Agent Salya stirred uncomfortably in his parked car as we watched the main entrance to the Corsair's Sun. It had been three hours since the party and gone inside. He had thought and trying to slip inside, but going unnoticed was his MO, so he had decided to stay in the skycar and watch the entrance.
He was getting restless.
Maybe they saw me tailing them and they slipped out the back? How much longer can they stay in there?! Maybe I should move to get a different point of view? No No No! Have to stay put!
Then finally he saw the party Exit the Corsair's Sun. He watched as the party started to walk to William's hall.
"This is Agent Salya. The party is proceeding towards William's Hall..."
A moment later the detached voice answered. "Good, continue surveillance Agent Salya..."
"Should I signal extraction?" The Salarian said briskly.
There a long pause.
C'mon, just give the word! Lets just get this over with! Agent Salya thought in the deafening silence.
The voice finally responded. "I'm going to pull a few strings. Keep a watch on the party. You will know when to give the signal. Good work Agent Salya. You are doing good, just work."
Agent Salya exhaled a breath he had been holding in. It will be over soon. Soon justice will come... He thought as he exited the skycar. He picked up his Carnifix handgun and checked to make sure it was fully charged. Then he took off in to the shadows of the dusk keeping his vigilant eyes on his target.
[][][][]
Just across from the Corsair's Sun in a well groomed and maintained park stood the mosuleum that was Williams' Hall. El'Jaid shivered at the cool sea breeze that was wafting in. But she also shivered at the sight of the well lit mausoleum.
It had been built just after the Council had established itself on Esthasia. To honor the Alliance's sacrifices during the war it had been name to honor Ashley William's death at Virmire; a plaque giving her service record and telling of her heroic sacrifice stood embossed on the marbles posts of the hall's entrance. Outside, standing as a gate guard, was a replica of the Krogan Statue that had been on the Citadel. The hall also served as a place for military honors for every Council Military faction. Most importantly the hall was dedicated to cataloging every soldier and their actions who had served in the War against the Reapers. Every world that had been conquered by the Reapers, then liberated or completely destroyed, and the names of the victims or the missing. The VI's databases were constantly being updated. People still came to the Hall hoping to either find lost family members and friends, or at least peace.
El'Jaid had never came here since it was built. There had been invites, even from Anderson, but she had declined them all. Yet in that moment she felt drawn to it, and the group followed in her wake. The sound of her cane tapping with each step like the ticking of a clock.
As they neared the entrance there were candles alight, small miniature holo-projections of people, flowers, toys and trinkets of all kinds neatly arranged near the vast tall doors. But there was no one insight, it was nearly closing time as the sun sunk beyond the ocean that stretched out from the Council Spire. As the doors effortlessly opened, and two armed guards rushed up.
"I'm sorry folks, but its closing time." One guard said holding his hand up.
Garrus took point. "I understand that officer, but these people are here under my supervision. Executor Vakarian, C-Sec."
The Guard's immediately stood at attention and saluted Garrus. He nodded at them and they dispersed back to their posts.
"Nice to have the private tour." El'Jaid said uneasily. The Hall filled her with a sense of foreboding she could not pick out or describe. Inside William's Hall it was as it's name suggested, a hallway. The ceiling was uncovered to the sky and stars, and a mass effect barrier kept debris and moister out. In the walls there was etched in thousands of language dialects a simple statement:
Welcome to this hallowed place. Welcome to this space of remembrance. Remember the Soldiers for they drove the Reapers back. Remember the worlds that are the testament to the struggle. Remember the fallen and lost so that their sacrifice was not in vain and that they will not be forgotten.
As the group walked down the hall, their foot steps and El'Jaid's cane was all the noise that could be heard. As they drifted by, terminals soundlessly displayed name of soldiers who fought, died or were missing, and cataloged their actions and accounts of combat. Other terminals displayed civilian names of the dead or missing, in addition to the location and date of where they were last seen. The terminals never displayed any species or gender specific information, just names.
All were equal here.
At the end of the hall, a VI in the persona of a Krogan Shaman stood before them. It drew upon the Hall's databases and could recognize any military individual who had participated in the war, Their military rank, the various ships or location they served on during the war, and their 'status' within the hall.
In turn it 'looked' at each person in the party.
"Captain Kaidan Alenko. Alliance Navy. Greatly Honored Guest, War Veteran."
"Executor Garrus Vakarian. SR2 Normandy. Greatly Honored Guest, War Veteran."
"Commander Miranda Lawson-Alenko. SR2 Normandy. Greatly Honored Guest, War Veteran."
"Dr. Liara T'Soni. Various postings. Greatly Honored Guest, War Veteran."
It's 'eyes' turned to El'Jaid. She just looked on through it, knowing what it would say.
"Unknown individual. No data available."
The Shaman VI turned to the whole party and bowed.
"Thank you Greatly Honored Guests. Your presence in the hall will be remembered."
The VI then Shut down. Leaving the group in silence.
Before anyone could say anything El'Jaid had already passed through the doors leading to the outside courtyard. Once they were outside, Miranda leaned over to Kaida. "Why didn't the VI recognize her? Anyone would if she was dressed in a Military uniform." She stated in a hushed voice.
Kaidan's eyes fell to the ground. "Because she doesn't want to be recognized here Miri." He said back in a equally quiet, kind, but firm tone.
Miranda didn't understand why. El'Jaid was the savior of the Galaxy. But by Kaiden's tone Miranda knew not to press the issue any further for the moment.
Garrus and Liara both walked back watching El'Jaid stride forward.
"She made the choice to be removed from the records didn't she." Liara said in a quiet hush.
Garrus' eyes were the expression of pained sadness. "She was never added to the records here in the first place, Liara."
Liara stopped causing Garrus to turn and face her. Her blue eyes filled with determination to understand why El'Jaid was not recognized by the Hall's VI. "Then who do they have listed at the Commanding Officer of the Normandy? Who do they have listed who led the evacuation of the Citadel, Earth and countless other worlds? Who do they have listed as the one to flew the Normandy on it's final Mission?"
Garrus looked back at her with his face even more forlorn. "No one." He said.
Liara looked on ahead at El'Jaid as she crossed in front of the talking wall.
El'Jaid felt a knot tie in her gut. She had her reasons, she knew why she had stated that she would not be apart of the Hall. She wasn't a hero, she had just been doing her job. She had just been in the right place at the right time.
She wasn't a hero...
She looked up at the Talking Wall, it was a terminal that displayed comments from visitors. It was never edited and kept a record of every entry. The majority of the entries were the same. Individuals giving their thanks for the fallen, or their rescue, or looking for information on missing people. But every so often a line of comments would appear that threaded through the display.
Peace to the fallen, the forgotten and to the betrayed. Remember Earth.
Where is Captain Shepard in the hall, where is the Savior of the Galaxy?
The Butcher of Torfan doesn't belong here. Death to the Betrayer of Earth. Curses on the Apostate of the Citadel!
Remember Bahak! She got away with Murder!
I hope she never comes here. She belongs in a grave, not an Academy. Fuck Shepard.
Don't insult the Warlord! Or I'll tear you from your hide!
Why did she desert us for them? Why did she let my family and friends die?
Why did she not defend the Citadel? Our symbol of unity? Why did she bring back and free our old enemies?
Our children will pay her price with their blood!
El'Jaid clenched her walking cane in her fist, the cold sea breeze cut into her like a knife. El'Jaid stared blankly at the wall as her compatriots joined her. They each scanned the wall and looked at El'Jaid speechless. What could they have said?
Eleven billion people had been on Earth when the Reapers struck. The Alliance's Defense forces and fleet had been wiped away. Before the Earth's finally collapse only two billion people were rescued or had escaped.
She was the Butcher of Torfan, the Savior of the Citadel, Humanity's first Specter. She had led the team that crushed the Collectors, and rose the Armada that burned the Reapers from the Galaxy. In doing so she had inadvertently given the Quarian's back their home world, reunited the Geth, allowed the Rachni to exist once more as a force in the galaxy, and cured the Krogan of their doom. By her choices she had saved countless lives, yet scuttled the Citadel, obliterated a star system, and many saw Earth as her failure. In the four years since the Reapers defeat at Haestrome she had endured the barrage of questions, the silent accusations and quiet taunts.
She had given honest answers to the choices she made for four years to who ever openly asked them, and while the verbal and open onslaught had abated somewhat, she knew the questions would never die. There were people who wanted her to admit she was wrong. That she was a fallen warrior in the eyes of most of the Galaxy. A Hero forced to make a Villains choices, or maybe rather a Villain feigning to be a Hero.
...she knew they had needed time...
...But in doing so she had killed 300,000 people...
...Most of them slaves...
I'm not a hero...only a tool...a thing...
Liara gently took El'Jaid's arm and led her away. She didn't want her to keep reading that horrid list. The rest of the party followed them and they left William's hall, and quickened their pace to leave it. But no sooner had they made it out side that once again they were accosted by two of the Hall's last patrons. One being Ms. Khalisah Bint Sinana Al-Jilani, the other an Asari.
"Captain! Captain Shepard! Please! Just a minuet of your time!" Ms. Al-Jilani called out.
It would have had to have been her to recognize El'Jaid. The tabloid writer had a memory like a steel trap and a mouth the size of a Thresher Maw's.
"I'm begging you! Please!
The last time El'Jaid had to deal with her was back on the Citadel when she was taking on the Collectors. El'Jaid was in no mood in dealing with reporters; especially Ms. Al-Jilani. But Liara tugged at her arm again, and smiled at her, letting El'Jaid know that she might as well face it and be over with it.
El'Jaid slightly turned her shoulder and her head to take a glance. "Yes Ms. Al-Jilani, how can I help you?" El'Jaid's tone was civil, but cold. As she took more time to look at Ms. Al-Jilani, she noticed that there wasn't a camera drone and that Ms. Al-Jilani had tears in her eyes. The Asari behind her was smiling warmly.
"Captain...I knew it was you after hearing the VI speak. You are the only person who would keep company like you do, yet not be recognized by the hall." She pressed forward. "I have something to tell you..." Al-Jilani's throat was choked.
El'Jaid turned fully towards her. A lost look pervading her face.
" I know we haven't always seen eye to eye. But for the past four years I've just wanted to... to thank you."
El'Jaid's eyes softened in surprise and she turned to fully face the unarmed reporter.
"You led the forces that gave Cindran the time it needed to evacuate most of it's citizens before the Reaper Fleet took the world." Al-Jilani said brokenly before she broke down crying. The Asari came behind her and rested her hands on her shoulders. Giving her strength. She heaved as she drew in air.
"You saved my bondmate that day. You saved my unborn daughter." Al-Jilani rushed forward and embraced El'Jaid. El'Jaid was startled but smiled and as Al-Jilani broke away flushed and embarrassed.
".. I'm sor...sorry for that...I meant no disrespect." She glanced in Liara's direction.
Liara smiled towards her, she understood what it meant. She knew it was the only way Al-Jilani could thank El'Jaid.
El'Jaid's expression had softened dramatically. She just knowingly nodded. "I was just doing what needed to be done." Is all that she said.
Al-Jilani smiled relived. But the peace that ensued was broken by a media mob. News it seemed traveled fast; almost too fast on the Capitol.
The group started down the street to break away from the feeding frenzy that was about to overtake them, but they were not fast enough.
The first to barricade their escape was Mr. Steven Fields of Westerlund News. El'Jaid's inclination was just to blunder her way thought the crowd. She looked over to Garrus and Kolyat, both who were furious about the intrusion. "When we get back to Headquarters I going to..." Garrus trailed off fuming as he yelled in to his head set.
El'Jaid and Liara were cut off from Kaidan and Miranda who were already swamped and being assaulted with questions and flacked by camera drone lights. El'Jaid and Liara tried to turn to escape the onslaught, but it was vain. Again Liara let her know it would be best to just deal with it and be done.
"Please Captain Shepard! Just a few questions for the folks back home! Steven Fields of Westerlund News." His camera drone's light shone in her face, she wondered if it was necessary or just a piss-off factor.
She straighten her stature, which made her all the more imposing, but Mr. Fields didn't shy away. "Thank you Captain! It was just noticed that it was your first known visit to William's Hall. Do you have any comments as to why you came to pay respect to humanity's hero's, or why you have delayed so long in coming to visit?"
El'Jaid kept her cold astir composure. "I came out of respect for the soldiers, and Mr. Fields, the last time I checked the hall remembers all people who fought in the war. Not just Humanity."
"I see. It is good to see you remembering those who fought for Earth." Undaunted Mr. Fields launched in to another question giving El'Jaid no room to maneuver. "Its also been reported that you requested to officially retired from the Alliance Navy, but you have continued to teach at the multi-species Military academy on New Ceylon. But what about being a Council Specter? Surely you are done with that."
El'Jaid was becoming aggravated, her retirement hearing from the Alliance had only just taken place and her request had been denied. He was bluffing on her Specter status, that kind of information would never be officially released. "I still serve the Alliance as an active duty officer, and at the same time I feel that my experience would be beneficial to other officers regardless of background. Different points of view in all facets of life always help different cultures to understand each other. Through this exchange of knowledge in military protocol, procedure, practices, and even cultural differences; I hope to avoid the use of military force in favor of diplomacy." She flashed her eyes as him, her pupils both glowing a faint red. "As far as my Specter status, its the same with being a Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine. You have two more questions Mr. Fields, and that is all."
Mr. Fields, was starting to lose his edge, she had outmatched him for every play so far, but he still had ordinance. "Captain Shepard, it has been a topic of debate for the last two year but here is your chance to go on record. Its been said that you gave the orders to scuttle the Citadel, and that you decided it was best to use your combined forces at the time in supporting the other species and not humanity. That in doing so you doomed Earth and nine billion human lives. There is also the 'debate' surrounding the so called Alpha Relay in the Viper Nebula. Are there any fact to these accusations?" His smile was civil, but it gave him the look of a snake.
The crowd was silent, the reporters who had been antagonizing Kaidan and Miranda were suddenly caught by El'Jaid's spectacle and gave her their full attention. Waiting for El'Jaid's response or backlash. She had been dealing with these statements, and the memory ever since, and those decisions would haunt her like Torfan, and leaving Ashley Williams to die on Virmire.
She closed the distance with Mr. Fields, her pupils now fully red dominating her eyes, and her old scars starting to glow. She looked as if she was the very image of the God Amonkira as Thane had said.
"Mr. Fields, is your memory or mind so poor as to not comprehend that the Reapers endangered every species in this Galaxy? That the Citadel contained every species' census data, maps, plans; every piece of information about us? If the Reapers had gained the Citadel, not only would they known everything about every space faring species, they would have gained control over the Mass Relays. May I remind you that it was only thanks to Grand Admiral Tali Zorah Vas Normandy and Legion of the Geth that not only were the attacking Reapers driven away, but also most of the Citadel was evacuated. And even then most of the people who escaped only did so thanks to C-Sec Agent Bailey who gave his life that other people may live."
She stepped away but came roaring back at Fields before he could recover.
"As far as Earth. The entire Galactic combined fleet could not had stopped the destruction of Earth. Our allies needed help, and we needed to secure them if they were going to survive. The Rachni saved the combined fleet from utter annihilation there. They perished like hero's. Do not sully the memory of these soldiers; Human or their allies. They are the saviors of the Galaxy. This exchange is over."
She turned around and began to walk away. Other reporters parted in front of her like the Red Se. Most bowed in respect; all were silent. Their appetites lost or satiated.
But Mr. Fields was incensed. Again El'Jaid Shepard had shown that not only was she deadly on the battlefield, but had absolute control over the art of Diplomacy.
"Captain Shepard! But I have just once more question for you!" He ran up to close the distance between them. "Are you even Human Captain? Even though you are a colonist, Earth was your ancestor's homeworld."
El'Jaid stopped, but did not look at him.
"Over the past few years, many people are wondering why you have been seeing an Asari instead of a human. They also wonder why you would choose to see an Asari with a menial background." He said, his smile like that of a jackal.
Liara stopped, and her eyes widened. El'Jaid twisted around only giving Fields one eye which was targeting him like a laser, her scares showing visibly, her right hand gripping her walking staff. "Mr. Fields, what do you exactly mean by that?"
Fields smiled. He 'knew' he had her, if he could catch her in some base moment his story would really show how much of a sham she was. That she was just a propped up alien sympathizing figure head. "Why simply that the Asari you are seeing is a referred to as a 'Pure Blood'."
The Asari around them silently screamed in horror. Liara's complexion was one of shock. El'Jaid turned around to face him fully. Her eyes smoldering, her face the very vestige of Hades. She was trying to keep control of her emotions. She was 'fine' with being called a traitor, murderer, a figurehead. But she couldn't stand racial slurs, especially against the person she loved...
But Before she could even reach Mr. Fields a solid punch had already landed square across his face.
"Why you card carrying Terra Firma Spineless Son of a Bitch!" Screamed Ms. Al-Jilani as she lashed out at him.
All the reporter drones were fixed on the scene as Al-Jilani kept pummeling him. "You ungrateful tabloid weasel! You're worse than a dog for even insinuating..."
Kaidan Miranda, Koylat, and Garrus pressed through the throng of reporters as the brawl, or rather, assault, continued.
Liara tugged at El'Jaid's arm and they began to move away from the scene, and they had just about made it away from the attention of the throng.
Yet no sooner had they began to round the corner as C-Sec cars and vans pulled up. The Brawl, or rather, thrashing was broken up. The Turians restraining Al-Jilani as she strained to go after a very bloodied Mr. Fields who was being arrested by a Salarian.
As El'Jaid, Liara and they others started to press onwards, a C-Sec shuttle landed squarely in front of them. The door flew open and four C-Sec officers rushed out. Two Humans, an Asari, and a Turian, all if full battle armor and carrying either submachine guns or shotguns.
"Stop!" One of them yelled, and the group halted.
Garrus walk forward showing his credentials. "They had nothing to do with that scene back there." He said.
One of the Humans rushed forward pushed him aside, not paying him or anyone else any heed. He Stalking up to El'Jaid.
"Specter El'Jaid Shepard. By Council decree. You are under arrest."
"What?! That's insane!" Kaidan rushed forward only to be greeted by a raised shotgun.
Liara started to glow with her biotics, but El'Jaid gently laid a hand on her, shaking her head.
El'Jaid and her group were in no shape to go up against four well armed and armored 'soldiers', and they had no cover to run to.
Liara's eyes went wide with fright. Oh Goddess...the storm...
"El'Jaid, no you can't!" She broke out. But El'Jaid gave her a loving squeeze on her arm, and again shook her head 'no'.
She handed her staff to Liara and stepped forward with her arms outstretched. An Asari cuffed her and led her to the waiting shuttle, the three other guards fell back to the shuttle, their weapons still trained on the party.
As the Shuttle flew off in to the night sky, Liara felt so cold.