At the Citadel Tower…
The elevator shot heavenly upward as I saw the Presidium stretch out beneath me. The view was spectacular. My eyes widen with childlike wonder as I gaze beyond the edges of the Citadel.
Commander Shepard looked at me. She chuckles kindly at my curiosity. I can't help but smile. "Quite the view. I take it this is your first time?" she asked.
"It's amazing." I said, never taking my eyes off the view.
"There's more where that came from." Commander Shepard said.
I returned to looking at this wonderful view until the elevator cover blocked my view. I was disappointed. I heard Kaidan and Ashley chatting behind me. They were like siblings sharing secrets. I didn't care if they were talking about me. Eventually, Garrus, Tali and Wrex joined in the conversation to pass the time.
We reached the top of the Citadel with a gentle bump. As we stepped out, I noticed two turian guards by the entrance. One of the guards was looking at me strangely. Probably because it's human kids don't attend to the Council meetings unless invited.
The Council Chambers are filled with trees and beautiful fountains. There are sets of stairs that lead up to where the Council is at supposedly. I can see a few keepers working and passing by in the chamber.
I stayed quiet the whole time. I was escorted up to the Council audience stage. Captain Anderson was standing near the Council Chamber, awaiting us I think.
"Come on," Captain Anderson told Shepard. "Udina's presenting the quarian's evidence to the Council."
Captain Anderson quickly escorts Commander Shepard and us into the hearing as we ascend the staircase to meet with the Councillors.
Beneath the stage bridge is a garden protected by glass that I can see. I was told to be quiet and stay with the squad until the meeting is finished. My fate is decided later.
There were three Councillors representing three races, a turian, an asari and a salarian, in this galactic age. They were dressed smartly and professionally as they wait for the evidence.
"Eden Prime was a major victory!" Saren's voice boasted, hearing it for the third time. "The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."
"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers." said the mysterious voice.
Let's hope the Council really believes Commander Shepard and the others this time. I was still creeped out.
"You wanted proof?" Udina asked, gloating a little. "There it is."
When the Council heard the playback of the recording, they looked absolutely astonished.
"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador." the turian councilor said. "Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes."
Yes! The Council finally believes that Saren's really a cold-blooded murderer!
Then the asari councillor spoke up. "I recognise that other voice, the one speaking to Saren. Matriarch Benezia."
"Who is she?" Commander Shepard asked. I was wondering that myself.
"Matriarchs are powerful asari who entered the final stage of their lives," the asari councillor 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'll make a formidable ally for Saren."
Know your enemy, I thought. Good thing I'm writing all this down in my diary.
After that asari history lesson, it was the salarian councillor's turn to talk. "I'm more interested in the Reapers. What do you know about them?" he asked us.
"Only what was extracted from the geth's memory core." Captain Anderson answered. "The Reapers were an ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans. Then they vanished."
"The geth believe the Reapers are gods." Commander Shepard said. "And Saren is the prophet for their return."
Typical fanatics always follow the false leaders who think they can play god. Whatever happened to these Protheans, I'm sure the Reapers didn't give them a pleasant end.
"We think the Conduit is the key to bringing them back." Captain Anderson said. "Saren's searching for it. That's why he attacked Eden Prime."
"Do we even know what this Conduit is?" the salarian councillor asked again.
That's good question. Unfortunately, we didn't really know the answer to its purpose or its existence. It's the first time I've even heard the word 'conduit'.
However, Commander Shepard said: "Saren said it can bring back the Reapers. That's about enough."
That's hardly a good answer there, Commander Shepard, I thought. But it's all we've got. Too bad the Council doesn't agree.
"Listen to what you're saying." The turian councillor said skeptically. "Saren wants to bring back the machines that wiped out all life in the galaxy? Impossible. It has to be. Where did the Reapers go? Why did they vanish? How come we found no trace of their existence?"
Then turian councillor crossed his arms as he ponders out loud. "If they were real, we would've found something."
Commander Shepard looked annoyed, but calm. "I tried to warn you about Saren and you refuse to face the truth. Don't make the same mistake again."
I take it this isn't the first time Commander Shepard has met with the Council before.
"This is different." the asari councillor assured. "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 salarian councillor decided to join in. "The Reapers are obviously just a myth, Commander. A convenient lie to cover Saren's true purpose, a legend he is using to bend the geth to his will."
I scoffed at this and crossed my arms. This is ridiculous. Why can't they see that the truth is right in front of them?
Commander Shepard refuses to give in and stood up to the Council. "50,000 years ago, the Reapers wiped out all galactic civilisation! If Saren finds the Conduit, it will happen again."
The Council was unmoved. They still did not foresee the danger that's going to happen.
"Saren is a rouge Spectre on the run for his life," the turian councillor said. "He no longer has the rights or resources of a Spectre. The Council has stripped him of his position."
That's it? They think the problem is dealt with? Even a monster like Saren won't stop to ask permission to get his way. I shudder to think about his actions.
Everyone is starting to heat up when things aren't going their way.
"That is not good enough!" Udina said angrily. He was pointing intimidatingly at the Council before making demands. "You know he's hiding somewhere in the traverse. Send your fleet in!"
"A fleet cannot track down one man," the salarian councillor said calmly.
Still, Udina continues to wastes no time for calling in action. "A Citadel fleet could secure the entire region. Keep the geth from attacking any more of our colonies!"
"Or it could trigger a war with the Terminus Systems!" the turian councillor said, sounding like he's losing his patience. "We won't be dragged into a galactic confrontation over a few dozen human colonies."
My anger was boiling my brain, but I did nothing. Is it because of what happened between humanity and the turians in the First Contact War? That was almost thirty years ago. Why can't they just get over it and get along?
Udina looked absolutely outraged, as did Commander Shepard, but she still kept some of her cool. "Every time humanity asks for help, you ignore us!" she told the Council.
"Shepard's right." Udina agreed. "I'm sick of this Council and its anti-human bull—".
"Ambassador!" the asari councillor dismisses calmly, cutting him off from completing his swear before it could escalate further. I heard the other politician audience gasping in horror at the offence.
Then the asari councillor voiced her opinion. "There is another solution. A way to stop Saren that does not require fleets or armies."
"No!" the turian councillor refused. He knew whatever she was thinking about. "Its too soon. Humanity is not ready for the responsibilities that come with joining the Spectres!"
"You don't have to send a fleet into the traverse." Commander Shepard said. "And the Ambassador gets his human Spectre. Everybody's happy."
I can't help but admire her stubbornness and diplomatic ways, despite being a soldier. I hope it's enough for the Council to understand so far.
The turian councillor clearly doesn't like the idea. I saw the hesitation in him. But when he looked at the other members, he reluctantly nods. There was no other way to deal with Saren's threat. In a situation like this, there was no time for petty differences.
The three councillors each took their turn in typing something into their monitors in front of them. Then the asari councillor said: "Commander Shepard. Step forward."
Captain Anderson nodded to Commander Shepard before she did so. She just stood there in the middle of the crowd, acting professional. She's also strong and brave. Something I could never be, like a hero.
I noticed that all the other human and non-human politicians are gathering around from the side balconies. They look like they're ready to witness something important. I directed my focus back at the three Council representatives.
The asari councillor was the first to speak. "It is the decision of the Council to be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel."
"Spectres are not trained but chosen," the salarian councillor explained, crossing his arms. "Individuals forged in the fires of service in battle. Those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."
"The Spectres are an ideal, a symbol," the asari councillor said. "The embodiment of courage, determination and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
The turian councillor straightens into a military pose. "Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defence. The safety of the galaxy is theirs uphold."
"You are the first human Spectre, Commander." The asari councillor told her. "This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species."
Commander Shepard bowed respectfully. "I'm honoured, councillor." she said.
Commander Shepard is now the first human Spectre. I didn't understand what was going on or why I came to be here. But I knew I was witnessing the most proud moment in human history. My God. If I were a Spectre, I wouldn't handle the responsibility.
"We're sending you into the traverse after Saren," the salarian councillor instructed. "He's a fugitive from justice so you are authorised to use any means necessary to apprehend or eliminate him."
"Any idea how to find him?" Commander Shepard asked.
"We will forward any relevant files to Ambassador Udina." the turian councillor answered.
"This meeting of the Council is adjourned." The asari councillor finally announced.
The three councillors and all the politicians have left the audience chamber as they vanish into the hallways.
"Congratulations, Commander." Captain Anderson said, shaking her hand.
"You've got a lot of work to do, Shepard." Udina told her. "You're going to need a ship, a crew, supplies…"
"You get access to special equipment and training now." Captain Anderson said. "You should get down to the C-Sec Academy and speak to the requisitions officer."
"Anderson!" Udina said suddenly. "Come with me. I need your help to set all this up."
As I watch Captain Anderson and Udina leave, someone was tapping my shoulder to get my attention. I turned around to see it was Commander Shepard responsible.
"Alice, go with Captain Anderson." she ordered.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "But –" I began.
"No." Commander Shepard shook her head. "Our travels are far too dangerous for a young girl. You're better off with Alliance Navy until they contact your family."
I walked a little. Then I hesitated and sadly looked back at Commander Shepard and her team. Kaidan, Ashley, Garrus, Tali and Wrex…
I had hoped they could be the key to taking me home. But I was wrong. I was let down once again. I snapped out of my thoughts and followed after Captain Anderson and Udina.
Captain Anderson noticed me accompanying him, but he didn't complain. His brown eyes looked sincere. To break the silence, he spoke first. "You're very lucky to be alive, Alice." he said. "Saren is ruthless. He won't hesitate to kill you if given the chance to try again. I knew him, because I used to work with him."
"Was he different before the First Contact War?" I asked.
"Are you sure you're from around here, Alice?" Captain Anderson asked, looking at me strange. "You act like you don't know your history."
I looked down at the floor sheepishly. "I'm an explorer." I lied. "I've lived in London my whole life until now. My family decided to leave Earth to travel the stars."
Captain Anderson was looking curiously at me, as if he already suspects that I'm lying. "So you were raised on Earth? I take it that it's your first time on the Citadel?"
I nod at this. "I was travelling with my family when somehow… I woke up here."
"Do you remember what happened before?" Captain Anderson asked suspiciously. "Did someone kidnap you?"
"No." I reply. "I don't know. I was just here. I don't know where my family is."
"I see." Captain Anderson said, ending the conversation.
I feel really bad about lying, but I had no choice. I can't tell him that I'm from another universe, where my family really was. Captain Anderson would think I'm lying to get out of trouble, or worse crazy. I can't tell anybody my secret if I want to survive.
