Book 2, Chapter 4 -- Citadel
*****
I honestly thought our ship would have been fired upon immediately after exiting the relay, the giant space station known as the Citadel lying off in the distance. But the Illusive Man must have used his connections, as although we couldn't use Alliance shipping lanes and docks, we were allowed to proceed along civilian shipping lanes, eventually docking in an area of the Citadel I certainly wasn't used to.
Once the ship docked, Miranda approached me with a datapad on which there was the rota of staff who would remain on the ship, the rest being given time off the ship. Very few had a chance or had wanted to leave the ship on Omega, and since I didn't know how long we'd be on the Citadel, I figured a few hours for most people wouldn't do any harm.
So the crew were now anxiously waiting to leave the ship as it docked, hearing the pressure equalise and the door ping to let us know it was now safe to leave. "Do I have to stand here and give you all a speech about behaving?"
"No, sir," was the immediate reply.
"I am aware of the organisation we are all here representing in one capacity or another. No matter what your core beliefs, be aware that Cerberus is not popular in these parts. So try not to draw attention to yourselves. It would be best if you avoided wearing any clothing with the symbol, though it is your choice as to following that advice or not. Other than that, the rota has been sent out and you know when your shifts are. Otherwise, you are free to come and go as you please, but be ready to depart at a moment's notice in case something goes wrong. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Okay. Then enjoy your shore leave. Try not to come back bloodied, bruised or blind drunk."
I stepped to the side as the crew walked off in pairs or small groups. Zaeed was still dressed in his armour, suggesting he'd take a look around, as he'd only ever transited via the Citadel, never stopping for longer than a couple of hours. Miranda would remain on the ship, so Jacob was taking the opportunity to get off the ship, taking my advice by wearing casual clothing. As for Garrus, he would be joining me in heading to see whoever would be willing to see me. I wasn't hopeful but I figured having an ally who had been at my side while taking down Saren couldn't hurt.
"Well, at least they let us dock," he stated as we walked away from the ship.
"I was still expecting to be blown out of the sky. I mean, the ship's got a massive Cerberus logo on it. Someone, that someone being the Illusive Man, has definitely pulled some strings, spread a little influence."
"Or they've heard you're back and want to hear your side of the story?"
"Or I'm walking into a trap, I'll be arrested, interrogated, and the Collectors will continue to do as they please until someone finally listens to me."
Heading into the embassy area, somewhere more familiar than the docks where we had landed, there were small signs of the carnage that had taken place two years ago but there was no real surprise to see the Presidium and the Citadel Tower had been repaired first. I'd noticed on the flight in the reconstruction taking place along the Wards. Guess that was always going to take time, but still, no surprise the Council would focus on themselves first.
The receptionist was definitely taken aback when looking up from her screen to see me standing in front of her. Asking who was in the Alliance embassy, she said Captain Anderson was in though Councillor Udina was not at his desk. "That's fine, I'll speak with Anderson for now."
"I'll let him know you're coming."
"Oh, I'm sure he already knows I'm here."
Walking into Udina's office, whether it was still the one he used, Anderson was wearing Alliance blues, and I could see the Council had already convened, noticing the turian, asari and salarian councillors, or their holographic forms anyway. Anderson turned and actually seemed pleased to see me. "Shepard, good to see you!"
I'd always respected the man, and though there wasn't a salute, he offered his hand, which I accepted. "It's been a while. sir. I hope you're doing alright."
"There have been some rough spots, but it's good to have you back."
The Council wasted no time getting down to grilling me. No surprise there. Councillor Valern was the first to turn the screw. "We've heard many rumours surrounding your unexpected return. Some of them are... unsettling."
"We called this meeting as soon as your ship arrived through the relay, so you could explain your actions, Shepard," Councillor Tevos added, "We owe you that much. After all, you saved our lives in the battle against Saren and his geth."
I sighed immediately, sharing a glance with Garrus, who shrugged his shoulders helplessly, as if to say 'I told you so'. As for Anderson, he didn't look my way, so I looked back at the Council. "So what I've been told was true. Look, you know, I know, Saren wasn't the one commanding the geth. It was the Reaper, Sovereign."
"Ah, yes. Reapers," Councillor Sparatus status, mocking me with air quotes, "The immortal race of sentient starships allegedly waiting in dark space. We have dismissed that claim."
"How can you dismiss a claim when parts of the Reaper landed all across the fucking Presidium?" I retorted.
"Shepard, no-one else encountered the hologram on Ilos that told you the truth about the Reapers," Anderson stated, "Only you and your crew every spoke with Sovereign. I believe you, but without evidence from another source, the others think Saren was behind the geth attacks."
"Have you even spoken to Liara T'Soni about all of this?" I asked all of them, "Unless you think she was full of shit as well. Or how about Urdnot Wrex? Even Garrus here could have told you all about the Reapers. Are you calling them liars are well? Or insane? Trust me, I've heard the stories."
"The Reapers are a myth, Shepard," Sparatus retorted, "One that you and your followers keep perpetuating."
"Has anyone even investigated the millions of bits of Sovereign that fell onto the Presidium? You cannot honestly believe it's a geth creation?!"
"We do not believe it is anything except exactly that," Valern replied.
It was like talking to a brick wall. In fact, worse than that, it was like speaking to Saren. I almost believe for a moment that the fools had been indoctrinated themselves. The evidence had been as clear as day. Anyone who thought Sovereign was anything but a Reaper was deluded.
"The geth are capable of remarkable technological achievements, Shepard. This is probably why Saren recruited them," Tevos added.
Then Sparatus came at me hard. "This Reaper theory proves just how fragile our mental state is. You have been manipulated, by Cerberus and before them, by Saren."
"Fuck you, Councillor. I kept Saren from conquering the Citadel and the Reapers from flooding through and destroying the galaxy. I sacrificed human lives to save your sorry arses. I should have just let them burn this whole sorry place to the fucking ground. Morons, absolute fucking morons. You know what? I'm done here."
I was about ready to go when Tevos then issued a veiled threat. "We are in a difficult position, Shepard. You are working for Cerberus, an avowed enemy of the Council. That is treason, a capital offence."
