April 6, 2183

(Ben Shepard)

When Ben awoke he was drenched in sweat, and his head was throbbing painfully. He groaned, angry at another night of nightmares courtesy of that damn beacon. He washed up in the bathroom and dressed for the day ahead, not bothering to try and get any more sleep.

The crew of the Normandy was more relaxed than they had been for a while, and Ben couldn't blame them. The Normandy was dropping off at the Citadel once again for supplies. Nothing too dangerous; as opposed to fighting rachni or geth.

Ben was here on Council business. The Council had requested a meeting in the aftermath of Matriarch Benezia's death, as well as to share new intel about Saren's next move.

Once he was finished getting ready Ben moved to the CIC and joined Joker in the cockpit. The pilot waved cheerily and said, "Hey, Commander." Ben nodded hastily, only to wince as the dull thudding in his head grew worse.

Joker grimaced. "You should talk to Liara, maybe she can help with that." Shrugging in defeat Ben replied, "She'll be busy at the firing range in the embassies today. I'll talk to her later." Joker looked puzzled at first, but after a moment his face brightened and split into a wide smile."

"So you little brother's not having another movie night with her, huh?"

Ben shook his head. "Actually, it was Wrex's idea." The look on Joker's face was priceless. "What?" he said flatly. Glancing out of the view port and noticing the Citadel coming into view, Ben began to explain.

"Wrex was at the shooting range we set up when he noticed Liara trying to learn how to use a machine pistol. She… wasn't doing too well." Joker's confusion turned to amusement. "I didn't expect the big guy to be such a softie."

This caused Ben to smirk. "He said it's just to make us more effective as a team. But I think he's taken a shine to some of the 'younger' crewmembers." The Citadel was growing larger by the second, and Ben heard Navigator Pressly in the CIC, readying to dock.

"Well, I'm headed off. The whole crew's ready for some downtime, Joker. Make sure you get some too" The pilot scoffed. "No offense, but there's nothing for me down there." Ben cocked his head before realizing what Joker was doing. "Oh boy, here we go…"

Joker continued, "If I guy to a club I won't be able to dance. And have you seen how much open space there is on that station? So much walking isn't going to do these femurs any favors." He tapped his leg.

Ben rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I didn't want to have to do this. Joker, but you're not leaving me much of a choice. I'm ordering you to get off this ship for once and not stick around feeling sorry for yourself. You could stick with one of two other crewmembers, or maybe a squadmate, just do something!"

Sulking like a kid caught stealing his dad's omni-tool, Joker eventually sighed in defeat. "Fine, you win Commander. But if I end up tripping over one of those creepy-crawly keepers I'm holding you responsible."

...

The Normandy pulled in to the Citadel, and Ben made for the Citadel Tower. Before he could reach a transit however he heard someone call out to him from behind.

"Commander Shepard, a moment please?"

Approaching Ben was a woman dressed in a blue and yellow dress. Her black hair was in a bob and her skin was a medium brown complexion. Floating next to the woman was a camera.

"Can I help you?" Ben asked. The woman, apparently a news reporter stopped and held the camera next to them. "Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani, from Westerlund News. I'd like to ask you a few questions." Ben hid his alarm and replied, "What kind of questions are we talking about?"

Khalisah shrugged. "Well, it's been some time now since the Council granted you the unique position of the first human Spectre. Our viewers want to know how you've been representing them." This caused Ben to pause. He knew enough about Westerlund News to be very careful what he said next.

"Okay, go ahead."

Khalisah smiled and activated her omni-tool while the camera began to focus on Ben entirely. "It's been a long time since First Contact with the turians, and since then humanity has been trying to gain the respect of the galaxy as a whole. Would you say that choosing a human soldier, and a well-known one at that, is a step in the right direction?"

This wasn't too bad of a question. Ben was expecting something more openly biased, but something told him that would come sooner than expected. "It's an honor," he replied.

"I just hope that I can show the Council and the rest of the galaxy that there's plenty of other good men and women out there who are more than ready to join."

Khalisah looked pleased. Obviously a pro-human stance would look good for her network. But the reporter's next question showed she was far from satisfied as she asked, "Have you ever faced a situation where they required you to place the needs of the Citadel before those of your people?

Some believe that the Council is just throwing humanity a bone by choosing you to serve them."

And there it is, Ben thought irritably.

"No," he answered. "The Council is concerned with the whole galactic community. Humans are a part of it now. Our needs are theirs now." It wasn't hard to tell Khalisah was very skeptical.

"That's very optimistic, Commander. I understand you've been put in command of a particularly advanced Alliance vessel. Would you say this ship could serve as a symbol of humanity's potential? Or do the Normandy and its crew answer ultimately to the Citadel and their interests?"

Ben's fist clenched when he realized Khalisah wasn't talking about the ship.

This ought to shut her up. "Actually, the Normandy was developed by both humans and turians. My 'crew' is human, but I've gathered a turian, an asari, a krogan, and a quarian with me as well. The Normandy and its crew are a symbol of cooperation."

He raised his eyebrows at the reporter. "Something we should all encourage."

Khalisah worked her jaw and flipped through her omni-tool, clearly flustered. "Just one more question, Commander. There are rumors that while helping colonies and gathering all these interesting characters…" Her eyes bored into his.

"You have been tracking a rogue Spectre."

Ben's ears burned. He wanted so badly to say yes. But then he remembered just what Saren was after. Saying anything about either of their missions would cause more harm than good.

Shaking his head the Spectre replied, "I'm sorry, Khalisah. I can't tell you anything about my current assignments, whatever they might be." When it was clear she wasn't getting any more out of him, the reporter sighed. "Thank you for your time."

She turned to the camera briefly as it focused on her again. "Commander Ben Shepard. Hero of Elysium, and the first human Spectre." The camera turned off, and Ben immediately took advantage of the situation. "I understand you want to look good and stand up against the big, bad Council…"

Ben cut Khalisah off before she could retort. "But it's really not necessary. I'm doing what I can, wherever I can, to help." She gestured to the camera. "Quarians? Krogans? A lot of people back home won't be very encouraged by your present company, Shepard."

The commander folded his arms defiantly. "That's not up to them or you. Your audience would be better served if they get out and see the galaxy for themselves instead of being fed this 'humans-first' crap. Now if you excuse me, I have work to do." With that, he strolled past Khalisah towards the nearest transit.

(Sam Shepard)

"Wrex, are you sure about this?"

"Come on, Shepard. This'll do you all some good."

Sam was holding an assault rifle awkwardly as he faced down three targets at an open firing range. Liara was waiting nearby for a chance with a shotgun next to Kaidan. "Just ease up on your grip a little bit," Wrex instructed. "It doesn't fire off in large bursts like that cannon you're stuck with."

"It's been a long time since I held one of these, Wrex. It's not my fault Vanguard training doesn't include rifles." The krogan battlemaster scoffed. "When I was half your age in krogan years I was able to use practically any weapon I could get my hands on."

Sam shook his head. "Alright, just give me some room." Wrex stepped back, but not before the human heard him mutter, "…gutless little pyjak…" Sam's lips curled in a sneer and he hoisted the rifle.

He fired several rounds at the nearest target, clipping the shoulder and blowing a hole in the stomach area. Managing to actually land a headshot on the second target Sam felt his confidence growing. Until he missed the third target completely and the rifle overheated.

"Damn it."

"And that's one enemy still left, boy. What will you do now?" Wrex's tone was infuriating and Sam lit up his biotics, sending the target skidding across the floor. He turned back to Wrex and put on his most smug grin. "That."

The old krogan chuckled. "You didn't waste any time back talking until the job was done. Excellent!" He continued laughing while Sam berated himself for not seeing through Wrex's method. "Let's see what T'soni can do," the battlemaster ordered.

Liara stepped forward with Kaidan alongside her. "So, what you want to do is make sure you're supporting the back of the gun so it doesn't fly out of your hand…"

While Kaidan ran through the steps with Liara, Sam opened his omni-tool to see what was happening in the galaxy lately. From the looks of things Feros was doing well now that the Thorian and geth were gone.

There was a renowned Alliance Admiral named Kahoku attempting to get an audience with the Council. Apparently some of his marines had vanished while on a mission. Sam decided to save the information, making a mental note to tell Ben.

Wrex appeared alongside him. "I hope you're not feeling too annoyed, Shepard." Sam closed the omni-tool. "No. I get what you're trying to do. I just haven't had to train for anything since… well, that's retreading old ground.

He attempted to move on, but this only caught Wrex's attention further. "If you're thinking about Akuze, don't be ashamed." Sam's eyes narrowed. "I'm not ashamed, Wrex." He felt his cheeks reddening and added, "Not anymore."

A grim smile crossed Wrex's face. "Yeah, I heard about your little excursion with Toombs and your brother not too long ago. What I mean is that you're not the only one who's been through hell." He gestured to his various scars.

"I learned all the different ways to kill at such a young age not because I liked it. But because I had to. And before long I was damn good at it." But a moment later his face darkened. "Not good enough to make a difference, though."

It was easy to guess what Wrex was talking about. "The genophage."

Wrex nodded. "We've both seen a lot of terrible things. But neither one of us should have to ask for pity, Shepard. This is who we are." Sam gazed out, wondering if he could spot the Krogan Monument from here.

"You know, I did my research on the genophage. For what it's worth I think it was a mistake. There have to be at least some other krogan like you." The krogan looked down at him with a bemused look. "And how would you describe me?"

Sam looked up and smirked. "Stubborn and a pain in the ass… but I can always count on you to get the job done. I trust you." For just a second it looked like Wrex was smiling. Not a smirk or the intimidating grin he sometimes wore in the middle of a firefight, he actually looked happy.

"Hey Commander, you might want to see this."

The two looked back, startled. Liara and Kaidan had stopped their practice. The human had his omni-tool equipped, and was laughing in embarrassment at whatever he was seeing. Next to him Liara was giggling as well.

"Well, let's see what the kid and your friend are finding so funny."

They walked over to see what was wrong with Liara, and Sam elbowed the krogan. "Before you get too chummy just remember that kid is my girlfriend, Wrex." He allowed himself a brief chuckle.

"And it's Sam, if you don't mind."

Author's Note: So I decided to kick off this next arc in the story with a relatively light-hearted chapter. I'd stalled on the Khalisah al-Jilani meeting long enough, and figured it was time we brought her in.

And we get to see Wrex's relationship with the crew developing. He's such a great character, and I enjoy writing him a lot.

Next chapter, we'll get more time with the ever-obstinate Council.

Yipee.