'Jeff,' EDI said softly, 'The Admiral's shuttle is on final approach.' The Normandy was holding position just off Earth, they had orders not to dock until everything that had been promised was proven. 'No other ships on scanners.'
'Thanks EDI, can you let everyone know please and take control.' Joker sighed and pushed himself out of his seat. He began the slow walk to the elevator and one by one every crew member he passed fell in behind.
Karra paced in the hangar bay, she had dreaded this moment. She had even thought about running away, following Joker's suggestion to find a nice quiet beach somewhere. If only it were that simple. She hated the idea of not being on the ship but that was part of the agreement to protect her crew and she was missing them already.
A commotion behind her made her stop and turn. One by one the entire crew of the Normandy filed into the hangar bay and lined up at attention before her, it was a small crew after their run in with the Collectors but it was her crew. Even those who weren't ex-military were standing erect.
Joker came to stand directly in front of her his moist, concerned eyes meeting hers. She watched as her ground crew and officers formed up on either side of him. Garrus stood to his right, his eyes meeting hers with hard determination, alongside him stood Grunt, Dr Chakwas, Zaeed, Jack, Chambers, Daniels and Donnelly. To Joker's left stood Tali, Jacob, Mordin, Samara, Thane, Kasumi and Legion. A flash of blue caught her eye as EDI materialised on the observation deck above. Miranda was the only one missing, she had decided to leave at Illium to protect her sister but promised to keep in touch.
Karra met the eyes of each one in turn, trying hard to stop the tears that were forming. This was her crew, her family and she loved or admired every one of them, even Legion. She knew the risks they'd taken by staying on board, she was sure the Alliance would arrest at least three of them under any other circumstances and Legion would probably be destroyed on sight. But here they were, silently voicing their support. She fought back the sob that built in her throat.
She stepped up to Joker and hugged him, he was trembling and she knew it wasn't from being on his feet. He held her tight as if he refused to let her go but eventually she pulled back. Garrus actually pulled her into a tight hug and she could feel his anxiety. One by one she silently hugged, shook hands, thumped shoulders or simply smiled at them before moving to stand before them again. She nodded and smiled to the group as a whole as a shuttle passed through the barrier and landed behind her.
Karra turned to face Admiral Hackett and Admiral Anderson as they disembarked. There were no C-Sec officers or Alliance MPs only a Marine Lieutenant who stood at attention by the shuttle hatch.
'Shepard,' Anderson walked forward and pulled her into a bear hug. There were tears in his eyes as he stepped back and looked at her. 'It's good to see you.'
'You too,' she smiled weakly before turning to Admiral Hackett. 'Admiral, I have given you my terms of surrender, will you meet them.'
'Without hesitation,' He smiled at her and took in the sight of everyone behind her. 'Your crew and your ship are safe Shepard. You could have told us to go to hell but you haven't and we respect that. You are a Council Spectre, you don't have to report to us, the fact that you have just proves what a great soldier you are. We would be fools not to take you back.'
'Just so we're straight,' she said firmly, 'my crew stays on board even through the refit, they can come and go as they please without question, as long as they behave themselves,' she smiled over her shoulder at Jack, Grunt and Zaeed. 'Legion has agreed to stay hidden during the refit so no-one feels the need to take a shot at him.' She met the Admiral's eyes, 'If any member of my crew is detained, prevented from moving around freely or removed from the Normandy all bets are off.'
'Agreed,' Admiral Hackett nodded. 'The only reason we want you to stay at HQ is so you're on hand to give us advice, but we have to be seen to be doing the right thing as well. The Alliance has rules it has to follow which is why you've been grounded so to speak.'
'We'd better get this happening then,' she sighed.
Anderson motioned the marine by the shuttle to come forward, 'This is Lieutenant James Vega, he will be your Alliance liaison while you're at HQ. I hand picked him because I knew he could be trusted to do the right thing.'
'Commander,' James stepped forward and saluted.
'I'm not a Commander any more Lieutenant,' Karra smiled, 'And you don't have to salute me.'
'Yes ma'am,' he stood to attention.
Karra turned back to her crew, 'I'll see you soon, don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone. Joker, you can organise the docking and you will be in command of this ship while I'm away with Garrus as your XO.'
Joker opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it and simply nodded. He thought it strange that she looked up at EDI and winked but had no time to worry about it as she turned and moved towards the shuttle.
'Attention!' he almost bellowed and Shepard turned in surprise as every ex-military, civilian and otherwise snapped to attention and saluted. Beaming with pride she saluted back then climbed into the shuttle.
'A Geth?' Anderson asked with raised eyebrows. 'Not to mention a Krogan, a Justicar, a thief and the founder of the Blue Suns. You certainly know how to pick a crew, Shepard.'
'Whatever it takes to get the job done,' Karra chuckled but it quickly vanished as the shuttle lifted and left the Normandy.
