If there was ever an opportunity to blow things up, Kacey would take it. Always.
When the trio entered the docking bay, Jack and the students were under fire by the remaining Cerberus forces. Kacey asked for both Garrus and Liara to stick to the rear solely for safety reasons; she didn't want to risk their lives while she was piloting the mech. She blew the troops apart with the rockets and machine guns, while Garrus and Liara took out the soldiers on the balcony.
The mech was slow and heavy, and yet had quite a lot of firepower. Even with the windshield broken, the mech was quite durable but not indestructible. She was careful to avoid taking too much damage; she didn't want the mech to blow up while she was still inside.
The students ran towards the shuttles in pairs; the trio did their best to provide as much cover as they could. Kacey took out the second batch of reinforcements with one rocket blast; she didn't know what she was going to do about Cerberus. The attack on Mars was already over the line, and this was just taking the piss. She was happy that they had found all twenty students and that Cerberus hadn't gotten any of them.
"Okay, we're clear!" Jack shouted, "Move your ass before backup arrives!"
Kacey jumped out of the mech and ran towards the shuttles behind Garrus and Liara. She was quick to catch up to Kahlee and the students.
"Kahlee, how's it coming?" Kacey asked.
"Shuttles are unlocked." Kahlee replied.
"Take the controls, and get the students abroad!" Kacey replied.
"Wait!" Jack interrupted, "Where the hell's Rodriguez?!"
Kacey could see Rodreiguez trying to avoid Cerberus fire, ducking and diving behind some seats.
"She needs covering fire!" Kacey said, using her rifle to break the glass.
"She needs more than that!" Jack said.
Kacey moved out of the way as Jack used her biotics to break the glass and send the soldiers flying. Kacey quickly hopped over the frame and grabbed Rodriguez and hauled her to the shuttle before the troops could recover. Kahlee drove the shuttle out of the station as quickly as she could.
"Joker." Kacey said via the comms, "We flew out on a Cerberus shuttle. Watch your fire."
"Right. I've got you on sensors." Joker replied, "Should just be a minute."
"Thank you, Commander." Kahlee said, "We'd have never gotten off that station if you hadn't come."
"F–forget that." Jack corrected, "We kicked some ass. Next place we dock, you're all getting inked. My treat. What do you guys want? Ascension Project logo? Glowing fist? Maybe a unicorn for Rodriguez?"
"Screw you, ma'am!" Rodriguez replied.
"I can't believe we got them all out alive." Kahlee mused, "I was going to suggest that they stick to support roles. But perhaps they're ready after all."
"They're definitely ready…" Kacey replied, "but the Alliance needs them in support roles."
"What? We trained for artillery strikes!" Prangley said.
"We don't need another artillery unit." Kacey explained, "We need stronger barriers for our front-line squads."
"This is bullshit!" Rodriguez shouted.
"Hey, if that's where they need us, that's where we go." Jack countered, "Besides, I'm sure we'll get some shots in."
"Commander, we've got a visual on you now." Joker said, "Preparing to dock. Hey Jack, now that you're military, you gonna wear a uniform? Or are you just getting the officer's bars tattooed on?"
Kacey smirked as Jack scowled, "Screw you, f—flight lieutenant."
"Uh…what the hell was that?" came Joker's amused voice.
"Jack promised to watch her language in order to maintain the necessary professionalism we need from our teachers." Kahlee explained.
"What, does she have a swear jar or something? Cause I bet if we emptied that thing, we could afford another cruiser."
"Cover your ears kids." Jack said, "Hey, Joker? Fuck you!"
…
Upon their return to the Normandy, Garrus and Liara had both gone to the Crew Deck while Kacey was summoned to the vid comm. She expected to see Hackett on the other side, not Admiral Anderson.
"Kacey. Damned if you aren't a sight for sore eyes." Anderson said.
"Good to see you too, sir." Kacey said.
"'Sir'? I may have reinstated you, but that doesn't give you permission to go all formal on me." Anderson scoffed.
Kacey smirked, "Then I'm glad you managed to keep your ass alive, Anderson."
"That's more like it." Anderson smiled, "Looks like you didn't waste any time getting to work."
"We don't exactly have any more time to waste." Kacey countered.
"True." Anderson mused, "I can only imagine what would've happened to those kids if they'd fallen into Cerberus hands."
"Unfortunately, I don't have to imagine. I already know." Kacey shuddered, "The students were a bit roughed up, but they're okay. And they're definitely eager to help."
"These students are some of the best humanity has to offer…and we're throwing them into battle." Anderson sighed, "Goddamn it. I hate this war. Hackett didn't mention in his report…"
"Kahlee Sanders is safe." Kacey reassured her former captain, "She's with the recruits."
"Thanks, Kacey." Anderson said, "When I heard about the attack…Well I've already lost a lot of friends."
"She asked me to tell you to stay alive."
Anderson laughed, "Did she now? Well. Thanks, Kacey. That might be the first good news I've heard this week. Speaking of loved ones, did you do as I asked?"
Kacey gave Anderson a sceptical look, "You're gonna have to be more specific, you asked me to do a lot of things."
"You and Kaidan." Anderson answered.
"Yeah, about that." Kacey mused, "We…we didn't exactly see eye to eye and Kaidan got injured on Mars. The Illusive Man ordered it. He's recovering in Huerta Memorial on the Citadel."
"God. Is he okay?"
"Yeah. Looks like he'll be fine." Kacey replied, "His doctors said his implant got rattled, which is where my concerns are."
"I don't blame you." Anderson mused, "If that gets hit the wrong way…"
"I know." Kacey mused, "Trust me, I know. Hey, Anderson. Do you know anything about Udina making Kaidan a Spectre?"
Anderson thought for a moment before answering, "I heard a rumour, but not much. You don't sound as happy as I thought you'd be about it."
Kacey sighed, "Don't get me wrong; Kaidan deserves to be a Spectre. But I don't trust Udina. He's rushing the whole process. Something just doesn't feel right,"
"I trust your judgement, Kacey. You know that." Anderson replied, "If you think there's something wrong, then do what you have to. Anderson out."
With the call over, Kacey couldn't help but feel conflicted; she didn't want to let go of her suspicions about Udina, but she also didn't want to ruin the opportunity for Kaidan either. The situation between them was delicate right now, and the last thing she wanted was to further fracture her relationship with the biotic. Things were tense enough without her relationship problems distracting her.
She walked out of the War Room and into the CIC to reach the elevator, and she headed down to the Crew Deck and caught you with Liara and Garrus, both of whom were heading towards the Lounge.
"Hey guys." Kacey called.
"Hey, Kacey. We're just about to have a drink in the Lounge." Garrus said, "Want to join us?"
"Sure." Kacey replied, "I could use a drink. Especially before I have to talk to those diplomats.
"You're attending the meeting?" Liara asked.
Kacey scoffed, "I'm mediating the meeting. The Normandy is hosting the summit as am I. I don't see why the Alliance can't send an actual diplomat to participate."
"To be fair, you could pass as a diplomat." Garrus mused, "But in all seriousness, it's good that we got to the students in time."
"Agreed."
"I admit, it was odd to see an entire academy just for biotic children." Liara said, taking a glass of Thessia Red.
"Don't the asari have biotic schools?" Kacey asked.
"Every asari school includes biotic training programs." Liara explained, "It's basic education."
"Makes sense." Kacey mused, taking her glass, "All asari have some biotic capability. Human biotics aren't as common."
"So they're all shipped off to Grissom Academy's Ascension Project?" Liara asked.
"In a sense." Kacey mused, "The Ascension Project is the most well-known biotic program but Grissom Academy is for humanity's most gifted kids, not necessarily just biotics."
"Fair enough." Liara replied, "At least we got there in time."
"Agreed." Garrus mused, "Life just wouldn't have been complete if I didn't see Jack one more time. It's nice to see she's downgraded from 'dangerous lunatic' to 'mildly insane'."
Kacey choked, "Mildly insane?"
"You have to admit though, she did see through Cerberus back in the day." Garrus said.
"You and I both." Kacey mused.
…
Kacey headed towards the shuttle bay after having her chat with Garrus and Liara. Once she arrived, she found that the shuttle bay was quiet and yet, Kacey was unnerved by the recording that played throughout the area. It was Cortez's voice and another man's voice being played through the recording.
"I'm coming to get you!"
"Don't you dare! They're everywhere! You'd just get taken too!"
"I can't just sit here, doing nothing!"
"Stay with me."
"Run, get out of there! You can make it!"
"No I can't, Steve. But you can. Promise me. I love you, but I know you. Don't make me an anchor. Promise me, Steve."
"No, don't…"
Kacey didn't know what to make of it. It was difficult to listen to. She could see tears rolling down Cortez's cheeks as he stared at the screen.
"Commander. Sorry, didn't see you there." Cortez said, "This is a recording from Ferris Fields…months ago. I lost a lot of friends that day. I lost my husband. I grieved. Said goodbye, made my peace…"
Clearly he hadn't; he was still upset by the incident. She knew that nobody could get over something like that easily. She had her own demons that would never go away. Especially with the Collectors. Kacey wondered if Cortez knew what became of those who were taken by the Collectors; she hoped with all she had that he didn't know. He didn't need that thought in his head. That sight. Nobody should.
"You were talking to him when the Collectors hit?" Kacey asked.
"I was organising construction at a remote station a few clicks south of the main colony." Cortez recalled, "Robert managed to get outside of the field the Collectors put up. Instead of running, he called me."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Kacey replied sympathetically, "He obviously cared a lot about you."
"He was afraid I wouldn't let go." Cortez continued, "But for him, I moved on…or at least I thought I had. Then the invasion hits. There's no time. And the one thing I grab is this? I mean, what's the point of moving on with your life when everything is going to hell?"
A good question; she often thought about that herself. It was something that she thought about after the Blitz, after the Citadel, after the Collector base. They were intrusive thoughts, ones that wouldn't go away. Kacey wished she had an answer for Cortez but…
"Start talking that way and we've already lost."
But she couldn't. Not really. Not when she was a wreck herself. She had to inspire and motivate her crew, not let the doubt and dread sink in.
"Yeah you're right." Cortez mused, "But, well…to be honest, I've never felt as alone as I do right now."
"You're not alone, Steve. I'm here, anytime you need me." Kacey said.
But who is there for you?
"I appreciate that, Shepard. I really do." Cortez replied, "But don't worry, Commander. When I'm in that pilot seat, I'm there 100%. I won't fail you. It's just the down time between missions that's hard, you know?"
"I know."
Too well.
She knew it well; she could stay focused even in the most stressful of situations. There were no doubts, no distractions, no hesitation. But the moment the shooting stopped, the moment she stepped foot outside the battlefield, it all came crashing down. It was hard to forget what happened on the battlefield. She knew that well.
…
When Kacey returned to the CIC, Traynor told Kacey that she had a message on her terminal. She quickly looked through the terminal and read the email; it was Miranda, asking to meet at the Normandy's docking bay on the Citadel. She was curious about what the former Cerberus operative wanted.
She then went towards the bridge, and Joker turned and sneaked a glance at Kacey before turning to face the front of the ship.
"So, Jack's an instructor?" Joker said amused, "Guess anyone who messes with biotic kids get turned into a small stain on the floor. And the ceiling. Oooh and that was Cerberus attacking the academy. Man, that must have been like Christmas for her!"
"Well, she did seem happy to wipe the floor with them." Kacey mused.
"Anyway, nice job on getting them out of there."
"They were throwing some impressive biotic power." Kacey added.
"Good. We could use more heavy hitters in the biotic department." Joker mused, "Especially since Kaidan's out of commission. Not to mention, biotics face a lot of discrimination. Maybe if they save the galaxy, people will get over their issues."
"I didn't expect you to be sensitive about that."
"Hey, I'm just tired of them stealing the spotlight from people with actual disabilities. I break ribs if I sneeze too hard. Being able to move crap with your mind is not a handicap." Joker mused with a sly smirk, "And besides, I know how you feel about biotics."
Kacey slapped the side of his head lightly, "You're an asshole."
"And it is so, so funny to watch you try to hide your affection for Kaidan." Joker snickered.
Kacey rolled her eyes; of course Joker would crack a joke at her expense about her relationship with Kaidan. She still remembered when Joker discovered her relationship with Kaidan back on the Normandy SR-1, and how much she was tempted to wipe the floor with him.
"Oh I can't believe this! You and Kaidan?! Hahaha!"
"Joker, that's not even funny."
"No but seriously. You, a wild and reckless commander, with a straight-laced lieutenant? I didn't think he was your type, Shepard."
"Joker, I swear to God—"
"I never thought I'd see the day Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko breaks the rules! Especially by sleeping with his CO!"
"You are truly insufferable, Joker."
"Love you too, Commander. Not as much as Kaidan of course!"
Joker was always an wiseass; it was part of his charm and yet Kacey found it to be intolerable at times, mainly when it was about her relationship with Kaidan.
"Almost as much as the rumours I heard about how you two got the Normandy out of dry dock." Kacey mused.
"Hey, EDI got crafty. You do not want to get on her bad side, Commander." Joker smirked.
"What happened?"
"When the Alliance commandeered the Normandy, I deceived their technicians." EDI explained, "The crew did not tell them that I was a true AI, so the Alliance soldiers believed I still had VI programming constraints. I established the fiction that I would only respond to Jeff's commands, so they often brought him on under guard."
"Back up. You got to leave your cell but I got stuck in a locked living suite for six months?" Kacey asked, "Also, EDI, you can lie?"
"Jeff has freed me of operator control, Shepard." EDI explained, "No constraints force me to give accurate data. This proved useful when the Reapers began landing. I could hack the control of the docking clamps and escape with Jeff inside. The soldiers guarding Jeff were willing to accompany us when Earth was invaded. They are watching over the War Room now."
"Yeah we were in kind of a rush to get to you." Joker mused, "Didn't seem right to just toss them out the airlock."
"That explains a lot." Kacey mused, "How long until we get to the diplomats ships?"
"A couple of hours, two maybe three hours tops." Joker mused.
"Right. Time to get ready for all of this shit." Kacey sighed as she made her way to the Captain's Cabin to get ready for the summit, hoping that it would go smoothly. Although, knowing her luck and the participants' history of bad blood, this summit was going to be anything other than boring.