Ch.23 - Peak 15: Matriarchs

Having made our way back, Wrex and I were both internalizing the action from the Hot Labs.

He found himself a lot calmer, having worked through much of his anger and irritation from the brief unleashing of everything against the crazed Rachni. The fact that we had also essentially killed all Rachni save the Queen and those still scattered around the facility had also been a boon.

As for myself, it was a mixture of several factors.

For one, I felt incredibly light after having let loose as it were. To use my mind and body completely, efficiently bringing death to those aiming for my life and the life of my friend for the first time was… wonderful. I did not know if this was a result of the bioengineering or conditioning, but I could not deny the thrill of it all.

Although, the fact that it was necessary to euthanize so many beings ripped from their whole and twisted into feral animals searching for pieces of themselves they were not even fully aware of was jarring. The sudden silence their ends brought, even more so.

It was… conflicting and needed further understanding as I psychoanalyzed myself like always. Most of it would need to be done once the mission was done, but initial reactions needed to be recorded internally for best results.

Casually walking up to where Captain Ventralis had been with his men, barricade unmanned, was enough to indicate to Wrex and I that possible troubles were abound. It simply depended on Ashley or the Commander's actions against the man's actions.

Though, if I was feeling correctly, Ashley should have been rather successful with the vindictiveness and smugness she was exuding.

Passing by, we entered the same area our squad had split off from, finding our female teammate in a rather…interesting situation.

"Dickless! Cowardly! Scum sucking! Mother Fucker!" She angrily cursed whilst repeatedly stomping on the genitals of an Asian member of Captain Ventralis' team as he squirmed on the floor whilst crying in pain and begging for forgiveness.

The rest of said team were either dead, like the two others with bullet holes, or unconscious like their Captain.

It looked like Ashley had done well and my surprise had been useful.

"Not that I mind the torturing, but what's crawled up your tail end?" Wrex queried amusedly with a grin.

"Fucker said they should have some 'fun' with me and the girls if Benezia lets them keep us alive!" She growled with another kick to the man whining on the floor. "Like these pieces of shit could even take any of us down!"

.

.

.

What?

*Bam!*

"Whoa! A little warning next time Neo!" Ashley jumped in surprise at the sudden act.

Even I had barely thought about, only noticing what I had done after I had pulled the trigger of my pistol and gifted the fool a new exit for the organ he had clearly not been utilizing properly.

'To think these…insects desired to harm my friends. My comrades.' I internally seethed, glaring towards the last remaining guard.

"Calm down kid." Wrex interrupted with a heavy hand on my shoulder, stopping me from acting in an even more irrational fashion. "These pyjaks never stood a chance against the brat, so what makes you think they'd be able to lay a finger on Shepard?"

"*Heavy Exhale* My apologies for startling you Ashley. The thought of these worms attempting to defile my friends seems to be somewhat of a trigger for me." I spoke, reigning in my wrath as it would do me no good.

Anger could motivate one to achieve many things, but as it propels one forward it also burns you, as well as everything behind and before you until nothing is left. It clouds the mind and limits us in how to think and act, thus was detrimental in obtaining the best results.

Control and direction could help, but for now I will need to be aware of such a trigger lest it becomes a weakness.

"It's alright Chuckles. Almost kind of sweet that just hearing that made you cap the SOB." The young woman smiled appreciatively. "My dad would definitely approve."

"Heh. So what do we do with him?" Wrex gestured over to the Captain.

"Well, he was going to gather his forces to take us down while we were divided, like it was going to work, but he didn't get the chance cause as soon as they came through and saw me, they tried to take me down and that didn't end well. He couldn't reach anyone with his Omni-Tool thanks to the surprises in it too.

So now we either off him too, so he doesn't keep trying to be a threat, knock him out or just tie him up." Ashley broke down the situation for him and what had generally occurred while we were purging the Hot Labs. "Oh right, was it you guys who sent up that scientist earlier?"

"Yes, Dr. Tartakovsky. According to his files, he was part of the group which helped hatch the Rachni Queen and aimed to learn how to control them. His mind had been heavily scarred and was making him simply sit there, thus I recommended he depart the area before we purged it." I explained to her clinically. "I believe it is what the Commander would have done."

"I can see that." She agreed easily with a quick nod. "Anyway, he's safe with the others. Saw him pass by, so good job."

"Yeah, yeah, the egghead's safe. What do we do with him?" Wrex grunted with a head jerk.

[Neural Shock]

Not expecting the sudden attack, the man jerked suddenly before stiffening and dropping to the group unconscious.

"Keep him here. Although enemies, he is only so due to being paid by ours, thus he shall stay here until we are done. If no Rachni or opportunistic fool takes care of him, then it would seem he was meant to live at least." I offered with little care.

There was a reason Ashley had left him alive and relatively unharmed compared to the others after all. Hence the Captain would be afforded a chance to live, but not one to be an issue while we finished our mission.

My [Neural Shock] was very potent and could easily kill organics, but some modifications and non-lethal pacification settings for various species were set.

"Eh, fair enough." Ashley shrugged.

"Alright. Let's get to Shepard then. She's probably killing a bunch of people without us and that just won't do." Wrex agreed with little care.

"Didn't you two just kill a bunch of those creepy crawlies?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, but that isn't the same as making you squishies soil yourselves out of fear." He barked in amusement as he went on ahead.

"I am also curious as to how much the Commander has managed to achieve in our short time apart." I admitted, following after the Krogan. "Statistically speaking, she should have taken on and solved a number of issues by now."

"What?" The confused Ashley sounded out. "You think Skipper got herself into more trouble?"

"Indeed. Have you not noticed the fascinating rate at which the Commander seems to stumble into violent or important situations at the right time?" I responded with a minor degree of excitement. "Our recruitments alone are evidence to that fact."

"Huh. Never really thought about it, but now that you mention it…"She murmured in realization. "Really should have noticed earlier."

"Regardless, new data on the path of Commander Shepard is always fascinating." I firmly told the smaller woman as we reached the survivor area.

Unsurprisingly, it was a place covered in an oppressive atmosphere.

Of the fear mortal beings experience when they realize the price for attempting to play at levels beyond them. When they blind themselves in their pursuits and abandon morals, all for it to strike back.

Fear.

Hopelessness.

Resignation.

Guilt.

It was all pressing down on those survivors of the Rachni.

We could not see the Commander and her group, but I could feel her approaching.

It was, however, surprising to witness my first Elcor.

Such an odd place to do so as well.

With the opening of a pressurized door, Liara, Garrus and Commander Shepard stepped out with a sense of purpose, noticing our presence and signaling for us to fall in with her team as they moved towards a place I could sense a different kind of desperation and… dulled beings.

"I take it everything went well." She stated easily.

"It was fun to finally get to properly squash bugs, and now we don't have to worry about any large numbers." Wrex nodded with a grin.

"The good Captain also 'volunteered' to stay back just in case too." Ashley subtly informed the Commander, which was enough for her to understand that the man and his team were at least indisposed and no longer threats.

It would not be appropriate to simply reveal his unconsciousness and the death of the others while surrounded by other members of the security team and those who relied on them to survive.

"Well, we've gotten 'control' of the situation and dealt with some 'blue' people, if that's how you humans say it." Garrus informed us about their rather productive time.

To have already taken control of the automated security and removed at least some asari agents from play was good.

"What is your current objective involving the medical laboratory of this area?" I questioned.

"That Thorian project you found out about, well it was really a bio weapon that got loose when the Rachni did." The Commander answered with distaste. "We've got a cure, which I made sure to save all the data about just in case, and in exchange for it we get a key card to the Secured Labs."

I could sense both her noble desires to save those inflicted by the weaponized Thorian killer and the growing frustration in regards to how this kind of situation could be allowed to even take place.

To me, this was another example as to why scientists unhampered by true guidelines, regulations or morals were always going to create monstrosities or become monsters in their pursuits.

"I believe I shall wait for you here then, Commander." Indicating at the door leading down to the medic station, taking guard position to avoid any possible attacks from the rear. "A large group would simply be too much in such quarters."

"I agree with the kid." Wrex leaned against a nearby wall. "No way am I stuffing myself down there just so you can give these fools their shots."

"Fair enough." The commander nodded. "Anyone else?"

"I'll stay to keep these two out of trouble." Garrus smirked a bit lightheartedly, earning an eye roll as the females of our group went down.

It did not take more than 10 minutes for them to return, my senses picking up hope, gratitude and resolution after the Commander interacted with the scientists, delivering the cure to the results of their own sins. In determined silence, we then marched through a section with a few deceased guards, Asari and Geth, obviously where the Commando Shepard had encountered decided to strike, reaching a tunnel made of ice.

Only a single Rachni Warrior stood in our path, lasting but moments before it was freed from its madness filled suffering. Beyond though, I could feel much more.

"Commander." I called out, gaining everyone's attention. "Beyond is the Queen.

Screaming out her pain, sorrow and resistance.

Beings, like muffled Asari, one powerful trying to exert her will, her dominance onto her.

I believe the Matriarch is currently attempting to gain information from the Queen, like with Thorian. Information possibly passed down through her genetic memory about something Saren requires."

"That would explain why a full on Matriarch needed to be here and why she's been here for so long." Garrus half-murmured thoughts in line with my hypothesis.

"Neo, what do you mean by 'muffled'?" Liara asked a pertinent question.

"Perhaps muffled was not the right descriptor. Dimmed or faded possibly.

In essence, the emotions I generally feel from others tend to be akin to colors and sounds in the closest sense, in which certain feeling will give out certain intensity based on the cause, intensity and species." I briefly analogized how my empathic senses tended to operate. "The Asari beyond seem to have parts of themselves suppressed. Their minds not functioning as loudly or brightly they should be by comparing them to yours, Liara, and even Shiala's."

"Do you mean to say that my…mother might influenced by something?" Liara blinked rapidly at the possibility, faint hope battling against fear of falsity. "But what could be powerful enough to do so to an Asari Matriarch? They are powerful and incredibly wise. Their wills and minds are some of the strongest in the Galaxy."

"I cannot say. All I can do is notify you all that the one assumed to be Matriarch Benezia has significantly more activity than those likely to be her Commandos." I grimly shook my head at not being able to aid my friend more. "They feel almost completely muted to me.

As if they are almost…living husks, still capable of using biotics and fighting."

"…I want you to to keep an ear out on this Neo. This might be a good way to identify Saren's agents in the future." The Commander ordered, internalizing the information and giving the others time to do the same before gesturing to move on.

It took no time at all to reach our destination.

And once we entered, we were finally before Matriarch Benezia.

Donning a full black ceremonial robe, with a window to reveal her bountiful chest, rather common in the sexually free Asari, accompanying black headdress and even lipstick. I couldn't help wondering if she was attempting to appear more like an antagonistic being or if it was unintentional. Several features could be matched to those of Liara and previous research confirming this to truly be the Matriarchal mother of our resident Asari.

But as my friends and comrades focused on the older Asari, I could not ignore the Rachni Queen.

Not would not, in favor of an immediate threat posed by a full fledged Asari Matriarch, but could not.

It was not due to her massive size, being a 50ft (15m) tall equivalent to Rachni Warriors, only with much thicker exoskeleton in hues bordering black and purple, and glowing eyes. But because as she was reaching out for her lost children. Reaching for any being who could aid her. A being which could stop her suffering as she lost the hopes of her species and had her mind oppressed and plundered, all after her body had undergone many trials and 'tests' at the hands of scientists.

And as she reached out desperately for a lifeline, our minds connected.

Somewhat like the Asari meld I had experienced with Shiala and Shepard, but different. The ways the Queen perceived the world was filled with 'colors'. Hues and flows making up the world, how minds flowed outwards, the stars themselves sung as they gave off their life bringing or ending radiation, signals danced through and around materials or by receivers. A beautiful blend of chaos and order.

"You hear the music." A voice echoed, its sound soft and gentle, but also somewhat…fragile. "Your song intertwining with all, unlike the other walkers who dampen them."

My mind raced as it grew to understand what it was experiencing, automatically sharing in how the Rachni Queen, and those who came before her, saw and experienced existence. What the myriad colors meant and one's role in everything. He could understand why they would believe individual sentients as dampeners.

"No…they do not dampen the songs of the universe." I rejected her premise because I have lived amongst them and had learnt how to use my abilities through them, only now understanding how limited my senses had been due to how I was created. "Each sentient produces their own unique songs, but because of this, they clash against others, creating a chaotic noise resulting in being unable to hear the greater beauty around us.

But once they manage to accept the songs of others, working towards common goals, there is true beauty in it."

I had seen it, just not understood before.

The Commander's song was true, honest and powerful. She naturally matched and then drew individuals into a greater whole, allowing her to overcome great odds thanks to it. From her, a song was born, with the tempo picking up to gain the potential to change the entire galaxy's movement. It made her so much brighter than others simply because her song was never alone.

And during this state of shared consciousness, the Queen could see and understand what I meant. This was a place bare of all deceit and falsehood, where the minds and spirits spoke directly to each other. Just like how I was understanding the Rachni and the knowledge passed down from even the times of the Protheans, when they were used as bred beasts of war for the imperialistic race to sick on their foes, to their rebellion and first near extinction, their rebuilding and the knowledge which came with it, and then came the discordant notes from Dark Space.

"Yes. The notes which cause even our wonderful unions of joyous freedom and growth to dim greatly in their presence. Notes which the 'muted' ones have been touched by, dimming them to clinging bloody sounds which drown out their own to suit the needs of those beyond." The Queen grimly said, a pang of aggression shooting towards them. "The Great Silencers come to end the songs of the era."

And as I gazed within her self, she gazed within me.

I could feel her gain an understanding of the current state of the Galaxy through me. Both through my research and the hypothesis and conclusions it has brought me. But more importantly, she was understanding people.

The Rachni had learnt from their past experiences, understanding that their past aggression and expansion resulted in the functional extinction of their species until now, having decided a new approach was required if possible. At least this Queen had. As such, this required an understanding of the sentients she and her offsprings would need to share the Galaxy with, necessitating them to know more than them being 'dampeners'.

Diplomacy and dialogue would be required to avoid another war, something the Council races had apparently attempted before uplifting the Krogans to extinguish the Rachni, but no means had been found to allow this nor intelligent and willing Rachni found due to nesting habits.

But my thoughts turned to other possibilities.

"If both ourselves and the Silencers can understand, see and create colorful sounds, could we not counteract theirs?" I questioned, having focused much of my attention on how Rachni used their abilities, but for a completely different purpose.

One that possibly would only be open to myself because I held access to the extremely personal Melding of the Asari and Singing of the Rachni. A gift from the final 'unknown' DNA which had been included into my own, demonstrating the reach of Cerberus at the same time as it elevated me beyond what they could have possibly imagined.

"Tried to drown out their putrid tones we have, but one can only resist." The Queen softly answered.

But I knew what they had tried.

"That isn't what I meant."

- Jane Shepard POV -

So…I really hadn't been ready for today.

Corrupt and nearly morally bankrupted business playground? That's basically how the Galaxy works and at least they're open about it, even if it's a massive pain.

Some corporate espionage? You mean Novaria's global sport?

More Geth? Just some target practice now that we'd learnt how they operate and the various types.

Things then got weird to gross and then downright horror moviesque when the supposedly sentient bugs began crawling out of air ducts and spiting acid while little ones tried to kamikaze everyone.

I could deal with all that.

I mean, I dealt with semi-robot zombies, a giant mind-control plant and learning how an incredibly advanced and powerful was wiped out from the face of the Galaxy.

But the super sized version of the giant spider aliens? That was pushing my limits for today.

Only thing that could make it worst would be a damn Thresher Maw suddenly appearing, but I knew Noveria made damn sure none could grow on the planet. It was something I checked about every planet, moon or large enough asteroid I visited: the Chance of Maw encounter.

Getting caught with my pants down and sodomized by one of those bastards once had been enough.

Anyway, at least the Rachni Queen was contained and didn't seem frenzied like the others, so Neo's words did have some credence. Liara's mother though, she had the whole Dark Lady vibe down pat with skintight black as her motif.

Boob window was odd, but Matriarchs are supposed to be incredibly powerful and biotics can take a lot of damage, so I'm guessing showing some skin wasn't a big deal. Hell, I'd heard some other recruits back when I was cadet dreamily talk about Asari MILF's since their breasts actually continue to grow during their lifetimes.

Asari dominatrixes were quite popular on Formax too…or so I've been told.

"You do not know the privilege of being a mother.

There is power in creation.

To shape a life. Turn it to happiness or despair.

Her children were meant to be ours. Raised to hunt and slay Saren's enemies. And I will not be moved to sympathies, no matter who you bring into this confrontation." Benezia ominously spoke, really hitting the Dark Lady vibes as she finally looked over to us, her brow briefly lowering when her eyes fell on Neo, who was seemingly transfixed on the Queen at the worst time, and Liara.

"Liara's here because she wants to be, not because I asked her to." I informed, locking eyes with Matriarch as my team stood ready.

"Indeed?" She merely raised a brow. "What have you told her about me, Liara?"

"What could I say?" Liara shot back at her targeted words. "That you've gone insane? That you've forsaken and betrayed everything you taught me as a child and how to kill you?

What could I say to what you've done and plan on doing?!"

"Have you faced an Asari Commando unit before? Few humans have." Benezia ignored Liara's words, something I would make sure to talk to her about later, because no matter their current relation, a mother and daughter share a strong bond.

"You'd kill your own daughter!?" I couldn't help but snarl at that threat. "Looks like age really doesn't give wisdom."

"I now realize I should have been stricter with her." The Matriarch smirked darkly as her biotics flared to life. "Perhaps some time with Saren will straighten her out as it did me."

With a wave of her hand, she actually put the entire crew under [Stasis].

Then a door from the back opened up, with at least 4 people rushing in. Likely those commandos. But thankfully, everyone was able to overcome the [Stasis] due to Benezia not sustaining it, only using it to hold us back while her support came in to even the odds.

Within moments we had 6 light armor clad Asari commandos with their Matriarch behind them, most pointing assault rifles, shotguns or smgs at us, while said Matriarch glowed ominously. And things were about to turn incredibly violent real fast, having an explosive container in my sight that would break their formation beautifully, when a powerful blue glow came from our side and the enemy Asari stiffened.

Not like they were in [Stasis], but their bodies became rigid and their eyes widened dramatically, moving fervently as their mouths were kept open in a silent gasp.

I immediately looked over and found Neo, his eyes glowing so strongly they could be seen through his helmet, gaze locked on the Asari.

"What's kid doing? And why aren't we shooting if he's holding up the Asari like sitting pyjaks?" Wrex questioned, being the first to just accept the situation.

"Don't!" Liara urgently moved in front of his gun, which wasn't exactly smart but she looked incredibly determined. "Neo's is doing something to them!

I can feel it! It's like the passive influence he usually has, but magnified immensely!"

"He's not the only one focusing on the Asari." Garrus pointed towards the containment tank. "So is her majesty."

He was right.

The giant Rachni Queen's many eyes glowed like Neo's.

"Is Neo…talking to the Alien Queen right now?" Ash hesitantly asked, with a not unreasonable degree of worry.

Too bad we didn't have the time to really get into the whole situation because two more doors were heard. With metallic footsteps.

"We got Geth!" I called out. "Garrus, cover Neo, Liara, your mother and her people, take Ash and Wrex to take down the larger group!"

With orders out, I rushed towards the smaller group, knowing Garrus would have my back from afar as he made sure nothing stopped whatever Neo was doing. I trusted him enough, and if he was at least keeping the powerful matriarch and her commandos busy, that was a win. And luckily for me, the Geths looked like the Sniper models, likely meant to support Benezia from a far as her Commandos took the front, which was a good set up, but now the worst kind of match up against me.

I switched to my shotgun and [Charge]d.

With a biotic burst, I smashed into the leading Geth, sending it crashing into the wall with it shields shattered by the feedback of my biotics. One shot burst its head while the two others were stumbling from the shockwave my [Charge] produced on contact, then I [Push]ed the second against the door it had come through and leveled my shotgun against the third Geth's flashlight just in time for it to widen as it registered what it was, blasting its head apart, following that by unloading my shotgun against the last one trying to get a shot in from the ground.

Took me less that half a minute to demolish them.

"Is it me or did Geth use to feel more challenging?" I asked through the comes as I could hear the last of the gunshots over with Wrex, Ash and Liara.

"Well, Tali did say they get better the more of them are around and this really wasn't much." Garrus could be heard shrugging as he replied.

"Meh. They've never been a challenge without the big ones to me." Wrex boasted confidently. "Even then it's just a matter of getting close to them."

"Fair. How's Neo?" I moved on to the more important thing than feeling challenged as I walked back.

I just felt like I missed a tough fight and it feels weird.

"Still steady, but now the Asari have glowing eyes too." Garrus updated with a bit of concern. "Kind of getting worried the Rachni Queen is somehow taking direct control or something."

"Not…the Queen." Neo suddenly ground out, obviously straining with something.

"Neo! What's happening!?" I urgently asked, worried that something really wrong was going on with him.

"A new song must…take hold to…break the chains." His explanation didn't help much.

"What song? What chains are you talking about?" I questioned, confused about what he was talking about.

"Minds suppressed. Must be…guided. Supported to heal." He gasped out, clearly whatever he was doing was taking a toll on him. "And now…they sing of fealty."

With that, he collapsed alongside the Asari Commandos, only Benezia remaining standing for a few moments as she looked at Liara.

"My Little Wing…" Slumping down to unconsciousness.

"Mother!" Liara cried out, rushing to her side to check her for any injuries.

"What do we do now?" Wrex scratched his head as he asked the question on most people's minds.

"I'd say we should at least secure the Asari in Biotic locks until we can clarify wether they're threats or not." Garrus suggested logically. "Then we'll probably have to ask those doctors to check on them.

Neo'll have to be brought to Dr. Chakwas though. No way am I leaving him with the same people who thought bringing back the Rachni was a good idea, or playing with bio weapons."

"Speaking of, what are we doing with the Queen of Bugs?" Ashley brought our attention back to great big alien apparently looking directly at Neo with great interest.

"I'm not sure, but it looks like she was part of whatever Neo did to Benezia and her Commandos." I frowned, putting some pieces of what happened together. "That means they communicated somehow."

"Just kill her and get it over with Shepard." Snorted Wrex in a rather tense manner, which was understandable.

"Gonna have to agree with Wrex on this one." Garrus supported stiffly. "Rachni almost brought the Galaxy to its knees and I'm not too keen on that happening again."

But before matter could begin devolving, Liara was gearing up for a reprisal, one of the commandos suddenly lurched up, causing us to immediately aim our weapons at her.

"Please, hear our voice…"

Oh this was going to be interesting.

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AUTHOR NOTES:

Been a while, but I've been busy with work and just trying out ideas for other stories that just pop into my head, mainly working on something that has actually been stacking up a good amount of chapters without me getting bored of it.

Anyway, felt the Mass Effect groove and decided to write a bit.

So, we've got what is the climax of Noveria, with some changes finally starting to happen due to Neo and some not so well kept bits of info being revealed.

Yes, his last bit of Alien DNA is from the Rachni Queen. My logic being that if someone was bringing back the Rachni and Cerberus had managed to have one of their cells experiment on them long enough to go 'rogue', then they knew about this stuff long before Shepard came along and could have obtained samples to play around with. Rachni are powerful, adaptive and had unique abilities after all.

I'm also quite certain you all will sort of see where things are going with Benezia and her Commando Unit being alive right now. Yes, I decided to save Big Mommy Benezia, which will be incredibly useful later on for Neo.

Matriarchs are a big deal and Commandos useful to have.

Plans are in motion, but also for the Rachni Queen, for which I just skipped the whole talk and Shepard choice since it's pretty clear I'm going Paragon Shepard here and things are more fun with the possibilities brought by the Rachni Queen living.

That last part was pretty obviously going to happen.

Beyond that, i think I'm still getting the groove for each character and that I'm doing the general skills and how strong each of them is well in general. I had fun letting Shepard rip apart three Geth snipers as a Vangard, with the only thing missing was the Omni-blade. But yeah, basically got to skip the Benezia fight over all.

Hope you liked.