CHAPTER III – The hearing
Shepard opened her eyes, but quickly closed them again, groaning in pain.
"Doc… Doctor Chakwas? I think she's waking up!", she heard an excited voice. She blinked some times and sit up, covering her head in her palms. She felt like her head was about to explode.
A moment later Jillian heard steps coming closer and looked up. It was doctor Chakwas.
"You had us worried there, Shepard.", she said, smiling lightly. "How are you feeling?"
Shepard was sitting silent for a small moment, gaining consciousness and memories of latest events.
"I… How did I end up here, doc?", she asked, looking at Chakwas. "How long was I out?"
"About fifteen hours. We think something happened down there with the beacon.", answered doctor.
"It's… It's my fault, Commander. I must have triggered some kind of security field when I approached it. You had to push me out of the way.", said Ashley. "I'm sorry… I had no idea something like this could happen…"
Jillian turned her head and looked at Williams. She didn't realize earlier Ashley was in the medical room.
"Don't blame yourself, Chief. You had no way to know what would happen.", admitted Shepard calmly, seeing Ashley cheering up a little.
"We don't even know what set it off and unfortunately we won't get a chance to find out anymore…", said doctor Chakwas.
Shepard narrowed eyebrows, confused. Did something happen to the beacon?
"Shepard… The beacon exploded. I think system overloaded. It was the blast what knocked you cold.", explained Ashley. "Kaidan and I had to carry you back here."
"Thanks… I appreciate it.", answered Jillian, smiling lightly and Ashley smiled in response.
Shepard stood up. She felt a little dizzy at first, but it wasn't as bad as she feared. She felt almost normal, well, her body at least. She still had the images from that vision, that dream, in her head, which caused a really bad headache.
"Physically you're fine, Shepard. What makes me wonder… I detected some abnormal brain activity. I also noticed increased rapid eye movement, which is typically caused by intense dreaming.", explained doc.
Shepard looked at Chakwas, little surprised by her statement. "I… I saw…. Well, I'm not really sure what I saw.", murmured Jillian confused.
"Hm… I may add this to my repo—Captain Anderson!", said surprised Chakwas. Jillian looked at her captain and straightened.
"How's our Commander holding up, Doctor? Everything's fine?", asked the captain.
"I may say she's going to be fine. Everything seems to look normal.", reported the doctor.
"Glad to hear this.", said Anderson, now looking directly at Jillian. "Commander, I need to speak with you… In private.", when he said this, he looked straight at Ashley and Doctor.
"Aye, aye, Captain. I'll be in the mess if you need me.", answered Ashley, saluting. Moment later both women left, leaving Commander alone with Captain.
"You sure you're allright, Commander? I heard that beacon hit you pretty hard.", Captain asked again, making sure about Jillian's health.
"I… Yeah… I'm fine.", she answered nervously. Then Shepard looked her captain in the eyes. "I don't like soldiers dying under my command, sir…"
"Sheaprd, listen. Jenkins wasn't your fault. You did everything you could. You did a good job, Commander.", the captain answered straight.
"Thank you, sir… What about Chief Williams? I seen she's with us on the Normandy, yet she isn't a part of the Normandy crew.", asked Shepard curiously.
"I figured we could use a soldier like her. I have her reassigned to the Normandy.", answered Anderson.
"I think it was right decision. Williams is an excellent soldier and she really deserves it.", admitted Shepard.
"Good. Lieutenant Alenko agrees with you and that's why I added her to our crew."
Shepard nodded. "Sir… You said you needed to see me in private, Captain?", asked Jillian politely.
Anderson nodded and sighed. Things have had been bad, obviously. "I won't lie to you, Shepard. Things look bad. The mission failed, the beacon was destroyed and we have a Geth invasion. The Council will demand answers.", he said. "I will stand behind you and your report, Shepard. You're a damned hero in my books… But that's now why I'm here. I wanted to talk about the other turian, Saren.", he turned around and looked at Shepard with a serious look. "Saren is a Spectre, one of the best. He's a living legend but if he's really working with the geth it would mean he's gone rogue. A rogue Spectre is a big trouble. But Saren is really dangerous and he hates humans."
"Sir… But Saren didn't come to Eden Prime just because he hates humans.", Shepard allowed herself to cut captain's monolog.
"You're propably right I guess. But Saren has allied himself with the Geth. I have no idea how and why but it clearly has something to do with that beacon and you were there just before the beacon self-destructed.", said Anderson. "Shepard, did you see anything? Any clue that might help us to tell what Saren was after?"
Shepard crossed her arms, hitting her back to the wall. She was thinking for a moment. "Just before I lost consciousness I had… I had some kind of vision.", she said. "I saw some synthetics. Propably geth. They were slaughtering people. Butchering them."
"Shepard. We need to report this to the Council as well.", ordered Anderson.
"Sir! They'll think I'm crazy.", said Shepard in disbelief, blushing slightly.
"Commander. Noone knows what information was stored in that beacon. It could have been a long lost Prothean technology or blueprints for some ancient weapon of mass destruction… Whatever it was, Saren took it. You are the only one who seen this.", said Captain. "I know Saren, his reputation and politics. He believes humans are a blight on galaxy. I believe this attack was an act of war!", said Captain loudly, anger in his voice. "He's the only one who has the secrets from that beacon. He has an army of geth at his command… And I'm sure he won't stop until he's wiped humanity from the galaxy!"
Jillian wrinkled her nose and looked at her commander in determination in her eyes. "I'll find some way to take him down, sir."
Anderson sighed. "It's not that easy, Shepard. Saren's a Spectre and it means he can go anywhere he wants, he can do anything he wants… Well, almost anything. That's the reason why we need the Council on our side. If we expose Saren as a traitor, the Council will revoke his status and Spectre. Now I have to contact the ambassador and see if he can get us an audience with the Council. He'll want to see us as soon as possible when we'll reach the Citadel.", explained Captain. "As we're speaking right now, we should be getting close. Head up to the bridge and tell Joker to bring us in to the dock, Commander.", he said turning around and walking out from the med bay.
Shepard stood alone for a moment, thinking about this whole situation. What had everything to be complicated? Why couldn't it be easy, just for once? She sighed. It had no point for her to stay and do nothing, so she walked out of the medical room wanting to get to Joker.
"Glad to see you're okay, Commander!", she heard happy Kaidan shouting to her. She nodded to him and smiled slightly in response.
She was already near the elevator, when she heard Ashley's voice from behind.
"Hey, Commander. I'm really glad you're allright. I think the crew could use some good news after what happened to Jenkins…", said Ashley.
Jillian sighed, nervously, not really knowing what to say. She felt for her, since she really knew how Ashley felt… What should she say to her? It was hard, very hard. "Well, Jenkins was a valuable part of our crew-"
"Shepard, part of me feels guilty over what happened.", admitted Ashley. "If Jenkins was still alive, I might not be here."
"Don't say that, Williams. You're a good soldier and you deserve it. You belong on the Normandy.", answered Jillian, trying to cheer up the Chief.
Ashley smiled shyly. "Thanks, Commander. I really appreciate that."
Jillian made a step back, turning back to the stairs and making her way forward.
"Anyway… Things got pretty rough down there… Are you allright? How are you holding up?", asked Jill, trying to change the subject.
"It's not like I've never seen friends dying before… Comes with being a marine. But… But to see my whole unit wiped out…", Ashley didn't finish. Shepard swallowed hard, not interrupting. "And you never get used to seeing dead civilians. But, Commander, I believe things would have been a lot worse if you hadn't shown up."
"We couldn't have done it without you, Williams. But you also wish we'd come sooner and perhaps we could have saved your unit… ", said Jillian.
"I… It's not like that… Well, maybe. But you have done already much, Commander. On the other side I was a little worried about being assigned here, to the Normandy and I feel it's nice when someone makes you feel welcome...", admitted Ashley, smiling a little.
"I think you're going to fit in here just fine, Williams.", said Shepard ending their conversation, because they both just arrived at the bridge.
"Good timing, Commander! I was just about to bring us in to the Citadel. See that taxpayer money at work.", joked Joker.
Jillian turned back from Joker, when she seen Ashley looking excited at the window. "Look at the size of that ship!", shouted Ashley in surprise.
Jill came to Williams and looked together. "The Ascension. Flagship of the Citadel fleet.", explained Kaidan.
"Well, size isn't everything.", said Joker. Jillian had to disagree, the ship was huge and it surely had such a huge firepower as well. She was really surprised by the ship, but the she saw the Citadel itself. She never was on Citadel, but she heard about it, still, it was much bigger than she expected.
"Why so touchy, Joker?", teased Ashley and Shepard smiled a little. Yeah, Ashley was going to fit in there just fine.
"I'm just saying you need firepower, too.", answered Jeff.
"Look at that monster! It's main gun could rip through the barriers on any ship in the Alliance fleet!"
"Good thing it's on our side, then.", Kaidan ended their conversation.
"Citadel Control, this is SSV Normandy requesting permission to land.", reported Joker.
"Stand by for clearance, Normandy.", they heard the answer through the comm. "Clearance granted. You may begin your approach. Transferring you to an Alliance operator."
"Roger, Alliance tower. Normandy out."
About half an hour later they were on their way to the office of their operator. Captain Anderson took Ashley Williams, Kaidan Alenko and Jillian Shepard with him.
"This is an outrage! The Council would step in if the geth attacked a turian colony!", Jillian heard when they approached the office and the door opened. First she saw a man arguing with holograms of three aliens. She guessed they were the Council, one was a turian, another an asari and the last one was a salarian.
They went quietly to the balcony to wait for the operator to finish the conversation.
"The turians don't found colonies on the borders of the Terminus System, Ambassador."
"Humanity was well aware of the risks when you went into the Traverse.", added the Asari Concilor.
"What about Saren? You can't just ignore a rogue Spectre! I demand action!", shouted angrily Udina.
"You don't get to make demands of the Council, Ambassador.", snarled the Turian Councilor.
"Citadel Security is investigating your charges against Saren. We will discuss the C-Sec findings at the hearing. Not before.", explained the Asari Councilor, ending the transmission.
Ambassador Udina sighed and turned back to the Normandy's crew.
"Captain Anderson. I see you brought half of your crew with you.", said Udina, unpleased.
"Just the ground team from Eden Prime. In case you had any questions.", answered Captain.
"I have the mission reports. I assume they're accurate?", asked Udina.
"Yes, they are. Sounds like you convinced the Council to give us and audience, Ambassador."
"They were not happy about it. Saren's their top agent and they don't like him being accused of treason.", answered unpleased Udina.
Jillian narrowed eyebrows. She hated politics and there were dozen of reasons.
"I won't just sit and do nothing because Council doesn't want to do anything.", she snarled. "If they won't stop Saren, I will."
"Settle down, Commander. You've already done more than enough to jeopardize your candidacy for the Spectres.", ordered Udina.
Shepard wanted to shout back that she didn't care about being a Spectre, but she just bit her lip. "The mission on Eden Prime was a chance to prove you could get the job done. Instead Nihlus ended up dead and the beacon was destroyed!"
"That's Saren's fault, not hers!", said Anderson, defending Jillian.
"Then we better hope that C-Sec investigation turns up evidence to support our accusations. Otherwise the Council might use this as an excuse to keep you out of the Spectres.", explained Udina, looking at Shepard. "Come with me, Captain. I want to go over a few things before the hearing and Shepard, you and the others can meet us at the Citadel Tower. Top level, I'll make sure you have the clearance to get in.", said Udina, exiting the room with Anderson.
"That's why I hate politicians.", said Ashley when the door shut down.
"Not only you.", answered Jillian, smiling at her. "Come on… We gotta get to that hearing."
The team made their way straight to the Citadel Tower to get to the hearing as soon as possible. However, when they came out of elevator they seen two turians arguing.
"Saren's hiding something! Give me more time. Stall them.", asked one.
"Stall the Council? Don't be ridiculous! Your investigation is over, Garrus.", ordered the other one before leaving.
"Commander Shepard? Garrus Vakarian. I was the officer in charge of the C-Sec investigation into Saren.", said the turian.
"Who were you talking to?", asked curiously Jillian.
"This… Was Executor Pallin, head of Citadel Security. My boss. He'll be presenting my findings on Saren to the Council.", not willingly admitted Garrus.
"Sounds like you're not really fond of him?
"I don't trust him. Something about him rubs me the wrong way…", admitted the turian. "But he's a Spectre. Everything he touches is classified, so I can't find any hard evidence…"
Jillian wanted to say something when she got interrupted by Kaidan: "I think the Council's ready for us, Commander." and Jillian just nodded and response and made her way to the Council.
"Good luck, Shepard! Maybe they'll listen to you…", she heard from Garrus.
They made their way quickly on the staircase where they met their Captain.
"The hearing's already started. Come on.", ordered Anderson and the soldiers followed him quickly.
"The geth attack is a matter of some concern, but there is nothing to indicate Saren was involved in any way.", said the asari and the turian Councilor added: "The investigation by Citadel Security turned up no evidence to support your charge of treason."
"An eyewitness saw him kill Nihlus in cold blood!", shouted Udina.
"We have read the Eden Prime reports, Ambassador. The testimony of one traumatized dockworker is a hardly compelling proof…", explained the salarian Councilor.
"I resend these accusations. Nihlus was a fellow Spectre. And a friend…", interrupted Saren.
"That just let you catch him off guard!", shouted Captain Anderson.
"Ah yes… Captain Anderson, what a surprise… You always seem to be involved when the humanity makes false charges against me.", said Saren. "And this must be your protégé, Commander Shepard. The one who let the beacon get destroyed."
"Oh yeah… You're the one who destroyed the beacon and now you're trying to cover it up.", snarled Jillian.
"Shift the blame to cover your own failures, just like Captain Anderson… He's taught you well.", answered Saren, then narrowed his eyes. "But what can you expect from a human?"
"You can expect me to kill you next time we meet.", teased Shepard.
"Your species needs to learn its place, Shepard. You're not ready to join the Council and you're not even ready to join the Spectres!", snarled angrily Saren.
"This is an outrage! He has no right to say that! That's not his decision!", shouted angrily Udina.
"Shepard's admission into the Spectres is not the purpose of this meeting.", explained the asari Concilor, looking at the turian Spectre.
"This meeting has no purpose. The humans are wasting your time, Councilor.", answered Saren. "And mine."
"Bastard! You can't hide behind the Council forever!", snarled Jillian.
"There is still one outstanding issue. Commander Shepard's vision. It may have been triggered by the beacon…", started Anderson.
" Are we allowing dreams into evidence now? How can I defend my innocence against this kind of testimony?", asked Saren.
"I agree. Our judgment must be based on facts on evidence only, not wild imaginings and reckless speculation.", agreed the turian Councilor.
"Do you have anything else to add, Commander Shepard?", asked the salarian Councilor.
"What's the point? You've already made your decision. It's pointless to waste my breath.", snarled Shepard, slowly turning around.
"The Council has found no evidence of any connection between Saren and the geth.", said the asari. " Ambassador, your petition to have him disbarred from the Spectres is denied."
"I'm glad to see justice was served.", said Saren, ending his transmission.
"This meeting is adjourned.", the Council finished and exited the Tower, leaving disappointed Alliance members.
"It was a mistake bringing you to that hearing, Captain. You and Saren have too much history. It made the Council question our motives.", said Udina trying to blame anyone.
"I know Saren. He's working with the geth for one reason: to exterminate the entire human race.", explained Anderson. "Every colony we have is at risk. Every world we control is in danger. Even Earth isn't save anymore…"
"Captain… If I may… How do you know Saren? Could you tell me more about this history between you and Saren?", asked Jillian instead.
Anderson looked and sighed. "I worked with him on a mission once. It was long time ago… Things went bad. Real bad.", then he looked at her, nervous. "We shouldn't talk about this here. But I know what he's like. Saren has to be stopped!"
"The Council won't help us… We need to deal with Saren ourselves.", said Jillian.
"As a Spectre, he's virtually untouchable. We need to find some way to expose him.", interrupted Udina, thinking about some plan.
"Excuse me… What about Garrus, that C-Sec inverstigator? We saw him arguing with the executor.", suggested Kaidan,
"Yeah, that's right!", agreed Ashley. "He was asking for more time to finish his report. Seems like was was close to finding something on Saren."
"Any idea where we could find him then?", asked Jillian.
"I have a contact in C-Sec who can help us track Garrus down. His name is Harkin.", answered Udina immediately.
"Forget it! They suspended Harkin last month for drinking on the job. I wouldn't waste my time with such a loser.", interrupted displeased Anderson.
"You won't have to.", snarled Udina. "I don't want the Council using your past history with Saren as an excuse to ignore anything we turn up. Shepard with handle this and you'll stay out of this.", ordered the Ambassador.
"I'll take care of it.", said quickly Jillian, seeing the Captain was opening his mouth to say something in return.
"Now, I need to take care of some business. Captain, meet me in my office later.", as he said that he went away.
They waited a moment in silence before Anderson spoke again. "Harkin's propably getting drunk at Chora's Den. It's a dingy little club in the lower section of the wards."
"Thank you, sir. We'll be on our way then."
"Good luck, Shepard.", said Captain, leaving the trio alone.