I rubbed my shoulder while waiting outside Udina's office. Along with me were Ashley, Garrus, and Wrex. Everyone else had gone in, and while I figured Garrus and Wrex stayed out here because they didn't have much interest in seeing the human ambassador, I'm pretty sure Ashley was out here to keep an eye on me. I could've been wrong, I know, but the constant glare I was getting from her spoke volumes.

On the way to the embassy I'd deflected everyone's questions after Tali asked how I'd known her name. As we'd gone along, I eventually got frustrated and shouted at them that it wasn't any of their damn business right now, but they shouldn't worry because they would all find out eventually. When they questioned me on when that would be all I could say was that it would, hopefully, be soon. I guess the 'hopefully' threw them for a loop because they'd stopped badgering me after that, though it was quite obvious they still weren't happy with the situation. I couldn't say I was either. I'd slipped up in the worst of ways, and now, the very people I hoped to befriend, I found myself at odds with. They didn't trust me, and I was getting frustrated with them.

I was brought out of my brooding by a ping as my Omni-tool flared to life, informing me of a message. I opened it to find it was from Nihlus. He was on the Citadel! I quickly typed out a reply to say we'd be heading to the Council Chambers soon to present Tali's evidence. A minute after I sent it, I received one back saying that he would meet me there. I closed out my message system and deactivated my omni-tool. Then I leaned back against the wall with a heavy sigh, and closed my eyes. At least I'd have someone on my side in just a short while.

The door to Udina's office opened and he and Anderson walked out. They paused for a moment to take us in before continuing on. Udina glared at me as he went by. Anderson wasn't quite so openly hostile, but he still looked at me warily. I met his gaze and tried to convey through my eyes that I wanted him to know I could be trusted. Whether it worked or not, I don't know, because they were both soon gone. Less than a minute later the others came out and we headed to the elevator to take us to the Council Chambers. Once we were all on and on the way up, Ashley broke the silence by addressing me very curtly, "So, Dazac. You gonna tell us what that message was about?"

I had my arms crossed in front of me and was looking down at my feet. I glanced at her before returning my gaze to the ground as I replied quietly, "No."

"Message?" Shepard asked, curious.

"Yeah," Ashley explained, "While you were all in talking with Udina and Anderson, Dazac got a message, then sent one and got another back."

I felt their eyes turn to me and shifted on my feet uncomfortably. "It was just a message from a friend," I said, hoping they'd accept and leave it at that.

No such luck.

"A friend?" Shepard asked, "And who is this friend?"

I turned my gaze to Shepard and saw him watching me intently. I glanced around at the others. Wrex and Kaiden had stoic faces, not showing anything. Ashley was glaring still. Garrus and Tali looked a little uncomfortable and were shifting their weight back and forth slightly.

I looked back to the ground and closed my eyes before replying, "You'll find out in a few minutes."

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

We met Anderson on the stairs and he led us all up to the Council. We got there just as Udina was speaking, "You wanted proof? There it is."

"This evidence is irrefutable, ambassador," Sparatus said, "Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes."

Tevos looked to Sparatus and then back to us, "I recognize the other voice, the one speaking to Saren. Matriarch Benezia."

"Who's she?" Shepard asked.

Oh, joy, time for the long winded explanation from Tevos, "Matriarch's are powerful asari who have entered the final stage of their lives. Revered for their wisdom and experience, that serve as guides and mentors to my people." And now I'm getting the feeling that Tevos is talking herself up considering she's also a Matriarch... She continued, "Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic and she has many followers. She will make a formidable ally for Saren."

The salarian Councilor, Valern then spoke, "I'm more interested in these 'Reapers.' What do you know about them?"

"Only what was extracted from the Geth's memory core," Anderson said, "The Reapers were an ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans, then they vanished."

"The Geth believe the Reapers are gods, and Saren is the prophet for their return," Shepard added.

Anderson nodded at Shepard's explanation and continued, "We think the Conduit is the key to bringing them back. Saren's searching for it, that's why he attacked Eden Prime."

Valern had his hand up to his chin in obvious thought. "Do we even know what this Conduit is?" he asked.

"Saren thinks it can bring back the Reapers," Shepard said, "That's bad enough."

"Listen to what you're saying," Sparatus said, "Saren wants to bring back the machines that wiped out all life in the galaxy? Impossible. It has to be." Ah yes, here come his questions about them. Too bad I can't just outright tell him what they are without royally screwing things up even more. "Where did they go?" Dark space. "Why did they vanish?" Because that's how their cycles work. "How come we found no trace of their existence?" They destroyed all of it. "If they were real we'd have found something."

"I tried warning you about Saren and you refused to face the truth," Shepard said pointedly, "Don't make the same mistake again."

"This is different," Tevos said. I rolled my eyes, this was even more annoying listening to in person than it was in the game. Freaking politicians. "You proved Saren's a traitor to the Council, we all agree he's using the geth to find the Conduit, but we don't really know why."

"The Reapers are obviously just a myth," Valern said, "A convenient lie to cover Saren's true purpose. A legend he is using to bend the geth to his will."

Okay, I can't do it, I can't keep quiet. I stepped forward a bit so I could see the Councilors better, "For the love of god, you're really going to ignore this?! Hell, it was Benezia who mentioned the Reapers! How do you think she fits into all of this? What, you think Saren brainwashed her?" Well, technically...

"Dazac..." I looked at Shepard to see him giving me a very pointed look and took the hint to step back and shut up. Once I had Shepard turned back to the Council, "Fifty thousand years ago the Reapers wiped out all galactic civilization. If Saren finds the Conduit, it will happen again."

Sparatus shook his head, "Saren is a rouge agent on the run for his life. He no longer has the right our resources of a Spectre, the Council has stripped him of his position."

"That is not good enough!" Udina shouted, "You know Saren's hiding somewhere in the traverse, send your fleet in!"

"A fleet can not track down one man," Valern said.

Udina sighed and continued in a more subdued manner, "The Citadel fleet could secure the entire region, keep the geth from attacking anymore of our colonies."

"Or it could trigger a war with the Terminus systems," Sparatus said, shaking his head, "We won't be drawn into a galactic confrontation over a few dozen human colonies."

"There is another solution," Tevos offered, "One that does not require fleets or armies."

"No!" Sparatus said when Tevos looked at him, "Humanity is not ready for the responsibilities that come with joining the Spectres."

I shook my head and turned to look away from the idiots. Then I saw him as he just appeared on the edge of the stairs. I smirked and turned back to the Council and spoke up, "How about we put it to a vote? All in favor say 'aye.'"

"You can not-" Sparatus started.

"Aye!"

I grinned as I saw everyone look back to who had spoke. The looks on their faces were wonderful. The only thing that could've made the moment better was if there was some epic music playing in the background. Ah well, I could settle for hearing it in my head. I turned back to look at Nihlus, "You're late!"

Nihlus shook his head slightly as he replied, "Sorry. There was a new restaurant in the wards that I passed by, and I couldn't resist the aroma."

I snorted at his reply and simply said, "Asshole," as he walked past me.

"Nihlus!" Shepard said, shocked to see the turian Spectre alive and well.

"Commander," Nihlus said, giving Shepard a nod as he strode past me to stand next to Shepard, "Councilors."

"Nihlus, you're alive!" Tevos said, the astonishment visible on her face. "The reports said you had died!"

"Yes," Nihlus said with a nod of confirmation, "You'll have to forgive me, but I saw a chance that was too good to pass up, so I had Dazac report me as killed in action."

I saw a few glances directed at me before the attention turned back to Nihlus. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Nihlus," Valern said, probing for an explanation.

Nihlus looked as though he was in thought for a moment before speaking, "When I realized it was Saren who was leading the attack, I came up with a plan. I was already there to evaluate Shepard for the Spectre's. What better test than exposing one who has gone rogue?"

"Wait a minute," Ashley spoke up, "We had to go through all of this as a test?"

Nihlus nodded once again, "For Shepard, yes. I realize it was rather unorthodox, but I believe the results speak for themselves." He turned to face the Councilors, "Councilors, I am formally recommending that Commander Shepard be inducted into the Spectre's and sent after Saren. He has shown he possesses all the abilities and leadership skills that we find necessary, and he would be a valuable addition to the Spectre's."

The Councilors all looked to each other before Tevos raised her head and spoke, "Commander Shepard, step forward."