Anderson set the timer on his watch to go off in twelve minutes. A little extra time wouldn't hurt, just in case she was held up for some reason, like that crazy fan of hers. He walked over to the railing that lined the lake. A synthetic bit of false calm. Just like the trees or the sky. The sky was the worst. The only real peace was whatever quiet corner one could find, or buy. But he was one of the lucky ones. He had it all. The high ranking job, and the pay check that went with it. The penthouse apartment, minus the gardening. All the comforts of luxury living and someone to hold in his heart. That was the luckiest part of all. It seemed like the more people there were, the more species and variety of people, the more difficult it became to find true happiness with another being when it should be easier.
The alarm on his watch beeped and he deactivated it. With one last glance over the sparkling surface of the water, he offered up a silent prayer to whatever diety would listen to the plead of an unbeliever. He kept his hands loose by his side s as he walked briskly across the foyer and up the stairs to Udina's office. He flexed his fingers a few time as he neared the door. When it hissed open he knew there was no turning back.
Udina looked up at him, confusion wrinkling his face. Anderson's flexing fingers formed solid fists. Udina was saying something. He wasn't supposed to be there? Yes. It wouldn't matter in a few seconds. Anderson's heart beat hard in his chest. He couldn't count how many times he'd wanted to do this. His feet carried him with purpose across the floor. His intentions must have been clearly knitted on his face because Udina's hands flew up defensively as he shook his head and furrowed his brow. David didn't even have to think about it. One powerful fisted hook to the face and the old man was out cold, slumped over in his chair. Anderson carelessly pushed the unconscious body out of the way and immediately began working on reversing the orders. It didn't take him long to find the file he was looking for and send a counter active order. Any minute Shepard would be leaving with the freed Normandy and they could both add a criminal history to their records. Sooner or later Udina would wake up. He didn't want to be drug off to a holding cell from his apartment or the lounge, so Anderson stayed in the office, but in his own chair. He left Udina in the uncomfortable looking position he'd crumpled into on the floor. Using the time he had thinking it may be the last time he had access to a console for a while, David typed up a letter to his lover to be sent in case things went worse than he expected. It was a letter he hoped she would never have to read.
Anderson had just finished programming the conditioned order for sending the message when Donnel Udina woke with a groggy groan by the ambassador's desk. David waisted no time in greeting the, no doubt, angry politician.
"I see you're awake. Did you have a nice nap?"
"You're going to pay for this, Anderson! I hope you succeeded in whatever your obviously illegal plan was. You'll be punished either way. Wait!"
Udina checked his console before making the accusation. His eyes first widened, then narrowed at the display.
"You did! You released the Normandy! Are there any other charges I should add to your arrest warrant?"
"No. But I can promise you this; if I had not helped Shepard take the Normandy out of here, the chance that we will not be here would have been a certainty. At least now the galaxy has hope."
"I can't believe you fell for that Reaper fiction. I thought you were a smarter man than that!"
"I am, Donnel. That's why I believe Shepard and you do not."
Anderson saw Udina's hand inching toward the call button for security and decided to try a little politics of his own.
"Udina, you press that button and I'll make sure you've got something for your warrant."
The ambassador's hand hesitated then fell away. The assaulted cheek was already swollen and bruised.
"Try to hear me out." Anderson began. "C-Sec is probably already trying to figure out what happened. They'll learn the truth soon enough. Don't you think you owe Shepard a chance to prove she's right?"
"I'll give her until tomorrow morning. If there is no word or proof sent by then, I'm pressing charges. If C-Sec discovers what you've done first, I'll claim you threatened me."
"Say what you want. I would never threaten you. I would simply do it." Anderson said frankly, gesturing to the sore area of Udina's face. It was almost comical to see the Ambassador coddle himself with a cup full of ice.