Chapter 3

Shepard's step was heavy as she entered the Citadel tower and made her way to the Council chambers. On the elevator ride up, her earlier conversation with Anderson rumbled through her mind. He was obviously not happy about whatever they were going to discuss. His invitation had been curt and to the point, very unusual for any conversation between them. The newest councilor had made it very clear that her first priority after leaving the Normandy was to see him and he would accept nothing else.

"There you are, Commander," Anderson called, stepping in from a side entrance. "Please follow me."

Her former mentor led the way past the council platform through a door to the left. He offered no explanation and walked in silence, a pace ahead of her. The spectre's sense of unease grew as he stepped into a small conference room, motioned her to a chair and closed the door behind them.

"Diplomat seal," he ordered and waited until the soundproof screens had settled into place, sealing in their conversation.

As soon as the barriers were in place, Anderson seemed to relax considerably. He looked weary, not at all the energetic captain that she was used to.

"I'm sorry to have to get you here on such short notice, the Alliance felt this was very important," he apologized. "But I have to warn you, this conversation is not officially happening."

Her curiosity aroused, the spectre just nodded. The councilor, clearly agitated, paced in front of her, hands clasped behind his back. It soon began to wear on her nerves. She definitely wanted to get through this interview and see what the asari had planned for their free afternoon. Just the thought of what her plans would have been brought a ghost of a smile to her face.

"It seems you have become something of a dilemma with the Alliance brass." Anderson explained. "You see, they terribly wanted you to become a spectre, but they really didn't understand the cost it would bring with it."

"Where is this going, Councilor?" she asked.

"The admirals thought that a human spectre would raise humanity's status in the council. You succeeded beyond anyone's expectation, to such a degree that we were asked to join the council."

"OK, sir, I mean Councilor, that's all history. What's the issue now?" the spectre replied, not liking her friend's body language at all.

His hands were in his pockets, shoulders slumped. She changed her assessment. He was beyond weary, he looked exhausted. Anderson, a man of action, had not yet adjusted to the political life. She wondered if he ever regretted his decision.

"Just understand that I had nothing to do with this," Anderson almost spat out the words. "I was only asked to do this because it couldn't be done through official channels."

Now the spectre was really starting to worry. She watched as the councilor disgustedly threw a small envelope on the table in front of her. Displayed clearly through the wrapper were a captain's star and bars. Shepard stared at the package and then up at the councilor.

"What does this mean?" she asked, afraid to make any assumptions, though her heartbeat had definitely increased.

"The Alliance didn't realize that they would be losing a ship and crew along with their commander. With my appointment to the council, they feel the need for your inclusion in the spectres is overkill," Anderson clearly did not agree with this opinion.

"So, they're promoting me? I still don't get it, " Shepard stood, looking the councilor directly in the eye.

"If that were the case, I'd be proudly pinning them on you right now, "he said. "It's not that simple."

"OK, you better explain, I'm really lost here, sir," she responded, preferring the old plain speaking Captain to this new political wordsmith.

"They can't order you to leave the spectres, that would be contrary to galactic principles," Anderson said, turning so she couldn't read his expression. "But you could withdraw for personal reasons. The Alliance would take you back with open arms as a Captain, your crew gets rewarded too and they offer someone else to take your place. Of course, minus the supporting ship and crew. In their mind, a fair trade and everyone wins."

"Are they kidding! I quit and they promote everyone? What about the Reapers? Did they forget about the threat that's still out there? Who goes after them?" Shepard threw her questions back at the councilor, barely about to control her anger. "And if I decline their offer?"

"I don't believe they considered that option. After all, this isn't just for your gain, they counted on you taking it for your crew," Anderson explained, still keeping his back to the spectre as his pacing continued.

"Great, I'm supposed to forget about the rest of the galaxy and the future? Tell them to shove those bars right up their nearest black hole. Any my ship better be ready when I get back or Emily Wong is going to get the story of her life!"

Shepard stormed out of the room, crashing through the forgotten sound wall without a farewell to her friend. She never saw the grin that split his face or his look of approval at her decision. He sighed as he looked at the ruined soundproofing barrier. Shepard never was very subtle, but she was always very, very effective. With a lightened heart, he initiated the call to the Alliance, smiling as he anticipated their reaction. This should be very entertaining transmission.