Sol System, Earth.
Lieutenant James Vega is fairly certain he's never met anyone as ballsy as Commander Shepard. He'd witnessed her glare and snap at Anderson, and speak none too highly of the Council and Alliance Brass within five minutes of arriving on the Normandy with Anderson. Now, she's pacing alongside the window in the Starboard observation room, scowling at anything and everything, looking remarkably similar to a pissed off cat. Vega had seen the vids of her Spectre induction, most of her award ceremonies, and news interviews. But he'd never seen her in person. And she was a mighty force of nature to be stuck in a room with. Her raven black hair tied in a pony tail, her green eyes blazing, and the pissed off look she wore on her face left little room for conversation. She was shorter than James imagined. He figures the armour she's always seen in probably adds a couple inches of height, but does little else to compliment the form he is watching pace around. Catching himself staring at her ass, he quickly looks out the window.
Shepard stops pacing and Vega looks over once the door of the room opens up, admitting Admiral Anderson. Vega snaps to and fires off a salute, but Shepard just watches him, her arms folded in front of her.
"We should be arriving shortly. Lieutenant, could you give us a moment?"
"Yes sir." Vega replies with a salute, and exits the room.
Shepard continues to watch Anderson, waiting for him to talk. Since he arrived on the Normandy with Lieutenant Vega a week ago, she's constantly been accompanied by at least one of them, except when she was in her cabin. Liara had left to return to Hagalaz the day before Anderson showed up, and just this morning they jumped into the Sol system on their way to Earth. She could see the giant blue planet through the window, with its layer of smog in the atmosphere, but its brilliant blue oceans still visible below.
Finally breaking the silence, Anderson begins speaking.
"Listen, I know you don't want to do this Shepard, and I'm sorry that you have to. I'm sorry that the mission went so far sideways that there was no alternative, and that it was a favour to an Alliance admiral. Your mother ripped my ear off with how pissed off she was that you have to be the scapegoat. Fortunately for Hackett, he outranks her, otherwise it would've been him getting read the riot act. Either way, I know this has got to be frustrating for you, but trust me. I'm going to help you as much as I can, and I know Hackett will as well."
Shepard looks out at Earth and listens to Anderson speak. She's not surprised her mom had gotten so upset; the picture perfect military woman, she understood what it meant to make a sacrifice, and probably would have done the same thing her daughter did. To be put in front of a firing squad for that would have been out of the question for anyone under Hannah Shepard's command. Unfortunately, due to being biased, Captain Shepard is unable to be anywhere near the Tribunal. Which was probably for the best; two strong willed Shepard women in a room usually cleared it pretty quick.
"I was hoping to see my mom after destroying that Collector base. Looks like that's not gonna happen now."
"She might be able to come visit you while you're in Vancouver. I can find out for you." Anderson replies.
They fall silent for a few moments, before Shepard starts speaking again.
"What's going to happen to my ship?"
"She'll go into dry-dock, and after that I'm not sure. She is based of the Normandy SR-1, so the Brass might try and reassign her after retrofitting, considering they own the rights to the design."
Shepard feels her heart break at the thought of someone else on this ship. It's been her home for years, even after it's original destruction. It's become familiar and full of memories, and she doesn't want to see it go.
"You realize that means Joker will have to go with her. You'd have to pry him out of that seat with a crowbar in order to get him off pilot duty of this ship." Shepard says, inflecting some humour into her voice.
Anderson laughs, "Yeah, I think that chair has become a part of him. Also, I wanted to mention something to you, just so you're prepared. When we land at Earth HQ, there might be a little welcome party, and not the good kind. We kept your arrival as secret as we could, but somehow it leaked. There are reporters and civilians going to be waiting at the dock. We have marines stationed there to keep them back but…"
"But there's only so much that can be done. Y'know, tear gas works well. I do have a Cain on board somewhere too if you prefer." Shepard responds, irritation creeping into her voice. She didn't want a show. She wanted to walk into HQ quickly and quietly. She certainly didn't want to be filmed the whole way, or have protestors waving signs in her face. And so help them if a reporter gets in her way.
"Commander, we will be entering Earth's atmosphere in approximately five minutes." Joker advises over the comm. EDI has remained suspiciously quiet since Anderson and Vega have come aboard, only really communicating when Shepard is alone in her cabin.
"Noted." Shepard responds.
Anderson walks to the door, and once it opens, he mutters something to the burly marine standing at the doorway. Vega salutes, and heads towards the elevator.
"I'm having the Lieutenant prep the drop shuttle. The Normandy is going to head to a different location than where we are going." Anderson provides when he notices that Shepard has watched the interaction. "Do you mind giving Joker the coordinates? I'm going to help the Lieutenant prep the shuttle."
"Yes sir."
"Want me to bust you out? It'll be fun. Remember that time we went AWOL? That was fun too." Joker quips as he turns his chair around to face Shepard.
"Again, I would like to point out our varied translations of what 'fun' is." EDI responds.
"Hey, I don't know when you decided to go all lawful-good on me. It was you who locked me in the bathroom and turned off the lights just a few days ago, but you don't think busting Shepard out of prison would be fun."
"That was a joke."
"Yeah, hilarious. You know what was even more funny? Trying to explain to Doctor Chakwas how I fractured a bone by walking into the toilet. I'm pretty sure she's gonna put me on stress leave because she thinks I'm losing it."
Shepard smiles at the interaction, happy to see that the one who most hated the concept of an AI was now bantering with one. "Listen, I gotta get down to the cargo bay, but I just needed to give you these coordinates from Admiral Anderson."
Joker looks at the coordinates sent from Shepard's omni-tool, and looks back at her.
"He already gave me these. Like, when he first boarded." Shepard's brow furrows for a moment before realization dawns. Anderson had given her a reason to go to the bridge alone, in order to say goodbye. He'd sent Vega down to the cargo bay, and had followed him there, just to give Shepard a few moments before all hell broke loose. She smiled at the concession and closed her omni-tool.
"Huh, maybe he forgot. It has been a few days since he boarded. Anyways, I have to get going. By the looks of it, we're only a few minutes out from our drop point. Keep in touch if you can, Joker. And take care of her."
"I will, Commander. Maybe if they want me in a courtroom again I'll see you there."
Shepard nods, and heads back down the gangway. Joker watches her walk away, knowing that the best chance they have against the Reapers is about to be locked up.
Even though she'd had a warning, Shepard was unprepared for the ferocity that greeted her at the landing pad. At least fifty marines stood in a line from where the shuttle docked to the entrance of the facility. Behind them, almost one hundred people were shouting and waving picket signs. Some were hand drawn, with words such as "We heart Commander Shepard!", while the majority had some fairly nasty things on them. She caught sight of one that just said "Butcher of Torfan Strikes Again" in blood red lettering. As soon as the shuttle doors opened, the assault of one hundred people yelling at her hit her ears, and it took all of her strength not to charge to the door and just be done with it. Anderson exited the shuttle first, followed by Shepard, with Vega bringing up the rear. Anderson hurried as fast as appearances would allow, hustling Shepard to the end of the walkway. Near the end, the reporters lurked. As they entered the overhang that preceded the door to HQ, they had to wait a moment while Anderson's clearance was processed. The reporters started shouting for Shepard's attention, one even shouting at Vega to get his input on the relay incident. Shepard smiled at the mental image of charging into the group of them, watching them tumble around like bowling pins.
With clearance finally granted, Anderson led Shepard and Vega into Alliance HQ. The place was enormous. Floor to ceiling windows offered a spectacular view of the architecture of Vancouver. Elegant trees blowing in the breeze, and a bright blue sky provided the backdrop to the main foyer, which in itself was immaculate. White marble flooring was broken up by soft blue carpets at the entrance way and the base of the stairs. Leather couches and chairs were set out strategically on the main floor, and there was a cart selling coffee near the entrance to an Officer's Lounge. Long, sweeping staircases ran along each wall to the left and right, leading up to the second floor. They curved inwards, out of view, behind a large wall placed in the middle of the room. The wall itself had the symbol for the SA engraved in it, and a large desk at its base in dark mahogany wood. A few secretaries and ensigns were answering calls or directing personnel, all too busy to notice the trio. Shepard had never been in a building this beautiful, and she realizes Vega hadn't either when she hears his low whistle of appreciation. Approaching the desk, they wait a few moments before someone is able to help them.
"Admiral. What can I do for you?" a young NCO asked as she smartly saluted.
"We're here to meet with Admiral Hackett. Has he arrived?"
"Yes sir, he's waiting in Conference Room B. I can have a marine escort you." She replies. Shepard notices with some amusement that she is avoiding eye contact with her. No doubt she's seen my face all over the news, probably headlined with 'Terrorist'.
Anderson nods, and the NCO requests a marine escort for them. Within a few moments, five marines are approaching them, one even has his weapon drawn and resting against his chest.
"Woah. That's some kinda escort." Shepard hears Vega remark under his breath. Anderson frowns slightly, and as the marines arrive to stand in front of Anderson, Shepard notices that all but one are trying to avoid looking at her.
All five salute, and the marine in the centre begins speaking to Anderson. "Admiral. We are here to escort the prisoner to the detention centre. A separate escort will arrive shortly to escort you to Admiral Hackett."
Shepard stares blankly at the marines. It hadn't even occurred to her to call herself a prisoner until that moment. When Anderson had boarded the Normandy, he had assumed charge over her, but he hadn't formally arrested her. As far as she was concerned, Shepard was willingly going to Earth to defend her decision, but she hadn't exactly expected to be labelled a criminal.
"And who ordered you to do this?" Anderson asks in surprise.
"Rear Admiral Mikhailovich, sir." The marine responds, and Shepard lets out a bark of laughter. All five marines glare in her direction, and the one in the centre looks like he's about to reprimand her.
"The last time I saw him, he was none too pleased with me. I'm not surprised he's requested that I be immediately sent to a cell." Shepard says, crossing her arms over her chest. Anderson represses a smile at the remark, but turns his attention back to the marine.
"Well, you're just going to have to disregard that order. Admiral Hackett is expecting her, and I'm not in any particular mood to deny his request."
"But sir…"
"Hey now, you're not going to contradict an order from a superior officer, are you son? Because your new order is for you to escort us to Conference Room B." The marine stares at Anderson, and Shepard momentarily wonders if he'll continue pushing the point. Finally, he salutes, "Yes sir." He states, and motions the four marines to clear out.
"I must insist though sir that the prisoner be handcuffed." He says with a look of disdain crossing his face as he stares at Shepard.
"You're joking, right?" Shepard snaps, moving closer to the marine. She sees his Adam's apple bob in his throat as he swallows, is eyes going a bit wider, and the look of disdain replaced with fear. "Listen to me, I am here of my own damn volition. I have not been formally arrested, so as far as I'm concerned, I'm not a fucking prisoner. You try to put handcuffs on me, and it'll be the last damn thing you do with those hands." Shepard says in a low whisper, staring into the marines eyes. She can see the fear lurking there, and knows that he is not going to argue this time.
"Am I clear, Corporal?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. Fuck, can we just get out of here?"
Anderson nods, and directs the marine to lead the way. Vega follows behind, and is now really certain he's never met anyone as ballsy as Commander Shepard.