After.
Chapter Twenty-Four: The trial
Joker slid his fingers over a display on the left panel, bringing it to the top right.
"Are you all right, Jeff?" EDI asked, as Joker began bringing up communication with Earth to coordinate a landing zone in order to avoid being shot down by the various defenses that safe-guarded Earth.
"Just peachy, EDI," he stated – his voice distracted, as they accepted the ship's ID number and a video call began requesting Joker's eyes. A dark haired woman appeared on screen, "Normandy SR-2?" she asked, her voice filled with what sounded like an Indian accent.
"Requesting clearance and designated landing zone."
"We were expecting you. Land in port S40K03QR. Commander Shepard's presence – as that of the crew as well – is requested within court room Z710," the woman smiled.
"Right. Thanks."
The video message cut out, as Joker shot EDI a side-glance, "See – why did I have to physically talk to her? Why couldn't that have been sent in an encoded message or something? I don't get it."
"It is within human nature for humans to enjoy human contact, Jeff."
"Yeah – I don't get that."
"Because you aren't an ordinary human, Jeff. You exhibit several unusual qualities."
"I choose to take that as a compliment," Joker sat slightly straighter in his seat, as he stared at the giant blue sphere that humanity called home.
"I was not attempting to insult you, Jeff. I enjoy your oddities."
"Again EDI, we need to talk about the creepy thing...but thank you."
"You are welcome, Jeff. Commander Shepard is approaching the bridge."
"How far out?" Shepard rested a hand on top of Joker's chair. The action seemed far more intimate than it had in the past. She had come into this very room, leaned on his chair in some way, and talked to him so many times before. It wasn't any new action he was getting because they were...whatever they were.
"Honestly a couple of minutes if we don't get snagged in traffic. Knowing Earth – it'll probably be an hour by the time we touch the ground."
"Right."
Joker turned his chair around, causing the Commander to take a step back a bit quickly.
"How are you holding up."
"I've yelled into a mirror about eight times within the last few hours," she admitted, leaning on the wall, "So I have a bunch of counter-arguments for all the bullshit they're going to bring up. Can't say I'm excited. Any word if they just want me or-"
"They want everyone, Commander."
"Fuck..." her posture notably slouched at the words, "Why can't they just let me deal with my problems, and leave you guys out of it?"
"Because..." Joker shook his head, "Honestly no clue. Just know I'll go up to bat for you," he offered a smile, "I think everyone here will. Even EDI."
"I do agree with your actions within the now demised batarian Star System, Commander," EDI's voice agreed, causing Joker to smile slightly wider.
"See?"
"Yeah...let's just do this."
–
"Tell me why I'm actually here," Shepard's voice was low and rough, "You keep jerking me around with all these minor charges from years ago. Bringing up things that hardly matter in the grand scheme of things. Tell me why I'm here."
"Commander Giselle Shepard, you destroyed an entire batarian Star System, and you don't understand why you're here?"
Shepard straightened her posture, "I have shown you the files – which I have mentioned at least twice before – of how destroying that Mass Effect Relay gave us a fighting chance against the Reapers. If I left it standing, they could easily move around the galaxy and destroy us in a matter of hours instead of weeks."
The members of the court exchanged glances. Shepard's eyes fell to her crew who had all stood for her moments ago. Everyone looked tired.
"Commander..."
"Yes?"
"We have reason to believe you're indoctrinated."
The crew of the Normandy loudly protested, as Gaz's mouth fell open.
"Excuse me?"
"You were within the derelict Reaper for an extended period of time – if I'm correct."
"But not long enough to-"
"You were brainwashed by not one, but two devices that Saren himself used. Am I correct?"
"It was a beacon-"
"You were exposed to the relic that had caused the entire...problem within the now defunct batarian Star System, for over two days, am I correct?"
"Not one of these things long enough exposure to-"
"How do you know this, Commander? Do you have evidence of how long it takes for indoctrination to occur? Have you conducted a study? Do you know if it does not add up over time?"
"How dare you? I saved this fucking-"
"Please watch your tongue, Shepard."
"That's Commander Shepard."
"Due to events both past and present, the Alliance feels that it would be hazardous to the health of both humanity and your crew to allow you to continue to serve within space."
"What?"
"Today we are stripping you of your Commander rank, your N7 status, and are grounding your ship until further notice."
"What about my crew?"
"Each will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Most will be offered positions back within the Alliance – others will be given opportunities to be brought back to their families free of cost."
"What about the Normandy? She isn't Alliance."
"She is now. Considering Cerberus stole the plans for the original Normandy and modified them, we find it appropriate we take what is ours. The Cerberus logos will be purged and the vessel brought up to Alliance standards."
"You can't do this! The Reapers are coming!"
"Is that them talking, or you?"
Shepard's mouth fell open – the pain visible clearly on her face, "Accusing me of being indoctrinated is accepting the presence of the Reapers which means you should listen to me."
"We will evaluate the matter further, Shepard, but for now you are stripped of all status. We will provide an apartment for you until we have fully evaluated the situation. Until then, you are a civilian upon Earth. Hearing adjured."
Shepard stood in place as people quickly exited the court room. Many crew headed back to the ship to take their things. Miranda approached Shepard, her eyes surprisingly glassy.
"I can't believe they did this to you,"
"Yeah."
"I don't understand how they could even consider this..."
"Yeah."
"Are you okay?"
"No."
"I know we've had our differences Shepard, but you are by far the least deserving of this situation. These people should be kissing your ass – not kicking it. These bastards..."
"Thanks, Miranda."
The dark-haired woman reached up and squeezed Shepard's shoulder, before exiting the room. Gaz's gaze landed on Joker, who was somewhat heatedly arguing one of the judges.
Shepard slowly approached.
"You can't take her from me."
"She's never been yours."
"This is why I left the Alliance! You're blind! Shepard is saving your asses while you choose to back-stab her! Then you ground me. Hard."
"We're looking into the matter, Moreau. Most likely you'll be flying again if you're not found guilty of the charges."
"I helped her. I agree with what she did."
"You're not helping your case."
"If you fucking touch EDI..."
"AI is illegal. Cerberus broke the law. She is a threat and no better than the Geth."
"Fuck you."
Joker threw his hands up and walked towards Shepard, shooting her a sad smile, "I'm done," he admitted in a low voice, as they both exited the court room, "And I have nowhere to live because they are blocking me out of the ship. And I've got no ship. And I've got no EDI. And job. And..."
Shepard pulled Joker into a hug, halting their steps within the hall. Joker rested his head on her shoulder, as she buried her face in his.
For a moment they stood in silence, before Joker mumbled, "I'm actually feeling dizzy from not being on a ship. Is this normal?"
Shepard stepped back from the hug and grabbed him by the hand and continued walking down the hall. Joker glanced down at her action – a smile tugging at his lips, as he squeezed her hand slightly.
"You can stay with me," she said in a low voice, as her omni-tool lit up on her unused hand, "Apparently they took the liberty to move all my stuff to this new apartment for me too. I'll tell them to add your stuff," she released his hand to reply to the message.
"Thanks," a smile cracked across his face, "Hopefully they were kind to your fish."
–
AN: OH MY GOD WHAT IF SHEPARD IS INDOCTRINATED AND THE REAPERS ARE USING HER TO DISTRACT EVERYONE FROM SOMETHING ELSE THEY'RE UP TO? WHAT IF? I don't know. I got that idea after playing Arrival and flipped my shit. And I had to add sweet Joker and Shepard moment in there. Because they're both just tired an angry. I feel a lot of Joker/Shepard stuff coming. MY SPIDEY SENSES ARE TINGLING. And yeah. I get to have fun about guessing Earth stuff and a lot of just...guessing. Yeah.
Rated M for: Language, future sexual situations, future violence, and so I can have freedom without fear of scarring a teen for life.
Oh – and I don't own anything ever.