Chapter 22

Kaidan stretched his back and turned off the audio from the bugs. He paced around the small space. The Spectre offices had more or less segregated into sections used by different Spectre races. No one came in this area but him. He ran his hands over the pistols lining the workbenches against the wall. His fingers lingered on the TN470. He glanced at the hallway door. The shooting range was just down the hall. He backed up though rolling his neck and strolled to the desk. He flicked off the terminal's screen. The image of the terminus system blipped away.

Heaviness settled in Kaidan's chest as he heard Hackett's words again. The Terminus System – it would take years. He wiped it from his mind. There were other things to focus on before he dwelled on that. He turned off the room's lights and strode through the Spectre offices eying the exit at the end of the hall. He passed a room of computer terminals on his left. Something caught his eye, and he backed up.

"Spectre Taccus," Kaidan said.

Taccus hunched over Ursul's shoulder one hand on the back of her chair and the other bracing himself forward on the desk. His eyes shifted sideways to Kaidan, and he straightened.

"Ursul," Kaidan said taking a few steps into the office. "How are you feeling?"

She gave a long sigh and kept her eyes fixed on the terminal.

"What do you want, Alenko?" she said. "Trolling for thanks in saving my life?"

"No," Kaidan said. "Didn't know you got back. Just glad to see you're all right."

Taccus folded his arms and faced Kaidan.

"You're working on something for the Summit I hear," Taccus said.

"Terra Firma's planning an attack," Kaidan said.

"I heard the rumors."

"They're more than rumors."

Ursul finally turned her head to size Kaidan up. "You know anything about the missing warheads lifted off the Shields?"

"Do you?" Kaidan asked.

Ursul snorted and looked up at Taccus with a frown. "Won't tell us, will he? Spectres collaborate, Alenko."

"I'm happy to collaborate." Kaidan came all the way to Ursul's desk. "Do you know anything useful?"

"Terra Firma has them, of course," Taccus said. "We have reason to believe they're being transported into the city. Two good sized explosives and the nuclear warhead the Alliance last track of."

The hours of audio flooded over Kaidan. He stared at Taccus. "You're sure? Into the city?"

"Don't even bother," Ursul muttered to Taccus under her breath and turned back to the computer terminal. "Information's all one way with Alenko."

"It could be part of the attack on the Summit," Kaidan said. "I've been listening in on Terra Firma. They have a meeting planned here in Vancouver. It sounds like they're bringing in a shipment or a package of some sort, something to distribute with the marching orders."

Taccus and Ursil shared a look then focused on Kaidan.

"Shepard and I could use your help," Kaidan said. "If those warheads are coming into the city for an attack, this is bigger than Shepard and I can handle alone. I have a time and place. We need to get those warheads back without tipping them off. We have a chance to catch their leadership, including the Scorpion."

"What time and place?" Ursul asked. "You heard Octivus Meilleu is vying for primach? We're practically in a political civil war between Palaven and the delegates here. Octivus is ramroding himself into the Summit hearings against Primach Gustovus's wishes. On top of that, the damned Sheilds are threatening Sparatus's life!"

"We had reason to believe," Taccus said, "the Shields are trying to recover the warheads. Might already have them. They're targeting Sparatus, taking out Meilleu's naysayers. Meilleu has Shield ties."

"If the delivery is the warheads, then Terra Firma still has them. At least, according to the audio I heard today," Kaidan said.

"The Shields are working to get them back right now. Have some reports outside Toronto if they're reliable. The warheads are headed in but under some fire," Taccus said.

Taccus and Ursul leaned together over the computer screen. Kaidan leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the report. Ursul's slit-lidded glance froze Kaidan in place. He took a step back instead.

"You're busy with the Shields and Meilleu then?" Kaidan said.

"I know your human politics eclipse all else," Ursul snapped, "but other races have their own problems. Spectres aren't meant to only focus on human issues, Alenko."

"All right." Kaidan backed up.

Taccus gave him a gentle nod but turned back to the computer. "Another time, Alenko."

"Glad you're back on your feet, Ursul," Kaidan said

He turned down the hallway and strode to the exit at the end. His mind swirled. If the warheads were coming into Vancouver, all that audio made more sense now. It wasn't weapons, armor, or manpower being transported to the meeting to be bring about the "First Day." If Terra Firma was going to destroy the center of intergalactic politics, the symbol of rebuilding and cooperation, manpower and machine guns wouldn't be enough. The Scorpion may plan to kill the Council, delegates, ambassadors, and alien leaders at the Summit on live vid, but a nuclear warhead would kill everyone.

XXX

The Council chamber bulged with spectators and dignitaries. Alliance uniforms, alien representatives, and media personnel lined the wall and even down the aisles of filled seats. Kaidan skirted the people along the wall until he found a standing space between two asari. Down below, a salarian faced the Council from a lectern on the side of the stage.

"An agreement of that sort is unreasonable," the salarian spat into his mic.

An asari stood at an opposite lectern. "If I could just talk."

"The dalatrass will never support this decision," the salarian said.

Tevos stood up from the councilors' table. "A decision has not been reached. This is only an introductory discussion."

"The decision will be made at the Summit." Sparatus sighed and leaning back in his chair.

"No one's willing to make a decision," the asari said.

"I have my decision," Ilk said. "This can't be considered a warcrime. The genophage saved an entire alien race that otherwise would have been wiped from the galaxy. This sort of action and it's like in the future has its place."

"It's not the natural course of things," the asari countered.

"War isn't natural," the salarian at the lectern raged. "It's not about what is natural but what is best. It was more humane than war. Going forward, such actions are be preferable to the barbaric alternatives."

"Sterilizing an entire race isn't barbaric?" the asari said.

"Enough." Councilor Mason stood up. "This has gone back and forth enough. We'll open the floor to comment. Commander Shepard …" He motioned to the front row.

Kaidan strained to see down the row of heads as Shepard walked to the bannister.

"What's your take on this?" Councilor Mason said.

Shepard tapped her fingers on the bannister for a moment then pushed around the gate onto the floor. The salarian and asari's heads swiveled following her as she came to the center and faced the crowd. Whispered conversations died through the crowd, media cameras buzzed higher in the air, and microphones jostled against each other at the front.

"Commander …" Mason waved a hand out at the audience and sank into his seat.

"War may or may not be natural, but conflict is," Shepard said. "We need to have ethical standards, because it's inevitable. When a war ends, the fighting stops, and we're all rebuild, you don't continue bombing and invading. The genophage was part of a war but when the war resolved, it remained."

"Resolved because of the genophage," the salarian said.

"Sure, because of the genophage," Shepard said, "but every war ends because of something – too many colonies lost, soldiers lost, leaders lost. Then there's a surrender. There are consequences – lives lost, resources and equipment, pride—but time moves on and the loser picks himself back up."

"I can see where this is going," the salarian hissed.

"Representative," Tevos warned, "you already had the floor."

Shepard continued. "You can't pick yourself up from a genetic disease carried through generations, a permanent mar on an entire race. It's not like broken bridges, lost ships, and replacing heads of state. It's like continuing to bomb, kill, and destroy the side that long since surrendered."

The salarian squirmed and darted a look at Tevos. Shepard nodded for him to speak.

"Commander Shepard, an enemy is free to research cures for a bioweapon. The losing army rebuilds its own cities. The winning army doesn't come in and rebuild the structures they had to bomb to get the surrender."

"Fair point," Shepard said, "if that's all that happened. If a soldier's shot and then surrenders, perhaps there are consequences – he's crippled. After the war though, if he starts to walk again, should we fear he'll fight against us again and shoot him a second time – keep him crippled? That's not a crime?"

The salarian's bulbous eyes rolled over the crowd and his mouth twitched.

"That's what happened, isn't it?" Shepard asked. "Research on the genophage continued to prevent adaptation."

The crowd murmured. Wide-eyed looks passed between the councilors, and the salarian crept off the podium. Heated voices turned into a general roar. Reporters shoved against the bannister yelling out questions. Shepard folded her arms and watched the crowd placidly. Councilor Mason shot to his feet.

"Order, order," he said. "This topic will be tabled until the Summit."

Questions spilled over each other from the reporters. The Councilors stood and didn't even push in their chairs before scurrying to the stage's back door. Camera lights flashed off their retreating backs, and Mason shot a frown over his shoulder at Shepard before disappearing through the door. Shepard wasn't paying attention as the asari left the lectern and crossed the stage to Shepard.

Kaidan twisted through the crowd. They surged against the edge of the stage's bannister. Shepard and the asari turned their backs to the crowd and talked quietly. Kaidan hopped over the floor's railing. A C-Sec officer in the corner swung around with a bark then stopped abrupt. He looked over Kaidan with a nod and turned a cold look to the railing behind him. A reporter halfway over the bannister looked back and forth between Kaidan and the C-Sec officer before pulling his leg back over the railing with a timid smile. Kaidan trotted up the stage's steps and crossed to Shepard. The asari stopped talking as he came up behind them. Shepard glanced to the side. Her eyes widened on him.

"Kaidan."

"Hey, Shepard."

The asari gave Kaidan a smile. "The other human Spectre."

"Kaidan Alenko." Kaidan put his hand out.

The asari shook it. "Representative Irralle." She looked back to Shepard. "Your support means a lot, but we can discuss it later."

Irralle inclined her head to Kaidan and moved down the stage. She retreated into the seething crowd of questions and waving mics. A flash of camera light blinded Kaidan, and he held up a hand to block another flash.

"This way." Shepard leaned into him and nodded at the stage's back door.

Mason stood inside the back room with hands on his hips. He watched the stage door as if he'd been waiting for someone. His eyebrows rose on seeing Kaidan, but the look he turned to Shepard grew dark.

"Shepard."

Tevos and Sparatus's conversation hushed in the corner. Ilk seemed to have already left.

"I know," Shepard said putting her hands up.

"No, you don't," Mason snapped. "That information wasn't public. It hasn't been declassified by the salarian and turien governments."

"The krogan already know. It's common knowledge on Tuchanka after what happened with the cure. Who else are you hiding it from?"

Sparatus snorted. "Shepard, you're turning the Summit into a circus. These issues are causing outrage."

"The Summit's only going to last a few days, not a year. If we don't talk about the hard things now, what's the point?"

Tevos glided over to them. "Shepard could be right. We need to address these problems before they're out of our control."

"She should consult with us first," Sparatus said.

"Agreed." Mason frowned.

Tevos turned to her. "Shepard?"

"You want a sidebar each time I add a new point?"

"Do it before you start saying anything," Sparatus said.

"It's not like what I'm going to say is written down on cue cards, Councilor."

"Please, everyone." Mason held up his hand, "Let's remain calm."

"She does this every time!" Sparatus said. "Why did you call on her, Mason? She wasn't motioning to speak."

"I thought …" Mason trailed off.

Shepard stepped back from the Councilors and raised her hands. "There are other things I can be doing. I'm not a diplomat or a politician. Sitting in meetings is not my first choice."

Sparatus snorted and waved at her. "You spent half the meeting on your datapad anyway."

"There's more going on than Council meetings." Shepard's voice raised. "What do you think I'm doing? Crosswords? You're aware there's a terrorist group wanting all your heads on spikes?"

Sparatus's nostrils flared. "How dare you."

"Don't bully us, Shepard." Mason jammed a finger at her.

Everyone looked ready to come to blows. Sparatus practically quivered. Mason's jaw flexed. Shepard's hands balled into fists with whitening knuckles. Only Tevos seemed the least bit cool, but even her eyes had a fiery gleam. Kaidan stepped forward.

"Councilors, attacks are planned elsewhere in the city. They may involve explosives, maybe even nuclear. What kind of manpower can the Council give us?"

"What? When?" Tevos's eyes widened on him.

Sparatus stared at Kaidan as if seeing him there for the first time.

"During the Summit. We need the manpower now."

"Impossible." Mason shook his head. "The Summit's in a few days. What's this about?"

"There are leads, we need to pursue."

"What leads?" Mason pressed. "Spectre, you haven't kept us informed on this. The Council doesn't usually press its Spectres over details, but your silence, Alenko, has been noticed."

Tevos glanced at Mason with a frown. "Spectres have autonomy. We do not oversee investigations. I personally see nothing wrong here."

"What have you found?" Sparatus demanded.

Shepard glanced at Kaidan before crossing her arms.

"Well?" Mason pressed.

"Information's being leaked," Kaidan said.

"It's just the Council here and you two Spectres," Sparatus said. "Unless you don't trust us or each other."

"We need manpower," Kaidan said. "I'm sorry, but it's in your interest that we keep the information close."

Sparatus spun away and marched to a far door. Tevos gave them a pressed smile and followed.

"You'll need to rely on your Alliance resources," Mason said. "We don't give Spectres manpower."

"Maybe you should," Kaidan said.

"You two," Mason looked between them. "There's a reason you're both still Alliance. Use their resources. The Council has no more to say. If you have something to actually tell us, then let me know. Until then, you'd do well to take a permanent recess today, Shepard. Tomorrow too."

He strode after the other Councilors and into a hallway of offices. The door closed behind him, and Shepard's face hardened. She twisted to Kaidan.

"Nuclear warhead?" she asked.

"Three warheads. One nuclear. Intel from Taccus. I think they're planning to offload it at their meeting."

"Damnit," she muttered. "We need more help then, but it never changes - no help from the Council. Why does it even surprise me?"

She motioned for him to follow and moved to a door in the corner. Kaidan trailed her.

"Want to hijack a ship? Made you feel better before."

Shepard glanced back at him. "That would make me feel better."

"Which docking bay has the Normandy?"

Shepard's grin showed teeth. "Anderson's not here to punch anyone out for us."

"Thought I was missing a step. But this might not be a conversation for the Councilor's offices."

"Uh, good point. And that's why you're first on my list anytime I hijack the Normandy."

"Honored." Kaidan pushed the button and opened the door. "Joker's number two, right? Otherwise, it'll be a short chase."

"Another good point, Major. Keep them coming, and let's go."

They turned out into the Council Wing's hallway.

"Where to, Commander?"

Shepard poked at the datapad dangling in his hand. "Something you're meaning to show me?"

He'd forgotten he carried it. He passed it to her. "Have time to talk?"

"Permanent recess," Shepard reminded him taking the datapad. "Kind of like giving a cookie to the kid disrupting class. I looked properly chastened though, didn't I?"

"Rarely seen you so chastened."

"Not overdone though?"

"Came across very natural."

"I kept the tears and lip quivering in reserve."

"Don't tip your whole hand, Shepard."

Shepard grinned as they continued down the hall. Warmth spread in his chest seeing it out of the corner of his eye. He was pretty sure he was grinning the same way.