Legal Disclaimer: As always, Mass Effect, as well as all characters, locations, and dialogue borrowed from the game, are property of BioWare.
2/24/10 – Chapter Revision: Just a few alterations and added a little more detail.
A little over two years ago:
Eden Prime was a major victory! The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."
The recording finishes just as Commander Elissa Shepard and her group strides purposefully to the end of the walkway.
"You wanted proof." Ambassador Udina states theatrically, "There it is."
"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador," the turian councilor admits begrudgingly. "Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes."
"I recognize the other voice," the asari councilor adds, "the one speaking with Saren. Matriarch Benezia."
"Who's she?" The query comes from the commander.
"Matriarchs are powerful asari who have entered the final stage of their lives," the asari explains. "Revered for their wisdom and experience, they serve as guides and mentors to my people. Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic, and she had many followers. She will make a formidable ally for Saren."
The salarian councilor interjects, "I'm more interested in the Reapers. What do you know about them?"
"Only what was extracted from the geth's memory core," says Captain Anderson. "The reapers were an ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans. Then they vanished."
Shepard steps forward, "The geth believe the Reapers are gods. And Saren is the prophet of their return."
The turian councilor cuts off anything else she was going to say, "Listen to what you are saying! Saren wants to bring back the machines that wiped out all life in the galaxy? Impossible. It has to be." He shakes his head, refusing to believe that anyone would do such a thing, "Where did the Reapers go? Why did they vanish? How come we've found no trace of their existence? If they were real, we'd have found something!"
The extent of his refusal to see the truth goads Shepard, "I tried to warn you about Saren, and you refused to face the truth. Don't make the same mistake again."
The asari councilor tries to intervene. "This is different. You proved Saren betrayed the Council. We all agree he's using the geth to search for the Conduit, but we don't really know why."
"The Reapers are obviously just a myth, Commander," the salarian councilor continues. "A convenient lie to cover Saren's true purpose. A legend he is using to bend the geth to his will."
"Fifty thousand years ago, the Reapers wiped out all galactic civilization. If Saren finds the conduit, it will happen again!"
Despite all arguments to the contrary, the Council flatly denies that the Reapers are a threat, refusing to send the fleet after Saren. The Council is eventually left with one choice, despite the turian councilor's strenuous objections.
"Commander Shepard – step forward."
News of the event seems to travel swiftly; soon the upper tiers of the chamber are full as people rush to watch the inauguration of the first human Spectre.
"It is the decision of the Council that you be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel," the asari councilor begins solemnly.
The words are picked up by the salarian, "Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."
"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol," continues the asari. "The embodiment of courage, determinations, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
"Spectres bear a great burden," this said by the turian councilor, the words sounding as if they were dragged forcibly from his throat, "They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."
"You are the first human Spectre, Commander," points out the asari councilor. "This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species."
Commander Elissa Shepard bows her head as she speaks, "I'm honored, Councilor"
Purgatory
"Welcome to the Purgatory, Shepard. Your package is being prepped, and you can claim it shortly. As this is a high security vessel, you'll need to relinquish your weapons before we proceed."
Commander Shepard eyes the heavily armed welcome committee and says shortly, "I can't do that."
As the guards weapons come up, a turian comes up behind them, "Everyone stand down." He turns to Shepard and continues, "Commander, I'm Warden Kuril, and this is my ship. Your weapons will be returned on the way out. You must realize this is just a standard procedure."
"It's my standard procedure to keep my gun," she replies calmly, while making it clear that she has no intention of backing down. Her eyes narrow as she studies the face of the turian. Something wasn't right.
After a moment, the warden waves them toward the door at the back of the room. "Let them proceed. Our facility is more than secure enough to handle three armed guests."
As the group moves onward, Kuril explains, "We're bringing Jack out of cryo. As soon as the funds clear, you can be on your way. If you'll follow me to Outprocessing for the pickup, Commander."
As they walk through cellblock two, the turian keeps up a running commentary, explaining the history of the prison and methods for keeping prisoners in line. Based on the information she's acquired on this short walk, Shepard is convinced that this place is the origin of many extortion rackets. When he pauses for breath, Shepard asks, "Can you tell me about Jack?"
That takes Kuril aback, "Cerberus hasn't told you?" He asks, "Jack is the meanest handful of violence and hate I've ever encountered. Dangerous, crazy, and very powerful. You'll see soon enough"
At one of the branches in corridors, Kuril pauses and says, "I'm going to confirm that the funds from Cerberus cleared. Outprocessing is straight down this hallway." He leaves after pointing them toward their destination.
As they continue down the corridor, they come across a cell with one guard standing outside as another kicks a downed prisoner. Garrus huffs in disgust as they approach, "You don't even get good information that way – after a point, victims admit to anything to make the pain stop." Unable to just ignore it, Shepard stops to talk to the guard, and to Garrus' surprise, is able to convince him to stop the beating, at least for the time being.
As they finally reach a large room at the end of the hall, a technician points to a door on the opposite side of the room, never looking up from his screen. "Outprocessing is through the door on the far side of the room."
As they approach the door, it opens, revealing one of the small cells, exactly like the ones they had just passed. Shepard looks around in disbelief, just as the warden's voice echoes over the intercom. "My apologies, Shepard. You're more valuable as a prisoner than a customer. Drop your weapons and proceed into this open cell. You will not be harmed."
Normally calm and collected, Shepard's only response is a snarled, "Go to hell. I'll send you there, myself," as she and her team draws weapons and activates their incendiary ammo.
"Activate systems! Reinforce Outprocessing! Shepard is loose!"
Shepard uses her biotic powers to charge the first guard through the door, followed closely by Grunt. Garrus takes cover and uses his rifle to pick off reinforcements as he shouts, "We've got to get Jack out of cryo!"
They make their way toward the max security wing and find themselves outside a large door. Shepard palms it open to the sound of a technician shouting into a speaker, "Shepard is on the loose! Repeat, Shepard is loose! Get people down here!" He doesn't have a chance to look up before Garrus puts him down with a well placed sniper shot.
The group approaches the controls for the cryo chamber. Shepard hesitates for a split second, knowing that getting Jack out will also open every other door in the cellblock. She grits her teeth, knowing what releasing the prisoners would mean.
Seeing her confliction, Garrus speaks up, voice low, "It's the only way to get Jack out of cryo, Shepard."
The Commander expression falls over her strong features, "I'm doing it. Be ready." And she hits the final button.
Loud crashes can be heard nearby, but the trio keeps watch on the window in front of them as the room behind the window fills with misty fog and the unit opens revealing…
"Jack is small." Grunt says simply.
What happens next is over so quickly, the three heavy mechs turn to confront the small woman that breaks out of the restraints. There's a flash of biotic energy, three thuds, the deck shudders under their feet, and suddenly the woman isn't there anymore. Immediately, they are throwing themselves through the door into the next area. Grunt is roaring with his eagerness to get there, "Oh I want to see this! Let's go!" as they bolt down the hallway
As they approach the door to enter the cryo room itself, he impatiently calls out, "Move! I want to see how long she can last."
The door slides open, and the scene that is revealed is enough to impress even a seasoned biotic like Commander Shepard. All three mechs are lying broken, unmoving, and a large hole has been blown in the far wall. "Well, at least it'll be easy to track her," she comments as they move to follow…
Even amidst the chaos and destruction caused by Jack and the other escaping prisoners, the shouted orders through the intercom by the panicked warden calling for lockdown, and fighting their way through station, Elissa has a chance to once again admire the skill that Garrus shows in wielding his rifle. He barely takes any time to line up his sights, but after every shot, an enemy falls to the ground and doesn't get up again.
There is a tense moment where she realizes she has misjudged her charge and brought herself into the line of sight of three enemies. Her shields dropping fast as she bolts for cover, one of the prisoners hard on her heels. A shot sounds in front them, and the prisoner drops without a sound, a hole where his left eye should be. While waiting for her shields to recharge, she has a moment to realize just how much better he's gotten.
During a lull in the fighting, they come across a downed guard. "This guard got swarmed by prisoners with improvised weapons. He never had a chance." Guilt floods through her, this guard was dead because of her.
"Shows you what kind of people these prisoners are." Garrus replies, "I don't agree with everything they do here, but it's in the galaxy's best interest. This guard kept maniacs away from innocent people." He places a hand on her shoulder, knowing what's going through her mind, "Kuril shouldn't have forced your hand."
As they enter the next area, Kuril's panicked voice sounds again, "Find Jack! FIND JACK!" and after a pause, "All guards to Cellblock One!"
As they enter the next large room, they see the warden standing on a raised platform. He notices them and starts pacing back and forth, ranting, "You're valuable, Shepard. I could have sold you and lived like a king. But you're too much trouble. At least I can recapture Jack."
"Not happening!" Shepard snarls back, all patience gone, "You're a two-bit slave trader and I don't have time for it."
"I do the hard things civil governments are unwilling to!" Kuril insists, his bare face twisted in fury as three field generators rise up and form a shield around him, "This is for the good of the galaxy!"
Commander Shepard decides that the time for talk has passed. She sends a pulse of biotic energy at the nearby generator and throws herself toward the bridge on her left, followed closely by her team as the strength of the slaver's barrier drops.
The fight only lasts a few minutes. A second burst of power quickly takes out the second generator, and a concussive shot from Grunt causes the third to explode across the room. As the barrier goes down, the warden suddenly drops to the ground. Elissa's head whips around in time to catch Garrus lowering his rifle, mandibles still pulled tight to his face, his teeth bared in a silent snarl of rage. A few more guards rush into the room, but upon taking in the scene in front of them, they quickly turn and run back the way they'd come.
Movement at the corner of her eye, Shepard turns to see Jack running through the corridor above them in the direction of the Normandy. "Come on, let's catch up to her."
"Cerberus," a single snarled word, followed by a scream of rage. Distracted, tattooed woman doesn't notice the guard until he's too close; she readies a blast, only to see him thrown backwards. She whips around to see the woman put away her pistol and hold her hands up, palms out. "What the hell do you want?"
"You're in a bad situation, and I'm going to get you out of here," is the reply.
"Shit, you sound like a pussy." A snarled insult, "I'm not going anywhere with you. You're Cerberus."
Shepard's patience is wearing thin, "I'm offering to be your friend. You don't want to be my enemy."
"They have a way of dying," Garrus puts in dryly.
Jack snorts in disbelief, "You show up in a Cerberus frigate to take me away somewhere. You think I'm stupid?"
"No," the woman replies, "This ship is going down in flames. We can get you to safety, and we're asking for your help. Join my team and I'll do what I can for you"
"Don't make promises you can't keep," Jack rubs at her shorn head, glaring at the three standing in front of her, "Look, you want me to come with you, make it worth my while. I bet your ship's for lots of Cerberus databases. I want to look at those files. See what Cerberus has got on me," she steps closer to the commander, "You want me on your team, let me go through those databases."
Knowing that Miranda would have a fit when they arrived back on the Normandy, Shepard answered, "I'll give you full access."
One step, a finger pointed not-quite-threateningly, "You'd better be straight with me," a glance out the window to the ship, "So why the hell are we still standing here?"
"Move out."
* * *
On the Normandy
"Well that was fun," the muttered comment directed to no one in particular after leaving the comm. room. Commander Shepard takes a few moments to check her messages, "Joker, set a course for the Citadel. Time to pay Councilor Anderson a visit."
* * *
On the Citadel
"Looks like they've tightened up security" Garrus observes with amusement, after Elissa is informed that she's dead.
"I was only mostly dead, try finding that on government paperwork." She mutters to herself as she follows the sergeant's directions to the captain's desk. The issue is quickly taken care of, Captain Baily deciding to simply take matters into his own hands rather than sending the woman running around the station. After getting direction to the nearest transport terminal, they head off.
"will be here any – oh, Commander. We were just talking about you." Anderson turns toward the door as Shepard enters the room.
"It's been a long time, Anderson," she replies warmly with a smile. "I hope the last couple years have treated you right."
"There have been some rough spots," a shake of the head, and a welcoming smile. "It's good to have you back."
The salarian councilor interrupts the reunion, "We've heard many rumors surrounding your unexpected return. Some of them are… unsettling."
"We called this meeting so you could explain your actions, Shepard," the asari councilor continues. "We owe you that much. After all, you saved our lives in the battle against Saren and his geth."
"The Collectors are abducting human colonists in the Terminus Systems," Shepard reports formally, turning to face the images of the three alien councilors with military precision. "Worse, we think they're working for the Reapers."
"The Terminus Systems are beyond our jurisdiction!" the turian councilor waves his hand in dismissal. "Your colonists knew this when they left Council space."
Anderson moves forward, "You're missing the important part, Councilor. The Reapers are involved."
"Ah, yes. Reapers," 'did he just use air quotes on me?' Shepard thinks in disbelief, "The immortal race of sentient starships allegedly waiting in dark space." Again he waves his hand in rejection of the idea, "We have dismissed that claim."
The ensuing conversation bears striking resemblance to every other meeting she ever had with the Council. The stubborn refusal to accept the warnings she tries to pass on, the distrust and scorn obvious from the turian representative, and only slightly veiled by the other two. The accusation of mental unbalance, of being manipulated, it's all too familiar.
Finally, she cuts off the diatribe being leveled at her, "I kept Saren from conquering the Citadel. I sacrificed human lives to save this Council."
"We are in a difficult position, Shepard," the asari councilor says levelly, "You are working for Cerberus – an avowed enemy of the Council. This is treason, a capital offense--"
"That is too far," Anderson interrupts firmly, his hand making a slashing motion, "Shepard is a hero. I'm on this Council, too, and I won't let this whitewash continue."
The asari raises a hand to forestall further comment, "Maybe there is a compromise. Not a public acknowledgement, given your ties, but something to show peripheral support. Shepard, if you keep a low profile and restrict your operations to the Terminus Systems, the Council is willing to offer you reinstatement as a Spectre," the councilor offers, "We cannot become involved in an investigation regarding the missing colonies in the Terminus Systems. But Spectre reinstatement shows our support of you personally."
Shepard grinds her teeth at the obvious bone that's been thrown at her to placate her, briefly considering telling the Council just what they could do with their offer. However, as satisfying as that would be, she knows that Spectre status can make things easier in the future, that burning her bridges would be a bad idea. She glances toward Anderson, and he slowly nods his head, urging her to make the right decision.
She stands at attention, her chin lifting as she addresses the councilors as they await her decision. "I accept your offer. It's good to have the Council on my side."
* * *
On the Normandy: Captain's Quarters
A fist slams into the wall next to the enormous fish tank, followed by a searing pain in her knuckles as they objected to the treatment they had just received. She curses under her breath, checking the damage. Her mind drifts back to the conversation that had taken place with Anderson after Udina had stormed back out of the office.
"What happened to Lieutenant Alenko after the Normandy was destroyed?"
"…still with the Alliance…working on a special mission… classified…can't say anymore…"
"Not while you're working with Cerberus," he sighed before he continued, "I'm sorry."
She'd left quickly after that, his words had felt like a knife twisting in her gut. Garrus had asked to meet them back on the ship. He'd said he had something to take care of before they left. She'd nodded permission and had come straight back to the ship. She can't overcome the feeling that she's more angry about Anderson's unwillingness to confide in her than about not finding out where Kaidan was.
She picks up the picture on her desk, staring at the familiar features, wondering why her mind keeps drifting back to the turian.
* * *
He arrives back onto the Normandy, having taken the time to put out some feelers with his old contacts on the Citadel. On his way back, he had made one last stop. He heads to the elevator with his prize.
* * *
A request for entrance sounds in the cabin. Edi announces that Garrus is on the other side of the door.
"Go ahead and let him in, Edi," Shepard says, setting the photograph down and unconsciously hiding her abraded knuckles behind her as the turian enters the room. Was he hiding something behind his back?
"Shepard, I know things didn't go well with the Council, but I thought you'd like a roommate." After a moment of awkward silence during which she desperately tries to hide her grin at his discomfiture, "err, that didn't come out quite right…" His mandibles twitch in embarrassment as he hurriedly presents her with a small cage containing shavings and a little brightly painted house.
Her eyes light up as she examines the small rodent that emerges, touched that he'd do such a thing for her. She quickly sets the cage on her desk before whirling around and throwing her arms around the startled turian and planting a kiss on his cheek. He freezes for a moment before returning the hug. Almost as quickly, she steps back, flustered, and busies herself with clearing space above her desk for the little cage, her eyes bright. She flashes a brilliant smile toward Garrus, "Thank you so much, he's wonderful."
He watches her as she goes about happily making sure to settle her new pet properly, his body remembering the sensation of hers pressed against him, of the feel of her lips pressed against his tattooed cheek. And he wishes that it hadn't ended so quickly.
* * *
On the Normandy: CIC Deck
"Shepard. I think we have them! Horizon – one of our colonies in the Terminus Systems – just went silent."
"…something else you should know."
"One of your former crew, Kaidan Alenko – he's stationed on Horizon."