Chapter 7

Shepard straightened her uniform in the mirror. She had her Omni-Tool. She had her datapad. She smoothed her hair. Everything in order.

She walked out of the bathroom. The vid comm flashed on her desk. Someone was calling. She had a few minutes. She started forward but stumbled. An empty beer bottle rolled against her foot. She picked it up. She opened the recycle and placed it inside before continued to her desk. A small image appeared on her terminal's feed.

"Wrex."

"Shepard!"

"Haven't seen you around. Where you been?"

"London. Still here. Not as much fun without reapers to kill."

Shepard chuckled with lifted eyebrows. "Never thought I'd hear anyone wishing the Reapers back."

"Just to fight. They were a challenge. Appreciate that. And we'd win. Again. Krogan always win a fight."

"Well, I think there were more than just Krogan in this one, Wrex."

"True. Needed the turnout for our biggest fight yet. My people will talk about it for years to come. Tell their children about it, now we have some. Probably already have some born by now on Tuchanka."

"I'm sure you're right."

"You will visit Tuchanka when the relays come back. You will be amazed by the krogan young. Born warriors. Youth sparing makes them strong. Always had to stop the young fighting before. Too precious to risk harm until adulthood. Now, tradition can be restored. A new age of krogan. United clans once more. And expansion. There will be glory again."

"Don't worry me, Wrex." Shepard leaned over the desk on one hand. "I don't know what you mean by expansion yet."

"It was agreed. New planets. Space to grow. Expand. You promised me, Shepard."

"I can't make promises for any race delivering planets over to the krogan. But, I did promise to help. And I will. I'm sure there are a lot of places your people'll make into colonies."

Wrex rolled his shoulders and paced on the screen. "That's why I call, Shepard. The Council won't schedule a hearing to address these things. No one's works on our relay."

"All the races are working on their own relays, Wrex."

"Not Earth's!" He raised his hand as he paced.

"Don't act like you don't know why that's the exception. But, I will help you. The krogan can be important contributors to the galaxy as a united people, and you did help win the war. There's a way to start the future off on the right foot, but you'll have to be patient, Wrex. This won't happen overnight."

"This, I know. But I must be heard. I, Urdnot Wrex, must be recognized as voice of the krogan. There is much to discuss. Before the relay is fixed, and they leave, they must listen first."

"I'll see what I can do about getting an audience with the Council."

"Tuchanka has a true friend in you, Shepard. More than any alien before."

"I can't promise anything. Anything more than promising I'll push my hardest."

"Then that's enough. I know how hard you push."

Wrex grinned. His image was so much clearer than the last vid communication she'd received from that far.

"Wrex, I wish I could talk longer. I have an appointment with Alliance leadership."

"Ha. Onto the next battle, huh, Shepard? You get the Normandy back?"

"Yes. Yes, I did."

"Good. Talk to the Council for me. I'll wait."

"Thanks, Wrex."

The image blipped out. Shepard checked the time. None to waste. She couldn't start a meeting being the late subordinate.

X

"Commander Shepard."

"Admiral Wilson. Pleased to meet you."

Admiral Hackett's office felt too small with all the stern faces. She clasped Wilson's hand. He gave a firm pump staring at her with hard eyes. Shepard smiled tightly. Lieutenant Commander Anchor stood between Wilson and Hackett and saluted her. The man in corner though, watched her coolly and didn't speak.

"Flight Admiral Dumas," Hackett introduced.

Shepard knew him. He was in parliament on her first day of active duty out of the hospital. They'd made such a show putting her in her place. Then they'd assigned her to all those damned meetings refusing to discuss anything that actually mattered. They'd made it quite clear she was an Alliance subordinate first, not hero of the people. Spectre was her side job, good for her, but that didn't matter to them. She was a staff commander with no more input or authority than her rank signified. Period.

Dumas didn't offer a handshake. Maybe he was waiting for her. She saluted him, and he sighed giving a weak return.

"I have things to do, admirals. We can talk later."

He walked out of the room. Hackett's office door closed behind him.

"Please, sit, sit." Admiral Hackett indicated the couch and chairs in the corner.

Lieutenant Commander Anchor lead the way. The four of them took a seat.

"Commander," Hackett continued looking at Shepard, "as you may have gathered from the messages back and forth, Admiral Wilson will be your direct superior. You will report to him. He's been tasked with overseeing your missions."

Shepard eyed Wilson opposite the table from Hackett. His bald head reflected light from the window like a polished floor. His eyes narrowed at her from shadowed purple hollows. She'd never seen anyone with such sunken, deep set eyes. She gave a nod in his direction.

"I understand, sir."

"Lieutenant Commander Anchor has already been serving under Admiral Wilson. In fact, the admiral recommended him to this position. I'm confident you'll make a strong team."

Anchor bared his teeth at her in a smile. She flashed a quick smile back. There was something about him, but maybe she was just biased since she hadn't handpicked him.

"The Normandy is nearing completion," Hackett said. "You've chosen your crew. Still waiting to hear on some of them. They'll need oriented and trained, but it's coming together. A while more, you'll start on the mission."

"Which is, sir?" she asked Hackett.

Admiral Wilson cleared his throat. Shepard rotated her head to him.

"You will address me for those questions, Commander." Wilson lifted his eyebrows. "Are we clear, soldier?"

Shepard suppressed a frown. "Aye, aye, sir."

He gazed back at her steadily. It was too intense of a normal look. He was waiting. Maybe he wanted her to readdress the question to him or maybe just be the first to look away. She intertwined her fingers on her crossed knee and waited. She gave him a wide smile. The leather creaked as Admiral Hackett shifted in his chair.

"Perhaps, Admiral, we should continue," Hackett said.

Anchor sat forward cutting off Shepard's eye contact with Wilson. "What is our first mission, if you don't mind me asking, sir?"

Shepard frowned at the back of Anchor's head.

"Well, Lieutenant Commander, Staff Commander," Admiral Wilson said. "Your first mission is one of a sensitive nature. Meaning, it's classified." He paused. "You understand what that means, correct?"

"Of course, sir," Anchor said.

"Commander?"

Anchor scooted back enough for Shepard to see Wilson again.

"Yes, sir," she said.

"Good. That means that besides this room, the flight admirals, of course, and the Council, no one will know the details of the mission. This includes your crew. It includes everyone. They'll know what they need to get the job done, and that's it."

Shepard glanced at Anchor. It was unusual include her XO in the briefing of something apparently so highly classified would. Wilson seemed to notice the look.

"Your XO is an important backup, Commander. That's why he's here. I expect you to work as a team. He will be included in all briefings. If something were to happen to you—"

"Happen to me?" Shepard frowned.

"As it could on any mission," Wilson said. "Your XO would need to recover the mission. Assuming the main objective has been complete, the mission could still be successful."

Shepard turned back to Hackett who was also frowning now.

"Do I have your attention?" Wilson snapped.

Shepard whipped her head back to Wilson.

"It's important someone else on the ship knows the full mission and its importance."

"Understood, sir," Shepard said pinching her fingers together so tightly across her knee they hurt.

"Good. Now, you've heard about our progress on the relays. We hope to have an end date next summer, hopefully to shortly follow the Summit. We've made great progress, but there's been a problem."

"The cracked shard?" Shepard asked. At Wilson's raised eyebrows and set mouth, she shrugged. "Is that meant to be classified? The Alliance is trying to replicate it, right?"

"Right," Wilson said stiffly and glanced at Hackett with a frown. He turned his eyes back to Shepard. "It hasn't worked, even with the Council onboard the project. We can't replicate it. We've tried for months. Even with the help of that prothean, we're at a standstill."

"Do we need it? Is there a workaround?" Shepard asked.

"No," Wilson said flatly. "You even know what we're talking about? There's no workaround."

"I … maybe not," Shepard said.

"The Sol relay's probably the most damaged of all the relays. It took that initial burst. The Meridian Orb, your 'Mass Effect Shard,' uses the eezo core to amplify the effect field over the relay. We are continuing the rebuilding of the relay, but without the orb, it will never function. There isn't a piece of technology available to substitute that. We need another one."

"What size of a component are we talking about?" Shepard asked.

"Small. Compared to the rest of the relay, infinitesimal. Smaller than the palm of your hand."

"So, we're stealing it from another relay?" Shepard said looking between the admirals.

Anchor's eye widened.

"In a way, yes," Wilson said. "It's not so simple though. The thing is, we don't know how to remove it and keep it intact. We've been calling it cracked, but last week, we tried to remove it for repair. It's powder now. Our engineers warned that removing the shard, even if it wasn't cracked, was impossible."

"Sounds like a problem then."

"But one with a solution. There may be a way. We just need to know how to do it properly."

"If Javik doesn't know, then who would?"

"There's a research station off Elliom—"

"Elliom? That's deep space."

Wilson glared. "Don't interrupt me again, Commander."

Shepard took a deep breath digging her nails into the back of her hand.

"Sorry, admiral."

"I'm not familiar with it, Admiral," Anchor said.

Wilson's eyes flitted to Anchor. "Elliom's a small planet, livable but never colonized. Wildlife, you understand, makes it uninhabitable. That, and there's a dormant relay on the surface. Were you aware of that, Commander Shepard?"

Shepard gave a stiff shrug and kept her smile fixed.

"Per an Alliance agreement with the turiens, the location has been kept confidential. There's a research station at the dig site, also classified. Extensive research on the protheans and the relay has, or had, been going on for years. The relay is almost fully excavated."

"So, we're taking the orb from this dormant relay. How, if we don't know how to extract it?"

"The protheans on Elliom were involved in building the relay. In fact, we're not even sure, if we were to activate it, if it would work or if it's even finished. We know from schematics that there is a Meridian Orb. The crucible's blast only touched active relays, not dormant ones. It will still be in good condition."

"Extracting it, though? You said the mission fails without me. Why?"

"Very good. You see, Commander," Wilson sat up higher in his chair, "we need your prothean cipher. I read that you understood prothean communication signals on Eden Prime when no one else could. Dr. Liara T'Soni couldn't even tell there was a message in that static."

"So, you think I'll be able to understand information harvested from the prothean ruins. There's no other way to get the information to me?"

"The research station is on Elliom. There isn't a functional comm buoy around for light years. You cross out of Sol, and you're on your own out there. A Council's quantum communicators are about the only method of communication, and it has to be linked to its matching platform. There are only a handful, and only one pair that is operation. Or will be operational soon. The Normandy's."

"The council is involved in this, then?"

"Naturally. This concerns the relay. You're a Spectre and Alliance soldier. It's a collaboration. However, that doesn't mean they're calling the shots. It's an Alliance vessel, Alliance crew, and you're Alliance. Don't forget that. You have fidelity to the Council, but you're accountable and obedient to the Alliance."

Shepard frowned and leaned back in the couch. Anchor shifted back further in his seat to not block Wilson's view of her. Admiral Hackett's chair squeaked as he shifted. A hardness pinched his face as he watched Wilson.

"Okay." Shepard turned her attention back to Wilson. "So, I fly out to Elliom, decipher the directions for extracting the orb, take it from the dormant relay, and come back bearing the last piece needed to finish the Sol relay?"

"Essentially. Bring back the Elliom researchers as well."

"We know they're alive?"

"We don't know anything," Wilson grumbled. "The nearest comm buoy's been out for over a year, but if they're alive, turien and human, bring them back."

Anchor sat forward suddenly. "How many humans?"

"The station was home to a range of scientists, military officers, and political liaisons. Twenty-seven."

"Twenty-seven!" Shepard's shot to the edge of the couch and peered around Anchor. "Twenty-seven?"

"You didn't hear me?" Wilson said. "Let me repeat myself, Commander. Twenty-seven. Two, seven. Understand that now? In addition to the researchers, a turien general had his ship in the area, the Medurrus. They diverted to Elliom after a reaper encounter took out their main thrusters. The general's a war hero. It will help turien-human relations by recovering the survivors. Anyone you find, you bring back. I don't care how many."

Shepard glanced at Hackett and Anchor before turning back to Wilson. "Yes, sir. The Normandy wasn't built to bunk over fifty members of crew and survivors. And, how long is this mission? It's a remote system. We're talking light years. This must be—"

"Months, yes," Wilson said. "You don't think this has all been thought out beforehand, Commander? You think you're the only one considering the ramifications of what we're asking you to do? Be assured, Alliance Parliament has discussed this at length."

"And the Council?"

"To some length, of course. They know about the situation with the relay. Believe me, it has a far bigger impact on them than us."

"Really?" Shepard settled on the very edge of the couch with tightening muscles. "Earth doesn't exactly have unlimited resources, Admiral. I think reopening the relay and seeing the aliens home would be an Alliance priority, too."

Wilson's eyes widened. He sat forward. "Careful, Commander. I don't take insubordination. I don't need explicit infractions to censure you. We need your cipher, but don't think you're indispensable. We're not at your mercy. We can find other options if we need it. Go rogue or be insubordinate, you'll never fly the Normandy again, Commander. Clear?"

Shepard twisted to look at Hackett again. He seemed to purposefully not look at her. She looked back quickly to Wilson's expectant gaze.

"Of course, sir."

"Understand I don't care about your Spectre status. I don't care about your … 'commendations.' Your service is, of course, appreciated, but it doesn't make you anything other than an Alliance soldier who did her duty. I think we're done here. I have an advisory board meeting in an hour." He got to his feet. "We will speak again tomorrow and go over further details then."

"Shouldn't we …" Shepard stood slowly, then trailed off under Wilson's glare. "Thanks for taking the time to discuss this with me, sir."

"My assistant will send you a meeting time," Wilson said. He nodded at Hackett. "Admiral."

They filed to the door. Admiral Hackett followed last.

"Commander Shepard, one moment, please."

Wilson paused halfway through the door. The sharp glance and set jaw made Shepard want to keep moving forward.

"Admiral Hackett, anything I should know?" he asked.

"No, Admiral. Just a quick word with the commander."

Admiral Wilson twisted back to the reception area and marched out. His heavy steps echoing back. Anchor gave Shepard a nod before following after him.

"Come in, Commander. Close the door."

"Yes, sir."

Hackett stood quietly until they heard the door click shut.

"Okay, Shepard. I have no say over this. He's a hard man, but a good one in his way. You'll learn to work with him."

"But, why do I need to, sir?" Shepard said.

"It was the Alliance Parliament's choice. Flight Admiral Dumas thought it best. The others sided with him. I didn't have a say."

"A strong arm to manage the unruly Commander Shepard, then? Keep her in her place."

"You're strong personality, you'll make it work."

Shepherd crossed her arms but gave a quick nod. "Of course."

She looked back at the door. Hackett rubbed his jaw watching her then finally cleared his throat.

"Something off the record, Shepard, before you go. There are a lot of rumors and activity. I wouldn't be surprised if you were on their radar. Repairing the relay, certainly is, and this mission is an important part of that. Be careful."

"Who's radar?"

"Terra Firma."

"The terrorist group?" Shepard frowned.

"They're more powerful than you may think. Just, be careful. That's all I had to say, Commander."

X

Shepard walked out of Hackett's office with a deep frown. Lieutenant Commander Anchor was sitting on one of the hallway's couches by the window. He rose when he saw her approach.

"Commander," he said.

"You didn't need to wait for me," she said slowing but continuing down the hall.

"I just want to be involved. What was all that about?" He stepped in line with her.

"You always so nosey, Lieutenant Commander?" she asked.

"No, just curious."

"If Admiral Wilson wanted you to know, he would've held you back too. He didn't."

"Fine."

"Fine?" Shepard stopped short turning to him.

He regarded her for a cold moment, and she raised her eyebrows at him.

"Fine, ma'am," he corrected.

"Better. Don't make me act like Admiral Wilson."

Shepard started ahead and Anchor fell in beside her again. She turned the corner to the council wing, and he kept pace.

"Are you following me?" she asked.

"You're headed to see the Council, right?" Shepard narrowed her eyes, and he added, "We're going that direction. How about I tag along? Learn something."

"You're hardly an ensign, Commander Anchor. You've probably only served a few years less than I have."

He gave that canine smile again. "You're the great Commander Shepard, right?"

"Just be yourself. You don't need to be like me. You have an excellent record. I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Good advice, Commander. I will just hang in the background. Won't be a bother."

Shepard glanced sideways at him. "Go check on the ship, run diagnostics, recheck everything. It's a work-in-progress. Bring me an update."

"There are engineers working on that. They'd write up a better report on it than I would, ma'am. If you're against me accompanying you, perhaps there's something I'm better suited for that I can do for you, Commander?"

Shepard stopped again and faced him. "I told you what you could do, Lieutenant Commander, and I mean it. The XO oversees the crew, oversees the daily operation of the ship. I won't explain myself again. When I give an order, Commander, I expect you to follow it."

His face hardened. "Aye, aye, Commander."

"Report on my desk tonight. You can go."

He rushed past her. Shepard followed him with her eyes as he hurried around the slower traffic. When he turned down another hallway out of sight, Shepard's spine loosened. He'd taken the left hallway past the second vid conference room. It was the right direction to the Normandy's dock. Shepard started back down the hall.