Chapter 33

Harry and Shepard were escorted by an honor guard of a dozen grateful Asari soldiers off the Destiny Ascension and onto a private shuttle. The Ascension was too large to dock directly. Leading said honor guard, walking with a cane to take pressure off her newly attached foot was one Major Ni'ya Miora. Before Harry had visited her, her thoughts were occupied by not only the horrible pain she was in, but wondering what she would do with her life now that her military career was to be put on hold until she could get used to a prosthetic foot, or save up to get one cloned. Through Harry's act of kindness, that period of uncertainty had turned into a short vacation while she recuperates, but she insisted on doing this.

"Any pain?" Harry asked. Miora grimaced.

"A bit, but like you said, I should exercise it." Miora said. Harry withdrew his wand and pointed it at her, shooting a small purple light at her foot.

"That should dull it, you don't want it completely numb, otherwise you'll overdo it." Harry said.

"Thanks again, Admiral." Miora said with a smirk. Harry rolled her eyes. She'd taken to calling him that specifically because it annoyed him.

"So this is what the inside of an Asari transport looks like." Harry said.

"I'm glad I was right about the rumors being wrong." Jane said.

"Rumors?" Miora asked.

"Lots of dumb stories from folks on the citadel say that the inside of your ships are all posh and soft like civilian cruise liners." Harry said. Miora frowned.

"We figured it was bullshit. We trained against some commandos after we got our N7 rankings." Shepard said. Miora laughed.

"Well glad not everyone in the universe is a dumbass." Miora said. The ship shuddered as the magnetic docking clamps were applied.

"This is where we part ways." Miora said, standing and approaching as Harry and Shepard stood. Miora paused.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Commander." Miora said before reaching out and hugging Harry.

"Thank you. You saved so many of my crew-mates." Miora said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Not all of them." Harry said sadly.

"You did far more thann anyone could have reasonably expected of you." Miora said. She smiled and shook Shepard's hand.

"It was nice meeting you, Commander." Miora said.

"Likewise." Shepard said. The exit opened and Harry and Shepard were shocked at what they saw. There were easily ten thousand people of all races gathered there, erupting in applause when the door opened.

"Uh..." Shepard said.

"Oh right.. we saved the citadel." Harry said, scratching the back of his head. Miora laughed and gave them a gentle shove out the door. Shepard blushed brightly, she'd been used to praise from individuals, but to see so many cheering for them, it was overwhelming. Harry took it in stride, this was not the first time he'd been responsible for saving lots of lives. The Normandy crew were front and center, and Harry smirked when he saw Benezia standing beside Joker.

"ATTENTION!" Joker shouted. The crew saluted, and Shepard returned it with tears welled up in her eyes. Harry just smiled and waved.

"Look out, here comes the council." Harry said, nudging Shepard in the side.

"Aww shit." Shepard said.

"I have an idea." Harry said.

"Oh God, please, no." Shepard said. Harry laughed.

"Commander Shepard, we have gathered here to recognize the enormous contributions of alliance forces in the war against Sovereign and the Geth." Tevos said.

"Many Humans lost their lives in the battle to save the Citadel. Brave and courageous soldiers who willingly gave their lives so that we, the council, might live." Valern said.

"There is no greater sacrifice, and we share your grief over the tragic loss of so many noble men and women." Sparatus said.

"The Council also owes you a great and personal debt Commander. One we can never repay. You saved not just our lives, but the lives of billions, from Sovereign and the Geth" Tevos added. Harry's eyes narrowed at this.

"Commander Shepard, your heroic and selfless actions serve as a symbol of everything Humanity and The Alliance stand for." Valern said.

"And though we cannot bring back those valiant soldiers who gave their lives to save ours, we can honor their memories through our actions." Sparatus said.

"Humanity has shown that it is ready to stand as a defender and protector of the galaxy. You have proved you are worthy to join our ranks and serve beside us on the citadel council." Tevos said.

"Councilor, on behalf of Humanity and The Alliance, we thank you for this prestigious honor, and humbly accept." Shepard said.

"We will need a list of potential candidates to fill Humanity's seat on the council." Valern said.

"Given all that has happened, I am sure your recommendation will carry a great deal of weight, Commander. Do you support any particular candidate?" Tevos asked. Shepard's grin became predatory and she looked over at Harry.

"Don't you dare.." Harry said.

"We need someone with the courage to stand up for what he believes in. Someone like Harry." Shepard said. The councilors paled at hearing that.

"Yes.. well, of course that recommendation will be taken under... consideration." Sparatus said, evasively.

"I appreciate that deeply, Councilor, however it will be up to the Human legislature to choose our final candidate." Shepard said, smiling even wider.

"You know, Janey here is very sharp and has a kind soul. I think she'd be a better candidate." Harry said. Shepard's grin dissolved.

"Yes.. Quite." Valern said.

"So what do you guys plan on doing about the Reapers?" Harry asked. The crowd gasped.

"We're still not entirely sure that the Reapers even exist... Sovereign very clearly resembled the Geth dreadnoughts we fought." Sparatus said.

"It also clearly resembled a reaper, and we've reason to believe there are thousands, if not millions out there, waiting to return." Harry said, much more loudly than was required, causing another gasp to course through the crowd.

"Are you trying to start a panic?" Tevos hissed.

"I'm trying to open eyes you ignorant fucking bureaucrats." Harry said, before turning and walking away. Shepard laughed.

"If you'll excuse us, Councilors." Shepard said, before turning and following Harry. The both were enveloped by the Normandy crew and lead off to celebrate their victory. Hackett and Anderson caught up with them, laughing hysterically at Harry's open disrespect of the council.

"The best part is we don't have to apologize for you since you're a civilian!" Anderson said.

"I'm hoping that enough people take it seriously, Dave. Given what I learned earlier, we may not have much time." Harry said, seriously.

"What do you mean?" Hackett asked.

"We can discuss it later, right now I think we have some drinking to do." Harry said as they walked into a familiar bar.

"Harry!" Aethyta said, smiling brightly as Harry lead the Normandy crew into her establishment.

"Hey Aethyta... Did you consider my advice?" Harry asked.

"She did, and I'm grateful, Harry." Liara said, walking behind the bar and hugging Aethyta who smiled brightly.

"Thank you, Aethyta. Seriously." Harry said.

"What's that about?" Shepard asked.

"Not my story, ask Liara later." Harry said. Shepard nodded.

"Drinks are on me tonight guys, you've earned it." Harry said. The crew cheered and broke off into groups. Wrex came over with several glasses and a bottle of ryncol.

"None for me, thanks. I learned my lesson last time." Shepard said.

"At least you tried it." Wrex said, pouring a glass for Harry, then himself.

"You, Captain? Admiral?" Wrex asked. Anderson smiled and nodded, and Hackett shrugged. He poured their drinks.

"To victory!" Wrex said. They clinked glasses and downed their drinks.

"HOLY JESUS FUCK WHAT IS THIS SHIT?!" Anderson shouted, after he finished coughing.

"Krogan liquor. The best part is the glowing pee later." Harry said, happily downing a second one. Wrex laughed loudly

"So what's next?" Wrex asked.

"Everyone's on shore leave for the time being. The Alliance is sending hundreds of ships to the Citadel to assist with repairs. Some time in the meantime we need to work on selecting a councilor." Hackett said, sipping his drink and grimacing.

"I want to go on the record as stating that I am unsuitable for the position, given the horrible, irresponsible things I've done over the centuries." Harry said. Wrex laughed.

"I hope they do choose you. I'd love to see those sniveling shits squirm every time they address the public." Wrex said. Harry laughed.

"How about you? Still up to grabbing your ancestral armor?" Harry asked.

"Thought you'd forgotten about it." Wrex said. Harry shook his head.

"Nope, though I need to buy a new ship. I gave my old one to the Rachni queen." Harry said. Wrex rolled his eyes.

"Don't remind me." Wrex said.

"I've got some other things to attend to as well. More morally grey shit, Janey." Harry said. Shepard frowned. Anderson went to collect a couple of beers, returning and handing one to Hackett.

"Just come back quickly, ok?" Shepard asked. Harry smiled and took her hand, squeezing it.

"Oh no..." Shepard said. Anderson took a swig of his beer.

"What?" Harry asked. She pointed towards the back of the bar where Aethyta and Benezia were openly flirting with Joker and Liara looked mortified.

"We should get him neutered." Harry said, causing Anderson to spit his beer all over them.

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"Comfortable back there?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, thanks for expanding it by the way. Didn't think I'd fit." Wrex said, as he settled into into his seat in the back of the shuttle Harry had purchased.

"Thanks for taking us along, Harry, Wrex, Tali." Jacob said.

"Not a problem. It'll be a while before they process everything, I figured it'd be safer for you guys to lay low until that happens, plus we could use the help." Harry said to Miranda and Jacob.

"So what is it we're doing again?" Tali asked.

"Primarily we're searching for Wrex's family armor, it was stolen during the Krogan Rebellions. We're hunting down this guy Tonn Actus." Harry said, bringing his image up on his omnitool.

"Ugly looking bastard." Wrex said. Harry shrugged.

"Secondarily, I'm evaluating your trustworthiness." Harry said, looking at Miranda. She looked offended, but nodded.

"Fair enough." Miranda said.

"Jacob's word carries a lot of weight, Ms. Lawson. Still I need to be careful, and I'm not gonna blow smoke up your ass in the meantime." Harry said.

"I appreciate that." Miranda said. She was entirely unused to people being up front with her.

"Side note, your biotics are almost as good as mine. Between the four of us, we shouldn't have much trouble." Wrex said.

"Her biotics are better than all of ours, Wrex." Harry said. Wrex grinned.

"The best money can buy." Miranda said, bitterly.

"Did that money sit you down in front of books and read them for you?" Harry asked.

"What?" Miranda asked.

"Did that money stand there and practice with you over and over again until you could toss a warp without a second thought?" Harry asked.

"No..." Miranda said.

"Your augmentations are impressive, Ms. Lawson, but the work you've put into yourself is far more so. Our value is measured by our actions and achievements. Don't cheapen yourself by attributing your success to your father." Harry said.

"You know an awful lot about me..." Miranda said, looking towards Jacob with narrowed eyes.

"Harper kept detailed dossiers on all of his agents, they were included in the data dump you guys retrieved. I asked Jacob about you and he told me your name and that you were brilliant at medicine and genetics and a gifted biotic, that is all." Harry said.

"Oh... Sorry. And thanks." Miranda said. Jacob smiled at her.

"I get it." Jacob said.

"A friend of mine informed me that Actus will be arriving at Omega in a week's time, so before then I'm planning on meeting with the Quarian admiralty." Harry said.

"Why?" Wrex said.

"I'm working on setting up formal diplomatic relations between the Alliance and the Quarian Migrant Fleet." Harry said.

"You can do that?" Jacob asked.

"I'm pretty good friends with the daughter of one, and the neice of another Admiral." Harry said, winking at Tali. Tali chuckled.

"The Alliance sent you on a diplomatic mission? Good god..." Jacob said with a grin.

"What are you talking about? I'm like the best diplomat ever." Harry said.