The Candidate – 6

Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect. It belongs to Drew Karpyshyn and Bioware. I am merely playing in the universe created by them. As usual, all criticism is welcome.

The Parting Gift

Early next day, Admiral Barzilai got a call from Captain Berengere Shepard, the head of secret Alliance science projects, "Sir, Johann has been in contact."

Barzilai inquired eagerly, "Where is he?"

"I don't know where he currently is, but he called me ten minutes ago to propose a meeting between Alliance representatives and himself in the Afterlife Tavern on Omega two days from now."

"What's he been doing, Berengere?" asked Barzilai.

Berengere answered, "I've no idea. He merely assured me he is well, and proposed the meeting. And he also said that he would not meet if the Alliance representatives included Staff Lt. Kaidan Alenko."

Barzilai nodded – Berengere's holo-vid was tapped, and he could verify it himself. But he thanked his subordinate for her information, and cut the holo-vid.

-(Scene Break)-

Johann Shepard had left the council house of Armali with considerable apprehension. His orders had been unpleasant and hard, as he had expected them to be. After all, even if the Asari liked his treason, they would have no reason to like the traitor, as they now saw him. That was fine, as far as Shepard was concerned. He had his own reasons, and no one knew them, and that was all he cared about. Let the Asari see him as they wanted – it made no difference to him. He would do what needed to be done, and that was all there was to it.

There were two other problems, however, and he had already initiated steps to deal with the first of them. The Alliance was furious against him. However, the Alliance reaction against him could be easily contained, given the evidence that he now held in his hands. They would have to play by his rules if they wanted their spectre and bring down Saren, and Shepard knew that the Alliance desperately wanted both. So, here at least, he held the high cards. As long as his own demands were not deemed exorbitant by the Alliance, it would agree to pay it without demur.

But it was the second problem that worried him. One of the few concessions he had wrested from the Asari was the he would be allowed to bring in his own people in the task that had been set for him. And for that, to even have a good chance at success, he needed both Tali'Zorah nar Rayya and Liara T'Soni to aid him unhesitatingly. And this assistance could be obtained only if they both were willing to aid him. Their help could only be obtained by persuasion, not by coercion. One of the earliest lessons that Capt. Berengere Shepard had instilled in the the newly commissioned intelligence officer, the then Lt. Johann Shepard, was that any forced help would only be half hearted, and fraught with the threat of betrayal, often at the worst possible time. She had drilled into his mind that he should obtain any help, as far as possible, by getting others to offer it willingly. And for that to happen, he would have to tell both Tali and Liara the task that had been set for him – perhaps not in all details, but the main gist of it. And he would have to think up sound reasons to encourage them to offer their expertise to his cause.

The day after the meeting with the Asari in Armali, Shepard returned to Omega, and immediately, the two women had questioned him. Shepard pressed refreshments on the two, and explained slowly, "My meeting on Armali went quite well, considering our own situation. I'm, in effect, to lead a special investigative team financed by the council of Armali in investigating Lady Benezia. There are two main conditions. The first is that the entire effort has to be a complete secret. The second is that there is only one month to complete the task. At the end of the month, I'm to submit a report on the entire matter."

"What exactly are you to investigate, Shepard?" asked Liara, her voice charged with anxiety.

Shepard pursed his lips, and answered quietly, "Exactly why Lady Benezia covered up for Saren, the extent of her support for him, and what her activities have been since she disappeared from Armali." He continued, "Liara, I know this is damned cheek of me to ask, but will you help me in this task? The reason I ask is this – you know your mother best, Liara. Is this not completely out of character for her?"

Liara nodded. "She'd never support an attack on a human colony."

"I agree," replied Shepard. "In which case, we need to prove her innocent. And in that task, I cannot envision anyone more zealous than you. However, there is the off chance that she is indeed guilty. Therefore, I ask you – think carefully, and tell me if you will help me in this."

"I'll gladly help, Shepard," answered Liara. "But what can I …."

Shepard readily answered her unfinished question, "This business began with an attack for a Prothean beacon. It seems to be mixed up with Prothean relics and archaeology. I can't think of anyone more qualified to handle Prothean artefacts than you."

Liara nodded slowly, as Shepard turned to Tali, "Tali, you've helped me against the Geth. Again, when we go to investigate Benezia, it is quite probable we will run into Geth. If Saren's Geth dared attack us, they maybe acting against Lady Benezia as well. I don't think I can handle Geth without your assistance. Will you help me in this matter, Tali?"

Tali answered slowly, "If this woman is innocent, I couldn't bear to see her falsely accused. If she's working with Geth, on the other hand, she needs to be stopped. Yes, Shepard, I'll help you."

"Thank you, both of you!" There was genuine gratitude in Shepard's voice.

Shepard walked to the window, looking out on the bleak, unwashed walls of the apartment opposite their own. Such young things the two were, reflected Shepard, which was amusing since Liara was at least three times as old as he was. However, there was no denying that both his companions were politically naïve. They had no idea what they were agreeing to. If Shepard did not have such compelling reasons, he would have refused the task and disappeared into his quiet assignments in the Traverse. And now, not only was he in this god-damned mess, but he was dragging into it two innocent young women, who would be lucky if they left this business with their lives intact. He could almost hear his mother's sad voice. Once when he had asked her how she dealt with getting her friends and other innocents into trouble, she had confessed, 'I've always similarly struggled with feelings of regret and guilt. That, by the way, is a very good thing.'

'Good?' Shepard had echoed quizzically.

Capt. Shepard had replied, `Yes. If you ever stopped worrying about them, then that would be a cause for alarm. In truth, Johann, those feelings tell you that your heart is still alive. They will also keep you a little more honest and caring – well, as honest and caring as one can be in our profession.'

Shepard could not deny his mother's warning, and even his feelings of guilt had found a use – they kept him on his toes and always on the watch for the safety and interests of his companions. And he knew that if his guilt ever disappeared, then his own transformation into a Saren Arterius or a Tela Vasir would be complete. And at that point his conscience would have atrophied completely. It was like butchers becoming habituated to the slaughter of sheep, he supposed. One more death, one more name to be crossed out, one more statistic!

From behind him, he heard the voice of the Asari, "Shepard, is there something wrong?"

Shepard turned around with a false smile, "No, no. Just thinking how we will approach this problem!"

-(Scene Break)-

When Capt. David Anderson arrived in the Afterlife, he saw Shepard already sitting at a table, dressed in civilian clothes. He rose in greeting, and saluted the captain. Anderson was in no way moved by the formality and politeness of this former Alliance officer.

Shepard was nothing if not unfailingly polite. He opened a bottle of champagne, and poured down drinks for both himself and the captain. However, Anderson left his drink untouched and his attitude left no doubt about the distaste he evinced for his former executive officer. At once, he began the interrogation, his manner frigid, his voice arctic, "Shepard, the Alliance would like to have a full report of what you've been up to."

Shepard made no objection to that command. He quietly recounted, "As you know, I left for Therum ten days ago with a friend. On Therum, I ran into a Krogan, a couple of Turians and a bunch of Geth, who attacked my friend and me. With some help, we managed to stop them."

"What help did you have?" inquired Anderson.

"Some hired help, Captain," replied Shepard. "Do their names matter?"

"It would help us check your story," answered Anderson.

"It would also get them into trouble with the Alliance," returned Shepard drily. "Suffice to say I hired some help and when the Geth and the Turians tried to ambush me, I was ready for them. After those thugs had been taken care of, I met Dr. T'Soni imprisoned by the geth. We decided that, with the attacks on us continuing unremittingly, it would be unsafe for us to remain in Alliance or Citadel space where Saren's men seemed to dog our footsteps with impunity. I arranged for us to move into Omega to lie low. There, with hired equipment, we inspected the evidence we gathered from the Geth. We got what we wanted – solid proof against Saren. However, given the tenacity with which I was being chased, I decided to lie low for a time. Once I felt safe, I decided to contact my mother, and arrange this meeting."

Anderson broke in excitedly, "You have proof against Saren?"

"Yes, sir. Incontrovertible evidence."

"Let us see it."

Shepard made no objection. He triggered the evidence collected from the Geth using his omni tool. Captain Anderson could hear the strong voice of Saren, `Eden Prime was a major victory. The beacon has brought us one step closer to the Conduit!' "That's Saren's voice!" he exclaimed.

"Of course," returned Shepard coldly.

"Return with me, Shepard," continued Anderson, oblivious to the younger man's cold and haughty demeanour. "We can present this evidence to the Council. With this, we can get Saren proscribed!"

"You can take this evidence, Captain Anderson," replied Shepard, "as soon as we have agreed about a few other things."

"What do you mean, Shepard?" Captain Anderson was clearly perplexed, and was now growing more than a touch wary.

"Merely that I will not be returning with you, sir. I am willing to hand over this evidence to the Alliance, once it agrees to my terms." Shepard's voice was growing colder with each passing word.

Anderson's lips thinned. "Not returning with me, I see. So what do you plan to do next?"

Shepard shrugged, "I am taking up a job with Synthetic Insights, sir. I have been offered a positions in one of their research divisions."

Anderson looked hard at him, wondering whether to believe this information or not. But it would be unlike Shepard to lie openly, particularly about a matter that could be easily verified by the Alliance. Presumably, then, Shepard, was speaking the truth. But why had he chosen to go to work there? It would bear watching. But the possibility that Shepard might not choose to return to the Alliance had been foreseen by the Alliance brass since Shepard had elected to meet on Omega instead of Alliance space. Several contingency plans had been considered for the possible scenarios that might unfold. Anderson leaned back in his chair. "What do you want, Shepard?"

"Two things," returned Shepard very quietly. "First, there are to be no repercussions for my mother from the Alliance. She knew nothing of this, and she is completely innocent. There are to be no anonymous notes in her record, no references about this incident in her file. Any remarks that have already been made are to be summarily expunged. Is that understood?"

Anderson thought for a moment, and finally nodded. If Capt. Berengere Shepard was innocent, as Johann Shepard claimed, then Anderson was not for perpetrating an injustice against her, no matter what her son had done. In any case, Yehoshua Barzilai would not allow Berengere Shepard to be targeted so easily. She was a valued officer and he would protect her. All in all, that was a small price to pay for obtaining the proof against Saren.

Shepard continued, "The other demand is the personal liberty of my companions, and myself. Neither myself, nor my companions on Therum, are, at any time, to be arrested, charged, detained, or interrogated in connexion with our actions over the past ten days, since the attack on Eden Prime. If we ever set foot in Alliance space, we are not to be taken into custody or otherwise delayed over this matter. In short, this investigation into Therum is to be closed, and the files sealed."

"Damn it, man! The Alliance military will never agree to that!" Anderson was on his feet.

"Why not?" queried Shepard, almost bored now. "Do you know any better way to obtain evidence against Saren? Or to make Lt. Alenko a spectre? With this evidence, you should be able to get Saren proscribed, and Alenko made a spectre. Udina should be able to bully the Council with this proof to do things the Alliance way!"

"But the Alliance will never agree to close this investigation!" insisted Anderson.

"Have they made any progress in it as of now?" asked Shepard rhetorically. "Why is it such a bad idea to wind up an investigation that has yielded little fruit?"

Anderson stood irresolute, and Shepard quietly pointed out, "You have no evidence about the Therum affair. You have no evidence against Saren. At this rate, Alenko will never become a spectre if you cannot raise your evidence against Saren and fast. Who knows what else that madman is planning and how many other colonies are in danger from him and his Geth?"

Anderson paced around, his head sunk on his chest, when Shepard sighed, almost wearily, "Has the Alliance sunk so low that it would seek to requite evil for good? Is leaving my friends and me alone such a heavy price to pay for the service I am offering it?"

Anderson chose to ignore that almost insulting observation. Instead, he asked, "Shepard, you were anxious to get the matriarch's daughter on Therum. Why?"

"For a simple reason," returned Shepard. "Benezia is a known friend of humanity, sir. She was one of the first to bat for the Alliance in the wake of the First Contact War. Why would she help establish an alibi for Saren? You can't bribe, frighten or blackmail an Asari matriarch of her stature. She is quite immune to all that. The only way I could see that could coerce the matriarch into cooperating with Saren was a hold on her daughter. When I found that she had been given a grant to go to a barely known Prothean ruin far from Asari space, it confirmed my suspicions. If this Asari, working on some remote dig site, far from all civilisation, was in Saren's grasp, Benezia might easily be forced into doing what Saren wanted. She does love her daughter, you know."

"So you think …," Anderson's voice trailed away.

Shepard shrugged, "I found Dr. Liara T'Soni imprisoned by a few of Saren's Geth. That is also where I got my evidence against Saren."

"And did you have Krogan friends helping you?"

"I had help, yes," replied Shepard. "I won't say whose, though."

Anderson did not challenge his remark. He was staring in the distance. Finally, he inquired, "Why are you doing this Shepard?"

Shepard explained patiently, "I've got no quarrel with the Alliance, which is why I am presenting them with this evidence. However, given Udina's vindictive nature, and the vicious inter-departmental rivalry inside the Alliance, I need to protect myself and my friends. I cannot allow the Alliance to screw us over this matter. This way, we both get what we want. The Alliance gets rid of Saren, and gets its spectre, Kaidan Alenko, while we get the Alliance off our backs, and are allowed to go our own way. Win win for everyone."

"I don't mean this specifically," replied Anderson. "There's something you are hiding. Why aren't you returning to the Alliance? Was it because you were removed as the Alliance candidate for the spectre?"

Shepard shook his head slowly, pointing out drily, "Udina's usurpation of your powers was the last straw, sir. You were supposed to decide who would be the Alliance candidate, and yet, he had already decided it, feeding Hackett his own version of the events." However, he continued, more pensively, "I've been considering leaving the Alliance for five years now. Since Torfan, in fact."

Anderson looked curiously at his former executive officer, and the latter explained, "You may remember my reports of the Torfan raid, sir." Anderson remembered them indeed. Shepard had been one of the few officers to have drawn up a harsh memorandum on the brutalities of the Alliance forces in the Torfan raid. Unlike many others outside the navy whose criticisms of the brutalities were based on moral objections, Shepard had put forward not only moral objections, but had also pointed to serious consequences to Alliance morale and the political standing. Even five years ago, Anderson reflected, Shepard had realised that the Alliance rule encompassed not merely human colonies, and that it could no longer be governed as a human alone enterprise. Once the Alliance had expanded into the Traverse, the planets under its control had, in sum, several tens of millions of aliens, ranging from Asari, through Salarians and Turians, to Batarians and Quarians, who had to be ruled, mostly by humans, and in whose eyes, the Alliance had to gain legitimacy in order to cement its rule.

In the aftermath of the Torfan campaign, Shepard had written, `It is incorrect to believe that the butchery of a few thousand Batarians and other criminals would either extinguish the Batarian fury against the `upstart humans', or put an end to the slaver and pirate depredations against Alliance planets. The former, many of whom are law abiding inhabitants of planets under Alliance control, will merely view the Alliance as a motley crowd of barbarians and be more inclined to rebel or otherwise inconvenience us, while the latter will continue to exist and thrive as long as their own goods, services and supplies are in demand. By bypassing the law, and circumventing due process, we are merely harming our own standing among the non-humans within Alliance space, not to mention the other species without.

It is hardly necessary to mention the effect of these massacres on the remainder of the navy and the intelligence forces, which are compelled to passively observe these crimes. The worst damage will be to the morale of the Alliance forces, in this environment of brutalisation and moral depravity. When the Alliance politicians and High Command condone or endorse, by commission or omission, these crimes, then within the shortest spell of time, only the brutal shall rule. With astonishing speed, men and women of the same sick leanings and character will come together, in order to give full vent to their beastly and pathological instincts, as in the case of Torfan. There is, at present, hardly any way to rein them in, for no prosecutions have been sanctioned against any of the accused officers and men. The only way to protect against this epidemic is to bring the guilty to book in a fair, clear and transparent fashion, for not only does justice need to be done, it should also be seen to be done.

Shepard had recommended that several officers and soldiers be tried for war crimes. He could remember the then young lieutenant calling a particularly ruthless officer who had caused enormous casualties, both among the Batarians and in his own unit, `ein Brunnenvergifter und Brandstifter' (a well-poisoner and arsonist) and `dieser unmenschliche Barbar' (this inhuman barbarian) in an emotional letter to his mother. Anderson could well imagine the superbly educated, highly polished and diplomatic Shepard being repulsed by the brutalities perpetrated by a victorious Alliance, even if Anderson himself and the Alliance brass saw the need for such ruthless officers and soldiers in the brutal battles that occurred on the ground. It was not sufficient to merely have the smooth, sly intelligence officers like Johann Shepard. Infantry combat was always brutal, and once the pins started hitting the primers, it was better to have hard, ruthless bastards in charge, rather than weak fools. In order to keep these hard fighting men and women in the Alliance forces, the High Command was willing to pay the price of overlooking their not so occasional transgressions against the rules, even the odd war crime. Moreover, being the strict disciplinarian that he was, Anderson was sure that Shepard would have seen the lack of discipline among the troops as something appalling and loathsome. That was always the problem of Johann Shepard. He judged everyone, himself included, according to his excruciatingly exacting standards. Few crossed that hurdle.

Not that anything had come of Shepard's complaints, though. The Alliance High Command had dismissed his reports as `naive and childish' and Shepard himself as `an officer who wants to conduct modern warfare like a medieval tourney'. Further, in the atmosphere of victory, it was impossible to try anyone for war crimes, no matter how heinous their actions. That would ruin the triumphant spirit and the narrative of an Alliance victory against barbarians, and no one wanted to rake up this unhappy matter. The matter had simply been covered up.

Shepard would have suffered for his audacity, but for the intervention of Rear Adm. Yehoshua Barzilai. Barzilai had shifted Shepard away from coordinating intelligence to the regular naval units and into a job he was well suited to – working quietly in an independent intelligence unit against pirates and slavers in Alliance planets, often inhabited heavily by Batarians and sometimes, in Batarian space itself. Left to his own devices, and more or less removed from the more fractious politics of the Alliance, Shepard, with his amazing thoroughness, meticulous calculation, genuine empathy, and diplomatic opportunism had thrived. Given the difficulties of the situation, and his own often meagre resources, Shepard's strategy of building relations and making alliances with friendly Batarians and other non-humans had been largely successful, and both the Alliance and Shepard himself had reaped the benefits of this strategy.

Shepard had read the expression on Anderson's preoccupied face aright, as he continued, "Yes, sir. I was always a well-adjusted misfit in the Alliance. I don't think my continuing there would benefit either of us. This solution is for the best."

Anderson finally nodded, "Alright, Shepard. The case will be closed."

Shepard nodded, in turn. "Here, Capt. Anderson, is your evidence."

-(Author's Notes)-

The background of Johann Shepard, his qualities and his doubts. The important point is that Shepard is not a good combatant, and definitely not an inspirational leader. He can and does strike bargains behind the scenes, is a very sound diplomat, and has very solid political foresight, but his actual leadership ability, both within combat and without, is extremely suspect.

And by the way, don't be taken in by what Shepard said to Anderson. Shepard is a crafty, manipulative bastard who is playing his own game.

Do guess what the memo written by Shepard to the Alliance High Command is based on. Hint: It was written on February 6, 1940 in Posen (Poznan).

By the way, my German is more than a trifle rusty. I have not used the language in nearly ten years. Please do let me know if I have made any mistakes in the text and I will correct it.