CHAPTER 1

Author Note: Wondered what it would be like if Shepard had to wait to hear from the Normandy instead.

Everything waits on baited breath when a villain dies.

What now?

If you think there is chaos before saving the world, you should see what surviving is. The promise of a brave new world. As I find the worlds changing and reshaping themselves to overcome the destruction of war I realize how wrong I was. We think the end of the war brings peace, prosperity and happiness. It doesn't. It brings broken, orphaned children in the care of half-empty horror-filled adults.

It left everything stagnant. Disconnected. Alone.

Earth had been hit hard. Banshees, monsters, Reapers, giant debris. Krogan, human, Turian, Salarian, Asari. Oh Asari. Homeless now. Everyone was hunkered down because the galaxies were stranded.

Thanks a lot Shepard.

If people thought the war was hard. They should try walking on metal limbs that grate against bone and tissue.

"How far is the repair work?"

The makeshift Galactic Council had convened on earth. Most of the high ranked officials that had survived along with the Destiny Ascension had been stranded in our system. It worked in everyone's favor to set up a home base on our war ravaged planet. Well every planet was war ravaged. I had no idea what Palavan was like, if Thessia was still even in one piece. I knew Tuchanka had fared well. Thank you Mama Maw.

So part of me felt the irony of playing host to the entire galaxy worth of pencil pushers. I just wanted the Citadel up and running so I could get them back there and out of my hair. I had no idea why I was still running the show. I really only wanted to go to that beach and lie there while the sun warmed my limbs. Then maybe it would hurt less to live.

"Shepard?"

Turning to the new Turian Councilor, I tried not to roll my eyes. "What do you want?"

He frowned, his mandibles twitching. "You could try and be a bit more agreeable." Poor guy. He'd been picked out of a hat until they Hierarchy could be reached. The last Councilor had wanted to be on the front lines. I almost missed that bastard. Almost.

The Asari Councilor sighed. "She can't." I really wanted to be nicer to her. She did lose her whole planet. Oh but she made it so hard.

The Salarian Delatrass grunted. "Same old Shepard."

I let her see my teeth in my feral grin. This one was too imperious and uppity with asking me to betray Wrex. As if. Slumping further in my chair, I picked up the data pad with the latest reports. "I did say pick someone else to play stand-in Councilor."

"Nothing could have made me happier," the Dalatrass grumbled with her arms crossed.

There was a sharp breath and I winced. Damn, I shouldn't have stuck my tongue out at her. Hackett would not be happy I was being bratty. But it was so damned hard with these three. They had pretty much given me a finger every time I saw them. Best to get this over with. "Fine so the Citadel is getting habitable. We haven't reached the presidium. Some of the silver strip is still standing. The outer wards have some areas with breathable atmosphere."

"And the keepers?" The Turian interjected. I should be nice to him, he hadn't been there.

"The club is still standing, if you can believe that. Parts of the life support system could come off line without maintenance…"

"Ah, Shepard?"

"Just let her finish," the Dalatrass snapped.

I took pity on him and raised my eyes to him. "The Keepers are gone. No signs of them. At all."

"What about the relay?"

What would it take for them to not rub this in my face? "You're going to have to let us put the old light speed engines into scouting ships."

Everyone spoke at once.

"If you had only consulted us before destroying the relays!" Yeah because the Crucible would have allowed me my last phone call.

"A Salarian would have found a way!"

"But it would take weeks to reach Pallaven!"

I choose to respond the the Turian. His was concern. Not whining. "As opposed to not?" I glared at him and stood, throwing the datapad on the stupid round table that was supposed to give each of us an equal footing. But I knew it for what it was.

"What would it take for you to take this seriously Commander?" The Asari glared from where she sat resplendent in her chair. Still imperious.

I met her eyes. "Complete the Council, bring the Quarian, Elcor, Krogan, Batarian, Hanar, Drell and the Volus."

"Commander Shepard," the Dellatrass began as if I was an idiot, but I cut her off.

"We never would have won this war if all of them hadn't stood beside us and I'm done playing your errand-boy until you find a bigger room because I do plan to find the Rachni queen rep and I WILL have everyone on board. NONE of you would be standing here if not for them." I let it sink in for a moment. When the old Council only stared back at me, I straightened from where I had practically climbed up on the table. If my war bones hadn't been aching, maybe I would have. "And lighten up. Go get laid." With a wide-toothed grin, I turned and stalked out of the make-shift Council chamber.

As I hobbled out of the building, I picked up my Omni-tool and pinged it for the hundredth time since I woke up this morning. It was a habit now. Come on Normandy. My limbs quaked when the signal bounced, but I let them carry me to the car.

TO BE CONTINUED...