Recap: "Unfortunately no new information has come up. When it does, we will personally forward it to you." Valern said as their holograms winked out. Shepard was a little disappointed now. Great, he was going to have to find a way to kill some time before the next Council mission came in.
Now
Shepard decided to go talk to everyone as he walked out of the Comm Room and toward the cockpit. When he got there, Joker wasn't in his chair.
"Hey Pressly! Where's Joker?" Shepard asked as he looked at Pressly.
"He went downstairs to the mess Shepard." Pressly answered. Shepard began walk when he noticed the expression on Pressly's face.
"Something on your mind?" Shepard asked. Pressly was silent for a moment before he answered.
"Sir, if anyone has to take over for Captain Anderson I'm glad its you, Shepard. I'm just not sure about having non-humans on our ship though." Pressly said.
"Ah, so that's it. Don't worry Pressly, we are all on the same team here." Shepard said hoping to ease the older man's feelings.
"With all due respect, Shepard. That's what they said about Nihlus, and look at how that almost turned out." Pressly retorted. Shepard nodded understanding Pressly's point.
"Okay Pressly, speak your mind. I want to know if you got a problem with non-humans." Shepard said.
"It's not that Shepard. Humanity has always handled its own problems. Saren attacked one of our colonies. We should be the ones to stop him. We don't need their help." Pressly stated.
"I understand that some people think asking for help is a sign of weakness. That's just being stupid and stubborn. No matter how strong you are, allies make you stronger. Take it from me." Shepard said knowing as strong as he was, having his team with him made him much more stronger.
"I guess so. Maybe I'm just stuck in the old ways of thinking. Don't worry Shepard this won't be a problem." Pressly said. Shepard smiled at his attitude.
"You know, if you feel these problems coming back up, talk to them. You might find out we have more in common than you think. And if you don't, come talk to me. I'll listen." Shepard said as he walked off toward the mess downstairs. He walked in and found Joker along with Kaidan, Wrex, Garrus, Tali, Ashley and Liara. Before he could say anything, Joker beat him to it.
"I prefer gold to silver. You know for my medal. I figured you'd recommend me for one since I, uh pulled your asses out of the fire." Joker said. Shepard smirked at him as he sat down with everyone watching the 2 talk.
"Something tells me if you get a medal, you'll have to sit on a stage, listening to politicians make speeches for a few hours. But hey if you want one I'll send a recommendation to Anderson." Shepard said messing with him. He saw Joker's eyes go wide.
"Uh, hang on! On second thought, I don't need a medal. They'd probably make me shave too. I've been working on this baby for the past seven weeks. No medal's worth that." Joker said realizing what could happen. Shepard could only laugh at him.
"So, why did you come up here Shepard?" Joker said wondering why Shepard was up here.
"Well, I thought I'd say thanks for the save. Also how is the Normandy doing? Is she everything they said she'd be?" Shepard asked thinking the Normandy may have taken some damage from picking them up from the volcano.
"Your welcome. She's the best ship in the fleet... if you got a pilot who knows how to handle her." Joker said. Shepard started smirking again.
"The balance isn't what you would expect. Takes awhile to get used to that oversized drive core we got stuffed in the back. Her power can sneak up on you if you're not careful." Joker continued to say. Shepard knew that Joker had the Normandy all figured out.
"The Nomandy's probably too much ship for your average Alliance pilot, Shepard. Luckily for you, I'm anything but average." Joker finished tooting his own horn.
"Hey I'm curious, why does everyone call you Joker?" Shepard asked.
"It's a lot shorter than saying Alliance Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau. Plus I like to make little children laugh." Joker said smiling.
"You know, I was just thinking about how much you remind me of Santa Claus." Shepard said grinning.
"Okay, okay. Look, I didn't pic the name. One of the instructors in flight school used to bug me about never smiling. She started calling me Joker, and it stuck." Joker explained.
"Why didn't you ever smile?" Shepard asked wondering how this guy in front of him could ever been a downer.
"Hey, I worked my ass off in flight school Shepard! The world's not going to hand you anything if you go around grinning like a idiot." Joker said with an annoyed expression.
"Don't I know it." Shepard agreed. Joker nodded.
"By the end of the year, I was the best pilot in the Academy. Even better than the instructors and everybody knew it." Joker continued getting a little more passionate. Joker then smiled as he continued, "They all got their asses kicked by sickly kid with the creaky little legs. One guess who was smiling at graduation."
"So Shepard. What's your story?" Joker asked causing everyone to look at Shepard.
"What do you mean?" Shepard asked.
"Come on! We all heard the stories of the Ghost, but no one has heard the truth. Besides, a guy like you doesn't become a galactic batman for nothing." Joker said wanting to know about Shepard. The non-humans in the room were wondering what a batman was while they and the other humans waited for Shepard to speak.
"Well, what have you heard about me?" Shepard asked with his arms behind his head.
"I heard that some people say your not human." Joker said.
"Some said you were a myth." Wrex said joining in.
"The governments said you were a rouge mercenary." Garrus added.
"The Alliance said you were just some reckless vigilante." Ashley said with Kaidan nodding.
"The quarian people thought you were some kind of assassin." Tali added.
"The asari thought you were a rouge experiment." Liara said.
"So why did you become the Ghost?" Joker asked. Shepard chuckled at their responses, in a way they were all right.
"Why I became the Ghost? Well, it was for vengeance and justice I guess." Shepard said causing all of them to lean in.
"Against who?" Garrus asked.
"The slavers." Shepard said with an even tone.
"What did they do to you?" Liara asked. Shepard was quiet for a few seconds before he responded.
"They burned down my home and killed my family." Shepard said having adverse reactions from everyone. Wrex had already guessed that was the case. Kaidan already knew it. Liara was shocked at him as was Tali. Garrus and Ashley could understand it. Joker felt a little bad for asking it.
"So, were you gunning for batarians afterwards?" Ashley asked, her ignorance showing. Shepard looked at her with indifference which kind of startled her for a second.
"I was gunning for slavers and the like. That included batarians, asari, salarians, turians, krogan and even humans." Shepard said in an even voice which scared Ashley. He then continued to say, "I told you before on the Citadel that I didn't feel that much of connection with humanity, because I lived on Omega. That was only a mere part of it. When I saw humans as slavers, when I saw them traffic other humans, I decided to stop seeing which race was more superior and to simply look at them all as people and monsters." Shepard said stating his views on the people in the galaxy. Kaidan and Ashley could accept it even though they were a little shaken by it. Wrex completely understood why Shepard was like this because of his history with his people. Garrus, Tali and Liara had a hard time fathoming how one member of a species couldn't feel a connection to their species.
"You asked me why I became the Ghost? It was to become a symbol to everyone. A symbol of hope, fear, power. A symbol to show the slavers who thought themselves invincible, that there was someone who could and would tear them down. They were monsters who destroyed the lives of hundreds of thousands and in the end created their destroyer. They made a colony kid into an orphan hell bent on destroying them. That is my story Joker. Some people call me a hero, others call me a demon. I just see myself as another person trying do something he thinks is right." Shepard said leaving his audience stunned.
"H-How old were you?" Joker asked dreading the answer. Shepard looked at him with dead eyes.
"Eleven years old." Was all he said as he looked around to see his squad's reactions.
Tali was sad for him. She couldn't think of losing everything like he did. The quarian people were a tight community since their exodus from Rannoch. She just wanted to walk up and hug him after hearing his story.
Liara was greatly saddened by how the Ghost of the Terminus came to be. To go through such hardship at the hands of others. It just wasn't right.
Garrus didn't like how things had ended up for Shepard thinking that something like that shouldn't have happened.
Wrex had far more respect for Shepard now seeing as he got stronger because of it.
"That's why I don't put that much faith in the Alliance." Shepard said making Ashley and Kaidan stiffen.
"W-What, why?" Ashley said a little shaken at how Shepard's views were.
"Because I see the Alliance as inept in it's duty. My home, Mindoir, was in the boundaries and yet when we came under attack, no help arrived." Shepard said coldly making Kaidan speak up.
"Shepard the Alliance did come, they were just too late." Kaidan tried to reason.
"Okay, fine. I'll take that. Let's get toward something more recent, Elysium." Shepard said staring at Kaidan before he continued, "What did the Alliance officials do when they did get warning from both of us?" Shepard asked rhetorically. Kaidan became silent as he looked at the ground.
"Come on Kaidan, we were both there." Shepard said wanting him to answer. Everyone was now looking at Kaidan wondering what happened, none more so than Ashley. Kaidan sighed before he spoke up.
"They laughed it off saying that it was nothing more than a prank." Kaidan said sadly. Everyone was in shock at that.
"And lets not forget who let the Alliance know about Torfan. They probably had people working on it, but obviously not enough when one man found it before them." Shepard said putting the evidence out there for everyone. He then said, "I wouldn't be surprised if the Alliance did it just so they could get some good publicity." Shepard said snorting at the thought.
"You can guys can still view the Alliance as this awesome thing for humanity, but me? No." Shepard said. Everyone was quiet before they walked back to their stations.
"Joker, take us back to the Citadel, when you get back to the cockpit. I need to pick up some more things. See ya around." Shepard said as he walked away planning on talking to everyone on his squad.
"You betcha, Shepard. Sorry about... you know." Joker said as he hobbled away.
"Don't worry about it. You were just curious." Shepard said as he walked towards Kaidan. Kaidan looked at him as he approached and spoke up first.
"That was some serious stuff you said Shepard." Kaidan said.
"Yeah well, the Alliance trying to recruit me, asking or forcing, is a little serious too." Shepard said making Kaidan wince.
"Okay fair enough. Did you want to talk about something?" Kaidan asked
"What's your opinion on Therum?" Shepard asked.
"Dr. T'soni? seems like a sweet girl, easy on the eyes." Shepard smirked at him. Kaidan noticed and quickly added, "I mean, if you like the bookish sort."
"Any intentions there, Kaidan?" Shepard asked grinning now.
"No, Shepard just art appreciation." Kaidan said smirking back.
"Uh huh. Look, we've met over the years, and are now working together. I've talked about myself a lot, now I'd like to know more about my crew. Only ones who haven't really talked that much are you and Ashley. So talk, off the record." Shepard said.
"Generous attitude. Okay, so Saren is looking for records on the protheans' mass extinction and no one is looking in on it now? Sorry, Shepard. There's writing on the wall here, but someone isn't reading it." Kaidan said. Shepard nodded knowing he was right.
"The Council doesn't want to believe anything is wrong, dumbasses." Shepard said shaking his head.
"I know, it's just you'd think that with a group that has been around as long as the Council, they'd be more prepared. Sorry if it's too informal." Kaidan said not really being sorry.
"Hey, I'm the one who called them dumbasses, and I'm not apologizing for it either." Shepard said. Kaidan chuckled at that.
"You would've fit right in BAaT. Protocol wasn't that big there either." Kaidan said.
"What was BAat?" Shepard asked having heard of it, but not much.
"Biotic Acclimation and Temperance training. It didn't last past the airlock. To the kids they hauled in it was just called Brain Camp." Kaidan said as he began to explain it.
"Sorry, 'hauled in' is a unkind. We were 'encouraged to commit to an evaluation of our abilities so an understanding of biotics could be compiled.'" Kaidan said quoting the garbage that was fed to them before he continued, "There were worse results of 'accidental' exposure to element zero in the womb. Beats the brain tumors some kids had to grow up with."
"I'm getting the feeling that some of it wasn't accidental." Shepard said hearing Kaidan's tone with accidental.
"Well, some of them might be, but mine wasn't. My mother was downwind of a transport crash, when it was before human biotics. A little after the discovery of the martian ruins. It only got iffy around '63 when Conatix was running out of first gen subjects. Until then they relied on accidentals. Then a bunch of guys in suits show up at your door after school. Next thing you know, you're out on Jump Zero." Kaidan stated.
"You know of any intentional exposures for certain?" Shepard asked.
"No one 'knows.' Doesn't mean they didn't happen. As big as the exposures were, it was hard to track down accidentals. It was different then. No one knew the potential, so there wasn't a lot of regulation then. Anything Conatix did was gold. I'm not saying they intentionally detonated drives over our outposts, but in retrospect, they were damn quick on the scene." Kaidan said showing what he really thought. Shepard nodded his head in agreement. Then Shepard remembered something.
"Jump Zero was Gagarin Station right? What was it like?" Shepard asked.
"Yeah, that was the official name. Biggest and farthest facility we had for decades. Right on the termination shock, at the outer edge of the solar system. That was where they did all the 'goose chase' FTL research. Before we caught on to mass effect fields. When I was there, it was a sterile research platform." Kaidan explained.
"There were other kids, so you weren't alone there then at least." Shepard said.
"That's true. We did have a little circle that'd get together every night before lights-out. We didn't have much to though. It was a research platform then, and Conatix kept Jump Zero off the extranet. You know, to prevent leaks." Kaidan replied, then saw Shepard's grin.
"You were all teenagers, you must've found other ways to occupy the time." Shepard said wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. Kaidan chuckled at Shepard's antics.
"I'm not the sort to do that kind of thing. Not lightly anyway. There was a girl I spent a lot of time with, but we kept our clothes on. Rahna. She was from Turkey. Her family was very rich, but she was smart, charming as hell, and beautiful but not stuck up about it. I think you would've liked her, Shepard." Kaidan said his tone of voice changing. Shepard noticed how Kaidan had talked about her like she was perfect.
"She sounds like one in a million. Was she special to you?" Shepard asked a little more serious now.
"She was. Maybe she felt the same, but things never fell together. Training, you know." Kaidan said dodging the question. Shepard noticed and decided not to push him.
"Jump Zero is a long way from Earth. What's it like?" Shepard asked changing the subject. Kaidan had rueful smile when he asked that.
"The Grand Gateway to Humanity looks a lot better in the vids, but that's my own baggage, Shepard. No bearing on this." Kaidan said
"Kaidan, you can trust me. I won't tell anyone." Shepard said thinking he could use some encouragement.
"I appreciate that Shepard. I've got my past squared away though. Maybe later." Kaidan said finishing the conversation.
"Okay, whenever you want to talk again." Shepard said as he walked away.
"Shepard wait." He heard Kaidan say. He turned back to him.
"Yea?"
"Why do you hide your real attitude?" Kaidan asked.
'So he saw it, huh?' Shepard thought with his calm expression becoming a little cold. He then spoke in an equally cold tone, "Because if you all saw the real me, the Ghost of the Terminus, this team would likely take longer and not work as well. Besides you, Wrex may be the only other one who saw through my facade today. You've seen who we have besides you and him: An ignorant soldier, a turian agent who's gunning for a chance to to do things recklessly, a naive quarian who knows little of the galaxy beyond the Migrant Fleet and an asari who prefers relics over people. Wrex, you and I are the only ones who know how things are done with a mission like this, but them? They might as well be children on this mission." Kaidan couldn't help but wince, knowing Shepard was right. Then Shepard's tone became a little warmer.
"I want them to realize what is going on, and that they need to work together fluidly to win." Shepard said, his face losing its cold look. When he said that, Kaidan looked at him, knowing he was right.
"So what, are you going to be the big brother who teaches them?" Kaidan asked. Shepard smiled.
"No, I'm going to be the guy who makes them realize it." Shepard said as he walked towards the med bay, leaving Kaidan with his thoughts. Shepard walked into the med bay as he saw Chakwas.
"Hey." he said.
"Here to talk with Liara?" Chakwas said, already knowing.
"Might as well welcome her and see how she is doing." Shepard said as he walked toward the back of the med bay. When he got in he saw Liara get up.
"Shepard, are you coming to check up on me?" Liara asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, you look much better. How are you feeling?" Shepard asked checking her aura with anything abnormal.
"Doctor Chakwas assures me I am going to be fine. I was impressed with her knowledge of asari physiology." Liara said. Shepard smiled at that.
"Your in good hands. Despite how she and I act, I can assure you she knows what she is doing." Shepard said honestly. He and Chakwas make act strange with each other, but he had nothing but respect for the woman's medical abilities, except maybe a little dread.
"I never properly got to thank you for saving from the geth. If you hadn't showed up..." Liara began to say until trailed off.
"Hey, I'm just glad we got there in the nick of time." Shepard said reassuringly.
"So am I." Liara said. Shepard chuckled thinking it was funny. He stopped when he noticed Liara was looking at him.
"What's on your mind?" Shepard asked.
"I know you took a chance bringing me aboard this ship. I have seen the way your crew looks at me, they don't trust me." Liara said looking down. She then looked back up with determination, "But I am not like Benezia. I will do whatever I can help you stop Saren. I promise." Shepard smiled at her.
"Well, you can prove my crew wrong by helping us against Saren, and don't worry we'll get this mess with your mother straightened out." Shepard said.
"It means a lot to hear you say that, Shepard. Thank you." Liara said with a grateful smile. Now that he had a moment to take a good look, he noticed how beautiful Liara was. He also couldn't help, but notice her... assets as well. He quickly moved his eyes back towards Liara's eyes. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but notice how all the women in his squad were ample in some places: Liara had her chest, Tali was more proportional in the hips, and Ash balanced out in both departments, neither too big or small. He then mental slapped himself. 'No! Bad John! Bad! We need think of Liselle, she might be carrying your unborn child!' Shepard mentally chastised himself. His more primal self was going 'They're hot! Besides Lis broke up with you. You wouldn't be cheating.' Luckily he ignored it.
"Well, I'd like to learn more about you, Liara. You know since we are on the same team now." Shepard asked, hoping to get know her better.
"Me? I'm afraid I am not very interesting, Shepard. I spend most of my time on remote digs, unearthing mundane items buried in long-forgotten prothean ruins." Liara said modestly.
"That sounds dangerous and lonely." Shepard said.
"Sometimes I would run afoul of indigenous life-forms, or stumble across a small band mercenaries or privateers." Shepard had a worried look on his face hoping they hadn't done anything awful, otherwise he was going hunting. Liara must've seen his expression when she added, "But I was always careful." Shepard calmed down a little.
"Until the geth found me in Artemis Tau, I had never found myself in any situation my biotics couldn't handle. As for the solitude, well, that is one aspect that most appealed to me. Sometimes I just need to get away from other people." she continued.
'Damn, just as I thought, a loner.' Shepard thought. He knew he had been right when he talked to Kaidan earlier. When he was on Therum he noticed that there no bodies of any other archaeologists. "What's wrong with people?" He asked hoping to make her more sociable.
"I suppose it comes with being a matriarchs daughter. People expected me to follow in Benezia's footsteps. They wanted me to become a leader of our people." Liara explained.
"No offense Liara, but you don't seem like the leading type." Shepard said stating what he thought.
"None taken. Matriarchs guide their followers into the future; they seek the truth of what is to come. Maybe that's why I became so interested in the secrets of the past." Liara said with the last bit seeming like a reflection on herself. She then chuckled before she continued, "It sounds so foolish when I say it out loud. It sounds like I became an archaeologist simply to spite Benezia."
"All children eventually rebel against their parents. It's part of growing up." Shepard said knowing it was true. Liara laughed a little in response.
"Haha. You share the wisdom of the Matriarch, Shepard. That is what Benezia said when I told her my decision." Liara said smiling. She then looked a little more serious, but her mirth was still present.
"But there was more to it than that. I felt drawn to the past. The protheans were these wondrous, mysterious figures. I wanted to know everything about them." Liara before looked at him again. She continued with, "That is why I find you so fascinating. You were marked by the beacon on Eden Prime, you were touched by working prothean technology!" Now Shepard raised an eyebrow at that. He decided to have a little fun with her.
"Doctor T'soni, it sounds like you want to dissect me in a lab somewhere." Shepard said keeping the grin of his face. Liara's went wide at what he said.
"What? No! I didn't mean insinuate- I never meant to offend you Shepard." Liara said her voice raising a little. Shepard stoic facade cracked a little, but she didn't notice. She tried to explain things out with saying, "I only meant that you would be an interesting specimen for in-depth study. No-that's even worse!" He couldn't hold it any longer and he started laughing at her. She had a very confused reaction to him laughing.
"What's so funny?" She asked.
"Y-Y-You are! I was just messing with you." Shepard said calming himself down, though he still had the occasional snicker. Liara looked like she was mentally berating herself.
"Messing around? You mean joking? Oh, by the goddess! How could I be so dense? You must think I'm a complete and utter fool." Liara said blushing in embarrassment. She continued, "Now you know why I prefer to spend my time in the field with data disks and computers. I always seem to say something embarrassing around other people."
"Or funny." He added.
"Please just pretend this conversation never happened." Liara said almost pleadingly.
"Hmmm, I don't know. I don't think I can trust you now that I now you want to dissect me." Shepard said grinning.
"I don't want to!" Liara denied with more energy this time.
"Hehe, okay Liara I'll quit torturing you and leave you alone see ya." Shepard said as he left. He then walked toward the elevator after getting out of the med bay. After a minute of losing his sanity to how slow the elevator and door were, he made his way to the cargo hold. He then walked over to Wrex.
"So we have Saren on the run." Wrex said as Shepard stepped up.
"It won't be long now. He's good, but I'm better." Shepard said brimming with confidence. Wrex rose an eyebrow at Shepard.
"Good? He's rotten to the core. I could tell as soon as I met him." Wrex said gaining Shepard's attention.
"You met Saren? Why didn't you say so sooner?" Shepard asked looking straight at Wrex with all seriousness.
"I would've if I thought it was important." Wrex admitted.
"True enough, but since it's out in the open, let's talk about it. Could have some importance." Shepard said knowing the smallest detail could have a big effect on the fight with Saren. Wrex sighed before he spoke.
"This was a while ago. A bunch of mercs were bragging about a job out near the edges of the Terminus Systems." That caught Shepard's attention. Wrex continued, "They said it paid well and the boss was never around to ride them. Said he was looking for more men, too. I checked it out" Shepard rose an eyebrow at that.
"Saren wouldn't openly recruit mercs, the guy is too careful for that." Shepard stated. Wrex nodded.
"Your right, it wasn't that open, and he only showed his face once." Wrex said.
"I see, go on." Shepard responded wanting to know more.
"We'd been raiding ships in the area for the past few months when we took out this massive cargo freighter. Our biggest haul yet. I was on board checking bodies for valuables, looking for some extra credits. That's when I saw him." Wrex said as he stopped and looked like he was reliving a flashback.
"What did Saren want with the ship?" Shepard finding it strange that out of all the ships the mercs raided, Saren appeared for the massive one. Wrex shook his head.
"I don't know what he wanted. He was just moving through the ship, watching. A couple of the mercs called him by name, but he never spoke to them. Not anyone for that matter." Wrex said before he added, "But I got a bad feeling about him, so I got the hell out. Didn't even wait to get paid."
"Your instincts probably saved your ass that day." Shepard said, having a feeling Saren was there to know who to 'reward.'
"Yes, they did. Every other merc on that mission turned up dead within a week. Every damn one." Wrex said looking very serious.
"So I was right. Saren was there to see you all." Shepard said.
"What do you mean?" Wrex asked curious.
"Saren was probably there to know which one of you to 'reward'." Shepard responded using quotes on reward.
"How do you figure that?" Wrex asked a little confused.
"Wrex, your smarter than most give you credit for. Your telling me you didn't find it suspicious when the mysterious boss who doesn't show up until the biggest raid yet and he doesn't talk to everyone, just watches? I'm sorry, but in my experience that means they're looking for something specific...and to see what loose ends to tie up." Shepard making Wrex realize what he was saying.
"Shepard the way you read into things is scary." Wrex stated.
"I've had a lot of practice." Shepard responded.
"I still want that spar." Wrex said.
"Don't worry after I'm done talking with everyone, we'll spar." Shepard said as he walked away towards Ashley. She noticed him and seemed to have something on her mind.
"What's up Chief?" Shepard asked wondering what got to her.
"Shepard, you have a minute too talk?" Ashley asked.
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Shepard said being open. She inhaled then exhaled.
"All right. I know things are different aboard the Normandy, especially with you in charge, but- I'm concerned about the aliens. Vakarian and Wrex. With all due respect Shepard, should they have full access to the ship." Ashley said. There goes her distrust again, let's see what we can do.
"They may not serve the Alliance, Ashley, but they are allies. At least as far as Saren goes." Shepard said hoping to turn things around.
"This is the most advanced ship in the Alliance Navy. I don't think we should give them free reign to poke around the vital systems." Ashley said.
"Like what exactly?" Shepard said, feigning curiosity.
"Sensors, Engines, Weapons." she listed off.
"I'm guessing you don't trust the Alliances allies." Shepard said seeing through her immediately.
"I wouldn't call the Council Races allies." Ashley said.
"And I wouldn't call a c-sec officer my best pal, but I'd still trust them do the right thing. Human or Turian." Shepard rebuffed her immediately.
"We-humanity, I mean- have to learn to rely on ourselves." Ashley said remembering Shepard's feelings about being included with humans.
"Standing up for oneself doesn't necessarily mean standing alone Ashley." Shepard replied feeling that her history with her grandfather is coloring her views.
"I'm not saying we should turn down allies. I just don't think we should bet everything on them staying allies." She defended. Shepard nodded.
"I can understand that. It's how think of the Alliance and the Council." Shepard said surprising Ashley.
"What? I thought you would be all for working together with non-humans." Ashley replied stunned a little.
"And I am. I not saying don't make allies with people, just not the governments. I fully expect Udina and the Council to stab us in the back at some point during this mission. And when they do, I'll be there personally when it comes back to bite them in the ass." Shepard explained.
"Yea, as noble as the Council members seem now, if there backs are to the wall, they'll abandon us." Ashley said thinking Shepard was coming around to her way of thinking.
"Just as the Alliance would do in the same situation." Shepard rebuffed looking at her, knowing she couldn't say anything about it. From the look on her face, she knew it too. Shepard then continued, "We are both realists Ashley, more so myself than you. I have more of a right to talk about it than you though."
"How do you figure that? My family has defended the Alliance since it was founded, you on the other hand haven't defended it at all." Ashley asked irritated by how Shepard was holding to his beliefs.
"You and I are similar in many ways Ashley: We're both human, we both work for something that doesn't really treat us right and we had to work to get to where we are now. The difference? When I started, I could've ran to the Alliance and become a soldier. Instead I chose to go to where the slavers were, trained to fight and learn how hard life really is out there. On that road I did things that garnered the galaxy's attention, things that people praise and curse me for. I've actually lived alongside aliens. I know how they work, what they do, seen what they went through everyday. You on the other hand stayed in a largely human populated area of space, served a military with people who try to hold you back and told you things about the non-humans. Since you've spent your life listening to others, listen from someone who has more experience then second-hand gossip: non-humans are just like us; they have their ups and their downs, the sinners and saints, I can talk because I've seen it all. You can't. Your family may have defended the Alliance since it's founding, but I've defended the people of the galaxy since I was 16." Shepard said going into his cold voice. Ashley looked down when he said all that, and she began to look ashamed of herself for her way of thinking. Shepard noticed and immediately felt like he was being a dick to her. It was the truth, but he could've gone easier about it.
"I-" Ashley began to say before Shepard cut her off.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that. You didn't deserve it." Shepard said making her look up at him, hopeful he wasn't angry with her. She saw he seemed to be in deep thought and she was happy he was understanding about her feelings. She could respect his views of things in the galaxy, and she couldn't help but find them a little more compelling. Shepard had spent a majority of his life around non-humans, so he knew first hand what life was like with them. He was right about her though, because of her family history she spent most of her service in Alliance space and only got word from other humans.
"Look Ashley, I know your uncomfortable with aliens, but this is a multilateral mission. There with us whether you like it or not. At the very least try to get to know them before you make your judgement though, okay?" Shepard said.
"It won't be a problem Shepard. You say jump, I say how high. You tell me to kiss an asari, I'll ask which cheek." Ashley said. Shepard rose an eyebrow at that last part.
"When did Liara get involved in this?" he said smiling at her blushing face when she realized what she said.
"I-I-I was just kidding, Shepard." She said trying to compose herself.
"Hey speaking of Liara what do you think about her?" Shepard asked seriously.
"I'm not sure I buy Dr. T'soni's story. About her and her mom talking. They're family right?" Ashley said getting over her embarrassment.
"I don't think she can lie very well. Or at the very least not often enough." Shepard said knowing Liara was innocent.
"Yea, she's probably bad at it. Hey want me to ask her about her sex life? Could be illuminating." She said before she saw the grin Shepard had. Shepard then chuckled.
"S-S-Shut up!" She said blushing bright pink now. He only continued laughing at her until he walked away. He then made his way towards Garrus who was calibrating the cannon on the M35 Mako.
"Hey Garrus." Shepard said as he walked to Garrus.
"Hey Shepard, how are you?" Garrus asked.
"I'm good. Hey I've been wondering for a while now, why did you join c-sec in the first place?" Shepard asked curious.
"Hm. That's a good question. I guess I joined for several reasons." Garrus said pondering on his reasons.
"Any in particular?" Shepard asked. Garrus thought for a moment before he answered.
"Probably the same as most officers. I wanted to fight injustice, wanted to help people." Garrus then looked as if he had forgotten to mention something, "I guess my father had something to do with it, too. He was c-sec, one of the best actually." Shepard raised an eyebrow at that. So his father was one of the best c-sec officers. That ought to have been a big influence.
"I grew up hearing about his accomplishments or seeing his picture on the vids after a big arrest. He's taking my resignation pretty hard." Garrus said.
"Damn, you'd think he would be proud of you going after Saren." Shepard said, then he noticed Garrus' mandibles flutter for a second.
"My father's a c-sec man to the bone. 'Do things right or don't do them at all' he says. He thinks I'm being too rash, too impatient. He's worried that I'll become like Saren." Garrus said. Garrus then hmphed.
"He actually talked me out of being a spectre once." Garrus said.
"You were asked?" Shepard asked with both eyes raised.
"Well, I was targeted as a possible candidate. Me and about a thousand other turian military recruits. I could've received special training, but my father didn't like it." Garrus explained.
"I guessing he's not big on spectres is he?" Shepard asked already knowing the answer.
"Not big? He despises the spectres. Hates the idea of someone having unlimited power with know accountability. He wouldn't like you Shepard. No offense." Garrus said. Shepard smirked in response.
"None taken, I can understand where your father is coming from." Shepard said.
"What do you mean?" Garrus asked.
"I can understand why you want to do things your way, uninhibited by rules and regulations. It's just that when you try to do so, there is a chance that innocent people could be harmed in the process. You spend so long trying to stop the villain your way, you tend to forget who you walked over going after him. In the end, you could very well become the villain." Shepard said.
"But Saren's not going to play by our rules. C-sec's rules. You want to nail Saren you need someone who isn't restricted by policies and procedures." Garrus said.
"Your right about that. We are not playing by c-sec's rules, we're playing mine. Just because you can break the rules, doesn't mean you should. I know I don't need to stoop to Saren's level to stop him, and neither should you." Shepard said.
"What are your rules? You lived in the Terminus and did different things on Elysium, Akuze, and Torfan." Garrus asked. Shepard stared at him for a few seconds before he replied.
"Do what is needed. Don't let any innocents get caught in the crosshairs. If one is in the crosshairs, get them out. Don't give up, no matter how long it takes. Those are the rules I lived by in my crusade on the slavers. Look where it got me." Shepard told him with that same fire in his eyes, the fire he had since Mindoir.
"I see what you mean, but... I'll think about it." Garrus said. Seeing the look in Shepard's eyes made Garrus question his thoughts on how one should truly accomplish their mission.
"See ya Garrus." Shepard said as he walked toward engineering. He then had nice conversation with Tali until they got to the geth. He had to admit when it became something that she was passionate about, she became a spitfire. After bidding her goodbye, as well as an apology for riling her up, he then made his way back to the cargo bay.
"Hey Joker." Shepard said on the nearby intercom.
"Yes, Shepard?" Joker responded.
"How long are we from the Citadel?" Shepard asked.
"About an hour or two away, why?" Joker responded wondering why Shepard was asking.
"I'm going to have a spar with Wrex, thought I should know how much time I got to take an after-spar nap." Shepard said as he left the mic. Joker sat there shocked until he quickly typed on his computer until a huge monitor popped up in front of him that showed the cargo bay. Inside he could see Shepard talking with Wrex. They had just started moving to the center when Joker turned the mic on for the cargo bay and then spoke on over the intercom.
"Attention Normandy crew! If you go to channel 5, you will see Ghost and Wrex getting ready spar." Joker said to all the crew. Almost immediately the crew members on the flight deck and quarters deck turned on the nearest monitor to watch. Kaidan joined Chakwas, who called Liara to watch the spar on the med bay monitor. Everyone else in the cargo bay and engineering made their way to the outer edges of the cargo bay to get a good look. Tali, Garrus, and Ashley were right in the front. Shepard and Wrex looked around when they heard Joker and noticed the crowd forming near the mako and the elevator.
"Well, so much for it being private." Shepard said.
"It makes it all the more fun with an audience watching though." Wrex replied. Shepard nodded.
"Very true. Okay no guns, I won't use my tech attacks, it wouldn't be fair. Singularity, warp and stasis are off limits since it wouldn't be a fun spar since neither of us would be able to move." Shepard said hoping to make as fair as he could.
"How about this: everything you said except the tech attacks. You'll need every advantage you can get." Wrex said grinning at him. Shepard then heard everyone ooing at him. Shepard just smirked and nodded.
"Okay, your funeral." Shepard said as he and Wrex got into their fighting positions. At some unspoken signaled both men charged at each other. They both smashed their forearms against each other, each vying for dominance with Wrex's right armored covered arm against Shepard's right Omni-tool covered arm. They stood there like that until Shepard's left omni-tool covered fist socked Wrex right in the gut which made him stagger. As Wrex staggered back he noticed a shock go through his system and that Shepard's fists were also glowing with biotic energy. With his centuries of battle experience, he quickly surmised what Shepard was doing and felt the need to compliment him.
"Good use of biotic force and the neural shock, I have to admit I thought you would either use incinerate or none of your tech abilities at all." Wrex said.
"I need you in fighting condition, can't be like that with several degree burns all over, besides you are a krogan battlemaster. I've learned to live by using any and all of my usable abilities for the situations I get in. It's just a minor shock though, so nothing to damaging. It's a spar not a death match." Shepard getting ready for his next attack. With adrenaline pumping in his veins, Shepard biotically leapt at Wrex, attacking without pause. Shepard was naturally fast when fighting. With his adrenaline and biotics mixed in, his speed was increased 50-fold at least. All Wrex could do was block and even then some of Shepard's punches got through, hitting him in the face. They wouldn't hurt as much if they didn't have a constant neural shock charge (thanks to Isaac). All the while though Wrex was silently analyzing and waiting for his opponent to slow down. Everyone else who was watching, were in awe of Shepard's speed and precision, as well as his abilities to keep Wrex on the defensive. After a few minutes Shepard's adrenaline rush ran out and got slower. Wrex took his chance and was able to grab both of Shepard fists in a tight grip. He also had Shepard's arms crossed. Wrex then grinned at Shepard who realized what Wrex was about to do.
"Oh fu-" Was all Shepard could say before Wrex started slamming onto the ground repeatedly with out letting go of Shepard's fists. Everyone was now wincing and worrying about Shepard who was constantly getting lashed onto the ground. (Think of how bardock begins to kick the shit out of chilled , that's what Wrex is doing to Shepard.) After a minute of it Wrex then threw Shepard to far side of the room toward the bay doors. Everyone looked on in shock thinking he might be dead before he got back up. He stretched for a bit before he turned back towards Wrex. Everyone could see he had some bruises on him, but he otherwise looked fine. Shepard then charged at Wrex only to be again caught, but this time his arms weren't crossed. Both Shepard and Wrex reared their heads back and head-butted each other hard.
In the cockpit Joker said, "Damn that looked like it hurt both of them."
In the med bay Liara winced at the sound, as did many others watching. Chakwas started getting out her medical equipment just knowing one or both of them would end up in the med bay.
Back with Wrex and Shepard. Both men staggered back, dazed from the hit. Wrex was dizzy, he then saw Shepard get out of his trance as well and noticed that in the head-butt Shepard had cut his forehead, which was now bleeding. Shepard on the other hand was still ready to keep going. Wrex then charged at Shepard who couldn't really move all that well because of that last hit so he got into a lung-like stance as Wrex crashed into him. Wrex began push him when he noticed something.
"That neural shock of yours is recharging isn't it?" Wrex asked as he kept pushing. Shepard didn't answer which made Wrex laugh. Both were almost at the bay doors when Shepard started glowing and Wrex was suddenly stopped. Then Wrex started to be the one getting pushed back. As Wrex struggled to regain his position he saw something that made his eyes widened. Shepard was using his biotics to increase his overall strength to level where his irises started to glow bright blue. Shepard's omni-tools went off then and Shepard reared his fist back and punched Wrex so hard he lifted off the ground and went 9 feet away. That one heavy biotic punch had knocked Wrex out. Shepard was also tired for putting everything in that one punch and passed out too. Everyone else was in shock at the display that had happened before them. A human and a krogan tied in a fight. They all then got the pair to the med bay as fast as they could.
Whew! Read, Review, tell me what you think!