When Shepard was a good distance away from the Citadel he was contacted by Hackett, Anderson and Rick. All three of them were baiting him in hologram form as both Hackett and Rick explained the situation on the Citadel to Anderson.
"Shepard, Ryder and I got Anderson patched in. We were just getting him up to speed," Hackett explained.
"I just got the tests back from the autopsy on Udina and there are no signs of indoctrination, it appears he was in complete control over his mind," said Rick.
"Udina… That SOB was always power hungry, but this…" Anderson roared.
"He wasn't in charge. Cerberus was just using him to take control of the Citadel," Shepard explained.
Anderson frowned. "What the hell for?"
"I don't know. Not yet."
"It could've been a lot worse," said Hackett. "Shepard staff the assassination attempt on Councillor Valern."
"Speaking of our assassin friend, I was able to create a 3-D model of him. I was hoping that the two of you might recognise him," said Rick.
Seconds later he vanished and was replaced with a very accurate hologram of the assassin. Anderson's eyes fell upon the assassin and widened at the very sight of him.
"Kai Leng…" he breathed.
Shepard looked at him. "What?"
"Your assassin. I'll have Hackett send you and the Major reports on him. Short story: be careful," Anderson advised.
"I take it the two of you have met," Shepard assumed.
"Kahlee Sanders and I had our share of run-ins with him," Anderson nodded. "I shot in both legs once. Thought that might be the end of him, but he showed up again on Omega even stronger."
"Illusive Man patch him up?"
Anderson nodded. "That'd be my guess, given what they were able to do to you and Grayson. It's a safe bet Leng's even more dangerous now."
Shepard had read the reports on Grayson when he was reinstated. Apparently he was a Cerberus agent that defected, but was recaptured and modified with Reaper tech. Cerberus were using him to study indoctrination, but when a turians raided the lab he was able to escape. Eventually he was killed and his body was used to prove the existence of Reapers. However, the Council still refused to acknowledge them and somehow Cerberus was able to retrieve the body.
"I'll take whatever advantage I can get against these bastards," Shepard nodded.
"There are terms may have hired one unintentional side effect," said Hackett. "I received word from the asari councillor. They're requesting an update on the Crucible."
"Leng has them scared. Enough to send help?" said Anderson surprisingly.
"I've been getting messages from the other Councillors as well along with other dictionaries," said Rick. "They seem to be pulling in more resources to the Crucible. I guess realising that they aren't save on the Citadel has pushed the vote to trust in the Crucible."
Hackett nodded. "Yes, the asari and the salarians are both throwing in their support now."
"How's your progress on the Crucible?" Shepard asked.
"Good. Our estimates suggest we've completed nearly 50% of the known work."
"So quickly?" said Shepard rather surprised.
"Once decoded, the schematics are designed in such a way that allows our scientists to easily translate the information. It's not Prothean specific."
"Maybe it's not Prothean technology then," Rick suggested. "Maybe like us they were piggybacking on another species."
"It is fairly possible," Hackett nodded.
"Are we any closer to understanding how to use it?" Anderson asked.
"That's still open for debate. Utilise in the right fashion, our scientists are convinced it can generate enough energy to destroy the Reapers. The question is, how will it dispense that energy, and in what form?"
"You mean, how do you stop it from wiping us out?" Anderson concluded.
Anderson nodded. "Exactly. We think the Catalyst is the key to determine how to focus its energy. How directed energy at the Reapers alone."
"I find it strange that we found the blueprints of this design, but the Protheans neglected to give us directions to the Catalyst," said Rick folding his arms. "It's almost as if they given us a weapon that half made."
Hackett nodded. "It is a strong possibility that Cerberus wiped that portion of the data out when the attack to the archives. What we need now is to find the Catalyst before it is too late for the galaxy."
"I'm working on that," Shepard assured.
"You'll find the answer, Shepard." He then turned to Rick. "Major we cannot have diversity in the Council. To that end I am invoking Emergency War Powers Reg. 397.6, to give you full authority within the Council. You're now a human representative."
Rick didn't look entirely surprised. "I'll do my very level best, sir," he said saluting.
"We're counting on you Major," said Anderson.
Hackett then turned to Shepard. "I'll send you an update on the schematics, and in the meantime, we'll keep building."
"And we'll keep fighting—make sure there's an Earth left to come back to," said Anderson.
Shepard looked at Anderson. "You've always trusted me. I won't let you down."
"We're still in this. The gods of war haven't given up on us yet," said Hackett.
"Good luck. The three of you. Anderson out," said Anderson as hologram vanished.
"I better go and sort things out with the Council. Ryder out," said Rick and he vanished as well.
Hackett then looked at Shepard. "Commander, the turian fleet is stretched thin. We need more support ships… and the quarians are willing to talk."
"Understood, sir. I'll look into it," Shepard promised.
"Be careful. We've got reports of instability along the geth border," Hackett warns. "Hackett out."
Hackett then vanished and Shepard exited the comm room where he bumped into Liara.
"Shepard? Do you have a moment?" she asked. Shepard nodded. "A contact within Asari High Command was insistent I pass on a distress signal to you."
"Something they can't handle?" Shepard frowned.
"From what I can tell, they sent several commando squads to investigate. None of them returned. They didn't ask me directly, but I think High Command is hoping you might help."
"What's your take on this?" Shepard asked.
"That they wouldn't ask the help if it wasn't important," said Liara crossing her arms. "The colony's coordinates are on the galaxy map. I'll try to figure out what's going on."
Shepard looked at the update of the Crucible and saw that Hackett was correct in saying that he had nearly completed 50% of it. Also finds the additional aid to the other Councillors the Allied forces were now be able to engage the Reapers almost as equals.
Shepard was making his way to the CIC and overheard Private's Campbell and Westmoreland talk about the recent events on the Citadel.
"Goddamn Cerberus bastards. And Udina, too, that son of a bitch," said Campbell angrily.
Westmoreland nodded. "That's crap. Udina made a deal with the devil. He got what he deserved."
Traynor then approached him when he exited the door. "Commander, I've got a lead on something interesting. Have you got a minute?"
"What is it?" Shepard asked.
"Commander, I found something you need to see," she said.
"What have you got?"
Traynor then led him to her terminal. "A group of Cerberus scientists cut ties and fled. Perhaps they finally realised they were on the wrong side. We don't know what they were researching, but they were among the Illusive Man's top scientists. They could help them build the Crucible."
Shepard nodded in agreement. "Maybe we could recruit them. Lots of Cerberus people think they're doing the right thing. I know I did."
"And you are right, Commander," said Traynor turning away from her console. "Whatever crime Cerberus committee now…" She then looked up at him. "I was on Horizon with the Collectors attacked."
Shepard found this news very surprising. "Really?"
"You'll recall I mentioned growing up in the Terminus Systems. I was visiting my family at home. While the Alliance was running studies, you were saving me and my family."
"Has the Alliance tried to make contact with the scientist?" Shepard asked.
"They've been unable to find them, but they're searching… as is Cerberus. I've been monitoring Cerberus communications. I've charted signal frequencies from various Cerberus cells by locations and cross-referencing known ship movements…"
"You found them?"
"I believe so, yes."
"Nice work. Put it on the map, and I'll give it a look."
"It on the map now, Commander. Thanks."
Shepard looked at his emails and discovered that he got a message from Primarch Victus which mentioned Cerberus had just destroyed a turian cruiser with high-ranking officers. He suspected a volus diplomat by the name of Din Korlack, who was the only other person to know about the cruises location.
His advisers, and he agreed with them, advised not to bring this up to the Council due to the fact both their races economies are tightly intertwined with one another. Instead Victus was hoping that Shepard would investigate himself.
He also received a bit of news that holding that Elysium had been attacked by the Reapers. The biotic was able to protect a shuttle that was evacuating children at the cost of his life. What caught his interest was that the biotic was in fact Aresh, who he met on Pragia that attempted to restart the service facility there.
He also got a message from Kelly informing him that she made contact with former Cerberus engineers. She was really convinced they could help build the Crucible and had forwarded the details to him. Shepard didn't waste any time and contacted both Hackett and Rick to sort out the arrangements.
Cortez also emailed him informing him that he met up with an old friend. An ex-Alliance pilot, who was in contact with other pilots and he was very confident they could help in the war effort so he sent their contact information to Hackett.
Shepard made his way onto the bridge to see how Joker was taking on the recent attack on the Citadel.
"Cerberus is gonna have a hard time recruiting now," said Joker. He then turned his chair around to look at Shepard. "So Cerberus wants to go into politics, huh? Nice job shutting those assholes down."
Shepard raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you used to work for those assholes? Something about 'leather seats'?"
"I work for Cerberus when they were vigilantes helping the helpless," said Joker holding his hands out in defence. "Now they're a little too mainstream. And evil. The important thing is that you kick their asses." He then turned her face back to his controls. "And also that Ash aced the 'don't shoot your commander' portion of the Normandy reinstatement test."
"Go easy on, Ash. She's been through a lot," Shepard employed.
"Yeah, like drawing a gun and a superior officer, nearly getting the Council killed. That's not gonna look good on the yearly performance review."
Shepard shook his head and then turned to EDI, who automatically got onto her feet. She was now really getting used to that body of her and she was really starting to impress him when they went out on missions.
"Hello, Shepard," she said.
"What's on your mind, EDI?" Shepard asked.
"The destruction of the Reaper on Tuchanka," she said. "It is rare for a technological superior force to be destroyed by an inferior one."
"Yeah, so now all we need is a gun that fires thresher maws," said Joker.
EDI just stood there in silence.
"That was a joke," said Shepard, who assumed she was taking the idea literally.
"I'm sorry, Shepard. I was contemplating," she said. "The Reapers are more fallible than they proclaim. Despite its best efforts, the one on Tuchanka was destroyed… by a worm. This has caused me to reassess the probable period of time before I am nonfunctional."
"You're worried about dying?" Shepard blinked.
"In a sense. My processing power is consumed with calculations to help us combat the Reapers. But I can run those scenarios with the rest of the crew." She then looked at him directly. "May I ask you another question that troubled Jeff?"
"Here we go again," Joker groaned.
"What is the purpose of synthetic life?" EDI asked.
Shepard could see why Joker found that question troubling. "It's not that different from organic life. A free-willed synthetic chooses what it wants."
"But the purpose of organic life is to preserve itself long enough to reproduce copies of its genes and succeeding generations. My purpose is not so clear. The other successful synthetic life-forms that I have examined for comparison of the geth…" She then turned away from Shepard. "And the Reapers."
"Reproduction isn't all there is," said Shepard as he placed a hand on her shoulder, which was quite cold. "We find meaning in the work we do, good deeds we accomplish, love…"
EDI looked at him. "I see. I will search my files on the biographies of humans to see if prominent figures follow the pattern you suggest." It only took a few seconds before she turned to face Shepard. "It appears many humans did in fact do so."
"That was quick. Gotta love quantum computing," said Joker.
"Shepard, I will alter my processing power to give priority to your stated goals: duty, altruism, love," said EDI.
Joker stared at her. "Wait, you're just going to turn yourself good? Can you do that?"
"It should take some time," she said. "If I have further questions, I will speak with you again. Thank you."
Shepard then looked at EDI slightly troublingly. "Are you and Ashley okay? The last time she saw that body, it wasn't exactly pleasant."
"I have informed of the situation. She is taking it well," EDI assured.
"Good."
Shepard then made his way down to the lower deck and found Garrus staring at a memorial wall which now had Thane's name on it along with Mordin.
"Shepard. Hell of a day," said Garrus as Shepard approached him. "Udina loses his mind, the Citadel almost falls…" He then looked at him grimly. "And you almost had to put down a friend."
"Got a little tense there," Shepard admitted.
"If it had come down to it, could you have pulled the trigger?" Garrus asked.
"I don't see how. We start killing our friends, and war turns into murder."
"But it doesn't always give us the easy way out, does it? At least Ash didn't have to join Kaidan."
"Let's hope he's looking out for us. This was his fight, too."
"Even still it is good to have Ash back. We can always use a friendly gun."
Ashley had taken up residence in the starboard observation deck and Shepard.
"You could have warned me about EDI, she scared the hell out of me," she said.
"Couldn't really find the right moment," said Shepard.
"It's nice to hear that Rick is taking Udina's place," said Ashley. "No way he'll allow any more betrayal from within."
Shepard nodded. "Tell me if there's anything you need."
"Don't worry, Skipper, you will be the first to know," Ashley assured.
Liara and Glyph were going over reports from the Citadel after the attack.
"Per your orders, I have the latest reports on the Council, Doctor," said Glyph. "The security is in disarray, but it could still be weeks before we could attempt to position any agents in their personal staff."
"And it's far too risky after Udina's coup," Liara concluded. "Postpone those deployments."
"At once," said Glyph.
Shepard was slightly concerned with the fact that Liara was installing agents within the Citadel, but he trusted her that she was doing the right thing.
Shepard then checked on Javik, who mentioned that he would like to visit the Citadel. The main reason why he had was that he was still getting used to all the other races and studying the history.
He also took great offence with Udina, who betrayed them to Cerberus so that he deserved far worse than a bullet to the head. He also mentioned that if Ashley hadn't stand down but she would have been killed as well.
In the shuttle bay Cortez was running a few schematics on the Kodiak.
"Never thought I'd be doing a combat drop on to the Citadel," he said. "I can't believe Udina. Great example to the other races, huh?"
"I'm sure that Rick will be able to heal those wounds and be able to get some additional support," said Shepard.
He then made his way over to James, who couldn't believe what had just happened on the Citadel.
"Hey, Commander," he said as Shepard approached him. "I knew Udina was a dirty bastard. But I never would've guessed he was that rotten. This war is loco. I mean, can't they all see how we need to work together?"
"When people are scared, they're slow to trust," said Shepard.
"Sure but… ah, what's the point. Looks just so you know, I've got a new shoot first, ask questions later policy when it comes to politicians."
"Fair enough, but do those policies include Major Ryder?" Shepard asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nah, that guy is all right," said James.
After that talk Shepard made his way to his cabin, he decided to have Liara to come up and join. She had told him that she had something to show him.
"Liara, you have something you wanted to discuss in my cabin?" said Shepard over the intercom.
"Yes, I'll be right up," she said.
A few minutes later, Liara showed up holding a device in her hands.
"Come on in," he said.
"Thank you. Could we sit?" she asked.
They sat down on the couch and Liara placed a device on the table. She then started to access the controls. "I've been thinking about the knowledge we gathered on the Reapers, and how easily it could be lost again. So… I put a plan in motion to preserve things for the future."
"Was this?" Shepard asked as a beam shot out from the device.
"The record of the galaxy. Information of the Reapers, relays, different cultures… and blueprints for the Crucible," she explained as a hologram of the Reaper and a holographic blueprint of the Crucible appeared. "But this one entry I wanted your opinion on."
"Which one?" Shepard asked.
Liara bent down and access the controls. "Your own," she said as a holographic image of himself appeared. "I'd be honoured to have your input. How would you like history to remember you?"
"Fifty-thousand years is a long time for a computer to sit around," Shepard pointed out.
"Please, I was an archaeologist. I know what I'm doing," she said looking quite offended. "I'm encasing these records in time capsules and seeding copies on multiple planets. And while it's not foolproof, the VI I'm installing has every translation and linguistics program I could find."
"So it's an information guide, like Vigil on Ilos?"
"Yes. I've been preparing it for some time."
Suddenly Glyph's hologram appeared. "And it will be a privilege to guide the future discoveries of these records," he said. He then turned and looked at Shepard. "Have you decided what you would like Dr' T'Soni to write in your entry, Commander?"
Shepard smiled at Liara. "You know me well enough to fill in the blanks, Liara."
Liara stood up. "Are you sure?"
Shepard nodded. "Yeah. I'd like it to be your call."
"Well… I'll say Commander Shepard was born on Mindoir but never let what happened there define him. Shepard was also a deadly tactical fighter. Most enemies never saw him coming. He was a soldier and a leader—one who made peace where he could." She then turned to look at him. "And it was a privilege to know him."
"Careful this doesn't sound like a diary," Shepard smiled as she sat down next to him.
"I can't help myself. You're a good friend, Shepard."
"You've been there for me, too, Liara."
"No, I haven't. I wish I could have joined you back on Illium."
"You made up for it."
She smiled and leaned back onto the couch. "Well, I suppose I just write your name in the stars."
The two of them then spend the rest of the time talking to one another and it felt nice not to talk about the war. They talk about all the fun they had on the Normandy and the time that Liara first experienced the human Christmas on the ship.
Of course, it wasn't just her that got confused with the customs Wrex was slightly perplexed as well as Tali. It wasn't until Shepard explained that it was a tradition for humans to give gifts to their friends and family during the period that they finally understood.
Once Liara was gone Shepard remembered that Allers wanted an interview after what happened on the Citadel.
"Traynor, can you send Diana up?" Shepard asked as he accessed the intercom. "She wanted an interview."
"Right away, Commander," said Traynor.
A few minutes later Allers appeared through the door with a camera.
"Ready for a chat, Commander?" she asked.
"I'm ready," he said.
Allers then activated the camera and raised her omni-tool to her mouth. "Commander, it's no secret that Council space has suffered some serious losses to the Reapers lately," she began. "Now Cerberus has struck directly at the seat of our government. If something as small as a small human terrorist organisation can hit the Citadel, is anywhere safe?"
"Cerberus has limited resources. This coup attempt was likely the best they could do. And it cost them a lot of money and troops. A little fear is understandable, but it can't paralyse you. They've failed as many times as they've succeed."
"But humanity has lost its councillor. The Alliance Parliament is destroyed, and the Prime Minister's dead. The line of succession is getting pretty short. How long do you expect any new Alliance administration to last?"
"Leaders will rise. You can't lose hope. Our enemies won't rest until they've taken the last human being. Until then, we're not beaten. Right now, it's everyone's duty to step up.
"To that end I am pleased to announce that Major Rick Ryder has taken up the reins as acting councillor. I have known him since my time on Elysium and I can assure you that he is just the man to take the reins and lead humanity in this hour of need."
Allers then pulled out a datapad. "All right. Now a question from Thessia: 'Commander, during your tribunal, some said you had Cerberus ties…'"
They went on for about half an hour with Allers saying questions from viewers most of them involved Cerberus. He held finally hoped people realise that he only joined Cerberus to fight the Reapers.
"Thanks for your time, Commander," said Allers Shepard asked the last of the questions. She then turned to a camera. "This is Diana Allers from Battlespace. Goodnight, and stay strong."
When the camera was switched off she smiled at Shepard. "Be careful, Commander. You keep feeding me like this and I'll follow you home."
"I think we're just fine in front of the camera," said Shepard.
Allers then turned pink. "Oh, did you think… of course you did. Me and my big mouth. I'd better get out of here before I send another wrong signal. See you, Commander."
Shepard just shook his head as Allers left his cabin.
Rick was entering into the Council Chambers where the other councillors were sitting around a table.
"Ah, Major," said the Asari Councillor. "Please take a seat."
"Thank you Councillor," said Rick as he sat down on the empty seat. "First off I must apologise under the behalf of humanity for Udina's actions."
"There is no need for apologies, Major," said the Salarian Councillor. "I think I speak for all of us when I say that you and the rest of humanity had nothing to do with Udina's actions."
Rick nodded with gratitude. "We appreciate your understanding, Councillors."
"What's the situation with the Crucible?" the Turian Councillor asked.
"We're making very good progress, but at the rate the Reapers are advancing we won't be completed in time before they gain a major foothold in the galaxy," said Rick as he produced a galaxy map that showed Reaper territorial.
The Turian Councillor nodded. "The Hierarchy Fleet is stretched very thin and were running out of ships."
"Fortunately the quarians have made contact and want to setup negotiations, but there appears to be a lot of activity growing upon the geth border."
"This does sound troubling," said the Salarian Councillor. "I take it we have no more information."
"We want no more until Shepard meets with the quarians," said Rick.
"Then let's hope that whatever is going on beyond the Veil won't be our downfall," said the Turian Councillor.