*A little perspective before you begin; this takes place shortly after ME1 and continues AU from there. Another tweak is that the Normandy SR1 got a remodel to the SR2 immediately after the event at the Citadel. Make sure to read the AN at the end!*
Geth cleanup was almost like a vacation. After all that time spent hunting Saren, finding Prothean artifacts, arguing with the Council and ultimately saving the galaxy? Spending a month on a "tropical" back-water planet and wiping out the last of Saren's Geth was practically therapeutic. They had used a better part of their first week tracking down the Geth camps in the thick of the rain forests on foot. The next week was spent covertly disturbing and sabotaging their operations. The last fourteen days had been picking Geth squads off one batch at a time.
The best part was that this particular planet was in a communications dead zone, effectively cutting them off from all other world communications. Kara Shepard was almost sad when she had a put a bullet through the head of the last AI.
"Mission accomplished people, lets pack it up." Pulling off her visor, Shepard drew the back of her hand over her face, effectively pushing back a few errant strands of auburn hair yet only smearing the thick layers of sweat and dirt. Her muscles protested as she stretched her arms above her head to ship her rifle back into her weapons pack. She may have been in top shape, but four weeks of constant running around in these conditions would wear out anybody.
The planet was beyond humid, and every step left you five inches in mud. Yet there was something about the grime that just made it all the more enjoyable. It reminded her of her days in boot camp. The crew had so much practice killing Geth, it wasn't much of a surprise that not a single one of them had more than a scratch or a bruise. Though Shepard's armor would need a new coat of black and red paint, she was otherwise unharmed. Garrus and Tali let out grateful sighs as they turned to make the trek back to the pickup sight.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Due to the spotty reception around the planet, Shepard had given Joker a specific time and location for their extraction. If they were not there to meet the Normandy within ten hours of the extraction time, a rescue crew of Liara, Wrex, and Ashley would be dispatched. For now the team wouldn't be necessary. Shepard knew that Ashley and especially Wrex would be a little disappointed that they couldn't get in on the action, but at least Shepard was sure that Liara would be relived her bondmate returned safe and sound.
Tracking mud through the doors of the Normandy, laughing with her squad mates, Shepard enjoyed a moment she rarely experienced in her life. A moment of carefree happiness. For now, there were no crazed Spectres leading an army across the galaxy. There were no superiors breathing down her neck, or lying politicians trying to screw her over. She could be who she was meant to be. Just a soldier following orders, fighting an enemy and completing a mission.
As expected, Wrex had huffed as she passed him in the armory. She gave him a pat on the shoulder as he continued to grumble, replacing his armor in his locker. "Sorry big guy. Who knows, we might get attacked by space pirates and I'll be taken captive. You can take point then."
"Careful what you wish for Skipper. Wrex might just make it happen." Ashley called over from the workbench. She didn't even look up from where she was working on her Black Widow.
"Don't worry Shepard, I'll wait at least a week. Give you a chance to catch your breath." Shepard was about to give her witty retort when the intercom cracked overhead.
~Commander, Counselor Anderson is here to see you. He's waiting in your quarters.~
Before Jokers voice came over the speakers, Shepard had just managed to remove most of her chipped, mud caked armor.
"Anderson?" She froze. What in the hell would he be doing all the way out here? Her stomach sank while her mind raced. There were no communications between planets, and messages could only be transferred personally. Anderson was on the counsel now, he was way too important to fly halfway across the galaxy just to deliver a message. He would only be here if something really bad was happening. Something so classified, that only a Counselor could be trusted with the information. In her book, there was only one threat big enough. The Reapers.
Something was happening, something that meant they weren't trapped in deep space like they had thought. Could there have been another way for them to get here? Adrenaline shot through her veins as she charged to the elevator, still in her greaves, boots and skin tight under armor. Mashing the button repeatedly as the doors slowly closed, she was raised all the way up to the crow's nest. The second the doors opened wide enough to fit through, she took off down the hall to the doors to her quarters.
Anderson was standing by her desk, idly poking at the ship models that were mounted to the wall. Even though he was now the human representative on the Counsel, he still wore his Systems Alliance dress blue uniform. As Shepard entered, he turned to face her with a relaxed smile. Apparently whatever brought him here was not as serious as she had originally thought.
"Ah, Commander, I heard from the crew as I came aboard about you clearing out the last of the Geth. Good work."
"Sir? If you don't mind me asking, why are you here?" Anderson took in the Commanders appearance. Dark reddish brown hair was coming loose from its ponytail, and wisps were clinging to her cheeks and forehead. Shepard's usually pale face was coated with dirt, making her bright green eyes stand out more so than usual. Her greaves and boots were scuffed and scratched leaving small lines of silver across the black and red polish. Her under armor was darkened with sweat, and her dog tags gleamed against the contrast. She looked every bit the soldier. It would be quite the challenge to change that.
"Calm down Commander, I'm just here to give you your… new assignment." He chuckled when she gave him a look that told him she knew he was up to something.
Remembering what he was here for, he disguised his chuckle as a cough, straightened up with his shoulders back, and clasped his hands behind him. Having regained his official looking stance, Shepard stood ram rod straight, ready for her orders. Anderson nearly lost his composure as he imagined what her reaction was going to be.
"Commander Kara Shepard, you are formally invited to the birthday party of the Earth Prime Minister." After just his first sentence, she reacted as he thought she would. Eyes wide open, and jaw dropped in complete and utter shock. Holding down his laughter, he continued in his commanding tone.
"Exactly one week from now, at 1600 hours, you are to report to the address that will be sent to you via omni-tool. You are not attending as a soldier, not as a Commander, not as a Spectre, not even as the Hero of the Citadel. You are attending as Kara Shepard. You will be expected to wear a formal dress, accessorize, wear makeup, and yes, god forbid, you will do your hair." At this, Shepard had completely lost her perfect posture. Her shoulders were slouched forward, hands hanging at her sides, shock and disbelief still clear on her face. He wasn't done yet. Anderson knew that with this last command, Shepard will definitely have something to say. "Because you will be a guest, you will not be armed."
That did it.
"WHAT?" Shepard's legendary temper had finally made its appearance.
"You. Will not. Be armed." He repeated.
"What abou-"
"No!"
"What if I-"
"NO! No side arm! No Omni-Tool! No knife hidden god knows where! God help me Shepard, I will have you frisked at the door."
"Sir, you cannot expect me to go anywhere without-" Anderson cut her off before she could finish, fully expecting this argument. Shepard had a special brand of luck. Anything that could go wrong will go wrong, but after a few moments of chaos, the problem will be quickly resolved. As a result of having such a record, Kara had never once gone longer than a few moments without a weapon within reach.
"Commander, this will be a guarded event. Several Marines, even a few N7 officers will be making up the defenses in the very unlikely event of something going wrong. If it will make you feel better, you will be allowed to add two members of your crew to the guard. This is not up for debate, Commander. You will be attending, and that's an order. Have I made myself clear?"
Like a pouting child, Shepard had folded her arms and looked away, glaring at the floor.
"Commander…" He said in a warning tone.
She had just been about to remind Anderson that She was a Spectre now, and didn't have to take orders from the Alliance. Then she remembered she wasn't the only one who had a promotion. Councilor Anderson, was now one of four people who could give her orders. At the tone of the Councilors voice, she snapped him a salute, with a glare in her eyes.
"Sir, yes sir." Gaining the response he was looking for, he made his way to the elevator to exit the ship.
"I'll see you there Shepard. Can't have you showing up without an escort." He smirked as the doors began to close.
*As some of you might notice, this is a re-posting of this story. I originally posted it years ago before I had any kind of experience in writing. So I'm editing the chapters one by one and putting them up. I'm hoping that editing these stories will inspire me to continue them, but I guess only time will tell. The original plan was to get this up a while ago, but sadly shortly after I told everyone I was re-doing these stories my Mom's sister passed away very suddenly. My time had been occupied with helping my mom with my aunt's affairs and keeping up with work. So here's hoping I can keep this ball rolling!*
