"We need to turn the ship around and drop you off" Ashley said.
"Why do we want to do that?" I ask.
"To get you back home."
"I am a nomad. I am my own home."
"Whatever. I don't think you are even allowed to be here. This is the normandy. A highly advanced stealth ship. You are a security risk."
"I have been called nicer things by worse people."
Ashley steps out of the door and I follow her. We walk around the ship until we find Anderson. He is staying close to the doctor's office. Doing his best to not look concerned however the leg contractions give away his true feelings. He looks up and towards me.
"What are you still doing here? I thought you left." he states.
Anderson gives off a strong aura. It feels protective and inspires admiration. Even without my trained senses I could tell he is an honorable man. He is probably strict but tries not to be rude. Almost fatherly.
"I volunteered to carry the fallen to their temporary resting place. Ashley and I began to talk then the ship took off" I said.
A voice comes from the intercom. "Approaching the relay captain."
"I hope you do not mind this unfortunate mistake. To compensate for your efforts we will help you get settled when we arrive at the citadel" Anderson offers.
"That will not be necessary" I reply.
"Please it is the least we can do" Anderson states sincerely. "I know this is not an idealistic transfer but we could always use a strong soldier, Williams. Would you like to become a part of our family?" Anderson asks while holding out his hand. Ashley shakes the captain's hand. "It would be an honor sir."
"Let's go meet our pilot," Anderson says.
We walk towards the cockpit and pass by several people in chairs. Doing something important. I do not know what. I see the light of the galaxy coming through the windshield. It is beautiful, the stars gently passing by and the dancing colors of the mass effect field along the surface of the ship make for an amazing few. I see why he wanted to become a pilot.
"This is the alliance's greatest pilot. Jeff Moreau" Anderson introduces.
"My resume says galaxy's greatest pilot" Joker counters.
"Always with the jokes Joker" Anderson replies.
"Stop calling me that please. Makes me sound like a comic book villain" Joker said.
"Batman?" I ask.
"Who is batman?" Joker asks.
He did not just say that.
"Batman. He fights an evil clown named Joker at night. He is friends with superman. DC comics" I say.
"Never heard of them" Joker states.
I am thinking I entered the wrong universe.
"Anyway my name is ********. I hear we are going to the citadel. I am excited I have never been there" I said.
"Yeah it is amazing. We will be dropping out of FTL in a few minutes. You are welcome to stay. It is quite the view" Joker said.
"Have you seen it Ashley?" I ask.
"Yeah. I was invited once for an interspecies cultural exchange. More forced to go but that is a story for another day" she said.
We drop out of hyperspace and are met with clouds of pink and faint purple fogging the entire area until we get closer and see the citadel quickly come into view. It is a different experience seeing it with your own eyes. The giant ring connects to five arms.
"You look lost for words" Joker said.
"I have seen pictures of it but seeing it in real life is different. It's huge!" I shout.
"That's what she said"
"Ha" I slap the back of his chair. Joker erks forward.
"Please don't do that" He asks.
Oh man, I forgot about his bone disease. I hope I didn't fracture anything. Maybe I should heal him. NO NO do not heal people without their consent. You do not know how they will react. Shepard sneaks up on us. "Enjoying the scenery?" He asks.
Shepard looks a bit better. His eyelids are heavy, however his face has much more color. He looks weary but alive.
"I am. How are you feeling bud?" I ask.
"Like I headbutted a krogan and have the worst hangover" Shepard said.
"Should you be walking?" Ashley asks.
"Probably not but I am strong. I soldier through" Shepard replies.
"Dude if your body is telling you to rest then rest" I say but my words have no effect.
"I have to report to ambassador Udina" Shepard said.
The normandy docks at the citadel and after going through decontamination, Anderson, Shepard, Ashley, and myself exit and find Udina waiting for us. He quickly greets us and makes us hurry to the embassy.
"I hear our proud colony was attacked and the prothean relic was destroyed?" Udina scornfully looks at Shepard.
"The geth have been hiding behind the veil long before humanity discovered mass effect. There was no way to expect them. However, we learned a turian named Saren was leading the Geth." Shepard said.
This causes Udina and Anderson to look at each other. A jolt travels up their spines.
"Do you know him?" Ashley asks.
"He is a spectre. The council's elite soldier. They can do nearly anything they want and get away with it. The council will protect him. He is a very dangerous individual. He keeps a low profile but will do anything required and not feel a shred of remorse. He has a vendetta against humans." Anderson explained. I get the feeling he learned this from experience alone.
"That is the least of our problems. Before the relic blasted into unconsciousness, it did something to me" Shepard said.
"What is it?" Udina asks.
"I saw something. I am not sure what. The images came so fast I could barely tell what they were. I saw chaos and agony. Something bad happened to the protheans. It killed their civilization" Shepard said.
"Why would they record this?" Udina asks.
"I think it was a warning. Ever since I woke up, I feel unsettled. Like I am on a boat in the middle of an ocean. I do not see a storm but feel one is coming. A bad one" Shepard warns.
"It doesn't really matter, the geth are a threat to all life. The council wants you to report what happened in person" Udina says and turns to me. "I heard of your bravery in helping the colonists. Anderson and I have recommended you for the heart of humanity. It is the highest award that can be given to civilians. We will also return you to earth or Eden prime if that is your wish" Udina said. He actually seems nice. A kind politician? I don't buy it. He probably wants me out of the way. I will play along.
"Thank you. The nomination in itself is an honor but really, I am just a guy who helped when the time called for it" I say.
"Don't put yourself down. You fought when no one else would. We need more people like you" Ashley says.
"I hate to interrupt this moment, but the council is demanding our attendance" Udina forces us out of his office. We head out to a skycar loading area. We all crammed into one car. Udina had to use a special code to be given permission to park so close to the council tower
We walk towards the tower until we are stopped by a turian in blue armor. Why isn't it the coolest turian in the galaxy. He is surprisingly tall. If I didn't know how awesome he is I would feel slightly intimidated. Actually, I do feel intimidated.
"Shepard" He shouts.
"Yes?" Shepard asks. I observe everyone's reactions. Udina looks annoyed. Anderson is paying close attention. Ashley's eyes narrow. She really hates aliens.
"My name is Garrus. I have friends in C-sec who tell me you are going after Saren" He says.
"I cannot comment on an ongoing investigation" Shepard politely states.
"Yeah I know but Saren is a horrible person. I have been investigating him for years. I never had enough evidence to put him away but know he is a horrible turian being. I hope you take him down" Garrus said.
"We will be careful. Good luck with your investigation" Shepard replies.
"You as well" Garrus heads off.
We climb the stairs and enter the elevator to meet the most powerful people in the galaxy.