Hard Choices

Shepard's hearing dragged on just as I had predicted. I'd arranged to be stationed on Earth so I'd be able to attend each session but I'd missed more of them than I'd intended. Each one was the same really, the Admirals presided over the proceeding but it was the politicians that picked apart every word.

It turned out that whoever was behind the idea of using this situation to attack Shepard's reputation (Udina has repeatedly denied that it's him and I think I believe it) was smart not to make it a trial. As a Spectre the Commander is officially above the law so long as he never truly crossed the line. In a criminal trial many of his actions would be automatically dismissed as legal without examination. In the hearing however, any action could be fully exposed and considered with the justifications so often left out of the stories occasionally leaked to the media.

Whoever set this up had intended to draw this out as long as possible, it would take something beyond a miracle to exonerate Shepard or get him back into active duty where he belonged. Trying to chase down the culprits however was like trying to pin down fog. It wasn't that I had no suspects but that I had endless suspects that frustrated me. Shepard had become and easy target and attacking his reputation publicly became an easy way to advance your political career.

Eventually, as I always knew I would, I found myself sitting once again in the viewing stands as the hearing now entered its final phase. The incident at Aratoht, one final topic on the agenda for the trial and the one I had been most dreading since the trial began.

In truth the reason I feared it so much because it caused a crisis of faith even for me. For the first time I questioned if I had been right to trust the Commander quite so blindly. I soon reminded myself of all that I had personally seen of the Reapers and eased my doubts about them considerably. I spoke with Shepard on this topic often and at some length before the hearing began. I did and still do understand and accept his reasons but I'm not certain that I would have, could have made the same decision in his place. That time the stakes might have been too high even for me.

Once more Shepard was lead into the court room while Hackett read out the formalities for what would be the final time. For the first time in these proceedings the Commander seemed unsure of himself, the pain and guilt visible on his face. But as he approached the stand he steeled himself for what was to come, his confidence and determination returning to him like old friends he could draw comfort from.

"Commander Shepard," called out Hackett. "We have reconvened this hearing to discuss the events that lead to the destruction of the Bahak System and the deaths of over 300,000 Batarians. It should be noted now that everything said in this meeting will be classified at the highest level and anyone found discussing it outside of this room will be prosecuted from treason. Commander in your own words please give us your mission report."

"Yes sir. I had received information that a human Alliance operative was being held in a Batarian prison on Aratoht, the second planet of the Bahak System. According to my source I believed she might have intel regarding the imminent return of the Reapers."

"And who exactly was this source?" Asked Admiral Singh.

"Commander Shepard and I have already discussed that in a closed session Admiral. To preserve the sources identity they will not be mentioned today. Please continue Commander."

"Using the Normandy's stealth systems I was able to bypass the Batarian defenses and reach the surface. From there I rescued the prisoner, Dr. Kenson and we escaped in a shuttlecraft."

"Then wasn't this mission, an unsanctioned mission into foreign territory I might add complete at this stage? I'm unclear as to how this lead to the destruction of the system," Singh pointed out.

"After I had rescued Dr. Kenson she took me to an asteroid where she and her team had set up a base of operations before she'd been captured. Once we were there she explained that they had discovered what was unquestionably a Reaper artifact."

"Can you describe this artifact?"

"The scientists referred to it as Object Rho. It was discovered at the center of the asteroid they were using as a base broadcasting a repeating pulse of high energy signals. The scientists weren't able to learn much about it as it protects itself by generating a quantum stasis field just like the Mass Relays."

"Mhmm an interesting object for study assuming it ever existed. I assume however that it was destroyed with the rest of the Bahak System. Nevertheless you haven't explained why Dr. Kenson thought it signified the return of these so called 'Reapers'."

"Dr. Kenson and her team determined that the artifact was reacting to an external source, the Reapers. She realized that the increasing frequency of the pulses was a response to the approaching Reaper fleet. Aware that the Reapers would arrive within days she and her team devised a desperate plan to buy us more time."

"And what was this plan exactly?"

"She had determined that the only way to slow them down would be to stop them from using the Mass Relay in the system. This became critical when she discovered that this particular Relay, which she dubbed the 'Alpha' Relay was the oldest and most powerful. It was capable of transporting ships to over a dozen other Relays across the galaxy, including the Citadel. The Reapers could have used it to spread their invasion force throughout Citadel space within hours. So she saw no other alternative than to destroy it."

A ripple of shock worked its way across the room. Relays weren't just considered to be indestructible but also the very foundation of our way of life. Without them our interstellar travel would be limited to just a handful of systems in our own backyard. To most people the idea of destroying one was, unthinkable.

"How exactly were they intending to destroy a Relay?"

"Their plan was fairly straightforward. Acquire thrusters and engine parts on Omega and use them to construct a way to move the entire asteroid. They intended to drive it straight into the Relay."

"Did they even stop to consider the consequences?" Asked Admiral Singh.

"They seemed to be very clear on what would happen. Their prediction was that when the mass effect generator ruptured it would release enough to destroy the entire system. But based on their information they saw it as the only option."

"And you were able to verify that this information was accurate Commander?"

"In a manner of speaking Admiral. I was able to confirm it was a Reaper artifact when it become obvious that everyone on the base been been indoctrinated by it. They turned on me almost as soon as I arrived and kept me sedated for two days."

"But if you were unconscious and they were indoctrinated as thus effectively working for the Reapers-"

"How did the Project get activated?" Shepard finished the question for the Admiral. There was a long drawn out silence before the Commander could bring himself to raise his head again and look the Admiral in the eye.

"It was me. I did it, I killed them."

"How did-" the Admiral began saying but Shepard was already cutting across her.

"I woke up unexpectedly, took them by surprise. I don't think they understood what I was capable of ever since Cerberus brought me back. My implants helped me shake off the sedative and I had control of their med bay before they knew what was happening."

He paused briefly to collect his thoughts but no one was looking to interrupt him now. I'd never heard Shepard talk about how his resurrection had changed him before, usually he insisted he was the same as ever. But despite his silence I'd known it still haunted him, not least because he had little or no idea what Cerberus actually did to him. Looking into his eyes now I think he was afraid they'd turned him into a monster.

"When they knew they couldn't contain me they decided to throw everything they had into killing me. And not just the guards, but the engineers and the scientists and all the other civilians in the facility. And there was no other way of stopping them I had to kill them, all of them, before time ran out. I activated the project and then I tried to warn the colony but Dr. Kenson and her team were trying to-"

"were trying to sab-"

"I didn't have-, there wasn't enough time."

Shepard stopped speaking, his fingers clenched around the edge of the podium, the flesh as pale as death. Head bent hiding his face it was several minutes before he spoke again.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I need to take a minute."

He rushed outside, not waiting for permission, not acknowledging or even looking at anyone as he abruptly left. I couldn't catch his eye as he went but I saw the pain and grief on his face clearly enough. It was at least ten minutes before the Commander was able to continue with the session. He finished his statement in a dull monotone, sticking closely to the facts and ending as quickly as possible. He explained how Dr. Kenson and her team had tried to sabotage the Project, by trying to detonate the reactor core used to power the asteroid. He explained that by the time he'd managed to deal with this less than ten minutes remained. Enough time to signal the Normandy for extraction, but the colony wasn't so lucky.

Finally the time had come for the Admirals to 'make their recommendation'. In truth, this is when Shepard would be sentenced.

"After hearing all of the evidence presented at this hearing and consulting among ourselves this panel has come up with the following recommendations. Firstly that Commander Shepard, be stripped of all rank and title. Secondly that Mr John Shepard be discharged from military service with the Alliance and forbidden from re-enlisting. Thirdly that he be placed under house arrest for the next five years, at which point we will reassess the situation. This hearing is now adjourned."

With that final declaration Admiral Hackett stood up and walked out of the room, making little attempt to disguise his disgust out the verdict he'd just read out. As for myself, I remained seated in the courtroom while the rest filed out and for quite some time after. It seemed Shepard's exploits had taken him out of play at least until things got so bad as to make the rule of law fall silent. I briefly wondered what I would have done faced with the same choice never realizing my choices would one day determine the fate of the planet... And the galaxy.