Over a drink
The hard sound of armored boots on metal echoed throughout the massive interior of the Quarian Shipyard, as Shepard and the Normandy crew made their way down the base of the ship. It opened on both sides to space so Shepard and her crew were fully suited, the inside containing enough room for at least 2 full sized Flotilas.
It hadn't taken much persuasion to get the Councils approval for the Normandy to dock with the Shipyard, despite the Quarians not holding much ground within the Council races, the Council were not daft enough to turn away a potential asset, especially one so expansive as the Shipyard that now lay dormant right in front of their door.
It had taken Miss Wong only minutes to be on top of the situation and beginning the process of recruitment for ships and donations, after all the funding for this war was to be expensive. Many ships were now within proximity of the Shipyard, some eyeing it up, others monitoring, never before had the Quarians revealed such a ship to the masses.
"…Wow…" Garrus let out, "the sheer size alone I don't see how they've managed to keep this ship a secret for so long".
"Indeed" Samara agreed.
"Shepard!" The muffled petite voice of Tali called through her face mask from the passage the group had just about passed.
"Tali" Shepard maneuvered to embrace her dear friend.
"It feels like its been forever!" She complained.
"Yeah I hear congratulation are in order Admiral"
"Please Shepard, if it wasn't for you…"
"Your father would be proud Tali" Shepard lay a hand on her friends adorned shoulder, remembering Tali's father who's mistake had cost him and his crews life, and led Tali to an exile, one Shepard managed to prevent. However, the truth encrusted itself within Tali, and Shepard could still see it threatened to tear the young girl apart.
"Yes, I think he would" Tali agreed raising her head once again.
Shepard finally became aware of the 4 Quarians who had followed Tali in.
"Kal'Reegar" Shepard noted, offering a hand to the Quarian Commander she had rescued back on Haestrom. Not recognizing any of the others.
"It is good to see you again Shepard" He grasped the hand with fondness.
"Now come" Tali called "there is much to see".
The crew entered the command center of the ship, it followed the rectangular shape of the shipyard with a thick glass allowing monitoring of the Yard. Some of the chairs against the consoles facing the window were occupied by Quarians working away, however many were unoccupied.
Tali followed Shepards gaze "I was only able to gather 60 scientists, 83 altogether including flight crew and security" Tali spoke seriously, "25 of which were from my own ship... despite my new found position I was unable to rally anyone Shepard. Many were reluctant to join our cause".
Shepard saw the dismay through her friends mask.
"It's a start Tali" she smiled reassuringly.
"Is there a terminal where I can upload EDI" Shepard inquired.
"EDI?" one of the Quarians following Tali round questioned, as Tali indicated a console close to where they stood.
"My ships AI" Shepard answered curtly.
The Quarian stiffened. "An AI?" He looked alarmed and begun over to Shepard. Reegar hastily grabbed him by the arm as he passed, and Shepard inserted the chip into the system. EDIs blue icon immediately rose in a holograph port at the center of the room, the crew gathered round.
[Analyzing…. Shepard I have calculated this ships maximum output, also added the necessary files for the Turian Thanix Cannon and Alliance Heavy ship Armour have been entered into this ships database]
Tali nodded to Reegar who immediately set out with the others following them to analyse the upgrades.
"Are you sure the Alliance and that are cool with you throwing around their badass upgrades like this?" Jacob inquired. It had been a large topic of concern at the crew meeting that morning.
"Yeah…" Shepard sheepishly stated.
"You never asked did ya?" Jacob probed.
"Maybe…"
Garrus sighed. "Worst case scenario - there will be some powerful ships out there by the end of this".
"That's provided any of us survive" Miranda added.
Most of the crew went silent at the thought of this, the sheer pressure riding on each of them was suffocating.
"I want a ship" Jack stated eyeing up the Thanix Cannon projected from a nearby terminal.
"Me too" agreed a mesmerized Grunt.
"Mmmmm.. Calibrating" Garrus cooed.
Shepard sighed at the apparent children in her squad.
Shepard headed with Jacob, Miranda and Garrus to the Alliance building, Miss Wong was also in tow, looking very formal in a suit, you could see perspiration resting on her brow as the young woman was mildly dreading the meeting with Alliance brass. She who had aided the creation of the signal was now wanted by the Council under suspicion of leaking unapproved material to the masses, but Shepard needed her to get the story together – to inspire and move, and create the army she needed, to start the war she couldn't prevent.
The five of them entered the main lobby where an armed escort led them to the meeting hall. A bit over the top Shepard thought but seeing the media out front, the Alliance probably felt it their duty to put on a show of arms.
The doors to the hall were pushed open by two door guards, this room was on a different floor to the other, and looked from the outside a lot more formal.
As Shepard stepped through she instantly saw the room arranged like a courthouse, with the main Alliance figures at a panel up the front of the room, then a floor, then an arrangement of chairs set into a concave measure so all were able to see the floor in a half-moon shape.
Shepard was greeted with nods from many a person in the room, she instantly recognized her mom from her casual attire seated at the front of the house.
Councillor Anderson greeted her and indicated for her to step onto the floor.
The meeting was curt and the war plan declared, most ship captains were present and were issued dates to get their ships serviced by the Quanari Vessel, there was initially much displeasment to Shepard revealing of the Heavy Armour upgrade, with many eyes falling on former Alliance Soldier Jacob Taylor, who didn't show any hint of intimidation or remorse and was let of the hook, solely because of Shepards influence.
It was around half way through the meeting that Shepard felt a gaze lingering on her, it unnerved her – though not in a disturbing way. She became flustered, and struggled to keep attention on the conversation around her.
Anderson: "….Admiral Hackett what are your opinions on the not only equipping…."
Shepard scanned the crowd, the gaze burning through her.
Hackett: "The first fleet will be…."
Then she saw it - his eyes, golden in the lights. His stare deep and intense.
Kaidan noticed Shepard when she became aware of his gaze. He hadn't meant to stare with such intent it was just that after 2 years of never seeing her he felt like if he looked away she might disappear. So much of Shepard was fantasy for Kaidan, he wondered how a figure so strong, and so inspirational, could exist. A small smile broke the corner of his lips, a smile she returned.
His eyes burned into her with intent. She instantly felt her palms become clammy and her heartbeat quicken, god if it weren't for this meeting she'd run to him right now. And his smile… She felt her heart rise in her chest and her body become hot for him. She couldn't resist to return the smile.
Hackett: "… Do you agree Shepard?"
Anderson: "Shepard?"
Shepard hastily dropped the gaze, regaining herself thought the intensity of that brief moment still showed in her body, she could feel desire burning up inside her. She pondered at how innocent her body had become after 2 years, desire showed on her so easily, she could tell her face was flushed, god she felt like a teenager again.
"Yes Admiral that sounds fine" Shepard allowed. Clearing her throat from the lust lying in wait.
She hazarded took another look at Kaidan before the meeting closed, he was hiding the humor showing in his mouth with his hand, though his eyes gave it away. He knew what effect he had had on her, god he had felt it too, he prayed she would linger after the meeting so he could find her - he wanted to talk again after the night he went to see her in her loft, well he wanted more than just to talk.
Anderson closed the meeting and indicated for Shepard to follow him out through another door, as the others waited outside.
Kaidans eyes never left Shepards figure as the meeting was called to close. He frantically tried to keep lock on her as the many bodies occupying the room began to leave. He saw Anderson approach her, and indicate for her to follow, he set out to intercept the two…
Suddenly there was an arm on his shoulder.
He turned to see who it was, the N7 cap was the first thing he noticed, then the tanned wrinkled face, then the dark eyes that belonged to Hannah Shepard. "How about I buy you a drink Alenko?" She stated, not at all in a questioning manner. Alenko nodded his head hesitantly in agreement, afraid to make a fool of himself again, as she began to lead him out of the room he glanced around once again for Shepard but she was nowhere in sight.
Kaidan made himself as comfortable as possible given he was with Shepards mom in Flux. He had followed Hannah over to a more quiet part of the lounge where a small table and two chairs were adorned. Kaidan could feel the sweat forming on his brow as Hannah headed over to the bar to order the drinks. He watched her, so much of her was resembled in Shepard, her confidence, stance, and strength, but Shepard was so much more than just that. She had become an icon and a hero. Kaidan sat there wondering did Hannah have that same potential – she did not show weakness, she was as prepared as a Turian, and as strong as a Krogan, but she lacked something. Maybe it was something Shepards dad had given, Shepard had never spoken of her dad, Kaidan knew he was Alliance but still…
"Here ya go Kaidan!"
Hannah stated sliding the tall glass containing what he believed to be beer across the table surface. Without thinking he caught it, it occurred to him then that she had called him by his first name, dumbfounded he gave her a sideways glance. She noted this as she brought her glass to her lips.
"Come one Kaidee, were off-duty! There's no need to maintain formalities". Kaidan smiled briefly to help break the ice and his nerves were momentarily carmed. He lifted his glass and took a deep sip of the bitter liquid inside.
"… Besides, who knows one day we might be family"
Kaidan choked on the remaining liquid in his mouth and spluttered about in a coughing fit, causing a couple over at the table next to him to turn and stare. Hannah leaned across and offered a couple of heavy hits to his back to relive him from his coughing. They didn't help, and the red from the choking was intensified from the embarrassment of Shepard's mom calling him out.
"Barkeep another round over here!" Hannah called out, quickly sculling the remainder of her vessel.
Kaidan followed suit. It was going to be a long and painful night he thought.
"Firstly may I say how good it is to have you back on the Citadel Shepard, I know the Alliance and Council were initially hesitant to support you but I for one am glad you did what you did. Many more lives would have been lost if it weren't for you, and let me say – I won't make the mistake of not supporting you whole heartily again, I'm with you Shepard to the death if need be". Anderson remarked as he headed around the back of the desk, reaching down to collect a whiskey jug and two glasses.
Shepard briefly noted the room, it looked like an office, with a expensive looking wooden desk and a few bookshelves.
"Glad to hear it"
Shepard casually remarked as she headed over to the desk where Anderson was holding out the glass to her. She was beginning to wonder why the old man had asked her to come, it was not as though Shepard minded being around Anderson, in many ways he was not just a mentor or superior but a friend, and the closest thing she had ever had to a father.
Anderson headed over to the window behind the desk.
"I knew your father".
Shepard took the glass away from her lips without even drinking, momentarily shocked about the topic that had just been brought up. Anderson remained at the window with his back facing her, the bustle of the Citadel going past outside.
"He started in the Alliance Navy around the same time as me; we were both younger than, and stupid, always taking risks or showing off". He smiled at this.
"I didn't know him well, but I knew of him. Hell everyone did. That man could inspire a blind man to see and a crippled man to walk. Everyone in the Alliance knew he was going places – right to the top I thought. Then he met your mom. She was hard as nails. Woman were rare in the Navy back then and Hannah… well she always had something to prove or someone to best. She was a hell of a woman, and she still is".
Anderson stopped momentarily and went to the chair at his desk, leaning on it for support, the man was still fit for battle but you could tell his age was creeping up on him.
"Your father, Daniel – He fell for you mother at first sight, he was always encouraging the others to keep of her back and how she had just as much right to be there as any of them, and with it being your father and his charisma then soon believed it, and I guess somewhere along the line your mother fell for him too".
Shepard suddenly had a vague idea of where this conversation was heading and she didn't like it one bit, she had guessed that Anderson had figured out something was going on between her and Kaidan however she had not guessed that he knew where they hoped it was going.
"Anderson I…."
" No-one knew at first, they did a good job of keeping it secret. But then the truth got out and rumor spread like wildfire. At this stage I had bolstered rank and was high enough up to hear decisions made from the top with this sort of thing. Daniel was called in to a meeting".
"Fraternization was just as tolerated then as it is now".
Shepard lowered her head in disbelief. He knew.
"But your father made a choice, one that made the higher up's very regretful. He choose your mom. And that after the next scramble he would resign from the Navy to be with Hannah".
"But your father never made it back from that scramble".
"Your mother carried on, as hard as ever, 2 months later she applied for leave, 6 months later she returned with you and his last name – Shepard".
Shepard felt a weird feeling, one she hadn't felt in what felt like years, as a hot trickle of moisture cascaded down her cheek.
"Now I know I'm not your father, and I'm not sure if I have the right to say this, but Shepard let me give you a bit of guidance. We could have used a man like your father in times like these. Maybe he could have made a greater difference for us in this upcoming war. Love is ultimately selfish, and we can't afford to lose you".
Shepard was dumbfounded, her courier flashed before her, so much strife and overcoming of challenges. That could all soon be over.
Anderson rested the glass on the table then turned to face her before heading out the door.
"I won't report you Shepard, just make sure you know what your doing, there's a lot more at stake here than just petty romance".
Shepard heard the door shut and then stood their in silence.
Both Kaidan and Hannah had had more than their fair share of beers, and Hannah had decided it was time they moved on to whiskey. She sat with the short glass in hand.
"Have I ever told you about Janes father?" she drunkenly spoke.
Kaidan had had just as much to drink but it had less effect on him. She watched as the woman's eyes became lost in the golden liquid of the glass.
"You know you kinda remind me of him, tall and handsome. He was a great man! The best! He'd have to be, he won me over".
Kaidan watched as the woman smiled.
"…and now he's dead".
"He told me he loved me that night before he headed out on a mission, I knew he did and hell I loved him too, so so much. But I just laughed and gave him a kiss telling him to prove it! I remember thinking at that time, me and him against the world, doing missions together, exploring the world, then one day when our bodies were broken and useless we could finally settle down in the countryside".
She started laughing, it was a pained laugh that made Kaidan uncomfortable.
"And that was the last time I saw Daniel. That amazing man was destroyed and taken from me. And I never got to live my life with him".
She sculled the shot of whiskey in her glass and signaled the bartender to bring over the bottle.
"I didn't need him to proof it you know, I knew from every look he gave me that he loved me, but I was young and stupid and god do I regret that being the last thing I said to him".
"He never would have told me you know, how he threw away his courier to be with me, how this was to be his last mission. He probably never would have. I would have felt too guilty to allow it. It was only years later that I found out, he sure did prove his love."
Kaidan saw the emotion welling in the womans eyes as she sculled another glass.
"He's not gone though, our daughter – Jane, so much of him is in her. She has his eyes you know, those beautiful eyes. Anyways.. I had a point! Kaidan Alenko, that girl is all I have left of my Daniel, and you better take good care of her ya hear me?"
Hannah held fiercely onto Kaidans arm, her eyes drunk but determined.
"Yes Mamm". Kaidan answered with just as much meaning.
"Allrighty then, lets get back to drinking!"
Hi guysss and galls
Sorry I havent writen in agees, hopefully this huge chapter makes it up to you! I'm in my exam period at the moment but should be back into some serious writing within a couple of weeks~~~
Thank you for reading and please faviourite and review if you likeyy xoxo