"For the last time Anderson, Shepard has betrayed us. He can't be trusted," Councilor Valern said impatiently to his defiant colleague. The four councilors had been discussing what to do with Shepard following the recent rumors that he had been seen entering and exiting Geth space in his Cerberus-supplied frigate.
They had sat at their circular oak conference table, a gesture of acceptance for their new councilor, and discussed this topic for over five hours. The table was located in the center of an octagonal room and there were consoles in front of each of the councilors' chairs. It was stained a deep crimson and each of the four chairs around it had been custom fit for the councilor that occupied it.
Councilor Valern disliked the feel of the new table. He found its texture and appearance irritating, especially during extended discussions of politics.
This irritation was compounded by his impatience with Anderson over yet another tractionless debate. He held a measure of contempt for his diplomatically challenged colleague due to the fact that Anderson actually believed in Shepard's delusion.
"He is not a traitor! He saved your lives, remember? Doesn't that entitle him to some level of benefit of the doubt?" Anderson said. Valern had begun to tire of hearing this repetitive response. His impatience with Anderson was beginning to reach critical mass.
Anderson turned to Councilor Tevos for a measured asari opinion, "Shepard has already shown you that not all geth are hostile by bringing in one of them. Doesn't that create any doubt that he might be a traitor for you?"
Councilor Tevos replied, "Yes it does, but at this point the evidence suggests that he can't be trusted. While a geth that speaks and interacts in a non-violent way can be a visible display of peaceful intentions, one individual does not constitute a species. It also doesn't rule out the possibility that he simply ordered the geth not to attack in order to create the illusion of peaceful intentions."
"Yes, the art of deception is a skill taught to all of your N7 officers Anderson, and we have no reason to believe that the solitary geth that accompanied Shepard to the Citadel is not, in fact, hostile but for the word of a man who works for Cerberus," the salarian councilor interjected. He himself was growing impatient of this discussion as this was all information they had previously covered.
"But what about the intel I received from Shepard implicating Cerberus? Most of it will prove vital in destroying Cerberus's last remaining operations," Anderson said, hoping that this time, they would finally accept that Shepard deserved to be heard.
Valern took this moment to reassert his position, "That intel has not been corroborated and cannot be corroborated. Since we have not received a response from Shepard after our attempts to contact him our only solution is to send a Spectre to apprehend him.
"He cannot be allowed to gain any more allies. We have to stop him now before this escalates," Valern continued. He could only imagine the damage another rogue Spectre could do, especially with the help of Cerberus and the Terminus systems.
Before Anderson could reply, there was a message alert on his console. He looked quickly down at the display and his heart skipped a beat when he read who it was. He read the message silently to himself before he said, "Shepard will be arriving on the Citadel within the next few hours and we can question him when he gets here."
The other three councilors shared looks of surprise that in Valern's case was mixed with a measure of suspicion.
"Well then, alert Air Traffic Control, tell them to prioritize the Normandy and tell C-Sec to standby," Councilor Tevos said before she stood smoothly. She was followed quickly by Anderson and the other two.
"Why do you need C-Sec to standby? He won't be a threat," Anderson said.
"The fact that he has responded to our summons does not negate his collaboration with the geth. We will listen to his reasons but he may still be a threat," the salarian Councilor responded. He watched Anderson closely to determine whether he would argue and was satisfied when Anderson simply gave a curt nod of his head and turned toward the door.
The four councilors exited the antechamber in order to get a much needed bite to eat before they had to confront one of their most powerful agents.
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Anderson and his fellow councilors stood at their podiums waiting for Shepard to arrive and give them his explanation of events. He knew that whatever Shepard was doing, he was doing it for the right reasons. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't convince the other councilors of this.
They stubbornly refused to acknowledge that Shepard was one of the good guys and insisted that he'd betrayed them.
Anderson also knew as he watched the other councilors whisper amongst themselves that within a few minutes, they'd be forced to believe him. He had received a communiqué several weeks ago that cryptically suggested that Shepard had found further evidence of the Reapers. Anderson believed that whatever he had, it would be enough to convince the council and get things moving.
His musings were cut short as Commander Shepard walked up onto the Citadel Master Control platform along with two of his squad mates, an asari and a salarian that Anderson recognized from his debriefings on the second Genophage. Professor Mordin Solus was a legend among those in the know, which happened to be a very select few. Anderson's hope for this encounter rose significantly at the sight of such an esteemed scientific mind at Shepard's side.
He waited with growing anticipation and listened closely to his fellow councilor's reactions. Their excited whispering was encouraging.
"Commander Shepard, we have heard reports that you recently entered and exited geth space with an entourage of geth warships. We have also heard of rumors that you have allied yourself with Aria T'Loak," the salarian councilor said coolly.
"You have been summoned here to explain to us exactly why you are working with Aria T'Loak and why you were seen traveling with geth warships into geth space," Councilor Valern said.
"Some of us believe you may have legitimate reasons for these actions," Valern glanced quickly at Anderson before continuing, "That is the only reason you are not in handcuffs standing in a cell." He stared accusingly at Shepard, avoiding eye contact with his companion Dr. Solus.
Councilor Tevos, however, had eyes only for Shepard's asari companion Samara. Samara was a Justicar as she knew, a member of a monastic order whose word is law among law abiding asari. Justicars embodied all that was righteous and just for her people. Councilor Tevos was running through the implications of her presence beside Shepard as quickly as she could. She barely heard Councilor Anderson as he addressed Shepard.
"Shepard, just tell us honestly what you have been up to so that we can clear this all up," Anderson said. He waited as Shepard looked each of the other three councilors in the eyes, whether they returned the look or not. When Shepard didn't look him in the eye, his stomach clenched in dread. He could sense that something wasn't right.
"I can't divulge the details of my recent activity Councilors, it's all classified," Shepard said flatly. He then continued, "And it would be best if you stopped considering me as your subordinate." Anderson could see something in Shepard's eyes as he spoke words that Anderson knew would damn him, something that made his clenched stomach climb up into his throat. Not once in his more than forty years of military service had he seen a subordinate show that expression of dominance, of absolute independence. This was not turning out the way he had planned.
"Classified? From us?" the surprise evident in Councilor Valern's voice barely surpassed the rising anger in it. "You answer to us Shepard! You will answer our questions or you will be tried for treason!"
Councilor Valern stood glaring at Shepard's un-intimidated face with growing anger. He was about to signal the C-Sec guards stationed discreetly throughout the Citadel tower when Councilor Tevos finally spoke.
"If you are a traitor then why do you have an asari Justicar at your side?" she asked. Her face had lost its confused look and was determinedly impassive as she waited for the answer.
She didn't have to wait long because Shepard quickly responded, as if he anticipated the question.
"Because she knows things that you don't and she understands the threat we are all facing," he said as he stepped aside to allow Samara to approach the council.
She stood with her hands at her side, her face both regal and intimidating in its supreme serenity. When she spoke it was in the voice of authority, "The Reaper threat is real; I have seen its influence first hand when we attacked the Collectors beyond the Omega 4 relay." She then recounted their actions in detail, from recruiting the team to the assault on the base itself and finally to its destruction with only a few strategic omissions.
"Shortly after our successful mission, I left the Normandy to continue my duties for the Justicar Order. Shepard requested I be present at this hearing and so I came," she said. "I trust him because he has proven to me throughout the course of our mission that he his honorable beyond measure."
At that she stepped back gracefully, allowing Shepard to step forward again. Councilor Tevos stood conflicted by this oration as it forced her to choose between the highest authority for her people and her duty to the people of the galaxy. She knew what she had to do, but that knowledge didn't make it any easier.
"Commander Shepard, we can no more take the word of this Justicar as justification for total war than take your word as such," the salarian councilor said. "I would prefer to hear what Professor Solus has to say."
"I agree, if this is the best evidence against the charges against you that you can provide, you might as well turn yourself in now," Councilor Valern said with disdain.
Councilor Anderson had stood silently while this Justicar of Shepard's had detailed their story. The fact that Shepard hadn't been put under arrest yet was solely due to her presence at this impromptu hearing. He looked around at the gathered crowd and could only imagine what kind of media frenzy would spawn over this whole affair. Udina would not be happy.
He watched avidly as Shepard said, "Of course you can't councilors; I was simply covering my bases." Shepard then stepped aside to allow Dr. Solus to take his turn in front of the Council.
As Mordin gave his briefing on the key pieces of scientific data recovered from the Collector base, the council and the growing crowd listened intently.
Finally, when Dr. Solus had finished, he stepped back and Shepard advanced toward the council.
"We will need all of your raw intel in order to conduct our own analysis Commander. In the mean time, you are restricted to your ship," the salarian councilor said. "You are still under investigation for treason."
With that the councilors moved toward their antechamber. Shepard watched them go with a calculating look on his face.
He then turned around and walked slowly down the steps.