Chapter 11

Thoughts of speaking in front of the Counsel kept Shepard awake that night. When her vid com beeped she was happy for the distraction even given the late hour.

When it was Liara's face that appeared, the relief she felt pricked the back of her eyes. She sank into her chair heavily. "Liara. You're a sight for sore eyes."

Liara frowned, "What is wrong with your eyes?"

Shepard smiled and waved her hand in dismissal. "Nothing, just an old human saying. It means I miss you."

Liara smiled softly, "I miss you too. Did I wake you?"

"No. I'm meeting with the Counsel tomorrow and I couldn't sleep."

"I don't think I've seen you sleep a good night's rest since we met."

"That's probably true," Shepard smiled wearily. "How are things on Thessia?"

Liara sighed, "Moving slower than I'd like but we are making some progress."

Shepard was quiet a long moment. Finally Liara said softly, "What are you thinking?"

There was too much to say really and any amount of it would only serve to make Shepard sound needy or make Liara feel guilty, so instead she said simply, "Just that I miss you and that I hope I can… see you soon."

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As Shepard was escorted to the Counsel meeting along with Hackett and several armed Alliance soldiers led by Ashley the following day, it occurred to her that she had no idea who made up the Counsel anymore. The last she knew the Salarian Delatross had been ousted by her own people after her rejection of the genophage cure efforts and Ashley had killed Udina ending his attempted coop. The Turian and Asari counselors had been alive when the final assault on the Reapers began, but she had no idea if that was still the case.

As they approached the entrance to the Embassy Tower their progress slowed. An extensive crowd had gathered, presumably for a glimpse of the Savior of the Galaxy. A force of C-Sec officers guarded the entrance and made way for their party. At the door they were greeted by a stocky officer with a crew cut that Shepard recognized immediately.

"Sorry for the commotion Admiral," the officer said in a gruff voice. "Once word got out that the Counsel was convening today I think most folks were able to guess the reason."

"Commander Bailey," Shepard said with a warm smile, "it's good to see you alive and still in charge of this place. What's left of it anyway."

Bailey returned her smile with a tight one of his own and shook her hand. "I could say the same to you Captain. We should catch up later, but for right now lets get you inside. Crowds make me nervous."

The C-Sec officers parted, holding back the throngs of onlookers so Shepard, Hackett and Ashley could enter. The Alliance soldiers remained outside to bolster the C-Sec forces.

Once the doors closed, the noise from outside was instantly gone and was replaced by the calming sounds of a nearby fountain and faux nature.

Ashley rolled her shoulders as if shrugging off the mob outside, "So this is what it's like to be famous."

Shepard shrugged, glancing back at the doors. "I guess."

"Lucky you," Ash responded sarcastically.

"Lets go. The Counsel is waiting," Hackett urged.

They walked up the steps to the dais where the Counselor podiums stood. A Salarian clerk was the only other person in the room, working the control panel. He glanced up at them only briefly as his three fingered hands skipped across the panel with efficient movements.

"Greetings," he said. "This will be a closed Counsel session. All of the Counselors will be attending remotely via vid com."

"Even if they were here, they'd appear via vid com," Ash mumbled to Shepard. "They're afraid for anyone to know where they are these days."

Shepard nodded as all three of them stood at attention with their hands clasped behind their backs.

When the first Counselor appeared, Shepard smiled and nodded at the familiar figure of Asari counselor Tevos. Tevos bowed and smiled in return. She was quickly followed by another familiar figure, the Turian counselor, who Shepard immediately recognized as Tarquin Victus, Primark of Palaven. He was followed by the fattest Salarian she'd ever seen. But it was the last figure to appear that was the most shocking. The human representative rezed in last and her image left Shepard stunned. Standing to the far left in the human counselor position was none other than Admiral Hannah Shepard, her mother.

Hannah Shepard was roughly the same height and build as her daughter, but the resemblances stopped there. Her hair had been blonde in her youth but was now mostly a distinguished gray, her eyes hazel and sharp. She was dressed in her Alliance dress uniform and standing with her arms behind her back. When she looked at her daughter, her angular face softened into a smile, lines around her eyes appearing.

"Mom?" Shepard said, too startled to remember where she was.

Ashley's jaw dropped open, looking for one Shepard to the other before shaking her head and returning to attention.

"Jess," Admiral Shepard said, "it's so good to see you. I'm sorry to spring this on you but everything has happened rather quickly."

Shepard nodded, barely recognizing the use of her first name. The only other person who used it was Liara and even then only rarely and in private.

"Captain Shepard," Tevos spoke. She bowed her head towards Shepard again in welcome. "We are all very pleased to see you alive and well."

Shepard mentally shook herself from the shock of seeing her mother and squared her shoulders. "Counselor Tevos, it's good to see you as well. And Primark Victus, I'm very pleased to see you survived the invasion. I'm certain the people of Palavin are better for it."

"The feeling is mutual Captain Shepard," the Primark said.

"This," Tevos motioned to the large Salarian next to her, "is Delatross Pravia, the Salarian Counselor."

Shepard nodded in greeting.

"It is a great pleasure to finally meet in person the human Spectre I've heard so much about," the Salarian spoke in a raspy voice. "It's not often one meets a legend."

"You honor me, Delatross Pravia, but I am just a soldier. I have done what anyone would have done."

"On the contrary Captain, we have read your debrief," Tavos spoke again. "You have done what no one else was able to do in countless centuries. You have destroyed the Reapers."

"With respect Counselors, it took all of us to defeat the Reapers. The millions across the Galaxy that died had as much a hand in our success as I did."

"Regardless your ability to bring peace and collaboration to species locked in centuries of conflict was something I had the privilege of witnessing first hand," Victus said. "What you achieved was remarkable Captain."

"And it is something the Galaxy is in need of again I'm afraid," this time, her mother's voice, sounding strong and official. "I'm sure Admiral Hackett has filled you in on some of the events that have transpired since the Reaper defeat. Conflicts have arisen out of desperation, lack of leadership, and post-war chaos."

Shepard nodded, "Yes, I've heard."

"The galactic peace is very delicate we are finding. Memories become short once the shared enemy is defeated," Victus said.

"And the lost and misguided are vulnerable to the influence of those who do not share our vision of Galactic peace," the Salarian wheezed.

"I understand that you have already encountered one of the galactic terrorist organizations first hand. It was you who disrupted the Redeemer attack here on Thessia just a few weeks ago when they made an attempt on Dr. T'soni, was it not?" Tevos said.

"I learned of the Redeemer threat to Dr. T'soni soon after recovering, yes," Shepard admitted.

Tevos smiled, "I wish you would have made your presence known Captain. I would have rolled out the heroes welcome for you personally. Next time perhaps."

"Your return to health is fortuitous for all of us Captain," the Salarian continued. "In a few short months the one year anniversary of our victory over the Reapers will be at hand. We want to mark this occasion with a great celebration of our unity."

"And the introduction of a fleet who's sole purpose is to foster and maintain this peace," Victus pronounce.

"It will be a small but powerful fleet of elite representatives from all species who are willing to participate. A combination of military and scientific support under the guidance of the Counsel and significant contribution from the Alliance and other military fleets."

"The only thing we are missing," Victus began, "is a leader. Someone with experience bringing species together, but also with the backbone to make the tough decisions when needed. Someone that commands the respect of people across species. Someone like you, Shepard."

The Counselors looked at her expectantly. Shepard was looking at the floor, her brow furrowed. She rubbed at the scar above her eye. Decisions. What would they think of her ability to make tough decisions if they knew the choice she was forced to make to end the war. Finally, she looked up.

"Counselors," she began quietly, "you honor me with your support and your…offer." She paused, her jaw working as she tried to contain the sudden burn of anger rising in her. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being manipulated once again. It made her want to vomit and break into a blood rage all at once. "However…" she said instead, "I hope you will understand if I don't not accept immediately."

Victus and Tevos glanced at each other with concern.

"While you have all had months to come to grips with what has occurred since the Reaper defeat, I've barely had weeks. And, with all due respect, before that, I spent years trying to convince the Counsel to prepare only to be ignored. I request some time to consider what you have purposed."

The Counselors glanced at each other, finally Tevos gave a slight nod. "Having been on the Counsel the longest of my colleges, I shoulder some of the blame for our past delay. It is doubtless that hesitation cost lives. Take the time you need Captain, though we will need to know your decision soon. Please understand it is lives across the galaxy that we are now trying to save, presently and in the future."

Shepard nodded, "Thank you Counselors."

Tevos nodded graciously, "No, thank you Captain."

With that the counsel session was at a close. The Counselors rezed off one by one, until Hannah Shepard was the only one left.

"Jess," she said, "I hope you can find the time to come see me on Earth. It would be good to visit after so long and… so much."

Jess Shepard and her mother had often butted heads in her youth, both too similarly stubborn to get along. Hannah Shepard was a by the book soldier and didn't offer the gift of warmth as much as the gift of discipline to her daughter.

So it was a rare thing to hear uncertainty in her mother's voice. Shepard smiled, "I'd like that."

Hannah Shepard nodded to Hackett and Williams and then disappeared.

Ashley shook her head. "I can't believe you actually said 'with all due respect'."

Shepard cast her a sideways smile as they walked out, "Yeah, I threw that one in there for you."