The fundamentals of galactic politics are taught to most adolescents within their perspective educations with rare exceptions. The batarians are such an example. On the hanar homeworld, drell children are taught the balance of three. Salarians represent the experimental portion. Their shorter lifespans inhibiting the witnessing of long-term consequences and fervid curiosity are a complementary pair. The complicated social web and ever-changing culture makes it equivocal to other races.

The turians represent adaptability. For a militaristic species with rigid naturally occurring body armor, they have displayed keen flexibility to the militaristic needs of the galaxy. The Krogan rebellions, the short lived elcor goods embargo blockade, most recently the mass relay incident introducing a new militaristic species known as humans are a few of the most well-known feats of turian military might. A compilation of decisions from hundreds of years gave the turians a reputation to siding with whomever supports immediate action.

The asari were the first race to discover the citadel and claim power over the mass relays. Thesisa, their home world is an anomaly among the mapped planets in the galaxy. Its surface contains a bountiful concentration of element zero. The unknown properties of this remarkable matter is believed to give rise to the asari's unique biology and possibly longevity. They are also the wealthiest species as the high demand for element zero bestows them an essential Monopoly. Their economic status is matched by their wisdom. Living for thousands of years gives them a unique viewpoint of the inner workings of civilizations. Opposing the salarians liberal methods, is a conservative belief. The rule of law for the asari has been sculpted through the labors of a hundred generations, compared to the tens of thousands with other races. Asari are confident their policies are optimal for the long-term benefit of the galaxy due to witnessing multiple economic, cultural, and political tribulations in their history and retention within their collective consciousness.

This arrangement has governed the galaxy for thousands of years with very little change until recently. The humans have gained a footing in the council and the non-council races expected them to insert obstacles. Before if there was an issue, a majority rule on most matters would force the council to either pass or oppose new measures. Postponing was very rare. The introduction of a fourth vote makes it possible for a tie to occur. In theory, such matters would not proceed until someone changes their opinion. While the galactic populace are immensely grateful for the human's role in saving the citadel from the official geth attack, their inexperience manifests anxiety that non-council races will be ignored.

Commander Shepard's status is a rare opportunity to test how the council will react to opposing turian and human councilor votes. Would the asari or salarian councilor side with a long-time member of the council or side with the new species. If so, will this cause friction in future incidents? The attempted courting of ********* to the asari councilor was nerve wrenching at first. What I assume would result in the castigation of this eccentric individual might have saved my commander's spectre status. After a few quiet minutes, the council requests a holographic conversation with us. The turian and salarian councilors come into view.

"Where's my bluebird?" ********* asks.

The turian councilor tightens his mandibles "her presence will be unavailable. She claims something has come up and will not be continuing this conversation. Her vote will still count."

Councilor Anderson asks "what's the verdict?"

The salarian councilor says "by unanimous decision, commander Shepard will keep his spectre status and is requested to limit his investigations to the terminus systems for the foreseeable future unless called by the council."

The human spectre exhales a sigh of relief "thank you so much. I'm grateful for continuing to be a spectre. A unanimous decision was unexpected to say the least."

The turian councilor glares and with a querulous tone "I would have been overruled anyways."

Councilor Anderson speaks up "Thank you councilors for your help in this matter. You have my word Commander Shepard won't let us down. I have some other matters which require my attention and I assume the same is true for you. I will be leaving now. Have a pleasant day." Anderson powers down the holographic platform.

Garrus pats Shepard on the back "congratulations for becoming the first human spectre. Again. Hopefully there is another really attractive turian outside you can recruit. Maybe a woman this time around."

Shepard replies "if there is, ********* will probably snatch her up. You like turians right *********? *********?"

The human in question is somberly staring down at the floor. His chin hovering above his chest. The air cultivates a heaviness around him.

"Fate is cruel. I had a chance to get an alien girlfriend and came up empty. You saw her. She's infatuated with me. Why didn't she want to see me again?"

I ask "are you truly upset?"

He tilts his head then replies with a single high pitch noise "ehh."

Councilor Anderson walks over and comforts the young human male. He says "there will be more opportunities. The right girl is making her way to you."

"Better be. Feels like I've been waiting thousands of years to find her" the way he said that… It sounds… strange. Humans live a maximum 190 years, if incredibly lucky, and the average is 150 if memory serves. His mannerisms matched that of an asari. He doesn't actually believe he's thousands of years old, does he? ********* is a self-described old soul. It was displayed when he wished to talk about drell religion and dissecting the symbolism from what is believed to be true. ********* claims he likes to look for hidden wisdom in the ancient texts. ********* routinely claims he doesn't know exactly how old he is. My instincts are telling me to investigate him further. I will do so after the mission. Currently, the team is killing time by exploring the stores and will then head to the memorial. I enter the surprisingly secure asari model toy store. Along the shelves are boxes of build your own asari ships and other hobby kits.

"Hey look there's a sovereign. Your threats are as empty as your future. I'LL FEAST UPON YOUR BONES. NOM NOM NOM" ********* launches an assault on the spectre with the cardboard box.

"Please don't. That is a collectable" the asari cashier kindly shouts. ********* examines the box.

"600 credits. That seems like a lot" he puts the box away.

"That kinda is. Hello, I am interested in purchasing the Normandy kit, but it is a little expensive. I'm commander Shepard. I'm the one who commanded this vessel. Could I possibly get a discount? It's for a friend" the spectre politely asks.

"Aren't you rich?" ********* asks from afar.

"Didn't you blow the Normandy up?" She asks.

"No, I am not rich, and I didn't blow up my own ship. Why would you think that?" Shepard asks.

I interject "news about the Normandy's destruction was heavily censored and a multitude of theories emerged. One of the more popular ones claimed damage in the battle of the citadel caused the mass effect engine to slowly enter catastrophic failure and by the time, evacuation was too late."

"TADATADATA!" I turn and see ********* attacking Garrus with a model turian warship who cowers with an asari cruiser. Archangel kneels in submission as asari ships pales in comparison to turian craftsmanship. Obviously, no match. The only time one would witness a turian surrendering. A single chuckle escapes my throat. It reminds me of times when I played with my son like that.

"Aren't you a spectre? I think technically you could take it if you want. I can't stop you" the cashier said.

"I believe in engaging the market…"

"SMART MAN!" ********* yells.

"Could we work something out? An advertisement or something?" Shepard asks.

"Umm…" the cashier ponders. ********* hears this and walks up to the register.

"Could you let him use your employee discount? This is the savior of the galaxy here. Shepard, did you try buttering her up? Come on, you know all asari with intensely beautiful crystal blue eyes love compliments. Let me think of one. Hpmh. You look, no. I really like… ugh. You're weight. WHY DID I GO THERE?! Uh oh. Hmm… Shepard, I think I ran out of compliments for the day. This almost never happens. Back me up here." He lightly backhands Shepard's chest.

"Isn't the asari councilor enough for you" Garrus shouts.

The cashier displays a soft smile and a slight indigo blush tone which warms my heart ever so slightly, or the infection is progressing. She yields and gives us a one-time only discount. The commander is pleased for the money saved. He is an avid collector and will be fully taking advantage of this opportunity. I observe a morsel of envy towards *********'s charisma. The items will be delivered to our ship, and we head to the Normandy monument. Like the construction of the vessel, the monument was built with both human and turian designers. A large stone replica of the vessel rests on top of a mirror polished wall, decorated with several white marble plaques etched with pure gold. A sizable one in the center reads "In honor of the Normandy Crew. Those who saved the Citadel and were taken too soon. Rest in peace and spirits guide them."

Shepard finds his plaque and rubs his fingers across his name. I could only imagine the thoughts in his head, gazing on his symbol of death.

Garrus chants names of various former crewmates he came to knew.

"It still doesn't feel real" Shepard softly whispers. A moment of silence feels appropriate.

Garrus is the first to speak "********* did you find yours?"

"I did" he sounds disappointed and angry.

"What's wrong. Knowing you, I thought you'd be happy with it. Didn't you like gold? Shepard asks.

"I do and my name is in gold… but I am in the bottom right. Is this disrespectful? I feel disrespected. I had much nicer graves" he comments.

"Surely you jest?" I ask.

"No no. There is this one with a big statue of me riding a horse, looking all heroic and such. Nothing to fancy. While this is nice, it feels simplistic" he comments.

No amount of research I have conducted or will conduct is going to allow me to comprehend this strange individual's mind.