It was funny when people spoke of the power of emotions; anger and love being the main two, they never discussed the one that overwhelmed they both. Boredom.

When Captain David Anderson had first been approached with the news that humanity was to be permitted to elect a candidate for the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel Council Security Forces, his reaction had been the same as everyone else. Excitement, that humanity was finally being given the chance by the Council to show what it could do, a sense of satisfaction perhaps, that the inevitable had finally become reality, and also a slight sense of unease. Since humanity had ascended to the stars in 2148, since they had discovered the Charon Relay orbiting Pluto and discovered the existence of the Council they had been building momentum up this point. They were not to be denied and although their long term goal was a seat alongside the almighty triumvirate, the Spectres were recognised as the first important step. With these joyous emotions however, there was the other side of the coin, the darker feelings that picked away forever at the back of his head.

There was the jealousy of course; the sense that someone else would get the opportunity to make history by enlisting in the Spectres. Anger that they had not made the inevitable decision ten years ago, when he was in his prime, when it most likely would have been him chosen. Regret, when he thought back all those years to his own failure and of course, guilt for all the negative feelings that ebbed and flowed through him, for feeling bitter that someone was being the chance of a lifetime.

The question now was; who?

Right now, he was sitting in a conference room on the Citadel, not even the spectacular view of the ward arms stretching out beneath his gaze enough now to break his mind from the heavy stupor into which it had fallen. When first he had been chosen as part of the selection committee he had been honoured. He had always been wary of 'committees', as in his view it just tended to be people sitting around and talking about nothing, but this time would be different. This time they were making a decision that could potentially lay of the path for future human induction into the Council.

Yet he was still bored.

Sitting across the table from him, pinching the bridge of his nose with a forefinger and thumb, eyes closed, was the primary cause of his boredom. Donnel Udina was the human Ambassador to the Citadel, one of the most important humans in the Alliance and worthy of great respect. Yet, he was a politician, born and bred. That meant he liked to talk. Why use one word when ten made the point better? Why answer with a sentence when a monologue could express it so much better? The week they had been together had dragged on incessantly, the deadline stretching off into the distance until he was sure that they broken the laws of relativity and were going backwards.

"Alright, so what about this one?" He pointed to a file that sat in front of him, sitting alongside a mountain of others that had already been rejected. Anderson tore his eyes down to the file, turning it over to stare at the photo that had been included. The man was chisel jawed, clean cut with mousy brown hair and cold, green eyes. He seemed to exude confidence, the air of subtle self-assurance that came from command. Beside the image he read the name, Captain Jason Walker.

"Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the European Union, 2150. He has been awarded the Star of Terra for services against Batarian Pirates in the Attican Traverse. He has extensive experience of commanding starships, record is completely clean. He's perfect." The Ambassador spoke in his rich tone, flipping idly through the thick file.

Anderson did the same, although he had already familiarised himself with all the candidates. He had been expecting that Udina would push Captain Walker above the others and, in truth, there was little reason to oppose him. He seemed to be the perfect candidate.

Yet Anderson had learned over a long career to trust his instincts and ever since he had laid eyes on Captain Walker's file, there had been this gnawing doubt in his mind. At first he could not place it. He was not sure precisely what it was that so set him against the Scot. He was fiery, steady under fire, smooth in command and utterly unflappable in the few occasions he had spoken to the media. He was perfect. Anderson had slept on it, turning the file over and over until he could formulate his opposition into words.

As he once more went over his argument, he heard Udina speak once again, addressing the third man in the room.
"What do you think, Admiral Hackett?"

There was a moment of silence and Anderson knew that the Admiral was weighing his own response. The scarred, grizzled veteran was not a man to be rushed into a decision, especially not when so much was riding on it. It was one of the traits that had seen him rise through the ranks of the Alliance Navy until he commanded the fifth fleet, protecting Arcturus Station and Earth itself. His judgement was highly respected throughout the Systems Alliance.

"He does seem to be the perfect candidate." He finally allowed, gravelly voice low.

"Excellent, if no one has anything else to add then I'll make the call." the Ambassador rubbed his hands gleefully together.

"Hold on, Ambassador. I do have one concern."

"Oh?" Although his expression remained calm and level, Udina's eyes bored right through the Captain, carrying a warning to the soldier that he would have to chose his next words wisely.

"I'm not questioning his achievements, they are to be respected. I am worried though, if he's the right material for the Spectres."

"What?" Udina gave a stilted laugh, as if he was not sure to be angry or amused by Anderson's revelation, "you've seen his record. He's been awarded the Star of Terra for god's sake."

"For commanding a ship under fire." Anderson pressed on. "Not for personal skill. Every time he has excelled, he's had the machinery of the Systems Alliance behind him. As a Spectre, he's not going to have that. He'll need to work on a shoestring. I'm not questioning his bravery or his command ability. I'm questioning if he has the personal skill to do the job himself." Now for the killing blow. "I thought we agreed that our candidate needed to have gone through the ICT program? Walker hasn't even been recommended for it."

A second pause as Udina weighed up his response. When he did speak, it was slow and reluctant. "We were never going to find the perfect candidate. There have to be compromises. Captain Walker is the best we've got."

"Not necessarily," Anderson watched as Udina's expression altered ever so slightly, eyes narrowing as he tried to work out the Captain's angle. He could also feel Hackett's eyes on him, interested. Undaunted, he continued,
"There is another candidate. One who I feel fits the bill much better than Captain Walker."

"Who?"

"Shepard."

"Who?"

"Commander Lauren Shepard." Hackett repeated thoughtfully. "Awarded the Star of Terra for her actions during the Skyllian Blitz, I believe."

"She sealed a gap in the defences, holding off an entire platoon. She's the only reason Elysium is still standing." Anderson nodded, "She's also a graduate of the ICT program. An N7 I believe."

"We can't fault her courage." Udina allowed reluctantly. Anderson could see his resolve weakening.

"She's determined, skilled personally and experienced," Anderson pressed his advantage, "she's the perfect candidate."

"Where was she born?"

"Mindoir. She's a colony kid."

"Mindoir?" Udina frowned, as if he had seen an issue with this. Anderson was puzzled.

"Is there a problem?"

"Mindoir was not exactly the Alliance's finest hour Captain. A lot of negative press, especially here on the Citadel. Recommending a Mindoir colonist is going to bring up a lot of that old criticism. How was she affected?"

Anderson hesitated. "Her family were killed," a pause, "but she's moved past that."

"You are sure Captain? We can't send anyone who we aren't entirely sure is going to represent humanity at it's best."

"I'm sure. Think of it as a chance to show a survivor of Mindoir overcoming the disaster to be the best she can be."

"She's also a biotic. A biotic, Captain. You know the opinion on Earth, across the Alliance. I don't think recommending a biotic is a good idea."

"Ambassador." Anderson rubbed his eyes wearily. "We're not looking for a model here. Joining the Spectres requires the right person, the sort of person who is going to do what it takes, no matter what it takes. They're not guaranteed entry after all. We need to make sure they get in first, then worry about how they look."

"Perhaps, Captain, perhaps." Udina sighed in frustration, the frustration that a politician often got when he was forced to deal with issues outside of his own little comfort zone. As far as Udina was concerned, Citadel space started in the Council chambers and ended at the very edge of the Arms. Everything else beyond was just numbers on a spreadsheet. Anderson knew that keen mind was working behind those sharp, brown eyes. He was looking for a reason to shoot down Shepard, to see her dismissed and his own choice pushed forward. Anderson would stand his ground. He had to.

He saw a gleam in those eyes and his own narrowed. He could tell that Udina had found something to use, a new weapon to torpedo Shepard's chances.
"I see that Shepard was rescued from Mindoir aboard the Chicago, when you were serving aboard Captain. You also arrived on the scene at Elysium, amongst the first I believe. I also see that you provided a character reference on her application form, you recommended her for the ICT program and you have just chosen her as your new XO." he sneered, "Forgive me Captain, but you always seem to be nearby when she gets the breaks."

Anderson blinked, stunned at the insinuation of the Ambassador. The dead cold of surprise was quickly replaced by the flowing hot surge of anger. How dare he suggest that all her success was down to him? That he was somehow showing favouritism for her. He needed to think of a response but he did not trust himself to speak, least he unleash his fury on the smug Ambassador.

"With all due respect Ambassador," It was Hackett who spoke up, much to Anderson's surprise. The Admiral had not taken much of an interest in the past week, taking the opinion that the Spectre's gain was his loss. He also took a grim view on politics and had no time for it's practitioners. His firm, commanding voice had therefore been something of a rarity in the discussions and that made its considerable gravity all the more powerful, his blue eyes flashed with anger, "I do not think that Captain Anderson could show her much favouritism in the Blitz."

"The reports may have been exaggerated..."

"I think the Captain would be doing exceptionally well to orchestrate two dozen reports from different perspectives all saying the same thing without touching the ground, wouldn't you?"

"Yes...well..." Udina shifted uncomfortably, caught under the glare of the Admiral, "I did not mean to insinuate anything of course. My words may have been...misconstrued..."

"Of course. Now, I believe I am also on this panel and my opinion carries some weight. I agree with Captain Anderson. I think that Commander Shepard is an excellent recommendation. I think she will distinguish herself and she will not be an embarrassment to the Alliance. Shepard has my vote."

Seeing he had been outmanoeuvred, Udina just bowed his head though it did not take a genius to see he was seething. "I'll make the call." He stood and strode from the room without glancing back at Anderson.

The Captain relaxed, exhaling deeply and eased his balled fists. He glanced over gratefully to the Admiral, nodding gratefully,
"Thanks for the help."

Hackett shook his head grimly and now Anderson felt that steely gaze trained on him,
"Walker has been under my command for quite some time. He's an excellent soldier and I thought a fine recommendation for the Spectres, much as it pains me to say it. I'm trusting your instinct on this one, David. Are you sure there's nothing more behind this?"

Anderson's eyes narrowed as he heard the challenge in the other's voice. The Admiral's level expression did much to placate him however,
"Trust me Steven. There's nothing personal in this. I think she has everything the Spectres need."

Hackett nodded, satisfied with the answer.

"You must be careful David; for your sake and Shepard's. Udina is not happy and he's not a man who takes denial well."

"I can handle the Ambassador." Anderson frowned.

"Well, let's hope for all our sakes that Shepard doesn't give him ammunition."