Chapter 11
"Major Alenko."
Kaidan turned. Admiral Hackett pulled his jacket taut as he stood up from one of the Alliance hallway couches. Had he been waiting here?
"Admiral."
"How did it go?" Hackett glanced at the door behind Kaidan.
"Suspended."
Hackett drew in a sharp breath but gave a nod. "I suppose that's not unexpected."
Kaidan shrugged dropping his eyes. He could feel Hackett's eyes on him, but Kaidan didn't want to meet them. He waited. The admiral shifted on his feet then motioned down the hall.
"We can go. I'll walk with you a ways."
Their boot tapped on the marbled tiles as they walked side by side. Kaidan couldn't put enough distance between himself and that room. Admiral Wilson's face had been so red, Kaidan could have seen the color even in black and white. If you really could see someone's vein pulsing out of their forehead, Kaidan would have seen Wilson's. Flight Admiral Dumas and the others too, but better not to think of it now. Kaidan released a breath he'd been holding and tried to shake it off.
"I know what it must have been like," Hackett murmured.
Kaidan kept silent.
"How long?" Hackett asked.
"Thirty days."
Hackett stumbled but recovered his stride. "Thirty days?
"Yes."
"Then?"
"Reinstated," Kaidan said. "Probationary, I'm sure."
Hackett shook his head. "We're still trying to manage balancing an Alliance officer with being a Spectre. Only makes it muddier all crammed together on Earth in the same building. I think it would be safe to say that when in Alliance offices or the field talking to Alliance officers, you're Major Alenko. Outside of that with the civil government, Council, other races, you're Spectre Alenko."
"I got that," Kaidan said flatly.
"I imagine you did. But, uh … hold on, Major." Hackett stopped.
Kaidan took a deep breath and crossed his arms before turning to face Hackett. Not again. Kaidan couldn't handle it today. Hackett meant well Kaidan was sure, but he was done with it. Hackett regarded him levelly.
"They're threatened by the power the Council gave you. Intimidated by you and Shepard. And Shepard … she … well, she can rub people the wrong way, especially those in authority. Her celebrity, public image, Spectre status, they can't reconcile it with that of an Alliance Staff Commander and subordinate. For those that don't know her, it makes them defensive, reactive. They want to strike first, resolve a problem that hasn't become one yet." Hackett sighed but then gave Kaidan a weak smile. "And they like you."
Kaidan lifted his eyebrows with a snort and looked off.
"No, they do." Hackett gave Kaidan's arm a fatherly pat. "Trust me, they do but they're threatened. You're collateral damage to them. They know this whole thing was an anomaly compared to the rest of your service record, but they want to send a message. Just stay low. Do your duty to the Council, but around the Alliance, keep your head down. They'll forget this soon enough. Then compartmentalize the roles. You'll go far, Alenko, you will. Trust me. Admiral Wilson … well, several years from now, he may be taking orders from you or at least meeting you on more level ground. Maybe I will too." He smiled. "Hopefully retire before then though."
"And Shepard?" Kaidan asked.
"Same for her. She keeps her head down, big things in store for both of you."
Kaidan stared at the floor. "Right."
"Right," Hackett repeated. "Maybe you can use this time for something better. The Council could certainly use the help."
Kaidan nodded weakly and waited for Hackett to dismiss him. Hackett let him go.