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Liara T'Soni, Temple of Athame – Thessia

"Do you know why the Council has requested my presence?" the young Asari asked, suspicion evident in her voice as she swallowed nervously upon seeing an entire fleet guarding the temple.

Asari commandos patrolled the complex, there were thousands of them, while the temple itself, for some strange reason, had been placed on maximum alert. Security was so intense that Liara could not help but develop a terrible feeling.

"That information is classified, Doctor, but the Council requested your immediate presence," the captain said just as the shuttle landed on one of the temple's highest-priority platforms, directly above the section containing the Prothean artifacts.

And to Liara's surprise, her own mother personally received her, accompanied by another Asari Matriarch and an entire escort of elite commandos.

What in the Goddess' name was happening here? the doctor wondered as she stepped off the shuttle and walked toward Benezia.

"Mother, it is good to see you," Liara said out of courtesy, noticing how Benezia's companion was observing her with... intense fascination.

"Little Wing, I am glad to see you, my love" her mother said with a smile, embracing Liara, an action the young doctor returned immediately.

"What is happening? There is speculation spreading across the planet thanks to the fleet movements," the young Asari asked.

Benezia opened her mouth to answer, but the second Asari intervened first, clearing her throat politely.

"Lizzy, the Council is waiting. We can speak with Liara once the situation has been... contained," the other Matriarch said with caution and impeccable manners.

Liara looked at the mysterious Matriarch with interest, but before she could ask any questions, her mother responded.

"You are right. Come, Little Wing. We will explain everything along the way while we travel to our destination," her mother said before turning around and leading them deeper into the temple.

The moment they entered the temple, her mother looked directly at Liara and began speaking.

"What you are about to see and hear, my dear, is a Level Zero secret. This information cannot leave this place, ever." Benezia said firmly, causing Liara to look at her with growing curiosity.

"The Temple of Athame has hidden a dangerous secret since the very beginning of our civilization," her mother continued with determination.

Moments later, Liara listened in stunned disbelief as she learned the greatest secret the Asari had ever possessed. A fully functional Prothean beacon. And even more astonishing, an extremely advanced Prothean V.I.

Still shocked, Liara finally responded.

"That... by the Goddess, if the Turians or the Salarians discover this, it would place us in an extremely difficult position! The very foundations of the Nexus Council would be endangered!" Liara exclaimed, genuinely disturbed.

Beside her, the Matriarch accompanying her mother, Aethyta, Liara suddenly remembered, laughed with amusement and responded.

"Oh, the Asari Council has far more important and terrifying things to worry about than the Turians and Salarians."

At those words, Benezia looked at her with a frown, the reprimand more than evident in her expression, before sighing and focusing her attention on Liara once again.

"The Council assembled to consult Athame regarding the situation involving the Mass Relays," Benezia explained, only for Matriarch Aethyta to immediately continue.

"The answer we received was... unsettling and exciting at the same time. Athame informed us that the Mass Relays activated because of the activation of something very specific."

Aethyta paused dramatically.

"The Citadel has appeared."

The words froze Liara completely.

"The Citadel? The lost Prothean capital? It has appeared?" the young archaeologist asked, trembling with excitement as her face lit up with joy.

"We need to organize an expedition! Imagine the lost secrets! We could—"

Liara immediately began rambling, completely lost in what was perhaps the greatest dream of her entire life, at least until her mother gently intervened.

"That... will be more complicated than it sounds. Athame established contact with the lost station and, to our concern, someone answered," Benezia whispered solemnly as they entered the Beacon Chamber, guarded by two Justicars and an entire regiment of commandos.

And upon entering, the breath left Liara's lungs.

The chamber was ancient. None of the architecture surrounding them was of Asari origin. Under normal circumstances she would have spent months studying every wall and every inscription, but all of Liara's attention immediately focused on the center of the room.

The Prothean Beacon stood there, forged from an unknown black alloy and, to Liara's absolute astonishment, projecting an imposing figure.

An unknown alien.

Very attractive and possessing a presence that conveyed only one thing.

Power.

"Perfect, the Prothean expert has arrived," said one of the Matriarchs, walking toward Liara with visible relief. The atmosphere within the Council was tense, although curiosity was equally present. The Matriarch nodded toward Benezia before introducing herself.

"I am Messana Tevos, Council Matriarch. I assume your mother has already informed you regarding our situation."

Benezia intervened immediately, her brow furrowed and her voice controlled, although the urgency in both women's expressions was impossible to miss.

"Almost completely, Tevos. The alien is transmitting from the Citadel and speaks exclusively in Prothean, therefore our communication attempts have been... limited, to be generous," Benezia said with a sigh while the High Priestess continued making exaggerated gestures toward herself.

"Asari... Asari..." she repeated again and again, much to Liara's disbelief.

The alien observed the spectacle with what appeared to be... amusement. By the Goddess, the similarities were both fascinating and terrifying. The facial expressions, body language and subtle reactions felt unnervingly familiar.

Liara inhaled deeply and walked toward the Beacon, immediately understanding what she had to do. Every member of the Council focused their attention upon her. The most important women of the Asari Republics were placing their hopes upon the only true Prothean expert on the entire planet.

Gathering her courage, Liara spoke in the limited Prothean she knew.

"Hello...I am Doctor Liara T'Soni...I am Asari from...Thessia. It is a pleasure...to meet you," she said in Prothean, causing the alien's face to brighten instantly.

The relief of finally establishing meaningful communication was more than evident upon his features.

Liara watched as a smile appeared on the alien's face before he responded. His voice was deep and masculine, and for reasons she could not understand, her entire body trembled when she heard it. It felt as though a surge of electricity had rushed through her nervous system the instant that voice reached her ears, something primal very deep in her body.

"Hello Liara. I am Harrison Evans of the Empire of Terra. I am speaking to you from the Imperial Palace of the Citadel. It is a pleasure to meet you," the alien replied.

Liara immediately turned toward her mother and the gathered Matriarchs, all of whom were looking at her expectantly.

"His name is Harrison Evans. He comes from something called... the Empire of Terra. He is speaking to us from the Imperial Palace of the Citadel and says it is a pleasure to meet me. He does not appear hostile."

The moment those words were translated, the entire Council released collective sighs of relief before dozens of conversations erupted simultaneously throughout the chamber.

Several Matriarchs visibly relaxed. The possibility of encountering a hostile species controlling the Citadel had haunted every discussion since Athame first reported contact. The fact that the alien appeared polite and willing to communicate immediately eased one of their greatest fears.

The uproar became so intense that Matriarch Tevos finally raised her voice.

"SILENCE!"

Every Asari present obeyed immediately.

"Doctor T'Soni is the only person capable of communicating with this alien. Let us not overwhelm her with our endless voices. We are not newly-weaned maidens. We are Matriarchs. Conduct yourselves accordingly," Tevos declared firmly.

The room gradually settled.

"Establish friendly contact, Doctor T'Soni. We require confirmation that this Harrison possesses control of the Citadel and therefore the Mass Relays," Tevos ordered calmly.

Liara nodded and focused once more upon the mysterious alien.

"Empire of Terra? Is that what your species is called? Terrans? You are contacting us from the Citadel, correct? The lost Prothean capital?" Liara asked, unable to conceal the excitement in her voice.

Apparently Harrison noticed immediately.

"Yes. Terran or Human. My people were conducting planetary terraforming operations when we discovered a crashed and heavily damaged alien station. After repairing it, we uncovered many fascinating records. Among them was something called Project Athame, the supervisory program for the Asari initiative."

Liara's eyes widened dramatically.

"Asari Initiative? What is that?" she asked, completely absorbed by the conversation.

"Apparently the beings you call Protheans conducted experiments upon several species throughout the galaxy. Both upon your people, the Asari, and upon us, the Terrans. That may explain our... similarities."

As he spoke, Harrison looked Liara up and down with what appeared to be unmistakable interest, the smile was magnetic and was making her tremble with embarrassment and pleasure.

By the Goddess.

Liara had never been so embarrassed in her life.

She recognized those expressions. Physical attraction was not unique to the Asari, and Harrison's reactions were disturbingly familiar. His facial expressions mirrored countless conversations she had witnessed throughout her life.

Liara blushed deeply and prepared to continue when her mother intervened.

"Little Wing, has he told you anything important?" Benezia asked cautiously, looking back and forth between Liara and the alien with a suspicious frown, as though some maternal instinct had detected something unusual.

Liara turned toward the assembled Matriarchs.

"His species is called Human, also known as Terrans. He claims his people were performing planetary terraforming operations when they discovered the remains of the Citadel after it crashed upon a planet."

The reaction was immediate.

The entire Council erupted into alarmed discussion.

Terraforming. Not colony development. Not atmospheric correction. Full planetary engineering. Several Matriarchs immediately recognized the implications. Such capabilities were centuries beyond anything possessed by the modern Council races.

Matriarch Tevos stepped forward once again.

"Are you absolutely certain that is what he said? Planetary terraforming?" she asked, visibly disturbed.

Liara understood her concern perfectly.

Such feats were far beyond the current capabilities of the Nexus races. If the Terrans truly possessed that level of technology, then the Empire of Terra must be ancient, powerful and unimaginably vast.

Right?

Swallowing nervously, Liara continued.

"After repairing the Citadel and examining its records, he discovered something called Project Athame. Apparently designated as the Asari Directive. He claims there are records indicating that the Protheans intervened in both our species and theirs, and that it may explain our physical similarities."

Liara delivered the revelation almost casually.

The consequences were anything but casual.

The chamber exploded into chaos. Several Matriarchs openly questioned centuries of accepted history. Others demanded immediate access to every surviving Athame record. The possibility that the Protheans had shaped the development of the Asari race was enough to shake the foundations of their civilization.

More alarming still was the existence of records outside Thessia's control. If Harrison possessed access to Project Athame, then one of the greatest secrets in Asari history was no longer exclusively theirs, the implication could be devastating.

"My sisters wish to know if you are responsible for the activation of the Mass Relays throughout the galaxy," Liara asked, instantly silencing every Matriarch present.

The Terran... Harrison, nodded slowly.

"Yes, that was us. Once the Citadel became operational again, the connection process was carried out automatically. However, I feel this conversation would be far more interesting and stimulating in person, don't you think?" the Terran asked.

Liara's eyes widened dramatically and a surprised gasp escaped her lips, immediately drawing the attention of every Asari present.

"Little Wing! What is it? What did he say?" her mother asked urgently.

"They claim that they were responsible for activating the Relays, and that he wishes to arrange a...face-to-face meeting," Liara answered, her voice filled with both surprise and excitement.

The words spread rapidly throughout the chamber. The Asari were considerably calmer now. This was their domain after all. Diplomacy. Negotiation. First contact.

And if the Terrans, the apparent Masters of the Sacred Citadel, wished to establish diplomatic relations...

"Then we must begin preparations immediately! A reception worthy of the occasion must be organized. A new species has revealed itself to the galaxy. We shall need statements prepared throughout Nexus space, communication channels opened with the Turians and Salarians, and undoubtedly there will be..."

Matriarch Tevos began speaking, already constructing an entire diplomatic strategy in her mind.

Several Matriarchs immediately began discussing trade opportunities. Others were already considering scientific exchanges, military cooperation and the political consequences of introducing a new advanced species to the galactic community. For a brief moment, the chamber felt less like a crisis meeting and more like the opening of a historic opportunity.

However, Tevos' words died in her throat.

Without any warning whatsoever, Harrison's transmission abruptly vanished.

And in its place...

An orange spiral suddenly appeared.

Every Asari in the chamber released cries of surprise and alarm.

"What in the Goddess' name is that?" one of the Matriarchs whispered.

The anomaly continued expanding.

Growing larger and larger.

"Extremely elevated energy levels detected. Origin unknown. This... bears no resemblance to any technology known to us," Aethyta said while scanning the phenomenon with her omni-tool, her expression becoming increasingly serious with every passing second.

"By the Goddess, what kind of technology is this?" Benezia asked while entire squads of commandos moved between the Council and the anomaly.

Kinetic barriers immediately activated.

Combat drones deployed.

Weapons were raised.

The entire Temple entered maximum alert status.

And honestly...

Nobody possessed the slightest idea what they were looking at.

For perhaps the first time in centuries, the most powerful women of the Asari Republics found themselves confronting something they could not explain. Not Prothean, not Geth. not Nexus technology. Something entirely unknown.

Then...

The orange spiral expanded once more, slowly and steadily increasing in size before beginning to move toward Liara, the commandos and the assembled Council.

"OPEN FIRE!" shouted one of the senior commandos.

Dozens of rifles immediately unleashed streams of energy.

The results were nonexistent.

Every attack vanished harmlessly into the anomaly.

No damage.

No reaction.

No response whatsoever.

The enormous spiral accelerated.

And then, one by one, members of the Council began to disappear.

"Little Wing!! I... AGHHH!" Benezia screamed as she was engulfed by the anomaly, which had already reached her position.

Liara knew there was no possibility of escape.

So she simply closed her eyes and waited.

She did not know if it would hurt.

She had no understanding of the nature of this impossible phenomenon.

But apparently...

She had nothing to fear.

The anomaly passed through her body.

It felt as though she had stepped through a dense mist.

And then...

Nothing.

Only a soft breeze.

And a familiar voice.

"Asari of Thessia, welcome to the Citadel," Harrison's voice said with obvious amusement.

Liara raised her head and looked around in complete disbelief.

She found herself inside some kind of colossal throne room located within what was unmistakably a space station.

The Council and the commandos stared around themselves in astonishment, immediately recognizing the architecture from the limited images Athame had shared over the centuries.

Liara T'Soni was standing inside the lost Prothean capital.

The Citadel itself.

And although she was overwhelmed by excitement, her attention, along with that of every Matriarch present, focused upon the throne dominating the chamber.

It was enormous.

Positioned before a gigantic panoramic window from which the immense arms of the station could be seen stretching into the void.

This place was...

Simply titanic.

Several Matriarchs stood frozen. The realization struck them simultaneously. They had spent millennia viewing the Citadel as a myth, a relic, a distant dream of archaeology. Now they stood within it. Not as discoverers. Not as conquerors. As guests.

Then Liara's gaze focused upon Emperor Harrison.

Seated calmly upon the throne.

Protected by an entire regiment of terrifying war machines nearly ten meters tall, asaroid in form, very powerful and very dangerous, alongside a pair of gigantic terran warriors wearing the most technological armor she had ever seen on her life, so immense and imposing that they made a fully grown Krogan appear almost childlike by comparison.

A moment later, the Emperor rose from his throne and began walking toward the stunned Matriarchs.

Several swallowed nervously for different reasons.

His physical presence was overwhelming, and the aura of authority he possess...Liara even saw that a few of them rub their tights together.

He was simply enormous.

Over two meters tall and carrying what appeared to be hundreds of kilograms of pure muscle. His anatomy seemed superior in every measurable way, crafted and perfected for a single purpose.

War.

Even the veteran commandos felt uneasy. Instinctively they understood what stood before them. This was not merely a politician, nor a scientist, nor a symbolic ruler. This was an individual built for conquest.

Then the Emperor spoke.

This time...

In flawless Asari.

"Welcome to the Citadel. I believe... we have much to discuss."

A smile of amusement crossed his face.

Liara simply swallowed nervously and grabbed hold of her mother with both hands.

Something told her that the surprises had only just begun.