In 2157, humanity discovered that we are not alone… Our solar system, "the Sol System", discovered an anomaly-called the Fortress. Along with it, we discovered the Mass Relay Systems which can take spacial vehicles across further distances in shorter time. Both discoveries were built by the Protheans-an extinct race of aliens.
Only until it was too late did we learn the purpose of their creations. Another race, the malignant sentient machine race we called the Reapers, were the cause of a galactic organic purge every 50,000 years. They hid in Dark Space, making it seem as if they never existed, until the next cycle occurred. We learned that they "harvested"-or kept one specimen preserved while converting the rest into hollow mindless robotic husks continuing the slaughter. The advanced races or resisting ones were always the first and only taken; unlike the younger ones, who were left alone until the next cycle.
My name is Jane Shepard.
I am in technical terms-a human cyborg-but we use the jargon Biotics for any alien race that uses prosthetics, robotics, or holographic implant armor. Mine are in my four limbs, abdomen, and my spinal cord.
My older brother John Shepard is also a Biotic. Our parents, who are non-synthetics died when we were young during the First Contact Wars and Earth was then united at 18 enlisted into the Alliance Naval Section, a militant organization not only for the whole of Earth but other alien races as well.
John was the first to warn us about the Reapers when a rogue Spectre-the highest elite Alliance member-Saren the Turian- sent a signal from a human colony on Eden Prime into Dark Space to signal the Reapers for the next genocide. John killed Saren, only he was too late. Because John and his team accomplished this difficult task, the United Council of Alien Races at the Fortress gave humanity a chair, and Councilor Udina gave my brother the first human ever the title of his next mission he encountered new races of people, gaining allies and committing to justice. Another race we called the Collectors, were the assimilated form of Protheans into Reapers. We also encountered a terroristic pro-human group called Cerberus lead by a man with the alias of Illusive Man, who had suspicious motives.
Unlike my brother, I initially joined Cerberus as a spy hired for the Alliance Military. Though I did it with good intentions to prevent the Collectors and Reapers from destroying us. I joined my brother and his allies, such as Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams and Major Kaidan Alenko. We destroyed the Collector base, but at great cost. I only learned of these things until later, but they are something I'll never forget.
John loved Ashley, but couldn't save her in time. I saved Kaiden but I was more or less killed…
I want you to know children that when I tell you of this story, of all the choices and mistakes we made-that I made-the reasons I made them, please learn from them.
I woke in a hospital that seemed spacious, quiet, and sterile. It smelled of alcohol and other chemicals I couldn't really identify. I awoke feeling groggy, not really knowing where I was. Looking outside, I saw that it was guarded heavily. My eyes blurred, but I could have sworn I saw the logo of the Alliance. It is reasonable to assume that I was at the Fortress and that we accomplished our mission. Thank God that the Collectors were stopped.
John was probably at Purgatory, drinking at the bar with Joker. James and Cortez were likely playing poker. Kaidan and Garrus were probably wandering around the market for exquisite weaponry for a hard earned victory. John most likely-at least in my mind at the time-was flirting with Ashley or Tali. Knowing him it would be both. John was always a ladies' man. I loved many men, but I always ended in tears from betrayal or their untimely deaths. Imagining what they were doing gave me a sense that everything was pleasant. Unfortunately, I was far from it.
My heart jumped at the sound of gunfire outside my room, hearing heavily armored bodies drop to the ground. My door opened and I was completely defenseless. Hoping that my arm implants were functional, I brought out my omnitool unleashing a holographic blade. In came through the door my own brother, John. He was accompanied by Kaidan and Garrus. It was strange to see them all in their battle uniforms. Why would they need their armor? Unless…We were not in the Fortress but at some point from earlier this week the docs lied. I knew immediately that it was a Cerberus Base instead of the Alliance's hospital.
Though weakly I got up, "Hey you three, I think the staff's gonna be pretty pissed to see that you killed my receptionists. I'm not even dressed for visitors."
Garrus clicked his mandibles and laughed, "Shepard even in a paper dress you look amazingly healthy and besides you always had a knack of terribly timed wit."
Kaidan looked me up and down, almost in a doubting look as if he'd seen a ghost. All of them did, but at least Garrus talked first.
"Do you think you can run?" Kaidan asked in a concerned tone.
"Yeah I'll be fine." I replied.
Without even looking at me John said, "Jane you'll have to move fast to the shuttle, Cerberus won't be happy that you're gone.
I nodded. Soon, the four of us were navigating our way through the hospital, fighting our way to the outside world. John tossed my Javelin to me so I wouldn't be entirely helpless. Left and right we picked off stray Cerberus guards making our way through the darkness and back into the outside light. Bursting through the doors, we fought our way to the shuttle; Cortez was most likely at the wheel doing his best to not get shot at. We all eventually got onto the shuttle, and were zooming out of harm's way towards the Normandy.
When I was on the shuttle, Cortez gave me an awkward hello, and soon when we were docked with the Normandy, I got even more stares from people I slightly remembered and new faces that we foreign to me. My appearance was ghastly-my short black pixie cut was in disarray, my skin was bruised up, and all I wore was a hospital gown that barely covered the goods.
John ordered once we docked, "Jane, go to the Conference room ASAP. You too, Alenko, Vakarian, T'Soni, and Tali." The gaggle of people that surrounded me when we docked consisted of all the familiar faces and the unfamiliar ones shuffling about doing work, but was clearly distracted at my presence. Most clapped, but I was oblivious as to why. Many 'welcome backs' were mentioned, but I had a gut feeling I was about to find out why we were so missed.
Going to the Captain's Cabin on the first floor of the Normandy, I dressed and took care of my appearance. It was lovely to not be bed ridden, I felt when I woke like it was after a long sleep. I heard voices during the sleep, and felt physically fine, but I was just really tired. When I got out of bed it was like grogginess, but I quickly adjusted to it. Everything seemed different, like a great deal of time passed though it felt like maybe a week to me. I was all right now, and my uniform was above into the Conference Room with the others felt like a million stares instead of the few that it was. John came at me with a hug. When he let go he began with, "Jane, I will debrief you but tell me what you know first."
"I knew after we destroyed the Collector base I was a dead woman because both Alliance and Cerberus were there. I knew Alliance wanted a dead enemy, but the Illusive Man wanted data… When I reopened my eyes my Biotics felt different…a little bit older if that makes sense. The doctors told me I was in an Alliance base, but clearly they were lying, which is why I was confused when you broke me out. I guess they knew I was a mole and tried to get info out of me when they woke me up, but I said nothing. How they had the tech to save me I've no clue."
"What kind of data did he need?" John probed.
"It was about indoctrination on humans and something else I couldn't decrypt, but I saved it for Liara to analyze." I replied.
"All I can remember is that after the Collector Base it was like I pushed something then got hit on the head. I woke up and it seemed like a week had passed…then when I woke up today well…"
Kaidan looked ashamed almost. He had a way of showing guilt and pain in a subtle way. I knew of it since Kaidan and I are close…closer than what we should be. Garrus is the same way, he clicked his jaw quietly, most would disregard it-I knew he was thinking of something profound. Garrus and I are also too close…
John said, "If that is all, then I need to tell you," he paused with an uncomfortable silence. Tali grabbed his hand, thinking I wouldn't notice. I didn't point it out though, even though John's promiscuous ways were technically against regs since the women he chose were also Alliance Military.
"You've been clinically brain dead for about a year according to the Cerberus files we found before we broke you out. They revived you after they captured you at the Collector Base, and as you know we broke you out today for not only gaining information, but rescuing a fellow Commander, and…friend." After he concluded, it dawned on me why so much time had seemingly passed for them and not for me at all. And by the faces, they must've learned that I was undercover in Cerberus, which most likely made someone doubt my loyalties.
I knew that Admiral Tali Z'orah was there for my brother's emotional balance. John must've know my personal relationships with both Kaidan and Garrus and brought them there other than the fact that all of Command Staff (everyone in the Conference Room) was briefed on everything pertinent to what was what we said which would result in the Alliance's preservation of our galaxy. I knew Dr. Liara T'Soni was there for the actual data analysis of the Intel I gathered whilst undercover. It all made sense.
"Since we have all been briefed on the exchange of info, you are dismissed." With that, everyone left to go do their respective duties in their respective locations. It almost felt pointless, but the only way to discreetly tell the Normandy of my so-called adventures was to let it go by word of mouth than bluntly over the intercom.
Kaidan pulled me aside after everyone awkwardly left; only we remained in that shrinking room.
"When were you going to tell me about your relationship with Cerberus?"
"Kaidan, you can't take this personally. Hell, the only reason you and I have gotten away with our relationship is because the Alliance doesn't care who we are dating when the galaxy is at war with exterminators, their plates are full." I snapped back. He looked pissed at my snappishness. Even in our childhood we fought, but never like this. I could tell he doubted me, maybe questioned my loyalty. I sure as hell will never question his.
"I love you Jane, but you may have been ordered to do this; however, some part of you must have wanted it to make it convincing…" Kaidan trailed off. Back before the relatively short First Contact Wars, Kaidan, John, and I would always play together promising to take care of each other no matter what in the future since my parents were gone. He came from Vancouver and we were native to America. I knew him well then as I do now, and so we always seemed to know each other's thoughts.
"I didn't sleep with the Illusive Man and I have no love to that organization. The fact that he said you can't fight a reigniting fire with water but with its own fire let me know that he is power-hungry and really doesn't have humanity's best interest at heart like we do. I am an Alliance-hired spy first that will never change not even at pain of death." I said this getting close to him. His eyes seemed slightly convinced, yet he gravitated closer. Only slightly taller than me, he bent his head towards me, breathing my breath as I breathed his.
"I love you Kaidan. We have been through so much together, and I can't fight without you. Fight with me, it should be the Reapers that fear and doubt us not ourselves." I whispered this to him while he grabbed my waist onto his own.
"I'm sorry about the way I feel I lost you once, I just can't bear the idea to lose you again, or to let you live with them, because if I have to shoot you..."
Sighing, he and I knew there would be no resolve yet. We gently kissed each other and were then interrupted by Joker on the intercom.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Normandy we are approaching Earth. I've been notified that we will land at Docking Bay 24 and we will be inspected by Admiral Anderson. Prep up now. Joker out."
"I guess we need to prep huh?" I said to Kaidan.
"I guess we should, or we could do something stupid." Kaidan responded.
"Like what?"
"Getting married." Kaidan seriously offered. I laughed.
"After this impending war and assuming we both live, why not? We are so getting our asses handed to us just for secretly dating. Hell, I'm surprised that John has screwed around with at least five crew women and hasn't had consequences yet." I mumbled.
"You have always had your moral code yet here you are breaking Alliance rules." Kaidan laughed as he held me against him. "Yeah and John's my opposite older brother, your point is?" Kaidan just smirked. "When we marry Kaidan, it better not be in Canada." He smiled.
After letting go, we both went about our duties to prepare for this random, suspicious, and ill-timed ship inspection. A red flag went up. Why would Anderson need to inspect Normandy unless we were harboring weapons of mass destruction without authorization? I seriously doubted it was just a white-glove test in the preparations of an imminent war. Then again I could be wrong, unless…our crew was grounded and the ship is temporarily put back into storage…I guess I'll find out when we land.
In my cabin I readjusted myself back into this foreign looking world. A year has passed since the Collector homeworld was destroyed by my brother's squad with my help. Everything on my personal laptop was odd. All my official docs like banking, taxes, e-mails, encrypted mission assignments from Alliance; everything was blank for a whole year. Even the junk mail for Canadian Lagers stopped.
A knock at my door startled me. Damn PTSD. Opening up the door I saw Garrus. I knew what he wanted. "Come on in Vakarian." His glittering alien black and blue eyes seemed distraught.
"Thanks Shepard, I hope I wasn't interrupting…" He paused.
"No, I don't mind. I'll always have time for you too." I smiled a weak smile. His jaw clicked happily to my gesture.
We both sat at my small couch and before I opened my mouth he began with, "How much of the Turian physiology do you know?"
"I can tell the important difference between boys and girls if that's what you mean. Or are you referring how to not kill one?" I jokingly asked. His greenish scaly cheeks above his mandibles blushed blue since his blood was blue when oxygen touched it, unlike ours.
"Ha-ha, Shep that's good but not what not what I'm talking about." I pulled out two shot glasses and filled them with chocolate vodka. Sipping his drink, "Thank you. I know that my reptilian appearance is not the most appealing to humans and I know of your feelings for Major Alenko and his return of them." He looked at me as if waiting for an invitation to continue. I placed my hand on his, stroking his larger and fewer fingers with my own, asking him to continue with only my eyes.
"Turians, much like some animals on your Earth, have an almost instantaneous bond with one individual. This is, most likely on some atomic level, the ways of our bodies saying reproduce with the best choice so our species can survive, even if it's a hybrid."
I cut in with a joke, "Oh God you're not pregnant with and Asari's kid are you?" He laughed, "This bond is like gravity, and when I saw you I knew. Of course, this doesn't mean romance necessarily, but it can result like that. All I am saying is that other than your brother and Major Alenko, I feel more for you than mere respect that the Normandy crew members feel."
Continuing he said, "This relationship of imprinting is called, as the translator says, 'bonding-mates' which as I said before can range from closer than siblings to mating pairs." After he was done, I blushed. He loves me in addition to this primitive alien response; I knew he wasn't telling me this just so I'd know; he was probing for my response no matter how negative, he just needed to know.
"Garrus, you know I love you but like you said there are different types of love. But don't worry the feeling is mutual. We'll be together forever, I promise." I clenched his clawed hands in mine.
With that he seemed relieved and happy as I was. "Thank you Jane, and know that your family is mine, and I will protect John, Kaidan, James, or anyone you hold dear with my life."
"You and I share that same 'military is family and defend each other until death' idea. Thank you Garrus, we will win this war and live out our ends on some beachy place, I swear." He and I gently kissed the corners of our mouths, brushing our cheeks, and then placing our foreheads on each other's.
"If we survive this war, with Kaidan and John's permission of course, I'd love to take you to Palaven and have the Bonding Ceremony if you would so honor me by doing so." Garrus requested. Blushing I accepted.
Soon after I left my cabin, everyone was ready. We are home on Earth.
Docking was relatively fast, John ran the ship very smoothly. I was glad that the Council and Alliance made him Spectre and Commander during my absence. Now that we are home, he can continue his Spectre duties where they're needed.
We were greeted by Admiral Anderson who had a grim face that seemed to only smile at John and my own appearance. Saluting I said, "Good afternoon Admiral Anderson." John did the same.
"At ease you two. Thank God you're all right Shepard, your brother was right to break you out of Cerberus. Fortunately, he sent Liara's work to us. That data was about controlling the Reapers if they showed up. You did good Jane." Anderson smiled. "Now although you two are my personal favorites, I'm afraid I have bad news."
"Thanks sir, but what is it?" I asked. Noticing John was quiet, I had a feeling he already knew.
The three of us walked toward the Alliance & Council HQ on Earth. "Your brother retrieved you not only for personal reasons, but because he had to recover the data and you since he failed a year ago." Before I said anything Anderson continued, "Destroying the Collector homeworld, according to the Council, not the Alliance, was not his primary objective. His mission was getting you and the data. Of course, when we thought you were dead it seemed a failure, but Intel from a raid on a Cerberus lab provided us hope of your revival. Not only did your rescue redeem his "mistake" as the Council puts it, but I think he wanted his little sister back."
"That makes sense, so I'm guessing the warm welcome really is a grounding of ship, crew, and assets for the moment right?" I inferred.
"It was far more than that Jane." John finally spoke up.
"I'm afraid so. You see, your brother was on house arrest but broke protocols to get you back here. Maybe they'll ease up on him and actually listen to you both about your warnings of the impending Reaper threat. God knows we can't survive an invasion let alone genocide." Anderson huffed.
"Extermination will not happen; it's a matter of prepping and stopping them. When it will happen we don't know." I said. John added, "Nothing happens unless the Council says so. We could fight the Reapers for a hundred years and until they're done debating it, they'll declare war once we are done one way or another."
Entering the Conference Room Anderson got Liara's presentation so that we could defend John and provide enough evidence that we need to prepare for the brink of war. I uploaded everything on my arm implant and knew that we could possibly convince the minor Earth-based human Council and hopefully, after their debated consensus, we could convince the Council at the Fortress.
John was called forward by one of the five Councilors to the center of the room. Suddenly, the first Councilor spoke stating John's charges, "…do you acknowledge these charges and their terms?"
"I do." John solemnly said in his baritone voice. I remained silent. Anderson spoke, "Although none of you heeded the warnings of either Shepard, and would rather debate over something else; we come forward with evidence that the Reaper threat is imminent and we have a solution for it as well, if you'll hear us out."
A second Councilor spoke, "We will hear you, but this doesn't guarantee we will fight this so-called threat since there hasn't been any incident worthy of significant attention."
Liara presented them with the device we barely knew of and explained how in each cycle from each race built upon it, improved it, in hopes to complete it to defeat the Reapers. The Councilor's unanimously agreed-against us that is. I then spoke passionately, "Every politician in human history has ignored the signs when threats were imminent, but you never listen to the people or its military when you needed to. Next thing you know we are asked in school's if we could travel through time if we want to dine with Jesus or shoot Hitler. My brother may have not completed his primary objective when I died, but not only did he amend for it, but he also found something of more importance. When I risked my own life working for Cerberus to gain this data, to not only convince you of a threat but a hope to stop it-all you can simply say 'it doesn't concern us.'"
The fifth Councilor looked directly at me, "Even if we are threatened by these so-called Reapers, and we do as you say we are still doomed. None of the other races will join our cause."
"Are you really arrogant enough to presume that we are the only targets? The Reapers are not interested in talking; hell, they most likely don't want war but extermination of all organic life! The only way to survive is if we work together with the others and build this device to ensure a peaceful future for ourselves. The peace between races won't last, but the alliance is sure as hell better than being divided among a common enemy!"
I stood fiercely among all five of them. All were so thick headed they'd never learn to help anyone other themselves when it really concerned them.
"You dare insult us and then try to bully us into funding and engaging lies by Cerberus? Reapers do not exist nor does this mean that this supposed device works!" The third Councilor spat through gritted teeth.
"I'm trying to help us by preparing us. I hope that I am wrong; but if I am right then we need to prepare now!" I shot back.
Hope glimmered in one of the seemingly swayed Councilors, "If what you all say is true it is predictable to a 50,000 year time correct? If that is the case we can be prepared and wait for them, we have more hope than you think."
"I'll bite, yes assuming they stick to the predicted time, when do we know if it's now or ten years from now? The reason my colleagues and I are certain of it is because of Saren. He signaled them to start our slaughter." I spoke deliberately.
The same Councilor spoke again, "Saren was delusional and he was stopped. I hope that you all are not following his delusions. We will not discuss this matter further, it is a waste of time and I think I can speak on behalf of the Council that this is not immediately dire if indeed true."
"You preach peace as your profession. War is my profession. If you do fail, I assure you, I will NOT fail!" My silvery tongue gripped at them in that moment because it was timing of perfection.
All of a sudden in that moment I spoke, an alarm went off. Liara even checked on her arm implant, "Admiral Anderson, Luna Base has contacted Earth stating that we are under attack by a foreign enemy. Based upon the video footage," she paused and put it on a projection screen for all to see, "…those are Reapers attacking us."
Suddenly, with a gloating voice I stated, "Speak of the devil and he shall appear. But had you prepared as we have said and you wouldn't look as frightened as you are now."Anderson and John audibly smirked behind me. They knew my words and the alarm was a sign that in the end, we won against the Council.
Anderson said, "I guess this is like Pearl Harbor or 9-11 for America, and with each strike we fought back. The difference is that this is on a global, not a galactic scale. The question is, will you retaliate with a vengeance to defeat these bastards into oblivion, or will you wait to die?"
Without missing a beat a Councilor said, "On behalf of the Council, we relinquish the sentence upon the Spectre and reinstate his status. Your assignment, per our permission, is to convince the Galactic Council at the Fortress to unite and fight against the Reapers…We apologize we didn't listen, we should have prepared. But you four have provided humanity at least with some glimmer of hope."
Nodding, we left to immediately do as told. Though I was a government-hired spy-a civilian-not an Alliance fighter like my dearest brother, it hurt leaving Earth without attempting to fight. But I knew we had to leave, as ordered, to save our galaxy from Reapers.
Boarding the ship, Kaidan found me and asked quickly over the crashing noise of the Reapers destroying the city, "Are you ok?!"
I yelled back, "Yes! Tell Joker that we need to head to the Fortress immediately, as you can see we are under attack!"
Anderson turned to my brother, both following right behind me to the Normandy, "Shepard take your sister and the Normandy to the Fortress as ordered! I'm staying behind to help, you need to lead them!"
"Come with us!" John called out over the extreme noise of screaming and gunfire. The city was falling before my eyes. Blood, terror, and screams coated the air thickly, making my guts feel repulsed. Anderson shook his head, "That's an order John! Jane, convince them and save us!" I nodded and pulled my brother and Kaidan in the ship as the doors were closing. The last image of Earth I would have before returning to it would be of the Reapers destroying it. As the doors shut, I saw a little boy looking at me not moving, with intense fear, and slowly being consumed by fire.
Space, unlike the reaches of Earth, was quiet-far more quiet than ever before. I was unsettled by it because I knew that meant all the action was behind it, and the peace of space was surrounding us in a thick cool shell. I was in the Captain's Cabin again while we were waiting to go to the Fortress. My mind reminisced over what happened in the last few minutes: Kaidan running to inform the others to ready themselves, John and I ran to the bridge to tell Joker in person where to go, the omnitool would've picked up the background noise had we called him.
Everyone was shuffling about, panicking like chickens with their heads off. I yelled out orders, while the medical doctors tried to calm the extremely unstable crew members. Tech teams ran to and from the War Room and Engineering, arming the Normandy to protect itself. Medical staff took care of any injured persons from when the Normandy was grounded. Strategists and other specialists were on the bridge doing their jobs in a nervous sweat.
I called out commands in my omnitool over the intercom, informing the crew to remain calm, what had happened, what our orders from the Council were, and specified orders relayed from my brother to each sector to allow them to multitask while micromanaging. I looked at the bigger picture.
Once we were past the war zone, we made it to the Mass Relay so we can shoot ourselves across the galaxy to the Fortress for the sake of quadrillions or more lives. At the bridge, a tremor shot through my arm implant all the way into my spinal implant. I saw a vision, or a dream. Unknowingly crying out in pain from the electric shock that I felt in my chest as well, I saw things from the Reapers eyes:
Like a sectioned TV screen, I saw each planet with life that we knew of and didn't know of, become destroyed in the most grand of all genocides. I saw so much pain, so much oblivion, and it was coming to life from the Reaper's mere presence. But I felt fear from the Reapers; I didn't know they could feel fear like we did. I saw this grandiose, spatial, war-like device-it looked so familiar but I couldn't place it right away-that the Reapers needed yet didn't need. Why? Then the last image that flashed in my inner mind was a Reaper ship…it seemed to speak to me.
"Shepard, you seek a path that will lead you to destroy us, have no hope to succeed-you WILL fail. If you do succeed there will be more consequence than you can possibly imagine. We will annihilate you. Everything you have ever known, ever loved, will be destroyed I assure you."
"Life, peace, a future for all living beings in our universe is a consequence I gladly will take if that is the result of destroying you!"
"If you succeed, you will have a choice but be warned; this choice will cost you greatly. Shepard if you love your galaxy, walk away and let us Harvest you."
I yelled back, "We will win you bastard!"
The machine responded, "I am Harbinger, the bane of your existence. You all will fall to us willingly or not, have no hope of succeeding Shepard."
Before I could respond, the vision ended and I blacked out on the bridge. After remembering all that had happened, after waking to my brother carrying me to the Med Bay, I was taken care of fast. I went back to the cabin.
Now, I was waiting for my brother or someone to come in and demand an explanation since it is calm now before we get to the Fortress.
As planned John came in and sat next to me. "What happened?"
"I don't really know how to explain it. I think a Reaper contacted my spinal implant and left me a warning. It was, in lack of a better term, a vision. Sorry I scared the shit out of the crew. But, I am fine." I replied with calculated tones.
John sighed. "What was the vision?"
I told him and he showed no expression in his face, but his eyes showed genuine horror. I guess the thought of his little sister-his only family left- was being threatened. On top of that, I wondered if he thought I would save or destroy the galaxy, whether it was deliberate or not.
Grabbing me close to him, his hug actually hurt, "I won't let that bastard hurt you." He let go, "I will put this in the log. There is more news; when you passed out I was called by Anderson, he said that the Fortress Council was convinced that the Reapers need to be stopped. Unfortunately, here's the double whammy: I am assigned to oversee the building of the weapon we found dubbed the Crucible. So, I am leaving you as stand-in acting Commander of the Normandy. Sadly, you still need to unite everyone at the Council, because only now do they believe the threat but we are still divided."
I sat there silently, knowing that he was serious but at the same time I disapproved. "You really shouldn't leave an Alliance hired civilian in charge. Isn't Garrus next in succession? I could actually come with you."
"Based upon recent events on Earth it was deemed that anyone over 18 and capable of fighting Reapers is enlisted automatically-basically, there's an unfortunate draft. You are hereby field enlisted meaning you are now Commander Shepard, part of the Alliance Military."
I nodded reluctantly. This meant we would depart at the Fortress, so much for family. When John left the room, Kaidan entered, "Jane, you all right? I heard what had happened."
"I'm fine Kaidan. John's going to announce that I am stand-in Commander of the Normandy, I've just been actively commissioned by the Alliance, no more civies for me."
"Where's John going?" Kaidan asked.
Shrugging I replied, "He said he's going to build the Crucible to help stop the Reapers. I'm losing my family Kaidan, I really don't know how this will affect me later when it really hits."
"Hey, you've got me, Garrus, and the rest of the crew. We're your family now. If you really wanted we could elope…" Kaidan teased.
"That's actually not a bad idea, but that's not top priority at the moment." I responded. Kaidan just smiled until EDI said on the intercom, "We have arrived at the Fortress, now docking. All crew needing a shuttle to specific areas must board now."
Getting up, Kaidan followed me to the shuttles where our future would be decided and the clouds of doubt will finally part.
The Council composed of an Asari, Salarian, Turian, and Human members looking intently in my direction.
"We have had reports from Earth that they are being attacked by Reapers correct?" The Asari said.
"That is correct. We were attacked the precise moment Spectre Shepard was under trial and tried to dismiss our other case of Reapers as a threat. Additionally, we have a proposal to stop them using a Prothean device." I stated in a cold tone.
"Under normal circumstances of war we would aid Earth; however, our own homes were attacked as well and so we cannot help you, our sincerest apologies and best of luck." The Salarian hammered on the desk the loud sound of immediate dismissal; they didn't even give me a chance to speak.
"You can't be serious!" I called out.
They all turned back to me, "I said you are dismissed, we have all talked about it extensively before your case arrival. Just do as you're told Commander."
"Last I checked the Military doesn't follow under direct control of the Council, so pardon me when I say you sit down and listen." The Asari took offense, "Commander, you are testing our patience and your rudeness will not be tolerated."
Udina finally spoke up, "Commander Shepard means no disrespect only she wants her voice heard, and perhaps we should hear her speak."
I broke in, "Do you honestly think you all are safe out here? It is only a matter of time until the Reapers come to annihilate us. The only reason you are still alive is because we are so far out here away from the warzone! I get it I really do, you want to help your home-and that's fine-but the only way to defeat any enemy is to work together! You politicians never understand that war doesn't play nice which is why we have to fight it a certain way, a militant way, something sometimes you will not always agree with it! The only reason you will help us is if we did something for you; so, I'll be the first to help scratch your back so you will help me save my world and stop the Reapers once and for all!"
I yelled so persuasively, that the Turian Councilor said, "Commander I will discuss with you in private of how we can help each other then." His offer was out there and he left. I felt relieved and so did Udina's face, but the Asari and Salarian Councilor looked pissed. I walked away toward the embassy for Turians so I could broker this deal to help stop the Reapers for the sake of all life in the galaxy.
After leaving the conference room, I sighed heavily. I needed to find my brother before he left for the project weapon.