"Commander, we're on the orbit of the Citadel." Joker said.
"Connect me to the dispatching so we can announce the landing." Shepard explained to Joker and the communication was made.
"Security dispatching. What can we do for you?"
"This is Normandy. We require permission to land on the Citadel."
"Permission granted. Welcome on the Citadel, Normandy." The officer said and Normandy flew towards a docking bay D24. As soon as Normandy docked with airlock to the Citadel, Shepard walked into the docking bay, heading his way towards the elevators. C-Sec guards saluted him and Shepard saluted back. He passed the security scanner and made his way to the elevator. He chose to take the elevator to the embassies.
Shepard needed answers and he needed to ask Anderson along with the Council. However, once he comes up the stairs through other embassies, searching for the human embassy, his eye gets caught by something unpleasant. Counselor Donnel Udina? What happened while I was gone…? Shepard thought. Right after that he decided to go for it and take the answers he came for. Udina or not, there were even more questions to be answered and he came all the way here for them.
Shepard opened the door pressing the green button on them. Donnel Udina reacted as soon as the door opened and spotted the commander standing in the doorway.
"May I come in?"
"Ah, Shepard. Well, yes. I guess you might have questions." Udina said and Shepard took position in front of wide and large window.
"The embassies changed kind of."
"And not only the embassies. The Citadel went through big reconstruction while you were on your mission, Shepard. Is there something you want to know?"
"Yes. Where's Anderson?" Shepard looked at Udina who stood up, walking up to Shepard.
"I hope you don't think I would be behind this, Shepard. It's quite coincidence that I'm the counselor now but I can make you sure Anderson is fine."
"So what story is behind you becoming the counselor?"
"Quite simple. Anderson was never fond of political issues while being counselor. Actually I took care of most of the job he needed to do so he offered me the post in accordance to resign."
"Where is he now?"
"He's back at his office down in the wards. You can talk to him directly if you have no questions for me."
"Not entirely. I came here to talk to the Council as well."
"Understood. Let me get connection to the other members." Udina said and together with Shepard he walked to the video-comm where holographs of other three counselors appeared.
"Counselors." Shepard started.
"Ah, commander Shepard. We've heard some heartwarming news about your mission." Said the salarian counselor.
"You were risking life of yours and your crew members. From what we've heard they were loyal to you and ready to give their lives for your mission. That is the second time you've saved the galaxy." Added asari counselor.
"Also we've been informed that you left Cerberus. It's good that you came to your mind, commander." Said the turian one.
"So now that I defeated Collectors, do you believe me that there are Reapers coming to our galaxy?" Shepard said and Udina hid his face in his hand, shaking it.
"Truly Collectors have been a big threat, but there are no clues or evidences leading to the Reapers." The salarian counselor said and Shepard sighed heavily, crossing his arms.
"So I understand you don't trust me yet. How many evidences you need to see that Reapers are on their way and that they are going to wipe out all organic life?!"
"We would like to trust you, commander, but you have to understand that the decisions made by the Council will affect lives of trillions. Therefore, we cannot provide you sufficient support by declaring war state. Nobody wants war, commander." The asari counselor explained.
"I don't know anymore. You saw what happened three years ago. You didn't trust me and Sovereign almost destroyed Citadel. You didn't trust me about Collectors either which were Protheans by the way." Shepard explained with quite an anger in his voice and the turian counselor raised his hand against him.
"Calm down, commander. The incident with Sovereign, as you call it, was Geth strategy. We understand your concern but maybe you should not let all the pressure fall on you."
"Are you telling me that I am overworked? Crazy? Is that it?"
"I am sorry, commander. We have seen no other proof. Udina?"
"Yes, Tevos?"
"Join us later in the Citadel tower for appointing the elcor counselor. This meeting is dismissed." Said the asari counselor and council disappeared.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help, Shepard."
"Since when you started feeling sorry for my despair?"
"We're all in this together, Shepard. But I can't change opinion of three counselors."
"Understood," Shepard went towards the door, "thanks for help anyway. I'll go find Anderson now." He said and left the office. His next stop was the wards and Anderson's office. As soon as he got in front of those door, he didn't need to knock. He raised his hand to knock, but Anderson recognized him.
"Come in, Shepard." Anderson said and Shepard opened the door with a green button.
"How did you recognize me?"
"I remember footsteps, fortunately for you. What can I do for you, Shepard?" Anderson asked and Shepard stepped in front of his desk with hands behind his back.
"I didn't expect to come to the Citadel and see Udina as counselor."
"I know it might be a shock, but trust me that I was not happy with that job."
"So you're happy being captain."
"That's right. I suspect that's not the main reason you came. To discuss me…"
"No. I wanted to know whether some members of my former crew are available and where they are."
"Who exactly comes to your mind?"
"Garrus, Liara, Mordin, Legion…"
"Garrus Vakarian should be investigating a batarian ship in Hades Nexus cluster. He stopped by before he left."
"He did? What did he want?"
"He said 'Let me know when the Alliance dogs let Shepard go. I don't want to miss the next ride.'" Anderson said and Shepard smiled.
"Same old Garrus! If I didn't know him better, I would say he's like my brother. What about others?"
"Liara T'Soni is the new Shadow Broker since you helped her to take down the former one. Liara said she would be honored to help you on your new mission. She just needs time to clean the mess after the last Shadow Broker and then she might join you."
"Sounds good. Mordin?"
"Mordin is helping down in the Huerta memorial hospital. I think he will be glad to see you but don't expect him to be joining you on your next mission. He might be fully decided to help those who need it. By the way, Thane Krios is there as well. You might want to see him as well since you know he's deadly ill."
"I'll do so, and Legion? I've heard that he was returning to Geth. Any news from him?"
"Legion is mysterious guy. He fell silent right after your crew dissolved. If you say he's back to his kind, he might not be the same guy who he used to be."
"Legion is a Geth but he's not bastard. I know him. He told me the difference between the Geth and Heretics. If he can accompany me on next mission, I'll try to find him!"
"If you say so, but be careful Shepard. We both know that Reapers are coming and that there's no time for hazarding with life."
"Understood. Captain."
"Commander. Good luck." Anderson said and Shepard was about to leave, "Oh and Shepard, before I forget, the Citadel received a delivery of cryogenic pods with humans."
"And?"
"Only one subject out of ten managed to survive. Mordin was taking the procedure of analysis. You might want to see that person. I've uploaded all information in your omni-tool."
"I'll take a look now. Thanks, Anderson." Shepard said and left his office, checking his omni-tool. As he was walking down the long corridor towards the elevator, he was reading the information and his mind was suddenly in confusion. He was taking ride through elevator and at the same time he watched a scenery of the Citadel, thinking.
Why did Anderson give me this data? Maybe this man could help me? But he's autistic… is it even possible to make someone like him to follow military orders? When I was young, I didn't understand what autistic meant, then I was meeting people with various problems and seeing autist was… strange. I don't dare to guess what it means but I know it affects your ability to communicate and understand things properly. Maybe if I get to see Daniel and convince him to be part of my crew, he could explain. As a commander, I had only one opportunity to see autist, and that was David Archer from project Overlord.
And so Shepard was on his way to the hospital. There was much to talk about. With Mordin, Thane, Daniel. Finally, he arrived at the Huerta memorial hospital. His steps led him through the hallways, not sure where to find any of those people. Shepard stopped by the reception.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a patient of yours. His name is Thane Krios." Shepard said and got tapped on his shoulder. He quickly turned around, "What the hell is your pro-" he stopped as he realized that a drell figure was standing in front of him, giving him smile, "Thane!" Shepard exclaimed.
He found Thane and Thane was glad to see a friendly face back on the Citadel.