"They're not going to help?"
"That's what they have Spectres for." Shepard repeated the Council's words sarcastically. He threw another hit at the punching back. Then another. Garrus crossed his arms. "They're still 'coming to a decision' on what to do with Saren and his fleet. They've realized he's a threat, at least."
"And the Reapers?"
"Just figments of my imagination, apparently." Shepard growled, watching the turians mandibles droop at his answer. "They have 'no corroborating evidence' and Saren is using false evidence to 'throw me off balance'. Fucking crock of shit." Shepard snarled, pounding on the bag again. "They are just going to sit by and let them destroy everything because it's politically inconvenient for them to step in."
"Damn Citadel and its red tape…" Garrus murmured and shook his head.
Shpeard grunted in agreement, giving the bag a few final swings before backing off. It wasn't helping. He was a mass of pent up energy Sovereign, Kaidan, the Council. Then Ashley, throwing him through a whole new kind of hoop… He felt every kind of frustrated, and until the Council made up their minds on whatever they were going to do, they had no plan. The Spectre stretched his hand and glanced up at the turian. "How could you stand working there? The fucking Council, C-Sec… Damn, that must have been annoying. You don't strike me as a rules and regs kind of guy, turian or not."
Garrus chuckled. "Like I've said, I'm a terrible turian. And you're right – I think the restrictions C-Sec and the Council places over law enforcement hurts just as often as it helps. It was a constant headache having to file endless paperwork on every case, having to get the okay before I busted some major criminal. Letting just as much scum slide by as I cleaned up." His voice was laced with disgust.
"But you stayed?" Shepard's brow furrowed.
"Yeah. I suppose I still hold on to some of the same old ideals: helping people, making a difference. And there's definitely part of me that joined C-Sec because of my father." Garrus sighed, his intense, studious gaze becoming introspective. "He was a career cop – one of the best. I grew up hearing stories about him catching bad guys and righting wrongs. It didn't turn out anywhere near as exciting, but I still stayed. He's hard enough to handle to begin with, so leaving C-Sec…" The turian smirked, a mandible flaring out in an odd sort of expression. "Let's just say he didn't take it well."
"But you're hunting down a fugitive. I would think he'd be happy you're going after Saren."
"Yeah, well, happy isn't really his thing. And going off on my own like this, no rules, no red tape, totally outside the law… He's a C-Sec man to the bone, and the epitome of a good turian. He always told me, 'Do things right, or don't do them at all.'" Garrus snorted a little, the plates above his eyes lowering in consternation. "He said I was being foolish, selfish even, to leave my duty behind. I haven't been in contact with him for a while."
Shepard frowned. "But you're working with a Spectre. Despite my freedoms, I still have to report to the Council. It's a pain in the ass. It has to count for something."
The turian chuckled and shook his head. "My father despises Spectres. Hates the idea of someone having unlimited power and no accountability."
"Really? Unlimited power?" Shepard arched a brow.
"We've gotten up to some things that would have gotten us kicked off the force and likely imprisoned, if we were working with C-Sec. The property damage alone…" Garrus' mandibles flared out in a grin. "No offense, Shepard, but my father would have really hated you."
The commander gave a shrug. "Can't make everyone happy, I guess." Shepard grumbled. "But it's not about pleasing people. It's about getting things done. Saren isn't going to back off and start fighting fair just because we tone it down a little. The Council… Whether or not they send their fleet to help us, we will be doing this. We'll catch Saren no matter what it takes. The stakes are too high to worry about trivialities."
Garrus said nothing for a moment, only considered Shepard's words. "I agree, Shepard. Saren needs to go down. We can't afford to be restricted by policies and procedures. But…" The turian's eyes were piercing. "Who decides what is trivial, Shepard? That's a lot of responsibility for one person. After all, Saren thinks he's doing everything he is for the right reasons."
Shepard's brow furrowed. "Are you comparing me to him, Garrus?"
"No. I know you're not going to do anything to hurt people, Shepard. That's not who you are. But is this still about our mission – about bringing Saren, about stopping the Reapers, about saving the people they threaten - or is it about revenge?"
"Of course I want revenge. Of course I want to get him back for what he's done. But that doesn't mean this isn't still about the mission. I'm not going to let him hurt anyone else, Garrus. I'm not letting him or the Reapers take anyone else away from me." Shepard frowned. "Are you having doubts about coming along?"
"No, Shepard. Just trying to figure some things out. Working with you has…" Garrus cocked his head to the side. "Opened my eyes. To how things can be done. Despite everything, these past few months have been some of the best of my life." The commander blinked. Suddenly the turian's curious looks, his contemplative stares, they made sense. He was studying Shepard, learning from him. It was… surprising. And not good. I'm not some kind of role model, damn it. "I believe if anyone can do this, it's you, Shepard. I was just making sure your head is still in this. It's been a long road."
Shepard stared at the turian, unable to find words. Finally, he smirked. "I never took you for the sensitive type, Garrus."
"And there it is." Garrus' mandibles flickered with laughter. "We were all worried you lost the ability to do anything but look like you wanted to punch the next person that spoke. I guess Williams talked some sense into you?"
The commander blanched. "You… could say that." The turian smirked.
"Commander, the Council sent over confirmation of reinforcements. Sounded a little vague though. Udina wants us to report back to the Citadel – they're amassing some kind of super joint species fleet." Joker's voice rang through the hangar. Shepard grabbed a towel and ran it over his face.
Two fingers came up to his ear. "Get us to the Citadel, Joker." He looked back at the turian. "We'll get it done, Garrus." He muttered simply, as much to the turian as to himself. Ash, Garrus, the Council, damn, his whole team… He knew they were apprehensive, unsure if he was going to be able to do it. And he understood it. He wasn't the kind of leader that inspired action and commanded respect. But he was going to do this. He was going to save these people. Just this once. Shepard strode quickly towards the elevator, eyeing the watching salarian team as he went. Kirrahe offered an encouraging nod.
They all had better be ready to help.
xxxxxxxxxx
"Good job, Shepard. Thanks to you, the Council has finally taken real action against the Reapers." Udina said it as if it were actually him the credit was due to. His gloating grin turned Ashley's stomach. God, he's such a dick.
"The ambassador is correct. If Saren is foolish enough to attack the Citadel – as you believe – we will be ready for him." The asari agreed, but Ashley watched as Shepard tensed, as his fists balled up in anger.
"Patrols are stationed at every mass relay linking Citadel space to the Terminus Systems."
"So that's it? The best offense is a good defense?" Shepard growled, stepping forward. "What about Ilos? We need to stop him before he strikes. We know where he's going – there's no reason to let him get a few hits in before taking him out!"
"Ilos is only accessible through the Mu Relay, deep inside the Terminus Systems, Commander." The salarian's voice was patronizing, and she suddenly understood why Shepard was so pissed every time he finished talking to them. "If we send a fleet in, the only possible outcome is full-scale war."
Ashley watched Shepard breathe deep to try and calm himself down. He was still on the edge. Since Virmire, since Kaidan… Talking to him had helped, but he still didn't laugh as easily. It was hard to get him to talk about anything but the mission. Hard to get him to see her. Well, maybe not that hard… The soldier bit at her lip. He still could just be using her as some sort of bandage, some way to make himself feel better about everything. But the way he was looking at her, everything he said, the way he pulled her against him… Damn. Everything was coming to head, and it was getting a lot harder to ignore what she felt. Whatever that was.
Udina was speaking again, but Ashley tuned him out. His voice was annoying enough without listening to the words. She just watched her commander, waited for his reaction. He was looking at the human ambassador like some bug he really desperately wanted to squash.
"I'm going after him. I don't have time for this bullshit." Shepard snarled. Udina pressed a hand to his chest to stop him from turning away.
"This is over, Shepard." Udina said quietly. Shepard's body radiated hate as he looked down at Udina's hand.
"This situation requires discretion. Something the detonation of a nuclear device proves you don't have." The turian's voice flooded the hall with disapproval. The soldier glared at him.
"What the hell happened to 'Good job, Shepard. You did an awesome job slaughtering all those krogan!'?" Shepard spat, shoving Udina's hand off of him and spinning back to the councilors. "I did what I had to on Virmire. If there was another option with the very limited resources I was allowed, you goddamned better believe I would have taken it!" He was shouting, now, pain laced in his words.
Ashley stepped forward, watching him shake with rage. He was going to snap.
"Commander, I suggest you calm yourself. Your style may have served you well in the Alliance and in the Traverse, but Ilos is different. It requires a deft touch. We have the situation under control."
"Under control? You're doing nothing! You're setting up a barricade they're going to bowl over without a second glance!" Shepard spun back to Udina. "If Saren gets to the Conduit, we're all screwed. I'm not letting the Reapers destroy everything because you were unwilling to act."
"Ambassador, I get the sense Commander Shepard isn't willing to let this go." The turian councilor's voice was low, threatening.
"There are serious political implications here, Shepard. Humanity's made great gains thanks to you. But you're behavior, these delusions…" Udina looked Shepard up and down and waved a dismissive hand at him, then turned back to the Council. "You're becoming more trouble than you're worth."
Ashley gaped at the tiny man. "You bastard! You're selling us out!" She hissed. Garrus was beside her, glaring at the Ambassador with similar accusation. Shepard became very still.
"It's just politics, Commander. You've done your job, now let me do mine." The smirk on Udina's face convinced Ashley the bastard really enjoyed this particular part of his job. "We've locked down the Normandy's primary systems. Until further notice, you're grounded."
Ashley's eyes widened, but before she was able to process the thought, Shepard stepped towards the man. One hand moved to the ambassador's throat while the other drew back.
"Shepard!" She threw herself forward and grabbed him. He didn't let go of Udina. "Think about this! We're going to be in a lot worse shape if you break this asshole's nose."
The commander shook her off with a snarl, but dropped the man. Ashley let out a sigh of relief. Udina clasped at his throat. "I will find a way to save your sorry asses, whether you want me to or not." Shepard growled, still towering over the tiny man. Udina was intelligent enough to know to take a step back.
"I think it's time for you and your team to leave, Shepard." Udina spat, turning his back on the Spectre. "This no longer concerns you. The Council will handle it from here. With my help, of course." How he managed to still sound smug after nearly having his face smashed in, she didn't know. And she instantly regretted stopping Shepard.
"This isn't over, Udina. Be glad I have more important things to worry about." Shepard shoved pasted the ambassador and down the stairs without a second glance at the Council. He barreled by Garrus and her, fists clenched and a raging, determined look in his green eyes. Ashley followed instantly.
"So, how do you think we're getting past this particular restriction?" Garrus murmured as he strode to keep up with the commander. Ashley had to pace quicker to match their stride. "I mean, red tape is one thing, but locking down the Normandy?"
"We'll find a way. No matter what, we're getting to Ilos." Shepard growled, taking the steps down towards the elevator two at a time. "And then, after we save all of these fuckers, Ash is going to let me punch Udina's face in." His hand slammed on the door control and the turian simply chuckled.
"Aye aye, Skipper."