Chapter 5

The suburbs and sprawl of Berlin stretched on for miles in the evening darkness. Fires accented the expanse of buildings that were stained with a seemingly random severity of destruction. The hull cameras offered Shepard a view of the city as the Kodiak sped toward the urban center at just a few hundred feet off the ground. It was clear that the city had not been hit nearly as hard as London. A large portion of the enormous superstructures that made up the center of many Earthen cities were still not only intact but seemingly safe to occupy. Shepard glanced away from the viewscreen to Liara who was busy tapping away at a datapad.

"Find anything interesting?"

The asari nodded in response, still searching and reading as she responded. "I have gotten some information, yes. It's good to know some of my contacts are still alive. It appears the city sustained a comparatively low level of damage." She paused briefly as she read through another file. "Officials from what remains of the European Union have established their headquarters here."

Shepard turned back to the screen and squinted to focus on a haunting silhouette of a dead Reaper laying among damaged buildings in the distance.

"Well let's hope they don't try to rope me into whatever council they have going."

Liara glanced up to him with a grin and turned off the datapad. She slid it back into a containment pouch on the wall and pulled out her firearm, beginning a quick check to make sure it was behaving optimally. Shepard walked across the small cabin to the cockpit door and leaned in.

"Are we close?"

"Sure are, commander."

As Cortez answered he pulled the Kodiak into a wide bank and pointed the nose toward a large building. The scorched white walls of the structure were spotted with lights (unlike most buildings in the city) and multiple landing pads were shining brightly on the roof. The building, around thirty floors tall but quite wide and long in expanse, was located at the edge of a large collection of superstructures that Shepard assumed was downtown. The Kodiak began a rapid deceleration as the surface of the roof grew near and in a few seconds Shepard could feel the shuttle come to a halt and slowly descend to a landing zone. He turned back to the passenger cabin and looked down, double checking his armor and omnitool settings before looking to Liara as she waited by the door. The humming of the thrusters died and Shepard tapped the control panel, signaling the side door to open.

The two hopped out of the shuttle and looked around the roof they had landed on. Supplies were stacked everywhere. Weapon caches, food containers and even sleeping bags were sprawled before them with dozens of men and women attending to them. There were at least six landing zones Shepard could see, all marked with a series of lights in a pattern used by the Alliance to organize impromptu docking. A half dozen shuttles were visible both on the roof and in the air nearby either loaded with supplies or troops. Shepard didn't have much time to look about before he was greeted by a dark haired marine that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

The marine saluted (a gesture immediately returned by Shepard) and spoke with a piercing voice to punch through the ambient noise that surrounded them. "Specialist Alexi Korova, sir. We weren't told much about the nature of your visit, but..." The specialist stopped talking and looked over the commander's face and to the N7 logo on his shoulder. "Holy shit... Commander Shepard?"

"We don't need the whole FOB alerted to my presence, specialist. I've got some important meetings I need to take care of."

Specialist Korova nodded understandingly and looked around to make sure no one else had taken notice of the visitors. "Yes sir, of course. If you'll follow me I have orders to escort you to the fifth floor."

Shepard nodded and he and Liara followed behind the marine as they waded through an ocean of boxes to the rooftop exit. The door pinged and opened to reveal a large elevator that the three stepped into.

"So what was this place?" Shepard leaned back as Korova tapped a button on the elevator controls and the car began to descend.

"Just a business complex. It was the main base used by the resistance movement in Berlin. You'll see why when we get to the lobby."

Liara cleared her throat slightly and spoke. "So the mop up has been smooth for the city?"

Korova shrugged. "Well the Reaper forces are much less aggressive than they were before the naval battle. A lot of the men are feeling like glorified pest exterminators."

Shepard grunted slightly. "It's better this way. Trust me."

"You don't have to convince me, sir."

The elevator came to a sudden stop and the doors opened to reveal what looked like a balcony. The trio exited the elevator into an enormous atrium that was wrapped in multiple floors of semi-circle walkways. Shepard walked to the railing and looked over into the expansive room below him and instantly recognized why the building had been used as a combat headquarters. On the far wall were dozens of holes once filled by glass doors and windows. Then, almost like an amphitheater, the floor rose up from the entrance in a crescent of stairs to the second floor. The second floor, which was the main floor of the atrium, had been completely barricaded and was setup to offer firing positions on the stairs leading up from the entrance.

"Looks like the resistance here had it easy compared to London... the Reapers actually left a few buildings standing." Shepard marveled at the countless bullet holes and scorch marks that covered the floor and wall around the main entrance.

Liara nudged Shepard and pointed toward the specialist as he stood ready and waiting. Shepard apologized and the three continued their walk along the hall to a meeting room. Specialist Korova opened the door and nodded them in before turning to leave. Shepard and Liara entered and found themselves greeted by two familiar faces. In a chair behind the conference table sat Jack with her arms crossed and chin in her chest. While she dozed a dark haired man stood contemplating a projected map of the greater Berlin area. As he heard the door closing the man turned and crossed his arms, smiling warmly to the two newcomers.

Shepard grinned and approached him with an extended hand. "Well look at this... Major Kaidan Alenko alive and well."

Kaidan laughed and took Shepard's hand, shaking it firmly. "I think if anyone's survival is worthy of awe it's your own, commander." He smiled and nodded to Liara. "Hey Liara. Keeping him on his meds?"

"Well I'm not that kind of doctor, but I'm doing my best." Liara smiled in return and nodded a hello to Kaidan.

Behind Kaidan the tattooed woman rustled slightly before opening her eyes and glancing up. She let out a huge yawn and leaned back in her chair, whipping her boots up onto the table and crossing them. "Well fuck me, Shepard finally decided to show up!"

The commander shook his head with a smile. "Don't sound too thrilled, Jack."

"Hey now, no need to get snarky with me. You took your damn time." Jack pulled her feet off the table and onto the floor. She stood and strolled casually over to the three others and nodded toward Kaidan. "I was having a blast getting to know the vice-president of Boy Scouts Incorporated."

Kaidan glanced to Jack. "Yeah, we got to share all kinds of stories involving us in perilous danger. Funny how many of them included the phrase, 'And that's when Shepard's speech started...'"

Shepard chuckled and looked around the room quickly, double checking to make sure no one else was around. "So... where's everyone else? EDI said Garrus, James and Javik were here too."

Kaidan signaled toward the tactical map he had been looking at as they arrived. "James and Javik are headed back from a patrol now." He looked back to Shepard and Liara. "You didn't see Garrus on your way here?"

Shepard and Liara shook their heads and Jack nodded toward the door. "He's been in his little sniper nest for like a day and a half. I can show you where."

Liara looked to Kiadan. "Should we wait for James and Javik?"

Kaidan was already analyzing the map again as he responded. "Na, they're still half and hour out. You probably have time to go find Doctor Chakwas too. I've got to handle some things... Jack, do you mind?"

Jack nodded once. "Let's get our asses mobile." Jack set off to the door with Shepard following behind. He turned back as he noticed Liara remaining stationary.

"I'll stay here, Shepard. I'd like to finish that research I was doing on the shuttle." Liara glanced to her omnitool.

The commander gave her a nod of affirmation and turned to catch up with Jack.

Shepard looked around the eerily still office Jack and lead him to. Desks, overturned potted plants, broken lamps, datapads and numerous small knickknacks littered the floor. He tried his best not to step on anything that looked personal; he nearly brought his foot down onto a framed picture of a woman and child before catching himself and averting his path. Jack, on the other hand, stomped on ahead of him.

"Am I going too fast for ya, Shepard?" Jack glanced over her shoulder with a grin.

Shepard ignored the dig. "We getting close?"

Jack stopped a few yards ahead of him and crossed her arms. "We sure are." She motioned to her left and a pair of large glass doors.

Shepard approached the doors and placed a gloved hand on one of the handles. He pushed the heavy doors open with ease and stepped out onto a large covered balcony. Jack followed close behind and nodded toward the corner. Shepard glanced to his left in the direction she had nodded to see the long barrel of an M-97 Viper pointed out toward the city. Garrus sat motionless at the end. One of his mandibles gave a nearly unnoticeable twitch before a single shot rang out from the sniper rifle. Garrus held his eye on the scope for another second to confirm his shot had found the target.

"Shepard..." Garrus finally leaned back from the rifle and pulled it from the bipod it had been resting on, setting the gun barrel-up at his side. "I was wondering how long it would take you to come back from the dead this time."

"You'd think they'd just stop trying to kill me after a certain point." Shepard grinned at his turian comrade.

Jack rolled her eyes. "Well I can see you two need to get this homo-erotic tension worked out so I'll just head back down to the conference room."

Garrus shrugged and stood up with a slight grunt of pain. "Well sorry, Jack... this beautiful vista just really brings out the romantic in me."

"Whatever." Jack smirked and turned back to the door. "Later, boys."

Shepard chuckled lightly and took a few steps to meet Garrus, noticing his limp. The two instinctively took each other's hands and shook firmly. "Guess you didn't get out of the battle without a few scars, eh?"

Garrus looked down to his leg which was still encased in a medical wrap. "I've had worse. You know, like the missile that blew off half of my face." Garrus motioned toward a couple of chairs by the edge of the balcony and the two sat themselves.

Shepard looked out into the dark city. "Nice view."

"I suppose you could say that. I can't be out on the front lines with this damned leg so this is the best I can do."

"You do know that after all we've been through this little vacation might actually be warranted, right?" Shepard glanced over to Garrus as he sat resting with his eyes closed and his head back.

"I know. I know." Garrus opened his eyes and looked over to Shepard. "It's damn good to see you, Shepard."

"You too, Garrus. I know you'd probably rather be back on Palaven by now..."

"Virtually the entire turian military is there so I figured they could manage without me for a few days. But what's this I hear about you being on the Council...?" Garrus gave Shepard a confused look. "I mean, don't get me wrong, you can broker a peace like no one's business but I didn't think being a Councilor was your style..."

Shepard groaned and shook his head. "It's just for one meeting. At least that's all I promised. And how the hell do you even know about it?"

Garrus chuckled. "Don't worry, Liara told me just a few hours ago. Though that does make two of us with some business with the Council."

Shepard smirked and raised a brow. "You finally get that C-Sec reinstatement?"

"Heh, not quite..." He straightened up. "By the sounds of it they're looking for new Spectres. They've got a lot of work in store keeping the peace."

"You gonna go for it?" Shepard watched Garrus intently.

Garrus remained silent for a moment. "I'm not sure. At this point I just want my damned leg back to normal."

"One step at a time, huh?"

"If that was a leg joke it was terrible."

"Well, this is it." Garrus led Shepard into the large, convention sized conference room that had been converted to a field hospital and pointed toward the back left. "Chakwas has a station back there. I'm going to get a new wrap for this leg and head up to the others."

"You know where they are?"

"I can find them."

Garrus turned and caught the attention of one of the nurses, leaving Shepard to head into the maze in search of Doctor Chakwas. As Shepard began to wander through the rows of operating tables and cots he couldn't help but notice how empty the hospital was. He wasn't sure if this was because most of the wounded had been shipped out already or if casualty rates had dropped due to the new passive attitude of the Reaper forces. He didn't have much time to think about it before a crisp voice brought him to a halt mid-step.

"Excuse me, sir, but I don't think you're authorized to be in this area." The ever-so-familiar English accent brought a smile to Shepard's face.

"Sorry, Doctor. I had some urgent business to take care of." Shepard turned around to see a smiling Doctor Chakwas sitting beside a makeshift desk.

"Well I suppose if it's urgent I can let it slide."

Chakwas rose to her feet and walked over to Shepard, not hesitating to wrap her arms around him in a warm hug. Shepard couldn't help but feel as though his own mother was giving him a welcome home embrace. Chakwas stepped back and put her hands on his arms, beaming up to him.

"The hero.. and with only a few scars and burns!" Chakwas pulled her arms back and folded them across her chest. "I hope you didn't get spoiled by those high ranking doctors on the Issus."

Shepard shook his head with a smile. "Don't worry, doc. If I'd been conscious I would have told Hackett to leave me in the Normandy's medbay with you."

Chakwas laughed and shook her head. "Oh don't be ridiculous. I'd have forced you onto that medical frigate without a second thought."

"Not a very busy field hospital..." Shepard looked around the room of mostly empty cots.

"Fortunately, yes. And because of that I won't feel guilty about heading back up to the Normandy. That is why EDI contacted me... isn't it?"

The commander looked back to Chakwas. "I think you've earned the right to serve wherever you think you'd do the most good."

The doctor turned back to her desk and picked up a relatively small duffel bag. "Well in that case we'll have to see what the Normandy's next deployment orders are."

Shepard heard a soft ping sound from his omnitool and tapped a button to open his comm. "Shepard? It's Liara. Javik and James just got in."

"Thanks, we're on our way." Shepard closed the link and looked back to Doctor Chakwas. "Ready?"

"Lead on, commander."

Shepard and Chakwas walked back through the rows of cots and operating tables to the hallway he and Garrus had entered from. As they walked through the door they were greeted by Jack as she leaned against the wall across the hall. Doctor Chakwas smiled at the familiar face.

"Hello, Jack."

Jack stood up from the wall and walked over to Shepard and Chakwas, giving an awkward smile to the doctor. "Uh, hey Doctor Chakwas." She quickly turned her attention to the commander. "Shepard, do you think we could talk alone for a minute?"

Doctor Chakwas turned to Shepard. "Shall I head on upstairs then?"

Shepard smiled appreciatively in response. "Thanks, doctor. Fifth floor in the atrium. They're in one of the conference rooms to the left off the elevator."

Doctor Chakwas nodded goodbye and headed off down the hallway. Shepard turned back to his biotic companion. "What's up, Jack?"

She averted her gaze and let out a sigh. "Look, Shepard, I know you're here to get the gang back on the Normandy and all that shit, but I can't just up and leave the responsibilities I've got here!"

"Jack... I'm not here to bring anyone back to the Normandy. I just wanted to make sure everyone's alive." Shepard crossed his arms and shrugged. "I don't even know if I'll be in command of the Normandy by the end of the week."

Jack turned back to Shepard with an unbelieving look. "You're not trying to get the squad back together? Isn't that like your thing?"

Shepard laughed and shook his head. "Jack if you want to stay here with your students that's all you need to say."

She looked down and nodded. "Yeah... okay. Most of them are already en route to Tokyo. I should really be there." Jack glanced back up to Shepard. He held out a hand and Jack promptly responded by punching his arm. "Fuck your handshakes. We'll get a drink sometime."

Shepard smiled and let his arm fall back to his side. "Sounds good, Jack."

Jack raised her arm and ran her hand slowly through what hair she had. "By the way, Shepard... thanks. I'm glad you came to see me. I mean... us."

Shepard could see the maturity in her eyes. It wasn't something that had been there a year ago when they had met. "Thank you, Jack. You did more for me and this galaxy than most."

"Hey, if there's a galactic apocalypse I'm going to have to do some killing one way or another. Might as well be for pay, right?" She gave Shepard a wicked grin. "Anyway I'm gonna head out... a couple of those transports on the roof are heading to Tokyo. It's next on the list for the Alliance."

Shepard hit her lightly on the arm. "Keep in touch, Jack."

"Eh, I'll think about it. And damn, don't be such a pussy next time you try to hit me." She gave him a strong punch in the same place she had earlier and turned to leave without another word.

Commander Shepard stood staring at the elevator doors as it smoothly rose to the fifth floor. He'd expected Jack would be heading off on her own path, but it warmed a place in his heart that she wanted to be with her students. Her kids. Perhaps coming from a place without nurture had spurned her to nurture others as a way of compensating. The elevator came to a halt and the doors slid apart, revealing the enormous, battle-worn atrium of this once ordinary business center. Shepard exited the car and proceeded down the walkway to the conference room.

Shepard pushed open the door and took a step into the room. Liara and Doctor Chakwas sat at the conference table engaged in lively chatter. Liara glanced toward him and smiled warmly before looking back to Doctor Chakwas and nodded to something the doctor had asked. Kaidan sat at the end of the table tapping away at a datapad while referencing the tactical map. Shepard assumed he was in the process of transferring orders and command to another officer. Javik stood silently in the corner of the room. He wore the same grim, stern look as always and held his arms across his chest defensively. Garrus and James were in the middle of a loud, jovial conversation which quickly was put on hold when Vega saw Shepard enter the room.

"Hey! Loco! You look good for a dead man!"

Shepard approached the two and shook his head. "You know the 'almost dying' joke is going to get old eventually. In fact it might have crossed that line about a year ago."

Garrus shrugged and rubbed his hand up against his facial scars. "Some things don't change, Shepard. I'll never lose these scars and you'll never have to worry about funeral expenses."

James raised his hand and saluted sharply. "Good to see you, commander."

Shepard saluted in return and nodded. "You too, Vega. How's the fight been?"

"Eh, pretty easy compared the shit you pulled me through to get here."

"Next time we save the galaxy from annihilation I'll keep your sensibilities in mind."

Garrus nudged James and leaned toward him, whispering jokingly. "He's lying. I've fallen for that trick twice now."

"Yeeeah, I figured." James looked down with a hint of guilt in his eyes. "Actually, Shepard, I kinda wanted to talk to you about that."

Shepard nodded. "Go ahead." He knew what James had to say already.

"Well uhh, I kinda have a command now. Got my own platoon." He looked back to Shepard and shrugged. "I think I gotta stay here, commander."

Shepard smiled and took a step forward, putting a hand on Vega's shoulder. "Congratulations, James. If you don't deserve it I don't know who does."

Vega's face uplifted to the cocky smile he often wore. "You think you can handle yourself without me? I mean hell, you can't count on Garrus. He's limping like an old man."

Garrus sighed and shook his head. "It'll only be a few more days, thank you."

Shepard stepped back and saluted Vega again. James saluted and smiled. "Thanks, Loco. I had a hell of a time under your command."

"It was a pleasure having you, James. If you ever need me to put in a good word for a promotion you know how to find me."

Vega chuckled and shrugged. "I think I need a little more time in a normal unit before I go looking for a promotion, sir, but thanks. I'll keep that in mind." James looked around the room to the crew, all still busy with their own engagements. "Well... I've already said my goodbyes. I should probably head back out and link up with my platoon."

Shepard nodded, giving him a pat on the shoulder and Garrus held out his hand and the two gave each other a tight shake. James turned and gave a wave and one last goodbye to the room which was reciprocated with smiles and goodbyes from Liara, Chakwas and Kaidan. Javik merely nodded in acknowledgment. As James turned to leave Javik left his corner and approached Shepard as he stood with Garrus.

"Commander." Javik remained as icy as usual.

"Javik. Glad to see you're still around." Shepard tried his best to show his appreciation without doing so in a way that Javik would mock or dismiss as foolish.

"My purpose to avenge my people will exist as long as Reapers still roam the galaxy." He stared intently to Shepard. "There are increasingly less enemies here on Earth. When do we leave." Even when asking a question it felt as though Javik was issuing a command.

Shepard glanced toward Garrus who immediately turned his head and took a few steps away in an attempt to have as little to do with the conversation as possible. "Well, we don't have our orders yet. I have some business to take care of with the Council before we do anything else."

Javik shook his head. "I will not sit idly while you attempt to save your galactic government. I will stay here and continue fighting. Contact me if we are to leave and fight on another world or do not contact me at all." With that Javik promptly turned and left the room.

Shepard shook his head and glanced back to Garrus who twitched his mandibles and shrugged. "Well it's not like he's going to be doing us any favors sitting on the Normandy complaining."

The commander sighed. "I guess you're right."

Shepard turned to the table where Liara, Chakwas and Kaidan sat. Liara and Chakwas had stopped talking and begun watching Shepard at some point and both smirked in amusement at Javik's course of action. Kaidan tapped the power button on his datapad and stood up, walking over to the group.

"So are we headed back to the Normandy or what?" Kaidan crossed his arms and donned his familiar half-grin.

Shepard looked to each of his four companions and smiled. "I guess we might as well head back. I could use an hour or two of rest."

Liara grinned as she and Chakwas stood. "Just a couple, though. You wouldn't want to sleep through this little meeting you have soon."

The team formed up around Shepard, ready to move out. "After everything they put us through I'm not going to feel guilty if they have to wait on me." Shepard smiled to his friends and turned to lead them out.

Author's Note

Holy mother of dialogue, Batman! Hope you enjoyed the read this week... it took a bit longer than I was anticipating. And looks like next week Shepard will finally get this Council meeting out of the way... WHO DOESN'T LIKE READING ABOUT BUREAUCRACY?