After I asked for directions to the Councillor's office I quickly found it. Her secretary let me in after a brief exchange with her boss. I thought her office would be bigger than Udina's, but she probably preferred a smaller, more cosy one. She was standing at the balcony just like the Ambassador did it earlier.

'What do you want?' she asked coldly as she turned back to me, leaned on the railing and crossed her arms under her breasts.

'I'd just like you to make your fellow councillors consider the possibility of the Reapers.' I replied simply. 'I know you have a Protean beacon on Thessia and a VI called Vendetta. I just can't express myself how... important it is to get clean about it in front of the Council and persuade them to make preparations against a Reaper invasion.'

'I don't know how you know about it...' she said as she was pacing up and down in her office, thinking 'but what you ask is impossible.' She sit down at her desk and buried her head in her hands. 'How do you expect me to explain this to the others? That we kept this hidden from them for centuries? The VI the Archives? That our technological superiority is based on Protean designs we refused to share with them? Even Humanity was about to share it's discoveries with the Citadel species...' She finally looked up at me.

'You can't imagine the political consequences it could cause. It would destroy the asari reputation, everything we were standing for...'

'I really don't care about your reputation, but there are lives... lives? Scratch it. The galaxy is at stake here. You have to do something about the Reaper threat! They are real!'

'I can't deny we found reports concerning a synthetic machine race in the Archives but all the evidence seemed exaggerated and unbelievable. We don't think they're more than a myth.' She sighed.

'For fuck sake! What do I have to do to believe me?' I cried out in exasperation.

'It's not about me believing you or not. I just can't make this kind of decision even if I would believe you.' She spat back. 'I have to consult with the Asari High Command.'

'Then I can only hope you are capable to raise above yourself and make the good decision.' I sighed and turned to leave. I couldn't bring up anything else at the moment if she believed me and acts, that would be a start. If she didn't... well, I didn't want to think about that. 'Just please don't procrastinate till the very first Reaper is at the Citadel...' I said and left for my shuttle in the docks to meet with Shepard at the Normandy.

Not so much later I was just hoovering outside the docking bay with my shuttle where the Normandy was docked.

'This is Peter Cold to SSV Normandy. Requesting docking permission.'

'This is the SSV Normandy, please stand by.' I heard Joker's familiar aloof voice over the radio.

A few minutes later I parked the shuttle in the Normandy's cargo bay, where were just barely enough space for the Mako, but I managed to squeeze it in to the other side of the cargo area, where the lockers of the squad members could be found.

I switched off the controls then left the shuttle just to found Shepard standing there just outside the door, waiting for me. It looked like she changed her armour to her "casual-military" outfit. Well, I didn't know any better word for it.

'There's our late comer!' She greeted me with a handshake after I exited the vehicle.

'Commander, it's nice to be aboard.' I replied as I looked around. I found Garrus at the Mako looking our way, then nodding and turning back to... do some calibrations probably. Wrex was leaning against the wall next to the lockers, not doing anything special. But as my gaze followed the line of lockers I spotted Ashley who glared at me. I didn't know what was wrong so I just waved to her smiling, but she kept her glare. I turned back to Shepard and she answered my unasked question.

'Don't worry about her, she just misses her big space at the workbench' she said grinning and when I looked back I realized that my shuttle took up most of the space in front of the bench.

'Sorry about that...' I said sheepishly as I scratched the back of my head. She just huffed and turned her back at me. I thought I heard Shepard mutter "Kids..." under her breath.

'Well, that didn't go well... did I miss something Commander?'

'Nothing really. We were just about to sail out. Now you arrived we have everybody aboard and we can leave the Citadel to find Saren. Come with me and I give you a short tour around the ship.'

I followed her to the engineering where Tali and the rest of the guys greeted me, then to next level where I'd been introduced to the rest of the crew. She showed me the mess hall, the sleeping pods and the other bunk beds next to them as well the showers and other water facilities. The medical bay and the captain quarters were the last stop.

'Just there up the stairs is the CIC and our favourite pilot Joker.' she said as she showed me which way. 'I'm usually there. If there's anything you need feel free to ask.'

'Thanks Captain. I think your crew already short on space so I'll pass your offer and use the shuttle to sleep. I did it before, it's not too bad.'

'All right, whatever you say. I'll head to the bridge, see you later.' She said and and left.

I went back to the cargo hold and powered up the shuttle, drawing everybody's attention and moved it a little bit out of Ashley's way. Just when I exited I heard Shepard's speech coming from the intercom. I knew she was charismatic and a natural leader, but hearing it personally... it's something totally different. I actually wanted to go and kick Saren in the ass. Even if I'd had not known the grim future that awaits us in the next few years.

I looked around and saw everybody was listening to her speech. Not a single movement, they're soaking up her words. Ashley noticed me watching and nodded with a smile, like if she were reassuring me that everything will be fine. I smiled back and went over to her.

'Hey.'

'Hey. Thanks for moving your shit.' She said grinning.

'Yeah I didn't want any problems after just arriving.' I said sheepishly.

'And I sorry about giving you that look and overreacting.' she apologised as well. 'But you hit it on the head...' at my confused expression she explained. 'Well, you just flew in, parked this thing like you already owned the place and Shepard greeting you like an old buddy...'

'Oh, I think I get it.' I smiled. 'You were the new girl and now I took your place.'

'Yeah one way to put it.' she said then continued a little more quietly 'Though I still prefer you over this bunch...' she nodded towards Wrex then Garrus.

'Is there some problem with them?' I asked and looked at her confused. 'They probably know what they do since the Commander brought them along.'

'They do, that's right. It's not about them personally, it's... you know...'

'No, I don't. What do you mean?' I asked, though of course I knew. If I remember correctly her grandpa had a little problem with a turian invasion or something and her family's military career had been seriously fucked up since then. They definitely didn't like aliens.

'Nothing' she flinched. 'Forget I mentioned.'

'Allright.' I shrugged. 'I'll be in the Kodiak if you want to talk, just come in.' I smiled and winked at her.

'Hm, I might take that offer sometime.' She winked back grinning. Was she actually flirting with me?

'Attention all personnel!' We heard Shepard's voice on the intercom. 'We're en route to the Artemis Tau cluster. ETA approximately eight hours. I want all ground squad members to be ready for action and wait in the cargo hold in eight hours. Shepard out.'

'Are you ready for action LT?' I asked Ashley and noticed her confused reaction. 'What?'

'My rank is Gunnery Chief. I'm a non-commissioned officer.' she explained. Oops, a slip of the tongue.

'Yeah, sorry I was never good with military rankings.' I said sheepisly and scratched the back of my head.

'It's all right. And I'm always ready.' She winked and turned back to her work bench to do whatever she's doing.