From Ashes
Chapter Twenty Seven: A New Era
Morning came, and along with it a fresh amount of buzzing activity on the presidium. The news of a meeting of the council to discuss humanity's position had spread, and people were standing around in small clusters discussing it in varying degrees of volume. From people downright opposing it to others ready to roll out the proverbial red carpet, the change was welcome. It meant that people were anticipating another major decision as opposed to sitting there nervously and wondering about the next reaper attack. Yes, news of those rumors had spread just as quickly, and the last month or so had been nothing short of miserable. Tensions were high as bits and pieces of Sovereign were recovered, destroyed, or pilfered. People wondered if the Council or its fleets were doing enough to prevent another assault on the hub of the relay network, and the truth of the matter was that there wasn't much they could do at this point. Ships were being repaired, people were still being accounted for or buried, and on top of that, no research had been done on Sovereign's particle cannon that had devastated the station and any ship that had attempted to assault the sentient machine.
"The Council's upcoming meeting with Ambassador Udina leaves the Citadel buzzing with rumors in regard to humanity's position after what is now being heralded the "Battle of the Citadel"…"
"While Alliance personnel work with C-Sec to remove the remains of what is being defined as a "Reaper" from various parts of the station, research firms are petitioning their respective embassies for pieces so that we can learn more about the ships from Dark Space. A spokesperson from ExoGeni corporation had this to say…"
"If Corporate had any sense, they would keep their mouths shut as far as ExoGeni is concerned." This comment came right after a news snippet was heard throughout the asari embassy right around mid-morning. It was relatively quiet at the time, and there were only a few people flitting in and out. The one who made this comment was finishing up some paperwork before she headed off of the station and back to Nos Astra on Illium. "Honestly, people can't help but have their fifteen minutes."
"And you wouldn't know much about that, would you?" Both embassy secretary and the one who made the comment looked up as the councilor swept through the doorway; cup of steaming tea in hand. "Greetings, Nassana. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"And a good morning to you as well, Councilor." Nassana Dantius sent a copy of the contract she had been pouring over for embassy records and then closed out the terminal before turning to face the other asari. "I trust you're ready to be back." At the other woman's nod, Nassana continued. "Well, I'll get right down to business. As a preamble, my people don't want to pilfer a piece of Sovereign."
"That's a relief." Tevos crossed to where Nassana sat and took the seat opposite her. "There is enough illegal seizure of that thing already. There are talks of restricting access because of what we have learned about indoctrination."
"Precisely why my people don't want it. They claim they don't need a robot overlord telling them what to do; they have an organic one." The joke was met with laughter as Nassana leaned back. "All joking aside, I am here in regard to the current state of our military. You know that Illium is a thriving asari colony, but Nos Astra has a talent for drawing in big money from many organizations."
"Of course."
"Well, we all know that no fleet is prepared for what Shepard says is coming."
"I take it by that you believe her." The councilor sipped her tea idly while watching the mogul across from her carefully.
"Of course." Nassana nodded. "She's been right this whole time. What she did for my family aside, her reputation preceded her before I established contact."
"Good that there are people that are standing by the reality of this threat."
"There have been many talks since this all happened, and I'm inclined to agree with the general idea that no fleet is prepared for this." Nassana nodded. "Look at what happened here: nearly decimated by one ship. Research firms cluster around Illium due to its proximity to the Terminus systems. With persuasion, they can work for the right people and prepare our fleets as well as the Citadel's for any upcoming skirmish."
"What is your part in this?" Without any hint of malcontent, Tevos posed the question they both knew was coming.
"I'm doing this for our people." Nassana waved it off casually. "Some will look to profit from panic, but I'm willing to throw anything into making sure our colonies, this station, or Goddess forbit Thessia aren't flattened by those things. You can bet that the salarians will be doing the same."
"There is no doubt about that." Tevos nodded. "There are already talks of studying the effects of particle weapons and developing one of their own."
"There is a firm testing a prototype thanix cannon that I've been in contact with. True, it's turian tech, but with some work, it could be improved. There are also new fighter vessels being developed by a small asari engineering thinktank. They have the brains and contract out the muscle…" Nassana reeled off a few options. "I've also been in talks with a few quarians and krogan. Granted, the migrant fleet wouldn't resurface right now, but krogan… They could be useful in a fight."
"True, but that blew up in the salarians' faces, if I remember properly." Tevos shuddered slightly at the thought. "A krogan ambassador was prepared to kill the salarian and asari councilors at the time I'm thinking of."
"This is different." Nassana shook her head. "The one I spoke to was an acquaintance of Shepard's. He is hoping to return to Tuchanka and work to reunite his people. If they have enough support from the galactic community and encouragement, it could be a benefit for all."
"Do what you can." Tevos nodded finally after a moment of thought. "With some subtle encouragement, we could vastly improve our fleets and Citadel Defense. If enough progress is made, others can follow suit. Just don't cross any lines."
"Never." Nassana stood and nodded before preparing to leave. "Pleasure to have seen you again before I left for Illium."
"Likewise." Tevos stood as well and looked over the news headlines that were scrolling on a feed nearby. When the more successful of the Dantius sisters left the embassy, she shook her head in bemusement.
"How wise is it to do business with the Dantius sisters?" A secretary, who had stepped out for a moment, returned and asked this question. "I've always hard to shy away from them."
"The rumors and conspiracy theories have run wild, I will grant you that." Tevos nodded as she moved to her terminal and sat down for the first time in weeks. "But I believe that Nassana can be trusted. She was here on the station when Sovereign attacked."
"Here's hoping. Oh, before I forget, the meeting with the council has been scheduled to take place two hours from now, and it will be happening in front of the Citadel Tower. They're still doing repairs inside."
"Thank you."
The next hour and a half was spent sorting through reports, treaties that had been up for renewal, and speaking to the occasional drop ins that entered the embassy. It was mostly quiet work, but she reveled in it; the time spent after the attack had been nice as a get-away, but it was good to be doing something productive again. As the timedrew nearer for her to leave the embassy and head out toward the base of the tower, she thought about what was going to happen. This was a meeting that would determine the position of humanity in regard to the council. It seemed that it was a unanimous decision that they were ready to have a representative join, but this was bigger than humanity's political prospects. They were about to join the council due to their role in the attack on the Citadel; an attack that was only the beginning of something greater. Tevos frowned in concentration as she attempted to read a message that had just arrived from Thessia; the more she thought about the upcoming meeting, the less she could retain of what some matriarch wanted to suggest. It might have been useful or even important, but it wasn't sinking in.
"I don't think you'll get any further on that." Her secretary commented idly as she passed.
"Apparently not." Tevos put down the datapad she had attempted to read and leaned back in her chair; eyes reaching the ceiling above as her head fell back against the headrest.
"Just as well; it's time."
"So it is…"
Shepard, after spending the morning buffing out her old armor to prolong using the new set she had, met up with Captain Anderson at the Normandy's airlock. He had asked that she too attend the meeting that he and Udina were heading to. Anderson didn't really know why he was asked to attend, but Shepard had a pretty good idea. She had received confirmation from Admiral Steven Hackett this morning that the idea had been pitched around at Arcturus, and Parliament had agreed to support David Anderson as a possible council candidate. Ash, Liara, Wrex, Tali, and Garrus would also be standing in, but they had all agreed to play the role of silent flank throughout, and for that, Shepard was grateful. There would be many onlookers for this meeting, and there wre bound to be concerns raised afterwards, but as she walked away from the lift that led from C-Sec Academy, Shepard had to focus on the present. As expected, there was a generous croud hanging about the base of the Citadel Tower, but the three standing in the center of it defied her expectations. Each councilor stood in a relaxed posture, engaging a few people in conversation, and by their expressions, they didn't seem harassed. That, unfortunately, was all of the analysis that she had time for. Ambassador Udina had just joined them.
"This is an important and long-awaited day, Captain." He started off the conversation by smoothing the sitting creases in his suit. "Earth has waited for this, and I believe it is finally going to happen."
"If you're talking about a council position, I believe that is inevitable." Anderson answered while shifting his eyes toward Shepard briefly. "The same thing happened with the turians after their role in the Krogan rebellions, if I'm not mistaken."
"You do know that the volus ambassador will have a field day with this." Shepard chipped in. "He's already pegged us as the Council's new pets, and said we'd probably gain a seat before them."
"Korlak would say that." Udina rolled his eyes. "The Volus have an impressive bombing fleet, but they don't have as many military resources to offer as humanity."
"That will just be something the new councilor will have to iron out." Anderson shrugged it off. "We've been a bit tense with that ambassador for years."
"Most of the volus don't feel that way, thankfully." Shepard said this as they passed over one of the reservoirs. She thought of the ones they had encountered on their travels. Barla Von, the merchants, the scientist on Noveria, and so on. "Seems like Din Korlak is the one with all of the hostility right now."
"I can understand it." Anderson quipped. "They contribute and basically establish the galactic standard for income, and all they get is an embassy; not to mention they are some of the smartest financial experts and traders you'll find."
"Looks like a crowd has come to bear witness." Udina said this as they approached the meeting place at the base of the tower. It was true; people were leaning over walkways, looking out of apartments, and the like nearby to watch this unorthodox meeting of the council outside of the tower. There were also a generous amount of people standing about on ground level. Garrus, who was standing nearby, met them and helped to cut a path through the crowd.
"The others are waiting ahead." He muttered in Shepard's ear as she walked with him ahead of Udina and Anderson. "Humanity coming to the council's aid in a blazing victory over Sovereign really attracts the crowd, eh Shepard?"
"That or the fact that they're probably accepting humanity among them and doing it out in the middle of the presidium."
"That too." As the crowd thinned, they could see the council clearly. All three had finished speaking to onlookers and were focusing their attention on the approaching three humans and turian. Garrus stepped back and joined Wrex, Tali, Ash, and Liara who were with the rest of the Normandy's crew. Udina was the second to break through the thinner crowd, and Anderson brought up the rear. When they approached, both men flanked Shepard on either side, and they stood directly in front of the three councilors. Immediately, as if on cue, the crowd's hum of conversation died down to an abrupt silence.
"Ambassador Udina, Captain Anderson, Commander Shepard." The asari councilor looked them over in turn as the three were addressed. "Welcome. We have gathered here to recognize the enormous contributions of the Alliance forces during the battle against Sovereign and the Geth."
"Many humans lost their lives to defend and save the Citadel; brave and courageous soldiers who were willing to give their all so that we, the Council, and many others might live." The salarian councilor elaborated. He looked around the crowd that had gathered and laid eyes on many men and women in Alliance uniforms.
"There is no greater sacrifice," The turian councilor shook his head as he spoke. "And we share in the tragic loss of so many noble men and women." It was true; the turian peace-keeping fleet had taken a heavy hit when the attack had started. Many had lost their lives due to the sheer power of Sovereign's particle cannon alone; nevermind the massive geth invasion force.
"The council also owes you a great personal debt, Commander." Tevos, whose eyes had been on Shepard since the end of the initial greeting, spoke again. "You not only saved our lives but those of many on this station and beyond from what could have been a massive reaper invasion."
"Commander Shepard," Valern picked up after a secondary pause. "Your heroic and selfless actions exemplify what humanity and the Allianc stand for."
"And though we cannot bring back nor replace those valiant soldiers who gave their lives to save ours, we can honour their memories through our actions."
"humanity has shown that is is ready and willing to stand as a defender and protector of the galaxy; you have proven that you have earned the choice to join our ranks and serve alongside us on the Citadel council." For the briefest of moments, Tevos' eyes left Shepard to sweep over the crowd and back as she spoke again.
"Councilor," Ambassador Udina hardly waited before speaking. "On behalf of humanity and the Alliance I thank you for this prestigious honour and humbly accept."
"We will need a list of potential candidates to fill humanity's seat on the Council." Tevos continued, after sparing Udina a grateful nod. "However," She looked back to Shepard. "Given all that has happened, I am certain that your input could carry a great deal of weight, Commander." The corners of her mouth just barely twitched upward a bit more as she posed a question. "Do you support any particular candidate?"
Shepard picked up on this and had to suppress a smile of her own. It was a well-thought-out play. It wasn't a hint that they wanted someone other than Udina, but it wasn't an open invitation for him to simply accept and run with it. Playing along, she managed to have a thoughtful expression for a moment before coming to a decision. "Humanity is impulsive by nature: sometimes we don't fully stop to think before our actions. We need someone who can step back and grasp a situation without acting too quickly; someone who can navigate more than a political minefield. I personally support someone like Captain David Anderson."
"Him?" There it was. Udina had turned to look Shepard over with an incredulous expression on his face. "Anderson prefers to let his fists do the talking."
"Only with you, Ambassador." Anderson spoke clearly and with no sign of a joke. "Only with you." There had been rumors that he had confronted Udina after the Normandy had left the Citadel, and that it had come to blows, but nothing had been confirmed. This seemed to do just that.
"Are you sure about this, Commander?" Udina addressed Shepard again. "The captain is a soldier, not a politician."
"Precisely the point." Shepard said while looking directly at him. "The Citadel has enough politicians as it is."
After a glance to her either side, Tevos spoke. "I believe it is an inspired choice." She had received nods from both Sparatus and Valern. "The council would welcome you with open arms, should you accept, Captain."
"I'm honoured, Councilor." Anderson, who couldn't help but agree with Shepard's statement and blatant turning down of Udina, seemed to come to a decision. "I do accept, and as humanity's representative, I will do everything in my power to assist the Council in rebuilding efforts." The other councilors nodded in gratitude.
"Sovereign's defeat marks the beginning of a new era for both humanity and the Council." Sparatus said this in a carrying voice, and the crowd around rustled with movement and murmurs of agreement.
"Sovereign was, as it admitted, only the vanguard of the Reaper fleet. The rest are still out there in Dark Space." Shepard, while hating to put a damper on the mood, admitted. "There could be hundreds or thousands of ships; we really don't know. They will know that Sovereign failed, and we need to find a way to stop them from returning." This had the effect that she expected; the crowd that had been stirring went silent again instantly.
"Shepaard's right." Anderson knew where she was going and picked up quickly. "The threat of a galactic invasion has the potential to leave us all splintered, but humanity is ready to do its part. United with the rest of the Council, we have the strength to overcome anything. That was proven in the battle against Sovereign." Nods accompanied Anderson's words from Shepard, her crew, and many involved in the skirmish that had left the Citadel in varying shades of destruction. "When the reapers come, we must stand side by side; we must fight to defend a way of life that has been centuries in the making as one. Together, we will drive them back into Dark Space."
Cheers were heard, and applause devoured the silence as the other councilors nodded. Without formal dismissal, the meeting was over, and people moved fredly and engaged in conversation. Udina, while acting as ready to speak as usual, seemed slightly put out by the fact that a soldier had beaten him to the role of first human councilor. He had a word with Anderson before the press got hold of the captain and headed back toward the embassy to inform Arcturus of what had happened; or that was what he told everyone. Shepard, while watching him go, had to laugh.
"More like he'll be sitting in the embassy alone for a while licking his wounds."
"Nicely done, Skipper." Ash was the first to join her CO with the others following. "His ego will be bruised for a while."
"Yes, well done, Shepard." Councilor Sparatus had been about to leave to speak with Nihlus but stopped briefly. "Expertly carried out… Almost as if it was planned."
"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies, Councilor." Shepard said evasively; the corners of her lips upturning.
"You two could cause some interesting trouble." Liara observed as Sparatus shook his head in what was assumed amusement, which was a rare hope.
"Nah." Shepard passed it off. "Truth of it is, it wasn't planned. I had my own concerns and took them up with Hackett. He passed the word along to Arcturus, and they agreed to support Anderson."
"So it is your fault that I'm involved in this." The newly accepted councilor evaded a reporter and stepped closer.
"Guilty as charged, Captain."
"Should have known you wouldn't let Udina have the position."
"An opportunity presented itself, and I took it." Shepard played it off.
"Mmhmm."
Later in the day, Shepard was leaving the embassies when she was approached by someone in Alliance dress blues. They had a message that was meant to be delivered, and it said that she should meet someone by the Normandy's dock above C-Sec Academy. Puzzled as to what they could want or who they were, Shepard sent a message saying that she would meet Ash and Liara later before leaving for the nearest lift. It took her down into C-Sec Academy, and she crossed over to the one that would lead to her ship. While waiting for the doors to close and the lift to ascend, she leaned back against one of the side walls. It had been an interesting day; Anderson was councilor, Udina was still sulking, people had asked her questions about the pending reaper attack, and she had finished up with requisitions for the upcoming scouting run through the Traverse and borders of the Terminus. It was only just past 15:75 in the afternoon. And she would have to turn in a little earlier so that they could be up to prep for departure the next morning. She had already been asked to start in the Armstrong Nebula and work her way around. In short, the next hours that weren't filled with sleep would be either relaxing or stressful. The door to the lift opened then, and Shepard was met with the form of one person standing at the end of the dock. She couldn't help but remember what had happened as they had prepared to leave for Ilos, but she shook her head to clear it. The form was not of an asari. It was a human; as they turned around, Shepard realized just who that was.
"Mom?" She blinked as the now clearly female human made their way down from near the keeper working. It was indeed Hannah Shepard. Prematurely silver-flecked hair tucked away in a characteristic bun, she walked stiffly toward where her daughter stood. "What are you doing here?"
"I was in the neighborhood." Her mother couldn't help but smile at her daughter's expense.
"Yeah right." Shepard moved forward and the two embraced. "Last I heard you were headed back through the Sol relay."
"Well, we were called for a detailed supply run." Hannah clarified. "We're here making sure the freighter we're flanking has all of its shit together before we leave in a few hours."
"Then how long have you been here?"
"Since mid-morning."
"And you just decided to stop in and say hello." Shepard moved past and leaned against the railing while looking at her mother with an arched eyebrow.
"Well of course." The older Shepard waved it off. "We haven't seen one another in person for a while now." Giving her daughter a once-over for good measure, a smirk curled its way onto Hannah's lips. "So, which one was she?"
"Somehow I knew that was what this was about."
"Oh come on, Seryna." Hannah let out an exasperated huff. "You didn't actually think this would be avoided in conversation all the time."
"I guess not." Shepard lamented. "Were you there when they accepted humanity onto the Citadel Council?"
"I was, and I saw that David had you to thank for his nomination."
"She was the one doing most of the talking." Shepard dropped that and waited for her mother's reaction.
"I knew it." Hannah crossed her arms in triumph; smug grin firmly in place.
"What?"
"She couldn't keep her eyes off of you."
"You were watching that closely?"
"Well, I was watching you, but that got my attention." Hannah explained. "Wasn't hero worship, either. There were a few of those types in the crowd, though."
"Wow, Mom…" Shepard rubbed the back of her neck as she said this. "How did I not know you paid that much attention before?"
"Didn't have a reason to." Hannah laughed at her daughter's expense. "Regardless of circumstance, I approve; well spoken, good looking, and you both seem equally invested from what I can tell."
"Seems that way, yeah."
"Well, I know you can take care of yourself; proved that from the day you could walk. It's why I never got too involved in your relationship business. Still, it's somewhat exciting all the same."
"It's different." Seryna stopped to reflect. "I mean, I've been in relationships before, but none have really felt like this. The others were thought out, steadily progressive, and all that, but they didn't feel like they were going anywhere. With her, there was no planning; it just happened."
"And?"
"And it feels right. We could spend hours talking or doing nothing at all, and it still amounts to time well wasted."
"That's how it's supposed to feel." Hannah nodded. "Your father and I had that for years. Whether it was spending shore leave together or even working around frantic duty cycles and talking during down times, things went off with and without their hitches, but it was time well spent."
"Speaking of without a hitch," Seryna frowned suddenly despite the pleasant conversation. "I hope this run goes that way. I hate that I've spent this time on the station and have to leave."
"Never enough, is it?" Hannah asked while giving her daughter a knowing look. "No matter how much shore leave, or in your case, suspension time, you have, it ends and you're heading back out there."
"Thirty days never passed so quickly."
"Thirty days… Try thirty years." Hannah smiled softly. "Seems like yesterday, you were a little space vortex in diapers and we were struggling to keep up. Now, you're all grown up and keeping the Milky Way from going to Hell in a reaper-crafted handbasket. Where do the years go…"
"Oh Mom…"
"I know," Hannah grinned sheepishly. "I'm getting too sentimental again. Humor me."
"You know, the next time we both have shore leave, we should do something; mother-daughter stuff. It's been too long since anything like that happened."
"Sounds like a good idea to me. Unfortunately, my down time here is nearly up. I'll have to report to the dock in an hour."
"Well, they want us to scout around the fringes of Council space, so I think we'll be starting in the Armstrong Nebula and then making a few spot checks in systems we tracked Saren in." Shepard thought aloud. "I'll save skirting the Omega Nebula for last. We'll be making a few stops here and there to check in, so let me know when it looks like you'll have some free time."
"I will, and you fly safely out there, alright?" Hannah cautioned. "Didn't exactly make friends during the Skyllian Blitz with the Batarians, and there are a lot of those angry souls out there along with whatever Geth you find."
"There are some good ones out there somewhere." Shepard thought of the X57 incident in Terra Nova's atmosphere. Balak was out there somewhere along with his former squad. They had abandoned him for their own gain at Shepard's persuasion, but he still would have crashed the asteroid into the capital. "But, I will do my best."
"All I've ever asked for." The two embraced again, and as they were pulling apart, Hannah added: "Seriously, watch yourself out there."
"I will, Mom. You too; patrols and escorts can get nasty. We've seen our fair share of Alliance vessels missing, raided, and abandoned while looking for Saren."
"That's what the forward cannon is for." Hannah joked, and her daughter laughed in response.
"I hear that."
A/N: Hey all, hate the long breaks between chapters, but for a little while, I was distracted by Andromeda, and I'm working on a fic in that galaxy. Truth be told, I got to the point where I needed a break from this one and didn't realize it until I actually started missing thinking about the plotline. :) Anyway, working on this again, and I've got a decent start on the next chapter. The events of ME2 are starting, and you know what that means... ;) Thanks for hanging in with me on this.
Cheers!
