Chapter 4

(Alliance Holding Pen, Earth)

Shepard did his best to keep his nerves calm as he paced up and down, the last week had been slow and nerve racking as he and his crew were questioned by an Alliance review board. Question after question was asked, sometimes about the same subjects with just different viewpoints. It took all his control not to lose his temper and lash out. And if it was bad for him he didn't dare think how Jack and the others were taking it, any minute he expected the wall to his room to explode inward as Jack finally lost her temper. Finally getting bored of pacing he sat down and tried to relax. 'How much longer would he have to stay here?' he asked himself because the more time they wasted on this, the more time was wasted they could have used to prepare for the coming of the Reapers.

He looked up as the door to his room opened and Anderson walked in looking quiet tired and somewhat frustrated. He hoped things were not as bad as he feared them to be. "I take it things are not going well?" he finally asked as Anderson sat across from him.

"You could say that. They just don't want to listen to any of your crew whose stories tell the same story as your's," Anderson admitted with a sigh. "Politicians, uh they are almost as bad as the council back on the Citadel, but at least they listened to some of what you said," he vented a little. "It doesn't help that those in power who dislike you and me are doing all they can to ensure the Assembly board takes their time with this. They don't care about the threat the Reapers pose just that they take you down," he told him.

"I knew it would be bad when I came home Anderson," Shepard assured him with as much confidence as he could muster. "I had no illusions about that fact, but the last week has shown I was not prepared enough for the stubborn refusal to heed my warnings," he admitted with a shake of his head. "How blind can they be? How can they ignore all the evidence of the Reapers existence?" he asked aloud.

"I don't know Shepard, I truly don't," Anderson answered, even though he knew Shepard wasn't expecting an answer. "What I do know is we can't give up trying to make them listen, and we can't stop preparing as best as we can," he told him. "Which is why I'm here, I have an old friend, named Kahlee Sanders, who is in charge of the Grissom Academy teaching young biotics," he explained his reason for coming and quickly gaining Shepard's attention. "She has heard of your friend Jack and asked me for help in speaking to you about setting up a meeting. She wants to hire your friend to help train her students," he informed him.

"They couldn't ask for a better teacher," Shepard said with a smile as he pondered what Jack would make of this offer. "Jack is one of the best biotics I have ever seen, her skill is impressive," he added. "She was raw anger when we met, but I'd like to think she's learnt to temper that anger. She made friends with the crew and with me so she knows she has people who will back her up," he said confidently. "If you can get her in here I will talk to her about it," he assured him. "Can't say she will take the job, but I will do my best to convince her to do it," he finished with a smile.

"I'd appreciate that Shepard and I'll get her in here, don't worry about that," Anderson responded with his own smile and relieved he could tell Kahlee that Shepard had agreed to try and convince Jack to take the job offer.

Kahlee already liked and cared for the students she was now responsible for at the Academy, she wanted the best to help her train them, not only to fight but to survive. That need had become even more imperative after their talk about the Reapers. She believed Jack would be able to make the kids listen and learn all the faster. As time was against them, he couldn't blame her for moving fast to try and gain Jack's cooperation. And he didn't mind asking Shepard for help in this, even in the middle of this chaos.

"Just remember Jack doesn't respond well to people getting in her face or treating her as beneath them," Shepard reminded him.

"Hey this is me you are talking to. I know how to get the best out of people," Anderson shot back as he moved towards the door before glancing back. "I mean look what I did with you," he added with a smirk before he exited, leaving Shepard to chuckle to himself.

Clearly Anderson hadn't lost his sense of humor while being Earth's representative on the council. He wondered however about this friend he had mentioned. He had sensed there was more to it than simple friendship, there had been a look in his friend's eyes when he said her name. He decided to ask him next time they spoke; collapsing onto his bed he closed his eyes and wondered how his friends were doing.

+OS+

(Cerberus Headquarters)

The Illusive Man stood as Kai-Leng was brought into the lab to begin his initial examination. They needed to know just how much damage his legs had taken. They especially needed to know if there was any nerve damage. He suspected the damage would turn out to be server. He had been shot multiple times in the legs by Shepard's friend and teacher David Anderson. The mission where their paths crossed concerned information that could have damaged Cerberus's image, it had also involved Anderson's friend Kahlee Sanders who Kai-Leng had taken hostage. He suspected that was why Anderson had fired more than once at Leng, more than likely Anderson and Sanders felt more than simple friendship for one another. Something that he knew could be used against them, if they needed to confront them again. He suspected that in the long run they would encounter both again and Shepard, it was a shame that Shepard had chosen to cut ties with them.

He admired the man's strength and his skills, but sadly found his faith in humanity's place in the galaxy lacking. He also found his reliance on his friends even over the mission to be a fatal weakness, oh he had no doubt if there was no other way he would sacrifice a friend as he had done on Virmire. But Shepard would expend every other option before coming to that point, and by then he believed it would be all over. Cerberus would never put humanity in such danger, instead they would be willing to sacrifice anyone even himself if need be. That he believed was their ultimate strength. They would also be willing to use anything to achieve their goals, including using the weapons and technology of their enemies. That is what separated them from Shepard and his allies, lighting a cigarette he took a deep drag from it before exhaling the smoke and began to feel more relaxed.

"How is he Doctor?" he finally inquired after observing for twenty minutes.

"Apart from his legs he is in great shape Sir," the Doctor responded without turning to face him. "The bullets did great damage to his nerves and bones. However I believe using parts of the Lazarus Project we can begin to overcome the damage," he informed him confidently.

"Excellent, you will have unlimited access to the files and any other resources, including money, that you need," the Illusive Man responded after another drag of his cigarette. "Begin immediately," he ordered.

"Yes sir, I hope to have a preliminary status report by the end of the day which will explain what needs to be done to begin reconstructing Kai-Leng's legs," the doctor replied, finally facing his boss. "Although this will not be a quick fix, it will take time to fix the nerves and bones. While part of the Lazarus Project will be helpful, it will not give us all the answers on how to do this," he warned.

"I look forward to it doctor and I understand that this will take time, but remember we don't have to much time available to us," the Illusive Man said in response as he turned and headed for the door, knowing the doctor understood his own indirect warning. "Don't worry Leng, we will have you up and around in time," he added, directing the last bit to the injured man on the table.

"I hope so, as I intend to pay Anderson and his friends back for what they did to me and to us," Kai-Leng growled in response.

"In time you may get your chance, but if we fix your legs then I expect you to put aside your need for revenge while we prepare for what is coming," the Illusive Man stated in a tone filled with warning if he was disobeyed. "For now Anderson, Sanders and Shepard are not our concern, the Reapers are," he told his new second. "Is that understood Leng?" he inquired in a dark tone.

Kai-Leng turned and gave his employer a brief glare before relenting. "Very well, but when the time comes I will kill them all," he finally said as he looked away.

The Illusive Man didn't respond as he exited the lab and headed back to his office, he wondered just who would win in a battle between Leng and Shepard. Anderson and Sanders he had no doubt would fall to the new and improved Leng once he was ready, but Shepard was another thing all together. He felt a brief moment of sorrow the two would not be working together instead. Had Shepard stayed loyal to him they would have made a great team. Quickly shaking that thought off as it was not in his nature to regret things, he decided to focus on his next project to replace Shepard, Miranda and Jacob.

+OS+

(Alliance Holding Pen, Earth)

Jack entered the room Shepard was in to find him looking out of a window, he looked bored and frustrated not that she could blame him. She had barely been able to hold her temper in the last week as she, Garrus and Tali and the rest of the crew were questioned endlessly. They just didn't want to listen to the answers they were been given. How she had held on was beyond her. It seemed thanks to befriending Shepard and the others she had grown and learned to control her rather explosive temper.

"Anderson said you wanted to talk to me?" she said when it seemed Shepard hadn't noticed her enter.

"Anderson has a friend at the Grissom Academy who is training a group of biotics, mostly young adults and teenagers," Shepard said in response as he turned away from the window to face her. "She has requested your help in training them, not only to fight, but to survive," he informed her with a grin. "She's read your file, she knows what you are capable of Jack and she believes you are exactly the sort of person these people will respond to," he added.

Jack stared at him in shock after he finished speaking. 'What in the hell were they thinking?' she wondered. "Shepard… I'm no teacher, I was a criminal right up till you recruited me," she reminded him.

"You are much more than that now Jack and you know it," Shepard countered. "Hell you were more than that before you got sent down by the Blue Suns in their little prison barge, you are unique," he told her. "I know you had a terrible childhood thanks to Cerberus, but you are still in control of yourself and not their puppet, which is more than most could hope for that have gone through what you had," he stated. "More than that, you were willing to sign up with me and take on the Collectors, a mission you knew could get you killed," he added.

"We made a deal. I help you and you give me access to all the files you had on Cerberus and on me," Jack shot back as she leaned against the wall.

"Come on Jack don't kid yourself, you signed on because at the end of the day you are a good person, no matter your background," Shepard told her with a shake of his head. "These kids need someone like you, someone who has learned to harness her abilities and have an innate sense of survival," he explained. "I know you can do this, you may not think so, but once you start teaching them what you know you will find you may actually like it," he assured her. "Jack… a war is coming that could wipe everything we know out, you know this," he reminded her softly and his eyes darkened. "These kids will in time be flung into the fire, if they are not trained they will become nothing but cannon fodder and unless they know how to survive they may just become easy meat in the grinder," he continued, his eyes growing even darker as he spoke. "You can change that, you may be the only one who can change their fate," he stated in total belief in her ability to do this.

Jack was awed by the trust Shepard had in her, but she was still unsure she was the right person for this job. 'What did she knew know about teaching?' she asked herself. But she couldn't argue with Shepard about what was coming, she had seen it up close and in person with the Collectors. They were only the beginning, once the Reapers turn up in full every species would be at risk. No one would be able to escape the war that was to follow. These kids Shepard spoke of would be in the thick of it due to their biotic talents. Did she have the right to refuse the job out of fear of screwing up, especially if it left them unready to face the chaos to come?

"Are you sure they want me to do this?" Jack finally asked with a sigh.

"Yes I'm, you can do this Jack, of that I have no doubt," Shepard responded. "And I'm not the only one. Anderson and his friend think so as well or they wouldn't have asked for you," he added with an encouraging smile.

Jack paced a little as she tried to work out whether to accept the job or not. Finally she made a choice she hoped she wouldn't come to regret. "Ok Shepard, I'll do it," she told him.

"Excellent," Shepard responded, pleased she had taken up the offer before moving to the door and opening it to find Anderson pacing up and down outside. "She'll do it," he said.

"That's good to hear," Anderson said with a smile as he entered the room. "I'll take you up to the Academy tomorrow to meet Kahlee and the students," he told her.

"What about Shepard and the hearings?" Jack inquired glancing between the two men.

"I think it is clear no matter what you and the others say or what Shepard himself says the Assembly isn't going to let this go easily," Anderson answered, letting out a tired sigh. "Worse the longer times go one, the more chance they will decide to lock Shepard and those allied with him up when they turn this from an informal inquiry into full blown formal case against you," he admitted. "Best we get you away from Earth now while we can. With you taking this job it will grant you a manner of protection should the worst happen," he advised her.

"Don't worry Jack, even if they try and charge me by the time the hearings are done I expect the Reapers to be breathing down our necks and by then any case against me will be pointless," Shepard assured her as he saw the look on her face.

"You sure about this?" Jack asked, not liking the idea of any of them being locked up because the people in power were jackasses.

"Yes I'm. I'm going to be having similar talks with Tali and Garrus tomorrow," Shepard told her. "They need to go home and begin trying to ready their own people for the war to come. They can't do that if they are stuck here answering the same questions again and again," he explained. "The Assembly has made it clear they expect to drag this out, those people I've made enemies of will make sure of that," he admitted with no little annoyance in his tone.

"Can't you get him out?" Jack asked Anderson.

"Hackett and I have done all we can to support Shepard and keep him out of a cell, but even we don't have enough power between us to stop the Assembly from dragging this out or making it worse and charging him formally," Anderson answered. "The Council has so far refused to get involved, but if they chose to revoke Shepard's Spectre status it will not help our case and only aide those seeking to see Shepard arrested," he told her, knowing it wasn't a great situation they all found themselves in.

"And if they do get involved and uphold his status as a Spectre?" Jack wondered aloud.

"Then we have a much better chance of fighting this thing, plus they would not be able to charge him for the destruction of the Alpha Relay which those who don't like Shepard want to do," Anderson answered. "But it is a slim chance they will intervene," he admitted with another sigh.

"That is why you need to go Jack. With you and the others out there doing everything you can to prepare for the Reapers we will have a better chance of fighting back," Shepard told her.

"Ok Shepard, but if they try anything funny I'll be back here to kick their asses and I won't be coming alone," Jack warned him with a crazed grin. "The others will be watching Earth closely, you know that," she pointed out.

"I know Jack, but I have confidence things will work themselves out," Shepard responded.

Jack nodded before she headed for the door to pack the few things she had brought from the Normandy. "I'll see you again Shepard, you can count on it," she stated glancing back at him before she exited the room.

"She is intense," Anderson noted. "I hope Kahlee knows what she is doing hiring her," he added with an amused shake of his head.

"That she is and if your friend has read the file on Jack then I'm sure she knows what she has done by asking Jack to help teach her students," Shepard assured him with a smile.

"On another note, Hackett will be filling in for me while I take Jack to the Grissom Academy," Anderson informed him. "Also I've assigned a new guard to you on a permanent basis," he told him as he opened and motioned the guard inside. "This is Lieutenant James Vega, he and his squad had a nasty encounter with the Collectors on the colony they were defending, so he knows what you and your friends faced," he explained as the two men looked each other over.

"Nice to meet you Lieutenant," Shepard said offering his hand.

"Sir," Vega replied with a nod as he shook the offered hand. He was unsure how to actually respond to the man in front of him, he was of two minds about him right now. At one time Shepard had been the man he looked up to most, but then the colony he was stationed on had been attacked by the Collectors. He had been in charge of the squad once their captain had been killed, and he had been forced to make an almost impossible choice. Either try and save the colonists, or save the intel they had on the attackers. In the end he had chosen to save the Intel, believing the Alliance needed it to combat their new enemies. It was a choice that had been almost soul destroying, and every night he awoke from nightmares where he relived that moment. In the end he learned the Intel was useless as Shepard and his crew destroyed the Collectors and their base and that they were working with Cerberus at the time made it even harder to swallow. When Anderson had come to recruit him to be Shepard's guard, he had almost told him to take the job and shove it somewhere unpleasant. But Anderson had a way about him that made him willing to listen to his explanation, in the end he had decided to take the job and see just what kind of soldier Shepard truly was.

"You can trust Vega, he is not out to get you," Anderson assured Shepard. "I'm sure you will both have plenty to talk about," he added as he exited the room with Vega. "I'll see you when I get back," he said over his shoulder.

"I won't be going anywhere Anderson," Shepard said with a smile of his own until Vega shut the door.

Shepard sat down and wondered why Anderson had brought him a new guard, granted one who had seen the Collectors up close and more to the point seen what they had done to the other colonies. Maybe he wanted to ensure nothing underhanded happened while he was gone. Leaning back in his chair he hoped Garrus and Tali would understand his reasons for him wanting them to leave when he talked to them tomorrow.