Chapter 20

"Forays into Council space have been extensive from the Terminus sector," the Alliance admiral said leaning forward heavily on the glass lectern. He waved an arm at the galaxy map projected overhead. "Two salarian colonies have been utterly destroyed per the Council report. In light of this, the Council had gifted Orian Station near the border of Terminus space and near one of the key relays. Efforts to stabilize the sector, reestablish relay communication and travel will be an Alliance priority pending restoration of the Sol and Arcturus relays."

Shepard shifted in her chair and strained to see through the rows of heads. She'd seen Hackett enter earlier. If Kaidan really was sitting him it must be somewhere in the first few rows. An Alliance captain Shepard only vaguely knew sat next to her and leaned over in a whisper.

"Take years to set up near the Terminus system and get that relay back up," Captain Urris said. "Council should be handling this themselves, right? Or the salarians?"

"We have colonies out there," Shepard murmured. "I'm sure more than the salarians are getting the brunt from those slavers."

Captain Urris kept her voice low. "I'm sure, Commander. Just seems like we're trying to be Galaxy Marshall and Protector for the Council. No offense."

"None taken." Shepard shrugged.

"Are they going to use Spectres over that way?"

"Can't see why. Not enough of us to throw away on the Terminus System."

The presentation segued into terrorism suppression. Mention of the spike in mercenaries working for special interest groups made Shepard's eyes flash up to the map of the Terminus System. An idea started percolating. Maybe something worth mentioning. Admiral Wilson was around, she'd seen him come in. She supposed any ideas had to go through him now.

The overview seemed to go on forever. Speakers presented on inter-human nation relations, rebuilding efforts, the relay, the alien evacuation, and relief efforts. The Alliance did seem to have some lofty goals. If things worked out and the Council didn't rock the boat, the Alliance could end up being the power behind the throne. Flight Admiral Dumas grinned taking a seat in the front row after his blip on Council collaboration. The whole damn Admiral Board, or the ones she could see, seemed rather smug. The giant screen flickered overhead with forecasts and bullet points as hundreds of Alliance yes-sirs bobbed their heads to the presentation.

The presentation ended with the prerequisite reception of brown-nosing and elbow-rubbing. At least, this one had drinks. Glass patio doors opened onto a manicured lawn surrounding with a reflection pool rippling with a marble fountain in the center. Leafy hedges bordered white pebbled pathways shirting the lawn to the back where a long bar had been set up. Admiral Cicero turned to her as she approached. He lifted a drink off the glass bar, eying her with a quick up and down, and inclined his head.

"Commander."

The Alliance brass were out in numbers as to be expected. The lowest ranking officer here was … well, it was probably her. There was Admiral Wilson. Shepard made eye contact with down the bar and started forward. A woman moved aside but then stopped with a smile to shake Shepard's hand.

"Commander Shepard," she pushed black hair behind her ear.

The uniform marked her as a science officer. Maybe she wasn't the lowest rank here then. The woman seemed familiar.

"Alicia Mason," she said.

"Ah, right," Shepard said. "Good to see you again. Your brother's here too?"

"Commander." Admiral Wilson came up beside them. Apparently, the eye contact had been enough to beckon him.

"Admiral." Alicia saluted him then turned back to Shepard. "No, unfortunately, he's been busy lately."

"That so?" Shepard said.

Wilson squinted at Alicia maybe trying to place her. It made Shepard smirk when his eyes widened.

"Councilor Mason's daughter, am I right?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," she said.

He suddenly stood up straighter and turned to fully face her. "Lieutenant Mason's efforts in Tokyo and Prague have been extraordinary. That, and Councilor Mason's work on the Council. You have an extraordinary family, Officer."

Alicia's smile had a strained quality on her otherwise flat face.

"Admiral, you know she's receiving the Council's Caduceus Honor at the Summit's opening ceremony."

Wilson glanced at Shepard then looked back quickly at Alicia. "Of course, the whole family. Your contributions are as valuable. I didn't mean to suggest otherwise."

Alicia gave a grim nod and shook Shepard's hand. "See you there, Commander. Honored we'll share the stage."

As she retreated, Wilson frowned. "Too bad the lieutenant couldn't be here. He's been upset over that botched attack on the Blue Sons last week. We'll get them eventually though."

"Where's he tonight?" Shepard asked.

"Couldn't say. Should have been here. He's been busy with Council duties though. He's an important link between the Alliance and Council."

Shepard almost rolled her eyes but Wilson was watching her. If the admirals really cared about linking the Alliance and Council, it seemed like their human Spectres would have a little more value.

"Did you need to speak with me, Commander?" Wilson asked.

It broke Shepard out of her reverie. Her mind flashed back to the Terminus presentation.

"Actually, sir, I wanted to suggest something. The overview started with a focus on the Terminus System. Perhaps I could speak to the Admiral Board. I have a suggestion that could solve a few of their problems."

"Being?"

"Aria T'Loak."

"The mercenary queen?" Wilson's gave a pinched look and folded his arms.

"Let me talk to the parliament. Send her and her people to the Terminus System along with our ships. She's bored. Her mercenaries –"

"Those that aren't working for terrorists."

"Even those that are," Shepard said. "Give the mercenaries something to do and somewhere to go. They won't be working for the terrorists, and they'll be out of our hair."

"They'll be working for Terminus system pirates and slavers instead."

"Not if they work for us. It worked during the war. Omega's gone, but Aria still wants to be Despot of the Terminus system. Give her what she wants – a trip there, some independence, importance again- she'll help us stabilize the sector."

Wilson drummed his fingers on his elbows still folded tight across his chest. He sighed.

"I suppose, I could find a time for you to speak to Parliament about it. I doubt they'd consider working with a crime lord, but you're persuasive. It's not an impossible idea."

"Thank you," Shepard said.

Wilson regarded her for a moment and the small smile had a hint of warmth. "I think we'll be able to work together well enough, Commander. Continue to go through me and not reach over my head, and I'll make sure you're heard."

Shepard watched with a slight smile as he crossed the lawn leaving her by the bar. Perhaps she could work under him. They'd both had the air knocked out of them with the attack on the Normandy.

Admiral Cicero and some other officers swallowed her up in discussion. Shepard listened absently to a discourse on how to respond to the Rachni activity reported near Palavin. Her eyes couldn't help wandering around the garden over Admiral Cicero's shoulder. A galactic map marked with sectors and key talking points stood across the lawn near the building. Dim lights glowed in the black velvet board signifying different star systems and clusters. It ran the length of the outside wall. Officers milled along it pointing out highlighted sections, probably areas discussed in the presentation. Kaidan stood silhouetted in the scattering of stars. Hackett clutched a drink standing at Kaidan's elbow and waving vaguely up at the map. Shepard took a long drink of her wine and pushed around Admiral Cicero with a flashed smile.

The reflecting pool's coy twisted in figure-eights along the marble rim as Shepard moved toward the sparkling map. A pair of officers sat on the fountain edge discussing turian politics and nodded at her with a smile as she passed. Shepard slowed nursing her drink and waited until Hackett broke away leaving Kaidan staring up at the map. The last sip of wine rolled around on her tongue as she slipped through the grass up behind him. He crossed his arms and turned abruptly. He collided into her.

"Whoa." Shepard grabbed his arms.

His eyes widened, and he stumbled back a step.

"Close one." Shepard held up her wineglass for him to see. "Good thing it's empty."

He glanced at it with a strained smile. As his eyes settled on her, the edges of his lips seemed to lose their tightness.

"Hey, Shepard," he said then waved at her empty glass. "You can spill on me. You're doing my laundry anyway."

Shepard narrowed her eyes at him.

"Think again, Alenko. It wasn't a standing offer."

Kaidan gave her a warm smirk and shrugged. "Guess it's good your glass was empty then."

"How you feeling?" Shepard asked.

"Ah," Kaidan said with a soft chuckle. "You mean, after you threw me across the room?"

"Only part way," Shepard corrected.

"And now, you renege on doing my laundry," Kaidan said. "My feelings are hurt, Shepard. But, uh … my head is fine. Thanks for asking."

"Good. To show how contrite I am, I promise not to throw you around again. At least, for tonight. And long as you're well behaved."

"Lot of dependent clauses in that promise, Shepard." Kaidan grinned. "You know, now I'm not seeing double of you, you're a lot less intimidating."

"Knew there was a reason to keep the clone."

"She could be at the Council meeting. You could be napping."

"That assumes one precludes the other. Some of my best naps have been in the back row of the Council Chamber."

"Shepard." Kaidan smiled. "That's classic comedy vid material. You're getting called on, and you won't know the question. Inevitable."

"If they call on me, I'll weave in a plug for restoring the krogan's relay. Joke's on them."

"A natural politician."

Shepard bumped his arm with her shoulder. "Hey, now my feelings are hurt. Remember those dependent clauses, my friend."

Kaidan grinned goofily and pointed a finger at her. "Next time you're getting one of your best naps in, I hope Admiral Dumas sits down right next to you," then he added, "my friend."

Shepard smiled into his face. She looked back over her shoulder at the bar. "What do you want to drink?"

"Now?" Kaidan checked the time. "Probably water. Already had a couple."

"Responsible."

Kaidan shrugged. "I like remembering my conversations with you."

Shepard's eyes strayed to Admiral Hackett standing with a group of Alliance brass in the presentation hall. Flight Admiral Dumas stood in the group watching her with a sharp intensity. Hackett and Wilson followed his cold stare. She gave them a tight smile, inclined her head, and turned to face Kaidan putting her back to them. Kaidan eyes were fixed over her shoulder though. A mirthless smile pulled up on his lips, and he tilted his head at them.

"Think we'll make the morning's Alliance gossip rags?" Shepard whispered.

Kaidan nodded again with the same fixed smile at someone behind her before his eyes dropped to hers. "Maybe front cover."

"Front cover? Well, then. We could make it really juicy. I touch your elbow for a lingering five seconds, let the toe of one boot graze yours. The scandal."

"Actually," Kaidan's eyes shifted over her shoulder again, "they might like that. Might be best to just talk later."

"Eh," Shepard shrugged. "Hackett already kissed both cheeks and crossed me. Said I could investigate the Summit terrorists with you."

"Didn't sprinkle you with holy water, though. I doubt he wants us drinking and talking about anything other than terrorist." Kaidan held her eyes for a moment and flashed a full smile before taking a step back.

"Kaidan," Shepard said and stepped after him.

"It's past midnight.," he said. "Besides, something woke me up at three o'clock. I didn't have a council meeting to get caught up napping."

Shepard rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll give you that one, but look, don't run off. We can talk terrorists. I love talking terrorists. And I'm done drinking." Shepard turned her glass upside down. "Gone. See?"

"I need to go." He smiled at her and walked backward. "We need to figure out a plan for the terrorists' meeting. We'll talk again."

Shepard sighed. "Fine."

She watched him turn down the white graveled path and walked through the patio doors. He saluted Hackett and the other brass as he passed. The black velvet map sparkled beside her against the wall. She turned and looked up where Kaidan and Hackett had been pointing. The Terminus System.