Chapter Four:

Merida headed to the Citadel Tower, her old and new companions in tow. It was time to give the council their evidence. As they walked, she opened up her comm. She wanted Anderson and Udina to be there. "Anderson, do you read me?"

"Shepard, what's going on? I've just been informed about a fight in the clinic from the wards." She could hear the worry in his voice – both professional and personal.

Merida didn't know how she could defend the fighting, not yet at least. "I have the evidence we need to take down Saren," she informed him. "I'm going to the council now."

"Wait, what?!" She started to hear heavy footsteps. "Don't do or say anything until Udina and I are there. You hear me Shepard?"

Merida looked up at the tower. "I'm already here Anderson. We're heading up."

She shut off her comm as she and her growing group entered the elevator.

"Are you sure we should be going ahead? Maybe we should wait for Anderson and Udina," Kaidan suggested.

"I'm with LT on this," Ashley commented, moving so she was as far from the aliens as she could be for the elevator ride.

Before Merida could answer, Garrus looked at Ashley, speaking up. "This is one of the rare occasions where waiting would be rather detrimental."

Wrex rumbled. "I hate to say this, but I agree with the turian. If we wait around, Saren could attack us again. As much as I would love to keep fighting, he needs to be taken down."

Merida smiled at the small revelation that her alien associates understood the seriousness of the situation and that they were more in sync with her line of thought, so much more than her own Alliance comrades, and she was looking forward to confronting the Council.

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The council were in a meeting with an elcor diplomat. From what Merida could hear, some unsavory information about himself had come into light. Fortunately for Merida, the elcor had stopped talking, if for a moment.

"Councillors, I apologize for intruding, but I have the evidence you require." She signaled for Tali to join her as she stood where Udina had been during the hearing.

"Shepard. I appreciate you may have evidence, however, you have just interrupted a very important meeting." The asari councillor, Tevos, stared her down.

Merida stared back. "This can't wait. I'm sure the diplomat would be willing to wait just a while longer."

"Sighing resignation: the council lacks willingness to help. I will leave."

Merida watched the elcor go before looking at the quarian beside her. "Tali, could you play the audio clip?"

Tali had been wringing her hands, obviously embarrassed. "Oh yes. Of course." She pulled out her omnitool and opened the same audio file she had played for Merida in the alley.

Saren's voice filled the council chamber. "Eden Prime was a major victory! The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."

The councillors looked at each other. Merida couldn't help the smile that played on her lips.

"And one step closer to the return of the reapers," a second voice finished, before Tali turned the recording off.

"That was definitely Saren," the turian councillor, Sparatus, looked at his comrades.

Salarian councillor, Valern added. "Clearly. Quarian, where did you find this recording?"

Tali started with telling them her full name before explaining how she was able to get the recording from a geth, which led them to questions as to why she was there. Merida had planned on asking when they didn't have to worry about time, but she listened as Tali explained now. And it was just as she was finishing up that Anderson and Udina showed up.

"Shepard! Of all the impudence! Coming in here! Not going through the proper channels!" Udina tore into her, or at least tried to.

Anderson was more patient. "Relax Udina; there's no reason to get so worked up." Merida knew that Anderson was aware of what she was like. Knew she liked to get things done. "But I do think Shepard's action here is questionable. Something we will have to discuss later."

"Thank you Tali'Zorah nar Rayya," the asari councillor said, re-gaining their attention. "As for the other voice: that would be Matriarch Benezia,"

"So, now you've heard the evidence," Merida spoke up.

"Indeed, this proof is irrefutable. Saren will be stripped of his spectre rank, and he will be brought in for his crimes," Sparatus told all who were in attendance.

Merida would have sighed in relief if not for the setting she was in. "May I ask, who is Matriarch Benezia?"

Tevos spoke up again, answering her. "Matriarchs' are powerful asari who are in their later years, and have become powerful biotics. They act as guides and mentors to my people, revered for their wisdom and experience."

Merida wanted to roll her eyes – she'd asked who the woman was, not what she was.

"Benezia is one such asari. As an ally to Saren she will be a formidable foe, especially with her followers," warned the councillor.

Valern looked to Tali. "What of these reapers? What do we know about them?"

Tali, who had stepped back to join the others, came forward again. "From what I've gathered from the geth's memory core, they are an ancient race of machines that wiped out the protheans before disappearing." She looked to Merida who nodded back – this was her discovery. "The geth worship the reapers as gods. They believe that this Saren is a prophet who will bring them back, and the conduit is the key to do that."

Merida took over. "That's what Saren's looking for. It's why he attacked Eden Prime."

The councillors all looked at each other. "Do we even know what this conduit is?"

"No." Merida confessed to them. "But if Saren is after it, that's bad enough. We need to stop him before he can find it, or find it first."

Udina cut in. "Do you hear what you're saying. Reapers!?"

Sparatus nodded. "The ambassador is right. Saren bringing back the reapers? Machines responsible for wiping out all life in the galaxy. Why would he do that? Impossible, it has to be." He shook his head. "Where did they go? Why vanish? If they were real, why have we yet to find any evidence of them?"

Merida couldn't believe them. "I tried to tell you about Saren, but you wouldn't listen. At least not until I brought proof. Don't make the same mistake, or else it may be too late."

"Yes, you proved Saren's betrayal, and that he is searching for the conduit," Tevos started.

Valern took over. "It's clear that these reapers are nothing more than a myth fabricated by Saren. So the geth will do as he wishes."

Were these aliens idiots?! Merida could hear her companions, quiet until now, start to voice her thoughts until they were silenced – most likely by Anderson's stare. In the meantime Merida kept trying to get the council to see reason.

It didn't go well, until Udina stepped in, demanding that a fleet be sent in to find Saren. Ok, Merida thought, so Udina wasn't willing to believe in the reapers, but would still go after Saren. When that didn't pass, he suggested the fleet move to keep the geth away from the colonies. Again that didn't seem to pass. The bickering went on until Merida had to step in.

"You don't need to send in a fleet," she told them, then suggested, "Why not just send another spectre after him?"

Tevos nodded. "Agreed . . . "

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Merida walked out of the council chambers. Anderson and Udina had stayed behind. She was still having a hard time processing what had just happened. The council had liked her idea of sending one ship after Saren, and one spectre. But that spectre was her . . . Merida couldn't believe they had made her a spectre.

"I have to say, congratulations Shepard," Garrus told her, clapping her on the back a little too hard.

Wrex chuckled. "So the humans finally get a spectre."

Ashley gave him a dirty look. "You have a problem with that, krogan?"

Wrex shook his head. "Just stating the obvious, human."

"Guys come on. We're all happy for Shepard," Kaidan spoke up before turning to her. "Anderson said to meet him at the ship. Should we head over right away?"

Merida thought about it. "Not just yet." She looked at the three aliens she had picked up on her trip throughout the Citadel. "I want to thank you guys for helping me get the evidence I needed, but, what I have to do now . . . It could get dangerous." Garrus was c-sec, Tali was fresh from the flotilla. Wrex was a mercenary, but what was happening was far bigger than a simple job. She expected them all to take this chance to leave.

Garrus shook his head. "I always get my man, or rather, my target. He may not be on the Citadel, but he still needs to be taken down. Even if it means I have to leave C-sec to do it."

"Saren is dangerous," Wrex stated simply. "He needs to die."

Tali wrung her hands. "I want to help."

Merida looked at them all shocked. "Are you serious? You know this is dangerous. Saren is an ex-spectre, who's working with the geth."

"Yes," came three replies from the aliens.

Merida couldn't help but feel grateful. They'd already proven themselves, and she couldn't have asked for a better team. "Alright, before we get to the ship, I want to make sure you have the best equipment." Before leading them to the shops, she noticed the glare from Ashley. She would have to talk with her later.

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It didn't take long before they arrived at the ship, both Anderson and Udina were there waiting for them.

"Took you long enough, Shepard," Udina snapped.

Anderson stood up for her. "Udina, I'm sure Shepard has her reasons for taking as long as she did."

Udina scowled. "As well as it may be, Shepard has to think about her actions." He turned to her. "I've got big news for you, Shepard. Captain Anderson is stepping down as commanding officer of the Normandy. The ship is now yours."

Merida couldn't help but gape, looking at Anderson. "Sir, is this true?"

Anderson nodded, assuring her of the ships good points – that it was perfect for a spectre – but she could tell that this was far from what Anderson wanted. For as long as she had known him, she knew he wasn't one to give up a ship so easily. He must have seen her unease because he told Udina that there wasn't any more reason to stay, causing the ambassador to leave.

Merida looked to her squad. "Go on to the ship. I'll be there shortly to update and figure out what has to be done before we leave." Kaidan and the others nodded, leaving Merida and Anderson alone before she turned to him. "What is this really about, Anderson? Giving me the Normandy? You're not one to step down."

Anderson went to the rail and leaned against it with his hands. "You're right, I'm not," he sighed in defeat. "But with this being Saren, Udina felt it was the best course of action."

Merida joined him at the rail. "He was the turian you told me about. The one that caused you to lose your spectre status." Anderson nodded. "Damn, so any connection you have to this will be viewed as personal." She bowed her head, suddenly quiet. "But why me? I failed Eden Prime; because of me a spectre and an up and coming corporal are dead. Do I really deserve to be a spectre?"

"You got the evidence to prove Saren is guilty. You've gained allies not because they're Alliance, but because they want to help you. Not to mention what you've done in the past up to now. You deserve to be a spectre, Shepard. Don't doubt yourself."

She shook her head. "I got that evidence through pure dumb luck. And those allies, they just want to take down Saren. And those past things I've done, they aren't anything to be proud of."

Anderson turned Merida to face him. "Listen to me. You are one of the most amazing people I've ever known. You've always done your best, and you've never given up. So don't give up now. Go out there and take down Saren. Prove to the Council and yourself that you're worthy of being a spectre."

Merida swallowed and hugged him. Of course it was something that would be frowned on, but they were alone. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now go on Shepard and get the ship, your ship, ready. It's all yours. I've already had my things removed."

Merida nodded and headed into the Normandy. Despite Anderson's words, this still felt all so surreal to her. It wasn't until she heard Joker's voice that she realised she'd been standing just inside the ship for several minutes.

"So ah, I noticed we have some new crew members. Aliens. Interesting. I didn't realise Alliance had started branching out." Joker glanced at her before focusing on the controls.

Merida almost smiled, despite her mood. Whatever the comments Joker made were, they always lifted her even if it was just a little bit. "They aren't Alliance, but they're helping us."

"Oh, and does the Alliance approve of this?" She could almost see the raised eyebrow though she was behind him.

"I don't answer to the Alliance, well not officially, not anymore. Now I answer to the council."

"I thought only spectres did that." Joker looked back at her, and Merida looked right back. Did she really need to say it? Apparently she didn't because suddenly . . . "Holy shit, Commander! They made you a spectre! I told you they would!"

Merida couldn't help but laugh this time. "Yeah, and my first mission is to go after Saren."

Joker stared at her, taking in what she said. Then very slowly he narrowed his eyes. "But if you're a spectre, why are you on this ship?" He wasn't accusing, his voice was more curious. "Wouldn't they give you your own ship?"

Merida nodded. "They did, the Normandy. Anderson stepped down, well, after it was highly suggested by Udina."

"Shit," Joker said quietly after a moment. "So that's why there were people taking boxes out. Anderson's belongings."

"Yeah." Merida looked back towards the CIC before looking back at Joker. "I need you to call and arrange for the delivery of food appropriate to our newest crew's needs. Delivered as soon as possible. I'm going to the captain's . . . my, room." She turned to walk off . . .

"I'm on it." Joker started bringing up the contacts he would need to make. "Oh, and Commander?" She stopped and turned back to him. "About what I said before . . . well, if I'm to fly for a spectre, I'm glad it's you."

Merida smiled at him, a full smile, and the kind that was becoming rare for her as of late. "Thanks Joker." She turned back and headed off, missing the blush that dusted the pilot's face.

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Joker turned as he heard Shepard approaching the cockpit. She was brushing some strands of her wavy black hair out of her eyes. She must have been lying down, he thought, considering the state of her shoulder length hair. He wanted to say something, make a quip about professionalism, but she beat him to the punch.

"So, are we ready to go? Supplies all delivered?" Shepard asked, her hand resting on the back of his chair.

"Yep, just finished getting the last of it put away." Joker had called her and let her know about how long the deliveries would be. That was a few hours ago. "All set when you are, Commander."

Shepard nodded. "Alright, as you bring her out, I want to address the crew. I have to be honest."

"Aye aye." Joker turned on the intercom before signalling the floor, so to speak, was hers.

Joker listened to Shepard give a speech to the crew. She had said she would be honest, and she was. Hardcore honest, but Joker had a feeling that the crew didn't care. They were all behind her, every last person on the ship. When she finished she gave him that same smile that always seemed to make his stomach flutter. Or clench? He wasn't sure but he knew he enjoyed seeing it.

"I'll be back later," she patted his shoulder. "After I've talked with the crew . . . and a certain gunnery officer." He heard her mutter the last part as she walked away.

He would have wondered what that was about, but his thoughts were far from where they should be, and on the scent Shepard always seemed to leave behind, a blend he could only describe as a lush, thriving forest that reminded him of home, mixed in with comfortingly familiar smell of gun smoke. Perfection.