Ch. 10

Today's public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books, and there is some evidence that they can't read them either.

Gore Vidal (1925 - )

Now our little group is on its was to the Citadel council.

On the way to the council, "Shepard," I say to her.

"Yes Will," she says.

"Am I officially on the team now," I say.

"Yes," she says, "if you want it you can join the Normandy's crew."

"What about Tali," I ask, "she's helped a lot, and I'll vouch for her abilities."

"With your recommendation I don't see why not," she answers.

"Can I ask her now," I say trying, poorly, to hide my excitement.

Shepard grins at my antics, "I don't see why not."

Tali is walking near the back of our little parade I get her attention, "tell me if I say this right keelah sah lai," I say.

She seems taken aback a bit but recovers quickly, "its keelah se'lai," she says, "but you were close."

"Miss Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, I've come to invite you to join the Normandy's crew," I say, "to help us."

"I actually was going to ask to join your crew," she says.

"Well its Shepard's crew," I say, "I'm just the dashing hero," I say with a grin.

I get rewarded with a laugh from her. Liana's back beside me quickly, she loops her arms through mine and pulls me forward. I look back to Tali with a frown on my face. I'm in trouble here. "What are you doing," Liana asks.

"Getting to know our new team member," I say.

"You mean flirting," she shoots back.

I blush, "Getting to know her better," I say firmly.

"Got it dashing hero," she says, but does not let me go. I sigh and grin.

We reach the base of Citadel tower's base, "No matter how many times I see it I always think, it would hurt to fall off that," I say. This draws looks from everyone, "What, it would." I smile I love joking around with these guys, except Udina.

We get in the elevator, I manage to pry myself free from Liana. She crosses her arms and pouts, 'oh brother.' I put my arms around her shoulders, her mood lightens a bit. We reach the top floor. "Top floor, video games, novels, women's lingerie, and the Citadel council," I say with a grin and a laugh. I get greeted with silence, that makes me laugh more. We step out and I flip a switch in my head I'm dead serious now. He made this personal, Saren, he made fun of me I could forgive and forget, but it was his geth that shot Liana, I'll get him for that.

We reach the steps that lead to the Council's audience area, I take my arm off Liana. I go with Tali, Shepard, Anderson, and unfortunately Udina.

"Ambassador I hope your not here to waste our time again," the turian councillor says.

"We have evidence linking Saren to the geth attack on Eden Prime," Udina says.

"–Eden prime was a major victory," Sarens voice says through some invisible speakers, " the beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit." "And one step closer to the return of the reapers," Benezia's says.

"You wanted proof well there it is," Udina says pointing to the council.

"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador," the turian councillor says, "Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes."

"I recognize the other voice, the one speaking with Saren," the asari councillor says, "Matriarch Benezia."

"She must be working with the geth too," Shepard says.

"Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic, and she has many followers," the asari councillor continues, "she will make a formidable ally for Saren."

"I'm more interested in the reapers," the salarian councillor says, "what do you know about them."

A lot I think to my self, "They are, in myth at least, a race of synthetics that some theorize wiped out the Protheans, then vanished," I say.

"The geth believe the reapers are gods and Saren is some sort of prophet for their return," Shepard adds.

"We think the Conduit is the key to bring them back," Anderson says, "Saren's searching for it. "That's why he attacked Eden Prime," Anderson finishes.

"Do we even know what this Conduit is," the salarian councillor asks.

"Saren thinks it can bring back the reapers," Shepard answers, "that's bad enough."

"Listen to what your saying," the turian councillor says, "Saren wants to bring back machines that wiped out all life in the galaxy." "Impossible," the turian councillor continues, "it has to be." "Where did the reapers go, why did they vanish, how come there's no trace of their existence," he rants, "if they were real, we'd have found something."

Your standing in a trace of the reapers you idiot, I think to myself. "I tried to warn you about saren," Shepard says, " and you refused to face the truth, don't make the same mistake again."

"This is different," the asari councillor says, "you proved Saren betrayed the Council." "We all agree he's using the geth to search for the Conduit," she continues, "but we don't really know why."

"The reapers are obviously as Mr. Doe pointed out a myth," the salarian councillor says. Woah is gecko man twisting my words. "A convenient lie to cover Saren's true purpose," the councillor continues, "A legend he's using to bend the geth to his will."

"Fifty thousand years ago the reapers wiped out all galactic civilization, if Saren finds the Conduit," Shepard pauses for what could only be dramatic effect, "it will happen again."

"The council has stripped him of his position, he's on the run," the turian councillor argues, "he no longer has the resources of a spectre."

"That's not good enough," Udina argues back, "You know he's likely hiding in the traverse, send your fleet in."

"A fleet cannot track down one man," the salarian councillor argues.

This is one of the only points where I feel any respect for Udina, "A Citadel fleet could secure the entire region," Udina says building momentum, "and keep the geth from attacking anymore of our colonies."

"Or it could trigger a war with the terminus systems," the turian councillor argues back, "we wont risk a galactic confrontation over a few dozen human colonies." Ok I hate this guy.

Shepard steps in, "Every time humanity asks for help you ignore us."

"Shepard's right I'm sick of this council and its anti human bull-," Udina says. The only moment in the entire game where I respect him a bit.

"Ambassador, there is another solution," the asari councillor cuts in, "a way to stop saren that does not require fleets or armies."

"No its too soon," the turian councillor argues, "humanity is not ready for the responsibility of joining the spectres."

I've decided to stop talking and just let the story play out, "You don't have to send your fleet into the traverse," Shepard argues, "and the ambassador gets his human spectre, everybody's happy." The asari councillor nods to the turian councillor.

I smile big, "Commander Shepard step forward," the asari councillor says. Everyone within earshot starts watching the procedings. "It is the decision of this council that you be granted all the powers and priveleges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel."

"Spectres are not trained, but chosen," the salarian councillor says, "individuals forged in the fire of service in battle." "Those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."

"Spetres are an ideal, a symbol, the embodiment of courage, determination and self reliance, they are the right hand of the council the instriment of our will," the asari councillor says.

"Spectres bear a great burden," the turian councillor continuing the speech, "they are the protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense." "The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."

"You are the first human spectre commander," the asari councillor says, "this is a great accomplishment for your species."

"I'm honored councillor," Shepard says I fight the urge to yell out 'YES.'

I'm really too excited now to focus on what's being said, but I get the gist we are being sent after Saren. The asari councillor finishes, "This meeting of the council is adjurned."

"Shepard," I say I hold out my hand towards her, "congratulations."We shake hands, Anderson goes next.

"Congratulations commander," he says shaking her hand.

"We've got a lot to do, Shepard your going to need a ship, a crew, supplies..." Udina says.

"On the matter of a crew I have a few suggestions," I say with a grin.