Aboard the UNSC Infinity, 50,000 kilometers away from local Relay, 2186 Citadel Calendar, 16:12
Oh Goddess.
Liara unfortunately knew that they would eventually have to make contact and set everything up with the Citadel Council. She just thought -as the human saying always goes- 'they'll cross that bridge once they get to it'.
Well, they were at that bridge. A lot sooner than she thought.
She… She hoped for once the Council would realize the scale of the situation they were dealing with. This was something that refused to be controlled. The UNSC wouldn't be awed by the number of different species or even the complexity and size of the Citadel. Captain Lasky tried to pretend to be impressed, but Liara could see through it.
This was a different beast. One that couldn't be coerced and manipulated like the Krogan or tamed and pacified like the Systems Alliance. No.
Usual tactics would be ineffective.
Captain Lasky kept eyeing her with concern… Right. Out of all the emotions she could hide decently, anxiety wasn't one of them. Lord Hood or Roland didn't notice however… Or maybe they did, and were preoccupied with Admiral Hackett at the moment.
She nodded back at the Captain and gave him a reassuring smile.
The Infinity bridge crew didn't even bother trying to work anymore. A decent portion of their attention was centered on the holo-table or staring down Liara or Tali or Garrus. Probably wondering why were they here, what will they do?
"I sent the Council a full report around twenty minutes ago… I believe they didn't have time to fully process it," Admiral Hackett said.
Perfect. That'll make everything so much easier.
She could imagine they'd barely finished the first two pages and were already stunned, debating amongst themselves whilst not even bothering to investigate further.
"Uh...If it's alright with you, Lord Hood…" Liara began. "We'd like to talk to the Council first. Alone. To fill them in."
The Fleet Admiral only nodded, and motioned for Lasky to follow him to the other end of the bridge where they first spoke to the Illusive Man. Roland followed, melted into the holo-table and reappeared on the display. But she was absolutely certain he was still monitoring them, informing Lord Hood of everything.
Liara could see why Lord Hood was placed in charge of the UNSC. She saw the amount of respect people gave him, even from Captain Lasky. They trusted him dearly. He was that image of strength and respect. She could feel it. Could feel the true power of the UNSC in every word he said, every step he took. It was upfront, brute. Nothing like Cerberus's...or even her own. No incompetence. No hesitation. No lies or shadows, deception or deceitfulness. Every word spoken with deliberation and a strange combination of bluntness and tactfulness.
She wasn't intimidated or scared of him. Liara simply recognized what he was the moment she saw him. The powerful truth. She was just...dumbstruck by how upfront he was, partially because it was different than what she was used to.
If she was dumbstruck how was the Council going to respond to him…?
She tapped in the final input sequences to activate a link with the Citadel. She was little nervous to actually connect. She turned to Shepard. He nodded reassuringly.
Well here goes nothing. She pressed the connect button. Admiral Hackett's hologram was put off to the side. He quietly stood there with his hands behind his back.
Funny. Admiral Hackett didn't have a second to debrief Shepard or the crew. Thank Goddess Liara sent him the report beforehand so he wouldn't get completely blindsided… Mostly. Yet he handled the situation with confidence. That's something Lord Hood seemed to respect. Let's hope the Council could proceed with the same level of confidence.
Oh Goddess.
The call hold signal activated on the holotable, blinking in rhythmic patterns.
Please, for once, don't do something stupid.
After a moment, the holographs materialized. Four figures. All a little tense, a little nervous. The most powerful people in the galaxy all before them.
Councilor Tevos….and Sparatcus, Valern, and...Udina... Perfect.
They all looked normal. The prestigious diplomatic suits were laced with non-threatening, non-bright colors. The white makeup paints that traveled along the features of their faces. Each of them looked tired. But who wasn't nowadays?
Yet they somehow managed to pull off their usual facade. Each of their eyes, each personality, turned to Shepard.
And, of course, Councilor Sparatcus spoke first. "Commander Shepard! We've been trying to contact you all day. We've received thousands of unconfirmed reports from the Illium system, and only now we have an update from Admiral Hackett. Why have we been kept out of the loop?!"
"Because you only would've slowed us down," Admiral Hackett replied. He stepped forward, causing his hologram to move to the other side of the table for the Councilors to see.
"Admiral Hackett…" Councilor Udina said, as if he were disgusted by the mere sight of the man. "I appreciate the initiative, but something of this magnitude should've been brought first to the Council so we can confirm it. So we can review and make a confident decision."
...So you can order the exact things Admiral Hackett did except it would just reassure your power so you'd feel less incompetent and useless. So you still have the hearts of the public.
They didn't even acknowledge Hackett's inherent independence that Udina gave him.
Liara couldn't help but shake her head. Not even ten seconds in and the Council was resorting to bureaucratic pseudo-necessities that had no place in a war. Not even a moment of gratitude or thanks for the Normandy crew who essentially handed the entire Geth and Quarian Fleet on a silver platter.
If it weren't for Shepard, in the worst case scenario they'd all be dead. Best case, they'd most likely lose all their public support and be voted out of office.
And the galaxy would be in a complete disarray...
Hackett realized that too. "I understand that, Councilors. And I do apologize. However, time was of the essence."
Too short and sweet for them. Liara was about to add on, but Shepard spoke before her. "We needed to act fast or this opportunity would have disappeared. We know you would've done things differently," not really, "but we acted in the best interests of the Council."
Out of all the people, it should be Shepard who would have the least amount of patience with the Council. They mistreated him over the years, abandoned him at times. But somehow he was always able to lead through.
Maybe Liara held more disdain towards the Council because she knew more about them than Shepard or the public ever will. Udina was more politically corrupt than Liara thought possible, before the invasion at least. Sparatcus had gotten himself into plenty of trouble in his youth and had dozens of mistresses. Valern was weak willed, bullied into his position. A puppet to dark shadows in the Salarian government...who were in turn controlled by Turian eezo lobbyists and corporations who were in turn...monitored and sometimes influenced by STG...or Turian Intelligence…or Asari black ops… Sometimes even Alliance Intelligence Command (the Citadel galaxy had their shadow wars too. But not on the scale as Cerberus, or...ONI). And Tevos had some shady political ties to certain Asari governments, including a self-proclaimed 'queen' out in Omega. She also had an illegitimate child with a Vorcha that she successfully covered up. But besides that, she did have Asari's best interests in her heart.
Liara could go on and on. Some more disgusting and revolting, some even heartwarming, and some terrifying. Yet at the end of the day it was nothing that surprised her. It could be Liara had a personal bias against the Council ever since they...rudely dismissed her when she first went over the Catalyst.
"Admiral, we'll discuss your actions later. In private," Udina said. It wasn't easy to simply go along, was it?
"In any event, we can't change the past." Councilor Tevos quickly interjected. "We've barely scratched the surface of your report. So...you have successfully made contact?"
Shepard nodded. He had his hands behind his back again. "We have. We had to bend some Citadel procedures, but it was possible."
Valern opened up a holo-screen. "And so have the first contacts it seems." He scrolled through a list. "Numerous tactical nuclear strikes. So far one of the surface and dozens in space. Hundreds of ships that outnumber the largest navy in the galaxy, violating the Citadel Conventions…"
What were they trying to do here? What were they trying to accomplish?
Liara realized it was an old introductory strategy. Power dominance. Goddess, they haven't even read a fourth of the report.
"If it's my understanding Councilors, you can't subject a species to Citadel law when they don't even know what Citadel law is…" Shepard politely said.
"Well, we would like to start." Valern responded.
"It should be noted however, at times like these...we will allow a degree of...flexibility for certain laws," Councilor Tevos said.
Allow? By the Goddess, they had no clue did they?
"With all due respect, Councilors…" Liara said. "...You do understand the situation we're in correct?"
"As we said, Doctor T'Soni, we're still reading the report," Councilor Tevos replied "These Elites… They are a slightly concerning species. I'm certain though they will be integrated into the Council smoothly with proper procedure."
"Councilors, you do realize we're aboard the first contact ship?" Shepard said.
"Yes. We do know. It was stated in bold letters. Why aren't these new contacts present?"
"The humans? The UNSC?" Liara said. If they only reached the info supplement on the Elites, then that means…
They don't know.
"Ah yes, human," Councilor Sparatcus said mockingly. He looked up in the air, held his hands up, made the quote on quote symbol with his fingers. "Humans who were out hiding in the galaxy with no contact with the Systems Alliance or the Citadel." He threw his hand in the air. "We have dismissed such claims."
"There's only one Human race. And nowadays they have sworn allegiance either to Cerberus or the Systems Alliance." Udina added on.
"We know we have denied claims made by you and Commander Shepard when at the time they seemed audacious, such as...the Reaper threat." Tevos said. "But this is…outright ridiculous. Unless you made direct contact, and can provide proof to the Council, then we have reason to believe these claims "
Liara looked down, covered her face in her palm.
"Councilors…" Shepard began.
Liara noticed that Captain Lasky turned his attention from the bridge view holo-display. He walked over, leading Lord Hood to the display table. Roland reappeared next to Admiral Hackett, still a small holographic version. The Captain stood next to Shepard.
Councilor Tevos shut her mouth mid-sentence. Her eyes widened. Shock spread across her face.
All four of them stopped whatever menial tasks they were doing, and stared in awe at the Captain.
"Councilors...We didn't mean to ambush you… But maybe you should've read more of that report before you start making claims." Lasky said.
Aboard UNSC Infinity Bridge
Two million kilometers from the twelfth fleet
2557 Military Calendar, 16:39
A little arrogant it seemed. Too bad this Council didn't know they were aboard his ship and being monitored.
To be fair to them, it would've been nice if one of Shepard's crew would've informed the Councilors before they rambled on, looking like fools. It was a bad first impression. That being said, Lasky would give them another chance. They were just hit with this. Yet arrogance in response to the unknown didn't exactly put any optimism into the Captain's mind.
Four Councilors like Liara said. The Councilor for Humanity, the Councilor for Liara's race the Asari, the Councilor Garrus' race the Turians, and a Councilor for some alien species that looked like the lizards Lasky used to chase as a kid back on New Harmony.
Each alien had some sort of makeup, like tattoos or markings etched along their facial features. It looked elegantly decorated seemingly with a paintbrush.
Ritualistic, almost warlike symmetrical lines were placed on the Turian's mandibles and the juts in his armor.
Delicate, curt lines that formed into artistic patterns on a darker blue-purplish skin of the Asari. She also had white paint on her upper lip, and a single dash in the center of her bottom lip.
The lizard councilor, the...salarian, was it? The paint was faded. But what was there traveled along the crevasses of his eyes, slowly slithered down his elongated face and formed around his mouth.
Each Councilor wore elegant clothes. Each with its pattern of different colors. It was almost...ancient, roman-like even. Certainly unique on alien bodies. Not what in mind for a political office uniform, opposite to the advanced modernizations and adjustments the UNSC made to the traditional six-hundred year old naval uniforms.
Even with the blue shading of the hologram, Lasky could sort of make out the colors of the clothes based on darkness. The lizard...salarian wore a red and blue hooded robe. The Asari, a tight fitting red and white dress that reached her feet. The Turian had a business-like black, dark red, and blue uniform. And the Human -balding, somewhere in his mid-fifties, light brown skin and dark hair- a opaque red and white vest covering a blue and red centered striped shirt, along with white loose fitting pants.
Captain Lasky and Commander Shepard remained at parade rest. Lord Hood stood next to Captain Lasky on his left side. Arms crossed.
"...How is this…?" The Asari Councilor said, a little more than shaken.
"We asked ourselves the same thing, Councilor," Captain Lasky responded. He cleared his throat. "I believe I'm mentioned in full detail in the report...if you keep reading. Captain Thomas Lasky, United Nations Space Command Infinity."
The Councilors didn't know what else to do but turn to their respective holo-screens. They frantically scrolled down through thousands of words. Skimmed it as fast as possible.
"You have no idea how this is possible?" The Human Councilor said in a heavy...Lasky would have to guess either Scottish or Irish accent. He couldn't pinpoint it.
"As the report states, all we have are theories," Lasky said. "And as also stated, we currently can't figure out how or why."
They seemed to ignore the Captain, continued to scroll through. That was alright. Let them have time to absorb the information. He patiently waited. So did Shepard and his crew. So did Roland.
"Humanity...You're not a lost colony? You're saying you never made contact with the Systems Alliance?" The Human Councilor continued.
"Not until today, sir." Lasky responded
"How is this possible? Wait… Wait a second…" The Human Councilor said. He marked a key footnote in the report. Lasky noticed the symbol. It was the Cerberus seal. "You were having negotiations with-"
"Yes. We were." Lasky said. Well it was nice to know they weren't even going to try to introduce themselves.
The Councilors scrolled down that very specific article in the report. Awe was replaced by terrified disgust and...anger. The same kind of anger that Commander Shepard displayed, but less controlled.
"...Entered negotiations. UNSC on stall...Possibilities of an alliance?!" The Turian Councilor exclaimed. "You cannot even consider that. It is unacceptable! To even have negotiations is out of line! They are-"
"We are well aware of the dangers they possess. What they've done. Commander Shepard already briefed us on that." Lord Hood interrupted. He stepped forward, arms still crossed. Lasky stepped back.
"Then you should know they are an enemy to all Citadel races! Including humanity!" The Human Councilor yelled. "They are treacherous! If you know they are an enemy, then you shouldn't-"
"They aren't an enemy to us, Councilor." Lord Hood interrupted. The anger reappeared in his voice. "We're outsiders in this conflict. Both sides seem to have equal merit. The UNSC is considering that from an objective standpoint."
"I'm sorry, and you are…?" The Turian Councilor responded.
The disrespect in his tone...
Lord Hood stared him down. The Turian looked smug, resentful, unapologetic.
"Read the report," Captain Lasky said for him.
The Turian didn't do a thing. He stared back at Lord Hood as if no one ever ordered him to do anything before. The Asari Councilor moved up the report pages. She reached a page with the symbol of the UNSC. She tapped on a secondary screen.
"...I apologize…" The Asari Councilor began a little sincere. "Fleet Admiral Lord Hood, we meant no disrespect. You must understand. Cerberus has taken heinous actions against our people-"
"If you dare ally yourself with Cerberus, "Fleet Admiral", The Turian barked. "You will endanger your precious United Nations," he scrolled down a little, "as did this Office of Naval Intelligence."
"Councilors, since this is our first meeting, it'd be more productive not wasting time on threats and more so on cooperation," Lord Hood replied. "Your feelings towards Cerberus will not alter the UNSC's decision. It's best to move on.
"Admiral…" The Human Councilor answered. "You are to remove the United Nations from negotiations with Cerberus immediately-"
"Is that an order?" Lord Hood said. "You ignored everything I said."
"If we are going to make this work, then you must cease all contact with Cerberus" The Human Councilor said. He moved down the page some more. "The UNSC, this...distinct branch of Humanity evidentiary possesses a lot of technological power. If the Council can utilize this-"
"Let me make this clear, Councilors since the report evidently didn't," Lord Hood sternly interrupted with absolute anger and conviction. The same he had when the Elites offered to aid Humanity after they glassed Africa five years ago. The Councilor was caught off guard. "You do not dictate anything, to the United Nations Space Command."
"If you even consider aligning yourself with Cerberus, Fleet Admiral, you will make an enemy of the entire Citadel Council!" Sparatcus yelled.
So...not even ten minutes into discussions,and they immediately responded with hostile orders. Threats and promises. T
With Commander Shepard and Doctor T'Soni, it was a process of water flowing as smoothly as it could through ragged edges and rough terrain. Appeasement despite all odds.
The Citadel Council however…
"Do you think we're merely some political football who'll give in? Is that how lowly you think of us?" Hood said.
"Don't try our patience, Admiral." The Turian Councilor said. "The power of the Citadel Council-"
"What power?" Lord Hood responded. He was the one who was out of patience. "This Reaper War has left you weak, instabile, fragile, and on the verge of the breaking point. Yet you stand here as if nothing is wrong. In the face of ignorance you chose to follow its course. If we do side with Cerberus, then I promise you we will make the Reapers' job a lot easier than it already is. And I promise you you won't be as smug when we destroy the surface of your planets."
The Councilors' didn't respond. Shepard's crew fully turned from their positions, shocked. Commander Shepard looked a little shaky. As if he were just struck in the face. Liara looked mortified. She stepped away from Captain Lasky.. Not at all what she expected, but when Lord Hood needs to make a point across he makes a point across.
Liara leaned on Shepard. Not to control him this time, but for...protection.
Admiral Hackett seemed to sigh, out of annoyance, as if he understood the level of frustration the Council was causing. Well, at least the two Fleet Admirals could relate.
"Sir…" Lasky began. Lord Hood was taking it a bit far, especially with people who don't understand what he's doing.
Lord Hood ignored the Captain,"if we can continue now…"
"HOW DARE YOU!" The Turian Councilor screamed. Anger, impatience, the whole show.
"No. How dare you, Councilor." Lord Hood responded "You do not control the UNSC. You do not determine our actions. You will sway nothing. We will continue to have dialogue with Cerberus, and if you can't handle that then this ends here."
"Fleet Admiral…" Tevos said, a little weary, trying to calm the other Councilors down "You have my deepest apologies. My colleagues are completely out of line. But please understand, Cerberus has been trying to sabotage everything the Citadel does since the beginning of this war."
"I do understand, Councilor. If you continue reading the report, you will see that Cerberus's actions have not affected the negotiations. And I should also make it clear, if we are going to continue, the UNSC will remain a sovereign state. We will not subject ourselves to any higher law or authority. Be it the Systems Alliance or Citadel Council."
The Turian Councilor began to speak "That is-"
"Sparatcus! That is enough!" Tevos interjected. The Turian shut his mouth if not reluctantly. "Admiral…I'm beginning to understand your desire for a degree of independency, however nearly every new contact that has encountered the Citadel government has joined…"
"But we aren't every new contact," Lord Hood replied. "I don't ask for a degree of independence, I demand full independence. We will not be treated as underlings but as superiors or equals. And you are in no position to turn that down."
All four of them looked to each other, a little unsure. They've never been talked to this way before.
The Councilors turned back and solemnly nodded. The Turian, Sparatcus, crossed his arm. A defiant glare. He was going to be a problem in the future, wasn't he?
Well, one bite from Lord Hood and the Council backed down. It could be possible when they were reading the report they were beginning to realize the tremendous power of the UNSC Defense Force, and more so backed down out of that power instead of the angered words of Lord Hood.
Or, Lord Hood could be that frightening. That his words were the power and might of the UNSC.
The Human Councilor read more of the report. Lasky noticed they still didn't properly introduce themselves, "it says here you have a question of Human authority. How to deal with shared power over Humanity?"
Lord Hood nodded.
"With all due respect, Fleet Admiral…" The Councilor said. "If you have no desire to join the Citadel Council then I do not see a reason why the Systems Alliance should subjugate themselves to UNSC rule or vice versa. We too are a sovereign state with a democratic system of government. You can't have a full monopoly over humanity."
That was a tricky question in itself. The former UEG, specifically the UN Council, handed over nearly all colonial governing powers of the Colonial Administration Authority to the UNSC sixty years ago during the height of the Insurrection. And once the Covenant began their invasion, the UEG issued the mandate that the UNSC Defense Force had reigning authority over all of Humanity and were to defend it at any and all costs. It meant the UEG was dissolved and any civilian political infrastructure destroyed and replaced with military authorities. If the UNSC really wanted to, the UEG could remain gone forever. Power over all of Humanity meant defending HUmanity.
The mandate specifically stated all of Humanity. So this was essentially a (relatively minor) constitutional question of authority.
It made it easier at least that this issue could be resolved by whatever Lord Hood said. Captain Lasky just hoped that...he would make the right choice. The Systems Alliance was in no way a rebellion. Just the government offshoot for an offshoot of Humanity. The UNSC had bigger fish to fry. It wasn't worth solving a very vague mandate clause out of sheer principle. Not when the cost could possibly be millions of lives. The United Nations Space Command didn't serve to satisfy the ideologies.
Lord Hood thought in silence for a brief moment. Lasky knew Lord Hood would...probably agree. The only problem was how HIGHCOM would respond. The UNSC would be permitting, tolerating a part of Humanity not under their direct rule. Something they've been fighting for nearly sixty years.
"You're not exactly in a position to ask for demands." Lord Hood responded. "But we have greater concerns and threats to worry about…. We'll allow it. For now."
The Human Councilor spoke. "Allow it-!?"
"That's fine, Lord Hoodm" The Asari Councilor voiced, stopping the Human Councilor from saying anything stupid. "We'll accept that kindness."
It seems out of all four of them, the Asari Councilor was the only one with her head on straight. Appeasement where needed, more intelligently than Commander Shepard and Liara. She was charming and a calming voice. The years of diplomatic and political experiences showed. She knew what she was doing. And she knew the UNSC won't give in.
Her colleagues on the other hand…. The Turian and the Human….didn't seem to share her character. It was probably from being on top of the food chain for so long they figured everyone will do what they say and they'll get what they want. And because of that, the two were probably in shock, unsure on what else to do but to rely on old instincts. Hopefully Lord Hood saw it too and will...deal with it appropriately.
And as for the lizar-...salarian, he kept mostly quiet this entire time. Observing more or less.
Lord Hood nodded. He motioned his hand to Admiral Hackett. "Before I spoke with you, I had a fairly productive conversation with Fleet Admiral Hackett."
"Is that so…? The Human Councilor eyed the Admiral. Hackett stood proud, unrelenting.
"Arguable a more productive conversation than this one, Councilor. It brought up a few potential problems that needed to be fixed, soon."
"Strategic authority?" The Asari said. She was deep in the report.
"The only reason I haven't outright forced the UNSC to take command," Lord Hood began, "is because we expect the UNSC to not be the only ones to contribute."
"Yet you refuse to let me resume command." Admiral Hackett replied. "I understand your reasons. However, these are our homeworlds, our colonies."
"You would be using UNSC forces to liberate them," Lord Hood replied. "There will come a time when we can't agree on strategy and it will cost us lives."
"Maybe, Fleet Admiral…" The Asari said. "We should review the campaign, the specific theaters of war before we decide anything so hastily."
"Commander Shepard had already reviewed the basic aspects of the Crucible with the UNSC," Admiral Hackett said. "Anything beyond that is classified unless we can guarantee they will fight with us.."
"And if you have a prospect with Cerberus-" Sparatcus began.
"We know that Cerberus isn't willing to talk about working together," Lord Hood interrupted, "unless your plans change. But for all we know this Catalyst already does what the Illusive Man has proposed. Or it might do nothing. Or it might be able to destroy all life in the galaxy."
How true that was...
"What do...the Elites think about this matter?" The Asari Councilor asked.
"Nothing," Lord Hood plainly said. "This fight doesn't concern them. They were only present on our request to help secure stranded UNSC forces until reinforcements arrived. They're embroiled in their own civil war. Asking them here was stressful enough for them."
That wasn't a lie. The Elites, and the other fragmented races under their command, are a bit busy.
"That's what the Quarians and Geth said when they were engaged in open conflict," Commander Shepard said. His first words in a while. "The Quarians and the Geth were at the height of nearly a year of fighting."
Lord Hood turned around to the Commander, "I know your capabilities as a...convincing military diplomat are outstanding. But this is something beyond your control. The Elites and Covenant Remnant will go at it until one of them is destroyed."
"Destroyed as in…?"
"Until either group, and the people associated with them, innocent or not, are completely wiped out and their ideas are extinct and erased from history."
"...And that isn't an over-exaggeration in the slightest." Captain Lasky added on.
Despite the Elites realizing that their false religion was just that: false, they still held a radical view of courses of action. A combination of the Elite warrior way and some subtle UNSC cultural influence. Honor, glory, and vengeance were something drilled into them before the Covenant even came along. And even as the Covenant died, their socio-cultural remained untouched and not that different from thousands of years ago.
"...Would it hurt to talk to them, Fleet Admiral?" The Asari asked. "We could send Commander Shepard in absence-"
"We'll keep an open channel. That's all we can guarantee." Lord Hood interrupted. "As for the Catalyst… For Cerberus…"
"What would you suggesting?" The Asari asked.
"What are Cerberus's capabilities exactly? Their assets?"
That was a bit of an odd question. The Council, Hackett, and the Normandy crew were taken aback. Liara opened up her orange comm device and opened up a screen.
"Cerberus obtains most of its funds through sympathetic donors, black markets, illegal political funds, high-level robbery and extortion, a few puppet colonies they control, and other various means," Liara reported. "As the Illusive Man stated, they rely on intelligence, clandestine black ops, covert ops, indirect sabotage and infiltration.
"They maintain a research division with access to high-level equipment and staff. As for military assets, they of course possess one of the best intelligence sections in the galaxy. They also have a small exospheric fleet of around a few dozen ships mainly used for transportation and support roles, though they do contain a small amount of Dreadnaughts assault ships and frigates for direct combat and bombardment roles. And as you saw, they have a small assault force estimated around ten thousand troops for direct combat, boarding, and operational support roles."
Another moment of silence. Liara stood there, arm out surrounded in the orange light.
"And your assets?" Hood asked
"That would take a while to explain. I can give you a war asset list for you to review, after approval of course." Liara responded.
Lord Hood acknowledged. He thought to himself. Lasky looked around the room. Liara looked a bit nervous at the prospect of Lord Hood making a decision. Captain Lasky nodded it'll be ok.
"Your survival is at stake here," Lord Hood said after about a minute of silence. "What I am suggesting, Councilors, is that we should try to facilitate a agreement with Cerberus-"
Sparatcus spoke out.,"ABSOLUTELY NOT-"
"When we were on our knees at the end of the Great War, the Elites rebelled against the Covenant and offered to join Humanity in our fight. These are the same aliens that committed genocide against our race, killed tens of billions of people. No one, not even myself, wanted to work with them. We did not trust them, we wanted revenge. But after reviewing all our options, we realized that the only choice we had was a rocky alliance or annihilation.
"It was only because of the Elites and the Master Chief that we were able to survive. We had no choice."
Everyone in the Navy knew the story. The first, semi-friendly meeting between Humanity and aliens aboard the Shadow of Intent. Only because of the medal of honor recipient -now fabled Navy legendary hero- Commander Miranda Keyes, Lord Hood was swayed to reluctantly accept the Elites' strategy: to deploy Humanity's greatest to the Ark.
Similar thing. Different day.
"They're still your allies. You've simply forgave them?" Sparatcus hostility asked.
"No," Lord Hood replied. "We never will. But they have our thanks and our trust. But I'm not saying you should become friends, nor even work well together, nor even have the same goal. What I propose is a temporary alliance, or even an agreement of neutrality. You said you've been trying before and Cerberus wouldn't budge, but I believe with us here it will make a difference."
"Look, you simply can't supplement your intelligence division, ONI, with another-" Sparatcus began.
"We already have all the resources we ever need," Lord Hood said. "That isn't the reason we're doing this. Cerberus's primary interest is to defend Humanity. So is ours. As such, while we don't trust them, it ensures us that we have allies on this side of the galaxy that'll defend this second group of Mankind."
"To only eventually be absorbed into the United Nations?" The Human Councilor said. "The Systems Alliance stands for the same thing, Admiral. Certainly not as radical, but Humanity is also our main concern."
"Ideology is what separates you," Lord Hood responded. "The UNSC doesn't buy ideology, we demand efficiency. Both sides are hampering each others' efforts to defeat the Reapers. At the least if we can't provide support, we'll put an end to this infighting."
The Asari Councilor looked to the floor, deep in thought. The Human Councilor put hands on his hips and paced in his small circle. Sparatcus shook his head disappointingly. And the Salarian Councilor still didn't do anything.
Another two minutes went by. The Councilors in deep contemplation. Mostly still, all silent. Each asked, told more or less to let go of their hostility and talk to a man Lasky no doubt knew they deeply despised. If the Council backed out they might lose the support of the UNSC. If not...
Sparatcus and the Asari Councilor turned to the Salarian. Lasky noticed he slightly nodded.
They turned back to Lord Hood. The Asari spoke, "we'll speak to him. Here. We can't guarantee you anything, Fleet Admiral."
Lord Hood nodded to Roland. The little AI blinked himself awake. He opened up another screen and linked a third QEC channel with the local Cerberus cruiser.
You know, watching the Citadel Council… Maybe it was fear, maybe it was fiercely defending the interests of their people - but open hostility to arrest a new contact only works when you're the one who held all the power. Even then, Spartacus was still going to try to pester them to save face. At this point, it'd be better to let it go and move on, like the Asari Councilor. But Lasky guessed in the idiocy of politics and democracy, everything stayed with you forever.
Not with the UNSC however.
Lasky just hoped the Council would try to cooperate on this. It was one of the few remaining obstacles for a full alliance. If something could work out, then Lasky could get to work convincing Lord Hood and HIGHCOM to give all they could.
Well...hopefully this would bring some progress. Hopefully this'll work.
…
Tali was fully asleep standing up. No question about it. Her body probably smothered in sweat and liquid antibiotics. Garrus tapped his foot, observed the bridge, probably thinking of the best defensive strategy in case things went really down hill again. Something to occupy him at least. This wasn't their realms of expertise. They remained in the background, mostly forgotten.
As for Liara and Shepard, they were...mostly awake. Shepard was beyond the point of exhaustion, but he couldn't go to sleep. He couldn't lie down. He did find out a slight overload on medi-gel could act as a substitute pseudo-modafinil… Who. Knew.
Now his body was running on meds and natural chemicals. Fading in and out. Shaky and about to give in.
When he was in combat at least movement and adrenaline could keep him awake. Here, he had to force every coherent word, interpretation, and thought.
For once, someone else besides the Council held the most power in the galaxy. The Council didn't know how to respond. For the Commander...it was scary. There was still so much they didn't know about the UNSC. And ONI only pushes further questions. Questions the UNSC wouldn't allow to be answered.
...This wasn't going to work. Commander Shepard was all for optimism but the matter of fact was he knew the Council. The Council wasn't going to budge, not with the Illusive Man. And the Illusive Man might not either.
The Illusive Man never directly talked to the Council. Not in the past half year at least. The only real contact was with the Illusive Man or Kai Leng, and Commander Shepard. Those conversations were usually one side trying to sway the other, or telling how they would inevitably fail and are making a mistake.
The little AI, Roland entered in a sequence of codes, and the Council's holograms were pushed to the side. The holo-table was getting crowded. Another figure, hopefully the last one of the day, materialized. Shards of blue particles formed into the Illusive Man as he performed his usual formalities. Cigarette in one hand and in the other hand he was holding a glass of ice and brandy.
"Ah, Lord Hood," He said. He put the glass down offscreen and puffed the cigarette. He noticed everyone else there. Shepard and the crew. Admiral Hackett and the Councilors. They all stared him down, waiting for him to make the wrong move. "I presume then we are ready to proceed," he politely nodded to each individual and made his rounds around the room.
All in one breath. How impressive. No one responded of course. That would almost be like a dishonor. It didn't seem to bother him. He stood there comfortably, smiling, waiting for someone to speak.
"What came up in our discussion was the possibility of a sovereign alliance not with just one faction, but both of you," Lord Hood finally said.
"So you convinced them to change their goals?"
"We don't know what the Catalyst does," Lord Hood immediately replied. "Spout all the theories you want, but in the end we have no idea of its true purpose, thus the UNSC must perceive it as a highly dangerous threat not only to Humanity, but the galaxy."
One of the Councilors grunted, Shepard wasn't sure which one, but Lord Hood continued. "No one is correct. You may have ideas on how to utilize this weapon, or even how to alter it, but in reality the path to your goals are not clear. What I propose is this: We try to discover the purpose of the Crucible and the Catalyst, and what they do."
Admiral Hackett spoke, "every minute counts. We can't waste time doing deeper research. That'd only be possible if you supply your forces with our, then we might be able to stop the Reapers on multiple fronts. Even if they're minor ones. It could buy us time. If you don't, then we have no choice but to continue construction."
"If it's required, we'll discuss it in further detail later. But you two have been fighting since the beginning, diverged over the unknown," Lord Hood said. "The least you can do is figure out what it is, then if your goals still differ, if the evidence supports the contrary, then at least there is a more solid reason to act against one another."
Well...this was a different approach. Shepard tried to convince the Illusive Man with what the Commander thought was right: that destroying the Reapers was the best course for the galaxy. But…Lord Hood was basically employing the enemy of my enemy tactic.
Shepard wouldn't mind that. The Illusive Man wouldn't try to constantly kill them.
"What you're proposing...is an alliance that'll most likely end in a betrayal?" The Illusive Man questioned.
"You're the only one implying anyone will betray anyone."
"At the end of the line, Lord Hood, that's how it'll be. The Crucible will work one way or another, and I'm sure when we eventually discover the true purpose of it -which I'm confident we will- we'll still have ways to alter it to fit our desired goals. A peaceful, smooth separation isn't possible no matter what side it is. I'm only being realistic here."
To Shepard's non-surprise, the Illusive Man was being extremely difficult. It was one thing to question the details, but to debate theoreticals?
"No one will betray anyone," Lord Hood said. "If we find a clear path, and you want to walk away then so be it. After that, you can do everything within your power to stop the Council."
"And what would the UNSC do?"
"We'll pick the option that will ensure Humanity's survival. Not the one fulfilling personal beliefs, but the one that will work."
"Advancement is the key to survival, Admiral," The Illusive Man said.
"I don't disagree. If this advancement proves too costly, then we'll look for other options."
"What you're saying, Fleet Admiral, is that you'll wait and pick whichever side is right," Councilor Sparatcus accused.
"Take it or leave it, Councilor. You can either fight with or without the UNSC. But that's my ultimatum. If one side backs out, then we'll side with the other."
So...that was the plan then? With hope, hold out against the Reapers which will prove to be less difficult with the power of the UNSC Navy, while trying to dig deeper into the Crucible...which Shepard was essentially trying to do by finding more pieces for the blueprint puzzle.
"Sir…" Captain Lasky began. "I understand that we can't afford noncompliance, especially with two different sides, but we can't force something like this."
"Then give me a better option, Captain. We have no idea what the Crucible does, what the Catalyst is, or both their original purposes." Lord Hood said to the room, "but all of you have already figured out what you're going to do with it. I know the Reapers have left you no choice, but with us present, there is a chance."
A chance?
"You keep saying you understand the position we're in! Then you should know there is no alternative!" Shepard responded. His voice immediately lowered, and returned to its normal self. "You said you committed acts on the same level as Cerberus, and that's what kept you alive. Well this is what's keeping us alive!"
Lord Hood stared straight ahead. He slowly placed hands behind his back and sighed, "the Master Chief was the only reason we are alive."
Jesus Christ. Shepard didn't know what to say… He looked to Liara. The dark blue pupils retracted. Captain Florence...Captain Lasky… and now Fleet Admiral Lord Hood. Everyone in the UNSC seemed to belong to the cult of the Master Chief.
It wasn't their ships or even the Elites or the work and combat of -what Shepard assumed- millions of troops. It was the will of a single man. That green, genetically-altered beast standing out there in the hallway.
Shepard breathed in. He hastily figured out what he was going to say, "we don't have that luxury. This is all we've got."
Oh God, Sparatcus was about to say something.,"If this Master Chief is so great as you claim him to be, then maybe he alone should save us from the Reapers."
Lasky placed hands on his hips. He was staring off wherever Lord Hood was looking out. He scoffed. "You know what's funny? He might be able to."
It seemed everyone in the room shook their heads. A general frustration that swept over everybody. Each individual took a step back, eyes off each other, shaking their heads or pinching the bridge of their nose. A long day of disappointments and dead ends. Even the Illusive Man displayed a sign of stress by crossing his arms, let his cigarette burn out
Shepard turned to the dozens of computers off on the side room of the bridge. Liara stood by his side. She looked so tired.
"Lord Hood…." Tevos said out of the bloom. She sighed and gathered herself. The Fleet Admiral turned to face her. "You said you had no choice but to accept the Elites' help. That because of them, you were able to survive. While we wouldn't have survived without Commander Shepard, he is in no way on the same level as you describe the Master Chief. We have nothing like him… Without the UNSC, we will not be able to survive. The Asari, Turians, Krogan, Geth, Quarians… Humanity. All of us will be wiped out….This...is our Great War. And we will not survive it.
"We'll put up with an alliance with Cerberus. On whatever terms. We'll search for the hidden truths to the Crucible, and if need be find other options. I know the report says it's doubtful if you'll send support, but we need your troops. Your ships. Even the Master Chief if you can spare him. Tens of thousands of people die every hour. Millions of Turian civilians are trapped on Palaven being slaughtered one by one. Asari homes are being destroyed, and commando squads are killed everyday. Humans are being processed and exterminated in concentration camps on Earth. All we want to do, is to put an end to it."
She was using up all the Asari charm she could muster. The sadness, the pain they went through everyday. Lord Hood didn't seem affected, but Shepard was. He breathed in. He balled his fists, "we'll do what you want...if it'll stop all this. We are on our knees. We are begging you! You are the only ones capable of stopping the Reapers. Millions are dead, dozens of members of my crew, my friends, are either missing or dead. Mostly because of the Reapers, but also because of him!" The Commander pointed at the Illusive Man. Shepard was tired. Tired at the Reapers. This war. The Illusive Man. The situation the UNSC -Lord Hood- placed them in. "But I set out promising I'll do whatever it takes to stop the Reapers. And if it means doing whatever you want…"
Whatever UNSC wanted… Whatever they want, no matter how terrifying?
Was this their only option?
Or do they still have options once they had a closer relationship with the UNSC?
"Lord Hood…" Liara said. Well, despite everything, there was one good thing in this galaxy he still had left. "We need everything the galaxy has to offer."
The Fleet Admiral remained motionless for a moment. He then turned his back on them, walked to the other end of the bridge. The Infinity crew moved out of his way, saluted as he strolled by. He stopped to view the void outside the bridge viewing glass. A UNSC frigate passed by, glaring yellow flares as it pushed forward.
"Lord Hood? Sir…?" Lasky said.
"I'm bound by UNSC High Command. While I have ultimate authority, their word carries plenty of weight…" He stopped for a moment, then turned to the Council. "Do as I ask along with providing direct evidence that the Reapers will eventually engage the United Nations, and I'll provide you with everything you need. Ships, troops, and supplies."
"That is-" Tevos began.
"And what about you?" Hood said, moving on to the Illusive Man. His attitude still hasn't changed.
The Illusive Man spoke. "Very skeptical. You can't guarantee that at the end of this we'll gain-"
"We can't guarantee anything. That's the point. You can't even guarantee you can even control the Reapers. It's just an ideal. What we can guarantee however, and I promise you, we will find a way to beat this menace. It'll be the way that'll see Humanity safe," Lord Hood said.
"Destroy the Reapers, and Humanity will not be safe. You're destroying our future."
Lord Hood slowly walked around the holo-table, arms crossed, head down. "You seemed like a reasonable, thoughtful man. But you're unreasonably clinging onto something we don't fully understand."
The Illusive Man shook his head, as if Lord Hood didn't simply understand the issue. He took a smooth drag of his cigarette.
"Fine. We might cooperate, but you need to ensure that the Crucible project is halted. They can't continue their goal of destruction."
"No!" Sparatcus interjected. "You may all throw the towel in for the UNSC fleet, but I'm not! This is where we draw the line. We'll not give up on the Crucible project! As everyone here has repeatedly said, it is the only thing that is keeping our hope alive. It's how we kept going all this time. We won't stop now."
The Illusive Man spoke. "So, what I'm lead to believe is that Cerberus is supposed to stop all our projects, our progress-"
"Progress that's dedicated to sabotage us wherever and whenever you can!" Councilor Udina added. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but for once I agree with Sparatcus! Don't stand here and tell me you'll sacrifice all your work for something we can't control!"
The Crucible Project… Shepard was scared of its unknown power. But they had nothing else. They were throwing away one unsure plan for another, but this one had a face. A voice. Differing opinions. That's what scared everyone the most.
There wasn't a correct option here. It wasn't as blatant as a right or wrong choice like in the past. Just...disturbing uncertainty.
Liara knew how to push past this...but Shepard didn't.
"Maybe...Councilors, Illusive Man," Captain Lasky began. He looked back to his superior. He gave an approving nod. "We know how much the Crucible means to you. How much progress have you made so far?"
"Enough to launch it in approximately six months our analysts predict," the Illusive Man responded.
The Councilors turned to him, baffled. Liara looked down, a bit ashamed. Admiral Hackett sighed.
"We know you can't stall the project," Captain Lasky continued. "We don't have to just provide strictly combat support. We can provide the materials, the resources, the manpower. Naval engineers… Scientists, possibly. If you hold out, we can give you that. We have the economic power of nearly eight-hundred colonies, that's not including the hundreds of uninhabitable worlds we use as mining worlds."
"We can provide more than you ever could," Lord Hood added on...a bit bluntly. "Whatever solution we discover, if the Crucible is what you think it is, we can reduce the project time by months."
"But…?" Admiral Hackett said.
"If you won't stall it...maybe you can give Cerberus access capabilities to monitor it," Lasky said. "To ease their mind."
…
He played it perfectly...didn't he? He maneuvered so brilliantly, not even Liara could see it. She was so focused with the Illusive Man's rejection of Lord Hood's idea that she hadn't even foresaw what he was trying to accomplish.
Access. And with the UNSC that would become a perfect reality. Goddess. Because of their vastly superior military force, their numbers, astounding and brutal advancements in technology, they were able to crush any resistance on both sides, be in combat or on the political bar. But not Cerberus. Not the Illusive Man. He played it to his advantage. He made them believe he was subjugated to their whims. Even if he didn't gain monitoring access to the Crucible, allowing him to survive untouched, to plot in darkness under the protection of the UNSC...
She couldn't believe what was happening.
Appeasement didn't work….
And Captain Lasky? He had no ulterior motive. He was trying to do the best for everyone, with everything he had. She could tell. He just didn't see that working with Cerberus was far from the best.
But...she was overreacting. They could still fight this. If the Illusive Man wouldn't allow himself to be pushed against a wall, they wouldn't either.
Let's hope she could speak faster than the Councilors.
"Those terms are unacceptable," She said. "We won't let Cerberus anywhere near the Crucible."
Lord Hood's harsh, cold, and void gaze turned to Liara. There was no actual impatience dawning on him. He just pretended in order to get things moving. She believed he could go all day, all week if need be. A lot longer than anything the Councilors could stand.
He was more skilled than they were.
"He'll learn everything about our project," Liara continued before Lord Hood had a chance to speak. "He will use it against us. He'll destroy us and the Crucible , now or later. But letting him have access will guarantee our side has lost."
"If it comes to that, I assure you the UNSC will do everything within our power to protect you and the Crucible Project. We will make sure that doesn't happen." Hood responded.
"I have to agree with Doctor T'Soni, for once." Sparactcus said. "We're essentially handing this project over to Cerberus. They'll be able to learn everything. You won't be able to protect us!"
"There are other options. We just have to find them," Captain Lasky interjected. "But from an observer's standpoint, you're being the unreasonable ones here," Lasky pointed to the Council, to Shepard's crew, "halting construction doesn't mean stopping research or gathering materials. As said, if the Crucible stops the Reapers...whatever way how, we'll provide you with everything we got."
"And if we both have already done most of our research…" Roland added. "Well, I mean it'd be like building a lego set with the instructions right there next to you."
They didn't see the point did they? If construction stops, if Cerberus were to be able to monitor it, Cerberus would be able to slither past the UNSC...and the Citadel governments would be left extremely vulnerable.
"You would be asking us to bow down to Cerberus!" Sparatcus yelled. Always timely and never inappropriate.
"No." Lord Hood responded. "These are our demands, not Cerberus'. We came here accidentally. This isn't our fight. Our protocol, our fundamental law, states that we were to fall back to ensure contact will never be made again, and alter and prepare defenses against a possible new threat. We don't need you, but you need us. You and Cerberus will bow down to our demands."
He emphasised those words and it seemed to drown out all the idiocy Sparatcus yelled out, the work Tevos put in...Liara's careful maneuvering….Everything the crew did. Everything Shepard believed in... Not just today but…nearly the past four years.
...There was still one last card they could play. One last desperate attempt before they merely give in.
Well...this was it wasn't it? Liara didn't want to do this, but she had no other choice. Another smear attempt? Yes. But this will cut deeper. Cut a lot deeper.
She quickly looked around the room. Shepard again nodded to her. It was reassuring. She knew he trusted her, whatever she did. Whatever she's about to do now.
"With all due respect, do you think you know everything about Cerberus?" She interjected. "Know enough to think they'll just play along?"
Lord Hood spoke, "What do you mean?"
"Do you know why Cerberus recovered their casualties so quickly?" Liara said, looking at nobody in particular. "They didn't want you to see the lengths they went to to fit the Illusive Man's ideas of Human advancement."
Another drag of his cigarette. The Illusive Man swallowed the smoke. Maybe Liara saw a small tinge of fear in his eyes, maybe it was her imagination.
She opened up her Omni-tool and brought up all the images she had Glyph collect in the past hour. All the information and data sets to compile into a comprehensible report. This particular image was already in her archive. It was taken six months ago, back on the Mars Archive Station when Shepard rescued her. Direct from security footage.
At this point in the negotiations, so far in, this was sketchy.
She brought up an image of the dead Cerberus soldier leaning against a wall. Helmet open, a face surrounded by heavy metal armor in a deep stage of decay. Dried blood and sickly necrotic skin blue and pale green-grey. Instead of eyes, there were only the black lights surrounding a pupil of bright purple stars. Scars of white-purple lights carved in his skin, patterned like the legs of a spider. Liara waved her arm, and the image was moved on the holo-table.
"What am I looking at?" Lord Hood said.
"There may be an extent to justify Cerberus's actions, but this receives none." Liara reported.
"...What the hell are those lights? Is that the same stuff Tali has?" Roland responded.
"These are Cerberus regulars," Liara said. "Assault class. These "lights" are not the same. They're Reaper augmentations. Reaper technology implanted into their troops."
"What? Why didn't you bring this up before?"
"We'd hope that acts of genocide and extremely questionable ideologies would be enough to deter. When it didn't, I still hoped Cerberus wouldn't make it this far. But they have."
She looked to the Illusive Man. He shook his head, as if he were disappointed that Liara had to resort to that. He spoke, "as said, advancement is survival. They aren't as widespread as you might think. They're for those with special assignments. How sad you're trying to deter this alliance."
"Indoctrination." Lord Hood connected. "Is that what you are accusing him of, Doctor?"
"Indoctrination is easily counteracted," The Illusive Man said. "We've taken every precaution. We had years to study it, and had full confidence to deploy it."
"Just like the modified Reaper techno-virus you unleashed on innocent human and alien civilians, against their will on Omega, and lost control of them?" Liara accused. "They attacked everyone in sight, and were reconnected to the Reaper AI network-"
"A failed experiment in the name of progress-"
"You didn't counteract indoctrination. You used it!" Shepard interjected. "You indoctrinated thousands of innocent civilians-"
"Or...they merely support us. It isn't that surprising, Shepard. Not every Human was supportive of the galacticist movement when it began thirty years ago. Plenty of members from Terra Firma-"
"Terra Firma has remained loyal to the Systems Alliance in this time of crisis!" Udina said. "You took those members and turned them against us."
"Not only that…" Sparatcus said. Oh great. "But you tried to destroy a major Turian colony-"
"You abducted civilians to be indoctrinated! You abducted children to be indoctrinated!" Shepard yelled.
"Unlike Captain Lasky, I have no tolerance for this." Lord Hood said. Lasky shifted uncomfortably. It wasn't at what Lord Hood said, but at what Shepard said. "Doctor T'Soni, continue."
The Illusive Man, the Councilors, and Commander Shepard stopped before they even started. Lord Hood made sure they were silent, like a parent to their children. He looked to Liara. He waited for her to speak.
"...Uh...I could go on, for hours on end, how Cerberus has already utilized Reaper technology without knowing its full effects. And how nearly every time it has failed them. You can't simply believe they can control the effects of Indoctrination. We've seen it in action, had multiple breaches because of Reaper indoctrinated agents. The Citadel has been trying to counteract it for months with no success. The Illusive Man can make claims all he wants. But we have evidence, we can-"
"We had access to the Collector Base," the Illusive Man interrupted. "We were able to research more on the Reapers then you can ever know. Those Reaper augmented soldiers...they were loyal to me, loyal to Humanity until you and Shepard killed them. They weren't there because of Reaper orders, they were there because I ordered them to take the Mars Research Facility. I'll admit, some projects have...failed. Tremendously. And more lives have been lost than I can count. Yet as said, I'm willing to spend lives for survival. We've successfully contained these projects. And the projects that proved successful, that proved useful, have been implemented in limiting numbers.
"Our science division has a proud track record. I've made sure they've been absolutely careful. I'm sure, Doctor T'Soni, you have mountains of evidence for both our failed and successful projects, but to claim our followers, our supporters, are indoctrinated is heinous and disgusting. To me, it's a desperate attempt to change this negotiation."
...Well, he wasn't wrong. Liara could see that he was winning, and it was mostly her fault. She was poorly prepared. She could've waited off till later, after this meeting. But…
"If you can't find direct evidence of Cerberus indoctrinating civilians or Reaper tech, then this is no concern," Lord Hood said. He stared down the Illusive Man. "But that means in no way we still trust Cerberus. I want full detailed reports on each experiment and project you have done with Reaper technology. I want full disclosure of everything you have. Doctor T'Soni, I want supplement reports on those experiments to ensure as best as possible they aren't hiding anything."
"If you believe that's necessary, then I'll provide everything I have to...ease your conscience," The Illusive Man said.
"You're just going to let everything else slide? We can provide evidence they kidnap civilians...the children." Shepard began...One final attempt.
Lord hood's face...seemed to soften for once. It was strange to see. A sudden pause, lowered checks… And like everything today, it faded. "As said, the UNSC had to do a lot of unforgivable things in order to survive." He said.
Commander Shepard looked to her. The exhausted, sweat-caked, and depressed face remained silent.
There was no way out. Maybe Shepard was right. How much were they willing to tolerate in order to win this fight?
But she could say they at least reminded the UNSC to not trust Cerberus.
"And..what about the public?" Councilor Tevo said… It seems they were willing to tolerate atrocity too, despite everything they claim. The Council knew it was over. "We can talk about the UNSC all we want, but...we can't reveal the details of this meeting, or the fact that…"
"We're allying with our enemy that we've been fighting against for six months," Shepard said… He also began to stare off in the distance...at nothing.
"Well, you may think of everything I say as lies, but you can accept this as the truth: I disdain the spotlight, and I'd be more than willing to stray from it. Fame is not how Cerberus survives," the Illusive Man said. He lit another cigarette. On average, he smoked around eight per hour… It was sad Liara knew that.
Liara slowly stepped over to Shepard. She slid her hand down his, grasping the fingers.
"Believe me, Shepard. We can still keep fighting. This is far from over," Liara whispered to him "With Cerberus being this… "open", I can begin to dig on everything possible."
The Council was now droning on about the most unimportant thing Liara could imagine: The public, and how the UNSC should be introduced to the public. Lord Hood listened to their complaints. How a democratic government still had to listen to the complaints of their people, and the only real complaints now was to save their loved ones and burning worlds from the onslaught of the Reapers.
It was definitely the purely cynical side of her that thought the Council's approval rating will spike sometime soon.
Shepard gulped. He nodded in acknowledgement to Liara's words.
"-a meeting on the Citadel? Just for the public?" Lasky said.
"We know...nothing real would be accomplished, this would all be for show," Tevos said. "But we need to put a face to the image, give the civilian and military populace something real… Commander Shepard and his crew are doing everything within his power, but… We need more heroes."
She knew Tevos wasn't trying to put down Shepard, but it sure felt like it.
"Well, not even a thank you," Shepard whispered back. He still looked straight ahead. His words were dazed and loopy.
"We understand the necessity of such things." Lord Hood said. "We'll find suitable "diplomats" for public procedure and exposure. But what about the actual joint negotiations? Specific military strategy and joint command?"
"We have secured intelligence briefing and meeting rooms aboard the Citadel," Tevos answered. "Or if you prefer, we can continue to have them aboard the Infinity."
"Yes...We still haven't solved the problem of military command…" Udina looked over to Hackett. "You've been quiet about this, Admiral. You are the director of the Crucible project. What do you have to say?"
Hackett had hands behind his back. He stared ahead, to the same spot wherever Shepard was staring at. It was after a minute his eyes met Udina's, as if he finally registered what the Councilor said.
"Like Shepard, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to stop the Reapers." Hackett quietly said. "If it means halting the Crucible project and tolerating a terrorist organization for a short period in order to gain a seemingly unlimited supply of materials, workers, engineers, and so on, along with your fleets and ground troops, then that's our best option available. I can fabricate some lie to the Crucible team why construction has stopped. Either way, I think they'll be preoccupied with the arrival of the UNSC, and if possible, the Elites."
"As said, we'll do what we can to get the Elites' support," Lasky said.
"As for military command, Admiral Hood," Hackett continued, "the truth is we'll need to do a full briefing of our current galactic geography and strategic positionings, military assets and capabilities, and movements and strategic procedures. The list goes on and on. Not just for our side, but yours too."
Lord Hood nodded in acknowledgement. "We'll reveal what's necessary."
"Fair enough. I know you're stubborn not to give command of your men to someone else, and I understand to a degree. But I believe we'd be more productive if I still remained in charge of overall galactic strategy. This isn't just a matter of me maintaining power, and this isn't arrogance by any chance - our strategies and capabilities are vastly different. I've made sure we've survived for this long, and that in itself is a miracle. What I propose is I direct your forces to specific galactic-system sectors throughout the galaxy, brief you on vital positions and assets that need to be taken or relieved. From there, in those theaters you would have complete control and discretion of not only your forces, but local Citadel and Alliance assets as you see fit. Since our worlds are being invaded, we should play to our original galactic strategy. I'm the one who fully understands how to effectively implement them."
Lord Hood placed a hand to his chin, thinking. He looked to Captain Lasky. The Captain nodded approvingly.
"We need full powers of consideration and review on any strategic decision you make," Hood said. It seemed he didn't take the Captain's advice. "We give the green light or not to proceed."
"If you control your forces, you would essentially be deciding military strategy. You can accept my plans or refuse."
"Openly? In front of your subordinates? That won't last long." Lord Hood replied. "We need to have competent, clear, and open powers of review and approval."
"What your saying is, you'll be taking my place and I'll be pushed to be a strategic advisor?" Hackett clarified.
Lord Hood walked back to his original position. "If that's how you see it, Admiral."
Admiral Hackett sighed. "If that's so, then Cerberus will gain nothing. I won't reveal anything to them. Not our capabilities, our assets, strategies, and definitely not anything more on the Crucible. I don't want them or their holograms to even step foot on the Citadel. Use their assets however you see fit, Lord Hood, in whatever campaign need be, but don't expect us to work with them."
The only one here who might have just saved them. Goddess. Hackett might have bought them breathing room.
"And that'd go both ways for you and Cerberus." Lord Hood responded. He looked to the Illusive Man. The hologram shrugged. "We'll play moderator between you two, if necessary."
Both Admiral Hackett and the Illusive Man nodded, a mutual understanding between the two.
"I'll accept on those terms," Hackett said.
"I will too." The Illusive Man added.
"Very well." Lord Hood responded. He looked at the Council. "And you?"
The Councilors looked to each other and a mixture of emotions spread over them. Fear, uncertainty, anxiety, all to be ignored by desperateness. Valern nodded. Sparatcus looked more than angry, but he turned to Lord Hood, arms crossed, leaning on one foot. He spoke.
"We'll accept that the Systems Alliance and the Citadel Council, and Cerberus will hereby cease any and all mutual hostilities. Be propagandic, militaristic, or civil operations. On the conditions that Cerberus cease any and all operations to hinder the capabilities of the Citadel and the Crucible Project, and we'll halt any and all construction on the Crucible temporarily until a permanent solution, Crucible, alternative, or otherwise, is found."
"And also on the condition that...the United Nations Space Command will provide military and logistical support for front line combat, and to help research and if possible to build the Crucible project once we have discovered a direct solution," Councilor Valern added.
"As for...military operations, decision making will be handed over to the United Nations Space Command while the Systems Alliance Military will maintain control over strategic military development…." Tevos said. "Public negotiations, and classified joint intelligence and strategy briefings will be staged and held soon."
"If the United Nations holds their end of the bargain…" Udina said. "Then we owe you a tremendous debt… Remember, this deal also includes that the UNSC and the Systems Alliance are entirely separate entities. Until at least we discover why there are two distinctive groups of the Human race."
Each Councilor bounded off one another rhythmically, doing this hundred of times before. Lord Hood nodded. He seemed satisfied with it, "Then so be it. Doctor T'Soni, I need every available data file you have on the Reapers, and on Cerberus, including the evidence needed to support that the Reapers will eventually turn on the UNSC."
"I...I can do that." Liara responded. A little shaky. It dawned on her how tired she was...how tired the crew was.
She hadn't eaten in the past two days. Could feel the pounding headaches as they restarted throughout her skull. The uncontrollable shaking throughout her body. The heavy nausea and the dizziness. The spots over her vision. It was a miracle in itself she held it together for so long.
"Then we have a temporary alliance." Lord Hood said.
...And...the crew completed their mission. What they've been fighting all day for. For the past...ten, eleven hours? That was a new record.
At least one good thing accomplished today.
"Give Roland the galactic coordinates of the Citadel. For security reasons, we'll travel through our own FTL systems to the coordinates." Captain Lasky said. "It'll take a few days, but I'm sure by then you'll go public with the Citadel meeting and give time for the populace to...accept everything that's happened."
"That we'll do, Captain." Tevos nodded. She opened up a holo-screen and began to type in coordinates. Roland received them. The AI looked perplexed for a moment but it soon faded. "We'll prepare all we can."
"It'll actually take...about...less than twenty-two hours to travel approximately, varying." Roland reported. "Uh...I'll need to speak with you, Captain, afterwards."
Lord Hood spoke. "I'll inform and talk to the rest of UNSC High Command. For now, communications will be cut until the UNSC Infinity reaches the Citadel in that timeframe."
He turned to the Illusive Man. The hologram took out his cigarette and flicked some ashes. He spoke "I'll make my forces available, and also gather what research Cerberus has found on the Reapers….Until then, Fleet Admiral."
The hologram dematerialized into blue and black shards, and disappeared. For whatever reason, Liara swore she smelled the smoke and ash of his last cigarette.
"Admiral…" Tevos began. "...You still can't believe that an alliance with Cerberus-"
"We'll contact you soon. Infinity out." Lord Hood said, with that the Council was cut off. Their holograms instantly faded. They weren't allowed to get the last word in. It reminded Liara of the few times the Council went overboard and Shepard had to cut comms back in the "good ol' days."
Liara looked to the Normandy crew. Maybe there was a wave of relief that passed through everyone. The negotiations died quickly and disappointingly. Now however, Liara's mind couldn't rest. It moved on to the next thing, to the next issue. How long would it be until the UNSC deployed full-fledged support? ONI has interfered before, what's stopping from doing something again? Something worse?
What was their specific history like?
And...was this the best outcome they could've received?
"Did evidence become a second priority, Admiral?" Hackett asked. "Evidence that the Reapers would turn on your own worlds? You don't want that first so you'll have more of a foundation to deploy?"
"Well believe it or not, the Council just handed us the biggest piece of evidence that we should get in this fight." Roland said.
"Which was?"
"Their incompetence is profound." Lord Hood answered. "Yet I don't sense this from yourself."
"That's why the Council gave me a lot of freedom," Hackett replied. "On a civilian standpoint - logistics, economic maintenance - they do their job well.
"Evidentially, militaristic matters isn't their strong suit. In any event, we would like to research the Crucible for some classified projects."
"And how can you trust you you'll keep our secrets away from Cerberus?" Hackett replied.
"The UNSC would have a stake in this now." Lord Hood replied. "But believe what you want. Your worlds will be saved either way"
"Reasonable enough. Commander Shepard, Doctor T'Soni." Hackett said, turning to them. He looked almost sympathetic. "I'll...contact you with a debriefing in the morning. For now, you've earned some rest. I know it's been a long week. Because of you, we have the Geth, Quarians...and hopefully the United Nations in our corner. I'll gather my advisors and all and every available combat officers of our allied armed forces. We'll schedule a briefing."
"Very well, Admiral." Lord Hood stood at attention and saluted him. Not the half casual salute at the beginning, but the full military standard. Out of everyone he met, it seemed Admiral Hackett was the only one he purely respected. The Illusive Man...well, it was a strange modicum of respect. And the Council… Lord Hood listened to them as least.
"I'll be on standpoint for that debriefing, Commander. Hackett out." With that, Admiral Hackett walked away and the hologram ended.
Nearly...four hours of negotiations finally came to a halt. How the course of the galaxy changed in as little as a single day. History was always hundreds of years of certain trends, but not today…. It really hadn't been in the last four years.
Something new every day.
"Commander Shepard…" Lasky began. "You and your crew can report back to your ship. I think it's over for now. We'll transport the refugees aboard the Infinity back to the planetary surface. We'll make their care one of our priorities in the public forum. Your shuttle pilot is back in stable condition. He'll just be out of the game for a bit. We'll deliver him back to you. Plus I think we may have something that'll help you repair EDI. I'll tag by in a moment, I just need to discuss things with Lord Hood first."
The crew nodded, and slowly turned towards the door. Slow, stiff, tired.
But...mission accomplished.