Chapter 6: Coordination

Back aboard the Normandy, Commander Shepard adjourned to his cabin after an exhausting meeting with the Council. He hoped they would finally begin to understand the threat and that the risk of a galactic holocaust was imminent. Even as he hoped, however, experience had taught the Commander the most likely action is they would protect themselves.

In many ways, civilization had settled into a delicate balance between competing empires. The genophage was a perfect example, mused Shepard. The Krogan population would exist, but not be allowed to dominate. It was the great game that humanity had played as well as any other species, but with every organic and most inorganic lifeforms already caught up in the dance, did they notice the music was coming to an end?

Sighing, Shepard took the lift to his cabin, and looked to see what personal messages were posted there. A report from Yeoman Chambers, a couple automated responses, and a message from Thane were listed. Not expecting the last, he opened the message that read:

Shepard,

I have some things to do. But I will see you before the end.

-Thane

P.S. I'm not alone.

Not having any clue what that means, Jared sat back and tried to puzzle out what it could possibly mean.

"EDI, can you please locate Thane Krios?"

Responding with its mellow voice, the ship's VI said, "Thane Krios is not on board the Normandy. He left 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 46 seconds ago."

Not knowing how to respond to this, he asked the ship a follow-up question. "Are there any members of the Normandy who are not currently on board the vessel?"

"Yes, Commander. Dr. Chakwas is scheduled to resupply the medical bay and is scheduled back in two hours. Jack, Kasumi, Thane, and Zaeed are also not aboard. No further information is available."

Having sent out the request for the crew to gather at the ship, it didn't surprise the Commander to learn which names were on the list of people who hadn't come back yet. These members of his team were among those who had enjoyed the most colorful backgrounds, and he might not have thought so much of it save for Thane's e-mail.

"Commander, one correction. Kasumi is now coming back on board the Normandy," intoned the ship as Shepard wondered what mystery was being unraveled.

"Shepard to Kasumi," he called over the intercom system. "Can you come to Captain's quarters?"

Moments later, the renowned thief waltzed into his room. Walking with agile grace, Kasumi looked out from under her cloak and said, "I'm flattered to be invited to your quarters, Commander, but you're really not my type." She smiled and offered a giggle. For someone so worldly, she still had an innate innocence as befits someone who often spent time alone.

With a serious expression, Shepard asked Kasumi, "Did you see any other crew members while you were on the Citadel?"

Sensing his discomfort, she asked, "Did something happen?" Considering that she didn't answer the question, she continued, "I did not. I was simply meeting some old friends, and then I came back to the Normandy."

Hesitating for a moment, Shepard thought about what Krios had sent, and decided to share the information with Kasumi. If there was anyone on ship who might know what to make of this situation, she had the experience. He passed her a datapad and watched as she read.

"Commander, I don't know what Krios intends, but I know that he will not be found unless he chooses to be." She shrugged and accepted this with the comfort of someone used to having transitory relationships. "I'm sure he had a good reason."

Jared was inwardly fuming as he thought about members of his crew just running off. Thane was on some mission, probably a vendetta from some past situation, and who knew where the mercenary and the biotic went? Still, he couldn't rush to conclusions, so he forced himself to assume a neutral expression.

"I hope so, Kasumi. Let's head down to the conference room."

Nodding with grace, she followed the Commander and they went to speak to the remainder of the crew.

As they walked in together, a few eyebrows were raised. Miranda took note, as did Jacob. No one said anything as they all took their seats around the room, the entire crew present except Jack, Thane, and Zaeed.

Tali was the one to ask the obvious question, as she looked out at everyone from behind her mask wearing her customary purple, "Commander, will we begin the meeting now or wait until the others join us?"

Shepard didn't have a coherent response, so he chose to conceal his uncertainty by saying, "Thane will not be attending as he needed time to handle some personal matter. As for Jack and Zaeed, they have not returned yet, but they can be briefed later." Unusual for Shepard, he looked uncertain in what he was saying, but Kasumi revealed nothing of what she knew, and nobody asked any questions.

"I've spoken to the Citadel Council and have made them aware of the Reaper threat and what we must do to make a difference."

Jacob, always a stalwart defender, said, "I'm ready to take the fight to them, Commander. What's our next step?"

"I don't know what the Council will do, but the Asari, Salarians, and Turians now understand the scope of the threat. I think what we can do is put pressure on each of our homeworlds to take their preparations to the next level."

Shepard realized it would take more than a strike team to stop an invasion, so he began to consider his crew as individuals and small teams. If they split up, and if they were able to get their governments behind the war effort, much more could be achieved.

"Garrus, I want you to travel to Palaven and encourage the Turians to understand what is at risk. Call upon your sense of military discipline and honor. We need fighters."

Surprised by the response, Garrus Vakarian said, "I want to help Commander, but I'm no one important on my planet. I'm a C-Sec washout and a currently reformed vigilante."

With a few suppressed laughs at that last comment, the room lightened a bit, but Shepard wasn't going to let Garrus sell himself short. "You led the team in the final battle, you took down three mercenary groups, and most amazingly, you survived Mess Sergeant Gardner's cooking. You can handle anything."

He stopped for a moment and looked around the room. Shepard saw friends here, but knew the stresses of what was about to come would be likely to divide them. Friends, families, races, there were a thousand fault lines to divide the crew, but if they could be brought together beforehand, it would be possible to mount a resistance. Maybe.

"I'll go if you ask, but what will I say?" was the dutiful response of Garrus. "Honestly, I don't know what resistance we can mount, though I'm ready to fight."

Disliking the defeatist tone, Grunt interjected his views, "A glorious battle awaits. We will be legends, and though some will die, more of theirs will die. And we will win, because we are better. We killed the Thresher Maw. We killed the Collectors. We will kill until the Reapers are dead or until we are." He let out a primal roar with blood lust in his eyes that terrified some, but Shepard had learned to use.

"Grunt is right. It is going to be a nasty fight, but we need to bring all our warriors, and everyone to the fight. I asked Garrus first, but I think we need to split up into teams to get what we'll need to succeed."

The divisions of the past had fractured the galaxy once before, and they had to be overcome. "Even as we travel home," Shepard related, "we're now part of one larger team: The living. We need to work together, and if you trust me, I think I know what we can do."

"The Council races know what to expect, so they will listen. Share your experiences, and use your skills to draw everyone together."

Looking across the room, Shepard spoke to the Asari justicar, "Samara, I want you to travel with Garrus. I think the Turians will respect your commitment, and after you've traveled to the Turian homeworld, I want you two to visit Thessia. You command respect because of your principles, and we need that."

She inclined her head ever so slightly, offering her unquestioning consent, "A wise decision, Commander. I shall go and inform whom I can to make a difference. I look forward to working with Garrus."

She looked over at the Turian, thinking about how interesting their conversations might be, as both had made justice the cause of their life. She found it through her code, he found it through abandoning his. Yet both had brought justice of a sort to their lives, and perhaps she could share something with him.

For his part, Garrus simply nodded and accepted the companion. He was more concerned with how he could make a difference on Palaven, but for all the times Shepard had been there for him, he wasn't about to refuse this request.

"The second team will be Tali and Legion."

Expressing shock, Tali jumped to her feet and said, "Commander, no. I am not going on any mission with this machine who might kill me."

Legion cocked his head slightly, as if in offense, and vocalized, "We will not harm the Creator. We do not wish assimilation. Consensus exists for reconciliation."

Tali was still fuming as everyone could tell as you could hear her heavy breaths beneath her respirator, as she said, "I barely survived being branded a traitor and now you want me to bring a Geth to the Home Fleet. It will not happen."

Shepard thought back to the trial where his Quarian companion had been cleared of the charges of treason stemming from her father's experiments on the Geth. He recognized what a large role fear had played in those decisions, but knew that the possibility of a Quarian/Geth war had to be averted.

"Tali, I know you cannot take Legion to the Migrant Fleet," Shepard noted as he heard her palpable relief. "But, maybe Legion can take you to Rannoch instead."

The shock evident in her voice, Tali simply said, "That would be…unexpected, but welcome. No Quarian has set foot on our home world since the event," referring to the Geth resistance to the preemptive effort of their creators to take them offline.

"Legion, would it be possible?" asked Shepard.

The Geth sniper sat there in apparent contemplation, where in reality he was communicating with all the other Geth to come to a conclusion.

"Processing, Commander. Consensus will be reached, check back later."

Shepard looked at the machine, trying to relate the import, "Not good enough, Legion. We need to work as a team, and if the Geth are going to be accepted into the galaxy, you need to play nice with others. This would be a good start."

Talking about emotions to a machine whose culture was based purely on logic seemed like it might be a wasted effort. Yet, Shepard had an idea this might work because of an earlier conversation he had with Legion, where the Geth said they were living on the satellites and preserving the homeworld.

Legion remained still for about fifteen seconds before responding, as everyone watched the machine without any clue of what to do, "Offer accepted. Tali'Zorah vas Normandy shall be permitted to come to the surface. Are there any other requests?"

Shepard pressed the opening, considering the possibilities, "Tali, what if Admiral Zaal'Koris was to come with you?" He remembered the Quarian admiral as someone who was looking earnestly for a way to avoid further conflict, and if he could find a way home without bloodshed, perhaps the Admiralty could be swayed.

"You mess in dangerous politics, Commander Shepard" replied the engineer in her most cautionary tone. "You saw what happened to my father for attempting far less, and though admirals keep their secret, he could be tried for treason for this." She paused before continuing her analysis, "I do not know."

Solus popped in with his analysis, "If peace is not made soon between the Quarians and Geth, there will be war. Many people will die on both side, Reapers will win, cannot be allowed to happen. Small chance of success beats none."

Bolstered by the support of the Salarian, Shepard used his personal appeal to draw out Tali, "I know you are taking a huge risk by doing this, but it has worked us this far. You can do it, I believe in you."

"Well, yes, Commander. I am sure it will work," she hesitated as if searching for her confidence, before saying, "Yes, I will find a way."

"Legion, is that acceptable?"

The Geth simply said, "Yes. Admiral Zaal'Koris is known from received transmissions, and shall be permitted to visit the surface."

With a smile on his face, Shepard now turned to speak with Doctor Solus and said, "Doctor, I'd like you to go to Sur'Kesh and use what connections you have to get the Salarians ready to hold the line."

"Very funny, Commander, but go I will," was the instantaneous response. It was an ongoing joke between the two about Captain Kirrahe that was lost on the others, but he hadn't sprung the punchline.

"Your partner will be Grunt. After visiting the Salarians, you'll need to travel to Tuchanka and visit with Urdnot Wrex to get them ready for the fight. It shouldn't be too hard."

Before Solus could even begin his objections, Grunt announced, "Battlemaster, I will go to my clan and we will be ready to shed blood. We will earn honor, and we will be Krogan."

Solus looked at the Krogan and asked, "Perhaps there would be a better alternative for this mission, Commander. I can fight, but I am not a Krogan and they will not listen to me."

Shepard looked at Solus, not accepting his excuses, "The Salarians understand the Krogan better than anyone. They need your help, and if you are to survive, you will need to fight together. Open the relationship, and look what you can do to help. We need to consider all possibilities."

Without saying any details, it was clear Shepard was talking about the genophage. While keeping the Krogan population to a minimal amount made sense in peace time, with war coming, it might be worth revisiting. It was just the latest in a series of impossible questions.

Solus said nothing, but nodded his silent assent.

Looking around the room, Shepard recognized that he did not know when the next opportunity would be for those present to be together again. It was a bittersweet moment, because they were all friends, and had been through fights together. But, maybe they would be drawn together once more, and it was Jared's intention that happened before the end.

"Jared, Miranda, and I will head to Earth along with any other members of the crew who remain. We will get the Systems Alliance to prepare as you get your worlds ready."

As he saw everyone nodding around the room, sensing they liked the plan, he continued forward, "Preparation is the best weapon we have now. I've asked the Council to take action at the next likely relay. We don't know for certain where the Reapers will emerge, but Artemis Tau is the nearest system. It would take six weeks to travel there using our FTL drive, so we have time, but we must use it."

"We'll start at Palaven, and the Normandy will drop everyone off in the next few days at their target locations." The Commander spoke with clear pride as he told the crew, "I expect weekly reports, and to see you back here in four weeks time. Dismissed."

As the members left the room, Shepard noticed they were already forming into teams. Garrus and Samara would be a good fit, talking quietly about tactics and strategy. Solus looked overwhelmed as Grunt towered over him, laughing and talking about battle. Lastly, Tali looked frightened while Legion simply followed along without comment. Shepard had considered sending Kasumi as well with Tali for additional comfort, but didn't want to insert anyone into that strained interspecies relationship.

At the end, only the four humans remained in the room, and Miranda asked, "What happened to the ink blot?" With her haughty tone, her contempt was obvious.

Shepard had no answer to offer and simply said, "I don't know. She may just be on station, or she may have left. I will page her again, but we have to leave as soon as the Doctor returns."

"That will be a terrible loss. And the mercenary?" pressed Lawson.

"Same deal."

Jacob offered his answer, "Jared, if they aren't focused on the mission, we're better off without them. I feel the same way."

Surprisingly, Kasumi offered a similar analysis, "You can't have people working their own job and hope to have it succeed. Jacob is right."

As she said this, the thief looked over at Taylor with a demure smile and Shepard swore he saw her wink at him. His smile was all the confirmation the Commander needed, but he said nothing more.

"We have a mission ahead of us, ladies and gentlemen. We will need to prepare soon, so let's start thinking about what we will say when we get back to Earth."

Author's Note - As always, thanks to my readers who catch my mistakes and offer corrections. In response to the previous reviews, don't rush to judgment about why characters are doing certain things. There are reasons, and even those who seem a little off (like Jack and Zaeed last chapter) will have purpose in the end. Worth noting in this version, however, is when Shepard chose Miranda, it went rather poorly with Jack (which is what happened in my game of Mass Effect 2, and I'm being mostly honest to that).

For the next stretch, you're going to see the following teams in action: Jack/Zaeed/Thane, Garrus/Samarra, Tali/Legion, Grunt/Solus, and the main team with Shepard/Miranda/Jacob/Kasumi and some other friends. The Earth team will be the main focal point, but the side missions will also be covered.