Chapter 26

"Set a course for Hierarchy space, Joker. We're going to Palaven." Anya's heart hadn't stopped slamming in her chest since the turian councilor had urged her to rescue Primarch Fedorian for the war summit. She told herself that she was only going to Palaven to do her job, but she knew it was only half true. She stalked back towards the galaxy map, trying to keep an outward appearance of calm.

"Commander!" She nearly swore at the sound of Vega jogging up behind her.

"Yes, lieutenant?" Her voice was calm, but she was sure that she was failing at keeping her expression pleasant.

"Is this what you look like when you're mad at the Council?"

"No, this is what I look like when I'm disappointed in the Council. Mad at the Council normally includes yelling, or hanging up on them." He laughed at that, and she raised an eyebrow. He realized that she wasn't joking and stopped mid-chuckle.

"Wait, are you serious?"

"About which part?"

"You yell at the Council?"

"Sometimes, yes."

"And you've just...hung up on them? Like they were under the impression that the conversation was continuing, and you just...dropped the call."

"More than once."

"You've got to be shitting me."

"No, ask Joker, or EDI. I've hung up on them a lot of times. Once I hung up on them twice in one week. The silence was beautiful."

"But...wait...so...aren't they kind of your bosses?"

"They're not going to strip my Spectre status for poor video call etiquette. I get too much done."

"I mean, yeah…"

"Besides, if they don't want me to act like I'm mad, they shouldn't go out of their way to piss me off."

"So you are mad?"

"No, not this time, James. I'm not angry. Just disappointed."

"Ow."

"Can you blame me? They have done almost nothing to help me in all the time that I've known them. Hell, saving their asses when a Reaper was actively wrecking the Citadel wasn't even enough to spur them into working with me. It's bonkers."

"So, hit me, Lola. What did they say?"

"Everyone is circling the wagons, trying to get their own people secure first and foremost. The Councillor said that helping facilitate a war summit would do wonders to get turian aid for Earth, so that's what we're doing right now."

"We're helping with a war summit?"

"Yes, we are, by retrieving the Primarch from the middle of a warzone. Make sure your gear is squared away, lieutenant. Boots on the ground before you know it."

"Are Dr. T'Soni and I coming with you on this field trip, ma'am?"

"That's what it's looking like."

"Am I going to end up waiting with the shuttle again?"

"Probably not, though there are no guarantees."

"I'm just saying, I'd rather not be missing out on the action, ma'am."

"Alright, I'll keep in mind, lieutenant."

"I appreciate it."

"In any case, I should go. I need to warn Liara about Palaven."

"Are we expecting heavy resistance?"

"I think it would be prudent to be prepared for everywhere to be hit as heavily as Earth." James nodded at that, peeling off with a determined look on his face.

Anya hurried to confirm their destination in the galaxy map, then immediately bee-lined for Liara's office. The asari smiled at her when she walked in.

"Shepard! How did it go?"

"About as well as can be expected. We have to pick up a VIP from Palaven. Do you know anything about the current Primarch?"

"I can forward you the basics."

"Thank you, Liara. Is there...any chance you've been able to confirm where Garrus is?" Anya asked hesitantly.

"The last report I have has him on a shuttle to Menae, Palaven's moon."

"Is the fighting on Palaven bad yet?"

"I think we should hold off on wondering how bad things are until we get there."

"Liara, how many of your agents are currently MIA?"

"I...a lot more than I'd like," she admitted.

"I am asking this as your friend. Should I be worried?"

"I think...it's not going to be pretty, but I don't think you need to worry just yet. How long was he under siege on Omega?"

"A while."

"And that was with no backup."

"He almost died on Omega." Anya hated the way her voice cracked as she spoke.

"But he didn't. He was fine. You know he knows better than to die on you."

"Liara, stop, I don't want platitudes right now. I want you to tell me what you really think."

"Okay." After a beat, she finally spoke again. "I think that he's strong, and smart, and capable, and I genuinely think you have to have faith in him to handle himself until you get there."

"Yeah?"

Liara nodded. "I would bet my last credit that even if he's in the thick of things, he's planning three steps ahead, because he knows you're coming for him. He'd be crazy not to."

Anya chose not to comment on the asari's wistful tone. "I just...need him to be okay right now. I feel like it's all I can think about."

"Well, of course it is. You care for him."

"Of course I care. Garrus has always been...he's always had my back. Same as you, or Tali, or Wrex. How could I not care deeply for all of you?"

"I...do not feel as though I have had your back as much as you have had mine. I wasn't even able to help you with the Collector base."

"Look, if it wasn't going to throw your entire life into chaos, you would have come with me, wouldn't you?"

"I would."

"I believe you. It's fine. You don't owe me anything, Liara."

"I...don't think that is accurate."

"Why would you owe me?"

"For giving your body to Cerberus, of all people."

"I wasn't mad at you on Illium, and I'm not mad at you now. After I...after I died, I'm sure that things were very confusing, and stressful, and painful. It's okay, Liara."

"You really mean that, Shepard?"

"I do. Grief isn't kind. I get it." Anya smiled reassuringly at the other woman.

"Thank you, Commander."

"It's fine. Just...no more beating yourself up, okay? I need some biotic backup when we get to where we're going, and you're kind of my first pick."

The asari laughed. "I'm your only pick."

"Yeah, but even if I had other biotics on board, you're still my first pick."

"Well, I am flattered." Amusement was still clear in Liara's voice.

"Don't be flattered. Just be ready."