"I will need my ground team returned to the Normandy ASAP, Councilor." Shepard tried not to sound demanding to her former Captain, but she had grown inpatient after hours of being in front of the entire Council.
"Your request will be taken into account by Alliance Officials, Commander. They have not finished their investigation into certain matters as of yet and require the presence of several of your team members." She couldn't tell if he was trying not to smile when he said 'certain matters' but the humor wasn't striking her.
"Sir, I understand Alliance Internal Affairs needs to fill out their numerous reports but I need to go save the galaxy." Sarcasm was begging to seep into her tone.
"Now Commander, don't get all dramatic on me. You know I know you better than that. As much as I hate to say it, we need to dot the I's and cross the T's on this. We can't give any of the other Council species reason to question this addition of a council member. You know there are already those who feel we've bullied our way in and that our species is too rash to be taken seriously. If this situation is swept under the rug, that could confirm their fears and start others. I know you feel the same as I do. You don't want just anyone going down in flames for this. I've been trying my hardest, but considering I was not an active member of your crew, my pull as a former Captain isn't having quite the effect I would have liked." They continued walking towards the Alliance complex. The conversation wasn't heading in the direction she needed it to… get what she needed, or who she needed in this case.
Clenching her jaw she paused in stride, "Councilor, what can I do? I tried to convince the rest of the Council to take disciplinary actions against myself and release my crew from any responsibility, but they wouldn't hear of it."
"They have deferred this incident to Alliance hands now. The Council concluded you were acting under your Spectre obligations and are therefore immune to discipline. Alliance cannot touch you, technically being above them. But they are being looked to by all sides to do something about this situation. So now they intend to take hide where they can." Anderson sounded very saddened speaking of her crew being flogged so to speak.
"I knew it." She hissed.
The doors slid open revealing a Private snapping to attention on either side of a secretarial station.
"At ease, gentlemen." Councilor Anderson took pity on them first. "The Admiral is expecting us." He directed his comment towards the security and the Corporal behind the desk. The Corporal checked her screen and murmured orders to the Servicemen.
"Of course Sir... uh… and Ma'm. Allow me to escort you." The Private who spoke began walking down the hall.
Catching the wide eyes of the second Serviceman who began taking up the rear, Commander Shepard nodded and followed Anderson's form. Stepping through a weapons detector, that immediately began flashing when she passed; no one stopped her from proceeding. Her mind raced with the implications of an Admiral being present. Noticing the nervousness of the Serviceman behind her she decided to use it to her advantage.
"Private.." she began.
"Johnson. Ma'm."
"Johnson. How long have you been stationed at Alliance HQ?"
"About six Earth months Ma'm."
"Are you from Earth Private?" she continued.
"No, Ma'm. I grew up on Arcturus Station Ma'm. That's how I knew Admiral Hackett arrived, even though they have kept it all very classified. My father is on his staff. He warned me to make a good impression and not mess it up." He started to speak faster as he grew more nervous at the idea of messing up in front of the Admiral.
"Private Johnson. You have already given a good impression. You can tell your father the first human Spectre said so. You're a good soldier, and I'm always right, Private." She smiled the smile she reserved for FNGs. She was one to always try the uplifting method before the reality of being a soldier dragged them back down. Plus, this one had a face that reminded of her of Corporal Jenkins. It held so much hope and fear all at once.
The Private grinned silently back at her and quickly became lost in his thoughts of grandeur.
"When did Admiral Hackett become involved?" she questioned Anderson quietly.
"Considering the Normandy was initially assigned to the Fifth Fleet, Alliance decided he would be the best officer to question her crew. He arrived from Arcturus Station a few days ago. I only heard of this today. I wasn't sure what to make of it." His eyes almost twinkled when he said this. Before she could ask why, Private Tour Guide had stopped. Anderson stepped through and saluted. As a member of Citadel Council it was more out of habit than anything, but Shepard suspected it might have also been out of respect.
"Commander Shepard, it is good to finally meet you in person." That same gravely voice which had addressed her many times while she stood at the Normandy's CIC, now spoke from behind a desk.
"Admiral Hackett, Sir." Snapping off her own salute, she then stepped automatically into parade rest.
"I was just filling Shepard in on the purpose of your visit to the Citadel, Steven." Anderson addressed the Admiral. In return he received a rather serious look. Which Shepard suspected communicated far more between the two gentlemen than she was privy to.
"Admiral, I would like the opportunity to explain my actions to the Alliance and therefore clear my crew of any responsibility…" She began in her professional tone.
"Commander, there is no need for that. Ever since arriving I have conducted interviews, poured through pysch evaluations, battle reports, and filled out loads of needless paperwork. I am tired. I am going home. I have officially come to the conclusion your crew was only following your questionable leadership. They accompanied their commanding officer, a Spectre, per orders. The Alliance is very pleased with the example of military discipline the crew of the Normandy has shown in following their borderline psychotic CO to certain death. While the Alliance certainly encourages free thinking, we do not condone mutiny, and so recognize the crew's willingness to follow you even if you were breaking multiple laws. All charges have been dropped against her officers and remaining crew members." Hackett's eye had an eerily similar twinkle in it, as Anderson's had moments before.
She held back the urge to stammer. Instead she focused on what she had wanted to say earlier. The speech she had prepared for days. The Council wouldn't let her deliver it. And now this. But she loved to give speeches! She would just have to let this one go. The Admiral had addressed almost all her concerns.
"Her officers sir? What about her Commanding Officer?" She drew herself up as she asked.
"Charges are being drawn up against the Lieutenant Commander. Including theft and property damage, certain officials are calling for kidnapping as well. But I have a feeling her Spectre status will negate any charges we present. If not her fancy Council Lawyers will talk their way out of any attempts by the Alliance to charge one of their former officers. Not that we could blame the Alliance, could we Commander? They are merely following protocol after all. Bloody protocol, which has taken me away from my brand new granddaughter for three days." Now he couldn't help but hold back the smile. He tossed a datapad down on the desk, with his no doubt completed IA report.
"Thank you, Sir." She almost sighed in relief, but remembered to save it for in private.
"Commander, I will be in contact. I trust you will be as accommodating as you have been in the past." He tilted his head as he hinted.
"Of course, Admiral."
"Good, good. Oh, and Commander. Take good care of your boat. I won't be giving you another one so easily." And with that he left the room.
Did he just wink? Did the Admiral of the Fifth Fleet wink?