted to his dick," Benezia whispered before kissing my cheek, "And I know my daughter is going to absolutely love it soon enough too. Maybe you'd love a little mother-daughter action later?"

I met her eyes and saw she was completely serious. "I wouldn't say no. Would it get kinky?"

Benezia smirked before she kissed me lightly. "Well, that's for you to find out should you end up fucking us both at once."

Jane received another set of photos later as Tessia wanted another of the visions I sent her come to life though there was a difference. Tessia was on her knees with my cock buried in her mouth. Benezia and Kira were to either side of her, the three sharing my cock. And when it came to my orgasm, Tessia asked me to coat their faces. I was a little surprised by the request though didn't hesitate in stroking myself and aiming my cock.

"Feels so warm," Benezia stated before giggling, a sound that I would have never imagined hearing when we first met.

"I've tasted far worse," Tessia said after using a finger to clean her face, "Next time…"

"There'll be a next time?" I asked.

"Shepard, if you think that I'm living the rest of my life without having you again…"

I actually felt myself blushing as the three stood up and kissed my cheek. Kira disappeared for a shower with Tessia, the former needing to get ready for work, Tessia stating that she was required to go home to Thessia. Benezia laid back on the bed and smiled at me. I laid next to her as she snuggled into my side again, my fingers caressing her side. When I started to laugh, she understood why.

"I would never have guessed it would have ended like this when we faced each other down," she said. Now that we were alone, she allowed herself to cry. I held her in my arms, and she murmured her apologies again and again. I reassured her that I understood and that she had meant well, but there was a proverb. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Kira only left for work after leaving one hell of a kiss on my lips, and I don't think she wanted to leave. I told her that I might stay one more night though I did need to leave for Feros sooner rather than later. Tessia left only a little later, not missing the long kiss and cuddle that she shared with Benezia. When it came to me, she caressed my cheek while gazing into my eyes.

"Part of me wishes that we met humans thousands of years ago. The thing is, I think we would have spent so much time fucking, because it's obvious you all love sex as much as we do, that we probably wouldn't have done half as much as what we've done now."

"Do I have an invitation to Thessia?"

"You do. And when you do come, leave around a month of your calendar free. And make sure you bring something along to make sure that lovely cock of yours can stay hard constantly."

"I had no idea I was so popular."

We parted with a final kiss before her cloak was placed around her shoulders again and I noticed her demeanour change. In private, she was just Tessia, eight hundred and something years old, centuries of life behind her, but still capable of finding the simple joys of life. But in public, she was Lady Tessia, and I was beginning to understand what that truly meant.

I knew Kira wouldn't be back until later that evening as she was busy taking care of galactic matters. I was sitting back on one of her lounges reading over more datapads as information continually flowed into my omni-tool and I could transfer it to datapads for easier reading. I was reading something rather dry though at least information when Benezia strolled towards me wearing a long t-shirt, her long legs bare and nothing on her feet.

I smiled when she removed the t-shirt to reveal her naked body. She took the datapad from my hand and kneeled down between my legs to help take off my trousers and underwear before she helped off my shirt. Moving up to straddle my lap, she caressed my cheek before kissing me, using her other hand to guide my cock inside her.

"Someone will walk in and find us," she whispered while slowly rocking on my cock, "You are too addictive, Shepard. If I was fighting fit, I'd even offer to join you to find that turian bastard." She whimpered softly as I gave her a gentle thrust before we shared a long kiss. "But I think that I'd just find you too distracting. No wonder my daughter is infatuated with you."

"And you?"

"You saved me, Shepard. I will never be able to thank you enough."

Benezia was still astride me when the door opened and I heard a gasp, looking past Benezia to see Liara in the doorway. Benezia turned and I could hear the happiness in her voice. "Join us, Little Wing," she said.

"Mother! You're… You're…"

"Enjoying something that you should already be enjoying! Come sit beside us, Liara. There is no shame in watching two people sharing a moment."

I noticed Liara hesitate before she stepped forward. She was blushing brightly as Benezia refused to stop moving, moaning softly as she turned to face me again and we shared another kiss. She broke the kiss as Liara sat next to us, Benezia raising a hand to caress the face of her daughter.

"Don't be jealous, Liara."

"I'm not. Just surprised to see you with Shepard. I never showed much interest in your sex life, but I know you've only ever been with asari."

"He helped me, and now I just can't get enough of the feeling of him inside me. Liara… Do not hesitate too much longer. You are going to love this feeling. Okay? And I know Shepard will be gentle with you the first time. I know you are completely inexperienced. You ever licked pussy?"

Liara blushed even brighter. "No," she whispered.

"But you obviously masturbate?"

That made Liara snort. "Nearly every night when I was alone on a dig."

That aroused me further and Benezia felt it, turning to meet my eyes. "Ah, you like the thought of my daughter masturbating, Shepard?"

"I don't think you should meld with me and see my thoughts of what I would do to your daughter."

Benezia rode me long enough for us to enjoy an orgasm before she settled against my chest, caressing her back as she looked at her daughter. "I'm sorry, Little Wing," she said softly, "How we parted last… I regretted that every day."

"No apologies, Mother. I'm just glad that you are well. You are your old self. Happy. Carefree. And I hope that you enjoy life again."

We stayed for dinner again once Kira returned home, Liara remaining with us though we made her feel not as awkward by making sure we had changed after we finished having fun. Liara disappeared into a bedroom with her mother so they could have a heart-to-heart, both walking out a couple of hours later dabbing their eyes with tissues. Liara eventually chose to remain with us, and she eventually went to bed with Benezia. Not for that. Benezia said they were just going to have a mother-daughter night. Lots of talking and no doubt more crying interspersed with cuddling.

As for Kira, she knew that I would be leaving the next morning so made sure that she enjoyed me for as long as possible. It was only when we were lying back later that she sighed.

"I'll be honest, Shepard. I'm not sure how they're going to react to her return. News spread like wildfire and I think a lot of people expected her to die. Now she's returning and she's going to have to explain everything. I think those who support her will do their best, but it's going to be difficult."

"I know you don't have capital punishment. What could happen to her? Exile?"

"That would be the most draconian of punishments. But I know that many consider what she's done as treasonous, not only against the Asari Republics but against the entire Council. How would humans handle it?"

"She aided and assisted the enemy. If she was part of the military, we still execute people for treason. It's the only thing that people are still executed for, even back on Earth."

Leaving the next morning was difficult for two people. After Benezia wished me farewell and more importantly good luck in catching and finding Saren, I stood alongside Kira as Benezia clutched at her daughter tightly. I heard Kira sniffle and wrapped an arm around her as Benezia closed her eyes and almost refused to let her daughter go.

"I love you, Little Wing. Never forget that."

Liara whispered her love for her mother before they let each other go. Kira hugged her too before she kissed my cheek, wishing us well as we strolled out of her chambers and back towards the elevator that would take us down to the Presidium. Liara wiped at her eyes a couple of times during the descent, and I gently took her hand in mine as we walked towards the docks.

"Thank you, Shepard. Thank you for saving her," she said before we boarded the Normandy, "And thank you for… You know…"

"I get what you're trying to say. I think the Benezia I saw yesterday was the one you grew up with."

"She was always so happy, carefree, loving life. Yet despite her age, I think she was naïve in her belief regarding Saren. But I honestly think it also showed her heart, the fact that she believed that she could guide him. The asari we heard on that recording and the asari that did all those horrible things… That wasn't my mother. That proved her indoctrination."

"Then I'm glad we saved her. Ready to get going?"

She turned to face me. "Shepard… I want you to know one thing. I'm committed all the way. Until we know the Reapers are either not coming at all or we defeat them, I'll remain by your side."

It was the look in her eyes that convinced me. When I hugged her, she hugged me back tightly. "Infatuated?" I teased, remembering what her mother said.

"Totally,' she whispered, "And you're handsome… for a human…"

I met her eyes and she smiled. Hand in hand, we walked back onto the ship and sailed back out into the fray.