Judgment
The war with the Reapers had taken its toll on all worlds in both the Traverse and the Terminus. Earth, Thessia, and the Salarian homeworld had been the hardest hit. But the combined strength of the Council races had won the war. Commander Shepard, Garrus Vakarian, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, Miranda Lawson, Jacob Taylor, and the entire crew of the Normandy past and present had survived and been called heroes of the war. But the war had taken its toll on the crew. The Normandy was docked at the Arcturus Station having sustained heavy damage from the war. Shepard had come to the decision that it was time to take stock and allow the crew time to find or mourn loved one both lost and found.
Captain Hannah Shepard's ship, the SSV Oribaz, was also docked at Arcturus Station. Both ships were to be repaired first by order of the Council. Repair crews had estimated that repairs to the Normandy would take nearly a month while repairs to the Oribaz would take at most three weeks. The Alliance enlisted the help of the Geth and the Quarians to help speed up the repairs on both ships.
With as hectic as things had been, Garrus and Shia'va had spent little time together. Garrus understood this. It was a war; personal feelings had to be secondary to the defense of the galaxy. He knew Shia'va had been in military mode the entire time. A quick glance here, a small smile there. That was all either truly had time for. Garrus was in the forward batteries and was going over some schematics for repairs on the Thanix Cannons. He stopped for a bit and sat down in the corner seat. He missed Shia'va. He leaned over and opened a small compartment and took out a small felt-box. He opened it to reveal an engagement ring. A beautiful gold band with a diamond in the center. A human custom of course. The Turian equivalent was the presenting the heart of a hunted beast to the betrothed. Garrus had figured that probably would not go over as well for humans. He wanted to present this to Shia'va. But the time was never right.
Garrus rubbed his eyes slightly. Neither was trying to avoid one another. But duties had kept them apart. He closed the box as the doors to the forward batteries opened. Shia'va walked in. He stood up put his mind into a subordinate state. "Shepard, what can I do for you?"
Shia'va walked over and pressed a few buttons on the console behind him. The doors to the batteries shut. The hard-lined militaristic expression fell from Shepard's face. She turned to Garrus. "Shut up, Vakarian." She charged into his arms and enveloped him in a deep, passionate kiss.
Garrus couldn't remember the last time he tasted the sweet lips of his beloved Shia'va. It had certainly been months. Time had seemed to stop as he returned her kiss with as much passion. As they broke the kiss, Garrus touched his forehead to hers. "Spirits how I've missed you, Shia."
"I couldn't take it anymore, Garrus. I had to come see you. We've already been apart for too long because of the damn war." She nuzzled him as they held each other.
Garrus held her tight. "It's over now, Shia. Well…maybe."
Shia'va stepped back a bit, confused. "Maybe? I don't understand, Garrus. What do you…?" She watched as Garrus removed a small box from his armor and knelt down.
Garrus took her one hand and looked up at her. "Shia, this is not the way I pictured doing this. I wanted to do this on a peaceful planet somewhere in the Traverse. But even though I can't have that…" Garrus opened the small box as he presented her the engagement ring. "Having you in my life has been the only good thing that ever happened. And I don't think I could spend another day without you." He took the ring from the box and started to slide it onto her finger. "Shia'va Shepard, before the spirits I ask to take you as my bonded. To live as one from this day forward and beyond the time we pass to join with the Spirits."
Shia'va covered her mouth as her eyes became moist from tears of joy. "Oh…Garrus…." Her breath was shaky as was her hand. Even though the tears fell down her cheeks, she was smiling. "Yes….yes I will be your bonded." She had barely waited until he stood up before she was kissing him again. After a few minutes, Shia'va pulled Garrus by the hand to lead him out of the forward batteries. But as the doors open, the entire crew of the Normandy was standing just at the end of the walkway to the mess area. Everyone began clapping and cheering as the Garrus and Shia'va stepped out. Shia'va blushed heavily and she giggled as she heard Garrus say 'Spirits be damned….EDI…!'
"'Bout fuckin' time, Garrus. Shit. Don't know what the fuck you were waitin' on." Jack grinned as she looked at the two.
Everyone laughed. They needed this, Shepard thought. She needed this. She needed him. The fighting was over. As everyone either hugged Shia'va or shook Garrus' talons, she realized that she could just be a woman finally. She could be a wife. And maybe if God willed it, a mother. She didn't have to be Commander Shepard anymore. The hero of Elysium. The hero of the Citadel. She could just be Shia'va Shepard. As she looked at Garrus, she did realize one thing; her military training would always be a part of her. It's who she was for the longest time. The discipline and the conditioning. She could be a woman, yes. But as Garrus had told her one time; it would be folly to not keep your weapons skills sharp. You never know when you may need it. His time on Omega taught him that.
Later that night, the two lay in bed. They had just experienced the most sensual night in their relationship. Shia'va had joked about Garrus 'poppin' the old heat sink'. He groaned as she laughed. He mercilessly tickled her for the comment. As she lay with her back up against him, their fingers were intertwined. Garrus kissed the back of her neck and she smiled widely.
"Do you want to have a ceremony?" Garrus asked as he held her close. He had read about human weddings and found them…peculiar.
Shia'va rolled over. "How do your people celebrate unions?"
Garrus had to think about this a moment. The last one he had been to was his own sister's. "It depends on if the family is part of the clan or not. Even then it's a bit complicated in the fact that the clans move closer together and begin getting in everyone else's day to day. Turian unions are really not the best example of unions. But bands are used to symbolize a joining. Often the bondmates are courted by other males who haven't noticed the bands yet." Garrus shook his head. "We might just want to do our own thing, Shia."
Shepard smiled. "I think I have an idea. Trust me. I think you'll like it."
"I do trust you, bonded." Garrus nuzzled her neck.
The next morning, Shia'va had shown Garrus a place in the Attican Traverse. The planet's name was Watson, a garden world settled in 2165 CE. She showed Garrus a settlement by the name of New Hiroshima. The vids of the settlement were quite calming. Watching the people go about their daily lives. Garrus had noticed how much the place looked like Japan from the 20th century. Shepard had told Garrus that she wanted to hold a private ceremony here. With Councilor Anderson presiding over their union. She wanted Kasumi and Samara at her side. Garrus was at a loss of who to have at his side. He doubted that his father would welcome this. The thought hit him of who to ask. "Is this ok with you, Garrus?" She was actually surprised at how much he did like the idea. It was away from the press. He even mentioned a passing thought about having a home there. But more than anything, he wanted it away from the public.
Shia'va agreed. She just wanted to live a normal life. Well, as normal as it could be for these two.
"When would you like this ceremony to talk place?" Garrus ran his talons through her hair.
She leaned back into Garrus as they sat on the couch. "In a couple of weeks. We've put this off for so long, I don't want to wait any long…" Her terminal beeped. Shia'va stood up and walked over clicking on the terminal. Her expression sank as she read what came up.
Garrus stood up quickly. "Shia, what's wrong?"
She looked up at him. "Earth has just called me back. The Alliance has just charged me for the destruction of the Bahak System." She felt her heart sink. Her life had just ended before it even started.
Garrus' mandibles flexed. "Contact your brothers, bonded. Tell them, it's time."
Shia'va looked over at Garrus. He knew something about this. Or…knowing Garrus, he had prepared for this to happen. She remembered when Garrus voiced his "discontent" at what Hackett had done. The night Hackett approached her about what happened to the Bahak System, Garrus must have started the gears turning to ensure she would be protected from the scrutiny she was about to go through. But that was almost a year ago. He hadn't forgotten. She immediately opened a link to her brothers' firm.
Braddock's face appeared. "Brad Shepard of Shepard and Shepard. Hey sis. How are the repairs going?" Shia'va explained about the Normandy briefly and the Oribaz. She then had shown him the engagement ring Garrus gave her. Brad was smiling and replied, "About damn time, Garrus!" Shia'va just shook her head as if saying, "Oh brother." She then repeated the words Garrus told her to say. It was time. Brad's face changed quickly. He knew what this meant. He looked over to his brother at the other desk. "Marc, get the case file on the Bahak System. Start making those calls. I want these people ready for depo." He looked back at Shia'va. "Shia, can you tell Legion that I need him to bring those intercepted transmissions from the Normandy?" Shia'va nodded. Garrus had thought of everything. He wasn't going to see his bondmate put away for something that was out of her control.
The courtroom on the Citadel was packed. The entire crew of the Normandy was seated behind Shepard. Commander Shepard herself was dressed in full military garb, medals and all. Garrus sat in the first row behind Shia'va. Brad and Marc warned Garrus to keep his cool during the proceedings. Any outbursts could only make things worse and be used against Shia'va. Garrus agreed. But he knew it was going to be hard. Brad and Marc knew interstellar law. They had specialized in this and were first in their class in law school. But they never thought they would have to represent their own sister. Across the aisle at the other table was the Batarian Arbitrator, Ralan Keth. Ralan had litigated some of the harshest cases against humans and was known for protecting Batarian slaver interests. This case would make him famous in the eyes of his people. He actually had tried to have the two brothers recused from the proceedings because of their relation to Commander Shepard. But the Salarian judge that was part of the court had denied his motion in pre-trial hearings.
A Turian officer stood up as the door to the advocacy chamber opened. "All rise in honor of the judges of this court. Spirits watch over these proceedings."
Everyone stood. The Advocacy was made up of six races. Human, Asari, Salarian, Turian, and Batarian and Hanar. As the Advocacy sat, everyone sat. The asari spoke. "Let it be recorded in the records that the case of the Batarian people vs. Commander Shia'va Shepard has now come to order. Councilors, you have been briefed on how the proceedings will go. I expect that you are able to follow the rules of this court?" The defense and prosecution nodded in agreement. "Very well then. Commander Shepard. Please stand." Shia'va did as did her brothers. "You have been charged with the murder of over 300,000 Batarians and the destruction of the Bahak System. How do you plead?" The Advocacy watched and listened carefully. Shia'va stood tall and kept a stoic expression. She replied 'Not Guilty'. The Advocacy noted her plea. They had her sit. "Arbitrator, you may call your first witness.
The trial followed a slow pace. Ralan had several witnesses that were trying to discredit Shepard's reputation and tried to prove that she had the motivation to allow the Batarians in the Bahak System to die. Brad and Marc objected on several points. Some were sustained, others denied. The entire trial was being broadcasted over the extranet. Cross examinations began as Brad and Marc both went to work picking apart the different testimonies. Say what you would about lawyers, but the Shepard brothers had become experts in litigation and disproving just about any claim against their clients. Granted there were a few that got away, but many had questioned the judges on their verdicts and claimed that the judges were unfair. During a recess, Brad and Marc were going over something in private.
"What do you think, Brad? Do you think he will bring up the Batarian attack on Elysium as a reason for her dislike of Batarians?" Marc asked looking over some documents.
"No, they tried that already. They might try to bring up the Asteroid X57 attack though." Brad tapped his pen as he looked at a few other depositions.
"Do you think Ralan will object to us bringing in Legion as a surprise witness?" Marc was tired. They had been at this all day.
Brad rubbed the bridge of his nose. He leaned back in the chair. "It's not Ralan that will have an issue with it. I have a strong feeling it's going to be the Alliance. Marc, we're about to incriminate Admiral Steven Hackett. Mom and dad's oldest friend."
Marc put his hand on Brad's shoulder. "Then he should have thought about that friendship before he put our sister in harm's way. I know you feel you have to protect mom's interest and dad's honor. But Hackett did this to himself. And if this is the only way to save our sister from life imprisonment, or worse, death at the hands of the Batarians, then we have to do it."
Brad nodded. "I know. And you're right, little brother. I just can't help thinking what is going to happen to the Alliance after this. This is going to cause a massive shake up in the ranks."
"Come what may, big brother. Come what may."
Both sides had finished with their arguments. The witnesses had been questioned. Shepard had been cross examined and literally given the third degree by the Arbitrator. But she had stood her ground. Garrus couldn't help but be proud of the woman that would soon be his lifemate. But he was hurting inside. The Batarian Arbitrator made very strong cases and it seemed that he had swayed the decision of the Advocacy. He prayed to the spirits that Shia'va's brothers could make a very strong closing statement. If Shepard was found guilty, Garrus couldn't lose her, not like this. He would find a way to take her from this place, he had to. He could...Garrus was shaken from his deep thoughts as the Advocacy spoke.
"Arbitrator, does the prosecution rest its case?" The Turian judge asked.
"It does, your honor." Ralan preened at his prowess.
"Defense, do you rest your case on behalf of your client?" The Salarian judge then asked.
Ralan could feel pride swelling in him. These humans had no further evidence to bring forth. Shepard would pay for her crimes against all Batarians. She would...He snapped his head to the right as he heard the youngest of the two lawyers speak.
"No, your honor. At this time I would like to call a special witness to the stand." Marcus proclaimed strongly.
The courtroom turned to see Legion walking towards the front of the room. Ralan stood up quickly. "OBJECTION! This witness was not on the deposition list at the start of this trial!" He slammed his fist down hard on the desk.
The courtroom was in a buzz. Captain Hannah Shepard had been at the trial since the beginning and even she was shocked at this sudden turn of events. Her mind was racing at what her two sons were about to do. The human judge banged the gavel to get order restored. "Order in the court!" was shouted and everyone quieted down. "Councilor, the Arbitrator has challenged your calling of this witness. Can you rebuttal this challenge?" The human judge had stayed quiet the entire trial. Minus a few rulings of objections made by the Arbitrator, who he actually sided with four out of five times, he knew it was in the best interest of humankind that he remain neutral.
Braddock Shepard stood up. "Yes, your honor." He stepped off to the side of his table and stood next to Legion. "In the case of Malavan versus the people of Thessia, a VI was used to recall evidence of a sensitive nature but it took time for that evidence to be processed. It was ruled by the Advocacy that if the means of recalling that evidence, as in a VI or in this case," He motioned to Legion. "A member of the Geth, was in the pre-trail witness list and not present during the deposition, the evidence and the witness could, at a later time, be called as a surprise witness." He reached over and took a datapad from Marcus who had already pulled it from his briefcase. "This witness and the AI from the Normandy, EDI, are both on the list as potential witness in the pre-trial order, your honors."
Ralan was reeling. How could he have missed that? He had no defense against this. He glared at the humans.
The Turian judge saw this and could almost be seen smiling. The Hanar judge spoke. "This one hears wisdom in the words of the defense." The entire courtroom fell deathly silent. "Objection overruled." The silence in the room was palpable. Everyone was waiting to hear what was about to transpire. The entire galaxy waited to hear what the Geth had to say.
Legion stood quietly at the podium. Brad walked over to him. "Legion. Were you able to recover the evidence in time?"
Legion's headflaps flared. He looked to Shepard. "Shepard Commander?" Shia'va only nodded as if giving him the right to speak. He looked back to Brad. "Affirmative. This platform was able to recover all data and recordings leading up to and including the destruction of Relay Five-Five-Three-One-Two-Four."
Brad turned to the Advocacy. "Your honors, with your permission I would like to begin the replay of this evidence." They nodded their approval. "Legion, begin playback."
The courtroom listened as they heard the unmistakable voice of Admiral Hackett. They heard him order Commander Shepard to speak to a Dr. Kenson and when she told him she was about to prepare her team, the courtroom gasped as he ordered her to go alone. The human judge made note of this and the Asari judge leaned over and asked his thoughts. The human judge quietly motioned to Commander Shepard and whispered 'You'll see.' The playback continued. They heard the voice of Dr. Kenson. But moreover, they heard the voice of the Reaper Harbinger.
The Salarian judge stopped Legion. "Legion, can you clarify for the court who that was speaking?"
Legion's eyes opened wider. "Nazara. The Old Machines. What you call...Reapers. The Nazara called itself...Harbinger."
Hannah Shepard caught herself gasp a little too loudly. Miranda was sitting next to her and tried to calm the elder Shepard. The judge permitted Legion to continue. As the playback reached its critical point, Brad stopped Legion. "Your honors, I want this to be known. What you are about to hear is the crux of this trial." He turned to Legion. "Legion, were you able to obtain a visual copy of what was seen on the asteroid?"
"Affirmative. This platform was able to recover and enhance what was seen by Shepard Commander." Legion's headflaps flared again.
"Then please, proceed." Brad stepped back as Legion's eye was able to recreate the image on a wall behind the Advocacy. They turned around to see what was happening next.
The image showed Shia'va standing at the control console. "Computer, what will happen if the asteroid hits the Alpha Relay." The computer took a few seconds to calculate. It showed the explosion of the relay and its shockwave effect. Shia'va's eyes stopped blinking when she asked what the casualties would be. The computer brought up the number 304,942. "Oh God…" She tried opening a communication to the Batarian worlds. "Attention, all Batarian worlds, this is a priority one…"
She was cut off by Kenson. "You can't save them Shepard. I won't let you. The only way to stop this, is through me." Kenson had cut the communications relay.
Shepard's mind was reeling. She had to stop this. She ran for the core and systematically started shutting down the propulsion systems. But as she got near the core, Kenson stood in her way. "Kenson! Why are you doing this? People are going to die if we don't stop this asteroid!"
Kenson was holding a gun. "Don't you get it, Shepard. There is no stopping this! They are going to come. And there is nothing you or I can do to stop the Reapers from bringing their glorious reign. Tell Hackett…tell him. I'm sorry." Kenson turned and shot out the override on the primary propulsion control. She then raised the gun to her head and pulled the trigger.
Shepard ran over and her heart sank as she tried but failed to find a way to stop the asteroid. It was going to collide with the relay.
Legion had completed the image playback. Brad turned to see the courtroom in collective shock at what they just saw and heard. Shia'va had lowered her head, tears in her eyes. She was reliving this all over again and it was killing her. Garrus had gotten up and went to Shia'va. The guards had tried to stop him but the human judge waved the guards off. Garrus knelt down and held Shia'va in his arms tight. She was weeping quietly. Marcus had his hand on his sister's shoulder. Brad had wanted to join them but he had to finish this. He looked at the Batarian Arbitrator who was starting at him with a very blank look. "Your honors, I call EDI to appear before the court." A terminal had been brought in just minutes before and EDI appeared at the terminal. "EDI, I want to ask you something."
"Ready." EDI replied.
"EDI, was there any way for Commander Shepard to have stopped the asteroid from impacting with the Alpha Relay in the Bahak System?" The judges sat forward and waited for the answer.
"Though Commander Shepard had successfully deactivated the secondary and tertiary propulsion systems of the asteroid, the destruction of the primary propulsion controls had made it statically impossible to cease the forward momentum of the asteroid. There was no physical way to shut down the primary propulsion core." EDI concluded. "Commander Shepard had no control over this outcome. Admiral Steven Hackett of the Alliance had sent Commander Shepard on an impossible mission that had only one outcome. Failure."
Brad turned and looked at the Arbitrator. "Commander Shepard. What is the Alliance Military regulation for anyone being sent on a mission at the order of a ranking officer of the Alliance Military?"
Shia'va stood up and recited. "Regulation number Nine-Three-Eight dash One A of Alliance Military regulation states that no ranking or commanding officer may send any less than two people on a mission. And dependant on the specifics of that mission, the leading soldier of that mission may choose who he or she feels would best complete the mission given." Shia'va was straining to not break out in tears again.
Brad then looked at the judges. "Your honors, ladies and gentlemen of the court, the defense rests."
The entire courtroom was silent. No one could believe what they had just heard. The entire galaxy had just been shown the most damning of evidence that would implicate the highest ranks of the Alliance. Captain Hannah Shepard was in tears. Her husband's most trusted friend had just tried to ruin the life of her own daughter. There was no forgiveness for this. Miranda and Kasumi were quietly consoling Captain Shepard.
The judges stood up. "This Advocacy will take a brief twenty minute recess to confer. After, we will pass our judgment on the accused.
Everyone stood up and was now trying to come to terms with what just happened. Quiet whispers about what they saw passed between one another. Garrus was still with Shia'va. He wiped her tears and whispered to her it would be alright. She nodded quickly. The entire trial had drained her of her strength. The only thing keeping her strong was her brothers and Garrus. In her heart she knew the entire crew of the Normandy and her mother were on her side, trying to give her strength to get through this. But it was too much.
The twenty minutes seemed like an eternity. The Advocacy returned to the bench and sat down. They pounded the gavel and looked at the defense and prosecution. Both sides stood. Garrus had only stepped back to the gate. The human judge stood up and looked at Shepard. "Commander Shia'va Shepard." Shia'va stood tall, ready to accept her fate as a soldier. "To the charges of the murder of over 300,000 Batarians and to the destruction of the Bahak System..." The air in the courtroom seemed to go still. The world seemed to move in slow motion. "We of the Advocacy find you, not guilty." The human judge looked to the Arbitrator. "Arbitrator, do you challenge this ruling?"
The Arbitrator slowly shook his head. How could he? The evidence was all there. It was irrefutable. "No, your honor. I find no cause to challenge this ruling."
Brad, Marc and Shia'va stood quietly as was everyone else in the courtroom. The Salarian judge stood. "We of the Advocacy will now poll the other judges." One by one, the judges returned a 'Not Guilty' verdict. The Turian judge stood. "It is the ruling of this Advocacy that all charges against Commander Shia'va Shepard be dismissed." The entire courtroom erupted in elation. Shia'va hugged her brothers tightly, sobbing softly. She then turned to Garrus and kissed him deeply. Tears still in her eyes. The Asari judge pounded the gavel and called for order. Everyone quieted down. "It is also the ruling of this Advocacy that the Alliance Military will be brought under Judicial Investigation for it's part in the violation of both Alliance Military Regulation and Intergalactic law. This Advocacy is adjourned." The Asari judge pounded the gavel, signaling the end of the trial.
Hannah Shepard ran up to the front of the courtroom and embraced her three children. She was so proud of them. She then turned and embraced her future son-in-law. Because of him, because of his actions, her daughter would never have to face Batarian justice. The Arbitrator walked over to Shia'va and bowed his head. "Commander Shepard. On behalf of the Batarian people, I want to apologize. For all of this."
Shia'va returned the bow as a sign of respect. "You were only doing your duty, Arbitrator. I'm sorry for all the people that were lost. I wish I could have stopped it from happening."
The Arbitrator smiled. "It's alright, Commander. Justice will be served to the one who caused all of this. Life free and fight well, Commander."
It had been several weeks since the trial. With Shepard exonerated of the charges, she could finally focus on the rest of her life. Shia'va and Garrus' ceremony of union had been nothing short of perfect. It was a sunny and comfortable day in New Hiroshima. The orchid-like trees in full bloom. And Councilor Anderson had overseen the ceremony expertly. Shepard had one more thing to take care of. But that could wait until after the honeymoon.
A/N: This story slowly seems to be taking on a life of its own. More chapters are coming. And I think you might be surprised at what's to come.