Mass Effect - a Hero Rises

Book 3, Chapter 3 - Stab in the Back

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A/N - Going to be honest. I think 'Book 3' is going to be the smuttiest part of this yet. Obviously, while the overarching plot is important, I've had Shepard sowing his wild oats across the galaxy to an even greater degree than Books 1 and 2. In future chapters, the plot barely moves as I focus on the smuttier aspects. You might enjoy it, and I hope you do. If not, well, you've read this far so I would assume it would be expected!

*****

I found Emily alive, waiting for me near Commander Bailey's office, the offices of each councillor nearby. I was delaying meeting Udina for as long as possible. The fact I was going to have to rely on the bastard didn't sit easily.

She met me as soon as I stepped off the elevator, finding myself wrapped in the arms of a woman quite a bit smaller than myself, but it was good to see her. "I'm not going to lie and say it's not great to see you alive, Shepard," she whispered.

"You and me both, Emily."

"I've been waiting for you. Guess you've been busy?"

"Not sure where to start, to be honest. It's a mess already. Why are you waiting for me?"

"Two reasons. One, I wanted to see you alive. Two, I've had an idea. It's been forming for quite a while now." Taking my hand, she led me to a row of seats nearby, taking a seat and turning towards me. She looked rather pensive before starting. "This is going to be total war, Shepard. Each species is going to be throwing everything at it. In addition to that, there needs to be information and, for want of a better word, propaganda. So I was wondering if you'd like me on board?"

"Yes."

She blinked a few times in surprise. "Just like that?"

"There are benefits to you joining. Professionally, you will have access to information immediately so you can spread it around the galaxy. You will be a front line war correspondent. Personally, you can join Kelly and I from time to time. We'll find a room for you and I might just have to visit you alone too."

"Guess we're going to need that sort of distraction with the galaxy falling apart," she muttered.

"Aye, that's true. But the professional benefits are also clear. So, grab what you need and I'll find somewhere you can bunk on the ship."

"Not in your cabin?"

I met her eyes as the smirk formed on her face. "Kelly is with me. While two women all the time would be quite a lot of fun, I'm not sure what she'd think about it."

"Maybe just the occasional visit then?"

"Well, I'd hope so if you're on the ship, Miss Wong."

She leaned over and kissed my cheek. "I'll go grab my things. Send me the details of where your ship is."

"I'll send everything you'll need straight away. Guards on the door will know who you are."

I watched her walk away, Emily looking back and smiling, as I headed off, first dropping in to speak to Bailey. Liara had spoken to him as I'd followed Ashley straight to the hospital, so I figured getting to know the situation on the Citadel would be a good idea. We'd done each other a couple of favours in the recent past. We were not friends by any stretch of the imagination, but I think there was trust, at least.

"Have you heard much about Earth?" he asked.

"No, I've been out of the loop since escaping. Hackett has told me what he could, but news is obviously sparse as it's all just started."

"The feeds were cut, not sure if by the Alliance or the Reapers. But Sol is now cut-off. The Alliance have issues the order that no shipping is to pass through. There is a small force patrolling, who will simply issue the alarm if the Reapers come through, but from reports landing on my desk, the Reapers are focused on Earth, while mopping up any smaller settlements around the system."

"What about colony worlds?"

"A few have been hit, here and there. Have you heard about Arcturus?" I shook my head. "Gone. Udina knows. It might explain his silence during your meeting, no doubt still taking it in."

"Think I was too hard on him?"

That made him smirk. "He's a snake, but he's the councillor, and considering what humanity now faces, he's perhaps the most powerful human in the galaxy. Guess you will need each other going forward."

I managed to hold back the groan at the idea of constant meetings with him. "I'll let you get on with your day, Bailey. I'm sure you're going to be busy enough over the next few months."

"You're right about that. But don't be a stranger, Shepard. I'll put this in language you'll understand. Scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

I nodded my understanding as I walked out the door and headed to the offices of the four councillors. The door leading into Councillor Udina was closed, though I figured he was waiting for me. I looked at the door for Valern, but didn't want to waste my time speaking to the salarian. As for Sparatus... I actually didn't blame him. If Palaven was getting smashed, he wasn't going to sacrifice his fleets to take back Earth if his own homeworld was burning.

So I headed to see Councillor Tevos. I didn't even knock, thankful the door was open, as I burst in. She was in the middle of discussions with two of her subordinates. As soon as she saw me, and no doubt my face, she dismissed them, rounding her desk as I stepped forward. As soon as I heard the doors close, she said, "Let me explain, Shepard."

"Explain?" I growled, "I saved all of you three years ago. Sacrificed human lives to do it. I'm then killed in the line of action, promptly forgotten, return two years later, treated almost like a criminal the entire time. Now my homeworld is getting battered and the most you can do is suggest that we're an unwitting sacrifice while you can do whatever the fuck you can do. You'd better fucking explain, Councillor."

What came next was unexpected.

She hugged me. I didn't really know what to do, my arms hanging loose at my side, feeling her give me a little squeeze. "I'm sorry, Shepard. I really am. But you have to understand. We can't just throw everything we have now at Earth. Not right away. We need to secure everything we need first, Shepard. Supplies. Credits. Munitions. Fleets. A force to fight them."

"My homeworld is burning already, Councillor. Are they on Thessia yet?"

"No."

"Then understand my frustration and anger, at the very least."

She leaned back and met my eyes. I think we'd only ever been together in the same small room a handful of times, at most. Perhaps the first time we'd ever been in a room alone. Up close, she was fucking gorgeous. Her eyes were stunning. I really liked the faint markings on her face. Her body still moulded into mine. I placed a hand on her back and walked her back until she was pressed against her desk, my other hand circling her and running down her back, watching a slight smirk form. "Shepard..."

"Do you understand, Councillor?"

"Ariana."

"Huh?"

"My name is Ariana, Shepard. If we're going to be alone like this..." She raised a hand to my chest, ensuring I met her eyes. "Yes, I understand, Shepard. Completely. You've been through a lot since the day you were made a Spectre. You alone have sacrificed everything for our protection. I can assure you I have appreciated everything you have done for me."

"Yet I'm repaid..."

"Speak to Udina. After that, speak to Sparatus." I raised an eyebrow. "I can't give you what you need right now, Shepard. But I'm only one species of four of the Council."

"Okay, I'll go speak with them."

I didn't move exactly as I was enjoying her body pressed into mine. No idea how old she was. I figured in her matron phase. I'd found her attractive from the first time I'd seen her. I reckon she'd known that as well and used it to her advantage. We must have stood there for at least thirty seconds in silence before I took the chance and just kissed her. I think the anger helped as I was rather forceful. But she definitely replied, and it didn't take long until I helped her sit up on her desk, pulling her into me. When she felt the fact I was rather hard, I felt her smile before breaking the kiss. "I thought you were angry with me, Shepard?" she asked quietly.

"Oh, trust me, this would lead to some rather angry sex if we'd established that sort of relationship."

"Be honest. You've always been attracted, yes?"

"I think I've been fairly obvious whenever we've talked."

"I have no doubt you'll be a visitor here quite often, Shepard. If you want to visit me when you do..." She paused before lowering her voice, "Can I admit something?"

"Sure."

"The attraction is returned." I raised my eyebrows, as I didn't think she'd either admit it, or wouldn't return the attraction. "I've never been with a human before."

"I assume you know about my personal life?" She nodded. "And that doesn't bother you?"

"Shepard, you almost have a harem of beautiful women as lovers. If anything, that only makes you more desirable as a partner."

"I'm sure I won't be on the Citadel for too long right now. Next time, I'll visit you privately. I'll take you out for dinner and drinks, and we'll see if there is actually a spark between us."

"Something to look forward to considering everything already."

"I will ask only once, Ariana. You are serious?" She nodded eagerly. "Okay." And I kissed her again. She responded immediately, feeling her hands on my back, her body moving forward into mine, almost giggling as my erection pressed into her. She might not have been with a human, but it's possible she'd been with a turian before, so a male might not be completely alien.

I figured I should probably break off before I started to get other ideas. Thankfully, she recognised what I was doing, though I couldn't help smile at the fact her cheeks had coloured. "See you soon, Shepard?"

"Aye. I have a feeling I won't be a stranger."

"Good luck with whatever comes next."

"Thanks. I'll see you soon... Ariana."

Udina was waiting for me, no doubt wondering why I'd been so delayed, but after exchanging somewhat strained pleasantries, he informed me of certain details. Arcturus destroyed. Two entire fleets wiped out in minutes. Earth was now completely cut-off. Other colony worlds had seen minor incurions, though Reaper focus seemed to be primarily on the homeworld of the humans and turians. The Reapers had yet to make a move against any other species, though the batarians had already been decimated, as the Reapers had moved through their region of space on their way to Earth.

I wasn't going to cry any tears over their demise. Even after all these years, I still hadn't forgiven them for Annie. Never would. I wouldn't forgive them for Elysium, and all the other shit they'd pulled, like I wouldn't forgive the geth for Eden Prime and all the other crimes they'd committed. And I'm not even quarian, and I have a fairly good idea how much they hate the flashlight headed bastards.

Udina made a whole bunch of promises I didn't believe he'd keep, but that wasn't important. I'd departed Earth with minimum staff so he made sure I would have a full complement by the time I left the Citadel. He wasn't particularly complimentary of his colleagues on the Council but understood the fact they were terrified. I wanted to retort 'If they'd listened to me three years ago...' but it would have been wasted words and breath.

I was just about ready to leave, though to go god only knew where, when Sparatus walked into the room. Considering Tevos has suggested I speak to him, I figured he was there for a reason. And he wasted no time offering an olive branch of hope.

"I can't give you what you want, Shepard, but I might be able to give you what you need. You're aware of the situation around Palaven?"

"The basics, Councillor."

"I'm not sure of the force that hit Earth, but Palaven is under full attacks. The Reapers are an enemy we have never faced before. What we need is a war council, a meeting of the species to organise our resistance. And the turian you need to be our voice is Primarch Fedorian. You will find him on our largest moon of Menae. You find the Primarch and you'll get help for Earth."

"It's better than leaving with nothing, Councillor. Thank you."

"In addition, we'll re-instate your Spectre authorisation. You now have free reign to operate how you want across the galaxy, within reason. I'm not sure what Anderson told you, but the turians have been preparing. Far too late in all likelihood, but we're likely in a better position than anyone else except yourselves."

"Thanks, Councillor. At least I have a mission and a modicum of hope."

He offered his hand and I was polite enough to accept it. "Good luck, Commander."

I bid Udina goodbye and headed back out into the chaos. While on the way back to the elevator, I ran into Khalisah al-Jalani. I'd been interviewed by her a few times. She was tabloid journalism personified, though recognised it as someone just doing their job. She'd tried to railroad me a couple of times but I never took offence. More often than not, I'd come out as the 'victor' in our little battles.

This time, she tried it on both barrels, enough I almost gave her one hell of a deserved slap. But I knew enough about body language, and her tone of voice was all wrong. What I didn't expect was her to collapse against the wall behind her in floods of tears, murmuring about the feeds she'd seen, the death and destruction, the lack of hope that already existed. I crouched in front of her, lifting her chin with a finger. "Who am I?"

"Commander Shepard."

"And what does Commander Shepard do?" She shrugged. "He gets shit done. Sure, this is nothing like Saren, Sovereign, and his geth. This isn't like the Collectors. But I'm two for two right now, and I plan on making it a hat-trick. It's going to be the hardest fight of all our lives, but I don't plan on letting these fuckers win."

She stared at me in silence for a few seconds before she smiled. That made me smile as I stood tall, offering my hand to help me up. "How do you remain so confident?" she asked.

"I have to be. If we lose this, it's all over. So we're going to win. That will be my only thought. And I will do anything I can to ensure our victory."

She wiped her eyes and chuckled. "Shit, Commander, you even have me convinced right now."

"Good. So do you know what you do, Khalisah? Keep doing your job. Miss Wong is currently on board my ship, where she will be reporting from the front lines. Can I ask a favour?"

"Name it."

"Keep the pressure up on the Council. Make sure Earth is not forgotten. I have a mission right now to get help, but we're going to need every species to come together to make this work. It's going to take time, so I'm going to gather every ally and asset I can manage to assist in this war. Can you do that for me?"

"I'll camp outside their offices if necessary."

"Good. Though Miss Wong will have first access, I'll make sure I throw a few bones your way as well, particularly if it helps get assistance for whatever I end up trying to build."

"Thank you, Shepard. Guess I've had you picked wrong."

"Not entirely. I can be a right bastard if I want to be, but only to people who deserve it. Keep the good fight going, Khalisah. We'll win the end."

She smiled. First genuine one I'd ever seen. "You know, I can almost believe it when you say it."

"Good. The more believers we have in the cause, the better. Now I have to run. Primarch to rescue, summit to convene."

"Hope?"

"There's always hope, Khalisah."

Heading through the Presidium, you would never have thought that the Reapers had arrived and that two homeworlds of the Council were currently under attack. I should have felt angry but all I could do was shake my head, feeling rather bitter about it. I received a message from Liara that the

Normandy

was in the middle of being re-supplied and that staff had already started to arrive. She added that, since Miranda was no longer on the ship, could she take over her old office and set up her network? It was a bloody good idea, agreeing to it immediately.

I needed a drink so headed to one of the Wards, finding a pub where I could wet my whistle. Watching the news wasn't all bad. Of course, the attacks of Palaven and Earth were the main news items, but it seemed people still worried about things which simply didn't matter any longer, not until the Reapers were defeated. But, I guess for the time being, people wanted to feel a sense of normality.

Enjoying a couple of drinks, I paid the tab and headed out, catching a cab to the nearest rank of my ship. It was quite busy in the docks, plenty of soldiers coming and going, and I noticed more than one warship next to the

Normandy

, generally those of the Alliance or the Hierarchy.

There was a guard to either side of the docking bay door. They were not members of my craft, simply Citadel Security, though they were fed all the details of my crew so they could check for the right credentials. Not that I figured we'd ever have a stowaway, but it was possible some fool would try and attack the ship. Couldn't count for the idiocy of the average person.

"Is Miss Wong aboard?"

"Yes, sir."

"Am I the last to return?"

He checked something on his omni-tool, I assumed the list of crew. He finally nodded. "Yes, sir. All crew now accounted for, including the list of new crew members."

"Good. I'll send word to Citadel transport when we're ready to depart."

"At your order, sir. And good luck."

"Thanks. We're going to need it."

The ship was still being organised as I strode into the CIC. My new office was in the middle of being assembled, Traynor to one side, Kelly to the other of the galaxy map. The CIC was certainly busier than we'd left Earth or Mars, and I figured it would be the same below. I had EDI call all staff up the CIC, figuring I'd talk to everyone before actually departing. Joker could just listen in from the cockpit. Once everyone was in front of me, recognising a few people, I let them know the score.

"You all recognise me at least?" There were a few chuckles but everyone seemed to nod. "Good. So, I'm sure you might know a little about what's happened in the past couple of days, and regarding me personally, perhaps ever since I became a Spectre. I'll put things plainly so we all know where we stand and the issue can be laid to rest immediately.

Yes, I worked alongside Cerberus to take down the Collector threat. No, I am not with them now. Yes, I had the support of certain people within the Alliance during my time with them. They knew I would get the job done with a minimum of fuss. Yes, I was responsible for the destruction of an entire system. It prevented the arrival of the Reapers six months ago. Yes, I have been under house arrest since handing myself in. No, I have never stood trial as those certain people made sure I did not.

Now, the current situation. Admiral Anderson leads the resistance on Earth. However, nearly all communication links have been cut with Earth. For the moment, the Sol System is cut off. The Normandy and its crew has been tasked with building alliances. We cannot fight the Reapers in small attacks. It must be one grand, all or nothing battle. In addition to that, there is a weapon that might possibly turn the tide of war. Admiral Hackett and the best scientists in the Alliance are currently looking over its design and seeing how it work.

At the moment, the Council will not be assisting in our efforts, focusing on their own issues instead. So, for the moment, humanity forges ahead alone. However, we will now be heading towards Palaven. They have also been attacked by the Reapers. Our objective is to retrieve Primarch Fedorian to host a summit of all species in an effort to establish a plan in regards to the Reaper threat.

Those are the basics for the time being. Some faces I recognise in front of me. Others I don't. Between here and Palaven, I will wander around, introduce myself, and get to know you. My expectations are what you would expect. You work hard, maintain discipline, but I do not watch over your shoulder. Mistakes happen, though keep those to an absolute minimum. Never be afraid of approaching me with an idea. I don't have an XO at the moment, but if you need some of my time, please approach Specialist Traynor or Yeoman Chambers. They can also assist. Any questions?"