Miranda sat in her seat listening to the proceedings intently. She held a small smile tailored to her face. No one else would have understood what the gesture meant, unless they truly knew her.
Satisfaction.
She knew she had the satisfaction of unbreakable love and caring her husband had for her, and she for him.
She knew exactly what her husband meant as Prosecutor Jugdhund continued to inquire about Calesten. Miranda just simply tuned the entire spectacle out.
It was true. She and Kaidan had crossed paths many times before Calesten. She had found him insufferable at first. He was loyal to the Alliance almost to fault. He reeked of Alliance, and in many ways still did. At the same time he was strikingly handsome in ways that few men were, and he was a romantic.
It had nauseated her. But at the same time it lured her. How many times had she seen Liara and Shepard tucked away in a quiet hallway of the Normandy during the six year war after a mission? Some times she had caught them sharing a intimate embrace and a passionate kiss. Other times they had simply stood holding each other, their foreheads touching as they exchanged quiet words of comfort and peace between them.
It was during those moments that she had been somewhat jealous of them. In a Galaxy being torn asunder they at least found some peace and strength in each other. She could tell that they both held an unconditional love for each other.
Before Calesten though Miranda had been 'satisfied' with knowing that she still had Oriana. Though she did not see her sister till after the war and even then only sporadically. But knowing that Oriana was alive and safe had been enough.
Yet that all changed at Calesten.
After Calesten she wanted more then enough. Life has an odd way of giving you exactly what you want.
Miranda could still remember the burning coals in Shepard's eyes as the Praetorian lay dead in the huge ancient Prothean hallway. They burned of hunger. Of victory. Of Rage. The Praetorian had come down on Kaidan, crushing his legs as soon as Shepard, Miranda and Garrus had found him.
It had all been planned. It had been a trap.
Shepard knew it was a trap.
"Garrus! A little cover fire please!" Shepard bellowed as she shot wildly with her Locust.
Miranda hauled Kaidan to cover.
"I'm on it." Garrus replied as he shot and reloaded his rifle as he scored hit after hit. "Next time, when I say I want target practice; I don't mean the unlimited, homicidal undead kind!" He retorted.
Miranda using her own biotics in turned grabbed a Marauder and threw it at a row of others. Fifteen meters was all that had separated them from the waiting shuttle. But they were effectively cut off.
The howls and wails screamed after them as they set Kaidan down behind a doorway corner. Miranda looked down at the spent man laying on the floor. He was in shock, groaning and babbling. Asking where the rest of his squad were. Yet he had seen them all taken, or ripped apart one by one. He had spent the past two weeks running and fighting for his life.
He was again the survivor as he lay there bleeding. She could tell he was starving, exhausted and dehydrated all in the extreme. Kaidan had only been surviving off his biotics after he had ran out of thermal clips for his weapons.
A biotic male during training sessions consumed roughly 3000 calories a day. During heavy combat situation it was not unusual for that to sore to 4500 calories. If the soldier did not keep up with his expenditure of energy with the amount of food he consumed, his Biotics became weaker, but more importantly they started to feed off his body with each use. The effect was a quick death from starvation, dehydration and exhaustion.
Miranda had done her own homework on the illustrious Commander Kaidan Alenko. He was a seasoned combat veteran with more special commendations that anyone else she had known about. Even Shepard. He was resourceful, charismatic, and possessed a keen tactical mind in his own right. The perfect cookie cutter example of a top grade Alliance Soldier.
But when your outnumbered like a single grain of sand facing an ocean wave; none of that matters.
The ground beneath them shook with a violent tremor. "Commander. Seems like the Council fleet decided to start the party early..." Garrus called in.
"Fuck!" El'Jaid screamed as she unloaded a thermal clip in to the onrushing crowd of husks. "Just once I would like to have just the Reapers trying to kill me and not my 'allies'!"
Garrus had changed up to his Mattock. The fever pitched firing told Miranda that he wasn't keeping up with the onslaught.
"Shepard! A little help here!" He yelled as he continued to fight of the wave.
Miranda watched as Shepard quickly twisted around the corner letting her gun vomit fire. The husks in turn cried as they caught fire . But more and more kept rushing forward.
"I really must know what the scent is that your wearing. Because your 'adoring fans' just can't leave us alone!" Garrus retorted as he continued to try to plug the door way with bodies.
"Shut it Vakarian!" Shepard fired back as she quickly slammed three more husks.
The ground shuddered again more violently then before, and Kaidan's breathing had become erratic.
"Shepard, we don't have much time. The medi-gel is barely keeping him stable. If we don't get him to a med-bay soon, we will lose him!" Miranda cried out.
Shepard turned to face her. "How bad is he?"
Miranda didn't need to run her omni tool over him to see how bad he was. "Compound fracture to his left femur, broken ribs, and he is losing a lot of blood." Miranda yelled back as she cut away his armor and pressed down on his left inner thigh trying to stem the bleeding."
She remembered looking up and in to Shepard's obsidian pupils. "Miranda I need you to help him."
"What? How? He can't move with his leg like it is!" Miranda cried back.
"I know! You'll need to carry him while I and Garrus give you cover! I can't help you lift him and help Garrus keep the husks back at the same time!" Shepard yelled over the roar of gunfire.
Miranda's heart was pounding. Eeven if she lifted Kaidan, it would only exacerbate the trauma he had endured. The howls of the husks seemed to petrify her. I'm going to die on this God forsaken world! Her mind screamed.
"Miranda! Wake the fuck up! HELP HIM! That's an ORDER." El'Jaid commanded.
Kaidan looked weakly up to Miranda's eyes, his eyes begging for the nightmare to end. For the pain to stop. It wasn't the expression of a well training and heroic Soldier. It was purely human.
And that stole her heart away, and made up her mind.
She looked down at her omni tool. It wasn't meant to do what she was asking of it. She needed a full surgical suite, not a damn Swiss army knife! But she had to use it if it meant getting off Calesten alive.
"Shepard. During the American civil war, how long did it take a field surgeon to perform an amputation?"
"Your asking me that now? This isn't the time for pop-trivia Lawson!" Shepard roared.
"HOW LONG?"
Shepard let out a growl as she filled a line of running husks with shotgun fire. " Ten minuets!"
Mirada turned to look at Kaidan's handsome face. "I'll do far better."
[][][][][][][]
So there you have it, Prosecutor. Shepard did not save my life. My wife did." Kaidan resounded strongly.
"I see. It must have been difficult for you to be away from service for so long. Wasn't it shortly afterwards that you resended your Specter status?" Cassandra asked as she continued to slowly pace back and forth.
"Commander Lawson is an extremely capable person, and yes I did resend my Specter status after Calesten." Kaidan quipped.
"Why did you decide to leave the Specters?" Cassandra asked.
"That is not for you to judge Prosecutor, and not for this assembly to hear." Councilor Valern interjected. His voice was calm but menacing.
Jeers arose from the Tribunal assembly over Valern's words. More than one being shouted out, "And why shouldn't we know?"
Again the Council wrestled peace as more C-Sec police poured in to keep the calm. If even by simple intimidation by presence or force.
"What is this? An interrogation of me when this should be an orderly trial?" Kaidan volleyed. "Shepard has supposedly been called to trial for Crimes against Galactic Society. But all I have seen is a sickly and lopsided review of her life! I seriously hope for you that your case that does not ride on the Rachni argument, or Shepard's personal choices. Next you will be telling me that she is responsible for curing the Genophage!"
The Krogan growled as if goading Cassandra, but she didn't respond as she continued give Kaidan an impassionate look."
Kaidan's grip on the banister before him only intensified. "She is also supposedly on trial for Genocide against the Human Race, which is absurd considering that she is Human!" Kaidan roared as he held up his arm pointing at Shepard. "OK. I admit it, freely, that I called her a Traitor. But what I said ten years ago is meaningless now! She has done more for Humanity; more for every being here then anyone else."
The Court room again burst in to commotion as Kaidan stood up in the stand staring at Cassandra.
"I am inclined to agree with the Captain on this point." Sparatus said surely. "Prosecutor. The Defendant's involvement with Cerberus has been known not only to the Council, but to the Alliance as well, and by extension the Public. So that is nothing new."
Sohmon slammed his fists on the table and stood leaning forward. "Councilor you can't be serious!"
"Silence Executor! Again we are not here to make a determination of the Defendant's conduct outside the scope of these charges. If you want this trial to continue I suggest you make a reason for your case, or rest it." Councilor Tevos added.
Cassandra didn't give any indication that she even had heard the Councilor's voices. Nor did she hint any credence to the spectators who had quieted, surprised by the Councilor's seeming about-face maneuver. She continued to smile serenely at Kaidan.
"Captain. Thank you. I appreciate your calling me to task at this time. And you are quite right. This trial is not about you, so I apologize for any offence. You hold strong convictions for the Defendant, and I find that admirable."
Kaidan gave her no response only returning a withering, cold look.
Cassandra continued to evenly smile at him. Her eyes were soft, containing an almost sincere appearance. "Yet at the same time your experiences of the war; your witness of events are intertwined with the Defendant, as are your choices."
Kaidan said nothing.
"Specters rarely ever retire, and Captain your duty to the Alliance and by extension the Galactic community is to be lauded. Your record with the Alliance is practically spotless. You are the pinnacle example of what every Alliance Solider should be and what every Alliance Soldier strives to be. Yet, we both know that alone does not make a Specter. A need does. What was yours?" Cassandra turned her eyes towards the Council stand, and the four daemons who remained silent of her query.
Again Kaidan remained silent, but not entirely out of choice. Rather, it was a lack of an answer. He too had wondered that. Why he had been made a Specter by Anderson.
Kaidan wished it wasn't as simple as it seemed...
"Don't you find it Ironic Captain?"
...and he was wrong in that wish.
"Its Urban myth, come true isn't it. That the only way to bring down a Specter is to send another after them..." Cassandera said sweetly. "How ironic that you were sent after her, like she was sent after Saren..."
He had heard it before. Said it before. He wished it wasn't true.
"But I have to say that I am more surprised about what happened after she turned herself in. When Earth fell."
Kaidan licked his lips and swallowed.
"You freed her." Cassandera said simply. "You, and only you, freed the most wanted Criminal in the Galaxy." She turned her head, only peering at him with one of her eyes. "Why?"
Kaidan coughed. I can't name the price. He thought.
"I couldn't leave her..." He offered
"Why?"
Again all he could do was swallow.
"She killed three hundred thousand..." Cassandra started...
"SHE'S A MURDERUR!" Ambassador Somosk raged. "REMEBER BAHAK!"
Cassandra shot the Batarian a withering stare and he shrank away back to his shadows.
"The Defendant killed three hundred thousand people. Most, slaves by causing a supernova."
"I had..." Kaidan choked. "I felt..." Sand was pouring down his throat. "She said that it was the only way to delay the Reapers."
"And that is pure conjecture on your part. There is no solid evidence to support your claim. The Reapers came when they did. Not before, and not after. Or are you going to tell the Court that you too have visions; figments of the mind, of the Reapers like the Defendant has repeatedly said that she has over the years." Cassandra said sternly.
"I..." Kaidan's coughed.
Cassandra's smile widened. " And here we are at the precipice. Captain, not long ago you said your self that the war, just didn't revolve around the Defendant."
"It...it didn't"
"Then why would you risk your life to free her when the prison she was held in was deep in Reaper held territory. Why is it that the Reapers seemed chase her so doggedly? Why did she destroy the Citadel? To Secure the Mass Relays? Or to hide something?" Cassandera breathed.
A chill had settled into the Tribunal again, but the dominating presence did not abate. Instead it looked on. Interested.
"Did you free her as some kind of way to assuage your survivor's guilt for Virmire? Horizon? I think not." Cassandra's walking pace was timed like that of a metronome. "Did you ever find it interesting how the defendant seemed to tip the balance in our favor? How many battles was she involved in where the Reapers out numbered us ten to one if not more and we were able to limp away the victors. Why is it that every battle the Defendant was involved in the Reaper forces seemed, confused, incoherent? Yet when she wasn't in an engagement even a small force of Reapers decimated a Combined Fleet ten times in size."
Torfan...Saren...Collectors...so what? Its Shepard. It's how she operates. Kaidan spoke in his mind as he only looked icily upon Cassandra. His face turned into a feral growl.
Cassandra changed her demeanor. It softened just slightly. "Now Captain. There is no need to be angry. As I said before, if I am wrong just tell me. I only want the Truth."
"Then what more do you need from me? Because I have answered everything I can." He growled.
"Ummm, not quite." Cassandra said sweetly. "Do you believe the Defendant came for Earth in the best possible time? Or did she simply choose to leave the world to it's fate."
"Wha..." Kaidan felt like he had been belted by a man twice his size. "How can you ask me that? How can you say that? She led a force that saved four billon people!"
"And Seven billion died while you waited didn't they."
"The Reapers did that!" Kaidan charged
I am just looking for your opinion Captain."
"You have it!"
"The Defendant didn't stay on Earth fighting the Reapers did she? No. Instead she went to help and protect other worlds..." Cassandra softly said.
"Personally, I think your grabbing at straws." Kaidan charged. "You have failed to establish exactly how Shepard is guilty of any of these charges. You keep going back and forth on statements. It's as if you think that saying the same thing in different ways will prove your case."
"What about the Defense Committee report that came out a year ago. Not much media attention was given to it, so I will read the summary to refresh your memory." Cassandra's omni tool sprang to life. "I quote; As admirable and important winning the hearts and minds of our allies was, the Defendant's choice of inaction for so long regarding a timely Earth counter offensive can only be seen as a major point of poor Command and Diplomatic judgment. One that arguably can be pointed to as a major contributor to the gross loss of life, and destruction of the planet by the Reapers." Cassandra said tapping the holo image away. "It was signed, Captain, by Hu Xia, Chairman of the Alliance defense committee, Admiral Machlovich, head of Alliance Military staff, and Councilor Donnell Udina who was at the time chief advisor to the Council."
Kaidan was stunned. He hadn't heard or read the report at all. Cold sweat continued to drip like rain drops from his fore head. Damning. That report is damning. Why haven't I heard of it till now? Kaidan asked himself.
"Prosecutor!" A Salarian Dalatrass called out. "I do hope that you and your Alliance, understand and appreciate the support the Salarian people gave you. You were not the only ones to suffer!" The Dalatrass , her head covered in jeweled cloth looked over to Shepard. "It is because of Shepard that our forces, no matter how few, were able to come to your aid in Earth's final hours at all."
Grunt growled in turn. "Be grateful that I have some manners as well human. I hope you are not forgetting the five hundred thousand Krogan warriors who fought and died to save your people! How many of them still draw breath because of our sacrifice? Your words reek of insults." He turned to look at the Councilor's stand. "It only because I was asked to be present here, that I have even kept my temper."
"If you are saying that Shepard's time was wasted, then what of that of the Migrant fleet? Were we not instrumental?" Tali struck up. "I was there as Earth was destroyed. As your people flooded our ships. As the Geth fought off the Reapers to cover the mass evacuation. Do you wish to insult us as well?" She said harshly crossing her arms in front of her.
The Turians and Asari were quiet; satisfied to let the Salarians, Krogans and Quarians be their voice of discontent. The Terminus delegation in turn played the part of silent observer.
Cassandra turned towards the Jury. "I am sorry." She spoke sincerely and serenely. "I meant no disrespect to anyone or any people. It is true, without your help, all of humanity in the entire Sol system would have been wiped away. Consumed. Humanity will never forget your sacrifices."
"That...that was a war games report! It was the result of simulations that were run based on Six Year War events!" Seethed Machalovich. "That was NOT a battle report, and should NOT be used as such!"
"I understand what it is Admiral. But wasn't that report still developed using analysis of the Defendant's actions during that 'scenario' of the war? It is still relevant. Wouldn't you say so Captain Alenko? Do you think that the Defendant made the most prudent choices when it came to Earth?"
"Personally, I think your grabbing at straws." Kaidan charged. "You have failed to establish exactly how Shepard is guilty of any of these charges. You keep going back and forth on statements. It's as if you think that saying the same thing in different ways will prove your case. It sounds as if you have a point to make, so just make it already." Kaidan growled.
Cassandra held the look of honestly. The frostily cold look of truth on her face. "Alright Captain. One final question. Do you believe that the Defendant died?"
Kaidan sat there stunned. And so that was it. The final question. His wife had been attacked, Liara discredited. Himself made a sham. And all for that one last question. The same question that had plagued him for so many years.
"Captain?"
He had heard so many lines. Covers. Explanations for Shepard's disappearance when the first Normandy was destroyed. Deep undercover work for the Alliance. That somehow she got to an escape pod and wasn't picked up and continued working as a Specter for two years. That she was gravely injured but recovered. His wife had even told him in detail of Shepard's death and resurrection. The same tale that had been told to so many other groups over the years. But it was all a lie. It had to be. It was a continent lie to explain Shepard's disappearance and public reappearance after the Alpha Relay had gone off...
"Captain?"
To try to explain why she had worked for Cerberus. The easiest lie for people to believe is always a big one. He was certain that if a real Prothean was walking in their midst everyone would simply brush it off as nothing. Like they had done with Shepard's death.
"What do you have to say Captain"
But he wasn't a fool.
"Your answer please."
He knew the truth, but he didn't like it. Kaidan picked up his face. He knew he was right. He had been right with Garrus. He had been right on Horizon. He knew what Shepard had done. No matter how good her intentions were. No matter that she had been right about the Collectors, and the Reapers. He knew she had left the Alliance. She had betrayed her Oath of service. Her Oath of duty. He knew the truth.
"No." He said simply.
Cassandra continued to simply smile at him. The look shook him to his core. It was the look that a parent or teacher would give to an ignorant child after a wild and inaccurate statement.
"I do." She said simply.
He looked on dumbfounded. "I...I don't understand." He choked. "It's asinine. It's impossible. That the dead to come back to the living? We aren't talking about some religious story here." He unconsciously turned to face his raven haired wife again, and then his eyes then caught the veiled Asari who was sitting next to Matriarch Atheta. "We're talking about reality! It's impossible!"
"Of that Captain, I agree with you." Cassandra said honestly. Her voice quiet, and calm. "For your see, the Defendant is not Commander El'Jaid Shepard, Council Specter. She died over ten years ago when her ship, the Normandy was attacked."
Cassandra then turned to face the woman in the stand. Her face twisting in to the very image of hate. "No ladies and gentlemen of this Tribunal. Of this galactic community. What we are dealing with here is a Reaper."
Author's Note:
Well I finished ME3. Don't even get me started about the ending. All I can say is THANK GOD for Fan Fiction!
Now there are aspects I like about ME3, and you will see hints of it in this work. But trust me when I say that I will not be trying to warp this piece to try to fit the cannon story. Now I am working on update Sea and the Rose as I am going back through it and adjusting things. One of the most glaring changes is 'correcting' the Councilor names. Tevos is still the Asari, Valern is now the Salarain (instead of Daice), and Sparatus is the Turian.
Sorry for the haste update. I haven't gottne much of a chance to focus on this work the past few weeks as I would have liked to so I apologize that it's not quite, 'polished'.