"Hi Mirala, how are you doing?"
"Well, as you can see, I haven't given birth yet... and I doubt it's possible with my symptoms."
The Asari's lips twisted into a mocking smile. This question clearly didn't bother her much, or she had simply managed to come to terms with it over the years she had wandered the galaxy.
"Hmm... well, let's say I don't see any problems with giving birth..."
My sister's eyes widened in surprise.
"What do you mean... I'm..."
"Sis, you're supposed to be an advanced race, the first of the currently known and thriving peoples to go into space. And in some moments, you're like children, honestly. For example, humans have this thing called surrogacy. That's when a fertilized egg is implanted into another woman, who then carries it."
Mirala blinked in confusion.
"But that's used by us if it's too dangerous to give birth, but there's also IVF, artificial insemination."
"You seem to have forgotten that things are a bit different for Asari... brother."
"I haven't forgotten anything, but if we have these methods, they can be adapted to Asari racial characteristics. Yes, it might take some time, but it's entirely possible. I'll tell you more: if we finally stop being clueless, we can find markers that will suggest even in the embryo whether an Asari has a chance of becoming an Ardat-Yakshi, and if so, genetic intrauterine therapy can be developed."
"Do you think we haven't thought of such things?"
"I don't know what you've thought about and what you haven't. I only know that I've already launched these projects at my facilities. So in five or ten years, we'll see if you were doing anything in this direction or just messing around."
Silence hung in the room for a while; however, Mirala didn't waste any time and, sitting on the couch where I was sitting, slumped her head onto my lap.
"Hey, what's up?"
Carefully stroking the girl's head, I looked intently into her eyes.
"I feel... bad..."
The words were difficult for her.
"...not right now; if I felt bad right now, I wouldn't have called you, but... my state, it's not stable. At times, such a strong desire to run away and start all over again washes over me that it even scares me."
"It's okay..."
Continuing to stroke her head, I utter these words gently.
"You already realize it's bad, which means you've taken a very big step forward. You're doing great."
"Brother..."
Wrapping her arms around my waist, she pressed her nose into my stomach, while I was only amazed that such a strong and insolent girl, as she was shown in the canon, was actually so fragile.
"It's okay. You're doing great. You're just wonderful.
"We?"
"Of course, we. Falere and Rila are also very happy that you're finally with them and will soon be able to just walk along the beach. Oriana, oh, she talks about your advice with such admiration... Miranda is slightly caustic, but you can see in her eyes that she's proud to have such a half-sister."
With each of my words, Mirala's grip grew tighter.
"I'll tell you more: Samara will never admit it, at least not in the near future, but I've seen how she looks at your photograph and offers prayers to your goddess so that you have enough strength for the path you're currently on. She's very proud that you're holding on and not causing scenes."
"Brother..."
If not for the training, I would have grunted in pain, so tightly did my sister cling to me.
"I..."
"It's okay. I'm here, do you hear me? I'm here, your whole family is here, and we support you."
"Uh-huh... can I lie like this for a little longer?"
"Of course."
I continued to stroke the girl's head, while she clung to me and, apparently, wasn't going to pull away anytime soon. However, it was for the best. Such emotions and family support would do her good. At least, I hope so.
Several hours passed, and Mirala fell into a sleep. Her grip loosened, and I, carefully picking her up in my arms, carried her to the bed. And here, of course, I could have left, leaving her alone, but I didn't. Fortunately, my Omni-tool is always with me, so I could work through it, so sitting at the head of the bed, I began to work.
An hour and a half later, Mirala stirred in bed, and I carefully placed my hand on her head and gently stroked it.
At first, she froze, clearly not understanding what was happening, but then she questioningly uttered only one word.
"Brother?"
"Yes, sis, it's me."
"I thought... you'd leave..."
"And leave you alone without making sure you're back in a good place?"
"Thank you."
One word, and the girl hides under the blanket; however, she does it in such a way that it's convenient for me to stroke her head.
"You're my sister, so it's my duty as your brother to look after you."
"How... responsible you are."
The words from under the blanket were spoken with clear mockery.
"And what will you do if I find myself a girl or a guy?"
"Well, I've had a baseball bat for a long time, so whichever of my favorite sisters finds a soulmate, that soulmate will have to pass my interview. And if the candidate isn't approved..."
"Brother is a tyrant."
These words were spoken in an extremely satisfied voice.
"Of course, a tyrant... I also need to find someone for mother... it's not right, such a gorgeous woman being alone."
"John..."
Mirala's eyes and nose appeared from under the blanket.
"If you find someone for her, my sisters and I will simply kiss you to death."
These words caused me slight bewilderment.
"And what kind of reaction is that?"
Mirala looked at me squinting; I could only shake my head.
"Nothing, I just imagined five beauties kissing me at the same time, and it felt very good."
"And why don't I believe you?"
However, she didn't argue with me and hid under the blanket again.
"You know... I missed this. Just this simple family warmth. And I didn't even realize how much I missed it until I was here. But if you tell anyone I said that, I'll rip your head off."
Chuckling, I nodded understandingly.
"I'm distracting you a lot, aren't I?"
"No, I'll always find time for family; after all, you're the most precious thing I have in my life."
And now I was talking not only about my sisters and mother, but also about Aria T'Loak and Matriarch Benezia, who had put effort into raising me, as well as Jane, Liara T'Soni, and Tali.
Naturally, friends and acquaintances are also part of this family, and they all understand and feel this.
"Sigh, alright, I won't distract you anymore; go work."
"Mirala, I told you—"
"Go work."
A flash of steel appeared in the girl's voice.
"I... haven't shown weakness to anyone for a very long time, and here... in short, please, let me be alone."
"What nonsense is this?"
Shaking my head, I looked intently at the girl, but she looked at me in a way that made me realize she really needed to be alone with herself right now.
"Alright, I won't argue with you, but you remember that if anything happens, I'm close by and will come as soon as you need me?"
"Uh-huh..."
Leaning down and kissing Mirala on the temple, which made her bite her lower lip, I left her apartments.
"She's making good progress."
EDI said this as soon as I left the girl's room.
"Previously, she wouldn't have allowed herself to show weakness to anyone. And here, such trust. In short, she has very good chances for rehabilitation."
"Yes... I think so too."
The rest of the day passed as usual, in work and training.
** A view from the side. **
"How is the work progressing?"
Sparatus addressed Tevos while the two of them sat alone, without their third colleague, who was currently busy with something on behalf of the Union government.
"Normally. Sanctuaries are being created; however, there won't be enough room in them for everyone. It's extremely sad, but many Asari won't survive the Reaper attack if, of course, they win the war."
"Is there any doubt about that?"
Sparatus gave a grim chuckle.
"No, we are increasing the fleet, of course, building defensive stations, but... we have almost no chance of victory. Our scientists have calculated how many times all life in Citadel Space has been destroyed. And the approximate number of ships that were needed for that."
Tevos grimaced understandingly, thereby showing that she also had data from such calculations.
"In short, if we don't come up with something special, then..."
"Actually, there is something special; our..."
and the scientists are dreaming of some weapon that will destroy the Reapers, but..."
Tevos showed with her entire demeanor that for now, it was only talk, and its construction was still very, very far off.
"And I have these suspicions that we won't have time to build this weapon before the war starts, and building it during the war..."
"The Turian Hierarchy will help with the construction. The main thing is to establish close contacts so that this weapon truly works for the benefit of our peoples."
"We could also involve the Systems Alliance..."
Tevos said this with a slight hint of doubt.
"The Systems Alliance? Are you sure?"
The Turian doubted very much that this would be right. No, he didn't think poorly of humans, especially knowing how one of their kind works in the Spectre corps, but to risk everything by cooperating with an entire race because of the good work of one?
"Don't get me wrong, but humanity is somewhat..."
"I know."
The Asari sighed. She, more than anyone else, understood that the Systems Alliance was not the kind of government that would be easy to cooperate with.
"I know, but what I know about the weapon... the two of us won't be able to build it. The approaches required are too different. We will have to cooperate—EVERYONE."
"Everyone?!"
Sparatus was slightly shocked by this, as it meant that cooperation would have to be conducted even with the Krogan. And they had a little gift from the Turians left on their planet, and if they found out about it, it would be...
"Worried about the bomb?"
Sparatus swallowed saliva that had become very viscous.
"You..."
"I don't know where Shepard found out about it, but he informed me and advised me to resolve this issue extremely delicately. So don't worry, I've already sent specialists; they will deactivate it and then dismantle it. And if it's impossible to dismantle, they'll just destroy it after removing the warhead."
"Phew... that... I almost went to join the ancestors."
"Oh, come on... now the Salarians, when they find out that several specialists are working on weakening the Genophage, they'll die from the bile hitting their brains."
At these words, Sparatus gave a quiet chuckle.
"And you think Shepard will succeed?"
"I think so. The same specialist who previously worked on strengthening it is now working on weakening it."
"Damn... how does Shepard manage it?!"
The Turian couldn't contain himself and, shouting the question, threw up his hands.
"I don't know... but I don't ask unnecessary questions. I don't want him to start thinking about it, because if he realizes how impossible the things he's doing are..."
"And right you are, let him just do these things and that's it, and we'll provide him with support. Do you know if he needs help right now?"
"Him? He always needs it, financially. He spends so much money it's just terrifying."
"With you too?"
"It seems to me he spends it among all the more or less friendly races, investing in various developments. Medicine, weaponry—hell, he even invested in a hobby group that's developing travel technologies without Mass Relays!"
"A hobby group?"
"Well, what else do you call a company of five Matriarchs who do this sort of thing out of boredom? Although in the current situation..."
"Yes... the Mass Relays didn't help the Protheans and they won't help us. They'll sooner be a good signal for our enemy as to exactly where we're moving."
"Exactly... so those Matriarchs were recently allocated large funding, in addition to subsidies from Shepard, and scientists were assigned to them to help in this direction. But the speed of movement..."
Tevos shook her head.
"...though they do have one bright idea for small ships. An individual, one-time displacement module. It works like miniature Mass Relays, only you'll need to set up beacons to lock onto."
"Hmm... we have something similar too; maybe we should exchange data? Perhaps the travel system can be improved?"
"Let's do it."
Tevos nodded resolutely and activated her Omni-tool, as this required speaking with certain Asari; Sparatus did the same.
***
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