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Liara T’Soni, the Citadel – Veridian.

"Your words are… as stimulating as they are concerning, Messana," said Liara's mother, Matriarch Benezia, her tone of voice betraying uncertainty and evident concern as she read the report the ambassador had shared with the council.

"I understand the Council's concern. I have sent the report with everything related to the Terrans. Today we have a meeting with the Emperor's personal Council, where the diplomatic mission to the Andromeda Galaxy will be discussed," Tevos said with studied naturalness, undoubtedly enjoying the astonished faces of the council's matriarchs.

Liara could not blame them. Even she could not believe what Lord Harrison had said, to be honest.

The young T'Soni and Ambassador Tevos would be the first Asari to set foot in another galaxy, or at least that was what Harrison's astral charts had mentioned. Both Asari had spent hours observing the information about this planet, Xandar.

"We understand the pressing situation, and we are pleased with the progress you have achieved. One hundred years is an acceptable period of time for both peoples. The garden world assigned to Mass Relay 314, designated Harvest, will be the economic hub between the Empire and the Republics," said her mother Benezia, evidently relieved that First Contact had been so successful.

Something Liara also felt, thanks to the Goddess, considering what the young archaeologist had been observing during her stay on the Citadel.

The station was… titanic, and although it was evident that it was a marvel of engineering and the greatest legacy of the Protheans, the truth was that the Terrans did not seem particularly impressed by the station.

Apparently, Lord Harrison had more important and impressive projects in mind, something Liara could not imagine, to be honest, but considering the resources the Terrans possessed, it would not surprise her.

However, that could wait. Liara and Tevos had an important meeting at that moment, their first as official Lionesses, Liara thought with a small smile and exquisite warmth in her belly.

Lord Harrison had left the station for the Terran Capital a couple of days ago to attend to important matters, but that did not mean negotiations were on hold. Quite the opposite.

The Empire did not stop, so Tevos and Liara had been put in contact with the High Council.

Or, as it was informally known, the Council of Lionesses.

Lord Harrison's Consorts, and the most influential and powerful women in the Empire, each and every one of them specialized in specific aspects of governing.

Something Liara had noticed was that, although Lord Harrison was extremely brilliant and competent, as well as one of the most powerful beings Liara had ever known, the truth was that he did not perform many administrative duties within the Empire, dedicating himself more to engineering, science, and robotics.

The Black Lion's passion focused on creation, astronomical engineering, and the secrets of the Universe.

Not governing. For that, he had his lionesses, Liara thought, before her mother continued.

"Perfect. Councillor Atamis has reported that the Turians and Salarians have begun asking about our ship movements. They know something is happening, but she requests information about what exactly she should say. Do you have anything that could help us?" asked Liara's mother, her gaze focused entirely on Lady Tevos.

Who, indeed, had useful information for the councillor, courtesy of Hermione, who possessed total control over the Mass Relay Network of the entire Galaxy.

Liara could not help but shudder at the… immense power the A.I. had in her hands. She was certain that several Salarians and Turians would have a heart attack if they learned the truth.

Lady Tevos nodded calmly and elegantly, preparing to answer.

"In fact, thanks to our esteemed host, we have a way to get rid of the Council's suspicions. I'll share the data," said the ambassador as she sent the information package in question.

Liara silently watched her mother's face and those of the other matriarchs, finding it extremely amusing to see the way they looked at one another, shocked and stunned.

Although, to be fair, Liara had had the same reaction when she discovered compelling evidence of the relationship between the Batarian Hegemony and a massive slave fleet dangerously close to the Republics' frontier colonies.

"This… how truthful is this?" asked Matriarch Aethyta with a frown, evidently furious at what the report implied.

Lady Tevos answered immediately.

"The Citadel possesses a Master Control system over the entire Mass Relay Network. Imperial communications officers intercepted this information after detecting an alarming number of ships at one of the Secondary Relays on the galactic frontier. After tuning into the communications that passed through the Relay, compelling evidence regarding the Hegemony's actions was discovered. We can mobilize the Fleet to intercept them, while simultaneously informing the Turians about what was discovered," Tevos said cleverly, causing the matriarchs to nod softly, nodding to themselves, pleased with the commitment in question.

Matriarch Benezia nodded with approval on her face before responding.

"Perfect. With this intelligence report, we can lead the Turians and Salarians by the nose and keep them away from Thessia. We will take care of everything on this side. You two continue with the negotiations," Liara's mother said to Lady Tevos before looking toward the young archaeologist and answering with a smile.

"I have read part of your report, Little Wing. I am pleased with your performance in these negotiations, as well as your closeness to Emperor Harrison. Good work. We will speak again once the Council situation has been resolved," said the matriarch, cutting the communication.

Leaving Tevos and Liara alone.

"Well, that went well," said the ambassador with a smile before turning toward Liara and asking.

"Ready for the meeting?" she asked, causing the young Asari to nod softly and elegantly.

"I am, Ambassador," said Liara as both left the enormous office Harrison had assigned to them, in their own private wing inside the Presidium Palace.

And as usual, both Liara and Tevos could do nothing but hold their breath at the immensity and magnificence of the Citadel.

"We have seen it dozens of times, we have walked these halls for days, and I am still stunned," said Ambassador Tevos softly, causing Liara to nod beside her. Both walked through the luxurious and spacious corridor, giving them a beautiful view of the Citadel.

The Prothean station rose around them, untamed and powerful. Human dominance was extremely evident; banners, officers, and synthetics moved through the Presidium with speed and purpose.

Its ring-shaped structure stretched into the distance, with entire levels of gardens, avenues, and towers suspended above them. Gigantic bridges crossed the inner void while military vessels and hordes of those imposing sentinels moved silently between the luxurious districts of the station.

"I never get tired of seeing it."

The ambassador said it with a soft sigh, observing the imposing human statue in the center of the artificial lake, while those strange green beings called Keepers moved throughout the place, providing the necessary maintenance.

Liara could only nod, looking excitedly as a group of sentinels and drones moved an enormous Prothean ship through the Presidium, surely toward the industrial arm of the station for study and processing.

"By the way, Harrison has assigned you as one of the people in charge of the Prothean site. During the meeting, you will be assigned a budget, resources, and an escort, both human and Asari," said the ambassador with a smile, a gesture Liara returned radiantly.

Both Asari maidens advanced along the enormous walkway with impeccable elegance, Lady Tevos in her red dress and black adornment as soft as silk, contrasting with the monumental architecture. The tattoos on her face marked her rank in Asari society and her diplomatic experience. Beside her walked Liara, dressed in white, trying to conceal her fascination as she observed every detail of the imposing Prothean station.

Although, to be honest, at this point it was more of a human station. There were no traces of Prothean society; everything around them, architecture and technology, belonged to the Empire.

"Just as impressive as ever," said the ambassador, pulling Liara from her thoughts and causing the young maiden to look forward, toward the end of the path.

Before them, at the end of the luxurious walkway that elegantly pierced through the human capital, rose the Imperial Tower.

There, the Council of Lionesses awaited them for Liara and Tevos to be introduced among their ranks.

The Asari had negotiated with governments, survived the Krogan Galactic War, and spoken before countless leaders, but that meeting was different. It was the first official contact between the Asari and the power that ruled humanity.

A race that was… extremely superior to everything they knew, to such a degree that it was frightening.

And Liara could not help but feel nervous. This would be her first official interaction with the rest of the Emperor's Consorts.

A moment later, both Asari entered the Tower's atrium, observing that it was a gigantic minimalist chamber. Human architecture was evident, as were the Imperial banners: a planet, Midgard, surrounded by a beautiful and lush tree.

Yggdrasil, Liara remembered from the records she had read in the past.

The atrium of the Imperial Tower could only be described as brutalist and minimalist. Everything around them was immaculate and yet… overwhelming for any visitor.

Hostile architecture, a concept Liara had associated with the Protheans, who had also employed such a concept, at least from what little the archaeologist had recovered from the ruins in Council space.

Although there was nothing around the immense chamber that would indicate to the young Asari that this station had once been Prothean.

The chamber was elegant, but at the same time empty. Enormous metal columns with emerald and blue lights of unknown purpose stood around them, and in the center of the place, an immense metallic platform levitated gently.

Upon the platform was the most incredible piece of technology, at least in Liara's opinion, that humanity possessed.

The Sling Space.

Tevos and Liara approached the immense platform, while from a pedestal, Hermione's projection appeared, as smiling as always.

"Liara! Lady Tevos! The Council is waiting for you. We have news from Pandora, and your opinion is required," said the A.I. with a smile. Without waiting for a response, the image disappeared, at the same time that, before the young maiden's still incredulous eyes, a metal ring rose from the surface of the platform, positioning itself vertically and illuminating with its characteristic vortex of energy.

This one, unlike the Emperor's emerald green, was orange, creating a Sling gateway.

A direct path toward the Council chamber.

Liara and Tevos walked with complete naturalness, climbing onto the elegant platform and crossing the threshold in a familiar manner, causing Liara's vision to blur for an instant, only for it to give way to an enormous Chamber atop the Tower, where the powerful and infamous lionesses were already chatting.

The hall was enormous. Human architecture dominated everything around them, with enormous windows displaying a beautiful view of Veridian, while in the center was the Council in full session.

The lionesses sat upon floating thrones, surrounding an enormous holographic table that levitated gently above the polished floor, while the projection of an unknown Terran woman was displayed in the center of the table.

She was blonde, with snow-white skin and sky-blue eyes, dressed in an elegant Imperial outfit that embraced her figure with elegance and power. Her face was warm, but her eyes held immense power.

Liara and the ambassador remained silent, listening to her words.

"The exploration efforts of Alpha Centauri have been fruitful. I have shared our findings with Hermione, as well as my suggestions for beginning the colonization process. HERBIE has deployed a provisional space station for future operations in the system, as well as our preliminary reports on the planet designated Reach for future colonization. However, what is truly interesting, besides the contact with the Prothean A.I. and the Na'vi, is this," said the woman as the table began projecting a recording.

One… with a structure and codes familiar to both Asari.

"Mayday, Mayday, this is Captain Aeleana Vakarian… Mayday, Mayday."

"By the Goddess! A Turian ship?" Liara said aloud, causing the attention of the entire room to focus on the newcomers and making the young maiden blush completely, tinting her face a deep blue.

"Oh, I… I'm sorry," she said cautiously, while Empress Emma spoke in her elegant and feminine tone, almost as though purring.

"Our two new members have arrived. Welcome, Messana and Liara, to the High Council of Veridian," said the blonde with a smile, as two new thrones rose from the floor, both perfect and made specifically for the two Asari.

Both the ambassador and Liara looked at one another in silence, having an entire conversation between them before silently nodding.

Both had made a decision, knowing that once they took their seats upon the thrones of the Citadel, there would be no turning back.

And neither Asari hesitated. Both walked elegantly toward their expectant thrones, inhaling deeply and taking their seats upon their new thrones.

The moment the backsides of the two Asari touched the objects, both lit up instantly, while they began analyzing the bodies of the two Asari from head to toe.

And apparently, their faces must have reflected some confusion, because Empress Jean, the redheaded Terran seated to Emma's right, spoke softly.

"The thrones are analyzing your genetic signatures and granting you Level One administrator privileges. In the meantime, Hermione will be in charge of assigning you permanent residences on the Citadel. Each of you will receive a personal ship at your disposal, as well as a company of drones and sentinels for protection. From this moment onward, you are VIPs of the Empire and will be treated as such. Welcome, sisters Messana Tevos and Liara T'Soni," said the White Lioness solemnly, with evident approval in her voice, at the same time that both thrones began to rise, taking their places on the Council.

"So… these are the new jewels our beloved and powerful Lion has added to his collection," purred a woman with black hair and beautiful green eyes, as beautiful as the rest of the Lionesses.

The unknown woman's words caused Liara to blush, while the ambassador remained serene and elegant.

"A pleasure to meet you all. I hope our relationship will be… extremely fruitful and fulfilling," said the ambassador, undoubtedly referring not only to the political aspect of the Council.

But also the romantic one, since both Liara and the ambassador knew perfectly well that all the women present here were the Emperor's women.

And from now on… everything was a competition.

At least in some way.

"Now… the first matter we are going to address: the Quarians' annexation into the Empire, as well as the preparation of the commando teams to destabilize the Terminus Systems," said Lady Emma solemnly, causing Liara's entire attention to focus on the meeting.

The fate of a galaxy would be decided, after all.

Gwen Stacy, near the Turian Camp – Pandora.

"Four minutes to rendezvous point," the pilot said firmly as the three Pelicans approached the last coordinates of the Turian transmission at full speed.

"We have visual, Commander Sully," said Gwen calmly, seated on the ramp of the Pelican, observing Pandora's marvelous landscape.

She was not prepared for this. Gwen watched from the Pelican as the immensity of Pandora stretched before her like an impossible canvas. Entire mountains floated above an ocean of clouds, covered in jungles so dense they seemed endless. Enormous waterfalls fell from those suspended islands and disappeared into the mist far below.

The air was humid, warm, and strangely clean, and although it was incompatible with human physiology, the suits took care of purifying anything that could harm them.

The place was beautiful, but it was also wild and dangerous. Of that, she had no doubt.

They would have to be very careful. This was a rescue mission, but according to Ei'wa's reports, these Turians would not be… easy to rescue.

That was without even counting the Na'vi intervention, the blonde thought as she stood up and approached Commander Sully, who was coordinating his men.

"Our objective is simple: establish First Contact and assist the surviving Turians. According to the Emperor's report, they are as stubborn as a mule, so we must expect resistance, but Lethal Force is not authorized," the Spartan said firmly, causing the rest to nod solemnly.

The commander nodded softly before continuing.

"It is likely that we will encounter Na'vi. These are their lands and we are merely guests, so we will show the planet as much respect as possible. Understood?" Jake roared, causing all the soldiers present to respond.

"Yes, Commander."

Jake nodded approvingly at the response before ordering everyone to prepare and looking directly at Gwen.

"My Lady," said the Spartan while nodding his head toward Gwen, who returned the gesture with a nod of her own.

"Commander, is everything ready?" the woman asked, causing the soldier to nod firmly.

"Aye, all ready. How's that new armor of yours?" Jake asked with interest and some envy, undoubtedly focused on Gwen's new combat skin, inspired by her Ghost Spider suit.

But better… made of artificial magical polymer and an ultra-light arcane metal, fifty times more resistant than steel, equipped with personal energy shields and a camouflage device.

Designed by Harrison and created specifically to suit Gwen's abilities and body.

And this would be the first time it was deployed in combat.

"It's quite comfortable," the blonde said with amusement, causing Jake to snort in amusement, opening his mouth and preparing to respond.

Until the pilot intervened.

"Commander! We have contact! Apparently, our Turian friends are fighting the Na'vi… it looks pretty bad. We should intervene," said the pilot.

"Roger, Roger," said the Commander before turning around and beginning to shout orders, preparing everything for the incursion, but Gwen was no longer paying attention.

Jake would coordinate the soldiers… but that would take time, and most likely some lives would be lost in the process.

Something Gwen was not going to allow.

So, taking a deep breath, the young lioness nodded to herself and launched herself from the Pelican toward the planet.

The hunt had begun.