Author Note (7/26/15): To all my readers, I'm sorry it has been several months since I've updated this story. I've had a medical illness and ended up having surgery. I've recently received emails asking if I was okay and if I was going to continue the story. I'm truly touched by your concerns and thank you for caring. I am recovering well and do intend to continue the story. I am getting back to it by putting this short chapter out. Thank you for your support and patience.
Chapter 44: Spectre
Garrus was at Huerta Memorial Hospital. Shepard had contacted him right after they left Ilium to come meet him on the Citadel. Garrus arrived couple of hours ago. He knew Shepard would be bringing Ashley to the hospital. He stopped by early to visit with Liara and Vega. Garrus was chatting with Vega when he heard commotion down the hall. He excused himself and went to investigate.
Ashley was lying on an air gurney floating down the hospital corridor. Ashley didn't like all the fuss. But Dr. Chakwas insisted she lie on it as they brought her into her private room. As Ashley settled down in the room, she realized this was the same room she was in the last time she was hospitalized after her Mars mission.
"Doc, how long am I going to be here?" asked Ashley.
"We don't know for sure," replied Chakwas. "I need to do another scan on you shortly to see how you're doing. We want to make sure you're okay before you leave here, Captain."
Ashley sighed. Miranda walked over and put her hand on top of Ashley's hand, "Ash, I'll keep you company. It'll go by fast."
Shepard looked at Miranda, "Thank you for keeping an eye on her. I feel so much better with you by her side. I will check back as soon as I can."
Miranda looked at Shepard and smiled, "Don't worry. I will take care of Ash."
The door wisped open, it was Garrus.
Shepard turned around, "Vakarian!"
"Shepard!" said Garrus as the two friends shook hands.
Garrus then turned and said hello to Miranda. He then looked at Ashley on the bed, "Ashley, how are you?"
Ashley turned her head slightly towards Garrus, "Well, I have a headache and a sore chest. But other than that, I'm ready to go."
"Just like the old Gunnery Chief I know!" said Garrus.
"Hey, watch it. Who are you calling old?" said Ashley.
"I take it back," said Garrus, "I don't want to get in trouble."
Shepard then leaned in towards Ashley, "Hey Ash, I'm sorry, but..."
"I know, Skipper. You have to go with Garrus," replied Ashley. "Don't worry, I've got Miranda watching over me."
Shepard gave her a gentle kiss. As he stood up, Ashley squeezed his hand gently, "I love you, Skipper."
Shepard smiled and replied, "Me too." He then turned and walked out with Garrus.
Shepard and Garrus arrived at the Citadel Tower and walked up the steps together.
"Do you still remember when you became a Spectre?" asked Garrus.
"Yes, I do, " said Shepard, "and look what happened after that."
Garrus chuckled. After a moment, he said, "But seriously, thank you for believing in me and making this happen."
Shepard stopped, turned, and placed his right hand on Garrus' left shoulder, "Garrus, you made this happen. You deserve as much credit as anyone in stopping Saren, Sovereign, the Collectors and the Reapers. I should know. I was there."
Garrus nodded, "Okay, Shepard. Let's get this done."
Shepard and Garrus reached the top of the steps and walked to the platform in the Citadel Tower. Standing in front of them on an elevated platform were the other three councilors – Sparatus, Trevos, and Valern. Shepard should be standing up there as well. But for this ceremony, he requested to stand next to his friend.
Shepard stepped forward and began to speak, "I wish to present this special individual standing with me. I have personally witnessed his courage, honor and determination on and off the battlefield. I have had the privilege to have fought beside him against Saren, the Geth, Sovereign, the Collectors and the Reapers. Honorable Council, I wish to present General Garrus Vakarian for the consideration of Spectre."
After finishing his introduction, Shepard stepped back.
Asari Councilor Trevos began to speak, "Thank you Admiral Shepard. That is quite an introduction and endorsement." Then Trevos looked towards Garrus, "General Garrus Vakarian, step forward."
Garrus, took three steps forward and all the councilors began to enter entries into their keypads.
Trevos continued, "It is the decision of the Council that you'd be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel."
Then, Salarian Councilor Valern said, "Spectres are not trained but chosen - Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."
Trevos then added, "Spectres are an ideal, a symbol - the embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
Then, Turian Councilor Sparatus said, "Spectres bare great burden - they are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."
Shepard then concluded, "The life of a Spectre calls for sacrifice, courage, loyalty, and honor. Garrus Vakarian, I have witnessed all these qualities in you. It is my honor to call you a Spectre, my brother-in-arms, and my friend."
Shepard entered several key strokes on the data pad in front of him. He then turned the data pad slightly so Garrus could see. Garrus looked down and saw the data pad display. It read, "General Garrus Vakarian, Spectre Status, 313."
Shepard then turned to Garrus and shook his hand, "Welcome to the Spectres."
"I don't know how much longer I can stay cooped up like this," said Ashley as she lied in the hospital bed. She had finished another full body scan and is now waiting to hear from Dr. Chakwas.
"Ash, look at it this way, at least we get some quiet time together," said Miranda trying to cheer up Ashley. Miranda was sitting in a chair next to the bed facing Ashley. She opened up one of Ashley's Alfred Tennyson books.
"How about this one? It's called Summer Night ," asked Miranda.
"Yes, I like that one," said Ashley.
Miranda began to read:
"Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;
Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk;
Nor winks the gold fin in the porphyry font:
The firefly wakes: waken thou with me.
Now droops the milk-white peacock like a ghost,
And like a ghost she glimmers on to me.
Now lies the Earth all Danae to the stars,
And all they heart lies open unto me.
Now slides the silent meteor on, and leaves
A Shining furrow, as thy thoughts in me.
Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,
And slips into the bosom of the lake:
So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip
Into my bosom and be lost in me."
Miranda finished reading and looked up. She saw Ashley was looking at her. For a moment, they sat there looking at each other without speaking a word.
Wisp. The door slid open. It was Dr. Chakwas.
"I hope I'm not interrupting…" said Chakwas as she walked in.
Ashley broke off her gaze and turned to look at Chakwas, "No, you're not interrupting. How did the scan look?"
"Well, I think the injection I asked Shepard to give you yesterday worked. It seemed to have reduced the swelling quite a bit," said Chakwas.
"Does that mean I can leave?" asked Ashley excitedly.
"Not so fast," smiled Chakwas.
"I would suggest we give you an infusion that will help reduce rest of the swelling. I would like to monitor you for at least twenty four hours, then do another scan. If that scan looks good, then you may be able to go, " replied Chakwas.
"But, I feel fine," protested Ashley.
"Captain Williams, if you go, it would be against my medical advice," said Chakwas strongly.
"Ash, please do as the doctor says," said Miranda trying to calm Ashley.
Ashley looked at Miranda and sighed, "Okay, Dr. Chakwas. You win."
The Council had just finishing watching the Dalatrass video. There was complete silence in the Citadel Tower.
After a minute or so, Trevos finally spoke up, "I am still unclear how you came across this information."
Shepard replied, "A Shadow Broker operative gave it to Ms. Miranda Lawson."
Sparatus then asked, "And you think this is somehow related to the recent attacks on the N7 training grounds, and Dr. Liara T'soni?"
"The Shadow Broker operative claimed it was Cerberus troopers that attacked their base," replied Shepard.
"Do you believe this information to be credible?" asked Trevos.
"Miranda Lawson trusts this source and so do I," replied Shepard. "In addition, we have first eye accounts of Cerberus troopers and weapons used on the Nakatomi building, and the Cerberus uniform patches found on the troops in Rio."
Sparatus then slowly shook his head, "If Cerberus is behind all of this, then they are far stronger than we anticipated. We thought they were decimated at Cronos station."
"So did all of us," replied Shepard. "But it looks like they have regrouped and are planning something."
Councilor Valern had been quiet up until now. He finally spoke up, "If this footage is made public, the repercussions would be far reaching. The Krogans would be crying for blood and the galaxy would be plunged into war again. Unfortunately, they will start with the Solarian Union."
Shepard recalled the email he received from the Dalatrass shortly after the Shroud mission.
"From: Dalatrass Linron
Commander, I am deeply disappointed by your actions on Tuchanka. As I thought I made clear, curing the genophage will have long term consequences. Once the Reaper threat has passed, our combined forces will be so depleted that no race in the galaxy will be capable of stopping a resurgent Krogan. Moreover, the Krogan will undoubtedly seek revenge for the genophage, and the Salarian Union will be among their first targets. When that day comes, Commander, the blood of my people will be on your hands.
I am ashamed to also learn that our own scientist sacrificed his life carrying out your orders.
This is a dark day not only for my people, but all galactic civilization."
Valern continued, "This video cannot get out. It needs to be stopped at all cost!"
Sparatus then said, "The Council could declare a state of emergency that will allow Council to apply restrictions to all news media content as well as the galactic net."
"This is hard enough to impose when there's an obvious threat like the Reapers," replied Trevos looking at Sparatus, "it will certainly be difficult in this case when we cannot demonstrate an obvious threat or enemy."
Valern became angry, "We have to do something! If this gets out, there will be a massacre of Salarians. After that's done, they will come for the Turians and perhaps even the Asari. In our weakened state, we cannot possibly resist them."
"I agree we should do something," replied Shepard. "But I suggest we do this quietly and carefully. Let's send the Spectres to track down the files and do what's needed to stop them from transmitting this. "
Trevos thought about it and replied, "That seems reasonable. Which Spectre do you have in mind?"
Shepard replied, "I wish to send Garrus Vakarian."
Trevos replied, "As Spectre commander, you have command of the Spectres. We respect your decision." She then looked at Garrus, "General Vakarian, you are the right hand of the Council. Do everything you can to track down the perpetrators and stop them at all cost before the galaxy is plunged into another war."
Valern then added, "Dalatrass Linron will soon learn of this. She will not sit by and do nothing. I will try to delay any overt action, but act quickly."
"Shepard, thanks my first Spectre assignment," said Garrus as he and Shepard walked into Huerta Memorial.
"I had Saren and Sovereign, you get Cerberus – I think that's fair," chuckled Shepard.
As they walked in, Shepard saw Dr. Chakwas and walked over to her.
"Hi Doc, how's Ashley?" asked Shepard.
"She's doing remarkably well. I think that injection you gave her really helped," said Chakwas. "She's receiving one more dose of medicine to reduce the swelling. I want to monitor her overnight and rescan her tomorrow. If the scan is okay, then I think she'll be able to leave."
"That's great news, doc," replied Shepard. Then he continued, "How about Liara and Vega? Can they travel?"
"They can't go on any ground missions yet, if that's what you're asking Admiral," replied Chakwas.
"No, I mean just travel with the team onboard ship only," clarified Shepard.
"Yes, they could go with you if I'm watching them," replied Chakwas. "My time here is done, anyhow. I plan to come back to the Normandy, if that's alright with you Admiral. That way, I could keep an eye on everyone."
"That's great doc. We would love to have you back," replied Shepard, "I think we'll all feel better with you onboard."
"It's good to feel needed," smiled Chakwas. "I will prepare myself and our patients to leave the hospital tomorrow."
The door wisped open. Shepard and Garrus walked into Ashley's room. They overhead Vega's last few words.
"…and he thought she was my girlfriend."
"You have a girlfriend?" asked Shepard walking up to Ashley's bed.
Vega turned to face Shepard. He was on his crutches. "No, no. I don't have a girlfriend. It was a misunderstanding."
"Okay, you'll have to tell me this story some other time. It sounds interesting," said Shepard.
Vega glanced at Ashley, and then back to Shepard, "Umm… Okay Loco."
Shepard looked at Miranda, "Thanks for watching Ashley. I think she might have escaped on the Normandy if you weren't here."
"It was my pleasure," replied Miranda. "Besides, Captain Williams is the perfect patient."
Shepard then looked back at Vega and Liara, "Did Chakwas let you out?"
"I can walk around on my crutches," said Vega, "But I kinda snuck Liara out of her room."
Liara quickly spoke up for Vega, "Shepard, I made Vega do it. It's not his fault. I was losing my mind lying in that hospital bed."
"Relax," said Shepard, "I'm not turning anyone in. In fact, I just talked to Dr. Chakwas. She said if Ashley's scan looks good tomorrow, all three of you may be able to leave on the condition that she can keep an eye on you on the Normandy."
"That's great!" said Vega.
Shepard looked at Liara, "I know you had left the Normandy because of other commitments. But in light of recent developments, I'd like to ask you to come back to the Normandy. We really could use your help especially with intelligence, and I think you'd be safer there."
"Thank you for inviting me back. I would be glad to join you on the Normandy," replied Liara.
Shepard then put his hand around Garrus' shoulder, "And now, I would like to introduce Citadel Council's newest Spectre."
Everyone in the room cheered and congratulated Garrus.
"Thanks. I'm still the same old Garrus Vakarian," replied the Turian.
Miranda then turned to Shepard and asked, "So Admiral, what's our next mission?"
Shepard looked at Miranda and then the rest of the group, "The Council has formally sent Garrus to hunt down the individuals who stole the video file and use whatever means necessary to prevent it from being broadcasted. I would like the Normandy and her crew to support Garrus on this top priority mission. In addition, we will also be part of the escort fleet for the Citadel as she moves back to Citadel space. We will be busy for awhile."
There was a brief moment of silence as the group thought about what Shepard just said. Then, Vega broke the silence, "Wow. Three Spectres in one room. That might be a new record."
Without missing a beat, Miranda chuckled, "Yes, it takes three Spectres just to keep one Lieutenant Vega out of trouble."
Everyone laughed.
