literature

Bullets and Scars Ch. 7

Deviation Actions

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As Shepard quickly climbed the steps she could hear Anderson talking to her.

"Udina Is already presenting the evidence to the Council."

They hurried up the last few steps, over to where the Ambassador was standing, and she could once more here the recorded voice of Saren."

"Eden Prime was a major victory."

With this, the turian would be exposed for the traitor he was. The Council wouldn't be able to deny the threat he was to the security of the galaxy, and they'd have to help them.

"The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."

"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers."

They all waited in silence for what the councilors would say. Avery could see the three aliens exchange glances with each other before the turian councilor turned to them.

"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador," he said and Shepard felt like a weight has been lifted off her chest. Finally they'd be able to stop Saren and the geth from attacking anymore of the human colonies.

"Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes."

A sigh of relief escaped her as she turned to look at her companions. Only Alenko and Tali had followed her all the way to see the Council. They'd passed Williams on the way up the stairs though, and that's where Garrus and Wrex were waiting too, well within hearing range from them.

"I recognize the other voice, the one speaking with Saren," the asari councilor said then, looking at her colleagues, "Matriarch Benezia."

"Who is she?" The words slipped Shepard's lips before she had time to give them a second thought.

"Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic, and she has many followers" the asari said, "Matriarchs are asari who has entered the final stages of their lives, and serve as mentors to my people. She will make a formidable ally for Saren."

"I am more interested in the Reapers." It was the salarian councilmember who spoke next, turning to Shepard and her companions. "What do you know about them?"

"Only what was extracted from the geth's memory core," Anderson replied, "The Reapers were an ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans. Then they vanished."

Avery gave a short nod in agreement, turning to the Council, "The geth revere the Reapers as Gods. And Saren is the prophet of their return."

"We think that the Conduit is the key to bringing them back. Saren is searching for it, and that's why he attacked Eden Prime."

"Do we even know what this Conduit is?"

"Does it matter?" she asked, "Saren thinks it can bring back the Reapers, and that's bad enough!"

"Listen to what you're saying!" the turian councilor yelled at her, at them all, "Saren wants to bring back a machine that wiped out all life in the galaxy? Impossible. It has to be!"

Shepard balled her hands into fists by her side, but kept quiet.

"Where did the Reapers go? Why did they vanish? How come we've found no evidence for their existence?"

She couldn't believe it. They had all heard what Saren and the Matriarch said! They had all heard their plans to bring back the Reapers. How could they still doubt her?

"If they were read, we'd found something!"

"Better safe than sorry!" she almost roared at him, "I tried to warn you about Saren, and you refused to see the truth!" She took a breath to calm herself a bit, "Don't make the same mistake again."

"This is different, Commander" the asari said, her voice a lot calmer than both her own, as well as the turian councilors, "You proved that Saren had betrayed the Council and we agree that he's using the geth to search for the Conduit, but we don't know why."

"But we do know why!" she burst out, "Fifty thousand years ago the Reapers wiped out all galactic civilization. If Saren finds the Conduit, it will happen again!"

The turian shook his head. "Saren is a rouge agent on the run for his life. He has no longer the rights or the resources of a Spectre."

"But he's not working alone!"

Shepard felt a hand on her arm, urging her to calm down, and she did.

"We know he's hiding somewhere in the Traverse, send in your fleet!" the ambassador shouted.

"A fleet cannot track down one man."

"A fleet could secure every colony; protect them if Saren and the geth try to attack us again!"

"Or it could trigger a war with the entire Terminus Systems."

"So you won't do anything?" she glowered as she looked at them one at a time, "Every time humanity asks for help, you just ignore us."

"Shepard is right," Udina joined in, "I'm sick of this Council and it's anti-human bulls-!"

"Ambassador," the asari interrupted before Udina could finish his sentence, "There is another solution. A way to stop Saren that doesn't require fleets or armies." She looked over to her turian colleague.

"No! It's too soon!" he argued, "Humanity is not ready for the responsibilities that come with joining the Spectres!"

"No," Shepard said, taking a step forward, "I'm ready. I faced Saren n Eden Prime, I exposed him as a traitor. I've proved that I'm ready for this."

The silence filled the great hall as the councilors exchanged looks, thoughts, debating what to do, whether to let her become a part of the Spectres or not.

"Commander Shepard."

To be honest…

"Step forward."

Shepard took yet another step forward, she could hear people gathering, whispering around them, on the balconies over them.

"It is the decision of the Council that you be granted all the power and privileges of the Special Tactics and Recognizance of the Citadel."

To be honest she never thought that they'd actually make her a Spectre!

"Spectres are not trained, but chosen" the turian councilor spoke, straightening himself, "Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those whose actions elevate them above rank and file."

Avery straightened herself as well, listening to every word spoken.

"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol."

As her eyes moved across the room, she saw several dozen of people gathering to witness the first human ever to be made Spectre. Humans, asari, salarians and turians.

"They are the embodiment of courage, determination and self-reliance."

She looked back at the Council members, to the salarian now talking.

"They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."

"Spectres bear a great burden. They are the protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."

"You are the first human Spectre, Commander," the asari offered her a slight smile, "This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species."

She lowered her head, bowing, "I'm honored, Councilor."

"We're sending you into the Traverse after Saren," the turian councilor said, and Avery turned her attention to him. "He's a fugitive from justice, so you are authorized to use any means necessary to apprehend or eliminate him."

"I'll find him."

"This meeting of the Council is adjourned."

And so the Council withdrew, and the crowd scattered not long after. The others, as well as Avery, turned to walk towards the stairs, stopping when they reached them. She could see the Gunnery Chief coming up to meet with them, as well as Wrex and Garrus.

"Congratulations Commander," Anderson said, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her, and she responded with a smile of her own before the ambassador interrupted the congratulations being given to her.

"We've got a lot of work to do Shepard," he said, "You're going to need a ship, a crew, supplies…" Udina turned to the Captain, "Anderson, come with me. I'll need your help to set all this up."

Anderson gave her a look, and she rolled her eyes in response, giving him a nod as the two men left, before turning to her companions, both the old ones and the new. They would all join her mission to bring in Saren and stopping him from bringing back the Reapers.

Tali was the first of them to break the silence.

"I thought the ambassador would be a little more grateful," she said, "He didn't even thank you."

"Yeah, well…" Avery replied with a smirk, "I haven't actually done anything yet."

"What are we waiting for, then?" Wrex said with his rumbling voice, "Let's go and give him something to thank you for."

Shepard chuckled, "Glad to see you so eager, Wrex." She glanced over to Kaidan, and his brown eyes met her silver ones. "Let's go."

"Aye aye ma'am."
Seventh chapter of my story about my Avery Shepard! Also first thing I've written after completely finishing my comic I believe! :iconlawooplz:

Well... you know the drill. Please comment if you liked it, or if you think there's anything I can do to improve either the chapter, or my writing over all. :meow:

Avery Shepard © me,
All other character + Mass Effect Universe © BioWare.
© 2012 - 2024 AmandaSylvia
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