The Conduit

Shepard was sitting against his locker next to the mess hall with his helmet lying beside him on the floor as he contemplated his limited options. He wasn't going to give up without a fight but the council had taken everything and grounded the Normandy, he was so engrossed in his thoughts he hadn't notice the soft click of footsteps across the metal flooring as Liara came around the corner.

"Shepard I heard what happened, I'm so sorry," Liara said in a sympathetic tone.

"I guess I know how Anderson felt," he said looking up from the floor to make eye contact with her.

Liara leaned her back against the lockers and slid her back down across them causing her to land next to him, "It isn't right, the council owes you everything!" The frustration in her voice clearly evident.

"Yeah politicians have a short memory when it suits them." He replied straying from his usual stoic tone.

Shepard usually didn't keep a stoic tone with her all the time mostly when on missions but this was different from him just being personal with her, "You aren't giving up are you? You can still appeal their decision or go back to them, maybe they'll consider some of your offers!"

"I'm not giving up I just. I pushed them as hard as I could and they wouldn't budge," he said as he broke eye contact with her as his eyes drifted back down to the floor.

Liara quickly stood up and turned to face him, "No there's too much at stake for you to give up now," she said extending her arm down toward him.

He looked up at her as he grabbed her out stretched hand and pulled himself up as soon as he was on his feet Liara had already wrapped her arms around him and he had of course returned the gesture in kind, "We can do this," Liara said starring up at him.

Shepard moved his head in closer as he began to kiss her before Joker's voice startled both of them causing them to instinctively jump back slightly though still holding each other, "Commander you've got a message from Anderson he says it's important, he wanted to meet you down at the Flux."

"Were you spying on us Joker?" Shepard asked looking up at the intercom speaker.

"Of course not Commander, I just happened to be wrapping up things on the Normandy."

Liara responded in disbelief, "Uh-huh"

"Tell him I'm on my way," he said as they let go of each other

"Grab Kaidan and get the crew together one way or another we're going after the Conduit," he said as he turned to head up the stairs.

It'd only taken him about five minutes to reach the club, he was still a few meters away from the entrance but he could already hear the pounding music from the club radiating from the entrance. As he approached a turian bouncer waved him inside and he walked in to the sight of people dancing and gambling their credits away on the machines to his right. He focused his gaze over to the back of the club where he saw Anderson sitting at a table by himself with a drink in his hand. He made his way over to the table brushing through the crowds of intoxicated patrons.

"So I guess this is how you felt," Shepard said to get Anderson's attention though he was still a few feet away from the table.

"I'm sorry Shepard I tried to warn you but there was no way to relay a message to the Normandy, Udina had this planned the entire time," Anderson said as Shepard took a seat at the chair opposite of Anderson.

"It's not your fault Anderson," Shepard replied as he pulled his chair closer to the metal table in front of him

"No but I intend to help you fix this, the council thinks the threat has passed but you and I both know that isn't true and I'll be damned if I sit on my ass drinking ale while the Reapers wipe us out," Anderson said as he took another sip of his drink.

"Did you have something in mind?"

"Udina is the one who issued the lock out if I can break into his office I'll be able to override it and you can be halfway to the Terminus Systems before anyone even knows you're gone," Anderson said taking one more sip of his drink before pushing it to the side.

"If Udina is in his office I doubt he's just going to let you use his computer."

"It's either his office or breaking into Citadel control and I know I'm old but knocking out a politician seems like a cake walk," Anderson said with a smile.

"Still even if we escape we'll leave you holding the bag, I can't do that to you Anderson."

"Shepard if you fail nothing else is going to matter, if these Reapers truly did wipe out the Protheans I doubt we'll fare any better," Anderson said looking Shepard sternly in the eye.

Shepard hesitated for a moment as he contemplated what Anderson had said before responding, "Alright when do we move?"

"I'll head to the Ambassadors office in a few minutes just get to the Normandy and be ready," Anderson said as he stood up from table and extended his hand towards Shepard.

Shepard stood up and shook Anderson's hand, "Be careful Anderson."

"You to," Anderson said before releasing his grip and heading for the exit.