Shepard, Miranda, Grunt, Garrus and Zaeed are the only ones to survive the suicide mission. Based off a playthrough which ended with renegade FemShep/ Garrus and giving Cerberus the Collector Base. Shepard's background is Earthborn/Sole Survivor, and because of this hates Cerberus, particularly developing animosity with Miranda. Her name is Jane, although she has a custom appearance w/ blonde long hair tied up in a bun. Shepard had planned all her squad' deaths with the exception of Zaeed and Garrus, but failed in her plans and Miranda and Grunt also survived (they were holding off the door with just the two of them, which Shepard supposed wouldn't be able to hold out). Shepard, Zaeed and Garrus took on the Reaper. This story takes place following the voyage home. Miranda fans do not read! Comments/ suggestions for improvement welcome! It's a WIP so bare with me. :P
The Normandy cruised pensively as it made its way back from the Omega 4 relay. Having no pressing need to use their FTL drives, despite the fact they were currently offline anyway because of the considerable damage the ship had sustained, the ship was due to dock at the Citadel in 0400 hours Standard Galactic Time.
The crew was busy working, repairing the ship to sustainable levels –particularly the damaged vital ship systems. Although they were shaken from their ordeal, Shepard had refused Miranda's suggestion that the crew should be allowed some time to relax and work through their mental scars. Kelly had professed her agreement with Miranda that that would be the best idea, so the crew would not have lingering psychological problems. Shepard, on the other hand, had concluded that they would have plenty of time to recover once they had reached the Citadel.
Commander Jane Shepard and all the surviving members of her team stood around the table in the Debriefing Room in silence. It was noticeably bare, with only the usual krogan, turian, mercenary and Cerberus Agent, as well as Shepard herself who stood at the fore of the table present from the attack of the Collector Base. Shepard's arms were crossed, as she stared down each of her team discerning their stances.
The turian was currently hard to read, staring back at Shepard as if deep in thought. Shepard had no idea what he was thinking, so she didn't try. Across the table from him stood Grunt, still covered in gore and looking immensely pleased with what they had just accomplished. Miranda stood next to him staring at a spot on the table. Shepard noticed the brooding hatred in her face, and recognised her act as an attempt to control her emotions.
"Do you have a problem, Miranda?" Shepard asked, her tone baring the slightest hint of provocation.
Miranda looked up from her spot on the table, attempting to keep her face as neutral as possible. Shepard and everyone else in the room could feel her agitation toward the Commander, however, and even Grunt seemed to be intrigued enough to look at her in interest.
She looked up at Shepard. "No, Commander. I just feel we could have done things better."
There was a palpable feeling lingering around the table. Shepard felt, which ignited anger into her, that the other members of her team knew exactly what Miranda was talking about. Fortunately, the looks on both the krogan's and Zaeed's faces showed they approved with what had happened, and Garrus looked like he knew better than to go against the Commander. Miranda looked to be alone in the defence. Shepard locked onto Miranda's gaze, letting her comment linger in the air between them, attempting to cow her with an uncompromising stare. Miranda held her ground and continued to meet her gaze, even without blinking.
"How do you suggest we could have done better, Lawson?" Shepard asked.
Miranda clasped her knuckles on the table. "Too many of us died, Shepard. A lot of those deaths could have been avoided. And quite frankly, I think you were trying to get us killed. Allowing Jackob to go into the ducts, Mordin to lead the second team, not to mention not upgrading the ships' shields-"
Shepard could feel her mouth almost turning at the corner into an amused smirk, but she held it back. All of her team were staring at her now.
"You're accusing me of deliberate negligence, Lawson? Treason?"
The Cerberus Agent finally blinked. She was accusing her superior, the greatest hero in human space faring history, of treason.
"N-no Commander" she stuttered.
She'd gotten Miranda to stutter! Miranda! Shepard thought.
Miranda unfurled her fists and stood up straight.
"I do not deny you got the job done. It's just that I disapprove of your meth-"
Shepard cut her off with a raised hand. "Was how I achieved the objective ever part of the agreement, Lawson? I don't think the Illusive man would say so."
Bold, she knew, but she was enjoying herself thoroughly. She knew she was right, and had Miranda trapped right where she wanted her.
Miranda couldn't suppress her glare any longer. Her lips pursed pensively. Shepard had hit a sore point in her, using the Illusive Man against her. And she too knew Shepard was right. She composed herself, pushing off against the table while still glaring at Shepard darkly. The Commander stood stoically, watching her from the head of the table.
"This is wrong, Shepard. You'll eventually get what you deserve."
With that, she strode out of the room, the door automatically closing behind her. Shepard turned her head to watch her go, and then turned back to her remaining squad members.
"Does anyone else have a problem?" She asked, as if Miranda had never been there. The others stood completely still. Not one deigned to speak.
"Dismissed." Commander Shepard spoke.
