Authors Note: I want to make it clear that I did not write Admiral Hackett's speech, that comes from the game itself.
It was late afternoon on a weekend. The sun shone a golden orange and the clouds were heavy. It would most likely rain tomorrow.
There was a small roar despite the numerous amounts of people, and Shepard fidgeted with the note cards in his hands as he prepared to give his speech.
Him, Tali, and their closest friends were all seated on the platform. There stood a podium in the front and center of the platform, and the rest of the crew formed a small platoon below it. Around the crew was an ocean of seats where species of every kind that helped in the fight waited for the ceremony to begin.
That's a lot of people.
Shepard was good at speeches, but this was different. All the other times were for rallying individual species for war, so he could say what that species needed to hear. This time, however, is after the war, and with different species mixed in. He feared that not everyone will receive it the same way.
But that wasn't his only reason. Here he was going to reveal his retirement to the public. Admiral Hackett knew about this, Shepard already told him and he accepted it sadly. He said that he understood and that the Alliance would not be the same without him. But the reason why he decided to reveal to the public was because he gained a reputation of always helping when asked.
Shepard decided to destroy that reputation because he thought it was being a borderline mercenary, and also because he really wanted some peace and quiet. He could only imagine what the, "press conference," on the Citadel is going to be like afterwards.
Shepard tried to engrave every word on his cards into his memory. It was only when Tali touched his arm that he noticed the horn had blew and Admiral Hackett had taken up the podium. The crew stood straighter, the crowd's noise died down, and everyone anticipated the Admiral's words. He gave a few pointless raps on the wood and cleared his throat. This was a ceremony of victory, but it was also a ceremony of remembrance.
"The war is over. The Reapers have been defeated. Against all odds, and in the face of the greatest threat this galaxy has ever known, we survived. We suffered many losses. The relays are severely damaged, but we won. This victory belongs to each of us...every man, woman, and child. Every civilization, on every world. Now, as we take our first steps toward restoring what we lost, we must remember what it took to win. This wasn't a victory by a single fleet, a single army, or even a single species. If this war has taught us anything, it is that we are at our strongest when we work together. And if we can put down our grievances long enough to stop something as powerful as the Reapers, imagine what we can achieve now that they are defeated. It will take time, but we can rebuild everything that was destroyed. Our homes, our worlds, our fleets and defenses. All of this...and more. Together, we can build a future greater than any one of us could imagine. A future paid for by the sacrifices of those who fought and died alongside us. A future that many will never see. And while we still have many challenges ahead of us...We can face them together. And we will honor those who died to give us that future."
"We would now like to invite you to join us in a Moment of Silence for those who have fallen."
The sea of people bowed their heads and joined with the silence. The whisper of the breeze through them was as if the fallen were murmuring their final goodbyes. Shepard thought of all those that died for the cause. Mordin, Thane...Anderson...and so many others that he could not save. Shepard did not think it was long enough when the speaker called everyone back again.
"Thank you, we will now have a speech given by Commander John M. Shepard."
Shepard's hands wavered as he stood up and walked over to the podium. Admiral Hackett took his gloved hand and gave it a firm shake and whispered in his audio receiver, "You'll do a good job, Shepard. You always do."
"Thank you, Admiral."
The older man smiled and walked back to his own seat next to some of the higher rankings of each species, Admiral Raan was next to him standing in place for the quarians. Shepard gave a loud sigh to test the microphone and tapped on his cards. I really didn't want to do this. His voice quivered slightly as he began.
"Thank you, Admiral Hackett. I couldn't have said it better myself."
Shepard glanced over the cards, the words were there but his eyes weren't taking them in. He started to panic slightly and looked back to Tali, her eyes giving a warm smile.
That look was all he needed. A surge of confidence came to him and he dropped the cards. Ah, screw it. He was going free.
"As you might have noticed," He extended his arms as if to invite everyone's curious gazes to his suit. "I can assure you that I am Shepard."
The laughs gave him an extra confidence boost. Wrex, who happened to be among the leaders gave the largest laugh. He waited for the voices to die down before he continued on.
"I apologize that my health has kept me under for these past weeks and I want to thank my lovely Engineer, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya, for making it possible for me to be here with you today."
He extended his hand back towards the beautiful quarian and watched as her hands began to wring as many eyes flew to her. He would have to apologize later for putting her on the spot.
"And also, before any further confusion, I want to say that I have retired from my position of a Commander in the Alliance." This caused many eyebrows to raise, his crew included.
"I spent years in the military dreaming of a better galaxy, so we could end the suffering and go to our homes. The Reapers have given us a lot of grief and taken many of our kind. It's been awhile since we defeated them, but we must give them credit for one good thing they have given us. A reason to unite. As Admiral Hackett had said, 'Together, we can build a future greater than any one of us could imagine.' I did not realize that this was how my dream would be fulfilled, far from it. But I wouldn't change it for the universe.
"I lost friends, and people who I considered family because of this war. But I believe that they are smiling and cheering for our victory alongside us. Together we stopped an unstoppable force, and together we will live on. Our children will live in such an era of peace that no species will have experienced before, and that's because we did this together. The sacrifices were great, but what we have left is still worth the insurmountable price that we paid for peace. We honor the many who have fallen, so many that it is impossible to count how many we have lost. We wish for peace on their souls. And so I thank each and every one of you that contributed in any way to win this. It will be awhile before we go home, so I want to thank everyone that is not native to this planet especially, whether you be Asari, Turian, Salarian, Krogan...Quarian, or any other species. We open our planet in hospitality for you in thanks for saving it. And as we go forth, the memory of our victory will be burned in history and our minds forever, and I ask you to remember it, to share it. And I would like to thank you all once again for coming together to achieve this era of peace."
As Shepard walked away to return to his seat next to Tali, the crowd gave a small round of clapping before the horn blew again.
"We would now like to give awards to the heroes who have been a part of the Normandy Crew..."
Wait, what? I didn't know about this! I just sat down!
"...All those who contributed, please line up."
Both Shepard and Tali awkwardly lined up next to the podium along with Garrus, Wrex, Kaiden, Liara, and Joker, with Shepard being first. Miranda, Jack, James, and Jacob served as squad leaders in the platoon below them. Admiral Hackett marched up to Shepard with someone holding a small box following him. He cleared his throat to test the new microphone that was attached to his uniform.
"For Shepard...we know you have retired, but we would like to give you a well deserved promotion of Captain. You are now known as Captain Shepard Systems Alliance Navy Retired."
Sounds like a mouthful.
"And for recognition of courageous and distinguished service that is above and beyond the call of duty, and as seen as an award to heroes of humanity, we like you to receive the Star Of Terra."
The shock overtook him. He did not expect to ever earn an award this high ever since he survived Akuze. His face remained hardened when the Admiral pinned it to his decorative cloth.
"And furthermore, the Citadel Council has made a new award given under your name. In recognition of courageous and distinguished service that is infinitely above the call of duty, for working in protection of all species while under extreme pressure, and accomplishing an amazing and unique feat, we give you the Shepard's Crook."
Shepard remained flabbergasted at his awards, even if his face didn't show it. Not that anyone could see it anyway. His mind focused to Tali as the Admiral moved down the line towards her. That was when he noticed Admiral Raan hovering behind him. She positioned himself next to the human Admiral and waited for the awards to be mentioned.
"For Admiral Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya, you have given us a great reason why humanity should recognize its galactic neighbors. So for great courage and dedication to securing a better future for all species, and showing compassion and service while under pressure. We give you the Homeworld Medal."
The human Admiral gave a wink to Shepard while pinning it to her decorative cloth before taking the box from the person that was holding it. He positioned himself next to Garrus and faced Admiral Raan who stood in front of her niece. This time she spoke.
"The Conclave and Admiralty Board would like to also award Admiral Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya. For outstanding service to the people, going above and beyond the call of duty while under pressure, and defining the traits of selflessness and compassion and duty, we would love for you to receive the Lin'treclah." Shepard noticed that Tali was shaking uncontrollably and fidgeting with her hands as her Auntie reached into the box and pulled out a long, bronze colored chain with a purple crystal in the shape of some sort of leaf outlined in gold attached to it. She pulled apart the chain and raised it over her head.
Tali and Shepard's eyes met as the quarian Admiral rested the award on her shoulders and returned to her seat. Tali's luminescent eyes were wide circles of disbelief and refused to blink. Shepard guessed that she must've received a very important award in her culture.
Admiral Hackett returned the box to his helper and continued down the line, giving Homeworld Medals to all the nonhumans. The platoon below stood as two other people pinned smaller awards to their uniforms.
After the last person was recognized, Admiral Hackett took one last medal out of the box and headed to the podium. He raised it above his head to show another Star of Terra.
"We would like to award a great man who unfortunately could not stand with us today. Admiral Anderson was the first captain of the Normandy, and we would like to posthumously award him the Star of Terra. Rest in peace."
"Rest in peace," Shepard whispered.
"This concludes our ceremony, you may now go and celebrate your victory."
At that, the sea of faces began to disperse from the field. Admiral Hackett put the medal back in the box and its carrier headed off the platform. Shepard glanced at Tali only for a moment before she embraced him into a hug, one leg raised up behind her. "I can't believe it! Never would I have guessed that today I would get the Lin'treclah!"
Shepard tapped his mask against hers, "Seems pretty important, why don't-"
"I was going to congratulate you two on you awards," Admiral Hackett cut in, "But I guess I'm more interrupting?" He gave a large grin. Sweat seemed to break instantly on Shepard's forehead when realized what he and Tali were openly displaying. Tali also seemed to notice for she immediately broke their hug and started stuttering. Shepard calmed her down before replying.
"Uh, Admiral, Sir, what I think Tali is trying to say is-"
"No need Shepard. I thought this when Admiral Zorah here practically jumped off the ship when she returned. But I'll be honest Shepard, I would have never guessed it before, but I know you always make the right choice. I hope you two will find happiness."
Shepard smiled as he brought Tali closer to him, his confidence returning, "Thank you Admiral," he said as he looked deep into her eyes, "But I think we already have."
The older man smiled wider and he turned away, walking off the platform. Shepard turned and shock filled him once again when he realized the Normandy Crew was still there, looking at them, smiling. He scratched the back of his helmet in embarrassment, "Ay, uh..."
Garrus clapped his hands and walked to the front of the platform in front of the crew, "Alright! Lovey Dovey stuff aside, who's ready to party?"
Everyone replied with enthusiasm and a loud, "Hell yes!" from Joker. The crew started going to the ship and Shepard thanked Garrus for the save, which he replied with a wink, "What did I say? Lousy shot." Shepard rolled his eyes and waited for the crew to pass him by before following with Tali next to him.
"What were you asking? Why don't what?" Tali questioned.
"Hm?" Shepard remembered after a few moments, "Oh! I was going to ask, 'Why don't you tell me more about your award?'"
Tali pinched the purple gem around her neck and brushed it with her other finger, "The Lin'treclah is the highest award anyone could ever get. It is very rare and very few receive it. It's very special."
Shepard chuckled, "Then you definitely earned it."
Tali returned the chuckle when she realized what he meant. "It has also become some sort of good luck charm, it is said that those that receive this award can expect love and happiness for the rest of their lives."
Shepard smiled, "Then you definitely deserved it."
She looked deep into his eyes. "At least it's not a pun out of my name," she said, failing to keep it at a serious tone.
They both ended up stopping and laughing their heads off. "I still can't believe they called it the, 'Shepard's Crook,'" Shepard managed to say.
After their bout of laughter, Shepard felt something was off. He had to stop himself from laughing again when he realized what it was, "Kasumi, what are you doing?"
The smaller woman uncloaked in front of them, "How do you do it?!" She demanded.
"Kas," Tali groaned. But the Master Thief wasn't giving up.
"Come on! I have to know! I might need this information someday!"
"When you need to pick pocket a cyborg with hyper senses?" Shepard asked.
"I don't know...maybe."
"Well there's your answer."
"What?"
"Hyper senses, I just get a gut feeling."
Kasumi glared, "You aren't fooling me that easy, Shep. Seriously what is it, did Cerberus implant you with some really advanced tech? Motion trackers? Extreme Heat or X-ray vision? Come on what is it?!"
Shepard shook his head. Tali cuddled up next to him and glared at Kasumi. "Why don't you go and join the others up ahead?"
Kasumi in turn glared at Shepard. "You're lucky that you two are too darn cute together, or else I would have punched you both halfway across the planet!" The smaller woman then cloaked again and her anger was sensed all the way back up towards the crew.
"I love Kasumi to death, but sometimes she needs to calm down," Tali said after she was confident that she was gone.
Shepard shrugged, "I don't mind, I actually find it quite humorous." Tali gave an unemotional grunt as they continued walking.
"How do you do it anyway? Figure out where she is?"
"I don't actually know where she is. It's like I said, I get gut feelings whenever she's around. After you been fighting different people for several years straight, you kind of develop a sixth sense for whenever something is out of the ordinary."
Tali giggled, "I guess you could say that makes sense."
Shepard abruptly stopped and stared at her.
"Did...did you just..?"
Tali sat down at a table next to Garrus and Wrex with a nonalcoholic dextro drink in her hand. Garrus managed to snag them off of some of his, "Turian fans," as he called them.
Over their heads was a large emergency bio-sphere tent that could house the whole crew and some more. It was attached to the side of the Normandy and stretched over the field that was beginning to become green again. The bio-sphere would probably make it even grow faster. They only used the tent to protect themselves in case of rain, but it also gave a sense of privacy for the crew as they partied. Many emergency lights lit up around the tent and there was even a few multi-colored strobe lights that came from who knows where.
Energetic music played and EDI was playing DJ for the night, using for some of her robotic vocals to enhance some of the music. Joker actually started calling her, "Dee-Jee EDI," in his half drunken state.
"We managed to pull this off pretty decently," Garrus said over the noise.
"I'm surprised, too," Tali replied. "Seems luck hasn't completely ran out."
"So what's with this Shepard retiring?" Wrex questioned.
Tali took a straw and dropped it into her drink, she actually found that she preferred the term over Emergency Induction Port. Now it just seemed overly technical. "Oh that? Decided he was done fighting, he wants to come live on Rannoch with me."
Garrus made his best impression of raising an eyebrow, "I didn't think that would be for awhile. Can't say I blame him though, the guy literally died from it. Does that mean you're retiring, too?"
Tali nearly choked on her drink, "So soon? Keelah, no! I'll still be doing Admiral duties, but maybe less of the getting shot at part."
"Yeah, it's difficult not to imagine Shepard without guns firing at him, speaking of which, where is the guy?"
"He's just getting a soda, he'll be here any second." Right after she said that, the Ancestors seemed to sing when she heard his voice, "Hey guys, what did I miss?"
"Speak of the devil," Garrus said, "We were just talking about your retirement plans."
Shepard picked up his own straw and dropped it into his can of soda. "Oh you have, have you? You guys mad that I'm leaving you?"
Garrus snorted, "Just surprised. I'm going to miss you, Shepard. But I'll be honest, I couldn't be happier for you." Shepard nodded his gratitude and took a sip of his soda.
Tali's heart skipped a beat when he choked, grabbed at his chest, and fell on the table. What the?! "John!"
She leaped out of her seat to his, rolling him over onto his side, Garrus and Wrex close to her. "John, are you okay? What happened? Oh please, speak to me!" Shepard began coughing as he lifted his finger signaling, "One moment," as he reached into one of his pouches and pulled out a white tube. He hastily shoved it into his mask and began inhaling its contents. His coughing slowed and his breathing returned to normal.
"What the hell happened, Shepard?" Wrex almost roared.
Shepard replied with his fist smashed onto the table, "Dammit! I forgot this was levo! I can't even drink soda anymore!"
Both Wrex and Garrus looked at him confusedly, "What do you mean you can't drink soda? Levo?" Garrus asked as he glanced to Tali.
She rolled her eyes and told them about his DNA change, "Whatever the Crucible did really screwed up his genetics, it started twisting some of it towards dextro."
"That damned reaper child!" Shepard groaned.
Tali rubbed his suit, trying to comfort him. "Do you want to see if you can try my drink? I don't know if you can, but it's worth a shot."
Shepard gave a sarcastic laugh, "I hate you."
"For whatever for?"
"That pun."
Tali took a moment to realize what she said and gave an annoyed sigh, "That was not intended." Tali then pushed her drink to Shepard. "Come on, give it a try." Shepard raised his head and pulled the white machine from his back and set it on the table.
Wrex and Garrus just sat back down into their seats and noticed it, "What's that?" Wrex asked.
"A monitor, it tells me if my vitals are going screwy or if my genetics are changing more," Shepard answered. "It also happens to be a food tester," he added as he poured a few drops of Tali's drink into a little compartment of the machine and hit a button above it.
The machine began to whir and some beeping ensued as it matched data. "Well, this is going to take a couple minutes. So what are your guy's plans after the relays are fixed?"
Wrex leaned back in his seat and lifted his arms behind his head, "Other than almost having my friend die in front of me, I think I'll go back to the Urdnot lands and live it up, I got a lot to do."
The other three shuddered as they thought of what he might have meant.
"I got kids to look after. Bakara can't handle them by herself."
They allowed themselves a half sense of relief. At least it wasn't what they were all thinking, at least not exactly. Tali changed gears and looked towards Garrus, "What about you? Do you have any plans? Any girls in your life?" she teased.
Garrus half laughed, "Maybe, I'm not so sure whenever I'll settle down though, these adventures are too fun if you ask me."
"Ooh, speaking of which, I need to talk to you about something after the party, Garrus, it's really important," Shepard said, snapping his fingers once.
Garrus gave another mock eyebrow raise, "Okay, alright."
Several minutes later and the machine beeped with a green light. "Well I guess it's safe to drink, thanks Doctor Chakwas," Shepard said as he put his straw into Tali's bottle. They both leaned in to share the drink and accidentally bumped their masks together in a quarian kiss. Tali giggled and saw the light in Shepard's non-luminescent eyes. Both Garrus and Wrex groaned.
They spent a few hours of the party just, talking. Reliving memories, good and bad, and doing it together. She loved this. Nothing could ever compare to this.
Tali noticed the music had been easing down its energy towards the end of the party, it was less techno and more strings and...whistle? She looked over to see Ken with a large wooden mug in his hand. She was surprised when he saw him jump onto the table in a half drunken haze. She couldn't believe her ears when she heard him starting to sing. She grabbed Garrus's, Wrex's, and Shepard's attention and urged them to listen as everyone quieted down and turned to see and hear his performance.
"O the summer time has come
And the trees are sweetly bloomin'
And the wild mountain thyme
Grows around the bloomin' heather
Will ye go, lassie, go?"
Tali could hardly believe he could sing so well, nobody seemed to disagree because they were listening with just as much attention as the chorus began.
"And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the bloomin' heather
Will ye go, lassie, go?"
Tali noticed Gabby sitting on the table next to his legs, looking lovingly up at him as he started his next verse.
"I will build my love a bower
By yon cool crystal fountain
And round it I will pile
All the wild flowers o' the mountain
Will ye go, lassie go?"
"Wow," was all Shepard could say. Nonetheless, Tali punched him on the shoulder before the chorus went on again. This time with Gabby singing.
"And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the bloomin' heather
Will ye go, lassie, go?"
"Damn," was all Garrus could say. Nonetheless, Tali glared at him before Ken's next verse began.
"I will range through the wilds
And the deep glen sae dreamy
And return wi' their spoils
Tae the bower o' my dearie
Will ye go, lassie, go?"
At this point, everybody knew the chorus, so they all sang along with Ken and Gabby.
"And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the bloomin' heather
Will ye go, lassie, go?"
Of course nobody knew the verses, so Ken only sang those.
"If my true love she'll not come
Then I'll surely find another
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the bloomin' heather
Will ye go, lassie, go?"
The crew gave the chorus its most energy.
"And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the bloomin' heather
Will ye go, lassie, go?!"
Ken quickly followed it up with one last chorus by himself.
"And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the bloomin' heather
Will ye go, lassie, go?"
The crew cheered and Tali saw something she'd never quite believe. Ken ducked down and pecked Gabby on the lips. They both got off the table and EDI took the mic, "Thank you all for coming tonight, and just for being part of the Normandy crew. It's been a good ride."
The crew began packing up for the night, it was already very late. "Hey, um, Garrus, can I talk to you, now?" Shepard said a little urgently.
Garrus looked at him with questioning eyes, already putting his chair back down. "Yeah, sure, where are we going?"
"Just outside."
Tali's kept her mask straight towards the chair she was folding up and the empty bottle in her hand, but her eyes followed her lover and friend towards the doorway of the tent, still in view. She watched as they began talking, Shepard mostly with his hands. A few moments passed and Shepard must've said something that made Garrus...shocked? Because the turian threw a glance her way, which Shepard hastily pulled back his attention.
What are those boys talking about?
Tali shrugged, there was no way she'll be able to grab something between those two. She'll find out in due time, instead, she threw away her bottle in a trash bag and prepared to go back to the hospital with her human bondmate.
Authors Note: Ken's song is called, "Wild Mountain Thyme," (Aka: Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?) Which is a Scottish folk song, so of course, I DO NOT own it.