Chapter 25

Joker said "Commander, nobody's answering" "Let me try to raise Ashley . . . Ash, what's going on?" "Commander, Cerberus troops are everywhere, they've got control of the docks and at C-Sec HQ." "Alright, we'll get in and clear out C-Sec, meet you when we can." "Joker, get us near C-Sec HQ and we'll take the shuttle."

–

Cassidy saw the assasin jump down in front of Valern. She blew out the glass and stripped the assanin's shields, Garrus overloaded his shields, EDI sent an incendiary, Javik lifted him, James and Liara were covering the way they had come. Someone opened up an automatic sniper rifle on him from somewhere below and to the right of her. As Cassidy jumped down to get between the assasin and Valern, a biotic from an upper floor pulled the assasin up and out of harms way. A heavy mech landed behind Cassidy. She pulled Valern with her into cover from the mech, but they were exposed to the upper floor. She directed everybody else to concentrate on the mech. She put a singularity in the window where the assasin had disappeared, then followed that with a mini-grenade from her Krysae. Jondam Bau appeared behind the mech and overloaded it to its explosive doom.

James shouted, "Got you, bitch." But Liara yelled, "Goddess, he's getting away, out into the Presidium." Bailey came on and said, "I've got a squad car coming to you. You need to get to the other Councilors before he does." Cassidy took Garrus, Javik and EDI with her, instructed Liara and James to get a cab and follow them. Bau said he would get Valern to safety.

–

Udina drew the gun on Tevos, so Cassidy shot him.

–

They got the Councilors back to C-Sec HQ and stayed with them until Bailey had enough troops returning to give the Councilors guard back to their quarters. Cassidy offered her team to go sweep the Alliance docking control offices. Bailey accepted the offer and Ashley went along with them. There were a few straggler Cerberus troops that had been stranded when the retreat had been called. The troops refused Cassidy's offer of arrest and fought to the death. When they were sure there were no more, they returned to the entry where Alliance marines met them and took over security. Cassidy asked Bailey if there was more he needed. He replied that he had taken enough of her time and wished her luck out there.

Cassidy directed everybody back to the shuttle, which was still where they had been dropped off. Ashley came up behind and stopped Cassidy, apologized for holding her at gunpoint, then asked if she could join the Normandy. Cassidy smiled and said "Just keep your gun pointed at the Reapers, eh?" They got on the shuttle and went back to the Normandy.

–

When Cassidy was done updating Hackett and Anderson, she directed Joker back out to the Hades Gamma cluster. They had unfinished scanning to do there.

–

That evening after dinner, Cassidy said, "I was talking with EDI earlier. One of the things she asked about was the purpose of organic life, beyond propogating the species. So, that got me wondering, when we win this war, and have that family ceremony, well, are you interested in children in some way – surrogacy or adoption or advanced tech?" "Cassidy, yes. However we can manage it, yes. I've always pictured myself as a less authoritarian father than mine has been. So, let's see what's available when the time comes. How does that sound to you?" "Sounds like a plan to me."

She pulled him to her and kissed him. He got her top undone and placed his hands on her bare waist. They went on from there.

–

They were on the bed, Cassidy on top, coming back down from peak, when her com system began blinking. She leaned down and kissed him again. Then she rolled off of him and tapped the com, "audio only, request accepted". Samantha's voice came on. "Commander, I've intercepted coms indicating a large movement of Cerberus troops, looks like the assault is aimed at one of their inactive bases. If they're so interested, I thought we might be also?" "Good catch, Samantha. Give the coordinates to Joker, we'll go check it out." She went to get showered.

–

Cassidy asked Jacob what Dr Cole was to him. He said they were together and talked about how they met. "That, uh, leads me to a favor I want to ask. Before you take us to the Alliance, will you officiate our wedding, on the Normandy?" "I'd be honored to do that for you, Jacob." "Thanks. Now I gotta go propose." Cassidy laughed.

–

They got everybody else out on the shuttles. Jacob and Brynn came on board the Normandy. Cassidy assigned them to Jack's space under engineering. She went to see Samesh. "Can you do a wedding cake tomorrow? Our new guests want to do the wedding here on the ship and I thought a cake would be nice, if we have the appropriate supplies?" "I will be happy to make one and I can use what we have on hand, Commander. I will go now to get the layers baking so they can cool and be ready for frosting in the morning." He put down his book and called for Raja to meet him in the galley.

–

In the morning, they went to scan the Fortis system and did one ground mission retrieval.

In preparation for the lunch time ceremony, Cassidy put on her formal uniform. Garrus dressed in that black outfit he had worn at their own wedding. "Jacob has asked me to stand as best man for him. He said that Gabby is going to stand for Brynn." "That's sweet of Gabby to do." "And EDI is going to be videographer for them." "I think she'll do a very nice job of that."

They went down to the mess hall. EDI said, "Commander, here is a clear film crib sheet for you to the traditional Myanmar ceremony Brynn has asked for." "OK, so the first I take Garrus and Jacob to their places and then Gabby and Brynn, right?" "Yes, Commander. I will start the music. It is a melodic sitar instrumental."

The music started and the crowd in the mess hall quieted. She walked Garrus over to the med bay where Jacob came out and she walked them to the stage left side of the stairs, where there was a small table in the center. Then she went back to Life Support and Gabby and Brynn came out. Brynn looked gorgeous in a burnt orange dress with a matching lacy scarf, her hair pulled up in a swept back bee-hive wrapped in a long string of pearls. Gabby had on a two piece dark peach with cream color fractal patterns. She escorted them up to the other side of the table. Ken came forward with a an board that was a work of art in its carving, that had a parchment paper with calligraphy around the Alliance Registration of Civil Union form. Ken placed the board on the table, then stepped back. Brynn went up, took the pen on the table and signed the parchment, then signed a practical copy underneath. Jacob, then Gabby, Garrus and Cassidy all signed in turn. Cassidy snuck a peek at her crib sheet.

Ken came up and picked up the board, trading with Samesh for a silver bowl filled with water. Cassidy returned to the center and motioned Brynn and Jacob to advance. She faced them toward each other and placed their hands palmward toward each other then palms touching. She took a glittery gold wooden chain from Gabby and walked around Brynn and Jacob wrapping the chain loosely around their necks resting on their shoulders. She read a Sanskrit mantra, translated and adapted, "May God protect you both together. May God nourish you together. May you gain energy to know the Truth. May your study together be filled with light. May you not oppose each other. Om Peace, Peace, Peace."

Then she asked them to clasp their hands and dip them into the water together. She told them they could raise their hands, palm to palm and she took a long white cloth and wrapped their hands together. She raised her voice, "Do you, Brynn Anelle Cole take Jacob Grant Taylor to be your legal spouse?" "I do." whispered Brynn. "Do you Jacob Grant Taylor take Brynn Anelle Cole to be your legal spouse?" "I do." Jacob nearly shouted. "By your declared intents and by my authority as ship's captain, I pronounce you spouses to each other. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the galaxy's latest married couple, Jacob and Brynn. You may kiss your bride, Jacob." They stepped around the table, lowered their wrapped hands, and kissed. The audience applauded.

Lunch was served. Brynn and Jacob sat at chairs on either side of the small table and Cassidy removed the wrapping from their hands. The chained stayed resting on their shoulders, strung between them. Samesh removed the silver bowl and came back with a single plate full of finger foods. Brynn picked up a piece and waited for Jacob to do the same. They ate their pieces at the same time. Then they proceeded to eat more casually.

Cassidy sat down at the main table across from Garrus and Parveen served her. Samantha sat next to her. "Oh, that was so lovely" Samantha said, a tear crawling down her cheek. Diana Allers sat down next to Samantha and took her hand for a moment. "It certainly was, Sam. Very lovely."

After 20 minutes, Samesh rang a small triangle and said "The blessed couple will now cut their cake." Jacob and Brynn walked up. She picked up the slicer and he put his hand over hers. They cut a small piece which they placed on a plate that Gabby was holding for them. Brynn took a bit and Jacob took a bit and they fed each other. More applause. They went back to their table and Raja began cutting and Parveen started serving cake slices. Garrus got 3 cupcakes.

Cassidy went back up to the table, "Brynn, where did that dress come from? Its absolutely gorgeous." "I've kept it carefully wrapped in my wedding box which has traveled with me everywhere since my mother helped me fill it starting on my 16th birthday. Same for the carved board, the chain and the white embroidered cloth. Also, this table folds down quite small. My father made the table and the board. I made the chain. The cloth has been passed down for many generations. My mother made the dress." "Wow, that's really special. I'm glad you've been able to keep it with you all that time." Brynn reached into a pocket and pulled out an enameled bronze bracelet. "Please accept this as the traditional gift to the master-of-ceremonies." "That's quite elegant. Thank you." EDI walked up and handed Brynn an OSD, "The video file, from opening music to cake. I believe I captured the faces of all the guests, for you to remember." Brynn handed EDI an embroidered cloth bracelet, "A traditional gift for the photographer / videographer." EDI allowed Brynn to tie it around EDI's left wrist. "That looks to be skilled hand embroidery, very finely crafted and the design is very appealing. Thank you."

–

The Normandy met up with a Fifth Fleet ship and Jacob and Brynn transferred off the Normandy. Cassidy hugged them both, saying "Congratulations to you both. I hope to see you again soon."

Once the airlock was closed, EDI said, "Shepard, I once stated to you that I had no material wants beyond hardware upgrades. I must amend that now, since I find that this bracelet now holds great value to me. I had not understood organics' attachments to sentimental objects, but now I do." Joker said, "That's called emotional growth, EDI, and it looks nice on you, too, uh, the bracelet, I mean."