Welcome to the third and final act of this long-running story. I want to thank everyone who stuck around patiently while I struggled to bring new chapters. As always, I will continue to overview my previous chapters and adapt better writing when I spot it. My full attention will be on finishing this series. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me. I'd love to hear from you. And if you have just discovered this series, I hope you enjoy it! Thank you and...
DISCLAIMERS: I do not own anything from the Mass Effect franchise. This is pure fanfiction and fantasy.
Citadel Tower
Council Chambers
Politicians and bureaucrats filled the audience chambers before the petitioner's stage. Those of the council races stood in groups of loud crowds while many of the non-council species waited in packs.
Eagerly listening, watching as a second committee was summoned again, in the case of the hybrid.
Ashley paced around the top of the stairs. She waited for Hackett to show with Shepard and her child. If her previous commander attacked Grey, how can she even look at her the same way again?
During these two horrible weeks of mixed intel, all Ashley could do was blame herself for the alliance's lies. But since Shepard has decided to be this unhinged version of an antihero, she'll have no choice but to side with them.
Stopping briefly with a loud sigh, Ashley couldn't believe her thoughts. She blamed Shepard for Cerberus's actions, all because they brought her back. As her then-commander, hounding her about the attack on the Mar's base, accepted the complaints and accusations.
Joker was right. She's uptight, by the book-alliance bitch. And sometimes, a little too proud of it.
Suddenly, gasps were heard among the loud crowds. The spectre looked up to the very woman she's been agonizing over. Hackett was stern as usual, never giving away his more authentic feelings on any matter.
Shepard didn't seem ashamed or disturbed. On the contrary, she gazed before her in a justified manner. How?
How can she walk in here and say what she did was right?
The representatives of each division were filling opposite ends of the stage—military, science, reapers, and opinion. Strong ones. Shepard stood with Hackett on the right side, eying Ashley as she stayed with the alliance committee.
Rear Admiral Grey had a cane, limping alongside Chief Admiral Ruth Marsden. Both women were narrowing a predatory gaze, one that could almost be a threat to Shepard. She smirked, considering it. But, unfortunately, neither of these women had the skill or the balls to put her away.
Shepard lifted a sure brow, staring with a fixed cocky grin.
Khalee had Satima in the private council chamber. Tevos and Valern already began taking their council positions, waiting a little impatiently. The salarian was always a nervous bird.
Daxis relayed his arrival from the docks with Garrus and his division. Agripenex showed an hour before.
With the alliance now ready and Shepard represented by the council spectre authority. All that was left were for the turians and hybrid to show.
Councilor Recess Chamber
Satima sat in the firm chair uncomfortably. She can't seem to settle down. But, of course, there's no reason to fear anything anymore. All their intentions are always entirely clear. Being around Archer again has closed some older terrors from the hive, though.
He didn't directly harm or torture her. She was almost equal to him. He even suggested she was in the role of Reaper, now. So odd and wrong.
But Satima played his game. It seemed safer and in her better interests.
Nox would've damaged her permanently in any way that gave him progress finding the key to indoctrination and the reapers.
Unfortunately, the only damage he'd been successful in so far was physical. Satima wondered what they did with her samples, wincing to herself, as a painfully sharp ache disturbed the nerve endings to her plated spine.
Khalee touched the hybrid's shoulder, briefly alerting her. A glance was all the girl gave. The councilor took a seat across, hoping to help the hybrid relax before the meeting. "We are on your side if you're worried about that."
Satima nodded, "Thank you." She lifted a hopeless gaze, her mouth contorting to move, but nothing came out. The hybrid shook her head, staring off in upset.
With a sympathetic sigh, Khalee waited with Shepard's child. Minutes passed by unbearably. Her omni device was pinging to the impatience of the rest of the council. The crowd outside in the great chambers was getting restless.
Finally, Daxis arrived. He walked through without a word, settling his veiled gaze on Satima. The councilor nodded to the doorway as Nerris came in, followed by Garrus. His avian stare was searching for the hybrid.
It's been long enough under the torturous care of the alliance. He wondered what Satima went through, quietly shutting his mind from an overactive imagination. She stares quietly before sitting up, standing in place. A grave expression shadowed any hope of a happy reunion.
Daxis speaks, breaking the uneasy feeling of the room. "It's time we begin the summons. There's a lot on the table and a lot more at stake." He faced Satima, "Councilor Tevos has voted in agreement that the asari division can help you. Their open invitation has been made public. No more secret arrangements will be made in your supposed health and benefit."
Khalee stepped closer to Satima, "That means this will be your choice. We know the alliance has accused you of murder and deliberately unleashing infected rachni on one of their fleets. However, while you were on the Argos, information was pieced together. Which clearly defines the sentarians putting you in a position of command (so to speak) without first testing your mental capacity to do so."
Satima raised a brow, confused chiefly by the longer explanation of this woman. Nerris could see the reason quickly. He offered his own, more straightforward version sympathetically. "They knew you were indoctrinated and still used you to service their military. Usually an administrative no-no."
He stepped closer, continuing his report." But, since the sentarian's laws do not apply to our galactic ones, they can be excused as diplomatic differences. You were banished by them but are still classified as sentarian. Therefore, you're here on quite a loose diplomatic immunity."
Garrus smirked in surprise, with an elevated mood that put him in good spirits. He acknowledged to Nerris, "Remind me to promote you and your team. Looks like I could retire.", winking to Satima.
Daxis opened the door, gesturing for everyone. "Looks like we have a solid way to help the hybrid."
Filing out, the group took their positions on the stage. Either as councilor or division agent. Garrus stood with his team, Agripenex, and his father behind. They were in a different meeting amongst themselves. He didn't have time to speculate, now noticing Charlie on the stage.
Already unable to look at her. Garrus has had no time to process what she's done. Split into two different mindsets on the matter.
He believes she did what a mother would do, but on the other hand, Garrus accuses her of cocky desperation.
His foolish heart will never leave her. But that doesn't mean it was right. Even then, the Shepard he knew from the Reaper war, before Satima, would've made a better choice.
Their daughter is not the cause for Charlie to become indoctrinated beyond help! But Liara didn't say.
Khalee stared around the chambers, taking in the larger crowd of citizens, waiting for the biggest argument since the reapers. Shepard is accused of much, with everyone wondering how far their hero has fallen.
Ruth stepped forward, her amber gaze glaring to the council. "I know you have prepared to defend the hybrid. The reaper-born you believe you owe loyalty to. But that woman? " Ruth pointed to Shepard. "She has betrayed the very duty she swore an allegiance to!"
Her voice became louder, full of loathing toward the captain. "Hiring thugs to plan an ambush on Rear Admiral Grey and physically assaulting her over the location of the hybrid. Confidential information, it seems, do to Shepard's unstable state of mind!"
The Chief Admiral was good. Playing judge and jury as if she were born to it. Her words can strike down to the core of the issue, but the truth as to why Shepard needed to use a lowered approach was the most sought-after reasoning.
Considering every approach, she's ever made was wholly for the good of this galaxy. She killed reapers, their monsters and safeguarded the future of every person by using any means necessary. But, can this spectre use reasoning to explain an action so out of touch with herself?
Shepard pushed forward, nearly in front of Ruth with a glowering attitude. "I used spectre authority to demand the location of my daughter! And out of respect to the alliance military, I used hired men to aid me in search of answers. Not my crew, and not your permission!" Her glare settled on the defiant woman.
Grey limped to them, face to face with Shepard. An accusing expression as she spoke. "You traumatized my daughter! Threatened to hurt me if she didn't comply with your demands!"
The captain didn't reply as the council shouted to the louder crowd below them. "Quiet!", Tevos ordered. As the elder member of the asari public, she was already unsure of allowing Shepard her continued spectre authority.
C-sec started to push back the groups of confusion to the very back of the bustling chambers, where golden eyes stared, watching as all this insanity came to light.
Hackett privately spoke to Satima while she stood with the turian division. "You need to say something, and now. Shepard was wrong, of course. But her actions reveal a deeper motivation behind this."
The hybrid nodded, hesitantly stepping out of place from the corner. Now in full view of everyone, turning to face the council. Upon clearing her throat, the hybrid knew her account of what the alliance did on Argos and what they were hiding would be damning evidence. Despite Shepard's actions.
The Alliance will lose the confidence of this galaxy for the reaper's darkness. And as the shadowy, sinister figure from the device stated on that station. It could end in everyone's tears.
Shaking the dread aside, Satima began. "They had live reaper tech."
People started to simmer down, listening in trepidation to the girl's reveal. The council waited while Ruth realized how the Shepard supporters would win this round. Finally, her stunned demeanor froze her in place as she closed her eyes in defeat.
Grey stared at the hybrid, wishing she could give Shepard the same pain and humiliation that was forced on her.
The human councilor stared openly with a fearful expression. Please, God. Don't let it be so! Don't let everyone hear how the alliance lost too many good men and women with common sense and left this galaxy at the mercy of madness. Khalee gulped hard, clearing a shaky tone of voice. "Can you repeat that?" She asked in alarm.
Satima lowered her gaze to avert any actual eye contact from them. It's hard to recount her actions, especially regarding Captain Daniels and
remembering Station Officer Blaine and the feeling of total helplessness. Her grim words now echoed in the forum. "I was used to contact reaper signals. With live reaper tech. I witnessed living abominations, to which there is no explanation as to how they survived."
Shepard observed her daughter. Cautious glances between them were not followed, except for one person. His intense gaze widened to the stress of this information from Satima. No other reaper division, including his, would ever think to contact the reapers through their own devices, especially since they're dead.
"Spirits.", Daxis interrupted. "Even my people keep that tech contained out of reach for safety from possible indoctrination."
Hackett commented behind the hybrid. "Tell them the most important aspect of this station and its true purpose. Which is not to help those afflicted."
Satima nodded in agreement, "But to study them.", she said to herself.
"The Argos provided no psychological therapy or medical analysis.", the hybrid stared forward, speaking more confidently. "They lied to cover up the darker implications of their research. No help was to be given or studied.", she warily stared at the council.
Uncertain to say anything more but felt everyone should know the danger of her past. Satima needed to explain how these people in the alliance have harnessed it for a short time. "They found a knowledgeable, cruel sapient being. Who had been recreated by the reapers for their will. He was onboard the Argos, given full custody of my person and others suffering from the effects of indoctrination."
She stood her ground, feeling Ruth stand next to her with a hostile stare and harmful thoughts. Satima's indignant expression met the woman's, the intensity of her avian gaze giving Ruth some pause.
Chief Admiral Marsden searched the hybrid in distressed anger. "I once saw an ashamed girl standing in a crowd of people. So saddened, confused, unable to process the amount of pain she brought to this galaxy."
Satima continued her vexed gaze as Ruth attempted authority over her.
"You did kill my brother—a decorated soldier and survivor of the reaper war. You brought suffering from your "ancient civilization.", she stared at Shepard briefly, "Your mother's pride and self-interests may have protected you today. But it won't last long."
The threat echoed clearly. As Satima leaned in closer to her, dark eyes piercing through the woman's complaint. "It was not pride that brought me here. It was the truth. You wanted to punish me, and I accept that. But what I cannot accept or allow, Chief Admiral, is the suffering of innocents because of fear. Something you based off your anger and unwilling attitude to help those that have no will, to help themselves."
An ashamed expression overtook Ruth's surprised gaze. She backed off as the council ordered quiet once again from the congested chambers. Shepard would not be tried, not yet. Satima is untouchable, for now, as the defaced Ruth stated.
Satima viewed the chambers ahead. Archer revealed many things to her on Argos. Could she even say, mentor?
He was her jailer, her tormentor on the hive, and killed the boy she loved. Everything has changed or at least seems so. He's still out there, using Rasa to whatever means they're securing—searching for that signal.
A reality the whole galaxy should fear.
Alliance Embassy-Citadel
Khalee spoke with Agripenex and Daxis on the balcony while Garrus stood at a distance. He observed Shepard closely, replaying Liara's words.
He can't imagine the fight that would break out if they tried to take Charlie. She won't go down easily. Not like Satima did.
Garrus is seriously frightened at what extent this could become. How can he protect them without the council's help? He turned his mind to the hybrid daughter, all alone in the corner of the room. Satima sat to herself in one of the chairs, daydreaming away while everyone had something to say about the recent events.
They're going to be stuck here for a few weeks. Shepard can't leave. Not with the alliance-Ruth, waiting in the nebula to strike.
In the meantime, all they can do is find a way to make sense of all this chaos. Any information proving Shepard was a mother in need could help her get off those charges. At least with no jail time. Her career, on the other hand?
"Dad."
His mind was taken off guard by this one word—this title.
She stood directly in front of him, dark teal eyes searching his response. Garrus glimpsed everyone busy with each other and gestured for them to leave out in the hall.
Had he been an official spectre, they could've used the privacy of the training room across from them. But, instead, Satima leaned on the wall, arms crossed with a furrowed brow. It seemed she had been thinking about something that bothered her.
Garrus ended up speaking first. "How are you feeling? Are you okay?" His genuine concern caught her attention.
She lifted a glance to his questions. "Yes.", she replied quickly. Then, shaking her head to this inquiry, "This isn't about me, though. It's about mom. I'm worried that she's not well." Satima pointed to her temple. "Here."
He understood those concerns, not knowing if Liara was screwing with him or telling the truth. But, spirits, he had trusted her for years. So cared about her being the shadow broker and what it could do to her life. They were friends for so long. A family on the Normandy.
And he knew she always had secretive feelings for Shepard. Just not to the point where she figured her affections knew better than all of them, including his.
"We found a way, on Illium. The place you were supposed to go. If I can convince your mother to agree, she could be free of indoctrination.", he revealed. Free enough, that is.
Satima's eyes widened, "So, my doubts are true?" She swallowed back intense emotions. Her mother asked for help before they fought the reapers on earth. And she promised.
"I'll convince her.", Satima suggested. "I can prove it to her. Somehow."
Garrus tilted his head in anguish. She shouldn't have to go through this with Charlie. His dad could be right. He didn't see it from the start as he should have. "You let me take care of this, Satima. Right now, what is more important, is your safety."
He only imagined the tortuous means she underwent at the mercy of Archer. The monster he witnessed on Rannoch beat Satima like an injured varen. Garrus felt a little rage build up again. He needs to be the stability they both crave right now.
Shepard was their "immovable center," as Chockwas boasted years ago. But their center is starting to crumble.
The captain noticed them missing, unable to see why, with Khalee confronting her about the current issue at hand about her crimes against Grey and the alliance military.
"Chief of Command Kester is asking for you to return to earth. He is already complying with the council's committee about the live reaper tech on Argos." Her pleas for a bit of sanity fell on deaf ears.
Shepard shook her head with a dismissive smirk. "They just want me to step off this station. Waiting for a mistake.", she leaned in with a twitchy stare. "I'm smarter than them, and they can't stand it. So I'll protect what's mine by keeping a distance between us and that planet."
She started to head out, leaving them all to discuss the politics of brutal reality. Khalee scoffed out loud. "We defended you today!" She shouted. "And that planet was once your home. You sacrificed everything to protect it before. Shouldn't that still be a priority, even if it's protecting that rock from yourself?"
The captain didn't turn around or acknowledge. She was biting her lower lip in hesitation, sighing to herself. No one understands what she's going through. Everyone Shepard thought she knew had betrayed her and tried to keep her and Satima apart. They were throwing her hybrid daughter away in some twisted place at the mercy of fear and opinion.
Shepard shook it off, leaving out the door to find Garrus and Satima talking. It appeared natural, reminding her of the times before she decided to take matters personally. She stood in front of them with an awkward smile. "Guess it's time to go home. For a little while.", she supposed, wringing her hands nervously.
Satima caught the oddness of her mother's attention and tried a warmer response. Putting her hand over Shepards. "It's good to be back together, again."
Garrus touched Charlie's shoulder. His awkward gesture felt uncomfortable to her.
She played it off, hurriedly walking away with Satima. Charlie's avoiding him. He needs to reach out to her before it's too late.
Citadel Docks
Level four
Miranda waited impatiently, eager to finally go home back to Oriana. However, she made a short call earlier, alerting her sister that she was well and safe.
As safe as anyone can be on the citadel.
Outside the panorama view of the docking windows, Miranda watched frigates and vessels float by. Their engines rumbled the floor, and loud cores echoed off the metal hull walls of the station. Just knowing that business has returned to usual, people are pushing harder to make things work in this messed up place.
"Miranda."
She glanced behind her to see Liara approach. The asari looked more troubled than usual. "Well, Liara. What is so urgent that you need me to delay my ride home?"
Standing beside the ex-operative, Liara put her hands on the rails of the walkway, staring at the ships. "I have a burden I'm finding few people to trust in."
Miranda raised a brow quizzically. "A burden? What's going on?"
Liara inhaled a hesitant breath, unsure but too tired to fight back the insecurities she held. "I've been lying to a good friend."
She nodded to herself, "I'm not a psychologist, Miranda. I dig up dead aliens and their artifacts and occasionally broker sensitive galactic information.", Liara mused. "But, I know that causes problems in relationships to a degree when you shatter someone's dependence on you."
Miranda didn't believe it. Liara is too much of a moral model to cause some kind of distrust amongst friends. "Whose trust, then. Did you break?
Liara shrugged off the question, "Death and rebirth can cause a terrible change in a person." Her mind wandered off into deep thought, memory, and some images from years long past. "Too long.", she spoke in a quiet tone.
Remembering the Lazarus project and the horrific way the woman's body had been mangled and decayed by her fall through Alchera's atmosphere, a broken shell she sold to a desperate and dark faction. "I had hoped your promises of rebirth would fix her. Bring her back, so the reapers would not win. But they did, somehow. They changed her."
Miranda weighed the cryptic words. She felt a need to reassure herself. The former commander proved how she was still the same Shepard before the collectors destroyed the Normandy. "Shepard does not follow the reapers, never will. It was Satima we thought would be a liability. She's the one that echoed their words here on the citadel."
Liara shook her head against this. "You're not seeing the bigger picture here."
Miranda began leaving from this absurd and vague conversation. Walking away from a desperate Liara, she stopped. "You think Shepard is a victim? She's defied the reapers, and their indoctrination, every step of the way." She quickly glanced at the asari. "We're all witnesses to that!"
The ex-operative has had enough of this discussion. The broker is confused and suddenly paranoid. Or maybe that damn talkative prothean has given her more "warnings"? The docks were ahead. Miranda began leaving, no longer interested in undermining what she knew of Shepard.
Liara shook her head defiantly, "We're losing her!" She shouted across the walkway, stopping the woman in her tracks.
Miranda wasn't there initially, but she can tell there's a connection Liara wants her to see.
"To see someone fall apart to the weight of this galaxy and all her people, and be helpless to prevent it... I loved her and let her down." She lamented.
Miranda faced Liara, wandering back to her, " Just what are you getting at?"
Liara pulled them further away from onlookers, careful to make sure they were alone. "I stepped away and let another take the responsibility while I played the hand of fate and destiny to everyone. I'm complicit in her actions, Miranda. I should've known she would spiral out of control from despair and madness."
Shepard was reborn years ago but was still exposed to the reapers for long periods. Looking down, Miranda thought aloud in confusion. "How so?"
A keeper stalked by, glancing at them before it resumed its path. Liara eyed it, turning to speak. "A madness caused by something that no one could predict. The enemy trumped our hand by sending us a child. A genetically enhanced hybrid. With Shepard's DNA running through her veins."
Miranda considered this suspiciously. The broker's gaze did not blink. Her operative friend shook her head in disbelief. "What you say is not fair, Liara. You forget I was made too, by my father's DNA."
Liara relaxed, stepping back with a somber gaze. "Don't you see? A mother will do anything for her child. She'll love her unconditionally, no matter the sins." Liara spoke from a personal perspective Miranda could not sympathize with. "Are you saying we need to get rid of Shepard's weakness?" Her words trembled from the mouth with disgust and fear.
Liara remained silent until she forced herself to speak. "I'm saying that it wasn't Satima being locked away in a reaper station that we should fear.", she stared hard in uncertainty. "It's Shepard being locked away in her guilt for years."
"Guilt?" Miranda asked. "From the recent assaults?"
Liara shook her head with a heavy sigh. "It was always her. There. Here. "
Miranda stares at the broker in hesitance. "You're speaking of the alter-Shepard, aren't you?"
The former broker nodded."Everyone sees me as the villain because I move them about to places they fear will do more harm.", she sighs aloud, unable to look in front of her. "All I'm trying to do is beat someone at this sick game."
"Who's?" Miranda experienced a flashback, suddenly realizing Rasa's words from the Argos. "Go on. Play your part in his game."
Letting out a nervous breath with a shaky voice, Liara views the vessels once again, "His."
Home
The three of them stood outside the door, staring at the green unlocking icon. So simple to touch and step through. But there was this feeling of an invisible kinetic shield stopping them.
Each one stood there with a different reason to hesitate. To turn around and fix what's wrong first before coming back to a domestic setting that seems out of touch with reality.
Shepard reached out with a heavy sigh, forcing herself to be the one to open this door. The green icon lit up, dispersing into pixels as the metal piece opened.
Wandering inside, the voice of Natalie speaking to her asari caretaker caught their attention. The woman looked up from the open kitchen counter to see the family ahead.
"Oh! Goodness! I wasn't alerted you would be home so quickly.", she stepped away to where Natalie was sitting at the table. "Your parents are home. Isn't that wonderful?" A pleasant smile played across her light blue features, encouraging the girl to greet them.
Two weeks seems like an age to a younger child. Yet, ten years of age is teetering between independence and fears of abandonment.
Natalie stood, cautiously stepping into the main living quarters of the spacious apartment. Her brown hair braided to the side, with large watery eyes staring away.
Shepard leaned down to kneel in front of Natalie. Emotions broke her heart at the sight of the young face of her second child, waiting to be loved and cared for by her. "Hey, sweetie. We're home now.", she began, speaking softly like the Shepard who was before.
Natalie's smaller chest rose and fell hard, her eyes rimmed with deep tears. She lifted a sad gaze to Satima and Garrus. A frightened expression washed over her childish features. They feared she would panic. Garrus stepped forward, gesturing calmly. "It's okay, Natalie. We were gone for some time. You don't have to try until you're ready."
Shepard shot him a displeased look. She wanted Natalie to try! Hell, she's done nothing but secure a future for this family. Sacrificing everything she worked hard to earn, only to be rejected by this child!
Natalie could read the upset and anger on her mother's face. Do they keep leaving her alone with strangers and expect a happy greeting from her? She scowled at them. "I hate you!", running away to her room.
Shepard stood, wanting to go after her. Satima stepped forward instead. "Give her some time.", she advised.
The caretaker approached them with a saddened glance. "I'm sorry. This sometimes happens when both parents are gone for a while. It would be a good idea to take advantage of family counseling, maybe. To help the young one cope with having both parents that are on duty."
Garrus tried to say something, agreeing to some extent about it. But Shepard wouldn't have it. She turned viciously to the asari, nearly shouting at the top of her lungs. "And how the hell would you know?! Do you have kids? Do you deal with galactic horseshit on a daily basis?!"
The woman gasped with a hand to her mouth. "I... I'm sorry to impede." Now leaving in a hurry.
The door closed with Garrus grabbing Charlie by her shoulders, shaking her in confusion, taking Satima off guard. "What the hell has gotten into you?! She watched Natalie for weeks and took care of her.", his gaze searching for a desperate answer, suddenly turning into anger. "You almost killed an admiral of your alliance!" Garrus shouted his words at her. "They'll put you away, and there is no position... even if I were the primarch himself, could I ever get you back! So why are you doing this?"
He received silence at first. Then, Garrus shook her closer to him, a plea in his gaze. "Answer me! Why?"
She gripped his taloned hands, forcibly pulling them off her. Staring him down hatefully. "For her." Shepard's stare never wavered off of his and only slightly gave away towards Satima.
Garrus gazed at her, unbelieving of how much she changed so quickly. He shook his head, promptly leaving the apartment. Shepard stared at his empty spot to see a stunned Satima give her a worried look.
Zakera Ward
Warehousing district
Harkin stares at a reflection of himself from the old warehouse windows. He was now wiping settled grime from the pane, peering in to see an abandoned business. So, this is where they'll plan? He told Shepard it would cost her, and he meant it.
Harkin's payment will not be bought in creds or delusions of power. He's been down both roads. She has to know you can't walk over people, forcing everyone to comply with demands.
A subservient roll between those in authority with absolute control and those beneath the radar. The ones who can turn information into a weapon. Harkin's grin surprised him at the thought. His role as Fade is over. Nobody remembers or gives a shit about the name Harkin. The one person who does is too busy playing family.
Bright lights are powered on, echoing machines come back to life in front of him. He could see Finn mess around, already recruiting cred-hungry assholes of his own.
He's no shadow broker. His time of finding and hiding the useless beings who consider themselves collective races of intelligence is done. He's a tool of vengeance now.
However, Harkin finds he has no minor issue with the alliance, as long as they deliver on their promise. They'll help him get a little noticed, receive a quiet position with nobody caring whether or not he has the best intentions for humanity.
His omni tool pings with updates from headquarters. Shepard's house is a guarded shelter. One where she thinks they are all safe from the dirty side of this galaxy. That living in the presidium gives them security and the right to use him as a means to her ends.
Harkin doesn't care how unstable she's gotten or if she decides to kill all the councilors and run this place.
She needs to learn a lesson in humility. Something repeated to him for the past three years.
The sweetest part of this "penalty" he gets to practice is dragging that turian to hell with him.
A satisfied smirk played across Harkin's features.
