They had been ordered back to the citadel.

It was a waste of time, Michael knew it.

Primary objective of campaign is to capture or kill Saren Arterius, secondary Benezia, tertiary is the defeat of the Geth. He squared his shoulders, brushing aside the jab of irritation entering his mind at the thought. Reporting to the council of minor advances is not an objective, rather it's impeding progress...insulting the Council at this stage would be inadvisable however.

He had managed to turn it into something productive at least. A shore leave was always appreciated, would raise morale and make the team better able to handle the stress of when they went back to the mission.

And they really wanted one. That's the problem with caring, it's too personal. He shrugged the thought off. Caring vital, continue.

Glancing back Michael saw the rest of the ground team, per his order they were armed and armoured, one could never be sure how many agents Saren still had on the Citadel after all...

But the way they scuffled and stamped their feet – packed close as they were – as they waited for the decontamination-chamber to open the door ahead, showed that their minds were on anything but any potential danger.

Will meet them at flux after meeting, could serve to raise morale. He shot a glance back, at Ashley, the woman shooting a dangerous grin back. Will have to be careful...

In front of him and slightly to his right Liara stood, the woman having more space then the rest of them as the others of the ground team stayed away from her, as if she carried some sort of disease. Michael could understand their reluctance to trust the Asari, but the current behaviour towards her was nothing if not petty.

Michael on the other hand found it surprisingly difficult not to trust her. Potential brainwash from melding? He had studied the melding-process via the extranet in detail afterwards though, nothing said anything about any sort of brainwashing. No, it was simple trust that she'd been honest about her mother, and an...impression, a mark within him...as if part of her still lingered in his mind. A part full of dedication of her work, of frustration, of a deeply logical mind struggling to be heeded, of a hundred and six years of living, yet being seen as a child...

A part of him – which he steadfastly ignored – fearfully wondered if he had marked her too.

He looked down at the woman. Liara might be tall for an Asari, but that wasn't much in comparison to him. And she looked very much like a small child at the moment, despite the scientist-suit she wore. Rubbing her shoulders nervously the woman kept switching the foot she leaned on, eyes darting left and right in the small compartment, as if fearing the very walls, then turning her stare on the door, fearing the imminent opening.

Fear understandable, Council likely to be hostile judging by their message. He took a deep breath, but the decision had already been made. Will protect and deflect, she is an important resource, worth protecting... He shot her another glance. ...to a certain point, mission takes priority.

With a hiss of air and the thump of machinery the door cracked open, then slid aside, revealing the purple light of the Citadel's sun. Widow...it was an ominous name for a star, all the more so for Liara as she with reluctant steps took the lead, surprising Michael for a moment. He quickly caught up with her though as he stepped out onto the platform the Normandy had docked with, the rest of the ground team shuffling after, eager to be released from duty.

Just as he was about to turn to do just that though Michael stopped, seeing two Turians in the armour of Citadel security coming at them, both having their assault rifles drawn but lowered. Michael's raised hand to wave the others away dropped.. Possible danger, hold position. He let his other hand rest upon his pistol.

The two officers didn't seem overly bothered by his stance though, in fact one of them bowed his head respectfully as he said: "Spectre Shepard, we are here to escort you and Miss T'soni to the council chamber." He shot a glance at the team at Michael's back. "The order did not include these other people sir..."

"Of course." Michael replied, voice calm. "Don't worry officer. Shall we?" He nodded towards the exit.

"Yes sir." The other officer replied, stepping forward as he held his assault rifle with one hand, the other pulling forth a pair of handcuffs as he moved for a hesitating Liara...

"Stop."

Michael's order was snapped so hurriedly that the officer actually took a step back, blinking eyes focusing on the outstretched palm facing him.

Then the Turian's eyes narrowed. "Sir...we are under orders to-"

"Is she a criminal?" Michael snapped back. Bringing her in cuffs implies she is a criminal, will make my objective of recruiting her more difficult, Council plan unknown, but potentially hampering if they want her arrested. "Is she a charged with something?"

The officer holding the cuffs hesitated, looking to the other who now took a hesitant step forward, mandibles clicking in confusion. "Well...no...but-"

"Then you have no right to cuff her." Michael narrowed hard eyes at the officer, making him take a step back. "As a Spectre I'm more than capable of restraining her if it comes down to it, there is no need for the cuffs and I'm ordering you to put them away and lead us to the council." Authority settled, claim of ability soothing any possible worry, encouragement also needed. He made a conciliatory face. "Do so and this incident will not be mentioned in any report."

The two officers exchanged another look, the one with the cuffs grimacing as he with a huff said: "Our orders comes from the Council, if we don't-"

"If so they should have come with a reason." Michael narrowed his eyes at the officer...who lowered the cuffs. "Unless she's charged with something you are not allowed to cuff her. Doing so would be a crime, as such the Council's order is illegal and obeying it would be illegal as well...which an internal investigation would show." The man with the cuffs glared at him, making Michael put a heavy hand on Liara's shoulder as he coldly looked back. "An investigation I would ensure would get you suspended or worse."

Silence, the cuffs rising...then dropping...then shaking as they were raised once more.

Cold blue eyes meeting the angry grey ones of the Turian.

Finally the other Turian took a step forth, a clawed hand dropping onto his comrade's shoulder as he muttered: "We could have misheard the full order...nothing wrong with that..."

A long moment of hesitation, the Turian with the cuffs glaring at Michael, then at the pale Liara.

Finally he shrugged, putting the cuffs away. "Whatever." He shot Michael a venomous look. "But this was your order, if something goes wrong...or the Council gets mad...it's your ass."

"I'll try to live with it." Michael dryly replied, squeezing Liara's shoulder reassuringly, making some colour return to her face. She must not fall apart, such could be exploited. Secondary objective to keep her calm.

With an odd feeling of the Council suddenly having become his enemy Michael led Liara after the two officers now walking towards an elevator, his one hand waving the other to get to their chore leave even as the other held onto a slightly shaking Liara.

Primary objective, to keep her with the ship and crew where she can be used.

Looking at the stiff gait of the Turian officers' and pondering the Council's order Michael felt a worm of worry wiggle in his gut.

Primary objective will be difficult.

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The Council chamber echoed eerily quiet to the sound of their footsteps.

Gone were the administrators, the lawyers, the people and the reporters...there were none but them there.

It was not surprising given the sensitivity of the subject, yet Michael still found it worrying as he stalked up the final steps to the central chamber. Ahead he could see the Council, the three aliens looking down the approaching group with carefully neutral gazes.

Glancing to his right Michael exchanged a look with Anderson, offering the Captain a nod that made the man carefully smile back, as if trying to reassure Michael that all was right. Udina's not present, not wanting to be implicated in whatever will happen, facts speaks against the reassurance. Nonetheless Michael dutifully smiled back.

Between the two Liara walked, hands stiff to her side, steps getting more and more reluctant as they crossed the final distance. Reinforce secondary objective. Michael put a hand upon her shoulder, squeezing.

And then the trio stopped, the scrape of their shoes loud in the nearly empty chamber.

Silence, the three councillors looking down at the trio, their faces unreadable.

Then the Asari spoke, eyes flickering to her left. "This meeting will now come to order." Following her gaze Michael saw the hologram of Avina, the Citadel's virtual intelligence, glow in an alcove, the hologram sitting on an equally virtual chair as its hands moved to type on an invisible typewriter, showing that things were being put on record.

On record...he frowned, looking back to the council. They want conversation on record, it's important for them, why?

It was the Asari who spoke up again: "Let me first state that we've been impressed by your most recent report Shepard, your ability to fight and defeat the Geth can not be in question."

But what can? Michael bowed his head and shot Anderson a glance, seeing the man frown in worry. "Thank you Councillor, I am honoured."

"May I add to the record that Miss T'soni here isn't in cuffs as ordered." The Turian cut in, waving a hand at the shirking scientist. "This should be rectified, I thought we ordered her to be cuffed?"

"You did, Councillor." Michael replied, again bowing his head as he kept his tone respectful. Again on record, it's important, why? "But given that this T'soni is not charged with a crime cuffing her would be illegal, I did not wish the Council to perform an illegal action and in so doing sully its good name..."

This time all three Councillors glanced at Avina, a look of worry crossing the Salarian's face, but the alien was also the quickest to recover as he with his nasal voice replied: "So you thought it wise to counteract our order? To let the daughter of a traitor, both who are powerful biotics, into the Council chamber alone with the leaders of Citadel space?"

Now it was Michael's turn to glance at Avina. Decision questioned on record, decision coming down to judgement, therefore my judgement is being questioned, why? "As I said Councillor, it would be illegal, and while Liara T'soni is the daughter of a traitor she herself is not."

"That, has yet to be proven." The Turian scoffed, eyes narrowing down at the quiet Liara, making her become even smaller.

"Now hang on here." Anderson's voice still held the hint of steel of a man in charge, and one who knew how to use that fact. "Our court-system is based on one not being guilty until proven otherwise, not the other way around." He shot Michael a supportive nod, and Michael smiled back in encouragement. Support from high-ranked Captain's useful, though of course his neutrality could be questioned, still, everything's useful...

"Miss T'soni was found on a planet overwhelmed by Geth, Geth no doubt intent on taking her, and she's the daughter of a powerful Matriarch." The Asari pointed out, looking from Anderson to Michael. "While many humans doesn't understand this the loyalty owed to a Matriarch, even more so one that is your mother, is a powerful thing in Asari society, not to be discarded lightly."

The Turian nodded in agreement. "And if she's willing to discard the loyalty to her mother like that, think of how easy the loyalty to the Citadel could falter." His eyes narrowed as he glared down at Liara, muttering what sounded like a quote: "Weak loyalty is a weak character..."

"It could be argued that discarding loyalty to Benezia proves her loyalty to the Citadel and this council." Michael retorted, squeezing Liara's shoulder tightly as the Asari wobbled where she stood. "And the Geth were trying to take her by force, and she was resisting, her being a traitor is unlikely." He found himself unable to stop himself from adding: "Which you should be aware of."

A hiss of anger escaped the Turian Councillor, but it was the Asari who answered: "Unlikely does not mean the danger does not exist, Commander. Understand, we are not questioning her loyalty, we are questioning your report's show of trust in her, you should not be so quick to trust a person that's potentially a traitor. No Spectre should."

Michael noticed the Turian's glance at Avina even as he squared his shoulders. Ah, not an assault on T'soni then, but one at me, or rather, my judgement, on record... "Unlikely to be a traitor, some risks must be taken to gain results, surely the Council understands this?"

"Of course, Commander." The Asari nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Yet...we do not wish you to fail because of a lack of caution."

"I will heed this advice." Michael retorted with a small bow of his head. They wish me to proceed, but on record that they disagree with my judgement. Why? He shrugged the thought aside. Irrelevant at time, focus on primary objective. "What of my decision to bring miss T'soni along with me?"

"That is your decision." The Turian snorted. "But if she endangers the mission I assure you that the Council will take steps, we have other Spectre's, Spectre's with more sense in them."

The Asari shot her fellow Councillor an irritated look, then turned back to Michael with a shake of her head: "If you want her to decipher that vision of yours..." The Turian sighed and rolled his eyes at the words, the Salarian looked away in disinterest. "...we can keep her here, there is no need for her to come along with you."

"True." Michael agreed, but raised a hand before anyone could speak. "But I prefer if she's at hand for further meldings and analyses of potential finds, not to mention that the powerful biotics the Council previously mentioned makes her more then able to assist the ground team."

"Ah yes, very wise." The Turian's voice dripped with sarcasm, shaking his head as he looked down at Michael: "And what happens when, or rather if, you find Benezia? Will her loyalty to you overrule that to her mother? Or will she try a compromise? Try to seize her mother in a non-violent way that risks your entire operation?" Again he shook his head. "These are questions you should ask yourself before so lightly wanting her to tag along your band, a group already having a duty-ignoring Turians, a mercenary scum and one of the nomads that created the Geth in the first place."

Michael found his stance stiffening. "My team has proven their ability and loyalty time and time again, I disagree with any disrespectful statements about them." He felt a hint of coldness around him as he glared up at the Turian.

The Turian simply glared back, not backing down.

"Apologies." The Asari finally said. "No insult intended."

The Turian merely scoffed.

After a final glare sent the Turian's way Michael turned his gaze to the Asari: "As to Liara handling any future confrontation of her mother...why not ask her herself?" He gave the woman's shoulder a squeeze as he gently pushed Liara a step forward.

"I..." The scientist hesitated, looking up at the three Councillors...then shrugged, her voice surprisingly steady as she spoke, words that she must have practised beforehand, given how calmly they were recited: "I have not seen my mother in thirty years, when we parted it was not in anger, but in disinterest, we did not hate one another, but neither did we care for one another. To each other we have been strangers for not just forty years, but a near eighty."

Silence.

Then Liara took a deep breath and continued: "Benezia might be my mother in blood, but to me she's just another stranger, a stranger I've learnt to be a traitor. Commander Shepard has asked me to accompany him, and I will do that out of loyalty to the Citadel, a wish to defend myself from those that tried to hurt me at Therum, and a wish to continue my studies of the Protheans. Studies Saren clearly wanted knowledge of, knowledge I now willingly share with Commander Shepard, a man I already know better then my mother." A stiff shrug: "Any confrontation with my biological mother will not be an issue, for she will be a stranger."

Silence.

Then the Salarian, somewhat reluctantly, speaking: "Fine words, if they are true." He shot Avina a glance.

Michael glanced over at Anderson, who shrugged, the Captain looking tired all of a sudden.

Then the Asair spoke, her voice soft: "We will not stop you from bringing Miss T'soni with you Commander Shepard." Primary objective achieved. Michael nodded in thanks even as the Asari shot Avina a glance: "Just...be careful. We do not wish to hamper your work, but you are, as you humans put it, playing with fire."

Next to her the Turian snorted, arms folded in front of him.

Michael ignored it, bowing low. "Thank you Councillors." They wish to have on record that my judgement is in question, yet that they are reluctant to hamper me due to my efficiency. He frowned as he kept bowing. Strategically sound, if I succeed they will have been supporting me, yet if I fail they will have been questioning my judgement, either way they either gain or are blameless. A flood of bitterness rushed against him, but he pushed it away as best he cold.. Politicians...always the same, Skyllian Blitz or not. "Your trust is well placed."

"We'll see." The Turian once again snorted, glancing at the other two before waving dismissively at the trio before them. "This meeting is adjourned, we expect more results soon, Commander."

"Of course..." Michael took a step forward, hand landing on Liara's shoulder and leading the pale Asari away, Anderson coming up behind them, gait stiff with anger. "...Councillors."

And Michael left, a bad taste in his mouth.

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Thanks to Abydos Jackson for her feedback.