A/N – ok, here it is, my nemesis… this chapter was exceedingly difficult to write, probably because it involves politics and conflicts not thoughts and emotions. I'm much better with emotions, I think! Still, I felt it was an important part of my Shepard's story and I wanted to wrap up the 'reactivate the Geth' arc in this way. Hopefully you'll be pleased… I'd also like to clarify that I'm aware that Admiral Koris is a long time Geth sympathizer and I hope, based on how he explains himself in the chapter, you won't consider him OOC.
On another note, while I was stumbling over writing this, my mind wandered and the second paragraph inspired another shameless Shenko smut chapter. Since I don't think it's necessary to the fic, nor do I want this to become wall-to-wall smut out of respect for the readers that don't prefer that, I have decided not to post it as a regular chapter. However, since I enjoyed the heck out of writing it and I think those of you that appreciate that type of thing would enjoy reading it, I'll offer it to you as a standalone. If you'd like to read it, click on my profile to find it! Fear not, its PWP so if you don't read, you won't miss anything crucial~
Shepard fussed with the buttons of her dress blues, now sporting insignia of her new rank, and told herself, not for the first time that day, that she only had herself to blame for her current predicament. That she was on her way to face down a group of angry quarian Admirals – again – was a direct result of her own decision to support Tali's efforts to reactivate the Geth. That this confrontation was unlikely to result in her having to dodge live rounds from the quarians or punching one of them – again – was little consolation. Despite appearances, Shepard hated politics. Even more than hanar Spectres. Which was a lot.
She turned to see Kaidan walking through her door, also decked out in dress blues. Well now, the day just got a lot brighter, she thought. Wonder if we could skip the Admirals and go play 'an officer and an officer' somewhere she mused. She sighed and realized with great regret that it was unlikely. Although… maybe she could convince him to keep the uniform on later. Until she peeled it off him. Possibilities.
She gave him a smile that didn't quite hide her thoughts, and saluted smartly, as best she could from her position seated in the wheelchair. She hated the thing but since her legs still weren't strong enough to support her on their own, she figured it was the lesser of two evils. She'd rather sit proud when she faced the Admirals than stand weak and supported. She still bemoaned the psychological disadvantage she felt it gave her though.
"Kaidan," she greeted the man standing before, after he had returned her salute – military correct – then leaned over to take her mouth in a quick hot kiss – fiancé correct.
He gave her a warm smile and she thought she saw appreciation in his eyes, as well. Her plans for later were definitely looking more likely… Then he asked her, quietly, "Are you ready?"
She knew he'd do anything to shield her from stress, but she figured asking him to take her place before the quarian Admirals was too big an ask, even for him. She sighed, resigned, and nodded, "Let's go."
She allowed him to push her chair. She didn't need him to do it - she could operate it with the controls on the arm, under her hand - but she knew he enjoyed it. She didn't feel like analyzing why that was just then so instead she sat back and tried to relax while he navigated them to the third floor conference room which had been reserved for this holo conference. She had used every trick in her very vast Commander Shepard arsenal to try to convince the doctors to allow her take a shuttle to the Neema for this conference. She had suffered one of the few defeats in her career and now had to settle for staring down the Admirals via holo. Not ideal.
She studied the room around her, trying to gather her thoughts, taking in her surroundings. The room was sparse, just a large table in the center with chairs around it, and a credenza in the corner. One end of the room, opposite where she sat, was taken up by floor to ceiling windows. She supposed it was as good a place as any to do this. She looked up from her perusal to see Tali enter the room and rush to her side. Tali was the only member of the Admiralty Board that would be planetside for this meeting, the rest would link in from their ships in orbit.
"Shepard," Tali breathed, "I want to thank you again for doing this."
Shepard looked at her friend and gave the quarian the answer she wished she had the first time they talked, "It's the right thing to do, Tali." Then she took a breath and gestured to Tali to sit, next to Kaidan and across from her chair.
"Tell me what we're up against," she requested, command tone in place. She would treat this like any other mission briefing.
Tali nodded and began her report, "Well, Admiral Xen is the most clearly in our corner at the moment, although I suspect her motives lie more in scientific study than in the interests of the Geth." Shepard nodded, she had never been impressed with Xen's interest in science above all else. Tali continued, "Admiral Koris and Admiral Gerrel are both staunchly against, each for their own reasons. Admiral Gerrel is concerned from the military standpoint, while Admiral Koris worries on behalf of the civilizations on the liveships. Either way, they have been very vocal about their objections. And Admiral Raan…"
Tali broke off and sighed and Shepard digested the information until she continued. "She refuses to take a stand one way or another. I have spoken to her privately and she told me she believes in the Geth's sentience, their right to live even, but she has seen too much, suffered too many losses, to be willing to actively support them now."
Shepard heard the sadness coloring Tali's tone and wasn't surprised. She knew that Tali was closest to Admiral Raan, considered her family. She felt a twinge of sympathy for the young quarian that her family had disappointed her once again. She nodded, the situation was not surprising, and completely what she would have predicted really, but it didn't make it any easier to resolve. "So," she said, "we convince Raan, we win the vote?"
Tali nodded. "Yes," she replied, "but that's easier said than done."
Privately, Shepard agreed. But she had committed herself, she'd do her best. She saw Kaidan give her a nod and smile of support out of the corner of her eye and she braced herself for combat and said to Tali, "Ok, let's get the Admirals."
After a few moments of coordination between Kaidan and Tali, they stood before her, ghostly in their holo form. Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema, Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib-Qwib, Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay and Admiral Daro'Xen vas Moreh, who - along with Admiral Tali'Zorah vas Normandy who currently stood to Shepard's left - made up the governing body for the quarian people. She sincerely hoped this was the final time she'd have to butt heads with these stubborn people.
She took a deep breath and began, "Admirals I have asked you here today to appeal to you to support Admiral Zorah's effort to reactivate the Geth people." She used that term pointedly, hoping against hope that would see that they were dooming a race to extinction, not arguing over machines.
"Captain Shepard," she heard the derisive tone of Admiral Gerrel and winced inwardly, "do you not think your appeal is rather ironic, since we understand that we have you to thank for ridding us of the Geth?"
"Admiral Gerrel," she said from behind clenched teeth, "it is because of the military decision that I was forced to make, due to a change in mission parameters," the last said with a tinge of sarcasm, "that I appeal to you today. I made the choice that I did in the interests of the galaxy at large, to achieve our objective of destroying the Reapers. I sincerely regret that the Geth were innocent casualties of that decision. It is my understanding that Admiral Zorah and Admiral Xen believe that there's a chance that they can reverse the damage I inadvertently caused. I believe that the Geth deserve that chance."
"So we may find ourselves in bloody battle, throwing our own civilians against them again?" This from Admiral Koris.
Shepard spoke directly to him, "Admiral Koris, it was your civilians that began aggressions against the Geth, the Migrant Fleet that started the war. The Geth just wanted to live, same as any civilian under your protection." She saw him give a slow nod.
"What if the price is too high, the cost too much," came the quiet reflective tones of Admiral Raan, "there has been so much destruction on both sides. Isn't it better to leave things as they lie, not risk going down a dangerous road again?" she seemed to be more uncertain of the answer than posing a real objection.
"Admiral Raan," Shepard said softly, "we cannot live our lives in fear of the unknown. The quarians have suffered, yes, as have every other race in this war, even the Geth. But the thing that defines us as not just human or quarian is that we can learn from that suffering and grow. I believe the quarians are a better people now than they were before this war. I believe they will learn from the mistakes of the past, and do things better. Don't you owe your people that belief as well?"
Admiral Raan seemed to stare at her in shock for a moment, then she visibly gathered herself, and turned to her omni-tool, saying, "We will vote now, Captain Shepard, please give us a moment."
Shepard sat quietly, patiently waiting, noting Tali entering her vote on her own omni-tool. After a short time, Admiral Raan spoke again.
"Captain Shepard, we thank you once again for your aid. You have proven a true friend to the quarian people over the years and once again you have helped us – me – to see the error of our ways. The Admiralty Board votes in favor of Admiral Zorah and Admiral Xen's efforts. All available resources will be dedicated to their cause." Her voice rang with the authority of her rank, but then she continued, more softly, "Shepard, I wish you the peace and happiness you have earned. Thank you for your service. Keelah se'lai."
Shepard nodded in respect to the Admiral and returned her, "Keelah se'lai." Then the holos blinked out and she was wrapped in a tight hug by Tali. Sometimes politics didn't suck.