A few hours later, the Normandy and the David Anderson had returned to Earth and David was brought in front of the Admiralty Board in London. They were discussing the recent turn of events that happened in just the past few days, naturally there was an empty seat where Admiral Stevenson would have sat.
"Lieutenant Shepard, acting commander of the Normandy, we have gone over the report that you have sent," said Admiral Armstrong. "I assume that it is correct."
Answer have been selected mediators since it would be considered favouritism by his father, who had no choice but to stand there and watch. David had no idea why they fought in front of the Admiralty Board, much less in London.
"Yes, ma'am," David nodded.
"Given the reports given by the Fifth Fleet, it is clear to all those that Stevenson was a traitor to the Alliance and you did well to rescue Admiral Shepard and the crew of the David Anderson," Armstrong continued. "However, you hadn't got permission to go on such a mission."
"With all due respect ma'am, communications were down and I knew that we had to act fast," said David respectfully.
"We understand that, Lieutenant," said Armstrong. "Given the circumstances you had no other choice, but it was still a calculated risk going in there with very little intel. However, given that you succeeded the Admiralty Board have agreed not to punish you accordingly." Her eyes then turned on Shepard. "After all you're not the only Alliance soldier that took the initiative without listening to orders."
"If I might ask, ma'am, what is the situation of the Alliance now?" David asked curiously.
"Stevenson's betrayal caught us completely off guard, I'm surprised we didn't see it coming."
"He was very shrewd," said the Admiral of the Third Fleet, a black skinned man. "I can only imagine how much Intel he managed to send to Cerberus before he revealed his true colours."
"His actions have endangered the entire Alliance fleet," said the Admiral of the Forth Fleet, a woman in her 50s with black hair mixed with grey. "We have lost an Admiral along with the flagship of the First Fleet along with several cruisers, not to mention the damage that he caught on the Fifth Fleet."
"Hopefully his successor will perform better," said Armstrong. "However, our pressing issue is that Captain Vega is still in a coma and there is no telling when you wake. In that regard the Normandy will need a new captain, one that has already been captaining it."
David looked up. "You surely you don't mean…"
"David Shepard, by a majority it has been agreed that you are raised to the rank of Commander, and will now be the captain of the Normandy," said Armstrong. "You have done your family proud."
David immediately saluted. "I'm honoured."
"You've earned it," Armstrong smiled. "However, that is not the only reward you're getting."
David looked up. "What you mean?"
"I mean that the Normandy is mostly useless stealth ops and as such we need a competent commando at the helm," Armstrong continued. She then handed him a card and money activated it he saw a holographic version of N7 on it. "You will be joining the N7 program and want your training is complete you will assume your duties as Captain of the Normandy, until Captain Vega has recovered."
David was completely speechless.
Shepard then approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've done me proud, son."
When David left the briefing room he found the rest of his team standing there, clearly they had just been informed of his promotion.
"Congratulations," Clara smiled.
"You're probably the fastest Alliance soldier to be promoted to Commander in history," said Sam impressively.
"And you're going to be a N7, that is a tremendous honour," said Mordin.
"It's certainly well-deserved," said Seiba.
"And no one deserves it more than you," Ishil added.
"So what's next?" Nato asked.
"And the moment I'll be doing my N7 training," said David looking at them all. "And that could take me a while."
"But until then you're free as a bird," said Sam.
"Cerberus isn't going to stop any time soon," said Clara. "We had best get out there and give them some headaches."
"I'm down with that plan," Mordin smiled.
"Then let's go and make this galaxy as safe a place," said David.
Then began to walk away together heading out onto their next adventure.