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In Constant Session

Location: Serpent Nebula / Widow System / Citadel / Presidium / Presidium Docks - Bay D24

True to his word, ten minutes later found Joker bringing the Normandy into her assigned berth, the docking clamps of Bay D-24 securing the frigate before the boarding tube extended to the ship’s airlock. The waiting trauma team wasted no time in collecting Ashley from the med bay and were gone before Shepard could ask them any questions about her diagnoses.

When the Spectre stepped out of the docking bay, a familiar face was approaching the docked frigate.

“Commander Shepard,” the auburn-haired human male greeted Shepard as Liara and Vega pulled up behind their CO. “Got word that you were arriving.”

“Captain Bailey.” Shepard offered his hand to the C-Sec officer that he'd met down in Zakara Ward last year. “Good to see you again.”

The two men shook hands before Bailey stepped back.

“Likewise to you. Though it’s ‘Commander’ now.”

“Congratulations?” Shepard offered tentatively, Bailey's tone-of-voice suggesting that he was not at all thrilled with his promotion.

Bailey made a sound before responding, “Thanks, but I'd rather be down on the streets with my men then up here dealing with all the stuffed shirts.”

“If you didn't want to be upped, why'd you accept?”

“Because you don't say 'no' to Councillor Udina. Well, maybe you would, but me? When I've got to live here? Not likely. So now half my job is dealing with political bullshit and escorting dignitaries around. Ah, no offence,” the C-Sec commander held up his hands in placating manor. The two men had come to greatly respect one another since they'd first met.

“None taken. So, you're here to take us to the Council?”

“I'm here to tell you that the Council is expecting you, but they're currently dealing with their own problems and that they're sorry for the inconvenience and so on and so forth. You'll need to head up to the Presidium and seek an audience with them at the Council Chambers.”

“Alright. Thanks, Bailey.”

“Anytime.” As Bailey made a move to leave, a radio transmission came to his cochlear implant. “Commander?”

Bailey paused, raising a hand to his ear. “I copy, Sergeant Haron. Go ahead.”

“You're needed at the Council Chambers, sir. A situation is developing.”

Bailey heaved a sigh. “I'm on my way.”

“Trouble?” Shepard questioned as Bailey lowered his hand.

“The other half of my job,” the C-Sec officer responded as he turned and strode away. “See you around, Shepard.” Bailey called back over his shoulder.

“No doubt.” Shepard responded before turning back to his companions, specifically Liara. “I need to sort out my reinstatement before I do anything else. Can you head up to the Presidium and get things started with the Council?”

“Of course. Are you going to check on Ashley?”

“Not yet. Meeting with the Council is our top priority. Besides, the medics will need time to get Ash out of her armour and stabilise her condition. I'd only be getting in their way if I go now. Not to mention that meeting with the Alliance officials will probably take up all my time until the Council's ready to see us.”

“I'll see you there then.” Liara responded as she moved off towards the elevator.

“And what about you, James?” The Spectre queried as he looked to the younger man. “Going to explore?”

“Nah. Esteban will be here in a minute, I'm going to give him a hand.”

“Alright.” Shepard turned and strode away. “Don't get into any trouble.”

“You wound me, Loco. You're the trouble-maker out of the two of us!” Vega shot back as the Spectre entered the elevator.

“Keep telling yourself that enough times, James, and it might just come true.”

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Location: Serpent Nebula / Widow System / Citadel / Presidium / Systems Alliance headquarters

True to his assumptions, Shepard's meetings with the Alliance officials took a fair while. As Joker had said en route to the Citadel, the orders returning him to active command of the Normandy had not reached the station, so his legal and military status was unclear. It was only when they contacted Hackett over the QEC and heard the order straight from the admiral's lips did they become willing to confirm Shepard's command. Once that was settled, the Spectre took the opportunity to request assignment of high-grade provisions, crew and equipment to the Normandy, preparing the ship for long-term deployment before leaving and catching a cab to the Citadel Tower.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Location: Serpent Nebula / Widow System / Citadel / Presidium / Presidium Docks - Bay D24

As Shepard was just leaving Alliance HQ, Miranda - clad in an Alliance BDU - was approaching the docked Normandy.

Once the Canrum had docked and Feron had left to see to his task, Miranda had remained on the ship until Liara had sent her the Normandy’s location. She’d been a little surprised to see that they were docked at the Presidium docks instead of the Alliance’s. ‘Xavier must have had to use his Spectre status for some reason.’

Leaving the commercial port, it hadn’t taken her long to get to the Normandy, taking in the frigate’s new paint job as she neared the observation deck.

The Alliance hadn’t wasted any time in putting its mark on and re-establishing its ownership of the vessel, but Miranda was glad to see the ship again. She’d never been a sentimental person, but she’d found herself missing the frigate – and her captain – while she’d been on the run during the past six months.

“Ma’am, I can’t say when we’re deploying, or when, or why,” a frustrated voice reached her ears and Miranda turned to see a young man in Alliance fatigues being harried by a news reporter in the dock’s passenger lounge.

“But you’re on the Normandy, right? I saw it dock. The last time the Normandy was seen was on Earth. Which begs the question; did Commander Shepard escape?”

“Ma’am, I can’t answer that.”

“He did, didn’t he?” the reporter pressed. “So why would he be here unless he’s meeting with the Council?”

Leaving the crewman to deal with the reporter, Miranda adjusted her outfit one last time before turning and striding for the boarding tube.

‘It’s show time. I just hope that Joker, or anyone else who might recognise me, aren’t on the ship.’

Miranda had just entered the CIC and was taking in the retrofits when a young woman approached her.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Commander Shepard.”

“And you are?”

“Lieutenant Commander Miranda Lawson. I’ve been assigned to the Normandy as Shepard’s executive officer.”

“I wasn’t aware that the Commander was getting a new XO.”

“I can vouch for Commander Lawson, Specialist.” EDI chimed into the conversation. “Shepard has just put in a request to Alliance officials on the station for the provisions that Mess Sergeant Gardner requested as well as equipment and the remainder of the Normandy’s crew compliment, including an executive officer.”

“I apologise, ma’am.” Traynor snapped to attention. “Comm Specialist Samantha Traynor, reporting in. I’m the Normandy’s communications specialist.”

“At ease, Specialist. Do you have any idea when the Commander will be returning?”

Traynor shook her head. “I’m afraid not, ma’am. He was headed to speak with the Council.”

“I’ll wait for him then. Are there any quarters for the executive officer?”

“There are. But I’m afraid that one of the crew has already claimed it.”

“Who has, may I ask?”

“Dr. T’Soni. But I’m afraid asking her to leave isn’t possible; she’s in the process of setting up some hardware in the room that she needs on the ship in order to aid the Commander.”

“That’s fine. I’ll discuss things with Shepard when he returns. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Aye aye, ma’am.” Traynor returned to her terminal.

Entering the elevator, Miranda selected the captain’s quarters as her destination. “Thank you for that, EDI.”

“It was my pleasure, Executive Lawson. I believe that the Commander will be very pleased to see you.”

‘Now to contact Ori.’

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Location: Serpent Nebula / Widow System / Citadel / Presidium / Citadel Tower / Council Chambers

As Shepard entered the atrium, he immediately spotted the situation that Bailey had come to deal with.

Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani

Bailey and the news reporter were in a stand-off as the C-Sec commander and several of his men blocked her from getting further into the Council Chambers. And judging by her raised voice, she wasn’t very happy about it.

As Shepard approached the group, he heard Bailey calmly respond to al-Jilani’s rant. “There is no anti-humanity conspiracy here, Miss al-Jilani. The Council is simply not granting interviews at this time.”

“My viewers are going to know that C-Sec and the Council are denying them access.”

“Listen, lady. You think I like playing gatekeeper between the paparazzi and the politicians?” Baily questioned, as he neared the end of his tolerance regarding the pushy reporter. “I don’t have time to babysit them when I’ve got a whole station to police and I’m not here to hold your hand.”

“Then I’m going to camp out until I’m granted an audience!”

“Fine.” Bailey responded before adding, “I hope you brought a sleeping bag.”

The news reporter just stared at him for a moment before turning and storming off.

And then she caught sight of Shepard as he stood propped against a cherry-blossom tree observing they group.

‘Ah, hell. Here comes round three,’ The Spectre realized as al-Jilani stalked towards him, her expression intent. ‘My fault for hanging around to watch the show instead of keeping on track. Curiosity really does kill the cat.’

“Commander Shepard.”

“Miss al-Jilani.” The Spectre returned the greeting. “How can I be of service?”

“The people of the Alliance have questions, Commander.”

“And I’ll do my best to answer them.”

Typing a command into her Omni-tool, the reporter’s robotic camera rose behind her it’s light switching on as it began to tape the interview. Shepard steeled himself for what was to come.

“This is Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani reporting for Westerlund News. I’m here with Staff Commander Xavier Shepard. Commander, is it true that you were on Earth when the Reapers? If so, how can you justify running away while millions of people die? Is this the best we can expect from the Alliance?”

“The Alliance is doing everything they can to fight the Reapers and aid the citizens of Earth. But they’re vastly outnumbered and heavily outgunned. That’s why I’m here; I came to get help for Earth. For everyone.”

“And what about all the people suffering while you play politics with the Council? What about them? How can you stand here while our families die? What are you going to do?”

Shepard saw it then, what was driving the reporter’s questions.

Helpless desperation.

The same feeling that he, and no doubt every human in the galaxy, was feeling as the Reapers lay siege to the land of humanities birth and he reached out to comfort the troubled woman.

“Khalisah, we’re doing everything that we can,” the Spectre repeated his earlier line in a softer tone of voice as he rested a hand on her shoulder.

Al-Jilani’s brave face crumbled in the face of Shepard’s compassion. “Before they cut the feeds...” she trailed off. "There were so many dead,” she whispered, sounding like a little girl.

“I’m going to stop the Reapers, or die trying if I have to." The Spectre told her. "But I need help.

“What can I do?” The reporter asked as some of her old fire returned and she began to recover from her breakdown.

“Keep asking the hard questions. Don't let the Council get so wrapped up in the politics of saving their own worlds that they forget about ours. Because given half a chance, that’s exactly what they’re going to do. As my dad used to say; ‘Keep the bastards honest.’”

"Keep the bastards honest?" The reporter parroted. "I can do that, Commander. No problems."

"Good to hear," Shepard stated as he stepped back. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I've got a meeting to get to."

As Shepard turned to walk away, al-Jilani called out to him. "One more thing, Commander."

The Spectre turned back to look at her.

"I know that you and I haven't exactly seen eye to eye over the years." Shepard could only smirk at that and the reporter chuckled in response to his unspoken 'that's putting it mildly' before continuing, "But I'm glad that you’re on our side. Humanity couldn't have a better advocate and champion leading us through this nightmare."

"Thanks, Khalisah. Coming from you, that means a lot."

With a final nod, the news reporter turned and strode for the elevator her camera trailing after her. Once she was gone, Shepard made his way over to a still present Bailey.

“See you’re keeping the peace.” Bailey commented as the Spectre approached him.

“Likewise to you.”

“Thanks for getting rid of her. Damn press. I feel like a glorified doorman.”

“Hate to tell you, but she’s not gone for good. Just for now.”

Bailey sighed. “Thought you might say something like that.”

“Apologies. I’m not trying to make your job harder, Bailey.” The Spectre stated contritely. “Believe me; I know what a pest she can be. But someone’s got to keep tabs on the Council and keep them honest. Otherwise, they’re likely to forget about Earth amidst the politics to save their own territories.”

“I suppose you right. But I better not keep you. Your asari friend is already with the Council.”

“Thanks, Bailey. Catch you later.”

“I’ll be at the C-Sec headquarter if you need me.” Bailey called after the Spectre.

“Righto.”

Leaving the C-Sec officer, Shepard sprinted up the stairs towards the Petitioner's Stage taking in the pristine surroundings as he moved.

The last time he’d been here, the situation had been drastically different. The Spectre could still smell the acrid smoke of the burning cherry-blossoms tree as he pictured himself, and his squadmates hunkered behind cover as they attempted to punch through to the Council during Saren's initial assault on the Citadel.

Shepard wasn’t surprised to see that tower had gotten first attention with the rebuilding efforts after Sovereign had been defeated. Aside from being the Council’s seat of government, it had also seen the worst of the fighting between Shepard’s squad and Saren’s. The damage was only exacerbated when sizable fragments of Sovereign, following its destruction, had rained down upon the tower's chambers..

As the Spectre strode down the Petitioner's Stage to join Liara, he heard the turian councillor, Sparatus, address Udina.

“We’ve all got our own problems, Councillor. Earth isn’t in this alone.”

“But Earth was the first Council world that was hit. By all reports it’s facing the brunt of the Reaper’s assault.”

“By your reports,” the salarian councillor, Valern, retorted.

“The reports are accurate, Councillor,” Shepard informed Valern as he came to a stop by Liara’s side. The Spectre made a quick glance at the asari who shook her head. Things weren't going well.

Shepard focused his attention back on the council and began to speak, “I'm sure Liara has filled you in on the situation. The Reapers are here, they are attacking Earth... and this is only the beginning. We need your help. Everything you can spare.”

“Each of us faces a similar situation, Commander,” Tevos, the asari councillor, told Shepard. “Even now the Reapers are pressing on our borders. We must see to our own defenses, or face extinction. If we lend you our own strength to save Earth, our own worlds may very well fall.”

Udina stirred. “Colleagues, we must fight this enemy together.”

“And so we should just follow you to Earth?” snapped Valern. “Throw away our forces in a hopeless battle?”

Sparatus held up a hand to quell his bickering colleagues before addressing Shepard. “Even if we were to unite our fleets, do you really believe that we can defeat the Reapers?”

“I don't expect you to follow us without a plan,” Shepard told the three councillors, turning to Liara.

“Councillors, there is a possibility,” the asari started. “We have a blueprint, created by the Protheans during their war with the Reapers.”

“A blueprint for what?” Sparatus questioned.

“A device.” Liara responded as she called up the device plans for the Councillors to examine. “We're still piecing it together, but it appears to be a weapon of some sort.”

“Capable of destroying the Reapers?”

“So it would seem.”

The salarian leaned forward to inspect the images closely. “The scale... it would be a colossal undertaking.”

Shepard shook his head. “Not necessarily. We've already forwarded the plans to Admiral Hackett. The remnants of the human fleet are already gathering resources to begin construction.”

“Our initial calculations suggest the device is very feasible to build,” Liara stated, adding more data to the displays.

"If we work together." Shepard followed up.

“Have you considered that the Reapers destroyed the Protheans?” asked Tevos. “What good did this weapon do them?”

“My own research indicates that the Protheans placed a great deal of confidence in this device,” Liara informed her fellow asari. “They were convinced that it would defeat the Reapers, but they began work on its construction very late in the war. They simply ran out of time. We may have more success, if we seize the opportunity at once. There was also a missing piece. Something referred to only as ‘the Catalyst’.”

While Liara talked, Shepard watched as Sparatus suddenly raised a hand to his aural cavity as a transmission came over his private comm channel.

“Do you truly believe this can stop the Reapers?” Tevos questioned

“Liara believes it can work and so do I. And while I haven't always agreed with Udina, he's right about this. We need to stand together. Now more than ever. The Reapers won't stop at Earth. They'll destroy every trace of our civilizations if we don't find a way to stop them.”

“Spirits,” Sparatus finally spoke, the grim disbelief in evident in his voice catching the attention of everyone present.

“Councillor?” asked Tevos, turning to look at the turian.

Sparatus slowly turned back to his fellows, his predatory gaze completely glazed over. His hand fell to his side as if the nerves in that arm had been cut. “Councillors... I've just received word... Palaven is under attack. There was almost no warning. Our forces are fighting back as best they can but the enemy is more powerful than anything we've ever faced... I'm sorry. But I can't support any action at this time. I must consult with my government in more detail.” With that, the turian turned and left the podium, leaving his colleagues rendered speechless.

When they recovered, Tevos turned to Valern. Already knowing what Udina's vote would be, the salarian shook his head, casting his vote.

Shepard sighed.

2 to 1.

They were dead in the water.

Tevos looked back to Shepard and Liara. “The cruel and unfortunate truth is that while the Reapers focus on Earth, we can prepare and regroup.”

“If we can manage to secure our own space,” Valern offered, “then we may once again consider aiding you.”

“I'm sorry, Commander.” Tevos stared at Shepard, not without compassion. “For now, that is the best we can do.”

Rubbing his temples to stave off a burgeoning headache, Udina addressed the first human Spectre. “Shepard, meet me in my office.”

With that, the three remaining councillors left the stage. Shepard and Liara sombrely followed suit, not a word spoken as they made their way back to the elevator.

“That was less than ideal,” Liara was the first to speak when they entered the elevator and set it on its way back down to the Presidium.

“A bloody train wreck would be a more apt description.” Shepard responded. “But it wasn't an entirely unexpected reaction.”

“No, it wasn't.” Liara agreed.

“You heading back to the Normandy?” Shepard questioned, hoping to steer their conversation away from what had just happened and into what they were going to do now to get things rolling.

Liara nodded as they stepped back out onto the Presidium. “Feron should have the node out of storage and be on his way to the docking bay by now.”

“Then I'll let you go. When I get my business done on the station, I'll come and give you a hand.” The Spectre told her as she approached a rapid transport hub and climbed into a waiting cab.

When she noticed that Shepard wasn't following her, Liara looked back at the Spectre. “Aren't you coming?”

"No. I'll walk from here. I need to clear my head anyway. The last thing we need is for me to snap Udina's head off when he's only trying to help. For once." Shepard hadn't forgotten how Udina had betrayed them during the hunt for Saren by grounding the SR-1 and discrediting the intel about Sovereign and the Reapers that Shepard and his squad had discovered throughout their mission. Still in the aftershocks of Kaidan's death on Virmire, both he and Ashley had snapped, cursing the politician before they had left the Council Chambers.

Ever since then, Shepard had always been wary of Udina. But for the sake of Earth, he was willing to put aside old grievances and work with the politician.

“Alright, I'll see you later.”

Shepard watched as the asari closed the skycar's door and the cab lifted off before turning and heading towards the embassies at the far end of the Presidium.

“EDI?” The Spectre spoke into his comm.

“Yes, Shepard?” The AI responded via his cochlear implant.

“Can you find Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani's extranet address? I want to send her a message.”

“Right away, Commander.”

“Thanks.”

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Location: Serpent Nebula / Widow System / Citadel / Presidium / Embassies / Councillor Udina’s office

Not long after arriving in the human embassies his Omni-tool chimed with the requested e-mail address.

Shepard had just sent the reporter a message when the office door opened and Udina came striding in.

“They're a bunch of self-concerned jackasses, Shepard!” The councillor growled as he stalked past the Spectre. “We may have saved their asses when Sovereign attacked. We may have a spot on the Council. But humanity will always be considered second-rate!”

“Ashley Williams predicted this years ago, while we were fighting Saren. Said the Council would throw humanity to the wolves the first chance they got. I didn't want to agree with her at the time, but damn if she hasn't turned out to be right. How can they be so blind?”

“They're scared and they're looking out for themselves.”

“Our people are the ones that are scared, Councillor,” a flanging voice spoke up from behind the two humans, correcting Udina's statement, “and we're looking out for them the best we know how.”

Councillor Sparatus stepped down into Udina's work area, his demeanour completely changed. Gone was the shock and fear he had displayed in the Council Chambers. Now he was walking with confidence, his predator's gaze assessing Shepard and Udina.

“Councillor,” greeted Udina, his emotions now concealed under his smooth diplomat's tone.

“Commander.” The turian turned his attention to Shepard. “I've had a chance to consult with the Hierarchy. I still can't give you what you need... but I can tell you how to get it.”

“I'm listening.”

“Primarch Fedorian has proposed a war summit,” the turian explained. “He wants to meet with the leaders of the other major powers to discuss a combined effort against the Reapers. Unfortunately we lost contact with him soon after the Reapers hit Palaven. The summit won't proceed without him. We need to find him and get him clear of the fighting and the Normandy is one of the few ships that could extract the Primarch undetected.”

“So far you've only told me how I can help you, Councillor.” Shepard pointed out as he folded his arms over his chest.

“It might seem that way, Commander. But if this summit takes place, the leaders there will be the ones deciding our future. The fate of our fleets. Where they fight, and with whom. A grateful Primarch would be a tremendous ally in your bid to unite us.”

“We're at war, and you want me to play politician?”

“If it gets you what you need, what does it matter?”

Shepard made a sound of frustration but then reined in his emotions. Dropping his arms so that he didn't appear standoffish, the Spectre nodded for Sparatus to continue.

“Our latest intelligence says that he was evacuated to a base on Palaven's largest moon.” Sparatus told the first human Spectre. “It's the most heavily fortified position in Palaven orbital space. He should be able to hold out there until you can extract him.”

“We'll head there as soon as the Normandy is ready to deploy.”

“Thank you, Commander. There's just one more thing; the Council have asked me to tell you that we'll continue to uphold your Spectre status. You should now be able to access the Spectre Office and its resources without being queried.”

“Thank you, Councillor.”

Sparatus nodded his head at the two humans in respectful manner. “Good day to you both.”

With that the turian was gone.

“Well, that went well.” Shepard stated to no-one in particular.

“It's a start.” Udina agreed as he took a seat behind his desk. “I'll talk to the others in the meantime. See if we can't support this summit and move things along.”

“Then I'll leave you to it.”

As Shepard left the room, he heard Udina mutter something about jackasses and an epitaph for billions.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Author’s Notes:
Ideas and a few exerts taken from Sharrukin’s Memoirs series. Used with permission.

Ideas and a few exerts taken from LuxDragon’s Fight for the Lost, Legacy of the Shadow Broker, Zero Hour and End of an Era. Used with permission.