Disclaimer: Most of the characters and all of the locations, technologies, concepts, etc that appear in this story are property of Bioware/EA.
This is War
"Hey Ash…"
Jane walked through the threshold of the Lieutenant-Commander's room in Huerta Memorial Hospital. The smell of antiseptics, and sterile gloves and tools floated throughout the entire hospital. A dull metronome of quiet beeping from the heart-rate monitor filled the silence alongside Ashley's soft breathing. Williams' face was still beaten and discolored, purple splotches marring sections of her normally clear tan complexion. The rest of her face was wrapped in bandages.
Jane reached a hand out to touch Ashley's motionless fingers. Her wrist was bound in a tight medical cast and stasis field to allow the bones to heal properly.
"Just wanted to… check in on yah… see how you're doing."
Shepard breathed out a shaky sigh. She had spoken to Doctor Chloe Michelle just minutes before. She knew Ash would be in good hands, knew she would have her friend back soon. But looking at Ashley now, motionless and comatose, Jane felt her insides clench themselves hard in pain and regret.
"I'm… sorry I yelled at you. I'm sorry for putting you in this situation… making you even more stressed than you should be in all this…"
Jane knew she was being silly. Ashley most likely wouldn't even hear her in this state, but that didn't stop her from gently gripping the Lieutenant-Commander's fingers a little harder.
"You're one of the closest things to a best friend I've ever had… and the best soldier I've had the pleasure of knowing. So get your ass in gear and get better."
Jane lowered her head, closing her eyes to keep them from misting over.
"Because we need you, Ash… I need you."
The door to Williams' room opened to reveal Doctor Michelle and several nurses. Jane let go of Ashley's hand and turned to look at the former clinic owner. Jane activated her omni-tool to automatically send her e-mail address to the Doctor.
"If you need anything, if her condition changes, good or bad… don't hesitate to tell me."
The red-haired doctor smiled in empathy.
"Of course, Commander. Don't worry; she will be well taken care of here."
She replied in a heavily accented voice. Jane nodded and turned back to Ashley's unconscious form as the nurses began their preparations.
"Okay Ash… I'll see you soon. We'll talk when you're feeling better."
With a heavy sigh, Jane exited the room. She knew Ashley would get better, but just the thought of losing the Lieutenant -Commander sent a ripple of discomfort straight to her belly. However, as unpleasant as it was, Jane knew her next destination on the Citadel would no doubt prove to be far more of a headache.
"The cruel and unfortunate truth is that while the Reapers are occupied with Earth, we have a chance to prepare and regroup."
Just as Jane had predicted, the Council wouldn't lend their support in aiding Earth. Even the newly appointed Human Councilor Donnel Udina had next to no sway against the rest of the Council races. Liara shook her head beside Shepard as Alexis put a hand to her forehead in agitation. She never enjoyed how the Council operated from the reports she got on Earth. Seeing it happen before her eyes, she now understood why Shepard had been apprehensive about their meeting.
"A war summit will be held amongst our species. Once our own borders are secured against the Reaper threat, we may consider lending you our aid."
Jane scowled at Councilor Valern.
"I'm sorry, Commander… That is the best that we can do."
Councilor Tevos said, remorsefully as the Council took their leave.
"Shepard, meet me in my office."
Udina said with a disappointed sigh as he left as well. Kane shook her head in disbelief.
"You saved the Destiny Ascension two and a half years ago, hell, you saved the entire bloody Citadel from one of those things and this is how you're repaid."
The Major General may have understood why the Council reacted the way they did but just because she understood didn't mean she wasn't pissed about it.
"Seems to be a running theme with all of my dealings with the Council."
Jane said as she turned toward Liara and Alexis.
"I'll be digging up whatever I can on this device, Shepard. Leave it to me and go speak with Udina. Hopefully you'll be able to work something out. I'll need to purchase a few things while we're docked here, however."
Shepard smiled at Liara, taking her gloved hand and placing a kiss upon its back. The Shadow Broker smiled as her consciousness reached out to briefly nudge against Jane's.
"I'll see you back on the Normandy, Liara."
The Shadow Broker nodded as she turned to leave the Council chambers. Alexis couldn't help but stare at the Commander.
"… You love her, don't you."
The Major General didn't state it as a question. Jane quietly chuckled as they walked down the steps leading to the large court.
"That obvious?"
"More obvious than a Salarian participating in a Krogan body building contest."
Her quiet chuckle turned into full laugh as they made their way to one of the elevators at the entrance of the Council chamber.
"The way you look at her when you're together is the biggest tell. Your eyes almost sparkle when they meet hers. Almost makes me nauseous at how adorable it is, really."
"Yeah. I… wouldn't be myself without her."
Entering the elevator, Jane punched their destination into the holographic interface. The door slid closed as awkward, unfashionable music began playing.
"Do you have anyone close? Husband, wife, family?"
Kane hadn't been anticipating the question as she turned her blue eyes to Shepard.
"... I'm not so sure anymore. My sister was in London last I heard from her. My… niece was on the Mars Archives."
Jane's eyebrows rose as she observed Alexis' gaze descend to the floor.
"I'm sorry…"
The Major General shook her head, gray-blonde strands swaying slightly in front of her face.
"It's not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's those damned things and Cerberus."
"If I may ask, what was your niece like…?"
Alexis smiled as she recalled memories of… happier times, with her niece and sister.
"She was kind. Thoughtful, if a bit… fidgety. Her heart was always in the right place concerning others, Human or otherwise. She loved studying aliens, not their biology, but their culture; art, music, societal traditions and how they all shifted and changed over time."
Kane stared out at the presidium through the glass of the elevator before the duo.
"She was ecstatic when she received word that she would be working on the Archive project with Doctor T'soni."
"She worked with Liara?"
She smiled as she brought her sky-blue eyes back to Jane's emeralds.
"Yes, as her assistant, as far as I'm told. She had been obsessed with the Protheans for the longest time, read every single one of Doctor T'soni's articles over and over. She had them memorized word-for-word by the time she graduated."
Alexis let out a small laugh, closing her eyes and remembering Maria's smiling face. The thought made her eyes water at the fact that she wouldn't get to see those hazel eyes anymore. Jane placed a hand on the Major General's shoulder, squeezing gently in an attempt at comfort.
Kane righted herself as she wiped would-be tears from her eyes.
"What about your sister? You said she was in London. I'm sure she's still alive."
Alexis frowned, watching sky-cars zoom past as the elevator descended into the presidium.
"The last time we talked… wasn't exactly the most pleasant conversation. We had always been butting heads, ever since we were young but…"
Jane could see the subdued hurt and sadness behind Alexis' clear blue eyes. Kane shook her head again.
"I just hope she's alright. She's all I have left now…"
"They're a bunch of self-concerned jackasses!"
Udina's Irish accent boomed throughout his office.
"We have a seat on the Council yet they still treat Humanity as second-rate citizens!"
Kane crossed her arms as she leaned on the nearby window while Shepard partially sat herself on the Human Councilor's desk.
"It's understandable at least. They're frightened, keeping the best interests for their people in mind."
Jane replied at the end of Udina's tirade. She did understand where the Council was coming from this time. The Reapers were a visible and immediate threat to every advanced species in the galaxy. They would be fools throw all of their resources into something that even she didn't know fully about. Though, at the same time…
"It's that kind of thinking that's going to end up getting us all killed. If we can't unite ourselves against a common enemy, we may as well put guns to our heads and save the Reapers the trouble."
Kane finished Shepard's thought for her. She was right.
"Humanity has always been synonymous for stubborn across the galaxy. I'm surprised to see you giving up so easily."
Councilor Sparatus announced as he entered the office.
"Councilor, we weren't told to expect you."
Sparatus regarded Udina briefly before turning to Shepard.
"I'm here to extend a… what is the Human saying… a 'grape branch'?"
The Turian shook his head. Why did Humans always have such nonsensical expressions?
"I cannot get you the resources you need… but I know another way for you to obtain them."
Jane's ears perked up as she approached him.
"I'm listening."
"The current Primarch of Palaven, Elleris Fedorian originally called the war summit that Valern mentioned. However, we have not received any word from the Primarch since Reaper forces were sighted entering Turian space."
Sparatus looked out of the office window to the Presidium.
"Those meetings won't proceed without him. The Normandy is outfitted with the stealth technology that can move in and extract him."
Kane moved from her spot on the wall to stand beside the Councilor.
"You want us to participate in the war summit."
The Turian turned to Alexis, a smile in his eyes.
"Yes. If you can rescue the Primarch, he'll owe you a debt of gratitude."
Jane watched as the Councilor walked to the center of the office. She wasn't quite as familiar with the Turian Hierarchy as she should have been, but if the position of Primarch meant was she thought…
"The leaders of this summit will ultimately decide where and how our fleets fight. If you can get the Primarch on your side-"
"It'd be the foundation we'd need to begin solidifying a united effort against the Reapers."
Jane completed Sparatus' sentence for him. It was a smart plan, in all honesty: bypassing the Council completely to appeal directly to the central leadership of the other races.
"There is a less than popular Turian saying that I find appropriate for this situation, Commander: If you can't get what you want, then you're not trying hard enough."
"Heh… I like it."
The Councilor turned and began walking toward the door, only to stop himself.
"Also, we have agreed to uphold your SPECTRE status. You'll find many valuable resources and equipment within the offices across the way. And…"
Sparatus looked down at the floor for several moments before making eye contact with Shepard's green orbs.
"I want to… apologize. For the many times I've acted… antagonistic towards you. I don't hate you, Shepard, and neither do Tevos or Valern. We were wrong. Just try to understand where we must sit on the matter."
Jane's eyes widened. She hadn't expected to receive help from Sparatus of all people, much less a personal apology from Sparatus.
"My thoughts are with Earth. Good day."
Without another word, the Turian Councilor turned on his heels and strode out of the office.
"That went… swimmingly."
Kane said, perplexed at the exchange. She never thought she'd see a Turian offering help to Humanity, especially the Councilor.
"At least it's something. Udina, can you-"
"I'm already twenty steps ahead of you, Shepard. I'm going to do whatever I can, talk to whoever I can to speed up this process."
The Human Councilor said as he returned to his desk. Jane breathed a sigh of relief. She had never agreed with Udina (the man was a complete ass as far as she was concerned) but he knew how to maneuver on the political battlefield.
"Thanks. Hopefully this stunt will work and we'll be another step closer to putting a stop to this."
Shepard turned to Alexis, a smirk on her face.
"Well, let's go save a Primarch. If you're willing to join us, get whatever you need on the Citadel and head for the Normandy. I expect us to ship out within an hour."
Alexis nodded her head, gray-blonde strands bouncing before her eyes. She would speak with Admiral Hackett to have her reassigned to the Normandy. Besides, she did have a promise to keep, after all.
"I'm with you, Commander."
