The Citadel:

Soon, the Normandy finally arrived in the Serpent Nebula, home of the Citadel. The last time Shepard had been here had been 5 five ago when she was still part of the Republic military. Now she was technically a civilian now which meant they did not have military clearance to dock at the Citadel and would have to go in through the civilian entrances at the docks. This would take longer than it usually would as Shepard had expected that security would have been tightened after the attack 5 years ago.

The Normandy was soon granted clearance and allowed to dock at Zakera Ward, one of the five arms of the Citadel which were called the Wards and were the civilian areas. To get to the Presidium or the centre wing of the Citadel, Shepard would have to get a space taxi. Her old friend David Anderson had sent a message that he would like to see her after hearing rumours of her being alive. But first she had a recruit to find right here on the Citadel. This recruit would be important since Shepard was in need of a tech expert and the potential recruit was a master thief and a hacker, something which would be valuable to the team.

Shepard followed the intrustions after departing the Normandy with Garrus and Jacob. She walked over to one of the advertisement boards where it changed to show a human female of Japanese decent "Welcome to the Citadel, please tell me the password."

Miranda had told Shepard that there was a password to be given although it was more of a passphrase "Silence is Golden." Shepard replied.

"Glad to meet you at last Commander Shepard." The woman replied "I'm Kasumi Goto, master thief and hacker as well as a fan. I'm shocked it took you so long to find me though that means I'm good at what I do. I'm hard to find."

"So you've been informed of the mission?" Shepard asked

"Aye working out what the First Order are up to." Kasumi smiled "My hacking skills will help you get in and out of their facilities though I will need a favour first. I'm looking for my old partner's Greybox. A neural implant, illegal in most places, a man named Donovan Hock has it. I can explain the details on the ship though I will say now this is more than just retrieving something for my sack, my old partner Kenji informed me that there is some data on there that if it falls into the wrong hands could spark a war. I don't know what it is, he never told me but I need to get it back before Hock decrypts it and leaks it."

"If it helps stop a war then we'll do it." Shepard replied

"Good, I'll meet you on the ship when you've finished your business here." Kasumi replied and then the advertisement turned back to normal but Shepard heard Kasumi call again "Now let's wrap this up, you look pretty silly talking to an advertisement." Shepard looked up to see Kasumi had been up on the catwalk the whole time "See you on the ship." She then disappeared into the shadows.

"Quite a joker isn't she." Jacob snorted

Shepard chose not to reply and she had some errands to run here before they went back to the Normandy and went off on their next mission.

Shepard could see that security had indeed been tightened. Now they were checking everyone coming onto the Citadel. It reminded Shepard of the stories of airports from Earth before unification and how they were very strict with what was being brought through. That was shown when she could see a male Turian arguing with a customs officer over a ceremonially knife and a biotic amp. Since Shepard was not technically a military officer with the Republic now, she had chosen to leave her weapons behind. She just hoped that she would not need them.

As they left the docks, they went through what seemed to be a screening room with scanners meant to detect anything that wasn't allowed. They were about halfway through as the scanner passed them and then set off an alarm.

"Seems security is stronger now." Garrus stated "It was never this tight when I left."

The nearby security officer was trying to figure out what was going on "Shut it down." He ordered making a call into his radio. "What… do you seriously think… alright then." He then looked at Shepard "Sorry about that ma'am, the scanners were picking some unusual readings. They had you on the system but it seemed to claim that you were dead."

"Well I wouldn't be surprised." Shepard replied "I have been MIA for 5 years. Is there a way to try and prevent me from setting off the alarms again?"

"Talking with Captain Bailey will fix that." The officer replied "He can reinstate you into the system though he's meeting with the Executor."

"I'll see him right away then." Shepard replied.

…

They soon went through to the C-Sec station which was just after the scanning room. They saw what seemed to be the captain of the area which was a human talking with a Turian who must be the Executor although it was a different Turian to who had been Executor when Shepard had last been to the Citadel.

"I hope that there will be no trouble here Bailey." The Executor stated

"Of course not." The human known as Bailey stated "But with the election coming up, whoever gets voted in could make the situation worse. Tensions are high here and I've already had to remove a few minded individuals from the force over their personal beliefs."

"Well I just hope that things will quiet down soon." The executor stated and then turned around when he noticed Shepard and her group but it was Garrus who he looked at the most "Wait Garrus?" he questioned

"Detective Chellick?" Garrus gasped "You're the executor now?"

"I am now though I still prefer my old job." Chellick replied.

Shepard remembered Chellick, he had been the detective investigating arms smuggling and had an informant called Jena whose sister was scared for so Shepard had helped Chellick in order to get Jena out of danger. "How did you become Executor?"

"Well Pallin died during the Geth assault." Chellick replied "And so did most of the senior higher ups, I was the most experienced officer and so they promoted me. Hasn't been easy with all the heightened tensions here. You would think that after the Republic saved the Council we would get along but the opposite has happened?"

"How so?" Shepard asked.

It was Bailey who answered "The Republic thinks they didn't get much out of what they did." He replied "Two dreadnoughts and at least ten cruisers plus over half of Blue and Grey squadrons and all they got was a monument."

"And other species think that the Republic in particular humans are getting two powerful. We have more humans involved in C-Sec and the defence fleet." Chellick added "With the added issue of the First Order, it's led to clashes over the Citadel and both sides accuse C-Sec of taking the side of the opposite. It's worse here on Zakera ward, we have an election coming up for the local council who run this ward. The popular candidate is a Turian named Joram Talid who's promising to end organised crime but he's a known anti-human believer. His message is caught up in racial issues and it's causing clashes here."

Shepard didn't want to get involved in this but he had some other duties to perform "I was told that you could help me avoid setting the alarms again."

"Indeed." Bailey stated "The systems say that you're dead, normally to fix this you would have to go through the Station Security administration to reactivate your IDs. But since I can see that you're in a rush, how about I just press this button to get you back into the system."

"Sounds good with me." Shepard replied

"If you excuse me, I need to get back to inspection." Chellick stated "I've been informed we have an incident developing on the lower market and I need to check it out before a fight breaks out." Chellick then walked away.

Bailey looked back at Shepard "Is there anything else I can do for you or can I get back to work?" he asked

"How do I get to the Presidium from here." Shepard asked "I need to speak with my old friend David Anderson."

"Just catch a taxi from the taxi booth just opposite the market place." Bailey replied.

Shepard thanked him and they went on their way.

…

Shepard did as Bailey asked and got a Taxi to the Presidium. In the five years that Shepard had been missing, the Presidium looked the same as it did before the First Order attack. The damaged areas had been rebuilt. The only major difference was that the Mass Relay statue that had been near the Citadel Tower was gone. Shepard assumed that as it had been revealed to be a back door entrance into the Citadel, the Council had ordered it destroyed to prevent it from being used again. Now it had been replaced with a large statue of a human much like the Krogan Monument. The statue had been carved to look like Flight Commander Antoc Merrick, commander of Blue Squadron who had flown into the Citadel before the arms closed during the Battle of the Citadel. Every single who had flown into the arms had been killed during the battle. Grey Squadron had also take losses during the assault on the First Order Fleet during the battle but their commander had survived the battle.

The taxi dropped Shepard and her team close to the Republic embassy and they soon arrived to see Anderson was in a meeting with the Council over holograms. It seemed they were in a bit of an argument.

"Oh Commander Shepard, we were just talking about you." Anderson greeted

Shepard sighed "It's good to see you again Anderson but as I am technically dead, I don't think I should be addressed as Commander anymore."

"You will always be a commander to me." Anderson stated "The last five years without you have been difficult."

"And these rumour of your return have been a bit unsettling." Salarian councillor Valern stated

Asari councillor Tevos spoke up "We called this meeting because we owe you that much. After all you did save us from Saren and the First Order."

"And yet the First Order seem to have been gaining power and you've done nothing about it?" Shepard questioned."

Turian councillor Sparatus sighed "Look, after you vanished we made contact with the First Order who claimed the fleet was just a rogue group wanting to carve power for themselves."

"And you believed them?" Shepard scoffed

"In public yes but in private no." Sparatus replied "They did provide evidence of this rogue fleet but as a new player in the Galactic world, we cannot say for certain what they want."

Tevos then spoke up "Shepard this is just like what happened when we first made contact with your Republic. In the eyes of the Citadel, the First Order is just another player in galactic politics and they've even got some respect for destroying pirate dens in the Terminus Systems."

"But what about Lorek?" Shepard asked "I've been hearing that the First Order bombarded the colony and may have even used a nerve agent to start a plague?"

Sparatus sighed "We've heard those rumours as well but we have no authority in that area. It's harsh but it's true."

"Indeed Shepard." Anderson added "Lorek and other colonies in the Terminus Systems are not under our protection. Unless the First Order attacks a colony under our derestriction, we cannot do anything."

"And sending in the Spectres could also be risky." Valern added "If they were caught it could cause a diplomatic incident and possibly even a war."

"We've already established a black ops force called Rogue Squadron to investigate the First Order." Anderson added "They operate independently and have begun forming a Resistance against the First Order in the Terminus but we cannot official support them."

"But as you are no longer a Republic Soldier since you have been classed as dead, it means you could help us all." Sparatus stated "Any information about the First Order's plans and what they want will help us prepare for the possibility of a war or plans for future will help."

"We would also be grateful if you would allow one of our own to be among you." Tevos added "You worked alongside Spectre Jondum Bau before and we were wondering if you would accept him again."

"Bau and I worked well together before." Shepard stated "It would be good working with him again."

"I'll get in contact with him and he'll meet you at the docks where your ships is." Valern stated and then the Council disconnected leaving Shepard and Anderson alone.

"It's been hard without you around." Anderson stated as he went over to the balcony. "Five years ago and two strange and unusual threats came about. The First Order plus the Reapers with this Sovereign. With how much has gone with the First Order, it's hard to remember Sovereign. Most just passed it off as a Geth warship or a First Order weapon."

"I'm surprised that people didn't realise that Sovereign's technology is far superior to most of ours." Shepard commented

Anderson sighed "We never got much of a chance to examine it." He explained "Pieces of it fell everywhere when it blew. Between the Keepers taking parts of it plus a lot of unauthorised salvaging, we couldn't even account for half of that thing. Still the Keepers have been helping rebuilding this place. We would install an ugly bulkhead and soon enough the Keepers would make it look shiny again. I never know how they do it or where they get their resources from."

Shepard had one more thing to ask Anderson "What happened with Kaidan since the Normandy was destroyed?" she asked

"Kaidan took your death hard." Anderson explained "He's still with the Republic as one of the commanders of Rogue Squadron but his work is classified. I'm sorry Shepard but I cannot share any more with you. Even as a friend."

"It's enough to know that he's doing okay but I doubt he'll be the same after 5 years." Shepard sighed "I should go now."

"Good luck Shepard." Anderson replied as Shepard began to walk away only for Udina to enter.

"Anderson, we need to talk…" he began but gasped when he saw Shepard "Shepard, I wasn't aware that you were here."

"Just catching up with an old friend Udina." Shepard replied "I was just leaving."

"Actually we were meeting with the Council over the First Order." Anderson said.

Udina gasped "Anderson do the words politic shitstorm mean anything to you?" he demanded "Relations between the Republic and the Citadel are not the best right now."

"Relax Udina, the Council allowed me to work with our old friend Bau again on a mission." Shepard explained.

"Well I can see how that could benefit us all." Udina replied and looked at Anderson "Although you should have informed me before talking with the Council."

"I don't answer to you Udina." Anderson stated "Why don't you go back and carry on your work." Udina grumbled and then left and Anderson looked at Shepard "Sorry about that. Udina and I may not get along the best but he has been even more frustrated than usual with all that has been happening."

"Udina is just doing his job." Shepard stated "I've been hearing about the rising tensions again."

"Indeed." Anderson replied "It was good to see you again and hopefully the next time we meet; things will have calmed down."

"I hope so too." Shepard replied and then she left the room.

…

After getting a taxi back the Zakera Ward, she decided that she need to get some supplies before heading back to the Normandy. At the Rodum Expeditions, she bought a M-29 Incisor Sniper Rifle which would be useful in situations. She also got a sensory interface with a scanner to help scan for objects while on missions. It was around here she witness a small situation developing. A Volus was accusing a Quarian of stealing his credit purse when it fact he had dropped it in a store. The C-Sec officer wasn't being helpful and it was attracting a crowd. Eventually Chellick arrived and sorted the situation out scolding both the Volus and the officer for their actions. Shepard had seen this kind of discrimination before. Quarians were often a target for discrimination due to their exile and being called Suit Rats. This was another issue that the Republic didn't like.

On the next level, she went to the Café shop where she bought some ingredients for cooking as Mess Sargent Gardner had asked for some to help make tasty meals which would boost morale. Nearby in the Citadel Souvenirs shop, she purchased some more models for her collection. These included a model of the Destiny Ascension and two models that must have been recently released, the Normandy SR1 and Sovereign. She also saw that the shop had some pets for sale which would help keep her company in her private room on the Normandy. She got a space hamster and two different kinds of fish, Illum Skald Fish and Thessian Sunfish, both of which were fish from the Asari worlds. There was also some Koi fish which were native to Earth and known to live for many years and be very expensive. There were also two sets of fish from the Hanar worlds, the stripped Dartfish from the Hanar homeworld of Kahje as well as some Belan Jellyfish from a Hanar colony. The final fish for sale was one Shepard was unsure about, a Khar'shan Snapping Eel. This fish was from the Batarian home world and was a predator fish. The shop clerk assured her though that the Eel wouldn't eat the other fish unless it was very hungry since these fish were raised in the shop. A wild caught eel would have eaten the other fish though. In order to feed them, she also purchased a VI set up which would automatically distribute food.

With her shopping done, it was time to head back to the Normandy though not before she heard two Krogan nearby arguing about the belief that the Presidium lakes may be filled with fish. Shepard knew they weren't since the waters were for the Citadel's drinking water.

She soon made it back to the docking Bay where she saw her old friend Spectre Jondum Bau waiting for her.

"Shepard." Bau greeted happily "It's so good to see you again."

"Likewise Bau." Shepard replied shaking the Salarian's hand "It will be good working with you again."

"I'm a little unsure about some of your companions but if they're with you then that's fine with me." Bau replied "I was almost ready for retirement since I'm getting old now but when the Council contacted me about your survival, I knew I could stand down yet. And with the First Order still around, we need information."

"I thought the Citadel would take your warnings seriously?" Shepard questioned

"Believe me Shepard, they've tried." Bau sighed "The problem has been the politics. The Asari are scared for trade routes, the Turians are worried about the strength of their fleet while the Salarians are scared about the lack of information. It's first contact with your Republic all over again. No one knows for sure about what will happen next. The Citadel sent some spectres to investigate but they went missing. It made the Council worried about provoking the First Order and the technology of the old Normandy was considered too expensive to keep producing since it was a prototype."

"Well hopefully with the team I'm gathering, we should have what we need to learn the truth about the First Order." Shepard replied

"I hope so." Bau replied "Now let's get going, the First Order is not going to wait around."

Chapter End:

Notes: Well here's a new chapter on Mass Wars and I'm happy to say that the whole reader system has finally been fixed. I also have some good news for my long time followers, the next chapter I will be working on will be a new Chapter on Rise of the Divines. I may take until the end of February to finish but I will try my best but with the computer issues I'm having; it's making it hard to write for long periods of time without getting annoyed with my computer which keeps crashing. I've had to switch to my laptop to write instead and even that is slow at times.