Disclaimer: Bioware owns pretty much everything.
A/N: Thanks to my beta, drakontion, for her help and to the readers for following along. As always, feel free to post you thoughts and opinions if you like.
Chapter 29
Shepard stood before the stairs leading up to the Petitioner's Stage, soft light filtering through the cherry blossoms. Alenko stood beside her and waited patiently while Hanson bobbed excitedly on his toes, eyes alight with curiosity as he took in the sight of the chamber. Miranda leaned against a half-wall with her arms crossed, a frown on her face. Shepard understood her discomfort. She had known this time would come, but she'd thought to be better prepared.
The commander exhaled slowly, steeling her nerves for the political exercise ahead. She disliked dealing with the Council, but it was a necessary evil. She fully expected to defend her position and her evidence repeatedly, as well as restrain the more volatile side of her temper. The Council had a seemingly innate ability to light her up with a single look or gesture, their ramblings merely a filibuster to cover their fear. Shepard sighed. She hated politicians.
"Ready, Commander?" Miranda leaned forward, her movements jerking Hanson out of his awe.
Shepard nodded slightly, her eyes forward as she ascended the stairs. Udina waited for her, the usual scowl on his face, darkening slightly as he recognized the individuals accompanying her.
"Commander Shepard. I assume you have a good reason to call this meeting? I pulled a lot of strings to arrange this."
Shepard turned her gaze on him, eyes like ice, and he took an involuntary step back. "As a Spectre I have a right to meet with the Council. Consider yourself lucky that I thought to include you at all."
He huffed, grumbling about her lack of respect as they approached the stage. Shepard paused at the edge, back ram-rod straight as the council members lined up opposite her. Alenko and Miranda stood on either flank while Hanson remained in back, his excitement barely contained. Udina stood next to Shepard, puffing out his chest as if to increase his self-importance purely through show.
"Council members," Udina barked. "May I present Commander Shepard, of the Alliance Corsair Pro-"
The turian counselor waved his hand dismissively. "We know who Commander Shepard is, Ambassador. You introduction is not necessary."
From the corner of her eyes, the commander noticed Udina's face slacken, and smiled inwardly before turning her full attention on the Council, voice firm and unwavering.
"The last time we met you requested evidence. Between both the physical proof and documented recordings, I believe I have provided all that you need to make a decision."
There was a pause in the chamber as the council members reviewed their terminal displays, the glow of the information scrolling down the screens.
The asari glanced up first. "You have indeed done as we asked, Commander, but I am unclear as to the reports of a 'sleeper agent' among your crew. Your very admission of sabotage damages the reliability of any information that you have provided us."
Shepard swore under her breath. She had suspected something like this might come up, but hoped it wouldn't. "We have transferred the saboteur over to C-Sec custody where his actions can be investigated by your people."
"After his implants were removed." The turian councilor's voice was forceful, accusatory. "How can we be sure that he is indeed the individual responsible for your failings?"
The commander felt her blood begin to simmer and fought to rein in her temper. She punched a sequence of commands into her omni-tool, forwarding the data. "Dr. Chakwas' report provides, in detail, the surgery performed to remove the implants. She also has both visual and audio recordings of the event available per your request."
"Why was this information not included in your original report?"
Shepard was long past tired of the turian's tone of voice. "Because you didn't ask?"
The chambers stirred with murmurs, the usual echo of surprise and disbelief that accompanied one of her outbursts. The turian counselor shifted irritably and opened his mouth to speak, but Shepard forestalled him.
"Those are the doctor's personal records," she stated, "delivered to you as a courtesy. I provided you with physical evidence, the implants for your experts to study, as well as our most recent technological advances."
"Ah yes, the Reaper virus."
Shepard frowned, her anger threatening to boil over, and accessed her omni-tool again. "If you had reviewed the visual footage over Murky Water, specifically at 2:08:56, you would see visual confirmation of a Reaper. At 2:48:39, you can see the damage to its hull. Note its shape, and how many similarities there are between this Reaper, and the ship obtained on Gigula by the Turian Hierarchy."
Silence blanketed the chamber like a heavy curtain and a feeling of satisfaction spread through the commander's limbs. She had finally rendered the Council speechless. Alenko shifted awkwardly beside her while Miranda remained perfectly still. Shepard waited for the councilors to speak, but it was Udina who interrupted the quiet.
"Commander Shepard has only recently provided the Alliance with this information and our experts, like yours, have not yet had ample opportunity to determine its authenticity."
The turian counselor's mandibles flared wildly. "I assume your people have had ample opportunity to evaluate the commander's mental status? The sudden appearance of this so-called evidence worries me. She worked for Cerberus, an avowed enemy of the Council ." He threw his arms up in a very human gesture. "With all the cybernetic implants in her body, I wonder if she's under Alliance control at all!"
Both Udina and Shepard opened their mouths to answer his question, but Miranda stepped forward calmly, her lilting voice carrying over the ruckus of the chamber. "If C-Sec records are accurate, Councilor, your own turian Spectre, Saren, also had many cybernetic implants including a grafted geth arm and neurological modifications. You supported his Spectre status continually until Commander Shepard provided you with evidence to the contrary. Tell me," Miranda took a breath to steady herself. "How is this any different?"
The commander was pleasantly surprised by the sheer force in Miranda's voice. She had heard her state her opinion on numerous occasions, but never with such bridled passion. A strange feeling of pride tickled her senses and Miranda shot her a knowing look.
"Peace, Commander." The asari councilor raised her hand in a placating gesture. "Your evidence is still under review, but we commend you on the work done so far. Your initiative is appreciated."
Shepard suppressed a derisive snort, memories of previous her initiative and escape to Ilos flooded her mind. She glanced over at Alenko, his solid form comforting, and she saw his eyes drift toward her. Her moment of peace was offset as feelings of regret snaked through her limbs. The commander pushed the memory away quickly, focusing once more on the council.
"We understand that the Justicar Samara has been collaborating with you, providing intelligence reports regarding her current mission." The asari councilor paused momentarily. "I understand she has pledged to you her support in your endeavors."
Shepard nodded slightly and opened her mouth to speak, but it was the salarian councilor who plowed ahead. "It seems your industrialism is not limited to the asari. I understand that the STG has also been providing you with intelligence and has even engaged in several missions on your behalf."
Shepard nodded again, preferring to remain silent until she found out exactly where the councilors were headed with these new observations. Udina puffed up beside her, most likely ready to support any challenge they threw at her.
The salarian glanced at the other two councilors and inclined his head. "I must say that I am impressed, Commander Shepard. I had not thought you able to utilize such resources. While I admire your initiative, I am not sure I like the fact that governmental agencies are wasting valuable resources on your behalf. Their allegiance is to their governments, and ultimately to the Council. Not to you."
"Agreed," the turian councilor firmly stated. "What exactly are you planning, Commander, that you also require both krogan and rachni forces?"
Shepard stepped forward to answer, forestalling any potential interruption by Udina. "During our battle with the Reaper, our ship's computer was able to decipher the time and place of the Reaper arrival. This data is supported by readings gathered from our team members working in conjunction with the quarians. Together, our experts have generated an attack strategy based on the intelligence that we've been gathering for over the last year. Even now, the STG works to complete a series of bunkers on Haestrom and Gotha, as well as modify an orbital platform over Charoum." She shot a look at the salarian councilor. "As a Spectre I have access to the Council's resources, and the STG is one of those resources."
"Yes, but krogan? Rachni?" The turian's mandibles fluttered. "I believe your kind has a saying, Commander Shepard. Your reach has exceeded your grasp."
The commander heard Alenko stiffen beside her, but thankfully he kept his mouth shut. Shepard activated her omni-tool, examining the last reports from Mordin. "Rachni and krogan forces will be needed in the event of a ground war. The bunkers must be protected. Without them, we can't hope to defeat the Reapers as they enter the system."
Silence descended once more on the Council Chambers, the usual murmurs of onlookers nonexistent. Shepard felt their eyes on her as the Council conferred, ignoring the irritation building in her gut. Udina remained puffed up next to her, the familiar scowl darkening his face. She heard Hanson shift awkwardly behind her, the shuffling of his boots almost deafening amidst the quiet.
The asari councilor glanced at the others and nodded, her calm demeanor at odds with the frustration seething within Shepard's blood. The Council activated their terminals simultaneously, the asari looking up after completing her task.
"Commander Shepard, know that we will review your intelligence in greater detail. We cannot commit Council forces to an endeavor we know nothing about." Shepard opened her mouth to speak, but the asari held up her hand to forestall any protestations. "We will take the matter under advisement."
The commander watched as the councilors filed out of the chamber, her body tense, livid. Memories of her race to find Saren flooded her mind and Shepard fought the fury that bubbled within. She had thought that she had earned not only their gratitude for saving their lives, but their trust as well. Apparently, she had been wrong. It seemed that no good deed went without punishment and Shepard shook her head irritably. She hoped that they would come to a decision before the Normandy was repaired or she would be left to her own devices in the fight against the Reapers.
Shepard turned on her heel and tromped down the stairs, brushing past Udina and ignoring the inquisitive looks of the bystanders. She had no time to play nice or practice politics. The commander had a job to do and she'd be damned if anything was going to stand in her way.
The group of four crowded into the elevator, Alenko's shoulder brushing against her own. She ignored the familiar sensation of his nearness, a shiver running down her spine, instead turning her attention toward Miranda.
"What the latest on repairs? Can we get underway soon?"
Miranda activated her omni-tool, studying the readout briefly. "Jacob hasn't sent me any new updates. It seems his original estimation still holds. We'll be here for a few days, Shepard."
The commander frowned, feelings of restlessness causing her palms to itch. "Regardless, I want to stop by and see how things are progressing."
Miranda nodded in agreement. "Good idea. Maybe you can encourage the repair crews to work more efficiently."
Shepard shot Miranda a sidelong glance and could have sworn the other woman was trying to hide a smirk.
Hanson bobbed on his toes again, boots squeaking against the metal flooring. "So is it always like this? The Council, I mean. They seem," he paused and considered his words.
"Tentative?" Alenko supplied helpfully.
Hanson nodded. "I was thinking of something more colorful, Commander, but that works too." The corporal frowned. "They've known about the Reapers since Eden Prime and they haven't done anything."
"The Reapers make a better myth than a reality." Shepard snorted, wishing the elevator would move faster. The commander had put up with the Council's crap for long enough and was familiar with their routine. She'd eventually act of her own accord and they'd take the credit. Despite the desire to do so, she wasn't looking forward to the time where she could tell them 'I told you so.' Shepard had a feeling she'd be neck deep in clusterfuck when that time came.
The elevator slid open and onto the Presidium. Shepard continued her rapid pace while the others followed, Hanson stumbling occasionally as he gaped in awe at his surroundings. Foot traffic was surprisingly sparse and the group made their way to another elevator. The commander pushed the button impatiently, eager to examine the progress made on her ship and light some fires if need be.
It seemed that the lifts were moving slower than usual today, and Shepard eyed her surroundings. Little had changed on the Presidium since Sovereign's attack, a fact which didn't surprise her. The keepers seemed just as good at rebuilding as they were maintaining the station.
The commander turned, taking in the view of the lake before her, idly pondering the idea of buying more fish. Her aquarium had remained empty since the last batch died, their bodies floating on top of the water for a week before she remembered she hadn't fed them.
Alenko stepped up next to her, his gaze following the same direction. "Everything okay, Shepard?"
"Copacetic," she muttered.
"You're thinking about the Council's inaction, aren't you?"
Shepard shook her head. "Actually, I was thinking about my fish."
Alenko shot her a quizzical look. He was an individual that was difficult to surprise and the commander allowed herself a mental round of applause.
"Fish?" he asked doubtfully.
She shrugged. "Among other things, yes."
Alenko nodded and turned his gaze back toward the lake. "The Council will come around in time. You'll see."
Shepard suppressed a snort as her blood boiled again. "They were supposed to 'come around' three years ago."
"They must have missed that memo."
The commander nodded, a small smile curling the corners of her mouth. "So it seems." Her stomach chose that quiet moment to growl loudly and Shepard frowned, realizing it was far past her regular mealtime.
Alenko shot her another look, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. "Hungry? I know a great restaurant on Zakeera if you're interested."
The commander met his eyes, soft and soothing against the maelstrom of her mind. She cocked an eyebrow teasingly. "Are you asking me on a date, Alenko?"
He chuckled softly, the sound sending more shivers down her spine. "Maybe?" He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Tell you what – there's bound to be crew that hasn't eaten lunch yet and I'll invite them along. Technically, it won't be a date."
Shepard waved her hand absentmindedly as they walked back toward the elevator. Hanson and Miranda slipped inside, followed by Alenko and Shepard, the air tense between them.
"Fine." She couldn't help but smile at the look on his face. "But it better be a damn good restaurant."
