Chapter Four: Opportunity Awaits

Shepard had remained rather silent the ride back down. Kaidan and Ashley were busy conversing, their voices tinged with excitement and astonishment as they spoke of what had occurred and the prospects of what it meant. Tali was quietly mentioning the great honor and gratitude that the Commander must be feeling, while Wrex was still grumbling about the Council's overall decision. Shepard didn't say anything though, not that Garrus could really blame her. What really was there to say after that?

The evidence had been presented and with it there could no longer be any doubt regarding Saren's part in what happened at Eden Prime, and he was rightly stripped of his Spectre status. The asari councilor had recognized the woman working with Saren, another asari named Benezia—a matriarch: powerful asari who had entered the final stage of their lives. According to the councilor they were revered for their so-called wisdom and experience, making them mentors to the rest of the asari. She can't be too wise to have joined Saren. Without any proof, other than what had been briefly said in the recording, the council were not convinced regarding the claims of the Reapers. Instead, they decided that Saren had fooled the geth by promising to bring back the Reapers and to make matters worse, the council had not been prepared to do much in the finding and capture of Saren for fear of starting a war with the Terminus Systems.

Only Shepard being Shepard—as Garrus was beginning to realize—proposed that she be the one sent to apprehend him, a single ship that could go about rather undetected. And just like that, the Citadel Council made Commander Shepard the first ever human spectre. It was the last thing he had expected to occur, a thought evidently shared by many as anyone within hearing or passing had gathered around to witness the historic event. Although now, the only thing really on Garrus' mind was, what's next? Being a spectre the Commander could take anyone she wanted along with her in her hunt for the disgraced turian and Garrus wanted to be brought along. He didn't know if he'd ever wanted anything in his life as much as he did this. He couldn't ascertain exactly why, but he knew it had something to do with the aspect of doling out justice on Saren, who was now a blight on his people, as well as the prospect of freedom in that department, being unencumbered by conventions and policies—to finally get something done.

Back on the Presidium, it was abuzz with the news of not only the first human spectre, but Saren's revoked status and subsequent betrayal. Those of every race were murmuring and whispering, some pointing towards the Commander or capturing an image of her. She didn't seem to take notice as she turned to finally face the group. She looked specifically between Tali, himself, and Wrex. "None of you are obligated in going any farther with this, I'm sure you all have things to attend to—."

"Not really," Wrex roughly interrupted. Garrus caught the twitch of a smile in response on Shepard's face but it quickly vanished to keep hold of her serious demeanor.

"Either way," she continued without missing a beat, "I'm intent on catching Saren and I'll take all the help I can get on this." He and Tali nodded their agreement while Wrex shrugged with a 'haven't got anything better to do' remark. "Let's meet at the Docking Bay in two hours, hopefully that will give Anderson and Udina enough time to sort the ship and supplies. Take the time to gather whatever items and provisions you'll need." With that they went separate ways, Garrus starting back for C-Sec once more. There was a thrill within him at what he was undertaking and his mind was so warped with endless possibilities that he had completely forgotten all it exactly entailed—leaving C-Sec and telling his father. He was instantly filled with dread; he didn't dare picture how that would go down with the turian. Maybe I could just send him a message right before we leave, skip seeing him face to face altogether. It was cowardly he knew that, especially for a turian. He couldn't help but recall that saying regarding turian on the battlefield, 'you'll only see their back if they're dead.' When it came to his father though, he had always been a coward.

As he entered the academy, a human officer he often got drinks with after shifts immediately sought him out. "Where have you been?" Ridgefield asked with a cautious tone. Before Garrus could answer, the man continued, "Pallin's been looking for you." Ah, so that's what's up. He was about to tell the human not to worry, even though secretly he sort of was, when through the corner of his eye he witnessed the familiar turian exit his office.

"Vakarian!" he shouted, commanding Garrus to immediately go to stand before him. He knew he was going to be reprimanded, nothing new when it came to his life, and to make matters worse Pallin seemed to be dead set on doing it publicly, to make an example out of him.

"Sir?"

"I gave you an order. I told you your investigation was closed and you disobeyed me," Pallin's mandibles would flare only to become tightly clasped throughout his yelling. Garrus kept the turian's gaze, ignoring those around who were continually glancing over to witness what was occurring. "We have rules Vakarian, you know this, rules we're supposed to enforce. You cannot disregard them!" To Garrus, it felt like this exact statement had been on repeat for as long as he could remember. He was so sick of it. They didn't understand; Pallin, his father. They spent their days sitting behind desks, they weren't out there on the streets seeing what was really happening. Sure, the Presidium was beautiful, it had a tendency to glimmer in a pretense of security and serenity but as with most things, there was an underbelly; a dark insidious one. In reality there were drugs, weapons, murders and who knows what else being pushed and sold, done in new ways that the rules, the ones that allegedly were in place for the specific purpose of protecting civilians, were thwarting the very pursuit of! Not to mention in recent weeks—heck, months really, he found that he himself seemed to be spending more and more time behind a desk.

Endless paperwork. He couldn't stand it anymore, not after the day he'd had, not after being so successful! He saved Dr. Michel, confronted Fist, saved a quarian who had intel that proved Saren's guilt! He hadn't had a success like this in years and here he was being scolded for not doing things by the book. 'Do things right Garrus, or don't do them at all.' That's what his father had told him that day, the last time he had tried defend his belief. Which had been shot down…it was always shot down. He was done. He had an opportunity now, one that he knew would see him succeed and proven right. "I have half a mind to write you up for insubordination!" Pallin's last vault of words brought Garrus right back to the real situation at hand.

"No need," he spoke up, coolly and collectively, "I'm resigning. Effective immediately." Pallin fell silent, staring wide-eyed in surprise. This didn't come as a shock to Garrus, seeing as this wasn't the first time that Pallin had chewed him out, almost egging him on to make the rash decision, but he never had. He'd always backed down, and bit his tongue. The turian cleared his throat, biding time to come up with a reply.

"Clear out your desk Vakarian, leave your uniform in your locker," he said rather dumbfoundedly before beginning to stalk away, but not without barking at the onlookers to get back to work. Garrus gave a large exhale, it felt good to have said those words. It had been a long time coming, a day that he never thought would arrive. He didn't need to 'clear out his desk' there wasn't anything valuable or sentimental, he merely logged out of the terminal before heading down to the officer's lockers, once again very much aware of the whispers surrounding him.

"Are you insane?" he heard Ridgefield exclaim from behind.

"No," he answered plainly while removing the familiar black and blue armor. "As you humans would say, 'I have not lost my marbles'". It was an odd saying in his mind, why did a human losing something mean they had forgone their faculties?

"No one says that anymore." Garrus sighed as he closed the door, now feeling peculiarly bare dressed only in his civilian attire.

"Take care Ridgefield, and good luck," he said, extending his hand to the human male.

"I think you're the one who's going to need all the luck Vakarian. You owe Lamont and I a drink." He smiled and shook it.

"Sure," he nodded before leaving. It was strange walking out of the Academy, he would never have believed when waking up that morning that this day was to be his last as a Citadel officer. As he made his way towards his apartment, he felt a lightness in his large step, a surprisingly, slightly optimistic outlook in his horizon and for a moment, just a moment, all he saw was the Presidium's glimmer.

Author's Note:

Thanks to all who have been reading! I originally wasn't going to end the chapter where it was, it's really short, but it just seemed like too much of a happy moment to then ruin knowing what's coming next-ya gotta have that father/son drama.

I feel so bad for Garrus, Paragon Shep is gonna hurricane all over his parade.

-ES