Chapter 8: Leadership skills
It was a pleasant and unexpected surprise when Shepard found out that, in the cell across from him, Kolyat was waiting patiently for the time he would be released. It helped break the monotony and also gave Kolyat the chance to learn a bit more about his father and what he was doing for the galaxy. There were a lot of things the young drell still didn't understand and even more that he refused to, but he was slowly opening up. Despite the pain and neglect, he still wanted his father to be someone he could look up to.
So there I am, Shepard went on the retelling of his latest exploit, out of ammo, Samara about to get gunned down by the giant mech and then this dark thing falls right out of the sky, knocking Fist out, toppling the mech and landing without so much as a sprained ankle. And who else could it be, other than Thane?
You make him out to be like such a hero, Shepard, Kolyat interjected. It doesn't sound anything like the man I know.
I may be over glorifying him, yeah, but Thane isn't a bad person. He is just as lost as the rest of us. He cares deeply about you, he tried to explain, but Bailey's voice sounded from the other side of the corridor.
Shepard, you have a visitor, Bailey interrupted them. So move a bit further away from the door, will ya?
Sure thing, Captain, Shepard replied and turned one last time to Kolyat. We'll talk more later, OK?
I'll try not to get lost, Kolyat added with a smile before moving back from the bars of his holding cell.
Shepard took a few steps back and went to sit on his cot. Although there was a second one in his cell, right next to the door, on the north wall, Shepard had chosen the bunk on the east wall as his sleeping spot. He chose it mostly because when the lights would turn on in the morning, they would be softer on his eyes. It was a small comfort.
When Garrus Vakarian showed up on his door, he wasn't taken aback, but he was hoping it would be someone else coming to see him. However, he did remind himself that said someone wasn't very fond of holding cells. Hey, Shepard, the turian marksman hailed him and walked in casually to sit on the other bed.
Morning, Vakarian, he returned the salute, then waited for the turian to start up the conversation, as it was clear he had something to say. For the most part, however, he was quiet. Garrus leaned forward, rested his two elbows on his knees, clasping his arms together, just over his mouth. He extended two fingers and opened his mouth to talk, but seemed to think it was a bad idea, as he changed his posture. Then he tried resting back, but it felt too awkward. So he turned to the side, one hand holding his waist, the other's elbow resting again on his knee, his middle finger poised and once more looked like he was about to say something, before leaning back, hands behind his head and legs stretched out. Well? Shepard asked impatiently.
Are you for real? Garrus answered with a question, finally.
About what? Shepard followed up on the barrage that had seemingly started.
Garrus popped up from his seat and started walking back and forth. If you really cared, if you needed the information, you would have asked Liara about Billy. Then Barla Von would be on our doorstep within 15 minutes, hailing us. Instead, you have me on a rabid duck hunt while the Normandy flies to the other side of the galaxy.
Shepard couldn't help cracking a smile. It's not called a rabid duck hunt, Garrus. It's called a wild goose chase, he corrected him and then paused for a moment. But you're right. I could ask the information from Liara, he shook his head. However, I did not and will not. In fact, I can't. Shepard pulled a couple of bottles and glasses from under his cot. Poured one glass for him from one bottle and one from the other bottle for his friend.
Isn't it a little early for a drink? the turian wondered.
Fuck it, shrugged the first human specter in return.
Careful, Shepard. She's rubbing off on you, Garrus warned him.
Shepard laughed, serving him the drink. I know, he replied.
The marksman took the drink and raised the glass, before making his first sip. So what's all this 'you can't' crap. You can't contact Liara?
It's a matter of appearances, he explained. I can't just stroll in the Citadel, walk up to Billy and knock him out. How's that gonna look?
I don't know, like you're the hero, maybe? Garrus smirked.
You're not thinking politics. It's going to look like I was dissatisfied with an operative of mine and fed him to the wolves.
Nobody's going to think that, he protested. Why would anyone think that?
I'm not sure yet, but I know it's no coincidence. We broke Jack out of Purgatory, what? Five? Six months ago? he wondered, more to himself.
About that, yeah, Garrus contributed.
It would have taken him a month tops to reach Omega. And then what? A few days to reach Citadel? So why now? Why after so long? And this happens just as we captured Fist, the specter unraveled his train of thought.
You're saying Billy is being manipulated? he sounded genuinely worried now. He needed another sip.
I'm saying someone's out to discredit me. Us. For personal gain. Shepard joined the turian in taking a generous gulp of his drink. We can't let any doubt linger over us.
More people are going to die, he pointed out.
I know, Shepard replied with a sigh. Just like when I ordered the alliance ships to protect the Destiny Ascension. Just as when I fought on Akuze. Or when I left Ash to die on Virmire. And especially, when I destroyed the Alpha Relay. It will all weigh on me. Forever.
The two of them sat in silence. Garrus was feeling remorseful that he brought up the subject and gave Shepard a sympathetic look. I'm ... sorry I brought it up.
I need the reminder every now and then, he shrugged. He took a step back and went for a refill. How's the investigation going?
You want the truth or just to tell you that we've almost caught the guy? Garrus replied playfully.
Shepard laughed. I'll take the truth.
Truth is we're not doing that good. Samara found a lead, but it was nothing we could work on. Well, unless we asked Liara, I guess. Then Jack got into a fight with her and both walked away. Jack got her pride hurt, but Samara, he paused, seemed like it really bothered her. He raised his head and looked up at Shepard. I'm not very good at leading them.
The commander took a long sip from his drink, Garrus following suit as well. So Jack fights with someone and you think you failed as a leader, he scowled. Jack fights with everyone. She fights with me, with Miranda, with Tali, she once got into a fight with Gabi and Ken, with Jacob, even EDI. She's fought with you as well. So why does it come of as such a surprise that she had a fight, not just with Samara, but with anyone?
What if I fail them? What if I end up loosing them, like I did with my team in Omega? Garrus summarized his uncertainty.
What if I end up loosing you like I lost my men on Akuze? he retorted. You can't go on like this. Learn from your mistakes and make sure there is no next time.
The turian shook his head. We turians are usually calm, collected, confident. Natural born leaders. I guess when it comes down to it, I'm not a very good Turian.
Shepard couldn't help but chortle. He placed a hand on Garrus' shoulder. I may not know what it takes to make one a good turian, but you'd make one hell of a human, he said trying to cheer him up.
Garrus returned the sentiment. Coming from anyone else, I'd beat them senseless, but from you, Shepard, I'll take that as a compliment. He took a little pause, then continued, lifting the hand he was holding his drink with, one finger extended and pointing at Shepard. You know who should never lead again? Ever?
Shepard's brow contorted, trying to think who he meant. Who? he gave up, eventually.
Woo! Wooo, yeah! Woo! The turian made his best impression of Jacob Taylor.
A loud guffaw came from the first human specter, in a rather uncharacteristic manner. I swear, I had no idea he was going to be like that, he defended himself. I would never have assigned him to lead the fire team, had I known that.
What the hell was that, anyway? Vakarian asked, curious and perplexed.
That was just Jacob being black, I guess, Shepard stated, as if that should explain anything.
You mean like Anderson? In spite of being well acquainted with Shepard, Garrus knew little about humans in general.
No, not like Anderson, Shepard clarified.
Why? What's so different about him? He looks pretty black to me, he inquired.
Oh, well, he's from London, you know, came the human's response.
Once again, it offered little in actually making any sense for the veteran marksman. I have no idea what that means, but I'll take your word for it. The omni-tool on his arm came to life. What? he quizzed, casually.
Oh, I'm fine Garrus, thanks for asking, Tali's voice chimed. It's not like I didn't want to be stuck outside of C-Sec academy while you, Jack, Samara and Mordin enjoyed the luxury of the councilor's apartment. No, I love going through reports all day, as well. Enough about me, though, how was your day?
I'm sorry , Tali, he tried to sound as earnest as possible. We all know and appreciate the hard work you're doing. I promise to drop by and keep you company a little later, he then took a small pause. So, what have you got for us?
You're not going to like this. There's been another murder. Shepard took a few steps back, the cheerful expression that was on his face no less than a second ago, now gone and went to sit on his cot. C-Sec hasn't made it to the scene yet. It's just an early report from a maid, but she talked about mutilation and carvings. It sounds like Billy. If you get there fast enough, you can access the crime scene before it gets tampered with. I'm sending you the coordinates now.
Alright, thanks, Tali. Garrus got up, ready to leave. We don't know it's him for certain, Shepard. It could be anyone, the turian indicated, although not even he believed himself.
Yeah, that's probably it, the man from the bunk retorted.
We'll have another, once this is all done and over with, ok? Vakarian downed his drink before leaving, then took a look at the glass, surprised by the savory taste of the liquid it previously contained. That's some grade A booze. Where did you find it? he felt compelled to ask.
Part of Bailey's 'Make Shepard Comfortable' act. You should ask him, on your way out, he remarked.
Will do. Anything you want me to tell the others? Garrus inquired.
Yeah, the human replied. Tell Jack I love her. And I miss her. And she was right.
The turian just nodded his head and left Shepard alone behind. As much as he hated doing so at that time, he really didn't have a choice, if he wanted to be of help.