Human. That was all that had to be said. That Shepard is Human.
Gianna sat at the Defense table. She turned and watched as Miranda was led from the Tribunal chamber by Alliance Military Police. The woman looked defiant as she walked up the steps. She appeared certain of her words and actions.
Gianna was less sure.
That woman had held all of the keys. All she had to do was say, yes. Damn the science. Why didn't she just say what Shepard is? She grimaced not knowing what to do next.
She looked around in almost a daze at the collection of people. They were all unruly, and the Council had no control. Her eyes drifted to the empty defendant stand. Gianna could picture Shepard there. Her hard, emotionless face peering out in to the crowd; or rather, looking through them all. Gianna had seen Shepard give her the same look before after she, and her little team had broken in to Lorik Quine's office.
Gianna smiled mirthfully. It didn't matter that she had eliminated police officers. It didn't matter that she was helping the Board protect their prototype technologies. Shepard is Judge, Jury and Executioner. To her, the Board is nothing but a pawn. Just like this Council who gave her power.
Gianna turned her attention up to the cold gray arched ceiling. Yet there is no room for Gods here. No room for those who are Judge, Jury and Executioners in peace time.
"Council." Prosecutor Jagdhund called. "I believe that this court has seen enough. That this Jury has seen enough to come to an informed and just decision. I say this trial is at a close."
People pounded their firsts on the dark oak banisters showing their support.
Gianna rushed to her feet at the drum like sound. "I disagree, especially in light of what Director Lawson brought forth when it came to the Alpha Relay incident. Does this court take Shepard's words seriously, especially in light of past events? She gave us time!"
"So you're willing to continue to support a mass murder? A Genocidist? That thing that call's itself Shepard is a traitor to every living being in this Galaxy!" Cassandra sneered as she let a wave of anger over take her.
"Shepard's actions, no matter how drastic, very well saved all of Galactic civilization." Gianna surged with equal fervor.
"That is just hearsay Defense." Cassandra hissed. "But I will grant that Shepard can continue to use that rationalization all she likes. In reality though, Director Lawson's 'testimony' as it was, only supports my case." Cassandra called out coldly. "The defendant has no regard for life beyond her own personal a
ims and ghostly vendettas like Bahak. This played out again when she delayed coming to Earth's aid. The creature was working with the Reaper's by feigning to be their Enemy and distracting us and weakening us as they gained strength. That thing was created by and worked with Cerberus." Cassandra turned towards the jury table and Gianna saw how she eyed the Turian General. "The Turians and Salarians, if no one else, know how Cerberus operates."
General Kalstinius narrowed his features from the memory of pain and averted his eyes to the side.
"Don't equate the Warlord with something as subjacent as a dagger in the back. She never has fought like that." Grunt growled.
"And she doesn't have to when others do her dirty work for her." The Dalatrass sniped.
The Krogan Warrior seated with Grunt and Eve shot his chair back as he stormed to his feet. Rage was on his face and the desire to kill was in his eyes. Eve quickly placed her hand on the warrior's chest checking his path. The Dalatrass own contingent of guards stood up ready to react.
The Court burst forth again in howling so violent that it was hard to understand which parts supported The Prosecutor, and which sections hated her. The commotion only died as quickly as it had sprung to life when Tevos ripped through the air with a booming voice.
"ENOUGH!"
The Councilor's anger was evident as her shade of blue seemed to deepen to a dark ice.
"The Prosecution has made its position quite plain and clear, but the course of this trial will not be dictated by it."
Tevos then took in a breath than exhaled. The transformation was dramatic as her cool and collected exterior returned. She straightened her stature at her podium and entered in commands. "I am ordering that the Defendant be physically present for the rest of these proceedings."
"Madam Councilor, are you sure that is wise..." Executor Sohmon blurted in shocked surprise.
Gianna could sense nervousness in Udina, but like Sparatus and Valern; he did not voice his concerns.
Tevos looked down upon the gray Turian and gave him a remanding face. "The cause for the precautions that were taken was understandable for the time. But the Council now feels that the needs for such measures have passed. The Defendant must be present for the rest of this trial if this trial is to have any meaning."
Gianna could then feel the Asari's piercing gaze upon her. "Because I will also not allow popular opinion to sculpt the Defendant into what 'it' sees fit."
In perfect timing a pair of heavy doors with the unfeeling cold color of iron swung open. Four C-Sec Agents in heavy armor with rifles at the ready strode out two by two. Between them, still clad in the same dingy and sullied orange jumpsuit was Shepard. Her hair was stringy and unkempt. Gianna's eyes were fixed on the haggard form as it took its place in the defendant stand. She could tell that Shepard had not been sleeping or eating, whether by her choice or others was hard to say. The sight of Shepard sent a chill through her. She had never seen the woman look so tired before; so thoroughly drained. Yet her head came up with an unmistakable view of continuation.
The Guards back away from Shepard's sides, yet still gave no regard for any personal space as they kept an oppressively close watch.
At the jury table, Gianna noticed as the Krogan gave a look of slight satisfaction as seeing their living idol. The Asari delegation looked on unfazed by Shepard's arrival. Yet she could see hesitation with the Turian General and his Subordinates. They shifted in their seats and their mandibles twitched indicating that they were decided 'uncomfortable' with Shepard's presence.
Gianna watched as Shepard rolled her neck and shoulders. Her actions the signal of her overshadowing desire to see this trial over.
"There are still two witnesses to be called before this day is done. So let us be underway." Tevos called as she tapped commands in to her podium calling the Emerald VI to appear again.
"The Tribunal calls, Dr. Kleao Umbra." It rang with emotionless clarity.
As if by direction, Gianna turned her eyes away from Shepard and up to the audience behind the Defense table. She watched as a willowy human stood. She gave the obsidian colored Turian seated next to her an affectionate squeeze on the shoulder as she turned to head towards the center aisle and started her way down.
She wore a sunny yellow dress with a robin blue sash tied about her waist. Covering her shoulders was a mossy lime green shawl. Her feet were adorned by simple yellow flats that were the same cheery shade as her dress.
As the woman flowed out to the Tribunal stage and took the seat at the witness stand, Gianna noticed two things that struck her as odd about the woman's near pristine appearance. A shock of white hair ran amongst her carrot orange mane that had been pulled back in to a tight bun. Below that streak of snow, her left eye was a milky gray compared to the dark green iris of her right.
"Dr. Umbra. Will you testify to the fullest extent of truth and honesty in front of this court?"
"I will." She responded smoothly with a friendly smile tailored to her pink lips.
The VI did an immediate about-face. "Prosecution, your witness."
[][][][][][][][][]
"Oh no." Aethyta heard her daughter gasp wide eyed as the VI made its call. Her eyes darted over to Liara and she could see that her daughter's attention was fixed on the human woman in the witness stand.
Aethyta didn't know the human, but she assumed her daughter's shock was from the woman's bright and easy entrance.
She has the air of being insufferably friendly and cheery with everyone she meets, which translates in to being the neighborhood bicycle. The matriarch mused and let a smile creep on her face. I have to say she play's the facade well.
"Don't worry Little Wing, she is stronger then she looks. That idiot for a Prosecutor doesn't know who she is dealing with." Aethyta knew that much was true. For that woman to be so close to her Turian friend, well she had to be hardy indeed.
Yet she also knew that as soon as her words of comfort had left her, that she was very wrong. Liara's tension did not break and a chill settled within Aethyta's core as she watched the Prosecutor gate to the floor and draw close to the witness stand like a viper to an easy meal.
Like the Doctor, Prosecutor Jagdhund also wore her jet black hair in a tight bun which accentuated the sharp, gaunt, angles of her face. The woman held an air of confidence that simply radiated from her.
Aethyta also could tell that Dr. Chambers also held a certain type of confidence. One that Aethyta knew well because it drew her attention to it like a magnet. It was an understanding, a 'know' that can only be gained by experience and time. It was an axiom that many matriarchs strives for and very few ever attain.
It was in that moment that something was amiss, and Aethyta knew there was something very wrong in her assumption of the reason for her daughter's angst.
Author's note: Yes I am still very much here, and still very much working on this story. As well as a few others that are still in scratch stage. I have just been really quite because of Grad school. I know this is a short chapter, but I hope it wets your appetite.