WHIPLASH
"The Reapers won't stop at Earth. They'll destroy every organic being in the galaxy if we don't find a way to stop them," Alex spoke vehemently to the Councilors on the Citadel, catching their eyes one by one. They needed to know how dire the situation was. Liara and Nihlus watched her pace menacingly as she normally did whenever she was heated and impassioned.
Leaving behind David on Earth after a short and sweet reunion had been an awful heart-wrenching feeling, but the war has started, and no one in this galaxy will make it out alive if they don't work together. While he stayed behind to fight on home-base, David ordered Alex and Nihlus to go in front of the Council to request the help they'd been assigned to gather as Spectres years ago. Help they had been eventually promised as a result of their efforts. They'd laid down enough groundwork to show that cooperation is intended between all the alien races. All the brown-nosing and political negations they both hated so much. She hoped they'd follow through after all that.
Nihlus and Alex rallied all their allies here on Earth amidst the chaos – much to Miranda's opposition as she believed that both of them needed more recovery time. She stayed behind on Earth as well. Alex had radioed Legion to prepare the ship for takeoff. Kaidan and Ashley met them at the rendezvous point, arriving via shuttle. Steve, and the newly acquainted, James, joined them as they all left on Legion's dreadnought for the Citadel.
Tevos shot the two Spectres a regretful look before saying, "The cruel and unfortunate truth is that while the Reapers focus on Earth, we can prepare and regroup."
A wash of crimson fury colored Udina's face standing on the Council platform. He was promoted to interim Councilor after Anderson decided to stay on Earth. Udina's rage was unmatched against Alex's. Her lips quivered with disgust, and her nostrils flared. Nihlus felt the heat radiating off her body, positioned close to her. She couldn't believe this was happening. Yet, she should've known. Were politicians good for anything else but empty promises?
Liara interjected, "We still have the Prothean! With Shepard back and the visions she received from the memory shard on Eden Prime, we can now open the stasis pod and awaken him."
"And you believe this Prothean can tell you what you need to finish the weapon?" Valern inquired.
"Yes," Liara replied solidly. "I believe whatever information he can give, it would be feasible to finish the Crucible at last."
The Councilors contemplated on her argument, but ultimately, Valern said, "We are convening a summit amongst our species. If we can manage to secure our own borders, we may consider aiding you."
"I'm sorry Spectres. That is the best we can do," Tevos finished.
Immediately, the salarian and asari councilors excused themselves out of the chambers, but for some reason, there was a lull in Sparatus' departure. He strangely - not to mention out of character - hadn't said a word the entire time. He knew what the majority vote decision of the Council was going to be before it even began, though it appeared he had something to say. A matter that he would not say in front of his colleagues.
"Shepard, meet me in my office," Udina instructed before he exited. Liara headed in his same direction shaking her head at the outcome of the meeting.
About to step off, Alex was tugged back. A hot breath ghosted over her ears. "I'll catch up with you in a bit," Nihlus stated softly. She raised her eyes to meet his. They read of a brewing plan to fix their problem. She nodded her acknowledgment and watched him race off to follow Sparatus.
Alex and Liara didn't keep Udina company for long. One can only withstand his ranting and ravings for so long, particularly if no solution is provided. He would see what he could do to persuade the Councilors otherwise, but no one would hold their breath.
"Stay focused even in the worst situations," she responded, blankly staring ahead. "All I can do right now is be upset about not being able to finish the Crucible and what will happen if we don't stop the Reapers."
But it was hard to be patient in a time like this.
She surveyed the civilians going about their day in ignorant bliss. Totally unaware of the impending destruction the Reapers would thrust upon them if the Council didn't get their shit together. They had already lost thousands – closer to millions perhaps – back on Earth. That number will quickly rise as the days go on by and not just exclusively human numbers. Soon, that number will include the asari, turians, salarians, quarians, and all other major races within the Milky Way.
"I don't know how you do it," Liara commented suddenly, stopping at a nearby balcony to enjoy the heavenly view of the pristine Presidium.
"Do what?"
"Stay focused even in the worst situations," she responded, blankly staring ahead.
The answer's easy. "When there's so much at stake, I think about my friends." She glanced at Liara and then took her turn to observe the serenity that surrounded them. "And the ones I love. And what would happen if I fail."
A sweet smile swept across Liara's face but faded when she opened her lips. Speaking of love… "I'm sorry you didn't have much time to talk to Garrus the other day."
Alex's head fell, letting her dark hair mask the pain from the world for a brief moment. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and sighed. "Yeah, me too. We were finally starting to get to a good place before…well, you know."
"So he said." Liara felt the inquisitive look Alex gave her. "Garrus spent a lot of time in my quarters before I left the Normandy. He turned it into a confessional, and we had frequent therapy sessions. It benefitted us both – letting our guilty feelings come to light. Mainly his and about how he should've insisted more on coming down with you, regardless of what you said. Watching your back as he always did before."
Alex shook her head disapprovingly. "It was sheer dumb luck and a hell of a fucking miracle that both Nihlus and I are even here. I think things would've turned out very differently had he come down with us. So seeing him for the first time alive even over a screen…" Alex's heart fluttered like a hummingbird. "I know I made the right call."
"Is it uncomfortable? Having Nihlus around?" Liara questioned next.
A quiet hum vibrated Alex's throat. "Nihlus and I have had a lot of time to talk. Two eternities worth. I'd be lying if I said things were perfect – nothing ever is, but I don't expect that he'll complicate things further with our troubled romance. Not with the Reapers here."
"I see." They shared a ruminating break in conversation, letting the palaver of passerby and artificial ecosystem sounds of the plaza fill the void.
"I've looked into Garrus' location," Liara mentioned carefully.
Holding back her eagerness, Alex asked calmly, "And what did you find?"
"The turian military received word about what happened to Earth, and Primarch Fedorian called an emergency meeting with the Hierarchy. Being that Garrus served time and ran missions with you and Nihlus to defend against the Reapers, they appointed him as a 'Reaper Advisor'. He's on Palaven organizing their troops and operations."
Alex released a sigh of relief. "That's good. He's safe."
"He is," Liara grinned. "If for some reason it needs be said, Garrus loved - and still loves you very much."
Her eyes watered with a trembling smile. "Yeah." Alex often pondered what it would be like when she'd see Garrus in person again. Would the feelings still be there? Or would he have moved on by now? Found someone new? After two years, she couldn't fault him if he did. He's a great catch. It'd hurt like hell, sure, but if he found happiness in someone else's arms, she'd let it be. Though, now with Liara's unsolocited affirmation of Garrus' feelings towards her, she felt confident that they could pick up where they left off.
[This is Emily Wong reporting to you from Alliance News Network with an emergency broadcasting. If you're near a TV screen, we ask that you take a look at them now.]
A heard of people ran towards the center of the courtyard where a screen panel. Liara and Alex pushed towards the front, parting the sea of onlookers. Displaying was a grim view of a shadowed planet with streams and patches of blazing orange. Missiles of cerulean from turian fighters shot at the hundreds of Reapers enclosing their planet, seemingly afflicting little damage. The strongest military in the galaxy was getting decimated.
"Oh no…no," Liara gasped.
[The Reapers have now made contact with the turian homeworld, Palaven.] A twisted ball of energy plummeted to the bottom of Alex's stomach. [Our intel confirms that we have lost contact with Primarch Fedorian when the Reapers hit the planet. Earlier this week, Fedorian called the war summit between the Council races. It is unclear at this time if the war summit will continue without him. The turian military continues to fight back but is rapidly being obliterated. We'll continue to update as we learn more. Let's keep Palaven and Earth in our thoughts.]
Helpless crying and distressed murmurs erupted from the crowd. Some remained frozen in front of the blank screen and the rest scattered in a hurry, calling their loved ones to ensure they were okay. Alex was part of the group that remained in their place. Alex had just learned where Garrus was and that he was out of danger. The news of the invasion on Palaven was soul-crushing. An emotional whiplash. Liara comforted her with a gentle hand on her upper back with a hushed "I'm sorry."
Ping!
Alex was shaken out of her stupor by the notification on her omni-tool. She didn't hesitate to check the message.
[NKryik]: Get everyone back on the ship. We're going to Palaven.