Chapter 11
Everyone exited the Normandy once it was docked, and the crew went their separate ways. Some headed for their homes, others for the Citadel's clubs to take a load off, while others still had business to finish. Shepard and Miranda parted ways, and he jioned the Pallet group and Liara, who was preparing her data for the hearing. They then walked down the dock and to an Avina V.I. terminal. The purple and pink Asari-like hologram immediately popped up.
"Admiral Shepard," it began, "welcome back to the Citadel. The Council has already been notified of your arrival and are expecting you in the hearing chambers."
"Cool," Gary said quietly, admiring the holographic assistant.
"Thank you," Shepard quickly said. "Log out."
"As you say, Admiral." It's voice had always been almost sickeningly sweet to Shepard, always reminding him of the idyllic denial the denizens of the super station had lived in before the Reaper War. "Have a pleasant day." The hologram disappeared into the terminal on the floor. Shepard started walking without another word.
"Are those things all over the station?" Dawn asked as they started walking to the elevator.
"Yeah," answered Shepard. "Avina's a V.I. that helps people on the Citadel, usually just with directions, and you're gonna need her. The Presidium's like a maze."
"Wow," Dawn said.
"You all have seen nothing yet," Liara said with a smirk. The seven people got in the elevator, and Shepard pushed a few buttons. The elevator immediately took off, climbing at a very fast speed. The viewing window then opened, revealing a stunning alien community with elegant architecture, and many species, some of which the teens hadn't seen yet.
"I'm guessing this is the Presidium," Brock said without looking away.
"Yup," Shepard affirmed, "that's it. You'll have plenty of time to explore when we're done with hearing. Ash was admiring the view when he felt something grab his hand. Misty was holding it, and looking at him with ample excitement, though also appearing nervous. He slightly tightened his grip on her hand to show his consoling, and she responded by leaning against his shoulder. A voice was then heard over the quiet elevator music.
"In a breaking news story," said the newscaster, a male voice that sounded exactly like the ones from the big news stations back on Earth, "Admiral John Shepard and the crew of the famous Normandy dreadnaught have returned to Council space after being set on a new mission. Details are scarce, but Alliance officials say that their mission was a success. We will continue to report on this story as it develops." The elevator continued to rise until they reached a large chamber. The lighting was a muted purple and gray and trees and small garden displays were scattered throughout the elegant yet alien room. Many politicians of many races were scattered about the chamber speaking with each other in hushed tones.
"This is the Council chamber?" Misty asked as they stepped out of the elevator.
Shepard responded, "Yeah. Now, let me do the talking until they need you to, if they even do need you to." The whole group felt uneasy as they walked through the large throne room like chamber. Aliens and humans gave them unsettling glances and quietly spoke of them as they walked by. Ash got the distinct feeling that they may not be truly welcome.
"Is this how you're usually greeted, Admiral?" he asked.
"No, and that's what worries me." They continued what felt like a death march until they reached the base of a hearing platform, when they were stopped by a security guard in steel black and red N7 armor, similar to the one Shepard had worn when they reached Pallet.
"Admiral Shepard," he said, "good to have you here." The soldier looked fairly young, couldn't be more than thirty, had short blond hair, and a wide jawline. His voice was slightly raspy, like a smokers. He then saluted, and John simply played along. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Ryker Donovan, sir. Council agent. They are expecting you."
"Thank you, lieutenant. Excuse me."
"Sorry, sir," Ryker quickly stopped him, "but I must first verify your associates."
"What for?"
"C-sec pegged them as newcomers when they arrived, and I've been ordered to verify them. Nothing serious, it's just routine, sir." Shepard got a cocky look on his face that Liara immediately recognized.
"Lieutenant, these young people are with me. Put them through the system just like everyone else. Spectre authority." Donovan looked very surprised at Shepard's sudden control of the situation, and punched a few commands into the holopad he was carrying..
"Sorry, Admiral, it's just what we do here," he said with a light laugh. "The guys in N7 weren't kidding when they saw you know how to intimidate someone. I won't take up any more of your time, sir. You're all free to go."
"Good." Shepard led the group with his head held high as they walked up to the stairs to the hearing platform. As they approached, they heard the Council already in a heated debate.
The Salarian Counsilor spoke in heated tones to his compatriots, his large eyes and lizard like face contorted in a damning scowel, "This simply cannot be ignored! This is a matter of societal security for my people."
"We understand, Counselor," said the Turian, "and we're not ignoring it, but this Counsel has other pressing matters to attend to as well." Shepard smirked as he took the hearing stage in front of the Counsel, some things just never change.
"Are we interrupting something, Counselors?" he asked with a hint of condescension. The Counsel turned to see the hero that was addressing them.
"Admiral Shepard," Hackett, the human Counselor and former Grand Admiral of the human fleets said, "welcome back."
"Good to be back, sir," Shepard responded. Hackett was a grizzled old man, a white beard grew on his face and encompassed his entire mouth and jaw. Scars and wear showed on his face form his many years in the military. His voice was soft yet strong and useful in commanding bravado and inspiring soldiers of all races. He was also one of the people Shepard most respected. The Asari counselor then spoke in a voice both eloquent and elegant.
"Admiral Shepard, it's good to have you back. We were expecting you."
"Sounds to me like you were in the middle of something big."
"Counsel matters, Shepard," said the Turian, "nothing that immediately concerns you."
"Dash you all," the Salarian Counsilor interjected.
"Counselor, please," spoke the Quarian Counselor, a female in a grand and royal looking enviro-suit similar to Tali's, "this is not the time nor place." The Salarian appeared to simply stew at his post. "Now, Admiral, there is a matter we would like to discuss with you." She paused. "What exactly happened to you when you went through the Arghos Rho mass relay?" Politicians and diplomats had begun gathering around to spectate the hero of the galaxy's return. Shepard looked thoughtful for a long moment before speaking.
"Counselors," he began, "when my crew and I passed through the relay, we weren't quite sure what we were expecting." Liara joined him on the platform. "But when we made it to the other side, we found something that...well, you all will likely be very interested in." The tension was palpable in the chamber. "I'll get right to it. We encountered a Reaper." Gasps were heard throughout the chamber. The Councilors looked at each other with worried expressions when Hackett spoke.
"That's a dire claim, Admiral," he said. "Can you prove this?"
"Liara?" The Asari scientist stepped forward and activated her Omni-tool. She then sent the on screen information to the dashboards of the Councilors. It was footage of the Destroyer class Reaper's attack of Pallet and Veridian.
"This was taken moments after we arrived. The Reaper was already in the process of destroying the city, but we managed to take it down with the Normandy's Thanix cannons." The Council watched the footage in horror.
"Where exactly was this footage taken, Dr. T'Soni?" the Asari councilor inquired pensively.
"An alternate version of Earth, Madame. A very alternate version, at that."
"How so?" asked the Quarian. Shepard looked back at the teens who had until then been enthralled by the show of galactic politics and motioned for them to join Liara and himself. They gingerly complied. The Councilors were very surprised at the group of adolescent humans taking the stage, prompting understandable questions.
"Who are these young ones, Admiral?" asked the Salarian. Ash and company only grew more nervous. Liara glanced back at them with a reassuring grin as they stood side by side. Shepard responded first.
"Councilors, these are some locals of the alternate Earth we landed on. Introduce yourselves," he said. Gary was the first to step forward, an aura of confidence seemingly emanating from him.
"I'm Gary Oak. I'm an aspiring scientist." Dawn followed suit.
"Dawn Mayberlin," she said with a polite curtsy to the Council. "I too am a scientist in training." Brock stepped up.
"Brock Slate, gym leader." Then came Misty, all visible apprehension completely gone.
"Misty Waterflower, gym leader." Ash was last, his normal confidence returning to him in full stride. He stood in the middle of all his friends, human and alien eyes watched the whole group.
"My name is Ash Ketchum. I'm a Pokemon Master." More gasps and even some stifled laughter could be heard throughout the chamber. The Councilors just looked confused, until Hackett spoke.
"And, if I may ask, what is a Pokemon, Mister-uh-Ketchum?" Ash and friends smirked at each other, then opened their backpacks, each holding a red and white ball. Ash looked Hackett in the eye, and said "These, sir, are Pokemon." Ash's companions opened their pokeballs, and a burst of energy emitted from them, leaving strange animals in their wake. In front of Brock was a majestic fox with nine tails. Dawn had produced a penguin like creature nearly as big as herself". Its blue and steel visage made it quite the imposing beast. Gary's partner was a large black cat with yellow sigils on its back. A flying...thing with what appeared to be a crown like shape on its head now hovered above Misty, and Ash only needed to open his backpack for a large yellow mouse with red cheeks to pop out and rest on his shoulder. The chamber was alive with sounds of wonder. The Council themselves also appeared quite impressed.
"I guess these are Pokemon?" the Turian asked.
"Yes, sir," Ash replied. "And they're far from the only types. We know of somewhere around seven hundred back home."
"Fascinating," said the Quarian. Shepard was very pleased with how this meeting was going, far more so than usual.
"Councilors," he said, "there is much we still should discuss, if you have the time for it." The Asari then spoke.
"In light of these events, we most certainly will discuss your journey further. However, our meeting was just ending when you walked in, and there are other pressing matters we must see to today."
"I'm afraid," began the Turian, "we will have to meet again tomorrow, Shepard. But, in any case, well done on your mission. You and your crew should be proud." Shepard began to quietly seethe at the response he was given. Shrugged off yet again by the upper class, but that could wait.
"Thank you for your consideration, Councilors," he said politely. Hackett once again spoke.
"Shepard, before you go get some well deserved rest, I would like you to meet me in my office."
"Of course, sir." The Councilors then took their leave, leaving Shepard and his compatriots alone on the platform.
"Well," said Brock, "that went well."
"We have had worse," Liara retorted.
"Whatever the human councilor said sounded pretty important," Misty stated.
"His name's Hackett," Shepard clarified. "He was the Grand Admiral of the human fleet during the war, and then got promoted. I'm gonna see if I can get a few answers out of him."
"Good luck, Shepard," said Liara. "I'll get the kids some lodging for the night."
"Thanks, Liara. Guys, behave yourselves."
"We don't need a babysitter, Shepard," Gary said indignantly.
"Gary," Ash whispered, "don't encourage him." Shepard walked away with a smug smile.
The door opened revealing the executive office of Steven Hackett, who looked up from some documents on his desk.
"Shepard," Hackett walked over to the Admiral and shook his hand, "glad you came by." The older Admiral walked from his desk to shake the hand of the younger. "Sorry about the meeting. This whole month has been a mess."
"Care to enlighten me, sir?"
"That's why I brought you down here, Shepard." Hackett walked to the overlook at the back of his office that hung mover the Presidium. Shepard followed him and they both peered over the residential and market areas. "Lovely view, isn't it?"
"Definitely. I guess being a councilor isn't all bad."
"No, it's not all bad. In fact, it's fine most of the time. This is not that time."
"What's going on, Hackett?" The councilor turned to face the Admiral.
"Shepard, I know you're just being polite right now, but I know you want to know why yourself and your crew were sent on your assignment."
"I'm not the only one that wants to know."
"No doubt. Well, Shepard, I think you've more than earned an answer." He paused for a moment. "Ever since you took down the Reapers, the galaxy hasn't been more united, but not everyone is completely accepting of the new order."
"I haven't heard of any unrest or conflict in the last year."
"That's the point, Admiral, you weren't supposed to. What with the rebuilding of an entire galactic society, the Council thought that the many peoples of the galaxy had enough problems." Shepard's brow furrowed.
"So, there's something else going on."
"There's always something else going on, but what I'm talking about is more specific. John, for the last four months, pirate and raider activity has steadily increased in the Terminus systems. We figured initially that it was just lowly looters trying to make a quick buck while the people were venerable, but that has become far from the case." Shepard didn't like the sound of this. "Large merc and pirate groups are organizing in the Terminus, and the people out there are frightened. Their rate of expansion has been disconcerting. Both the mercs and civilians have started losing trust in the Council, and we've taken notice."
"This sounds like a military or C-Sec operation. What did this have to with my crew?"
"The Council needed to show that, even though we're thin spread trying to fully rebuild, we still have power and a presence, and they figured that sending the legendary Normandy team back out into the stars was the best coarse of action." Shepard was growing angered. His face and mannerisms showed it.
"And here I thought we had done enough to have the Council release its favorite attack dogs," he said with a glare.
"Remember, Admiral, I was against the idea, but I was outvoted. I know what you think of the Council, and now that I'm a part of it, I can say that almost all of it is entirely justified, but you and I both do need to think of the bigger picture."
"I would just like to know when we can be released. The only reason everyone came back was because it was mandated by your committee. I'll be honest, not one of them, including myself, wanted to come back, but we did it anyway, and I'm damn sure they're not done with us yet." Shepard's intense delivery left Hackett unphased.
"I'm well aware, John, believe me. And you're right, they're not done yet."
"What is it now?" Shepard said, feigning respect.
"No doubt you noticed the Salarian councilor was rather...perturbed?"
"I did."
"That's because a matter he claims is dire came up just before you came back."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"Technically, no, but I'm going to do it anyway." Shepard couldn't help but crack a smile. "A group of STG scientists were working on a top secret project allegedly connected to the disappearing vessels in Arghos Rho, but contact was recently lost."
"Deja vu, much?"
"Definitely. You're very used to these sort of missions, but this one might just be different. The last transmission mentioned a large breakthrough in the project, which got the rest of the Council, including myself, interested." Hackett handed Shepard a holo-tablet with information regarding the subject on it, including the transmission. He glanced though it, but it didn't reveal too much.
"Seems rather vague, Hackett. You sure this is good info?"
"Positive. It came directly form the STG system, and it was fact checked multiple times. It's good."
"Should I tell my crew about this new assignment?"
"If you want, but it's not confirmed yet. I suggested throwing a few corsairs at the problem, really to get you out of it. They weren't very for it, but I'll try to push it one more time. I don't want to see you all back out there."
"Thanks, Steven." Shepard shook his hand.
"Don't thank me yet, John. You might yet find yourself putting on the Alliance fatigues again."
"I'll keep it in mind. Anything else, sir?"
"That'll be all, Admiral." The two men saluted each other. "Don't think your contributions have gone unnoticed, Shepard. You're still a living legend."
"That's why they won't let me go," Shepard said as he left the office, his orange scars slightly glowing.
