Chapter 10

Shepard strode down the hall to the exit. The HQ lawn peeked through the windows as she neared She'd check again. The Alliance hallways bustled with officers off to meetings and planning assignments. The comm buoys were starting to come online.

Palavan had finally learned of the Primarch Victus's death. Shepard had read the Spectre report. Another poisoning, though there was no doubt biotics were involved. Apparently, you needed a wheel house of tricks if your job was killing people without advertising the fact it was hit. The news channels hadn't announced it as an assassination, but Alliance intel and the Council knew.

The exit doors slid open to gray skies and a puddled lawn. Shepard stopped short in the doorway with a smile. She'd finally caught him. He stood with a man and woman down the walkway in the gardens. Admiral Hackett turned to her as she neared.

He sighed. "Commander Shepard."

The wind whipped her hair back as she splashed across the leaf-strewn walkway. She stopped in front of Hackett. Two Alliance officers stood next to him.

"Commander Shepard?" said a blonde-haired officer.

He looked like a celebrity vid star, though his hair was thinning a little on the crown. There was something familiar about him as he snapped her a salute. The dimpled, dark haired woman next to him followed the motion. Shepard gave a quick return salute, but she wasn't here to meet random officers. She turned to Hackett.

"Maybe we should meet in my office, Commander," Hackett said.

"Out here's fine."

She knew he walked in the Memorial Gardens during lunchtime. Rows of granite slabs emblazoned with plaques of names spread out towards a beach cliffside in the distance. All those times checking the garden in between meetings, and she'd finally caught him.

"I'm Lieutenant Phil Mason." The man put his hand out.

Shepard absently pumped his hand then paused. She turned to look at him, then to the woman.

"The Councilor's son and his daughter, Science Officer Alicia Mason." Hackett nodded.

"Here visiting my mother's plaque," Alicia said.

Shepard nodded solemnly. "The Tin Star, I remember. She was a damn fine captain. Sorry to hear about that."

"The Blue Suns will pay," Hackett said lightly. "Eventually."

Lieutenant Mason gave a tight smile. "I don't dwell on that. But, Commander Shepard, the things you've done. It really is an honor."

"You're a hero yourself, "Shepard remembered. "The Battle of Bulgle. Excellent work, Lieutenant. Heard you'll be recognized at the Summit."

"Alicia, too," Phil nodded at her. "Helped in the Fischer evacuations. Evacuated hundreds of researchers and clerical staff. Almost single handedly."

Shepard gave Alicia smile. "Science officer with a gun then? Met a few of those. Impress me every time. Couldn't have cured the genophage without that recovered data and the researchers from Fischer."

Alicia's face hardened. Her smile seemed forced as she tipped her head in acknowledgement.

"Didn't realize that data was used for the genophage."

Shepard tried to smooth her frown at the comment. The genophage cure did have its opponents, though maybe it was just aliens in general this woman didn't like. They exchanged a few more pleasantries before the officers took their leave. Admiral Hackett turned to Shepard with a sigh. He pulled his overcoat tighter. The gray skies drizzled over them.

"Do anything for the holidays, Shepard?"

"Would've liked to take my ship out for a spin."

"Maybe that's something you should discuss with Admiral Wilson." Hackett started back to the Alliance building. "You seen the new formal Alliance gardens to the west? Plan to hold functions there next summer, I believe."

Shepard stepped in beside Hackett. "Come on. You've avoided me for months."

"Holiday recesses, Shepard."

"And Barcelona …"

"A lot going down in Europe, Shepard. If you catch the vids."

"I know. Terra Firma."

"They're planning something. Something big."

"Sir," Shepard growled. Hackett frowned, and she softened her tone. "Please. Admiral Wilson will hardly talk to me. He's let my crew roster hang in limbo. I'm going to lose the people I've trained. What's the hold up? I'm going to Council meeting after council meeting, going over resource budgeting in Alliance conference rooms. I'm asked for strategic input on projects I'm not allowed to actually be involved in. I'm twiddling my fingers here. If the Alliance can't use me …"

Hackett stopped. "Okay, Shepard. You know the Council and Alliance have been at a stalemate on things. They're coming to the point where they either need the Mass Shard or the relay sits there half finished. Trust me. Admiral Wilson will be sitting down with you in the next few weeks. That's what I know. I really shouldn't be telling you anything. You report to Admiral Wilson, not me. But, I imagine that's why you caught me out here."

"If someone saw me in your office, I didn't want Admiral Wilson storming down to collect me."

Hackett sighed.

"What about this XO I've been assigned? Man's been trailing Wilson and the Flight Admirals around to all their meetings. I've hardly spoken to him."

"Wait another week or two. You'll get your marching date, Commander." His tone seemed final. He gave her a pat on the arm and walked away to headquarters.

The message light flashed on Shepard's Omni-Tool. She pulled her eyes away from Wilson's retreating back and punched it up with a frown. Just Miranda again. Shepard punched out a quick message putting her off again and sent it. Shepard was tired of being poking and prodding. She could just catch Miranda later. The Council hearings were starting soon. The one on Rachni activity might actually be worth sitting through.