Here's the next chapter of the story, I'm really gonna start involving other characters and building on them from here on out. I'm also gonna begin 'fleshing out' my version of Shepard, as I have said before some aspects of him are going to represent aspects of me. Also, I apologize for making this one kind of short but it seemed like a good place to leave off on this chapter. And as always, enjoy.

Walking back into the CIC Shepard found the entire crew assembled around the edge wall. Realizing that they were all expecting a speech from him Shepard walked up and stood on the podium overlooking the galaxy map. He turned around, looking at the faces of every member of his team, and every member of his crew. He began to speak "I'm not gonna lie to you. I, at least, am no longer working for The Illusive Man." The entire crew stayed silent, news does indeed travel fast on small ships. "I made that decision personally, and with the intent of keeping this ship. I won't force anyone to stay, but I can't and won't afford to keep anyone onboard this ship that isn't entirely behind me. So if there is anyone here who has absolutely any reservations at all about my decision, or for that matter anything that I have done over the past few weeks then you better leave now." No one made a move. "I am gonna warn you all now, there is no backing out on this one. If you sign up you sign up for the long haul. And there aren't gonna be any pit-stops along the way." Shepard looked around at everyone in the room before saying "So, anyone whose got any problems, you better say 'em now". Nobody said anything for a few minutes.

Then Shepard saw Joker hobbling forward. Joker didn't speak until he had come to a full stop, a sufficient distance in front of everyone, he said "I think I speak for everyone here when I say 'right behind you commander.'"

Next came Kelly "I'm with you."

Grunt next, "I follow you battlemaster."

Garrus walked forward with a shrug saying "Sure, lets do it."

Jack decided to stay leaning against the wall but she still said her piece "****, might as well come along too."

Zaead and Kasumi, who looked like they had been quietly conversing both stepped forward, Zaead said "If the pay is good, we're in."

Shepard looked at Tali, she responded in kind. She stepped forward without saying anything. Shepard already knew that she would follow him to hell if that was were he had to go.

Legion didn't say anything but he stepped forward also. As did Jacob, and Mordin. Samara stepped forward saying "My oath is my bond and I still one to fulfill."

Thane with a nod to Shepard stepped forward, Shepard replied in kind. The only member of his team left was Miranda.
She hesitated, not because she was afraid of danger or her own death, but because she didn't know how far she could go with out betraying someone else again. And this could be clearly seen on her usually well composed face. But she did eventually stepped forward. Flashing him a weak smile she half croaked out "I'm with you commander."

The next two people to step forward were Gabby and Kenneth. And this was what finally did it. Seeing Gabby, Ken, Miranda, and Jacob already signing up with the Commander all of the others followed suit, at first in groups of twos and threes as people went together with their friends. But soon the entire crew had stepped forward into the middle of the CIC.

Shepard chest and heart swelled with pride, as everyone here showed their belief in him to lead them through this. It took him a second but he eventually managed to say "Dismissed." Everyone scuttled back to their personal work stations. And Shepard walked forward to where Joker was just easing himself down into his chair again. Looking out the window Shepard saw the Citadel coming up fast in the windows of the ships cockpit. And silently Tali wrapped her arms around Shepard from behind hugging his well muscled chest and whispered to him "Nice speech."

"Thanks."

Noticing them have a moment Joker decided to hold off on being himself. He was to close to getting a vacation to get flushed out of the airlock by a pissed off Shepard. However they were close enough that he might as well announce his presence to the Commander before they did anything that he would get spaced for ever mentioning again. With that he pressed the button and said "Ladies, and Gentlemen this is your captain speaking, currently we are flying at a speed of a couple hundred thousand miles per hour and will be arriving at our destination shortly. And thank you for flying Air Normandy." The entire crew knowing where they were heading and knowing that while the ship was repaired they would be getting time off all started to cheer. The entire ship rattle at the sound of everyone raising a ruckus. The windows down in Grunt's 'room' were literally vibrating from the power of his yell. He wasn't going to be partying though he was going to find a good fight somewhere to help him relax.