Chapter 3

Admiral Hackett stood with his hands behind his back as the door of his Kodiak shuttle hissed and opened to reveal a bustling carrier shuttle bay. The huge room was filled with shuttles being loaded or unloaded with various supplies and equipment. Dozens upon dozens of crewmen scurried about the cavernous shuttle bay, their movements accented by a constant drone of machine noise and human chatter. He placed his hand on the door to keep his balance as he stepped down from his elevated position. In front of him stood a stoic and serious-faced deck officer who, given her age and lack of visible battle fatigue, looked to be fresh out of officer training school. The officer immediately snapped a crisp salute.

"Sir, First Lieutenant Madeline Brooks reporting. I'll be your liaison for your visit aboard the SSV Mandela."

Admiral Hackett quickly composed himself and saluted in return. "Well met, Lieutenant. At ease. I believe you've already been briefed on my visit?"

The young woman brought her hands behind her and stood at ease as she responded to her superior officer. "Partially, Admiral. I've been informed that you are looking for something being held in storage bay E-06. My orders are to escort you there."

Hackett nodded in affirmation. "That's good enough for me. Lead on, Lieutenant."

Brooks turned on her heel and began walking toward an exit across the room. Hackett followed closely and observed the working crew members as he passed. "How long have you served on the Mandela, Lieutenant?"

Lieutenant Brooks turned her head to return visual contact with Hackett as they walked, his pace quickening until they were side by side. "Approximately six months, sir."

The two reached the end of their traverse across the shuttle bay and entered a freight elevator. Brooks tapped a button on the control panel and the car began to descend into the depths of the ship.

"Did she see much involvement in the battle?"

Brooks nodded curtly. "Yes, sir. We had almost every available fighter flying harassment on the Reaper fleet. A couple wings managed to take out a couple of destroyers with some well placed torpedoes."

Admiral Hackett smiled at the thought. "Excellent. What have ship-wide operations been since the battle?"

The elevator stopped and the lieutenant lead the two onward down a tall, wide hallway. "We've been running nearly non-stop support missions for the three days since. Our fighters are running air support missions for ground troops on mop-up and we have every available shuttle running re-supply or medevac." The woman stopped and turned toward a large cargo door. "We're here, sir."

Brooks reached to the security panel and made a few quick taps with her fingers. The large orange "lock" display on the center of the door phased to green and rotated, opening up a relatively small storage room. Admiral Hackett immediately saw what he came for: a lone casket sitting in the middle of the room. The admiral approached the black, temporary casket slowly, his liaison having assumed a guard position next to the door. Hackett stopped at the side and placed his hand on the sealed lid. He slowly rounded the side of the casket until he came to top. A simple inscription at the peak listed the name of the body therein.

Rear Admiral David Anderson

SN: RA-330-094-14232

"You did some damn fine work, Admiral. I wish I could have thanked you in person."

Hackett took a step back from the coffin and saluted. He lingered for a brief moment before turning and walking back to the door and approaching Lieutenant Brooks. "Lieutenant, would you kindly escort me back to the docking bay? I have a doctor's appointment."

"When are we expecting him to regain consciousness?"

"Any moment, sir. I'm doing one last check on his vital systems."

Doctor William McKay tapped a button on the display of Shepard's bed and began methodically analyzing the stream of data that poured from it. He couldn't help but feel a bit anxious as he worked. He had been a doctor for over twenty years, most of which had been spent serving with the Alliance, but Admiral Hackett was nothing if not an intimidating man. The admiral stood patiently behind the doctor as he worked, his eyes wandering across the equipment that filled the intensive care suite Shepard was being treated in. The medical frigate Issus had only been commissioned a few months before the Reaper invasion and had been kept among the reserve with Hackett's command cruiser during the Battle of Earth. The staff was comprised mainly of higher ranking and veteran members of the medical corps due to its large research lab. Hackett had had no doubt in his mind as to where Shepard would be brought for treatment.

"She's a hell of a ship."

"Yes sir, she is." McKay glanced from his work to a large collection of still unloaded boxes containing medical supplies and equipment. "Sorry about the mess. We were in the middle of fully stocking when the order came in for the assault."

"Mm. Well in your defense I didn't give much warning."

"Heh... Can't blame you for that, sir." The doctor tapped the display off and turned to face Admiral Hackett. "He's coming to."

Shepard laid motionless but for his rising and sinking chest as Admiral Hackett approached the bedside. His body still bore the blemishes of his last battle. Dozens of bruises, cuts and burns spotted his arms, legs and face. His stomach was still tightly bandaged on the gash that had caused much of his blood loss. The doctor reached to the cabinet beside the bed and pulled a rapid administration syringe filled with pain suppressors in case consciousness turned out to be too painful for Shepard to manage. The commander stirred slightly before taking in a deep breath and forcing his eyes open. The overhead lighting burned fiercely. He opened his mouth to speak and a weak, scratchy voice emerged.

"I'm alive..?"

The admiral smiled down to Shepard warmly.

"You bet your ass you are, son."

"And... my squad?"

"They're fine, Shepard. Though I'm not sure where they all are or what they're up to."

Doctor McKay set the syringe down on the counter behind the bed and cleared his throat softly.

"Commander, do you mind if I ask you a few questions? It's.. a regulation whenever we deal with comas or possible brain damage."

"Go ahead..."

"Your name?"

"John Shepard."

"Date of birth?"

"April 11th. 21...54."

"Your current assignment?"

"Stop the Reapers."

"Alright... Can you open your eyes for me?"

The commander reluctantly forced his eyes open wide and stared up at the ceiling. The doctor pulled an ophthalmoscope from his pocket and quickly leaned over the man to examine each eye. After finishing, seemingly satisfied, the doctor nodded to Admiral Hackett and slid the tool back into his pocket.

"You're in good condition. I'd recommend another day or so of rest, though."

"Whatever you say, doctor. Do you mind if we have the room?"

Doctor McKay saluted before adjusting his glasses and turning to leave. Admiral Hackett waited until the door had closed behind the doctor then looked down to a still groggy Shepard.

"Welcome back, commander."

"Thank you, sir... Did I miss much?"

"Do you want to have this debriefing now?"

Shepard smirked, an expression that caused him to wince in pain a bit, and shrugged lightly. "This is as good time as any, I suppose. How long was I under?"

"About three and a half days. You were unconscious when your crew picked you up on the Normandy. I requested you be transferred to this medical frigate immediately when I got word you had been recovered."

"I appreciate it."

"It's the least I could do."

Shepard chuckled softly. "So did it work?"

Admiral Hackett paused for a few moments before nodding.

"Yes. Somewhat. We're still trying to piece together how, exactly."

The commander gave Hackett a quizzical look. "What happened?"

"When the Crucible activated all the Reapers within the sol system..." The admiral paused briefly, seemingly looking for words, "...shut down temporarily."

"Shut down?"

"Some for as long as fifteen minutes. Those minutes bought our fleet enough time to eliminate almost the entire line of capital ships and even more destroyers. When the remaining Reapers began to regain power and awareness... they fled."

Shepard's eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly, his face tensing. "So there are still Reapers out there."

"Yes. But their numbers are a fraction of what they were before the battle. All fleets have been ordered to return to their home systems and combat any remnant Reaper forces. However we have a galactic wide standing order for fleet reassembly should the Reapers counter-attack."

Shepard nodded and eased his expression, satisfied with the course of action. "And the Crucible? What exactly did it-"

"You'll have to ask EDI more about that. She claims to have completed her own investigation of the Crucible's discharge."

Shepard sat quietly and stared out the small viewport on the wall of his room. Through the small porthole he could see numerous Alliance ships moving in formation. He almost wanted to pinch himself. It was over?

"What happens now, sir?"

Admiral Hackett crossed an arm across his torso, his hand craddling the elbow of his opposite arm as his hand scratched at his beard.

"Most of the Citadel population is alive... including the Council. They're arranging a meeting and they've respectfully requested your attendance as the temporary representative of humanity."

Shepard finally tore his eyes from the viewport and looked to the admiral.

"Sir, with all due respect, I'd rather be finishing this fight."

"Shepard. Son. The fight is over. We've been receiving consistent reports from across the galaxy of minimal Reaper activity and virtually no aggression. Commander, you won us this war. I want you representing humanity at this Council summit."

Commander Shepard remained silent for a long a time. He turned from Admiral Hackett back to the body that lay before his eyes. Every part of him was sore and aching. He didn't think he would make a very good representative of humanity. But then he did often find himself playing diplomat, even in the middle of a battlefield. He did have a knack for coercing people to abandon their inhibitions and think rationally. He finally looked back to the admiral and nodded slowly.

"Alright. I'll do it. But if this turns into nothing but a race game..."

"It won't, Shepard. Not if you're there. I've spoken to the Council personally and they know damn well what they owe you." Hackett placed his hand on Shepard' shoulder and smiled. "Now, I should be going. I've got a lot of work to do."

Shepard raised his arm to salute the admiral, but before he could he was met with Hackett's extending hand. The commander lowered his hand to the admiral's and grasped it firmly.

"You can dismiss yourself from care whenever you wish; don't let the doctors stop you. Now get yourself ready for that summit, Shepard. I'm counting on you."

"I will, sir. Thank you. Oh, and what ship am I on?"

"The Issus."

"Got it."

Admiral Hackett released his hand and briskly turned to leave the room. Shepard leaned back into the bed and closed his eyes, trying to mentally evaluate his status. He could tell he didn't have any broken bones and with the military grade treatment he had received he was certain his deeper wounds were sealed. He could probably see himself "checked out" in a couple of hours if he so desired, but for the moment he just wanted to lay here. The commander cracked an eye open and looked around the room for a comm tablet. He felt around on the side of the bed before his fingers finally swept across the comm's screen. He pulled the tablet to himself and began tapping away at the holographic keyboard.

Liara,

I'm awake on the SSV Issus. I've you're not too busy I might be able to squeeze a social visit into my busy schedule.

-John

Satisfied, he pressed send and set the tablet on the table beside his bed. Shepard settled back into the bed and began making a mental list of issues for the summit.

Liara stood patiently at the security checkpoint in the small hangar bay of the SSV Issus. She had already visited the ship twice in the past seventy-two hours and she was trying her best not to look visibly irritated with the crewman double-checking her security clearance. She understood the precaution. The young Alliance serviceman finally turned from his console after nearly a minute.

"Sorry again for the security checks, Doctor T'soni." The man tapped a button on the console and the blast door that lead to the interior of the ship slid apart.

"No apology needed." Liara did mean what she said, even if it came off with more than a bite than she intended. It had been a long few days with numerous restless hours.

"Welcome aboard, ma'am."

Liara nodded and gave a small polite smile to the checkpoint crewman before turning and briskly walking through the door. It was obvious why the Issus had heavy security once one was inside. The ship was brand new in almost every way conceivable. The construction mirrored that of the Normandy, which with the arrival of each new Alliance craft was appearing to be the first of the new cosmetic design for human warships. Looks did not make a ship valuable, however. Liara passed by laboratories, some open to observation and some very clearly closed, all state of the art in their design and function. She rounded a corner, checking a sign on the wall with a slight glance to confirm she was headed toward the intensive care unit. In the hall she saw a human in his middle years that had shown her in to see Shepard on one of her last visits. Doctor McKay smiled and nodded as he passed by. She returned the sentiment and turned at one last corner before reaching a door marked "ICS-025" and stopping. She took a deep breath and pressed her hand to the holographic panel on the door. The door pinged gently before sliding open.

Shepard stood at the window in a set of Alliance casual fatigues, looking out the window to observe the fleet movements that seemed to be on a continuous loop around the sector. He lingered on the view for a second or two as the door behind him opened before turning to face his visitor. Shepard didn't even have the opportunity to speak before Liara gravitated across the room to him and embraced him passionately. He reciprocated without a word and wrapped his arms around her tightly, a hand finding the base of her neck and cradling it gently as her face sank into his neck and shoulder. The two held each other silently until Liara finally pulled her head up and far enough away from his chest to look him in the eyes. She already had streaks of tears adorning her cheeks.

"You..." She clinched a fist and smacked him on the arm lightly. "I told you to stop dying!"

Shepard smiled and slid his hand from her neck to the base of her chin. "I didn't die this time. Almost doesn't count."

She laughed softly in happiness as another pair of tears ran down her face. "Fine then... I'll give you a pass this once."

The two smiled into one another's eyes for a fleeting moment before leaning into each other and sharing a long, deep kiss. As Liara reluctantly pulled herself back she ran a hand down the side of his face and an expression of concern replaced that of joy on her own.

"Are you alright, Shepard? Are you in pain?"

Shepard shook his head dismissively. "A little pain, but I've had much worse. The doctors say I'm well enough to leave whenever I'm ready."

Liara's expression fell to that of relief. "Thank the goddess. You are lucky there has been so much to do the past few days or else I would have been here worrying myself to death."

The commander took her hand and lead them to the nearby bed, sitting them down side by side. "Yeah.. Admiral Hackett told me he had a lot to take care of as well."

She smiled gently. "It is a good thing you're alive... This process might have taken a lot longer if you weren't. It might not have happened at all."

Shepard raised a brow. "What process is that?"

Liara smirked and placed her hands on the bed behind her, leaning back casually. "Oh, nothing major. Just rebuilding all of galactic civilization."

"Yeah... I bet that's off to a great start." Shepard mimicked her action and leaned back. It was relaxing.

"And now I've been told that the council has requested you for their fourth chair?" Liara glanced over to her bondmate with an almost amused look.

Shepard shook his head slowly. "Hackett assured me it's only temporary. I'm hoping for 'one council meeting long' temporary."

Liara leaned over with a warm smile and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I was teasing. I can't think of a better representative of the human race."

Shepard shrugged. "So... the team is...?"

"Still operational... but we had some injuries in London. Garrus has a nice limp now to match his scars."

The commander felt a pang of guilt. "That bastard can't catch a break, can he?"

"It's both minor and temporary."

"Good... What about the rest?"

"Well..." Liara took his hand in her's and squeezed. "You could ask them yourself... The Normandy is waiting."

"Well if it isn't the boss-man himself!" Lieutenant Cortez smiled as Shepard and Liara approached the docked Kodiak. Cortez was leaning on the hull next to the door with his arms folded across his chest. "I guess I'm still stuck ferrying you around, huh?"

Commander Shepard chuckled and extended a hand as he approached, a hand Cortez took kindly and shook. "Looks like it, Lieutenant. I see you got off easy from that crash."

The lieutenant laughed and jumped up into the hatch of the blue Alliance Kodiak. "Just a few cuts and bruises." He held his arm out to offer a helping hand.

Liara quickly leaped into the dropship, leaving Shepard unable to argue against the idea of having to be helped up. In all honesty he could manage just fine, but he was sore. He took the hand and placed his other on the side of the door, jumping up into the Kodiak with his two shipmates.

"Is the Normandy nearby?" Shepard tapped a button next to the door to activate the closing sequence.

Cortez swung through the door to the cockpit and slid coolly into the pilot's seat, tapping a few buttons and igniting the thrusters. "She sure is. Hackett has her in formation with the rest of the support fleet. I think he wanted the Normandy nearby in case you needed to be evacuated to her." Cortez slid a finger across his communications console, opening a channel with one of the bridge crewmen of the Issus. "SSV Issus this is Kodiak shuttle tail number 89-0175 requesting departure from the docking bay."

"Affirmative, Kodiak. The airlock will be open in fifteen seconds."

Shepard turned from looking into the cockpit back to the seating area. Liara sat silently on one of the benches, smiling up to him. He walked to the seat and joined her, letting out a soft grunt as he sat. As he did the Kodiak jumped to life and lifted a few meters off the floor before turning and approaching the hangar airlock.

"You're going to have quite the welcoming committee when you get to the Normandy." Liara glanced over to the commander, the smile still lingering on her lips.

Shepard smirked. "I'm not huge on parties. But if there's an open bar..."

"You're going to have your ears talked off by EDI as well. And I think you would be wise to listen."

As Liara finished the Kodiak jerked forward, quickly accelerating to cruising velocity and leaving the SSV Issus behind. The briefing screen in front of them blinked on, giving them a holographic three-dimensional map showing the Kodiak as it sped between the Issus and the nearby Normandy. The shuttle ride lasted barely over a minute before the craft decelerated, lining up with and entering the Normandy's docking bay. The shuttle set down with a soft drop and Cortez stood from his seat, entering the passenger area.

"Told you she was close." Cortez had barely opened the door as Shepard dropped down onto the deck of the Normandy.

"Welcome back, Commander." EDI's soothing voice radiated around them as Liara exited the transport after him.

"Thanks EDI. It's good to be back."

"And it is good to have you. Are you planning to tour the ship and greet the crew?"

"I think I'll do just that." Shepard and Liara began walking through the empty hangar to the elevator.

"Good. I believe the crew would like to see you alive and well. I would like to request a meeting between you and my analog body when you have finished."

Shepard and Liara entered the elevator and he tapped the "2 – CIC" button to begin his rounds.

"Alright, EDI. Deal."

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed the read! If you did, feel free to leave a review and tell me what you liked! If you didn't, leave a review and tell me why I'm terrible!