Joker returns to the helm, remembering another reason why he never ventures out of the cockpit. He knows Liara and Tali mean well. As he is actually a part of the rumors this time he had yet to hear them. He had denied everything, even the things that were true, for Shepard's sake and on account of his own awkwardness.
He breathes a sigh of relief as he slides into his seat at the helm. Shepard would return soon. Until then his full stomach and the quiet cockpit remind him of how little sleep he got last night. He lowers the brim of his ballcap for some shut eye as he waits.
The portal to the airlock turns red, indicating that a decontamination is in progress. Joker hears the ding as the light turns green and the doors slide open. The sound stirs him from his semi-awake state. He lifts the visor of his cap and looks back.
Shepard boards the Normandy flanked by Garrus and Kaiden on either side. She is visibly fuming.
"We can't just sit here while Saren finds the Conduit." Garrus growls.
"The girl's grounded!" Shepard says frustrated. "She's the only the ship with the stealth capabilities to enter the Terminus Systems undetected. What are our options?"
"Wait. What?!" Joker jumps in.
Garrus replies. "That's right. The Council grounded the Normandy until further notice."
"I thought…"
"No." Shepard throws her hands up in the air. "No, the Council isn't on board. They finally see Saren as a threat, but they still refuse to admit the reapers even exist! Udina is concerned over the political ramifications of entering the Terminus Systems. He told us the Council would be handling this problem from now on."
"The hell they will," Garrus remarks.
"Exactly. Seriously. What are our options?" Shepard paces.
"Hell, Commander. You're a spectre so you can…" Joker starts.
"Where have you been, Flight Lieutenant?" Kaiden glares at him angrily. "The Normandy has already been taken offline."
"What…?" Joker sits up straight and checks his console. All of the Normandy's necessary systems such as life support show as operational. A few swift flicks of his wrist upon the holographic interface change nothing about her flight status, however. Sure enough, a circular red holograph indicates that the Normandy will not respond to any internal cues for flight.
"We're sitting ducks unless we can think of something." Shepard says looking over Joker's shoulder.
"Damn, Udina." Joker admits defeat.
Shepard shakes her head and sighs. "You two are dismissed." She says to Garrus and Kaiden. "Thank you for your support throughout that political nightmare. I need to clear my head."
"Yes, Ma'am," Garrus acknowledges and leaves the bridge.
Joker watches over his shoulder as Kaiden lingers.
"We'll figure this out, Commander." He says in a soft voice. "Why don't you lie down?" He glances at Joker briefly, a wild look in his eye. "I know you didn't get much sleep last night."
Shepard's eyes subtly move from Kaiden to Joker and back to Kaiden. "Please." She says. "Take a few hours for yourself. I'll alert you if anything changes."
Kaiden nods in acknowledgement, but his feet seem hesitant to move. "Yes, Ma'am." He finally answers. "You know where to find me… If you need anything."
Shepard waits a few seconds before saying, "Joker. I'll alert you immediately if anything changes with the Normandy's status."
"Yes, Commander." He responds.
She exhales a deep, defeated sigh and retreats down the hallway.