A/N: My confidence was down, but I'm getting up and improving my stories. No matter what! Even if only 1 person likes the story I'll still write it. I won't give up!
Chapter 8: Celebrations and Outburst of Ideas.
580 BCE (Before Council Era)
After developing faster-than-light spacefaring capabilities based upon Prothean technology, the asari begin to explore the mass relay network, and eventually discover the huge Citadel space station at a hub of many mass relays. Source: Stolen Reaper Data
The Illusive Man believes that the political party Terra Firma has a part to play in humanity's ascension and even used an assassination in order to put the right man — Charles Saracino — in power. The Illusive Man's belief that biotics are the future of humanity led him to order the sabotage and detonation of Eldfell-Ashland Energy starships over human colonies, to ensure biotic children would be born. Somehow — likely through unsavory means — the Illusive Man claimed one of these biotic children as a baby and gave her to Paul Grayson to raise as his own daughter. A decade later he planted Cerberus operatives into the Ascension Project to take advantage of the Alliance's more sophisticated biotic research.
He also has an interest in the quarians and their Migrant Fleet. The Illusive Man does not trust an alien species that effectively has the largest armada of ships in the galaxy. However, he is also greatly impressed by the quarians' technological expertise, namely their creation of the geth and their continued survival despite the odds stacked against them. This curiosity has led him to seek the transmission codes for the Migrant Fleet in order to spy on them.
His long-term plans are ultimately unknown, but he has many different projects all factoring into helping humanity achieve its rightful place. Currently, it seems that his main focus is on the Reapers after their discovery, realizing the vast threat they pose on humanity. He appears to dedicate all his vast resources to stop them by any means necessary. Souce: Salarian Classified Data
The War and destruction had died down around the Citadel. The whole Citadel had been under martial law and citizens were urged to evacuate to bunkers in case of exterior damage.
Zaeed, Kasumi and Grunt watched over the Council when Shepard's command to release them came through. Despite having missed the biggest war in their lifetimes, they were all three in good spirits. They had defeated commando asaries and assasin salarians. Towards the end they had faced two turian spectres.
The challenge had them more than make up for the boring assingment Shepard had impose on them.
The SSV Normandy rushed past the debris of the battle and headed towards the Citadel. Shepard was in command again, worn out and bruised. The bandages around his head had come off and he had a bandage on the side of his head, after a few stitches.
When Shepard arrived at the hangar he was greeted by a large crowd. There were the media with robot cameras and digital cameras. The Alliance military escort along with councilman Anderson, who Shepard had warned about the coup.
Turian, asari,and Salarian military wanted to place Shepard under arrest by the Council, but the Alliance military escorted them towards the Council Chamber.
The Council was furious that Shepard had not been arrested. He ordered the images of Shepard's trial be broadcasted all over the council space. Buoys of information transmitted the broadcast, with a small delay, throughout all Citadel colonies.
"How dare you show your face after kidnapping this council Shepard?"asked the Turian councilman, Akrot Remaish.
"I come before you unafraid because my methods were just in repelling an attack that could had wiped out humanity off the face off the galaxy." Replied Shepard. He and Tali had come up with the words he was going to address the council.
"The council has decided to restrain Commander Shepard based on charges of scizophrenia and physical and psychological agreession to the council." retorted the salarian, Ottoman Bati.
"How do you plea Spectre and Commander Shepard?" asked the asari, Asuna D'Calo.
"Before Shepard is judged by this Council for my actions, I will judge you on your past actions." replied Samara, the justicar defiantly pointing at the council.
Samara clicked on her omni-tool and a hologram of the three councilmen denying the existence of the Reapers came through.
"There is no evidence of the Reaper threat Shepard." councilman Ottoman Bati said in the hologram.
"The Reapers are just an imaginary creation by Seran to distract you from his real objective." councilwoman Asuna D'Calo commented in the hologram.
"I don't like your race Shepard, you have been on the citadel for 30 years and the council treats you like a favorite pet. I will lie if I have to, to make sure you learn your place." councilman Akrot Marish threaten in the hologram.
"Stop! This is classified information!" roared councilman Akrot
"You have known of the existence of the Reapers for years, yet you did not take action, mobilize troops, secure colonies, because the council decided to disregard them as a rumor until the battle of the Citadel." replied Samara. Her eyes glowed white indicating her words spoke bound by the code of the justicar, sworn on justice and truth.
The asari councilwoman went agape, afraid to challenge the justicar's words, she began to tremble.
"Manipulated by rich campaing contributors the council decided to bury the battle of the Citadel as a minor threat, despite Shepard's continous warnings. Here is the records of the deposit of 7 trillion credits to all three bank accounts, posted by wealthy corporations from many races." continued the justicar, showing the numbers in a giant hologram for all media to see.
"Shut the broadcast!" shouted the salarian councilman alarmed. The media focused on the council's alarmed faces.
"Securing the Citadel and all its colonies would have costed many credits that the Citadel did not want to spend; so they leaked the location of the Normandy to the collectors and tried to cover up the threat of the Reapers after Shepard's death. Everyone's safety!"
"Shepard was revived and despite the fact that you tried to kill him he overcame the collector threat to humanity and today has won the battle to repel the Reapers not only to save Earth, but all species of the Council." finished Samara getting an applause from many species.
The chant "Shepard! Shepard!" could be heard all around the council Chamber, where all the councilors from all species were gathered.
Shepard stepped forward and raised his hands to calm the chant.
"It is time this council is dissolved and that all species gather and confront their problems together, not just take orders from the species that got here first." He paused and a loud applause and cheer erupted.
He raised hands again. "The new council that will face against the reapers will be all species combined, volus, humans, asaries, turians, etc. because we must stand united! If we do not, we will die alone."
Shepard paused and Samara came forward and clicked her omni-tool again. The giant hologram of the Reaper Sovereign popped and everyone, but the Normandy team retreated cowardly.
"It is irrevelant what you call us, we have wiped out countless civilizations and the cycle will repeat itself." said the giant hologram in a deep hoarse voice. People gasped in horror at the Reapers words
"These were the words of the Reaper that attacked the Citadel two years ago and united we defeated it!" roared Shepard and getting their courage back, the crowd roared and applauded in unison.
Another Reaper Shaped like the collectors appeared in a hologram and spoke.
"I'm the Harbinger of Death. You cannot escape me. I will eradicate your species human." evoked the deep voice of a Reaper.
Shepard pointed at the hologram and another picture appeared of a base in flames away from the Normandy.
"This is what my team did to its base!"
The crowd cheered truly amazed.
"There have been casualties from my team," the photos of every KIA person from the Normandy appeared.
"Today I have helped drive the Reapers away from the birthplace of humanity, but not without loses to our many armies." The photos of pilots, cruiser members and captains appeared on screen.
"Tomorrow we will fight them off away from yours. I may have been born a human, but I am now a citizen of the Citadel and I will defend all species and friends of the Citadel!" roared Shepard.
The crowd exploded in cheers. The council was at a loss for words.
"I have included friends of the Council because even though we might think of them as threat, they have been misled and used by the Reapers before.
I'm talking about the Geth, Arachni, Krogan, deceased spectre Seran, Volcha, and more recently the Protheans, which were modified genetically to be the Collectors. I have files of data I have stolen from the Reaper's records to inform all races about the Reaper threat. Any data the council has hidden from you, I will share it freely."
We must understand the threat to defeat it! Fight along side me brothers and sisters of the Citadel. United we will defeat the Reapers!" exclaimed Shepard and crowds stood on their feet applauding.
Councilman Anderson took the floor next to Shepard and shook his hand. He raised his hands to appease the applause.
"First of all, I hereby place the old council under arrest for embezzlement and bribery!" ordered Anderson. Spectres who had worked their whole lives believing in the lawful code of the council now stood holding the deceiving council men and women.
"Stop! How dare you! This is all human lies!" exploded councilman Akrot with spectre hands holding him.
"Not lies, but truth exposed." Replied a voice modified digitally.
"Who are you?" Asked Anderson looking around.
"I have existed for centuries. I'm the Shadow Broker." replied the voice and gasps of surprised were heard all over the crowd.
"I have downloaded files as proof to the C-sec, Alliance, and every Citadel Police agency. Only recently did I decided to approach Shepard and supply him with information on the corruption in this Citadel. I will work with this council to destroy the Reapers." confessed the Shadow Broker. Only Shepard and EDI knew that the Shadow Broker was now Horus, the AI Liara had obtained and modified.
Horus had told him what had happened to Liara and now he was holding his sadness inside. He would have time to mourn after this whole fiasco was over.
The spectres obtained confirmation from C-sec to their omni-tools and the old council was taken by force. Their shouts of anger and fear were heard.
Councilman Anderson stood and adressed the crowd again.
"We all thank Shepard for the bravery, sacrifices, courage and unification of all species." The crowd agreed and applauded and cheered for half a minute.
"Humanity is proud to choose Shepard as Councilman and will grant him the title of General in the Alliance Army. We will stand behind him and his decisions because he seeks the good for all species, not just humans."
commanded Anderson looked and applauded at the surprised Shepard with a smile.
"We will await the councilors of every specie to gather for tactical discussion to decide how to defeat the Reaper threat by 08:00 tomorrow." Anderson declared ending the stunning meeting. Applause and enthusiasm erupted around the chamber for the first time in centuries.
The media wanted to interview General and councilman Shepard, but he told them that all information could be found in the extranet, courtesy of the Shadow Broker. He held back a tear when he uttered those words and proceded down the stairs where his team escorted him back to the Normandy.
Shepard was tired of this bureocracy crap, but captain Anderson had assured him that it was a title that would give him more freedom to strategize and command armies. Plus Anderson told him he would be councilman in his absense; so that relieved some pressure away from Shepard.
He had been nervous the whole time, but had steeled his nerves reminding himself that he was presenting the truth. The pressure of saving humanity had lessen, but now people expected more of him than ever before.
Shepard entered the Normandy to a roar of applause from his team members and crew. Everyone had gathered in the lobby and he took the stand next to his galaxy hologramic map. The whole presentation had been prepared by his whole team so he knew he had them to raised his arms and everyone quiet down.
"I stood in that stand thanks to you all. My life and well being I owe it to you all. It is all of you who should be recognized as well."
Everyone applauded at his humbleness. Shepard commanded them with enthusiasm and bravery. He did not make speeches often, but he did lend an ear to requests from the crew and his assault team. He was a great commander and even though the crew had been assembled by Cerberus they were loyal to Shepard now.
"In my last mission I was near death," he confessed "but while unconcious my thoughts were at the will that my team and crew would complete the mission because I want everyone in my ship to continue living and fullfill their lives to their best potential." A tear escaped his eye. He couldn't believe how a near-death experience really brought priorities to the front of the table.
Women listening to him were teary and even some crew members, Shepard smiled at the iron will of Garrus and others.
"Even though I command you, I think of all of you as my friends, and comrades in battle. My promotion will not keep me away from leading this ship. I can guarantee that."
Everyone on the ship applauded and cheered, even Joker was smiling in tears. Shepard had known he was a softie beneath all that smartass attitude. Shepard smiled and rubbed his eyes a bit.
"I will tell you what I will tell the new council tomorrow. Steel yourself, leave your fears and differences behind. The SSV Normandy has been able to do the impossible only because I have gathered the strenghts of everyone. We will defeat the Reapers united. The Normandy is a testament to that truth!"
Everyone cheered and roared. Shepard had never seen them so wild and excited. He knew the harder times were ahead, but he would cherish tonight for the rest of his life.
"One last thing. As you know, I only prepare myself and tonight is no exception." Shepard told them as he pointed towards the door, where drinks, beer, and food were being brought in pallets.
"Tonight I want to celebrate with you all the honor, of leading the finest ship in the galaxy. The SSV Normandy!" he bellowed happily.
The whole ship partied until the late hours. EDI and a human regimen guarded the Normandy. Tomorrow Shepard would have a tiring day.
One week later...
The Citadel and half of its army had retreated to the Regulus System and all colonies had been alerted of the Reaper threat. Shepard had decided to investigate the Prothean Ruins inside the moon caves. The Alliance military along with Asari military were rebuilding earth and bringing aid to the survivors, 91% of the population had died with the invasion.
The SSV Normandy were on their way to the moon.
Jack felt she needed some help to look her best; so she went on a ship search for Kelly Chambers. The first people she found was Thane and Kasumi discussing stealth techniques near the cargo bay.
"Anyone seen Kelly?"
"No." both chanted in unison.
"Hey Jack maybe you can settle an argument we are having."
"I'm in a hurry."
"For what so you can see your boyfriend Shepard?"
"What did you say hooded-bitch?"
"See taunting your opponent gives you the advantage."said Kasumi as she lauched forward and her stealth suit turned on surrounding her in an eletric charge and making her invisible.
Jack felt the rush of wind near her. One thing Kasumi did not know about Jack was that she could extend her biotic powers like limbs. Jack raised her arm and Kasumi collided with her biotic arm, knocking her back to the ground, visible again.
"Ow! how did you know?"
"Your stealth cloak has a small biotic field. Easy to detect for biotics."
"My turn." said Thane stretching slightly. He pressed a button on his belt and moved twenty feet away from Jack, farther than Kasumi. A cloud of white smoke surrounded him and three Thanes charged out of the smoke.
Jack was surprised so she retreated a step and punched one of the Thanes but it vanished; so she kicked the Thane to her left and the Thane fell back against the wall. Jack grinned, but the Thane on the wall vanished too. The real Thane was behind Jack with a hand near her neck.
"Wow!" exclaimed both Kasumi and Jack.
"Guess we both know who makes a better assasin or thief." replied Jack taunting Kasumi.
Kasumi raised a fist, but Jack went towards the lobby. She went by the memorial of people KIA and Legion's picture was on the wall, next to Jacob's. Shepard was looking at another picture framed on the wall of an asari.
"Who is she?" asked Jack.
Shepard was caught off guard and he wiped his eyes, but Jack could still see the redness around them.
"Um, she is a friend that was helping us, during the battle."
Jack knew Shepard rarely showed his emotions and he had received a shocking news back inside the Reaper, but he was trying to deal with it on his own. Jack saw this as an opportunity and she told him something she had thought about.
"I'm sorry Shepard." She spread her arms thinking she might get rejected since she flirted with him all the time, but Shepard accepted the hug of consolation. She blushed at the unexpected embrace and took in his manly scent.
"If you need to talk about anything let me know Shepard." She told him with her head on his chest like before.
"Thanks Jack I might just take you on your offer." said Shepard trying hard to smile. Jack hugged him again then took off towards the kitchen trying to find Kelly again with a smile on her face.
Jack found people gathered around the table staring at Zaeed and Grunt, armwrestling. Joker was there too talking on a wireless headset. Joker waved hi to Jack and asked.
"How much are you betting?"
"Who is the strongest?"
"Grunt maybe although his left arm is still broken."
"Zaeed is old, but he is tough as an Elcor."
"hmm, what do you think EDI?" Jack asked the console near them.
"Infrared shows Zaeed exurting large amounts of body heat."
"30,000 credits on Grunt then." replied Jack.
"and Joker you should talk to a living person instead of teaching EDI how to kiss."
"I have no idea what you are talking about." said Joker turning a shade of red. He walked away pretending to get a drink.
Jack laughed and picked up a can of Iced Tea. She headed towards the infirmary where she found Dr. Chakwas and Dr. Mordin.
"Human genes so diverse. adaptive. great mix with other species. I studied."
"I understand Mordin, but you can't put Shepard genes just on any specie that wants to have a Shepard baby."
"Excuse me?"
"Shepard. dominant male. great shape. expert in combat. and unbias. Imagine. All species combined. One specie. One race. All strengths from all species." replied Dr. Mordin.
"What is the advantage of being a turian?" asked Dr. Chakwas with a slight angry tone.
"Hey!"
"First Contact War long ago. Years pass. wounds heal. Turians have stronger exoskeleton. Brain injuries reduced 230% compared to human skeleton."
"What is it dear?" asked Dr. Chakwas noticing Jack for the first time.
"Have you seen Kelly Chambers?"
"I think I saw-"
"Near weapons controls. Happy. Sneaky. Did not notice I saw her. meeting to attend. running." answered Dr. Mordin unable to contain himself.
"Mordin you got to stop doing that." said Dr. Chakwas.
"Talk fast? it's how we salarians talk. nothing. change."
"No, answer before someone else." replied Dr. Chakwas.
Jack did not want to hear anymore; so she hurried towards the lower maintenance levels towards the weapons systems. The maintenance crew was busy and did not bother Jack as she went by.
The door to the weapon systems was slightly ajar. She was about to push it open when she heard giggling from Kelly. Kelly had told her that she did like someone who wasn't Shepard, but she did not say who. Now whoever was making her giggle was the person Kelly liked.
Jack leaned on the doors trying to open them more and she saw him for the first time. It was Garrus with no armor. His muscles were chiseled and he had wound scars all over. Despite the injury to his face he still look tough and handsome, for a turian.
Kelly was undressing for him and they were both embraced in a passionate kiss. Garrus began kissing her neck and Kelly moaned.
"I'll ask Kelly how it was after." Jack said silently giggling.
She decided not to disturb the couple. Perhaps she would ask her later. A smile cropped up in her face. The thought of watching the show was tempting, but the she would be thinking too much of Shepard.
She walked towards the elevator to get something to eat. At the elevator she pressed the button and waited. She wondered how Kelly had manage to hide her relationship with Garrus in such a small ship. Perhaps she was more cunning then people realized.
Jack smiled again thinking of all the things she would ask Kelly when she saw her again. Yet that passionate kiss seemed so tender and loving. She wondered how far involved they really were.
She remembered the hug she had given to Shepard and his scent. She blushed slightly again and she imaged Shepard giving her that same passionate kiss. That memory sent shivers down her spine and the elevator doors openned revealing Miranda behind them.
"Good, I'm glad I found you, I won't have to look around that damp place you call apartment." said Miranda with her accent that annoyed Jack so much.
"What do you want cheerleader?" asked Jack annoyed. She got on the elevator and they both headed for the kitchen.
"I want to ask you what happened inside the Reaper with Shepard."
"Don't the results speak for themselves? We hacked the Reaper."
said Jack desperate to exit the elevator.
"I mean, how come Shepard is nice to you now? When he was disgusted of you before."
"Disgusted? Bitch! I would to tear you a new asshole, but I promised Shepard I wouldn't fight weaklings." Jack replied as the doors oppened. She got out quick and hurried her step towards the cook Rogers.
She ordered a ham sandwich and a beer. The food aboard the Normandy was decent, but she was tired of it. After the war she was going to visit some high class restaurants in a beach somewhere in Eden Prime.
She had heard it was beautiful there and the Cerberus classified files had mentioned her birthplace being Eden Prime. Perhaps she could find out more about her parents there. She didn't expect them to be alive, but she wanted to learn who they had been.
The crowd from before had died down and Zaeed was getting drunk again along with some crew members. The Citadel news channels were broadcasting recorded feeds from Shepard's stunning presentation and promotion.
The commentator an asari, was introducing who each member of the presentation were. Shepard was known anywhere; so she introduced the lesser known. Councilman Anderson was a dark-skinned man with features of a mix race. Jack found him old, but his eyes had Shepard glow of determination.
Besides Shepard had always spoken highly of him. The next person was Samara, the justicar. She looked so elegant and alluring in her revealing justicar outfit, a red and blue stripped leather, body suit, zipped down to reveal her cleavage. Her eyes shined in the camera and the background looked to complement all her features.
Jack was stunned at how sexy and feminine she looked. She cheeks were blushing without notice and she immediately had an idea.
"I'll get beauty advice from Samara, not Kelly! My god why didn't I think of that before!" She left her plate half empty and ran to the observation deck. One floor down. Jack was excited for the first time in days.