1st September 1977

"Hello Shepard. It's been quite some time. Also, everything is fine, thanks for asking."

Lieutenant Eva McKenna said with a lustful tone, hips slightly swaying. The white, and pretty revealing, dress she was wearing gave pause to the 6 friends, even some of the other people around. Wolf whistles and jealous looks from everywhere.

"Daaaamn Greg. You lucky son of a bitch."

Steve said.

"Would you mind if I borrowed her for a bit?" asked Nikita, only to get whacked on the back of his head by Anton:

"Let the lovebirds figure it out jackass."

Shepard ignored everything, staying focused at Eva.

"Good to see you again." Shepard confessed.

"Yeah, I guess it is. So, what now?" Eva said nonchalantly.

"Well, we try to help the three most powerful people in the world agree to a complete ceasefire. Which reminds me, did you bring the special?" Shepard asked.

This question brought a mischievous grin at Eva's face:

"Aww, only business and no pleasure lance corporal?"

"It's lieutenant, and pleasure has to wait. This is too important to screw up. You remember that morning, right?"

Eva just grinned wider:

"Awkwardness aside, I had a good time darling. Didn't you?"

"If you think crashing through a window, falling in a bunch of rosebushes and being stuck in latrine duty for two weeks is a good time, then yeah. I had a really good fucking time." Shepard said angrily.

Eva just said:

"Don't worry. When the sun rises, everyone will be happy and you'll get your reward."

"Hey! What about the rest of us? Don't we deserve a reward?" Nikita asked.

Eva approached and told them all:

"Just watch the fun that will unfold and find one for yourself."

With that, she turned and left, leaving everyone, except Shepard completely dumbfounded.

"What was the meaning of this?" Hiroshi asked.

Shepard showed his crew a small bottle, which was filled with some sort of liquid and said:

"Gentlemen, we worked very well together these past two weeks. Hell, I can almost consider you friends, just like Steve. But, like our respective leaders said, we cannot fail. This little bottle is the ace in my sleeve. One drop at each of the high command staff will do. Trust me."

"How exactly you propose we do that?" Katashi asked.

"Did your encounter with Yuriko shake something important in your head? We are the ones who organised this whole debacle. We have access to every room, foodstuff and liquor. All we have to do is..."

Fifteen minutes later...

Steve's idea proved perfect. The high command was already buzzed. They were having light hearted conversations, telling jokes and admitting the respect they held to each other.

Shepard and the others were sitting at a balcony, overlooking the whole scene, each one having a drink at hand, with Eva right next to Shepard.

"We brought honor to our families and countries this day. I am proud to call you friends." Katashi toasted.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, let's drink now."

Anton interrupted and took a swig of sake.

"Hmm, sake is good. Not same as vodka, but decent."

"So, what happens now? Hiroshi asked.

Shepard said:

"Now, we are going to have some fun."

"Finally. After organising this event, time to relax." Steve agreed.

"I think our illustrious lieutenant needs to be left alone with a certain someone, eh?"

Nikita said pointedly.

Eva smiled:

"Don't worry. Your commander will be safe with me."

A pause..

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO AND HAVE FUN! Lieutenant Eva will keep me company."

They all dispersed, each at different places, playing hosts. But everyone had the same thought in mind.

"What's gonna happen tomorrow?"

2nd September 1977

The next morning after the festivities. The whole place looked like a battlefield strewn with corpses. Some where sleeping on the floor, others on tables, only few were still awake, barely.

"Hehe, looks like everyone had a good time, right pumpkin?" Shepard asked Eva.

Their eyes travelled to the unconscious forms of the high command personnel, all of them in various stances. Oleg was hugging Lisette, who was wearing his beret, Moskvin was close to Takara, Tatsu was with Suki and the rest were sprawled around, some asleep on the floor, others on their chairs and Kenji somehow managed to sleep on a pile of discarded bottles, kegs and glasses. Only one person couldn't be seen.

"Wait, where is field marshal Bingham?"

Shepard asked.

"Right here lieutenant. Perfect outcome by the way."

Both lieutenants turned to face Bingham.

He looked a lot better than anyone else in the whole place, his uniform in perfect order and completely sober. He had that smirk on his face, like when he beat someone at a political game or something.

"I was well aware of the distrust that would exist between the high command.

While I was certain that the common soldiers would be tired from the prolonged warfare, you lieutenant Shepard correctly deduced that the pride of the high command would be a significant hurdle. Thanks to your special bottle, they set aside their grudges and admitted their mutual respect, something that will help significantly with the final objective. You should all be proud. In two weeks, you succeeded at what others would need years to accomplish." Bingham finished.

Before he could leave however, Shepard asked:

"Sir, why me?"

Bingham turned and answered, still smiling slightly:

"Because you were perfect for the role Shepard. You proved to be an accomplished squad leader both in wartime and in training, you are tired of war because it cost you so many friends and, regrettably, your brothers, you don't however hold any grudges to people you fought against, proven how you so openly cooperated with them. That's why I chose you lieutenant. You were the most suitable for the task. Now go. Have a good time with Eva. Let an old codger like me worry about the rest. That's an order."

Bingham finished.

Shepard brought his hand to a salute and answered:

"Aye, aye sir!"

Bingham left to tend to the others, seemingly satisfied with how the situation was resolved.

"You heard our superior Gregory, time to find ourselves a room and enjoy our time together." Eva ordered.

"Hey, let me watch how the rest of the top brass wakes up first." Shepard pleaded.

Well, that was gonna be a long day. At least not as bad as the previous ones.

AN

Finally! The boring stuff is done. See you next time.