The base was hidden deep within the moon of a previously un-discovered world in the Terminus Systems on the outter arms of the galaxy. The first few caverns were empty and barren. The escort ship rounded a bend that opened up into a hanger bay full of ships both alliance and those of the council races among those that were not. Councillor Anderson was the only Council member to greet them. He was looking a little older than his years since the return of the Reapers. He greeted them with hands clasped behind him military style as Shepard and her boys walked down the hanger bay ramp.
"Captain Shepard, it's good to see you and your crew are well."
"We're doing what we can, but the Normandy needs some love." Shepard told him.
"The repairs to the Normandy will take some time, but we have every confidence that we can get you back in the sky soon. Hopefully she'll be better than you were before. Miranda got us some information Cerberus had hoarded from the Collector base. We've got some improvements to the up grades. Should put us on equal ground with the Reapers. Half the Alliance's ships have already received the new tech. We're running low on resources so we set some back for the Council races want to see if we blow up before they'll accept the up grades themselves."
"Figures." Garrus scoffed.
"We're honored." Shepard said, and shot Garrus a side long glance.
"The Council is waiting, if you'll follow me." Anderson said, ignoring Garrus' comment.
Shepard and her boys followed Anderson through a low, wide pass into the residential cavern. Pre-fabs littered every accommodating space available. The ruddy tones of the walls and natural columns that hung down from the ceiling and rose up from the floor seemed to almost form a grand hall as the small procession followed the human Councillor. The main pathways were lit by rows of lanterns that glowed with a sterile, bright light. It was almost enchanting if not for the dire situation that put them there. Anderson lead them to the step like formations that flowed down from a smaller cavern within the space.
"This hollow rock is what we've come to call the Temple. It would also serve as a shelter should the Reapers start firing on the surface. The entirety is self-supported."
"That's quite impressive." Kryik noted.
The Council members descended the steps as if they were walking out from a palace. Shepard crossed her arms and wondered if they'd ever get over themselves. From the lack of poise displayed by Nihlus, she imagined he'd lost some respect for them as well. They were little more than a ideal than a leadership body now. A symbol. Their importance was nothing beyond that.
"Good to see you are well." The asari greeted each of them with a nod. "It seems your relationship with Cerberus has been profitable after all."
"But that doesn't mean we trust them." The turian Councillor added. "They're primary interest remains the survival of humanity. If that mean sacrificing the rest of us, I don't believe they will hesitate."
"I agree." Said the salarian Councillor. "We have to insure the survival of all races, not just humanity."
"If you're doubting my resolve to save as many as possible regardless of species, I've got news for you!" Shepard responded hostilely.
"Relax Shepard, no one here is accusing you of anything." Anderson said.
"Yes, we're all aware of your pioneering efforts in the realm of interspecies 'harmony'. You're the first human to ever openly take a non-human mate that wasn't asari." The turian Councillor stated with his usual animosity and an unusual leer on his face.
Shepard assumed that was because of the lack of scent on her. Less than happy about the turian Councillor's found joy in her misery, Shepard crossed her arms and glared at him. Her eyes flicked to the asari Councillor, then back to the turian Councillor with a raised brow as if to tell him she knew about them. She allowed herself a smirk when his mandibles twitched.
"It's a credit to Garrus Vakarian as well." The asari Councillor added.
Behind her Garrus swelled with pride within his armor. Shepard's relationship with Kryik had been more discreet than her relationship with Garrus and apparently remained unknown to the Council, save Anderson. But it was a trivial matter to argue about, so the four of them let it slide. Besides that, Nihlus was still unsure of whether he should attempt to continue where they left off years ago. She was willing, but he doubted if she really knew what she wanted. There were to many variables in the equation.
"We simply want to keep a watchful eye on all fronts. These are delicate times."
The asari paused to change subjects.
"Nihlus Kryik," The asari Councillor addressed the turian. "Another Spectre from the Normandy returned to life by Cerberus. Tell us, why did the human-centric organization resurrect you?"
"That may be a question more suited for Captain Shepard." He answered respectfully.
"Captain?"
The asari turned the question to her. Shepard took a moment to decide how she should explain it. Either way they would probably insist she keep her ties to the organization for the informational purposes. If she left Cerberus, TIM would likely retaliate against the Council in some discreet, but harmful way. The Alliance may be spared simply for the benefit of humanity. She was tired of wearing the Cerberus uniform, but if it mean survival...
"On my mission to stop the Collectors the original orders were to destroy the base. At the last moment the order was changed to spare the base and destroy only the Collectors. I agreed on the condition that The Illusive Man would use the same resources he used to bring me back to also resurrect Spectre Kryik."
"Why did you make such an arrangement?" The turian Councillor asked.
"That doesn't matter. The point is the technology was saved as was the life of the Spectre. Do the reasons matter?" Councillor Anderson interjected, trying to protect the anonymity of Sonya's relationship with the turian despite the earlier praise.
"I agree with him in this matter." The salarian added. "Her reasons are not as important as the result."
"He was a part of my crew. I don't like when my men die." Shepard answered before any more speculation could hit too close to home.
"How valiant of you." The turian Councillor seethed, openly doubting her.
"You should learn to take me at my word, Councillor. Perhaps if you had listened in the first place we wouldn't be in this mess!" Shepard shot back.
"You had no evidence to support your claim. We couldn't send fleets off into non-Citadel space on the word of one crazed human and a few of her loyal crew!" The turian said, talking over the asari attempting to defuse the situation.
"Why did you make me a Spectre if you thought I would be un-trustworthy?" Shepard goaded him.
"Enough! Please!" The asari shouted. "This isn't getting us anywhere. Right now the only thing that matters is getting the technology Cerberus found in the Collector base installed in as many ships as possible so we can launch an organized counter offensive that might be successful with minimal casualties. We've lost enough lives for centuries of war."
"She's right." Anderson added. "We won't win this if we're fighting among ourselves."
"Nihlus Kryik, we could use a man like you in command of one of our ships." The turian Councillor offered.
Nihlus held his calm, but deep inside he was panicking. He wasn't emotionally ready to be her mate again, but that didn't mean he wanted to part from her. He could do good things at the command of his own ship. But if he lost her again without re-accepting her as his bond mate, the only person outside his father to truly accept him, the guilt would surely be the end of him. He needed time. It always came down to that. No time, too much time. Never the time you need when you need it.
"I'll need to consider that." He answered.
"Consider quickly, Kryik. We may not have..."
"Time." Kryik interrupted the turian Councillor. "I am acutely aware of the problem."
"The Normandy should be ready in a few days. Until then, try to get some rest. You'll need it." Councillor Anderson advised.
"There are rooms available for you and your crew in the barracks. They are comfortable and private." The asari informed them.
"Thank you Councillors." Shepard nodded.
The Council nodded back and dispersed. Anderson stayed and waited for the others to be out of ear shot before he approached Shepard and greeted her with open arms. She accepted the embrace. Then Anderson turned to Nihlus and offered his hand. Nihlus took it respectfully.
"It's good to have you back." Anderson said.
"Thank you sir." Kryik nodded.
David turned back to Sonya, clearly worried, but trying to grin through it.
"You and your husband may use the spare room in my apartment if you want. It's a little roomier than the barracks will be, and homier." David offered. He kept his eyes on her to avoid assuming the wrong mate.
"Thank you, but I think I should stay with my crew." She told him.
"I understand. Well, at least come by for dinner. I've found a few recipes that are turian friendly." David said and grinned at Garrus and Nihlus.
Garrus just nodded. What else could he do? It wasn't his place to inform the Councillor of the complications, and if Shepard didn't feel like telling he wasn't either.
David picked up on the hesitation. He wasn't a stupid human, not by far. David simply nodded. It wasn't his business what had happened between them, but he would be there for Sonya if she needed him. He was grateful when they accepted his invitation to dinner. He didn't have company often.