Silence.
The vast Council chamber had before struck him as a hive of activity, grand speeches and the air of tedious administration.
Now however...everything was still, quiet...almost...serene.
Like a cathedral.
He shook the thought aside, spirituality was something to hide away in your heart, a sliver of hope to drive you, never to distract you.
Instead he focused upon his surroundings, on those beside him, noting their tension with an internal nod of understanding. Information given, awaiting Council decision, decision determining chances of pursuing Saren...tension justified given Council's previous reluctance. He himself felt...something...he pushed it aside. Not important.
The stands on the second level partly surrounding the round Council chamber were packed with administrators and people waiting to be heard by the Council...not to mention the odd reporter and political activist, the former now with hands hovering over electronic writing pads as they stared at the Council in breathless anticipation.
By the looks of especially the Turian councillor the Council wished for nothing more than that they had held the proceedings in a closed session. The Salarian was harder to judge, looking a bit restless, as if already having come to a decision and waiting for the others to catch up. As to the Asari...the matriarch was frowning and looking down through the window between them and the platform they stood on, as if the small garden beneath held the answer to their problem.
Someone coughed.
Then silence.
To his right Udina stood, the politician a shark in a deep pool by all accounts...and eyes nearly aglow with eagerness, a hint of teeth showing underneath his smile as he looked up at the Council. Useful, as long as one can keep him pleased, which might prove difficult in the long run, and he's untrustworthy. Still, potential resource, shared objective. Will support us if we succeed now, if not he might cut his losses.
To his left Anderson stood, the man too having a hint of eagerness in his eyes, his dress uniform slightly askew from the way he shifted when he was agitated. Noticing his look Anderson glanced back and nodded shortly, eyes warming just a bit. Mentor, less useful at the moment, but advice always good, has strong clout within the alliance, which is good if we succeed now, if not it will amount to nothing. Support is unwavering, will aid me until death, views me as the son he never had...which is undeserved, but useful. Shepard nodded back.
Then the Turian councillor shifted where he stood, a hand coming back to scratch his scaly head-fringe as his mandibles clacked against his cheeks in something close to exasperation. "This evidence is irrefutable."
"Irrefutable." The Salarian and Asari echoed, the blue one nodding, the insectoid craning his head to look at the others, waiting.
A pause, then the Asari too turned her head, looking to the Turian.
"I..." This time a sigh escaped the Turian. "...move for Saren Arterius to be stripped of his rank of Spectre, further, that he will be considered an enemy of the Council and all citadel races and nations."
A flash of a camera, a curious mutter moving along the spectator stands as the words sank in.
"Agreed." The Salarian nodded, three deft fingers already moving over the small computer console standing before him.
"Agreed." The Asari echoed, hand coming down solidly upon her own console.
Silence, then the mutter resumed on the stances as everyone watched the Turian councillor...whose hand was hovering over the console, yet unable to come down just yet.
Unsurprising. Michael had read what little data there was about Saren. He was considered one of the Council's finest Spectres, and while details didn't exist there was still enough speculations and stories for the Turian people to consider him a hero. Declaring him an enemy of the state will hurt him at home, refusing it will hurt him internationally, right or wrong secondary concern.
A slump of his shoulders...and the Turian's clawed fingers tapped his console thee times...
A small hum, almost like a choir high above...and it was done.
The mutter on the stands died out, though Michael could sense people turning glances at one another, unsure what it would all mean. He himself only nodded. Objective achieved, Saren a criminal, pursuit's the next objective. What resources they'll give the Alliance for such an effort? Or will it be a joint effort?
Silence was the only answer.
"That's all?" Udina growled, the smile of the ambassador dying, his glare withering as he eyed the three councillors. "We need more then that. We need him pursued and punished!"
"He is an exile now, without Spectre resources, authority, he can't even enter citadel space. He is no longer a danger." The Turian growled back with a dismissive gesture.
Reapers... The name clung to Michael, like a small metal barb in his brain, insistent and cold...making him shudder. "Incorrect sir." Michael straightened, keeping his tone calm and without judgement under the narrowed eyes of the councillor. Speak respectfully, give him room to manoeuvre. "The man you just removed from his position still holds great power, the command of the Geth and the great ship we saw on Eden Prime...not to mention being on a quest implying more destruction. Sir, with your leave the Alliance will gladly take on the responsibility of hunting him down."
The eyes of the Turian narrowed even further. Failure, regroup. "I bet you'd like-"
"Councillor." The Asari broke in, a quick hand landing on the hand of the Turian, a hand Michael now noted was digging into his console. Emotional on the issue, reasoning will be difficult with him. He let his eyes move over to the Asari, finding her calm exterior more to his liking. Moderating, can aid us in a compromise. "We understand the Alliance's position, but the Council cannot risk dragging the citadel into a battle with the Terminus systems due to one rogue person, whatever he might have been before."
"Neither can the Council let one of their member races be attacked and then let the criminal get away with it!" Udina growled, the anger boiling in his voice. "It will only show the Terminus Systems that they can get away with anything."
"The Alliance was made aware of that the Council could take no responsibility of what happened when settling colonies so close to the Terminus systems ambassador." The Turian snorted.
"Further, this is not a government or organisation within the Terminus system attacking." The Salarian jumped in, head cocked to the side. "This is a single individual commanding machines, and by stripping him of his rank we have already shown that one cannot get away with attacks on member species."
Udina snorted, head lowered as he muttered: "Yes, I'm sure he's really hurting..."
Agreed. Michael sighed, but kept pushing. Objective still attainable, continue. "Councillors, Saren Arterius commands an entire species of sentient machines." Reapers...he shook the shudder aside, blinking aside...something...as he continued: "And yes, you have in a sense attacked him...will he accept that silently? Is he the forgiving type?"
Michael already knew the answer to that, or at least, the answer the news-feed had in storage. Public media is unreliable though...as Elysium showed...which means this is taking a chance.
The hesitation of the Turian councillor was a good sign though. "We...no...no he's not."
"Geth threat is unknown, they are a minor faction as far as we know." The Salarian babbled, words nearly stumbling over one another before he took a deep breath. "It is, however, old data, they are capable of rapid construction of new hardware after all...or so our information tells us."
"Agreed." The Asari offered her Salarian colleague a nod, then turned her head to shoot the Turian a glance. Internal politics? Not enough data to work with it, observe only. "A fleet however is no option, it could not track down one man even if it wasn't flying into what could potentially turn into hostile territory."
Shepard felt his chest tighten, watching the Turian stiffen. No. "Then perhaps others of your Spectres? Asari Commandos? Special task groups?" Objective can be achieved with them, there is no need for me to become – he held back the swallow – no need...
"The Spectres are currently too few and too busy, commandos are not for detective work and the Special task groups are..." The Asari glanced at the Salarian, whose eyes seemed to have narrowed...though Michael found it hard to tell with that species. "...not that easy to call upon for a strictly Council matter. Perhaps-"
"No." The Turian growled, glaring at the Asari, hand moving in a dismissive gesture. "This is not the issue of our discussion, nor proper."
Then Anderson spoke, the old man's voice clear, yet holding a distinct tone Michael had learnt to associate as determination: "We demand action against Saren and the Geth, you will not give us either fleets or other forces. Council, give us something."
For the briefest of moments Michael felt a prick of anger. I don't... He squared his shoulders with a small grunt. Who else?Objective is too important to entrust to others, and the objective takes precedence. He looked down at his feet, feeling his hands ball into fists for the briefest of moments. Objective always takes precedence...
Looking up he realised silence had once again descended upon the chamber.
The councillors were exchanging looks, hands idly moving against their consoles as they exchanged messages...and then the Turian nodded with a small sigh. "Very well..." Michael found his eyes narrowing, the Turian didn't sound that resistant...
Then the Asari spoke, and Michael felt himself go cold. "Commander Shepard, step forward."
The briefest of pats on his shoulder from Anderson...and Michael found himself moving to the end of the platform, his body strangely refusing to regain its warmth as he heard the muttering around him, felt the eyes of all upon him...and his own doom approaching. Objective takes precedence, comply!
He stopped there, the Council looking down at him, an air of...nobility...suddenly surrounding them as they regally regarded him.
Remember the objective, personal feelings are unimportant.
The Turian inclined his head: "Kneel."
Michael slipped to one knee, his head bowing automatically, feeling light-headed...and allowed himself an indulgence, knowing the objective wouldn't suffer at the moment. God who art in heaven...
The Asari: "Spectres is the first line of defence of the Council, it's armed arm."
...hallowed be thy name...
The Salarian: "Spectres operate beyond the law, beyond jurisdiction, beyond morals."
...thy kingdom come...
The Turian: "They do what must be done, so others don't have to."
...thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven...
"A Spectre is an ideal."
...forgive me my trespasses...
"A shadow meant to light up the darkness."
...as I forgive those that trespass me...
"A saviour whose deeds will go unsung."
...and lead me not in temptation...
The Asari, her voice sombre: "Commander Shepard, arise, a Spectre."
...but deliver me from evil...
The Salarian, calm: "Commander Shepard, arise, a Spectre."
...Lord, have mercy...
The Turian, almost muttering the words: "Commander Shepard, arise, a Spectre."
Amen.
Shepard rose to his feet.
It felt...heavy.
Around him silence ruled.
People staring at him, Council regarding him, his allies at his back holding their breath.
All, waiting for something.
With a squaring of his shoulders Shepard shook off the lethargy, his head snapping up, lungs filling as he took a liberating breath. Objective; pursuit of Saren. "Thank you councillors, I will not let you down."
"While a Spectre largely acts upon his own volition the council is still able to offer assignments and give orders, I expect you to remember that." The Turian crossed his arms over his chest, eyeing Michael closely.
Michael bowed his head. "I will, sir."
"Your first assignment will be the tracking down and apprehending of Saren Arterius, former Spectre." The Asari spoke, her voice still carrying a sombre undertone. "If you are unable to apprehend him he is to be executed."
"I know..." Michael bowed his head again, feeling tired all of a sudden, then turned on his heel and began to march.
Ahead of him the two old men stood. Udina, smiling, full of their victory. A shark in every sense of the word, he'll prove useful, should watch him though. Anderson, smiling, beaming with so much pride that it hurt to watch. Pain is unimportant, he and his affection will prove useful, especially now that I need the alliance's help in pursuing Saren.
He brushed past them.
At the end of the platform the others waited.
Wrex, the Krogan nodding in approval, though why Michael couldn't tell. The mercenary had already insinuated his need for a new contract. Did good work in Chora's Den. Risk of being Saren's agent negligible due to aid at Chora's den. Seems loyal to more then just credits, though credits will suffice for job, will make him an offer if he pursues.
Garrus, the Turian nodding, his pointed teeth glittering in the light as he smiled, pleased. Can no doubt be coaxed into joining, might even insist. Crack shot, connections to C-sec might prove useful. Risk of being Saren's agent negligible due to aid at Chora's den. Will offer him to join instead of waiting for application, will show trust and admiration of his skills.
Tali, the Quarian standing a bit to the side, the silvery orbs in the purple visor watching him intently. Hacking expert, if her story is true also a good survivor, knows the Geth, and knowledge is vital. Hatred of Geth obvious, likely fear mixed with hatred of Saren, both motivating her to help, as do her wish to survive. Likelihood of being an agent of Saren non-existent due to his assassination attempts and the evidence she forwarded. Should none the less keep a watch over her.
Kaidan, the man looking pleased – yet thoughtful – even as he straightened and a hand automatically moved to salute. Too intelligent and ethical, questions orders. He follows orders despite them being questionable though, obviously skilled too, powerful biotic as well. Will keep him under command, but under supervision.
Ashley, grinning from ear to ear, eyes afire with glee as much as admiration. Wrongly admires me for the Skyllian Blitz, such admiration might prove useful though, maintain façade if able. Good fighter, crack shot, a bit too aggressive, must keep her in check or she'll...d...di...die.
He squared his shoulders, pushing his weaknesses aside as he with a head held high marched past the five, hearing them move to follow.
"...and I will not fail."
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Thanks to Abydos Jackson for her feedback.