Citadel

-March, 2183

Messalina watched in awe at the Citadel as they made their approach. Returning to a star port was her favorite part of every tour. The relaxing comfort of a space station with open arms, accepting the suckling of the hungry ships that had been away felt like home. She recalled the first time her mother had taken her to the Citadel. The bickering mother and daughter had fallen silent as the Citadel appeared within the nebula. Larger than any space station she had ever seen, it had taken her breath away. Messalina recalled fondly the white pristine corridors, and the fascinating aliens that hurried about their business. It had been the first time she had seen some aliens, like the Drell with their desert hardened scales, and the towering Krogan. But it was the Asari that had completely enamoured Messalina, as a lithe beautiful blue alien had swayed by tossing a fond sheepish smile at the bewildered girl. That had been a lovely day.

"Look at the size of that thing!" Messalina's reverie was interrupted by Ashley Williams who had hurried up to the cockpit. "Its main gun can probably tear any ship apart with a single shot."

"Size isn't everything," Joker grumbled.

"Jealous much, Joker?" Ashley laughed.

"Are you kidding? I could fly circles around that thing before it even fires a shot."

"Good thing its on our side." Messalina offered.

"Is it on our side?" Ashley countered. "I don't doubt that the Council races would throw us at the Batarians if they ever invaded Council space. And I don't see the Destiny Ascension riding cavalry to save the day."

"The Destiny Ascension is the last best defense for the Council and the Citadel, Williams." Messalina groaned. "It serves a specific purpose. I have no doubt that the Asari fleet would lend a hand if things turned sour."

"And where were the Asari during the Skyllian Blitz?"

"We took care of ourselves well enough, Chief."

"If it wasn't for you we would have lost Elysium to the Batarians, Commander."

Shepard shrugged. "As I said, we can take care of ourselves."

"And what if it weren't the Batarians who were firing the shots?"

Messalina glowered at Williams. "We are not at war with the Asari, Chief."

"Just saying, Commander. You never know when the aliens will turn on us. Look at what happened to the Batarians. The moment we go against their wishes we'll get the boot and set upon by whoever is up for grabs."

Messalina shook her head and left the bridge. Behind her she could hear Kaidan admonishing the Chief. As his voice wandered off into the distance, Messalina glanced upon the vast Star Map on the navigational board. She knew that most of the crew were either Earth-born or staunch supporters of Solidarity. The recent addition of a beautiful young marine warrior woman with out spoken views had rallied the crew towards a more Earth-centric view. How could they see that same map of stars and think so differently?

"Williams giving you a hard time?" the nasal voice of Charles Pressly jumped in.

"I did not say that." Messalina shrugged.

"We've known each other too long for you to pull that bullshit on me, Commander." Pressly had been on Elysium aboard the Agincourt. "But you have to admit that she has a point."

"I am not hearing this, Pressly."

"The crew also thinks that you're blaming Williams for Jenkins."

"What... How it that even possible, Pressly?" Messalina shot a scalding look at the navigator.

"Just relaying what they're saying, ma'am." Pressly replied, unfazed. "It's not whether it's true, Commander. It's what the people say that matters."

"Huh," Messalina shrugged and stalked off the deck.

The meeting with Ambassador Udina and the subsequent hearing before the Council went as smoothly as a Dreadnought trying to land. Ashley was fuming with indignity as Messalina led the group towards the bowels of the Citadel. The scores of aliens that passed them by lulled Shepard into a silent awe at the sense of Galactic Community, but obviously had a different effect on the Gunnery Chief.

"I can't seem to tell the aliens from animals." She quipped.

Messalina tossed her a glare. "We do not want to continue this discussion, Chief."

"How can you even say that, Commander? After what we've just been through." Ashley retorted. Kaidan seemed to have gotten used to the bickering between Messalina and Ashley. Ever since Ashey came on board, the fiery soldier had made every attempt to conflict with Shepard, and the Commander who had usually been silent and distant had in no way tried to abate the situation, rising to every occasion. "The loss of every colonist and marine on Eden Prime swept away by a word of a Spectre."

"Which we're investigating now, aren't we?" Messalina argued. "Due process, Williams."

Ashley was not backing down. "And what happens when-"

Messalina cut her short. "We'll worry about that as it comes, Williams."

Kaidan quickly pulled Ashley back.

"I'm more curious about this Spectre," Messalina continued. "Was he the Turian on Eden Prime? How did he get first hand knowledge to develop a position on Nihlus's murder so quickly? There's something wrong about it. And I think that C-sec officer is our best lead right now."

"Really?" Ashley sighed. "You're wagering that a Turian will go against a Turian to side for Humanity?"

"I'm expecting a C-Sec officer would go against a suspicious Spectre to side for the truth, Williams."