Hey guys, so I hope your all enjoying this story. Been thinking about it all day today. Review if you please!
The Next Day
Ethan walked with Shepard through the Communications Room aboard the Normandy, many other crew members busy at work. He watched as Shepard walked up to comm system and pressed a few buttons before the head members of the Council popped up in a hologram. Ethan could see a older Salarian female, a Asari woman, a Turian war general, a Krogan priestess, and the Human Chancellor, Obelski.
"Commander Shepard, we have all convened today for a matter you marked as urgent." the Asari woman said, her eyes looking between Shepard and Ethan.
"Yes Commander, it must be a urgent matter indeed to convene with us all." the Salarian spoke up, gesturing her hand over to the other holograms.
"I have convened the Council on a important matter that concerns all of us. As I am quite sure, Obelski has already informed you all privately of my companion's particular...situation here." Shepard said, motioning his head over where Ethan stood.
"Yes. She has indeed informed of his...delicate matter. How does this concern all of us though?" the Krogan said behind her facial wrap, her eyes lingering over Ethan.
"As we are all well aware, it was not long ago that the Reapers broke through our defenses and laid siege to our home planets...almost killing us all. Due to negligence on the Council's part and on mine, we were ill equipped to battle a war of such a scale. Ethan here has been experiencing almost the same thing I had shortly before the Reaper invasion. He hears voices, visions, and we have tested him both mentally and physically and tests came back positive so we know this isn't just made up or hallucinations." Shepard said, the Council members looking at each other before returning their gazes back to them.
"What visions do you speak of Ethan? Explain them to us in further detail, that way we may be able to wrap our minds around this more." the Salarian said, her eye stalks firmly planted on Ethan now as she held a look of intrigue and skepticism.
"Well...they usually come randomly. They are all the same though, I'm in this city and it's burning. Hover cars lay ruined in the streets, buildings are reduced to rubble, and there's this shadow in the smoke. Whatever it is...it's big...too big for any conventional weapon. I always wake up or come to before I can see what it is." Ethan said, rubbing his arm as he tried to stand straight out of respect for the Council members.
"Can you remember nothing else Mr. Morgan?" the Asari woman asked, writing something down onto a holographic chart as Ethan tried to think back.
"All I can remember is that something...something told me that more will come. Whatever these things are, they can transgress through the barrier separating the parallel universes." Ethan said in return, watching as the Turian war general scratched the scales on his neck in consideration.
"These are very serious matters Ethan, the Council is not a group to be tried or trifled with." the Asari woman said as the other members shook their head in agreement.
"Listen, I know you five are what keep the galaxy in running order and keep peace and stability between the planets. You all obviously know of my strange nature, and there is no reason I would try to cripple what you have or the work you've accomplished. I'm just trying to find my place in this universe, trying to fit in and build a life for myself. I have come before you because I fear that the stability you all have worked so hard to accomplish is at jeopardy. The Krogans have just rebuilt their home world from the barren wasteland it once was. The Salarians and Asari have also just rebuilt their science facilities and brought their planets back under their control. From what I know, you all suffered at the hand of the Reapers before they were brought under control. From your planets and to the planets of all the other races, we can't afford to lose them again. I know what I say sounds crazy and far fetched, but look around you and tell me that you don't think there's a chance that there could be a sliver of truth to what I have to say. Do you really want to risk another war, the lives of more innocent people for the sake of politics. My home world, we never faced a threat as bad as the one I've predicted but we didn't have to. It was threatened enough by the very people who inhabited it, and it was over petty things. Don't make the same mistakes my people did, you need to stay united and come together and think about what's best for your people and the others out there relying on you." Ethan said, each of the Council members looking at each other quietly before looking back at them. He felt Shepard place a hand on his back as he turned to see the Commander smiling and nodding his head at him.
"I hear what you are saying Mr. Morgan...and I agree. You have the support of the Salarians, of my people and I." the Salarian female said, extending her robed arm out in acceptance.
"As of that of the Asari people." the Asari woman said next, taking a small bow of gratitude towards him.
"You have my peoples support, we may not be able to supply mind power but we've got the military to back your forces up." the Krogan priestess said.
"You have the power and might of the Turians my friend, you may call on us in your hour of need." the war general said with a salute.
"You need not convince me Mr. Morgan, you've had the help of Earth and the Alliance from the very start. What shall you have the Council do?" Obelski asked, her hologram glitching slightly as Ethan looked over at Shepard.
"I hadn't really thought of that...my visions never showed me what to do. All I know is that London was the city burning in them...what should we do Shepard?" Ethan asked, his companion looking at him before turning his attention back to the Council holograms.
"I say that we tighten our defenses around London, it contains the Alliance HQ and it needs to be defended at all costs. I think that the other planets need to tighten their security just in case, if anything further happens, we will call on you. Let's just hope that this is a fluke and nothing comes of it." Shepard said, the Council members all nodding their heads in agreement before signing off.
Later That Night
Ethan laid in bed as he brought the cover up to his waist, looking out into black void of space as stars twinkled and shimmered in the distance. He heard as the door to the cabin opened up, Shepard appearing shortly after as he walked into the bedroom portion.
"Are you okay?" Shepard asked, walking over and sitting down on the edge of the bed as Ethan continued to stare out the window and off into space.
"Yea..just a lot on my mind. What if nothing happens and I just made the Council and the Alliance look like fools?" Ethan asked, sitting up as he wrapped his arms around his knee's.
"There's a possibility of that, but what happens if your not wrong and someone or something does come? There's nothing wrong with taking precautions, if nothing happens then nothing happens. If it does though, then at least we were prepared and had the chance to save more lives than if we weren't." Shepard said, reaching over and resting his hand down onto Ethan's forearm.
"What am I to you Shepard? I mean...we go on dates, we've slept together...in a non sexual way of course, and we are always together." Ethan said, Shepard looking away for a minute to think before returning his gaze.
"Well Ethan...your someone I care about deeply. I've known you for quite awhile now, and you make me happy. I feel content with you, peaceful even. I'd probably go as far as saying...that I think I'm falling in love with you and that...well..it would mean a lot if you'd like to be mine just as much as I'd like to be yours." Shepard said, reaching up and cupping one of Ethan's cheeks gently.
"I'd like that a lot Shepard...I..I think I'm falling in love with you too. I've never had anyone to love before so it's really all new to me...but I'm glad I have you." Ethan responded, leaning into Shepard's hand as they smiled at each other in the dim glow of their bodies. Ethan watched as Shepard kicked off his boots before crawling into bed with him, laying on his back as he brought him down onto his chest.
"Whatever happens Ethan, whether we prepare for something or nothing...just know that I care about you and will always be by your side." Shepard said, Ethan listening to the soft and subtle heartbeat of Shepard's body.
"Thank you, and the same goes for you too. No matter what, we're in this together." Ethan said, relaxing as Shepard covered them both up, the lights blinking off thanks to Glyph as the AI hovered around the room before settling down on a table.
So, what do y'all think? Review!