Chapter Two: What's a Hero to do?
London SAS Central Command:
Hannah nodded, taking John's hoverseat again and pushing it towards the airlock. When they reached it, John took a deep preparatory breath, as the door opened...
to the tumultuous, almost deafening, roar of applause and cheering. John's face froze as he saw turians grasping arms with krogans, cheering happily, Geth Primes with Quarians on their shoulders. It seemed that the galaxy had forgotten the strife that had lasted for centuries, even if just for a moment.
Shepard waved, and he saw several camera droids focus in on him, as every screen around the world that still worked showed his face. What shocked him more than anything was that as he passed by, people straightened. Turian soldiers saluted him, as did the Krogan and Salarians. The Geth and Quarians bowed their heads as he passed them.
The most shocking however, was the bows that he was receiving from the Asari, which resembled more of a kneeling. After he'd seen Samara do it when she pledged herself, he'd asked her what it meant, and she said it was the highest honor one could give to another in the asari culture, as it symbolized a sort of complete deference of judgment. It meant that the asari would follow the other for however long was needed. It was also how they greeted the greatest of their heroes, members of their kind that were held on the same level as the wisest of the matriarchs. In a sort of strange epiphany he realized that in their eyes he was no longer human, he was every bit as much of an asari as every one of them there. Eventually they reached Hackett, who saluted the commander and then allowed them to pass.
As soon as they made their way through, Shepard saw the person he'd been waiting to see more than anyone else. He saw her hair swing softly as she turned to see who had come in, instincts trained by constant combat had her hand at her hip in fractions of a second as she gripped her pistol before her eyes registered who had come in and she let out a sigh and walked towards him slowly. She seemed to be enjoying the attention she was getting from him, as she sauntered towards him, and he was both content to watch and impatiently hoping for her to get there quickly so he could hold her again.
"Skipper," she said as she finally got close enough to him to address him directly.
"Ash," he responded with a smile, "You look good."
Hannah looked between the two and frowned before stepping between Ashley and Shepard, "So you're Lieutenant Commander Williams."
"A-Admiral Shepard," said Ashley saluting the woman she realized she'd completely ignored.
"Primarch Victus," said Hannah, as she looked at the turian, "If you'd be so kind as to escort my son up to his room, I think the Lieutenant Commander and I need to have a few words."
"Y...yes ma'am," said Victus, happy to be able get away from what was looking like an extremely awkward situation. Shepard looked at Ashley apologetically as he was pushed away by the Primarch.
Victus looked at Shepard with a newfound respect and said, "I can see why you are so skilled at what you do. Your mother is an impressive woman. I would have enjoyed battling her. You have good lineage, Commander, and for what it is worth, I am honored to have served beside you."
"Something wrong Primarch?" asked Shepard, and Victus shook his head.
"Just age catching up to me, I'm not quite so young as you, and perhaps its time that I retire and take up an advisory position, I'm not cut out to be Primarch," said Victus, "Especially of a people stranded in space."
"So the relays were destroyed?" asked Shepard, and Victus nodded, "I...I'm sorry."
"Don't be Commander, you did what you needed to, and it's not like we can't recover. I'm sure the councilors are already discussing how we can set up on this planet if nothing else. Enough of our populations were put into this attack that if necessary, we could rebuild from this armada," said Victus, "There are nearly sixty million people in this armada, scattered from a dozen different races, and every single one is now stranded here in this system."
"All of them will be welcome on Earth sir," said Shepard, and Victus looked at him strangely.
"You are a curious man, Commander. You would take a bullet meant for your enemy, if you truly believed that it was for the greater good, wouldn't you?"
"Dunno about that sir, but maybe," responded Shepard, as he relaxed against the chair slowly falling asleep.
"A most curious man indeed..." repeated Victus. The rest of the walk was in silence, and when Victus and the others reached the floor where Shepard's room was assigned, he allowed the doctors to move him, making sure to keep the commander under his watchful gaze, and afterwards, he stationed two men from his personal guard inside of the room, and had another four at the entrance. They were men he would trust with his life, and he knew that they would follow his words to the letter. The only ones to be allowed through at the moment were Shepard's family and his female. No one else was to be allowed inside without Shepard's direct permission, if they insisted, they were to be removed by force if necessary. He was surprised when a geth prime lumbered out of the elevator, before saluting him and requesting permission to join 'Shepard-Commander's' house guard. Victus nodded his assent before continuing down.
Hannah Shepard and Ashley Williams:
"Follow me Lieutenant Commander Williams," said Hannah, and Ashley gulped softly and followed the woman to a small room that would most likely have once been the manager's office at the commandeered hotel.
Hannah pointed at a chair and said softly, "Sit."
"I'd...rather stand if that's okay with you ma'am," responded Ashley, and immediately regretted it as Hannah Shepard's gaze turned into a full glare.
"Sit." she ordered, and this time Ashley knew she wasn't being asked but told to do so. She also realized this was probably where Shepard had gotten the ability to turn from being kind and accommodating to strict and commanding at almost the blink of an eye. She slowly sank into the chair, even as Hannah crossed her arms over her chest.
"You hurt my boy," said Hannah, and Ashley looked down...so this was where this was going, "And I'm going to give you one chance to tell me why I shouldn't just pop a cap in your skull and have you vanish."
Ashley was slightly shocked to hear the seriousness in the woman's voice, "I...After...When I saw Shepard on Horizon...I was ecstatic but...but then I saw the cerberus sign on his outfit and I lost it. I..."
She was about to continue when Hannah stopped her, "I'm not talking about that. My boy was here on Earth for six months, being used as a scapegoat for the alliance, and you don't have the decency to come visit him even once? Hell when you finally meet up with him, he shoots Cerberus soldiers, and you ask him if he's still with Cerberus? Do you realize how much you screwed with him?"
Hannah was about to continue when she saw that Ashley had tears streaming down her face.
"Y...You're right..." said Ashley, "I'm probably the stupidest woman in this fucking galaxy. The one good thing I've had since my dad died, and I just about threw it away...So yeah...I don't deserve him, hell not one woman anywhere deserves him. But do you realize what it's like? Seeing the man you love everywhere, and wondering what it would have been like to still be with him?" she said and when Hannah was about to respond she stood up and used her height on the other woman to her advantage, "Yeah, Skipper and I've had some hard times. But there's not a damn person you'll find that cares more about him than me. The two of us have been through more than I care to remember, but in the end...in the end, we're all each other's got at this point."
"John has me!" Hannah exclaimed, and Ashley frowned getting in the admiral's face.
"Really? Because while you could be up there taking care of him, you gave the job to someone else so you could interrogate me, so I'll tell you the same thing I've told everyone else when they asked me about my relationship with him. Take the stick and shove it up your ass ma'am, and get the hell out of my way. My man needs me."
She pushed Hannah to the side and opened the door before storming away. Hannah stood there in shock for a moment before looking and seeing every member of Shepard's crew standing to the side and letting the fuming brunette pass unhindered. Hannah started to follow, when Shepard's entire crew seemed to take back just the right number of steps back to block her access to the only working elevator to Shepard's floor.
"Shepard's busy ma'am," said Garrus, as he thumbed the safety of his assault rifle. Hannah sighed and frowned as well.
"Let. me. go. see. my. son." she said sternly, and Garrus stared back at her before shaking his head negatively.
"No can do, both Shepard and Ash need this, so you're going to have to wait just like the rest of us," said Garrus, and Hannah sighed before crossing her arms and standing there. She wasn't going to move until the damned turian decided to wise up and not irritate the woman that even his legendary commander was scared of.
"If my son is hurt in any way because of this...Be it on your head Vakarrian," said Hannah, and Garrus nodded almost as if dismissing her.
Ashley and Shepard
When Ashley finally made it to Shepard's room she told the guards to move out of her way, and she sat down and took one of Shepard's hands and started rubbing the back of it with her thumb.
"C'mon Skipper, just gimme a sign...something that we're meant to be together."
"Marry me," she heard, and she jumped in surprise. She looked to see him smiling at her softly, his eyes weary. She realized then that she'd probably woken him up by what she'd been doing.
"Marry me," he repeated, slightly stronger this time. She looked at the two guards in the room, and they seemed to get the picture as they nodded and went to the balcony, shutting the curtains behind them followed by the sound proof window glass. The moment that they were gone she...pounced, for lack of a better term, on him kissing him deeply. She heard him mutter something in between kisses, and she leaned back so as to allow him the ability to speak.
"Well?" he asked her, and she smiled coyly kissing him again.
"What do you think?" she asked, and he was about to lean up for another kiss when she pulled back just enough to prevent him from kissing her.
"Will you marry me?" he asked her again, and she leaned down and tried to kiss him but he turned his head at the last moment stopping her.
"Stop avoiding the question," he said as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her down to him. She tried squirming, but even through the slightly uncomfortable look he was giving her, he held her steady.
"Yes," she finally said, and she kissed him, "Although that sure as hell doesn't mean you're getting out of giving me a ring."
He laughed softly, before kissing her again.
She laid down next to him, placing her head on his shoulder before asking the question that had been on her mind for the past three and a half weeks.
"Skipper...John, do you want a family?" she asked, and he looked at her strangely before kissing her forehead.
"Yeah, I'd like one, maybe have my own girly horde to see me off one day," he responded and she laughed at the reference.
"Only a few months now till we see if it's started," she said, and he looked at her before the words seemed to click.
"Wait...you're...we're..." he stumbled over his words so much that she decided to take mercy on him and just say it out loud.
"Yeah. We're having a baby...Chakwas told me when you, Tali and EDI were attacking the Cerberus Base." she told him, "I didn't even know it was possible to check like the next day...but she said she'd like to check since she uhm...didn't know if you could anymore. She was all like, 'well...you don't need to worry about that, Lieutenant Commander'. God that was embarrassing. The Doc told me it'd be a few more weeks at least till the baby's large enough for a gender test."
There was a knock on the door, and Ashley went to get up but Shepard held her down.
"Commander," said a turian, looking in, "The Council would like to speak with you if at all possible, as would your mother."
"Let my mom in, and ask the councilors to wait for a few minutes, and I'll speak with them," said Shepard, and the turian nodded. The door closed for a few seconds before re-opening to reveal Hannah Shepard slightly disgruntled.
"The hell do you do to your crew to make them like that John? And please...sit up," she said, but when Ashley was about to get up, Shepard held her fast.
"Mom...please calm down," he said, and Hannah grunted before seeming to deflate, "Now...the reason I wanted to let you in is that we've got good news on two parts. Ashley and I are getting married."
Hannah's eyebrow rose slightly.
"and two...We're having a baby," said Shepard, and this time Hannah simply sighed as she shook her head in exasperation.
"You're the only person I know crazy enough to get someone under your command pregnant during the middle of a war John..." she said, before looking at the two of them, both obviously still delighted at the news, "You thank your lucky stars you're a Spectre and the greatest damn war hero the galaxy has John, because if it was anyone else...you know they'd be discharged."
Finally she gave them a smile, "For the record, I'm happy for both of you. And Lieutenant Commander, chin up, whatever anyone else might say, you caught my boy's eye, and that alone says something. After all..." she gave an expectant look to John.
"Shepards never settle," said Shepard with a sigh, "I know ma."
"Don't you ma me young man, and I damn well better hear wedding bells before the baby's born, or you'll have hell to pay...you hear?" she asked and he nodded, as did Ashley, "Now...I believe the council wanted to speak with you."
And with that she was gone. Ashley felt strangely curious at what had happened that she seemed so much more respectful now than she was back downstairs, but hid those thoughts as the door opened to reveal the council.
"Commander Shepard," said Councilor Valern, "We would like to speak with you about a matter of great importance as it were."
"Of course, Councilor. Sorry I can't get up, but I've been ordered to stay in bed or sit in my hoverchair...can't do much else." he responded and all three councilors nodded.
"You've long been Humanity's representative to the council, Commander," said Sparatus, "Through Udina's term as well as the current temporary representative, you have been Humanity's greatest representative. And as I understand you were given diplomatic powers by your government."
"What he means to say commander, is that perhaps it is time that you set aside your rifle, and stood amongst us," said Tevos, "We will need help rebuilding, all of our races will, and we must present a unified front. You have long spoken for the unity of all species, we feel that perhaps it's best that the person who made it possible for the Alliance to join us on the Council, represent all of humanity upon it."
"C...Councilor?" he asked, "No offence ma'am...I'm a career military man. All I've ever known is war, and you're asking me to play politician? Cause I sure as hell am not some politician...I think I've made it clear how much I love politicians."
"Yet you did the impossible commander. I watched Turians and Krogan fighters take down a reaper, working together for the first time in more than a millennia. The Geth and Quarians, a war three hundred years in the making and within a week you resolve it and bolster your armada with not one side but both. I think all of us can agree here commander, that you are one of the most skilled diplomats any of us have ever known."
"Sir...I only did what was necessary. And to be honest councilors, I'd prefer to just settle down and have a quiet life. I think I've earned it at this point," insisted Shepard.
"No one can deny that you have Commander, but look out that window and find one person that does not sing your name in praise. Find one person who does not know who you are with a mere glance. As I walked here I was asked by dozens to relay my thanks to the great spectre Commander Shepard." said the Salarian Councilor, "Whether you want to live a quiet life or not is irrelevant. You will be looked at for leadership, if you are not seen within the military or in some public office, people will begin to wonder if you do not think the current government is taking the proper steps and have left because of that. Your life will never be a quiet one Commander..."
"What about the other races?" asked Shepard, "I didn't fight for every damn race in the galaxy just so they could all be thrown aside."
"I assure you, that will not happen. I have already dispatched what Spectres we have available to each of those that worked alongside us to help. They will all be granted a chance to join the interspecies council." responded Tevos, "We had anticipated that you would ask that of us, and had already taken steps to implement it."
Shepard looked at Ashley, who gave him a small kiss before turning back to the council.
"Alright Councilors, I give. I'll serve a term...but I will speak out if I don't feel something we're doing is right."
"Of course Commander, after all...Yell loud enough and someone will eventually come over to see what all the fuss is all about no? Not that they'll do anything about it," asked the turian councilor.
Shepard almost laughed, "Till it all goes to hell...then they put you in charge. Garrus...he told you about that..."
"General Vakarrian has been a close friend of my family's for several years. His father and I served in C-sec together, before I fought in the " said the turian.
"G...General!" exclaimed Shepard and Sparatus nodded.
"Correct, and as you said you are a career military man. Therefore, it is the decision of this council, to present you with the rank of Spectre-Commander, as well as formally bestowing upon you the title of Supreme Commander of the Interspecies Fleets," said Sparatus, "and no Commander, this is not something you can say no to. Regardless of whether any of us like it, you are the focal point behind which all of this was possible, and now we're stranded on your people's home planet. We need to present a front with you at its head as much as we possibly can, or what you struggled to get, will dissolve with the end of this generation. Work has already begun on trying to determine where the different species would be able to cohabit, but I have your word that we will be given the necessary terrain if it is to be found?"
"Do you know the current population on Earth?" asked Shepard, and Valern sighed.
"As best we've been able to tell, and there have been pockets of survivors appearing in small groups, there are currently two billion three-hundred seventy-one million fourteen thousand seven-hundred thirty eight humans on Earth, including those which came with the fleets," answered Valern, and Shepard closed his eyes in remembrance. More than eight billion people dead in six months, "We are looking to find any that we can, so that their names may be inputted into a memorial which we have commissioned here. We thought it fitting that the place where the battle was fought to destroy all of the reapers, also hold the memorial of all those who died to make this possible. This is the proposed monument."
He handed Shepard a small holo projector which had Shepard standing there, his trademark rifle against the head of a marauder that was on the ground, his foot planted firmly on its chest. Behind him was Tali, her shotgun in hand as she looked to be aiming beyond the bounds of the monument. To his side was Garrus, propped against a rock and aiming through his sniper rifle.
"This was the team that went with you through the conduit was it not?" asked Valern, slightly nervous as he looked at Shepard's unreadable face.
"Yeah..." whispered Shepard, "It was."
"I have a personal request to make on this councilors," said Shepard, "My squad was made of nineteen people, and I'd like it if a monument to each one individually was made throughout Earth. I can give you their names, and ask them all to meet you so that you can take image captures of them."
"I think we know who your squadmates were well enough Commander, although it would speed the process up considerably if they were to meet with us willingly," said Valern.
"Last few things, Councilor Tevos..." started Shepard, and when she nodded he continued, "I'd like for Samara's monument to be with her three daughters, and I'd like it to be wherever we make the Asari Capital."
Tevos nodded without answering, although there was a small upward movement of her lips.
"I'm also pardoning any of my squadmates of any and all crimes previously committed, under Spectre authority if need be" said Shepard, and he was quite surprised when not a single councilor even blinked. He was sure they'd all be complaining for hours about it.
"Not necessary, work with the crucible and helping you more than merits an official pardon I believe. Although I would warn Miss Goto that this does not extend to crimes committed after the fact, merely to those that were committed prior to the Reaper's destruction. And also, please ask her that she refrain from hacking the Dalatrass's omnitool and having it speak inappropriately. Much appreciated," said Valern and for a moment Shepard was reminded of Mordin as he looked at the Salarian, "Get some rest commander, and meet with us when you are able. We would also like to give our condolences for the loss of the justicar."
Without another word, all three Councilors turned around and walked out of the room.
"Councilor Shepard huh?" said Ashley, and he frowned.
"I hate politicians and now I'm one..." said Shepard, "I just know Anderson pulled strings to get this thrown on me..."
Ashley saw Shepard smile in remembrance of the Admiral, and she knew how much he must be hurting inside. Anderson had been like a father to Shepard, someone he could look up to when everything else went to hell. One of the few people around the galaxy that never gave up on him, and the only person in the entire alliance that had publicly spoken out against Shepard's imprisonment after the Alpha Relay incident. She knew that any other Alliance soldier would've gladly blown the relay, simply to kill the batarians, especially someone that had taken part in the Blitz. But Anderson had stood fast as Shepard's ally even when everyone else turned against him, Anderson had even referred to Shepard as his successor more than once. It was clear to both of them, if Anderson couldn't bring the fight to the reapers, then it fell to Shepard, and that was what he had done.
"You okay?" she asked him, running her hand across his muscled chest. It always amazed her how perfectly Shepard made sure to keep his body at its ready state. He had scars, testament to the hell he'd gone through to get to where he was, of all that he'd lost. And of all he'd gained she realized as she ran a hand through the scar he'd received on Lessus blocking a shot meant for her.
"He was like a father to me," said Shepard, "And I know he'd do whatever it took to make this work, and since he's not here for me to ask for help...well I guess it's my responsibility to make sure this doesn't all go to hell."
Shepard wrapped his arm around her, closing his eyes. And slowly falling into the land of sleep.