Chapter 7

Shepard tapped away at his omnitool as he exited the elevator. He had recorded a short briefing of the next mission and was sending the message to EDI along with instructions to schedule any refueling and supply stocking to be done by the end of the day. He lowered his hand and continued on the short walk to the Spectre offices.

As Commander Shepard approached the doors the numerous security protocols began scanning him automatically. As the full body scanner halted a voice announced that Shepard had cleared security and the doors promptly opened. There was an unusual amount of activity in the lobby of the offices; Shepard could only name a single person in the room. Among the collection of strange faces Kaidan Alenko stood accessing one of the secure terminals. The commander made his way across the room, receiving more than a couple of nods or salutes.

"I see you're taking the new Spectre position seriously. No time for shore leave?"

Kaidan glanced to his side as Shepard turned and leaned against the wall next to him. "Heh, well I've had some business to take care of here for a while now. I was a little busy while we were saving the galaxy."

"I'm going to guess a little late paperwork is excusable given the circumstances," Shepard quipped.

"So how'd the meeting go? I didn't expect you to be out of there for a few hours at least." Kaidan finished the sentence he was typing and turned to Shepard.

"It went... pretty well," Shepard admitted, "And I've already got a new assignment."

Kaidan paused momentarily. "Which is?"

"The Council wants me to visit Tuchanka and Rannoch. Make sure everything is... going smoothly."

"Hmm... and I assume you'll be taking the Normandy for this endeavor?"

Shepard eyed him curiously. "I was planning on it. Why do you ask?"

Kaidan motioned toward the console he had been working at. "I just accepted an assignment that might fit perfectly with your's."

"Enlighten me."

Kaidan turned back to the console, Shepard doing the same and looking to the mission summary Kaidan had brought back onto the screen. "We don't know much, but it looks like a lot of funds from the remnants of Cerberus are being funneled into an unidentified program on Horizon."

Shepard let out a sigh. "That place just can't catch a break, can it?"

"Well you keep showing up there. What did you expect?" Kaidan grinned. "I accepted the mission to provide initial recon. If the Normandy is going on an intelligence gathering cruise I could use the lift."

Shepard looked to Kaidan with a smile. "I think we can manage that. I had a few stops outside of Tuchanka and Rannoch in mind anyway."

Kaidan nodded and tapped the screen, setting the console to sleep. "Thanks, Shepard. I'd actually called you down to let you know I might have to be leaving."

"Sorry, Alenko. Looks like you're stuck with me for just a little while longer."

"I think I'll manage." Kaidan smiled and nodded toward the exit. "Let's grab some lunch."


Shepard sat quietly on a bench overlooking one of the many lakes that decorated the center of the Citadel's arms. As he glanced down to his omnitool to check the time a soft hand came to rest on his shoulder.

Liara leaned over the back of the bench, whispering into his ear, "Sorry I'm late."

Shepard smiled as Liara rounded the seat and sat next to him. "I think I can forgive you this time."

"Holding together this information network is no small feat." Liara let out a relaxed sigh as she closed her eyes, resting her head on Shepard's shoulder. "How was your meeting?"

"Well you were right about them having something to complain about." He paused for a moment. "I've got a new assignment."

Liara opened her eyes and sat up, giving him a curious look. "Shepard... you don't have to-"

Shepard shook his head. "I do, Liara. It's something I need to do. I want to."

"What is it?"

"I'm going to Rannoch and Tuchanka. The Council is worried about what might come from... well, some of my recent decisions. I want to be sure they're on the right path."

Liara smiled and cupped his cheek gently in the palm of her hand. "You never stop thinking about others, do you?"

Shepard shrugged lightly. "I just-"

"Shh... you don't need to explain. It's what makes you a leader. It's why so many people sacrificed so much to help you. They know you would do the same for them." She leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I hope you aren't expecting to do this alone."

Shepard smiled as the two looked back out over the lake. "Well I know I'll have at least one person with me." He took her hand and squeezed gently.

"And the others?"

"I'll worry about that after I take care of some of my more pressing issues." Shepard groaned lightly.

Liara smirked. "So galactic peace isn't your most pressing issue?"

"Somehow I have to convince the Alliance to hand over an entire fleet worth of ships to the Citadel."

Liara blinked and turned to Shepard with a look of utter bemusement. "... What?"

He glanced back to her with nostalgic grin. "Remember when all we had to do was shoot the bad guys?"

Liara smiled in return. "I don't think it was ever that easy, Shepard."


"Hey, hold the airlock!" Garrus shouted as he limped (notably less than he had the day earlier) through the lobby of docking bay D24.

Liara reached over and held down a button on the console as Garrus caught up to her and Shepard. The turian slowed down as he approached the open doors and stepped onto the Normandy. He nodded in thanks to his friends as Liara engaged the decontamination sequence.

"Standby, decontamination in progress," chimed EDI's voice.

"You're looking a bit more spry than you did yesterday, Garrus." Shepard slapped the turian on his heavily armored shoulder.

"And you're looking a bit more..." Garrus looked up and down the full dress uniform Shepard had yet to change out of. "Is there a word that means uncomfortable and ridiculous?"

Liara's face turned sour and she crossed her arms indignantly. "That's rather insulting to the human military, Garrus. I think he looks rather refined. Elegant, even."

Shepard chuckled lightly and shook his head. "No, he's right. I'd rather be in armor or casuals. This is just too restrictive."

"Exactly. Though you do know you're supposed to agree with her, right?" Garrus clicked his mandibles in amusement.

"Decontamination complete, welcome aboard."

The inner door slid apart, letting Shepard, Liara and Garrus step aboard the relatively empty Normandy. A few crew members sat at their positions in the CIC, but Joker, EDI's analog, Traynor and the majority of the crew appeared to be ashore or in the crew's quarters.

Garrus cleared his throat and tapped Shepard on the shoulder as they began their way down the neck of the Normandy. "Hey, Shepard, mind if we talk for a minute?"

Shepard glanced to Liara as she nodded. "I'll be in my office. I'm just about done with a big project."

"Thanks." Shepard smiled and watched briefly as she turned and headed toward the elevator. He looked back to Garrus with a grin. "Couldn't let me change out of this outfit first, huh?"

"You really shouldn't have told me how uncomfortable it is. Now I'm just going to talk your ear off."

He laughed and nodded toward the bow. Shepard and Garrus walked back toward the empty cockpit and leaned against either side of the bulkhead.

"So I, uh, decided to follow up on that whole... Spectre candidacy thing." Garrus played cool and crossed his arms. "Turns out I'm pretty high on their list."

"Three tours on the Normandy and the best marksmanship records I've ever seen might have helped with that." Shepard was glad Garrus had finally received some recognition for his service. He had always worried that his own reputation might overshadow his turian comrade.

"Let's not forget the fact that I was heading the initial investigation on Saren. A Spectre has to be keen as well, you know." Garrus cocked his head back slightly, clearly proud of his achievements.

"They'd be lucky to have to have you in their ranks," Shepard replied sincerely.

"Well for the time being they're not going to. I turned them down."

Shepard raised a brow, intrigued. "And why is that?"

Garrus paused and considered his words. "I... it's not the right time. Not yet. I've got some personal matters to attend to. I've got a family to check up on and... well... when you walked in on Tali and me... let's just say that wasn't the first time I got my mandible caught on her mask."

The commander smiled and looked down, nodding.

"But as I said... I've got some personal matters. It looks like I'm going to have to find some transport to Palaven and Rannoch..."

Shepard glanced back up. "And what makes you think you're not standing on that transport right now?"

The turian's eyes brightened slightly. "What are you saying, Shepard?"

Shepard stood up from leaning against the wall and took a step toward Garrus. "I've got a new assignment and it just happens to be taking me to Rannoch. However, we do have a few stops to make along the way. Might even bump heads with Cerberus again." He grinned and held out a hand. "You in?"

Garrus straightened up and eyed Shepard suspiciously. "Is that some kind of question?" He grabbed hold of Shepard's hand and shook it firmly just once. "I'm always on board, Shepard."


Commander Shepard stood at the doorway to the comm room in a fresh set of casual fatigues. Shepard was not looking forward to the coming conversation with Admiral Hackett. He stepped forward, just out of reach of the console, and took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He approached the holo screen and sent the request for a private conference with Admiral Hackett.

"I could have sent the request for you, Shepard," EDI's disembodied voice stated.

The commander watched as the word 'Pending' pulsated softly on the screen before him. "I know. Didn't I request a private call to Admiral Hackett?" He glanced up with a smirk.

"My apologies, Shepard. I will not monitor the comm room until your call is complete."

Even though Shepard had been mostly joking he was relieved that he wouldn't have an audience. The icon next to Admiral Hackett's name switched to 'Standby'. Shepard cleared his throat and straightened his stance, taking one last long breath as the word 'Connected' appeared and the image of Admiral Hackett snapped into view before him in a flash of blue static.

"Commander Shepard! I see you survived the meeting." Admiral Hackett smiled as he spoke. A rare sight, Shepard thought to himself.

"Yes, sir. And the best part is they don't want me coming back." Shepard grinned and crossed his arms. He was thankful that Hackett had eased the tension.

"I told you they wouldn't. I think the Council got sour on military leaders serving with them after Anderson stepped up a kicked them in the ass one to many times," Hackett said proudly.

Shepard froze as Hackett spoke Anderson's name. He stumbled into his words as he attempted to maintain his composure. "Admiral... I can't believe I haven't asked yet. Did they recover Anderson's body?"

Hackett's face sunk into a solemn expression as he nodded in reply. "Don't worry, commander. You've had a lot to deal with the past couple days. The Normandy recovered him when they extracted you. His body is being held on the SSV Mandela."

"I assume he'll have a burial?"

The admiral sighed. "Eventually. There's going to be a hell of a memorial ground and cemetery for this war, Shepard. I'll be making sure David Anderson's plot is right in the center."

Shepard looked down, his nervousness having been completely replaced with a sinking sadness. "Just let me know when the service is held."

"Of course, commander. It won't be too soon, though. We have a lot of ground to secure on Earth. And then the colonies." Admiral Hackett straightened up. "My apologies, Shepard. I didn't mean to derail your call."

The commander nodded and straightened as well. "No apologies needed, admiral." Shepard paused, unsure of how to proceed. "I guess there's no more stalling. Sir, one of the topics the Council and I discussed was the Citadel's relocation to our system."

Hackett nodded. "I expected as much."

"And it seems the Citadel won't be leaving Sol anytime soon. Because of that... I had to convince the Council not to relocate."

"Well of course. The Citadel is the only thing in this damned galaxy still standing." Hackett eyed Shepard closely. He could tell something was amiss.

"However... we all agreed that if the Citadel is to remain in the Sol System... the Alliance should assume the responsibility of Citadel space security. The Council has requested a force to bolster the Citadel Fleet." Shepard hoped the request had not come off as a command.

Hackett lowered his voice slightly. "How many ships are we talking, Shepard?"

Shepard shook his head. "They weren't specific with numbers. I'm guessing a full fleet."

"The Council knows damned well we don't have any 'full' fleets. We've already begun consolidation... Third Fleet has been phased in with First." Hackett brought his hand up to rest on his chin as he considered the course of action. "This is a big request, Shepard. And the last thing I want is the turian hierarchy thinking that humanity is trying to force them out of their role as keepers of the peace."

"The rest of the Citadel Fleet will return in time, but right now they need a sense of security." Shepard took a step forward, his charisma beginning to get the better of him. "Think about the implications here, sir. This is a huge step for galactic unification."

Admiral Hackett nodded in affirmation. "I know, Shepard. You're right. It'll be a tough sell, but if we're both backing the motion I think I can get it done." He looked to the side and began thinking aloud. "The Seventh Fleet is still in good shape. It's the smallest and doesn't contain many of our newest classes of cruisers or frigates. And the crews... what about the crews..."

Shepard cleared his throat. "I'm sure the Citadel Fleet Command would appreciate as many human crewmen as they can get. Do you think the Alliance would be willing to ask for volunteers to transfer to the Citadel Fleet?"

Hackett shook his head and turned his attention back to Shepard. "We'll figure it out, Shepard. I know you like to handle things yourself but you don't need to organize a fleet amalgamation. My ranking is where we take care of the boring stuff."

Shepard nodded. "Fair enough, Admiral."

"Any other small news?" Admiral Hackett jabbed.

The commander smiled. "Just a little. I've got a recon assignment from the Council. I was hoping the Alliance could spare me command of the Normandy one last time."

"Of course, commander. I think you're on a roll with that command. I'd hate to be the one to end it."

"Thank you, sir. That's all I have to report."

Admiral Hackett snapped to salute position. "I'll keep you posted on the fleet situation. Hackett out."

Shepard returned the salute and terminated the call. As he turned to leave through the War Room he glanced down to his omnitool; the designated shore leave was just about over. He stopped as he reached the conference room and looked up.

"EDI... can you ping Javik's omnitool for me?" He inquired.

"His omnitool is active. Do you wish for me to establish a comm link?" EDI sounded as though she was not fond of the idea.

"Yes, please. Route it into the conference room." Shepard stepped up to the table and leaned forward, staring out the window to the Citadel as he waited.

A crackle sounded around Shepard that was soon followed by Javik's voice. "Reporting."

"Javik, you told me to contact you if we leave the system. I just thought I would let you know we're leaving in a few hours." Shepard certainly didn't sound enthusiastic. "You've still got a place in the squad if you'd like to join us."

The prothean stayed silent for a few moments. "Good. I am tired of this primitive planet."

Shepard did his best to not roll his eyes. "Alright, I'll send Cortez down to extract you. Send him your coordinates."

"Understood," Javik stated flatly before cutting the comm.

EDI quickly chimed in, "I was worried this mission might go smoothly."

Shepard chuckled and made is way out of the conference room. "Don't worry about that, EDI. We'll find a fight somewhere."


Author's Note

Looks like the mission is about to kick off. I'm excited. Are you excited? I'm excited.