Disclaimer: Bioware owns the Mass Effect series and its characters. I only own the OC's and changes to the plot.

POV Garvil

In my drunked state, it took a while for Anderson's words to process in my head. "What kind of proposition, sir?"

The jaded captain sat down on the stool next to me. "I'm the commanding officer of the Normandy, Captain Anderson. I am planning on leaving for a dangerous, important mission soon. I've heard of your recent mission about Cerberus. I think you would be a great asset to our team."

I turned away and put my arms on the counter, hanging my head between them to make the headache throb more gently. It took me a few seconds to formulate a response. "You heard wrong, captain. The only thing I achieved was getting my squad killed. You don't want someone like that on your team."

I looked up as I talked, staring at the various vials hung on the centerplace of the circular bar. I suddenly wasn't looking at the vials anymore. I realized shortly after that I had been slapped. "Listen to yourself. You're a soldier, and from what I hear, a damned good one. I'm not going to accept this talk from someone who's supposed to lead others." I turned to him again, dazed. I saw lines and blurs in his face from the drinks and the slap.

"I... I don't know. I've been moving from ship to ship so often, I'm not sure I want to do it anymore. Reynolds is a good captain, one I wouldn't mind fighting for."

Anderson's responding tone was softer than his last set. "What I'm offering is a demotion. I won't lie to you about that. There is a lot you will gain, however. You get to fight with some of the best in the Alliance, as well as the most advanced warship."

I stood up. Immediately I realized what a mistake that was, as the room began to swirl before my eyes. I regained my balance before responding. "I'm tempted, sir. I really am."

Anderson stood up and grabbed my arm, as I began to wobble again. "I'll be here for at least another twelve hours. If you decide to take me up on my offer, then go to the human ambassador's office and talk to Ambassador Udina. One other thing; do yourself a favor and stop drinking. I won't accept someone on my ship who can't be focused on a mission." He let go and I heard his first few steps as he left. I looked after him until he turned a corner. I hesitated a moment, then stood up and walked to the entrance. Somehow I managed to stumble all the way back to my hotel. I set my omni-tool to wake me up in six hours, then collapsed on my bed and drifted off to sleep.

I woke up sharply as my omni-tool's alarm function began ringing, and I sat up groggily. I had a headache and my brain still felt like jelly, but I stood up anyway and walked towards the bathroom. I didn't even have to pause to regain my balance this time. I'm glad that Asari-made beer runs its course quickly.

I took a quick shower, then changed into my casual clothes and turned on my omni-tool's primary mode. Now if Anderson, Reynold, or the Council contacted me, I'd be notified. I stretched and opened the front door. I jumped when I saw Captain Reynolds on the other side.

He smiled at me. "I was about to see if you were in. We need to talk."

I stepped aside and motioned for him to come in. "What is it sir?" My headache was beginning to recede, and my brain felt less numb than when I woke up.

He sat on the one chair in the room and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "You've been offered a spot on the Normandy."

I was sitting on the bed facing him. "The what? Is that the name of the ship Captain Anderson commands?"

He nodded. "Do you know what kind of opportunity this is? The Normandy is the first ship made with both human and turian designs. It's the most advanced warship in the fleet, bar none. The executive officer is one of the most famous soldiers in the entire fleet. Commander Garvil. I know your history and what you can do. You've been offered a chance to fight with the best. Only the best are given that opportunity."

"Wait, the executive officer is a famous soldier?"

He nodded again, then smiled and stood up. "Commander Shepard, hero of the Skyllian Blitz."

My eyes widened and I couldn't breathe for a moment. I was being offered a chance to work with the man who inspired me to become what I am? Me? This has to be some trick.

Reynolds noticed my reaction. "Think about it, son. I'm here to tell you that I'm willing to transfer you to Anderson's command if you wish to accept his offer. I'm not sure when you'll be able to next fight if you remain with me, and you might end up being forcefully transferred anyhow." He turned and walked to the door. Without hesitation, he opened the door and walked out of the room. I was still in shock. Remembering Anderson's words about where to go, I strengthened my resolve and decided to take him up on his offer. I signalled a shuttle to take me to the Presidium, and I stepped out with apprehension. I was nervous about this transfer.

The nearby Avina console gave me directions to the Human Embassy, and it took me several minutes to arrive. I stepped up to the section of the presidium dedicated to the various race's embassies and walked to the receptionist. The asari smiled at me and answered my question about where Udina was located. I walked up a short flight of stairs and walked up to the first door on the right. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and took a step inside. Anderson and another grizzled middle aged man were in the "room". It looked more like an extended balcony to me. The man I assumed was Udina sat behind a desk, with Anderson leaning on the edge of it. Both of them had looked up when I entered the room.

Anderson walked up to me and stuck out his hand. I grabbed and shook it firmly, then followed him back to the ambassador's desk. Udina looked at me with derision, although I had a fleeting suspicion that he was always like this. "You don't look like much, Garvil. I was expecting someone with a little more muscle."

"Quiet down Udina. You're looking at one of the most powerful biotics humanity has ever had." He turned and looked at me, putting his hands behind his back in typical officer form. "I assume you're here about my offer, Mr. Garvil?"

I nodded and sat down in the chair on the other side of Udina's desk. "I've given it some thought and talked to Reynolds about it. I've decided that I'd like to join your crew, captain."

He smiled at me. "My XO contacted me not long ago stating that he'll be here soon. I assume that he has an update regarding his mission here. Wait here until he arrives; I want you to meet him before we leave."

I nodded and leaned back in my chair, putting my right arm over my left and draping my right arm over the back of the chair. I smiled, knowing that I was finally going to meet the man I was hoping to see for years.

POV Shepard

I rushed out of Chora's Den and ran the edge of the bar to the various corridors in the ward. Fist had talked, stating that the quarian we had been looking for was in one of them, meeting the Shadow Broker's agents. This quarian was possibly the only chance we had to prove Saren was a traitor. The turian spectre had killed one of his own kind and another spectre, Nihlus, in our previous mission on Eden Prime. I found out right before the mission that Nihlus was there to see if I was spectre material. Anderson recognized Saren from a witness on Eden Prime's description, but the council would not listen. We found out that the turian Citadel Security agent in charge of investigating the Eden Prime incident might have leads. We tracked him to a medical clinic, where the doctor told us about a quarian that had stayed there several days ago. The quarian was looking for safety due to having information about the geth. We were told to go to Fist, the head of Chora's den, where he had supposedly went against the Shadow Broker's back to sell the quarian's information to Saren. We quickly picked up a krogan battlemaster named Wrex and went to take him out.

We only had a few minutes to get to the quarian before the information was compromised, and we booked it through the various corridors to the location Fist told us about. I turned a last corner and saw two figures in the middle of the district. One definitely was a quarian suit, and the other looked like a turian. I motioned for Wrex and Garrus to stay stealthy, in case the turian decided to kill the quarian upon us showing ourselves, then ducked behind a box. I was in hearing distance of the conversation.

"Where's the Shadow Broker? Where's Fist?" The quarian had an accent I couldn't quite recognize. I peeked around the edge of the box until I could see both of the figures clearly. I was lucky that the lighting was poor in this section of the wards, so the turian couldn't see me in return.

The said turian put his scaled hand on a side of the quarian's mask. He looked amused. He began sliding his hand down her suit as he talked, his eyes following it's progress. "He'll be here, honey. Where's the evidence." The quarian batted his hand away when it reached her breast.

"No way. The deal's off."

The turian laughed and signaled. Two suited men appeared from behind a nearby box on the other side of us. I couldn't tell, but they looked like salarians. The quarian reacted impressively fact, throwing a mine at the assassins and rolling to a side. The mine blew up, staggering the would-be assassins. I signaled my squad to move and jumped out from behind cover, shooting at the remaining assassins and the turian. It was a quick battle. The assassins didn't know how to react to a vicious krogan rushing at them with a shotgun in it's arms.

I walked up to the quarian and put my arm out. "Are you all right?"

She nodded and took my hand. I helped her stand up from where she had been leaning against the wall. "Thank you. I'm not sure what would have happened if you didn't come. My name is Tali'Zorah nar Rayya."

I smiled and turned around, motioning her to walk with me down the corridor. "My name's Commander Shepard. I've been notified that you have information regarding Saren and the geth."

She stopped suddenly, and took a step back when I turned to her. "You're after the information too?"

I held my hands up with my palms out, indicating nonaggression. "I want that information to present to the council. I'm not interested in hurting you for it. I am part of the Alliance Military, I can offer you protection."

She sighed as if she had been holding her breath, then walked back up to my side. "Then I can repay you for saving my life. Lead the way, commander."

I met up with Kaidan and Ashley in the market district, then walked into Udina's office. Udina was behind his desk as usual, Anderson was standing nearby, and a man I didn't recognize was sitting in the only chair in in front of the desk. As I walked in, he turned to face me, then hastily stood up.

Udina looked up, noticed who had just walked in, stood up. His face displayed annoyance and exasperation. "Do you have any idea what you have caused, Shepard? A firefight in the wards, killing the head of Chora's Den? I should-" He suddenly noticed who had followed me in. "A krogan? A quarian?"

I held my hand up to stop him and took a step forward. "If you can let me speak for just a minute, ambassador, I can make your day."

Udina put his hand over his face for a second, then sighed. "I'm sorry, Shepard. This deal with Saren just has me on edge."

I turned and motioned for Tali to step forward. Udina began by asking her, "We don't see many quarians outside of the flotilla. Why are you here?"

"I'm on my pilgrimage, a tradition where a quarian leaves the fleet at an adult age and searches the stars for a suitable gift to return to the fleet. It could be food, supplies, technology, even knowledge on making the flotilla better. We have the pilgrimage to prove we will not be a burdon on the fleet's limited resources."

I folded my arms and responded, "How did you find the evidence?"

She began pacing as she told the rest of her story. "I was investigating the veil. I found a squad of geth outside of it, which hasn't happened in centuries. I tracked it to an uncharted world, then followed them until one of them became seperated from the rest. I took it out and retrieved its memory core. Most of it had been wiped out before I saved the information, but some sound files were saved. The information contained inside was incredibly important, so I felt I had to keep the information safe." She stopped and hung her head. "I made a mistake in contacting the Shadow Broker."

I was about to speak, but Anderson got there first. "The information is safe with us. What did you find out about Saren?"

Tali activated her omni-tool and pressed a few buttons. Suddenly, it began to speak. A voice I recognized from the hearing. "Eden Prime was a major victory. We are one step closer to finding the conduit."

Anderson spoke next. "This sound file proves that Saren was part of the attack! Eden Prime may have been a victory for him, but now he won't have the support of the council."

The man I had never met put his hand to his chin and responded thoughtfully, "The conduit? What does Eden Prime have to do with whatever that is?

Anderson responded excitedly, obviously put into a good mood by the evidence. "It could be anything. It must be important if Saren's putting so much effort to getting to it.

Tali interrupted our conversation with, "Wait! There's more. Saren wasn't working alone."

The sound file played again. It was just as chilling the second time. A second voice spoke next, a cold, female one, although I couldn't recognize it. "And one step closer to the return of the reapers."

The man I didn't know spoke again. "Hold on. Reapers? I've never heard of them." He appeared confused, as if the idea was something he felt he should've known about.

Tali spoke again, explaining about the reapers. "The reapers are a synthetic race that came to the galaxy 50,000 years ago and wiped out the protheans. Afterwards, they simply vanished. The geth revere them as gods."

Udina interrupted her explanation at that point, obviously skeptical. "This sounds far-fetched to me. Are you sure you're not delving into fairy tales?"

I had a revelation. I didn't let Tali respond, instead interjecting with, "My vision! I was watching the protheans being wiped out by the reapers!" I took a step towards Anderson and Udina and continued, "We have to tell the council about this. It can effect every species in council space."

Anderson sighed and responded with, "I doubt the council will believe us. Either way, we have proof that Saren's a traitor. There's no way they can ignore this."

Udina nodded and sat down at his desk. "I'll request a meeting with the council. They have to hear this immediately."

Ashley stepped up and asked the question I had a feeling she would ask. "What about her?" She motioned towards Tali, not exactly with kindness.

Tali responded indignantly. "My name is Tali!" She took a second to calm down before asking me, "You've seen me in the alley. You know what I can do, commander. Let me join you."

I nodded and turned to Ashley with a look that stated that my decision was final. "We'll be glad to have you along with us, Tali."

Ashley hung her head slightly as Tali moved from the side of the room to beside me. "Thanks. You won't regret this." She sounded relieved and happy.

Anderson motioned for the man standing behind the chair to step forward and did so himself. "One other thing commander. This man is Marcus Garvil. I offered for him to join your team on the missions ahead, and he has agreed to come along."

I had heard of the man. I held my hand out and he grabbed it. After a quick shake, I said, "I've heard of you Mr. Garvil. Good to have you on the team."

He smiled warmly and saluted me sharply. "It's nice to meet you too sir."

Udina stood up from behind his desk and walked back towards us. This time, he walked straight to the door and talked while he moved. "The council will see us immediately. Anderson, come with me. Shepard, come find us when you're ready." He walked out the door, Anderson following. The latter nodded to me before the door closed behind him.

I turned back to Marcus and asked him, "Did Anderson fill you in on the mission?"

He shook his head and sat on the back of the chair, folding his arms. "All this is new to me, sir. I don't know anything about what you all were talking about just now."

I laughed and put my hand on his shoulder. "I'll fill you in on the way. Let's go."

POV Garvil

I stayed at Shepard's side as he led the group of us to the council's audience chamber. He filled me in on what had happened from the distress call, Eden Prime, the beacon, and the investiation on Saren. I listened attentively, fairly impressed at how unusual this type of mission was. I was apprehensive as we climbed the stairs to where the council held their sessions. I stood back with the rest of the crew as Shepard joined Udina and Anderson aboard the floor strip in front of the council. Udina was playing Tali's evidence.

"...And one step closer to the return of the reapers."

The Turian councilor spoke up first. "This evidence is irrefutable. We will strip Saren of his spectre status immediately."

The Asari councilor spoke next. "Wait. That second voice, I recognize that. It's Matriarch Benezia, one of our best biotics and advisors. If she's working with Saren, then he has a very formidable ally."

The Salarian councilor had the next comment. "I'm more concerned about the conduit. Why is Saren after it?"

Shepard shook his head and responded, "I don't know councilor. Benezia mentioned reapers. They were a synthetic race that destroyed the protheans 50,000 years ago. If the conduit is a key to bringing them back..." He trailed off.

The Salarian spoke again. "Are you sure these reapers exist, commander?"

Shepard took a single step forward and brought his hand forward in a fist. "I've seen it, councilor. I know they exist." He was indicating his vision.

The Turian councilor spoke again, changing the topic. "This talk about 'reapers' is getting us nowhere. We should focus on what we know."

The Asari councilor continued his thought. "I agree. We can worry about whether the reapers are true or not when Saren is dealt with."

Shepard suggested, "What are you waiting for? Send your fleet in!"

The Turian shook his head in annoyance. "And risk a war with the entire terminus systems? A single man can evade a fleet for a long time, commander. They're incredibly easy to track. We'll never be able to find him."

Shepard responded immediately with, "A fleet might be easy to track, but a single ship isn't that easy."

The response from the Turian was in shock. "You're suggesting- It's too soon!"

The Asari turned to him and stated in a pacifying voice, "He's right. One ship can do what a fleet can't. And he's already proved himself."

The Turian finally nodded agreement. The three of them began a ritual. I leaned forward on the rail in interest. I was curious as to what was about to happen.

The Asari spoke again. "Commander Shepard, step forward."

Shepard looked at Anderson, who nodded in encouragement. He stepped towards the edge and stood tall.

The Asari spoke again, this time with authority. "It is the decision of the council that you be granted all the powers and the priveleges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the citadel."

The Salarian continued where the Asari left off. "Spectres aren't trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fires of service and battle. Those who's actions elevate them above the rank and file."

The Asari continued, "Spectres are an idea, a symbol, the embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the council, instruments of our will."

The Turian finished the chant with, "Spectres bear a great burdon. They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."

There was a pause. Shepard bowed and took a step back.

"Congratulations, Commander," The Asari began, "This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species."

Shepard bowed his head again. "I'm honored, councilor."

"As a spectre, you have special access to our prime stocks and supplies." The Turian spoke this time, doing what appeared to be a full 180 from disapproval to helpfulness. "Your first mission as a spectre is this: Find Saren and bring him to justice."

Shepard nodded. "I'll find him councilor."

The Salarian concluded the meeting with, "We will forward the leads we have to your omni-tool commander. We will also forward more information regarding the spectres and what you will be expected to do. Good luck commander."

Shepard nodded and turned to face us, a big grin on his face. Anderson shook his hand, but Udina looked lost in thought. "You're a spectre now. You'll need your own ship, a crew, supplies. I'll need some help setting this up, Anderson." Anderson nodded. "Meet me in my office. We'll have this ready in a few hours Shepard. I'll message you when we're prepared." With that, the two of them left. Shepard walked up to us with the grin still on his face.

I smiled and shook his hand again. I was having mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I was happy I could see such a rare ritual. Especially one to a man I greatly respected. On the other hand, I had gotten used to being the top of everything I was a part of. I pushed away the jealousy the best I could and walked with the rest of the group to the entrance of the tower.

"Well everyone, we have a few hours. You're free to do what you want in the citadel until we're ready to leave. I'll message you when it's time to go," Shepard told all of us. Everyone nodded and began to move in separate directions. I started to walk towards the nearest transit station, but I was stopped when Shepard spoke again. "Marcus, can I talk to you for a bit?" I turned in surprise and nodded. He walked up to my side and we began walking across the presidium.

We walked across a bridge and he started with, "I'm curious about you, Marcus. Tell me more about yourself."

I sighed and responded with, "I am the some of Jonathon Garvil, head of the Garvil corporation. I always yearned to be in the military, but he was very restrictive in what he allowed me to do. Eventually I was approached by a scientist and told I could be a biotic. I went to one of the bigger space stations and was told that I'd have to be transferred to a specialized one, since apparantly my biotics are powerful enough to not even need an implant." Shepard gave an impressed whistle. "I got one anyway, but I've been careful not to use them too much. It took three years to learn how to use my biotics well enough to be used in fights. Afterwards, I joined the N7 program."

Shepard interrupted me there. "Ah yes, I remember that. I graduated from it as well. It's incredibly grueling, but the skills I learned there have saved my life and others many times."

"Are you talking about the Skyllian Blitz? I heard about that when I was in biotic school. It was the most inspiring thing I had seen. It's the reason I was able to graduate so quickly."

Shepard looked at me in surprise. "I-I'm flattered. I was just doing what felt right at the time."

We stepped off the bridge and I stopped for a moment to stretch. Shepard walked another step, then leaned against a statue. I started walking again, starting the conversation again with, "I did the same thing against Cerberus. I did was felt right, but it wasn't enough. I still lost my whole squad. I haven't gotten over it."

I felt his hand on my shoulder. "You can't save everyone. What matters is that you did all you could."

I nodded and changed the subject. "So how about you? What's your story?"

He let out a small smile. "I was raised on a ship. My mother was a captain. Still is, actually. She raised me alone; I never met my father. I enlisted as soon as I was able to. I had seen the vids of combat since I was a kid and it was all I could think about." His smile grew as he stared in the distance, deep in thought. A nearby asari gave him a strange look as she passed him. I returned it to her when I saw, but she didn't notice. "I was offered a chance to join the N7 program soon after. I achieved the final ranking after the Skyllian Blitz. I remember my mother saying that night that it was her proudest moment. Soon after, I was chosen by the Captain to be the executive officer, and here I am. You know what happens afterwards."

As we continued talking as we walked towards the wards, my already great respect for the man was only growing.

Three hours later, I was sitting in my hotel room, waiting for Shepard's message. I had already packed what little I had and straightened up the room as best I could. Shepard and I had talked for a little longer, then went our seperate ways to prepare. I had already contacted the council and they had given me leave to exit the system.

I stifled a yawn as my omni-tool lit up. "Everyone, it's time. Meet me in front of the entrance to docking bay D-65 in ten minutes." My omni-tool turned off again and I stood up. Smiling slightly, I left the room and left my key at the front desk. I left the hotel and gave one last look at the presidium. It was just as breathtaking as the first time I saw it.

I saw everyone already assembled as I entered the C-Sec headquarters on this side of Zakera Ward. We all took the elevator together, which was a bad idea. I never again want to ever smell what I believe was krogan armpit ever again. The ride eventually ended as the door opened to reveal Anderson and Udina. Shepard took the lead.

Udina began with, "Commander. Anderson is stepping down as captain of the Normandy." Anderson nodded, no sarcasm or a hint of a joke in his face. He was serious.

Shepard looked in disbelief at the two of them. "But... it's your ship captain. I can't let you just leave."

Anderson held up a hand to stop him there. "He's right, commander. I need to step down. You're a spectre now. You don't answer to us anymore. I'm getting old, either way. I was planning on retiring soon anyway." Shepard shook his head, but seemed to accept Anderson's reasoning. "She's your ship now, commander. Treat her well."

Shepard saluted one last time, which Anderson returned. Udina was next to speak. "There are two locations where Geth have been sighted. Feros and Noveria. The details are included on your omni-tool."

Anderson continued where Udina left off with, "There's a third lead that might be worth following. Dr. T'Soni is an archeologist and the only daughter of Matriarch Benezia. She's been researching the protheans for decades. She might be able to help you find out more about the conduit."

Udina nodded and finalized with, "It's up to you Shepard. Anderson can answer any questions you have. I'll be in my office when you're done here, Anderson." After that, he walked to the elevator, then disappeared from view as the door closed.

Shepard turned to the rest of us. "Get situated on the ship, everyone. I want to talk to Anderson before we leave."

I nodded along with everyone else, then walked to the airlock. The ship was breathtaking, more elaborate on the outside than any other ship I had been a part of. My apprehension returned. It had never sunk in until that moment how momentous this mission was. I hoped my nerves could handle the pressure.

With only a small hesitation and a short decontamination, I took my first step into the Normandy.