Joker sits in the silence of the cockpit, with the comms from the Debriefing Room in his ear. The team is debriefing and he listens in to learn the results of Virmire. Meanwhile, the Normandy essentially idles, albeit drifting at just under 1500 K, moving toward the only relay in the Hoc system.

He hears the sound of Shepard's voice. "Why did you arm the nuke before receiving direct orders?" She sounds furious.

"I had to, Ma'am." Kaiden says. "The mission was in jeopardy."

Joker hears the sounds of Shepard pacing. "We had time, Lieutenant. We could have..."

Garrus interjects. "Commander." He says, his voice carrying its unusual Turian cadence even over comms. "Lieutenant Alenko is right. We barely made it out of there. The geth were surrounding us."

Kaiden adds, "I told you to save Williams."

"I don't take orders from you, Lieutenant!" Shepard barks back. "I should not have had to choose! Soldiers fall in battle. That's fact. But they shouldn't be sacrificed due to someone's insubordination."

Silence follows.

Shepard speaks again, in a much softer tone. "I apologize, Alenko... Vakarian… You're right. You're both right. Saren must be stopped at any cost."

Kaiden is the first speak up. "Thank you, Commander. And… Thank you for saving my life."

Joker's breath catches and his heart sinks at hearing the news. He never knew Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams well, but he knew she was one hell of a soldier. He listens as Liara offers to help Shepard decipher the message from the beacon she found on Saren's base. Liara quickly surmises that the Conduit is on Ilos. Shepard's team debates the pros and cons of visiting the Terminus Systems under the banner of the Alliance and the leadership of a spectre. Shepard has the final word: "We're setting course for the Mu Relay. Everyone should check in with Dr. Chakwas and get some rest. Dismissed."

"Joker." Shepard radios him personally. "Did you get that?"

"Course is set." Joker responds. "We're on our way to Ilos."

"Good." Shepard says. "Inform me the moment we are within range of a comm buoy. I need to report to the Citadel Council."

"There's one available now." Joker says. "Patching it through."

Shepard turns the radio feed off on her end. She has always kept her correspondence with the Council private from her subordinates. Joker tries to clear his mind with music and stumbling around on the extranet. The meeting must not last long because Shepard radios him soon thereafter.

"Joker." She says.

"Ma'am?"

"Ambassador Udina wants us to report back to the Citadel first. The Council's massing a joint species fleet to deal with Saren and his geth. Looks like they're finally listening."

"Took them long enough," Joker agrees.

"Set course for the Citadel. I want the Normandy at the head of that fleet."

"Aye, Aye, Commander."