The harsh lighting of the Normandy's briefing room shone down on the five commissioned and noncommissioned officers. Shepard, Traynor, Adams, and O'Brien stood to one side, waiting. Joker had obtained a wheelchair.

The door opened, and Admiral Hackett strode in. "Ladies, gentlemen, I need to know exactly what happened out there. Please be totally candid. If we need to classify anything, it's a lot easier if I know about it upfront."

The five of them went over the events of the past few hours. Hackett occasionally asked for clarification or additional information, but for the most part, he listened quietly. He remained silent for several seconds after everyone else had finished. Finally, he spoke. "Specialist, Lieutenants, Chief, thank you for your time. Please do not discuss this with anyone. You are dismissed."

O'Brien, Adams, Joker, and Traynor saluted and left the room.

"So what are we doing, Admiral?" asked Shepard.

"This is a tough one, Shepard. But I can tell you one thing: we are not bringing Udina in on this."

"Sir?"

"If he knows the location of the Defiant, and doesn't tell the rest of the Council, that is a massive breach of trust. The Hierarchy is already starting to drift away from us. We can't have the Council fall apart when the reapers invade. And if he does tell the Council, they'll throw their fleets away on a hopeless mission to take the Defiant. The reapers will march right in and take the galaxy in a week. We don't tell him."

Shepard nodded. "I see where you're coming from, but what happened to civilian control of the military?"

"The turians have been doing just fine without that for centuries," replied Hackett.

"So... what, you're saying we should overthrow the Systems Alliance Parliament? Lead this war ourselves?"

"Shepard..."

"No, Admiral. We can't keep critical intel away from our superiors like this. It's illegal and wrong."

Hackett shut his eyes for a moment. The silence was filled with the hum of generators and life support systems. "Commander, you warned us that the reapers were coming in 2186. That was nearly six months ago and we're now well into 2186. How long do you realistically believe we will hold Arcturus Station against an army of reapers?"

Shepard faltered. "Well... we could evacuate the MPs, the PM-"

"Anything less than total war is not going to work. You yourself have said so on multiple occasions. Total war means your civilian population becomes an extension of the military. Civilians do not win wars. Soldiers win wars. This is not going to be pretty. We will be making ethically questionable decisions every minute of every day until the reapers are defeated. And sooner or later, the costs of defending an all-civilian leadership will outweigh its benefits."

Shepard slammed a fist on the table. "Dammit, Hackett, we're not there yet. Talk to Shastri. Bring a few people in on this. Classify it heavily."

"And what should I tell him? You know he doesn't believe in the reapers."

"Tell him you've run simulations. You're sure the Council doesn't have a chance of taking the Defiant. The political situation with the geth and quarians is unstable enough that we can't risk pissing off the geth with a failed attempt. You strongly urge him to keep this classified."

"All right, Commander. I can make that work." Hackett turned to leave, but paused. "Shepard, I hope you realize the war has already begun. It started in 2183 with the Battle of the Citadel. We are there, and we are making difficult choices here and now. If we weren't there, I'd have no choice but to report EDI as an illegal AI."

"Thank you for trusting me, Admiral," said EDI.

Hackett nodded, and left the room.

"The Council is now in session," said Tevos. It was the kind of blindingly obvious statement that bureaucrats and politicians depended on for their livelihoods. There was little other reason for the councilors to be standing at their respective lecterns in the Council Chambers, with Commander Shepard of all people waiting patiently on the Petitioner's Stage. The scene was eerily reminiscent of Shepard's induction into the Spectres, but with one crucial difference.

"Commander Shepard," said Valern, "you are accused of using a weapon of mass destruction against a garden world, in direct violation of both Council law and your responsibilities as a Spectre. How do you plead?"

"It was necessary," replied Shepard. There were hushed whispers in the crowd, but nothing more. The Council did not tolerate interruptions. Shepard's image was being livestreamed across the galaxy, so the louder reactions took place elsewhere. At various points throughout Omega, batarians had gathered to watch, and they were not pleased with this statement.

"So you admit it?" demanded Sparatus.

Udina put on his trademark angry face. "Councilor, to mount a necessity defense, one logically must be pleading 'not guilty.' Do not put words into my citizen's mouth."

The Turian Councilor was incensed. "Do you think this is Earth, Councilor? There is no 'necessity defense' to treaty violations on this scale." The whispering grew louder.

"You can't accuse a private individual of-"

Tevos held up a hand and there was silence. "There will be order, or the session will be adjourned. Councilor Udina, your objections to the charges were discussed during extradition. Commander Shepard's plea is entered as 'not guilty.' All of the relevant evidence has been reviewed in camera, so we proceed directly to the verdict. Commander Shepard, step forward."

Shepard did so.

"On one count of illegal use of a weapon of mass destruction, the Council has been unable to reach a majority verdict," said Tevos. "As such, the charge is dismissed." The whispering resumed, louder than ever.

Valern waited until it had died down to a more reasonable level. "Under our standing agreement with the Systems Alliance, Commander Shepard is hereby remanded into their custody for trial on approximately 14,000 counts of murder, in relation to the same incident. The Council notes that murder is not under our jurisdiction and defers to the Alliance." The last sentence was not part of the official formula, but the Council felt it necessary for political reasons. "The Council takes notice of an extradition request from the Batarian Hegemony. However, Commander Shepard has already been extradited from the Alliance to the Citadel, and we agreed to return her in the event of acquittal. The Hegemony's request is accordingly denied."

"This session is adjourned," said Tevos rather abruptly. The councilors walked off-stage, ignoring the media's frantic queries.

The apartment was smallish, and rather utilitarian. But not too small; Garak had insisted on that point. Unusually, the window looked out onto the rose and violet of the Serpent Nebula. Most apartments only had views of each other, or of the other Wards. But then, most apartments did not house cardassians, klingons, or bajorans in utmost secrecy. A yellow and black warning stripe had been painted around the frame, reminding those accustomed to planetary life that yes, there was hard vacuum on the far side, and no, you couldn't just open the window.

The doorbell chimed. "Come in," said Garak.

Bashir complied. "So your apartment is just like mine. Wonder how the Council managed to get this all set up so quickly."

"I'm sure a fair amount of money changed hands," replied Garak. He opened a cabinet and took out a package of food. Examining the instructions briefly, he poured the contents of the package into a mixing bowl and added water. He then placed the whole thing in a microwave oven.

"What is that, exactly?" asked Bashir, sitting down at the table.

"Not a clue," replied Garak. "I picked it out for ease of preparation, not taste." He sat down as well. "I notice you haven't spoken with Ms. Chambers in quite some time."

"It wasn't really working. She's just..." He trailed off.

"...not smart enough for you," finished Garak. "I seem to recall you had the same problem with Leeta."

The microwave chimed. Garak took the bowl out and divided its contents between two plates, which he placed on the table.

Bashir took a bite. "Garak, no offense, but this is disgusting."

Garak sampled his portion and grimaced. "None taken. You don't suppose Sisko would be willing to give us cooking lessons, do you?"

"I'll talk to him."

"So, who's next on your list?"

Bashir frowned. "My list?"

"Of young women you want to briefly date and then dump."

"Garak, you know that's not what I'm doing."

Garak put on an offended look. "Well, excuse me, Doctor. I just assumed that, coming to a new universe, you would be looking to expand your horizons some more."

Bashir shuddered. "With my horizons expanded as far as they are, I sometimes feel as though I've lost my bearings. Like I'm living inside a Dyson sphere or something."

Garak paused at this. "Just how lost are you, Julian?"

Bashir had his head in his hands. "I've helped fabricate medical research, lied to two universes about my identity, and everything I do compounds the lies. Worst of all, I'm not even sure any of that was actually wrong. I've spent all this time fighting Section 31, but how am I any better?"

"Are there people alive because of you? Because you chose to take this course of action?"

"Yes, Garak, but that's not the point."

Garak raised a brow ridge. "Then what is the point? I thought Federation ethics were all about making as many people as happy as possible, right?"

Bashir shook his head. "There's our consequentialism-versus-deontology argument again. Though I wasn't expecting to hear my words from your mouth."

"Because I'm the morally bankrupt cardassian spy?"

"Garak."

"Don't 'Garak' me, Doctor. We both know that's how you felt. And we both know I won't change, for you or anyone. That is the one inescapable truth amidst all our lies."

Bashir straightened up. "But that's a lie."

"Is it?"

"People change. It is our nature to change. The person I am today would be totally unrecognizable to me a year ago. And so it is, so it must be, for you."

"So that's it, then? The mere possibility that I will change, in the way you want me to change-"

"I don't know what I want," interrupted Bashir. "Because this time, I'm the one who's changing. But I think it'll be easier to figure that out with you than alone. You've always seen the world for what it is, Garak, not for what it purports to be. It's why you're so good at lying. You understand the system so well that you can just step right into any role, and no one questions it." He took Garak's hand. "I need that clarity, now more than ever."

Garak withdrew his hand. "And you think I'm going to just fall into your arms the moment you ask?"

"Well, Garak, if you want to spend time with one of your numerous other suitors, feel free."

Garak stared at Bashir. "You really have changed." A smile played on his lips. "In that case, how can I refuse?"

Shepard slumped on the couch. Her travel wasn't yet scheduled, and the Council had quite plainly instructed her not to be seen in public, so she had little choice but to wait in Anderson's apartment.

"So," said James, "the Council drags you all the way out here, spends days arguing behind closed doors over what to do about you, then holds the shortest trial in history and sends you home again?"

"Pretty much," replied Shepard.

"Gotta love that government efficiency." He sat on a nearby chair and picked up the remote. "Is there anything on?" He turned the TV to a random channel.

"...would have normalized quarian/geth relations," said the ANN anchor. "However, it was narrowly rejected-"

Shepard facepalmed. "Dammit!"

"-at an extraordinary session of the quarian Conclave, or legislature, in the wake of Admiral Daro'Xen vas Moreh's resignation. In her statement, Xen called the treaty a 'farce' and described it as a means of quarian subjugation. She said she was quote 'ashamed to be serving with the admirals who negotiated this treaty,' end quote. When asked about Xen's replacement, Admirals Shala'Raan vas Tonbay and Tali'Zorah vas Normandy declined to comment. While the Admiralty can unanimously overturn Conclave decisions, Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema has also publicly denounced the treaty. These frank statements from admirals are extremely unusual at this point in the Migrant Fleet's artificial year. Ordinarily, the Admiralty maintains a nominal air of neutrality during election season. Some members of the Conclave have accused Xen of anti-democratic influence, while others have praised her for 'telling it like it is.' For their part, the geth have released a statement indicating that the treaty will remain open to future acceptance, but they could not be reached for further comment. Now, from Vancouver, here is ANN Correspondent Diana Allers with the reaction on the street."

Vega muted the television. "Lola, you all right?"

"It's just frustrating. Every time I think I've accomplished something, somebody yanks the rug out from under me."

"You still got the quarians and geth talking, right?"

"Yeah, and that's better than nothing, but I was really hoping we'd be in a better place by now."

Vega's eyes widened. "'Better than nothing?' Shepard, they haven't so much as looked at each other in almost 300 years."

"Lieutenant, them looking at each other isn't going to stop the reapers." She paused. "Sorry, James. Shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I need to go talk to Anderson. Rethink this whole thing."

"Good luck."

She climbed the stairs to the master bedroom, which had a comm panel on the wall. With her omni-tool, she initiated a video call.

Admiral Anderson picked up quickly. "Shepard."

"Anderson. Is this a good time?"

"Yes, I'm between shifts. I heard about the treaty. I was actually just about to call you."

Shepard sighed. "So what are we supposed to do now?"

"The geth said they'd leave the offer on the table. That probably means the Defiant, too."

"You think?"

Anderson nodded. "You don't throw out your biggest bargaining chip just because the other side got bogged down in politics."

"OK. So we haven't lost the ship yet. That's something, at least. Where are we going from there?"

"We need the public to buy into the reaper invasion. Once people have seen the horrors you've described, they'll do anything to stop it."

Shepard threw a hand up in annoyance. "And if they don't?"

"Then we're all in a whole lot of trouble."

Dax set down the bishop. "Let me get this straight. The geth have seized control of the Defiant. They oppose the reapers and want to help, but they're afraid of a war with the quarians. The offered the quarians a very generous treaty which the quarians have now rejected. So the whole situation, in short, is a mess, and you haven't even been consulted."

Sisko nodded. "That's correct. Check." He moved his queen.

She captured his queen with her own, and he re-captured. "Is there a reason they've been cutting us out of this?" She moved the bishop again, threatening Sisko's kingside.

"It's not that simple, Old Man. This is a very delicate situation. They have a much better understanding of it than we do. And the stakes are extremely high. A war involving the Defiant would be catastrophic for this universe even without the reapers." He pushed a pawn to block the bishop's line of attack.

Dax considered the position for a moment, and then brought out a knight. "I just don't understand why they're playing nice with the quarians."

Sisko moved his own knight. "I don't follow."

"Well..." She placed the knight within striking range of Sisko's pawn. "The geth don't need to eat, and they particularly don't need to eat dextro food. They don't need air, clean rooms, environmental controls, or anything, really. And they probably have a bigger fleet than the quarians. Why not just sign a treaty with them and ditch the quarians if they won't go along with it?"

Sisko moved up a second pawn to protect the first. "I hope it doesn't come to that. The quarians have had a tragic past. Choosing between them and the geth... I don't think that's something anyone really wants to contemplate."

"But that's the problem. Nobody wants to think about these things until it's too late. You have to consider every possibility. 'I hope' isn't a plan." She castled kingside, bringing her rook onto an open file.

"If the situation gets bad enough, it will be on the table. But you can't show your hand too early." He castled queenside, ruining Dax's line of attack.

Shepard stared out the window. Numerous ships, some human, most alien, flew by. Behind them, the Wards reached out into the Serpent Nebula. They looked like claws, or fingers, as if the Citadel was reaching out to grasp Widow.

"Commander Shepard to Docking Bay D24. Shepard to D24," droned the intercom.

"That's us," said James.

Shepard nodded. They began walking towards the airlock, purposely ignoring the mob of press just past the C-Sec cordon.

Out of the corner of her eye, Shepard caught sight of something on a news vid. She turned her head, and her irises opened in shock and recognition.

The noise level increased dramatically. Omni-tools went off. Some reporters turned to their holo-cams and began speaking rapidly, while others frantically pointed their cameras at the few available vid screens. Those fortunate enough to have a direct feed cut away to it. Within minutes, C-Sec declared a lockdown and began dispersing the crowds. Shortly thereafter, the Presidium was deserted, clear across the ring. Wards traffic and commerce slowed to a crawl. Everyone was watching the news, transfixed in horror at the scenes unfolding before their eyes. And then, just as quickly as it had started, it was over. All the feeds were offline. Earth had gone dark.

[Sorry, Bashir/O'Brien shippers. I think they make more sense as friends.

I'm very interested in hearing complaints about the writing. But I can't really do much for you if you just don't like Garak/Bashir. Longer and more detailed reviews are a lot more helpful than "Garak/Bashir? That's just stupid!"

I am running with the assumption that Garak and Bashir were involved with one another during DS9, but amicably broke up at some point before Garak met Ziyal. In my judgment, this is the interpretation most consistent with the source material (including the null hypothesis). If that doesn't quite match your headcanon, you could interpret this as yet another continuity snarl. We've already seen characters disagree about minor and not-so-minor things from their recent pasts. Perhaps Garak and Bashir remember being in a relationship, but nobody else does.

Of course, this is not primarily a romance fic. Romantic subplots are not essential to the story, and will remain at the B- or C-plot level. I won't allow them to take over the fic. I try not to put too much plot-critical exposition in the romance segments (except when collectors unexpectedly board the Normandy in the middle of a pillow talk scene), so if you really hate them, you should be able to skim or skip them.

I think these cliff-hangers are going to keep happening whether I want them to or not. It's just how the story is writing itself. I would like to promise that the next few chapters won't have them, but it's hard to be certain at this point in the story's development. The good news is that we have finally gotten to ME3, so hopefully the story will start to pick up now.

The description of the chess game is deliberately simplified in places, partly because I'm not actually all that good at chess, and partly because some of my readers might not be either. Obviously Dax would have foreseen Sisko's castle, and she chose to play that line anyway because it was the best one available to her. I'm quite certain that Dax and Sisko did play traditional (2D) chess at some point in DS9, which is why they are playing that instead of 3D chess.]