The Paths We Take: Act II
Two weeks after the destruction of Sovereign.
"What a wonderful day this is! It's only been two weeks since the horror that unfolded here on the Citadel. The coup attempt led by disgraced SPECTRE Saren Arterius and his army of Geth was ultimately stopped and now once again the SSV Normandy is set to fly one more!"
The camera panned from the reporter past the thrones of cheering people made up of all different species until it landed on a shot of the now iconic ship.
"While details are understandably classified, we have it on good authority that Commander Shepard and his crew will be targeting select hold-outs of Geth insurgents that were left in place by Saren. Wait a minute.." The camera quickly turned to the left side, finding the walkway in which security was tightly monitoring the crowd. "There he is now! Commander Shepard and Councillor Donnel Udina. Wow! The first Human SPECTRE and the first Human Councillor! What a sight!"
Commander Shepard was in his full N7 armor as he walked in place with Councillor Udina. Both men held up their hands in acknowledgement of the cheers they were receiving. Following the two men were Ashley Williams, Jacob Taylor and James Vega.
"This is such a proud sight to see. The Normandy, led by Commander Shepard, once again taking to the skies to watch over us. Now over to our colleague, Emily Wong, as I think she's snagged the man himself for a quick word or two! Emily?"
"Thanks, Paul." Emily Wong smiled at the camera. Shepard stood next to her proudly, waving and smiling at various people in the crowd. "I'm honored to be standing here with Commander Shepard, hero of the Citadel and the first Human SPECTRE." She turned to Shepard. "Commander. Thank you for joining me. I imagine you can't wait to get back out there today?"
Shepard smiled. "It's my pleasure, Emily. And yes, absolutely. I'm not one for sitting around or having much of a break. Anytime I get to lead the Normandy is a proud, proud moment for me. She's quite a ship."
"That she is, Commander. Can you confirm that there's any truth in the rumors that you will be hunting down more of the Geth, in an attempt to eliminate the synthetics for good?"
"I'm afraid I cannot confirm or deny any mission specifications, it is classified information." Shepard smiled broadly. "You knew I'd say that, right?"
Emily laughed vibrantly. "I thought that would be the case, but it can't harm a girl to try. Okay, one last question. I notice that Garrus Vakarian is absent today, Commander. It is known that the Turian was commended for his actions in taking down Saren Arterius, but yet he is not here today? Will Mr. Vakarian not be flying with the Normandy going forward?"
"Garrus Vakarian is a hero, and a true pleasure to work alongside. He's taking some well deserved time off - fortunately for him, as a free lancer, I can't actually force him to come with me this time!" Shepard chuckled. "But I'm sure our paths will cross again soon. Garrus Vakarian is always welcome on board the Normandy, as are the other specialists who helped during the hunt for Sovereign."
"Yes, Sovereign. Now Commander you've heard the Council say that.."
An Alliance official appeared to one side. "I'm sorry Miss Wong, but that's all we have time for."
Shepard smiled apologetically. "Duty calls I'm afraid." He stepped away from the reporter, walking towards the ship where the rest of his party was congregated. Shaking hands with Councillor Udina, Shepard waved one last time to the cheering crowd before stepping on board the Normandy with the new ground team directly behind him. As the doors closed, the Normandy's engines came to life.
"Ladies and gentleman!" Councillor Udina spoke into a microphone that had been handed to him. "Please join me in giving your full appreciation to the SSV Normandy!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd as the Normandy began to pull away from the docks. Everybody still on the station threw their hands into the air, waving as the Normandy flew away from them before disappearing from view.
"And there she goes, the SSV Normandy leading the line to watch over us once more. Whatever it is you're tasked to do Commander Shepard, we'll know you'll do us proud! And now back to Alice in the studio for a special look at Humanity's greatest hero."
Shepard stripped off his iconic N7 armor piece by piece as he dropped it to the floor, it clattering onto the decking with a thud. Nobody was watching the man with any pleasure, if anything, people were trying to look anywhere else. They hated to see their former commanding officer in such a position.
"Rendezvous with the Alcapel in three minutes." Joker's voice lacked it's usual spark as the pilot spoke ship wide through the coms.
Shepard picked up the pieces of his armor and placed them in a container that was promptly locked.
"Thank you, Shepard." Jondum Bau stepped forward as the container was wheeled away by a Jgeto, the Salarian hand-picked by Bau to assist in the operation against Cerberus. "I know this isn't easy for you."
"Has to be done." Shepard looked around the cargo-bay. He avoided eye contact with Ashley. "You take good care of her. She's a fine ship, a fine crew. You treat her right, and she'll pull you through anything. The Geth won't know what hit 'em. Just remember who the real threat is, Bau. You have to find a way to stop the Reapers. They're already trying to wash over the threat by keeping it named as Saren and the Geth. You can't let that happen."
The Salarian bowed his head. His face gave nothing away. "I will take the utmost of care of her, Shepard. And do not be concerned. We will do what must be done."
The pilot's voice came through again, noting that they were connecting with the intended target ship, the Alcapel.
Shepard took another glance around the Normandy.
I don't know if I'll be back here again. After all, I can't imagine the Alliance trying to make a big deal anytime the Citadel checks in. Best to keep me out the way and to wheel me out when they need me until Ash is ready for the SPECTRE position I suppose. Maybe a handing over of the torch as I announce my retirement? Happy days are coming for sure...
Shepard awaited the guards from the Alcapel. When they finally came on board, he held out his hands to be cuffed. Restraints were also put on his ankles. The man put up no fight.
It was enough for Ashley. She walked away, her head down as if she couldn't watch the man being taken away. Shepard gazed upon her for the first time since being brought back to the Citadel, following the woman with his eyes before finally he was marched off the Normandy once more without another look back. Shepard's destination was ultimately very different to that of the Normandy's.
Ashley returned to Bau after Shepard's transfer was complete. "He's right you know. About the Reapers being the biggest threat out there."
"I'm aware of your opinions on this, Second Lieutenant. But we have our orders. And we will complete them justly. " Bau walked away leaving Ashley staring at the empty space where Shepard had been. She had certainly noticed the man avoiding eye contact with her since his secret arrival at the Citadel before the ceremony. It wasn't a surprise, given what had happened. But it was still a painful blow, the ultimate reminder of the actions that she had caused.
Garrus grasped the edge of the table as he watched the vid-screen. Seeing them use Shepard in such a way made him feel ill.
"It's not right."
Miranda too felt sickened by the Alliance and the Councils stance. "You're right of course. For everything he's done, he doesn't deserve to be flashed around like some relic whenever they fancy. He should be captaining that damn ship, not pretending to." If you only came with me, John. You and your damn word.
Garrus shook his head. "I knew it'd be this way. And he'll do it, because he thinks he deserves to be punished." The Turian looked at Miranda. "We need to get him out of there."
"Well if you share who your source is we.."
Garrus held up his hand. "It's not happening. No offence, but while John might trust you with his life, I don't. And certainly not with the life of someone who isn't him. Not yet anyway."
"Fair enough." Miranda held back rolling her eyes. Whatever makes him feel comfortable. Any means necessary, remember. Your words.. "Have you heard from.." Him? Her? "Them?"
"Not yet. They said they'd get in contact after John's been transferred."
Miranda stepped up to the board of information they had compiled on Shepard's arrest and possible holding locations. "Well we can at least rule out the Citadel. They'll not keep him so close to the Council. Could you imagine the reaction if someone discovered him?." I'd love to see that smirk disappear from Udina's face. She tapped her finger on the board. "My money's still on Earth."
"Wouldn't that be dangerous too? Keeping the most famous Human on his home world?"
"It's not like they'll give him a beach front property where he can wander round wherever he pleases, Garrus. He'll be underground, under the tightest lock and key." Where they think we won't be able to get to him. "They'll know we'll come for him."
Garrus had to concede that Miranda was probably right, but as of yet, they had no firm leads on where Shepard was being held. "Most likely." The Turian's omni-tool bleeped. Miranda looked away from the board.
"Anything?" Miranda asked in hope.
Garrus shook his head. "No location, but we have a ship name. The Alcapel." The Turian looked at her. "You heard of it?"
"No." Miranda shook her head. "I'll pass it through the usual channels, see if we get a hit on everything." He vision was brought back to the vid-screen. Shepard stood there, smiling, as they repeated his interview with Emily Wong before returning to a fluff-piece which included the Councillors praising Shepard for his unyielding bravery.
Miranda scowled as she turned off the vid-screen, returning to the board of information.
Where are you, John? Where are they hiding you?
"So was that fun for you, Shepard?" The woman laughed to herself inside of her cell as Shepard was transferred back into his. "Did you still feel like the hero?"
Shepard sat down on the edge of his bed. "I've never felt like a hero."
"Bullshiiiit!" The woman added extra emphasis on the i's to make her point. "I know your type. Idealists. Egomaniacs. Always want to see your name up in pretty little lights."
"You couldn't be further from the truth." Shepard shook his head.
"I doubt that. But I tell you, it's actually been eating at me." The woman stood up and made her way to the wall closest to Shepard's cell. "What the fuck did you do to end up in here with me?"
"I thought you didn't give a shit? Those are your exact words by the way."
"Look at you with that perfect memory, good for you." The inmate sat down against the wall. "But lets be serious here now for once. How the hell did you go from saving every little fucker in the Galaxy, myself included so thanks for that, to in here in what.. seconds? Hours?"
"More like a day." Shepard mused. "I made the right choice, knowing it was also the bad one."
The woman frowned. "What the fuck does that mean? Eugh. So what do you even get out of this? I mean you parade yourself for what exactly?"
"I have certain assurances about matters which are important to me."
The woman cackled. "And you think they'll keep them promises, sweetheart? You're dumber than I thought."
Shepard shrugged. "I'd like to think I've built up a little goodwill along the way, even if I did end up in here."
"And you still haven't told me why. None of that cryptic shit this time. Why are you here, hero?"
"Tell you what." Shepard chuckled to himself. "You tell me your name, and I'll tell you the reason I'm here. No cryptic shit or whatever you'd like to call it."
The woman licked her lips. "Nah. I don't care that much."
"You sure? Sounds like you've been thinking about it a bit, just unable to figure me out. And you know if you ask the guards, they won't tell you anything. But if I did, they'd tell me everything."
"Yeah well why don't you just fucking ask them then?" The inmate sneered. "Would save a whole lot of effort on your part."
"Maybe I like our chats. Sure we dance around in circles for a time, but hey, it's nice to have a friend."
"Eugh." The woman shook her head. "Stop saying that."
"You're the one who started it. Called me a friend, remember?" Shepard grinned. "Don't back out on me now, friend."
"Shut the fuck up." She banged her hand on the wall. "Goddamn boy scout. Must have shat on an Admiral from a great height or something."
Shepard laid down on the bed and stretched out before adjusting his pillow. He ignored the last comment. "Talk to you in the morning."
The woman just nodded to herself. "Yeah." She lowered her head into her knees, whispering so that only she could hear. "Night, Shepard."
Here we go! Did you think it'd actually be weeks? Pfffft! Ye of so little faith! Lets get cracking, shall we?
