Chapter 4: To Therum

A week after the Normandy docked on the Citadel, Shepard was at the Human Embassy on the Citadel with Alenko on her right. The door opened to reveal Lt. Ashley Williams. "Lt. Williams ready for duty mam." She announced herself giving a salute.

Shepard gave a salute back. "Welcome to the crew Williams, I know that you will be a benefit for the crew."

"Thank you, commander, I honestly never though I would get the opportunity to serve on a ship." Williams stated.

"You earned it Williams." Shepard complimented.

"Thank you, commander."

"Enjoy the citadel for now and report back tomorrow 07:00." Shepard ordered.

"Yes mam." Williams saluted.

Williams then left the Embassy either to the ship for her bunk or to explore the citadel. "You should also spend some time around the Citadel." Shepard suggested to the lieutenant.

"Ah sure commander." He agreed in a surprised voice before he left to explore the Citadel.

Shepard then went over Udina's office where both Anderson and Udina were arguing before Udina noticed Shepard. "Ah Shepard, you're here good we can start this meeting."

"I have sent word to the Prime Minister that Shepards mission was successful, but we should keep this away from the press for now." Udina relayed to Anderson and Shepard. "I received word that the Prime Minister wants to release it to the push the critics back a meter or two but will comply in the long run."

"Anything else?" Shepard wondered.

"The council will most likely have a new mission for you and Nihlus soon, the Prothean experts are not getting anywhere with the device and many are talking of a theory of a Liara T'Soni." Udina theorized about what he has been hearing from those close to the study of the artifact.

"Understood the crew and I will be ready for when the Council will send us." She told them giving a salute before leaving the embassy.

Meanwhile in a private chamber the council uses for private meetings. "The Prothean experts are not getting anywhere with the device and they are suggesting that we get someone who's theories are different from the other experts." Valeran explained to her colleagues. "On the top of the list is an Asari named Liara T'soni."

"That might be tricky last I heard is that she is in the Artemis tau at a dig site." Tevos said.

"There have been reports of Blood Pack activity, but those are just rumors." Sparatus giving the criminal situation of the cluster. "The Alliance have been increasing their patrols of the cluster since the rumors started to be on the safe side."

"Another test for Shepard then." Valeran stated.

"Summon her and Nihlus to the council chamber." Spartus ordered.

Meanwhile in Chora's Den, Shepard was enjoying a drink at the bar. She was halfway through her drink when she got notified by the council to appear before them right away. She raised her arm for her tab. She paid before heading for a taxi to take her to the Presidium so that she could make it to the council chamber. She sees Udina and Anderson near the podium for those that speak to the council. She gave them a quick salute before heading to the podium seeing Nihlus there waiting for her. "Shepard." Nihlus greeted.

"Specter Nihlus." Shepard greeted in turn.

"The council has a mission for us." He stated simply gesturing towards the podium.

Shepard stood on the podium, standing at attention. "Commander Shepard, we are sending you, Nihlus, and your crew to Therum to retrieve a doctor in an archaeological dig." Tevos explained.

"We are sending you two and your crew because we have been receiving reports of Blood Pack mercenaries being spotted close to the planet, though it's only speculation at this point." Valeran expanded on the mission.

"Regardless, we are not taking the chance in sending an unarmed transport in case the rumors are true." Spartus ordered. "Get the doctor back here safely."

"We will retrieve the doctor and will update you on the mission once it's complete." Shepard acknowledged.

"Good luck Shepard." Tevos dismissed.

Shepard and Nihlus head for the Normandy. Once they made it to the doc they see the ship ready to leave. "Before you leave, I would like to have a word." Udina's voice reached out to Shepard and Nihlus.

"Yes Ambassador." Nihlus responded.

"I want to talk to Shepard before the ship takes off." Udina requested.

"Alright, best be quick though." Nihlus relented heading into the Normandy.

"Shepard before you head out, I want to remind you that you may now work for the council but you are still a human and your actions reflect upon our species." Udina said before leaving without saying goodbye.

Shepard turned and headed into the Normandy. She entered the Normandy and went to Joker who at the pilots chair waiting for the commander. "Heard what happened to Captain Anderson." Joker admits to the commander. "Survives a hundred battles, and then gets taken down by backroom politics"

Joker takes a breath before continuing. "Just watch your back Commander. Things go bad on this mission, your next on the chopping block."

"Captain Anderson should be the one in charge. It's like I'm stealing the ship from him." She confided in Joker.

"Yeah the captain got screwed, but it's not like you could've stopped it." Joker reassured the commander. "Nobody's blaming you, everyone on this ship is behind you one hundred percent commander."

Joker looks at the panel. "Intercom's open, if you've got anything you want to say to the crew now is the time."

Shepard approached the intercom control and pressed the button to activate it. "This is Commander Shepard speaking." She introduced. "We have orders to retrieve a doctor from Therum."

"Intelligence indicates that a mercenary group maybe there so be prepared." She finished. "This is an opportunity for humanity that we want to be apart of the galaxy as a whole, carry on."

She then headed to the virtual map of the galaxy. The ship was released and headed out to Therum.

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