Anderson looks tired—more than just physically exhausted. There's a weight behind his eyes as Alex and Shepard sit across from him.
“I’m glad you came, Shepard. You as well, Kerber. I heard what happened,” he says, his voice low.
“You had to know what was going to happen? Why didn’t you warn me?” Shepard asks, clearly frustrated.
She’s right. You can send messages across space. Why is this guy suddenly so useless? Or did the Ambassador essentially place him under house arrest?
“I tried. The ambassador wouldn’t let me get a message through before you docked,” Anderson replies. “I know you’re pissed off right now, but you can’t give up. They all think this is over, but we both know it’s not.”
He leans forward, his voice serious now. “You have to go to Ilos. You have to stop Saren from using the Conduit.”
“There is only one ship that can get me into the Terminus Systems undetected, and she’s grounded,” Shepard says.
Anderson doesn’t hesitate. He already has a plan. “Citadel control’s locked out all the Normandy’s systems. But if we override the ambassador’s orders, we can get them to bring the Normandy back online. You can be in the Terminus Systems before anyone even knows you’re gone.”
Shepard nods, but her tone turns stern. “If we steal the Normandy, you’re the one left holding the bag.”
“And if Saren finds the Conduit, life as we know it is over. The Reapers will destroy us. Humans, Asari, everybody!” Anderson snaps. “You’re the only one who can stop him, Shepard. So I’ll do whatever it takes to get you on the Normandy and off this station.”
“Don’t worry, Captain. You got me out of jail last time—if you land in prison, I’ll return the favour. My reputation is fucked anyway,” Alex says, smirking.
“Stealing the Normandy is mutiny. What if the crew won’t help me?” Shepard asks.
Anderson offers a reassuring smile. “The Normandy’s your ship now, Commander. Her crew will follow you to the ends of the galaxy. We both know that!”
“So what’s the plan? Earlier, I already joked about breaking into C-Sec or Udina’s office,” Alex adds.
“Good ideas. I can unlock the Normandy from one of the consoles in the Citadel control center. You’ll have a few minutes before anyone realizes what’s happened,” Anderson says.
“It’s a restricted area—you might get hurt or shot. I don’t like it if you plan on doing it alone,” Alex says, obviously concerned.
I know for a fact he will get shot… this is a bad idea! He should go for Udina! That scumbag might still be unconscious, by the way!
“He is right. There’s gotta be a better way,” Shepard agrees.
“Ambassador Udina issued the lockdown order. If I can hack into the computer in his office, maybe I can override it,” Anderson offers.
“What will you do if he’s inside his office? Will you be fine knocking him out? Although I agree, this is the better choice, with a little bit of luck, he is still cleaning himself up or is taking a sick day,” Alex says.
“Hopefully, he won’t be there, like you said, Kerber, it certainly is possible that he’s taking some time,” Anderson says, clearly conflicted. “If he isn’t, I’ll just have to think of something.”
“That’s a treason charge… that asshole Udina won’t hesitate… Still, thank you for doing this, Captain,” Alex mutters.
Anderson hesitates for a moment, then answers with grim resolve, “We don’t have a lot of options. I break into the ambassador’s computer, or I take my chances with the patrols in Citadel Control.”
“Go pay a visit to the ambassador’s office. It’s cleaner, faster, and safer!” Shepard decides.
“Let’s do it!” she says, standing up.
“I’ll take care of the lockdown. You get down to the Normandy and tell Joker to stand by,” Anderson says as he rises from his seat.
Just as they both stand, Shepard suddenly stiffens. “Careful, Kerber,” she whispers under her breath.
What is it?
Three humans stand near the entrance, watching them. Their clothes are dark, their faces half-covered.
… ?
“Let’s go,” Shepard says calmly.
As they walk past, Shepard suddenly draws her pistol and fires—two headshots, executed with brutal precision. Their bodies collapse, only for Alex to notice small hidden guns, which they have already drawn.
They had guns drawn already!
The third man pulls out his pistol, but Alex is faster. He slams a kick into the man’s chest, launching him backward into the wall with a loud crack.
“Who sent you?!” Shepard demands, her gun aimed directly at the survivor’s face.
“Tell me and you’ll get arrested. Stay silent, and you won’t ever speak a word again!” she adds, slamming her fist into his nose, blood splattering as it breaks.
“Stop! I… we… we just wanted the bounty!” the man cries out, panicked.
“Bounty?” Alex questions him.
“Yes! For you, Butcher! Someone recently placed a 10 million credit bounty on your head!” he blurts out, his mouth slightly bloody.
Fuck me?! What is happening?!
“Whatever,” Shepard mutters, firing her gun and ending the last man’s life without hesitation.
“Sounds like Saren to me. Looks like you pissed him off on Virmire, I didn’t see it all, but you really got him good,” she adds, stepping over the bodies, smiling.
“Really? Maybe the corporations placed the bounty on me…” Alex replies, unsure of what to believe.
“Doesn’t matter. We’re leaving. Now,” Shepard says, picking up the pace.
Alex and Shepard return to the Normandy via shuttle, wasting no time.
As soon as they board, they rush to the cockpit and quickly brief Joker and Kaidan on what happened.
“Be ready to take off the moment Anderson pulls it off,” Shepard warns. “If we miss this window, we’re screwed.”
Joker gives a confident nod. “Got it. Don’t worry, Commander.”
Kaidan, seated at the control panel, glances at the unmoving interface. “This waiting’s driving me crazy.”
“We’ve got no choice. We have to trust Anderson,” Alex says, folding his arms.
A few tense seconds pass before the lockdown suddenly lifts—just like that.
Lights flicker, the interface shifts, and Joker springs into action. The Normandy roars to life and begins to detach from the dock.
With practiced precision, Joker steers the ship into open space, dodging any potential surveillance, and within minutes, the Normandy is gone—the Citadel shrinking into the distance behind them.
“Good job, Joker,” Shepard says.
A few minutes later, the ship jumps through the Mass Relay.
Joker chuckles, almost disbelieving. “No pursuit? I was half-expecting a fleet… or at least a few angry Turians. But nothing.”
“It’s pathetic, I agree,” Alex mutters. “No wonder Saren managed to run circles around them. Disorganized, weak, and slow—he played them like amateurs, because they are so used to peace, they are pathetic.”
“We’re not playing tag, Joker,” Shepard says. “If they catch us, it’s over. Saren wins, and we all die.”
“Let me speak to the crew,” she adds, opening comms and addressing everyone aboard:
“Everyone, this is your Commander speaking. As you’ve probably heard by now—yes, we’ve forcefully taken the Normandy. I’m thankful that you have placed your trust in me. Without your help, we wouldn’t stand a chance. We’re on a direct course for the Mu Relay. Use these next few hours however you want—write to your loved ones, rest, prepare. This might be our last shot. If you need anything, speak up now. I’m proud to serve with every single one of you.”
She turns to Kaidan and Alex, her voice softer now. “That goes for you two as well. Get some rest… I need to lie down myself. I’m about to collapse,” she says, rubbing her forehead.
“I better lock myself in the bathroom before someone comes after me for that massive bounty,” Alex jokes, waving lazily as he exits the cockpit.
Now what?
As Alex heads down to the crew deck, he spots Liara standing alone, directly in his path. She’s staring at him—nervously.
She steps forward. “Can we talk… please?” she asks, her voice quiet but serious.
“Sure,” Alex replies.
This is probably about Benezia… I’ve avoided this for too long.
They walk past the med-bay and into her room. She gestures to her bed.
“Please, sit.”
Alex does as asked. She joins him a moment later, sitting close—closer than expected. The scent of her body, the closeness of her face, it all suddenly makes him hyper-aware. Embarrassed, he shifts slightly to the right—only for Liara to reach out and grab his hand.
She stares at him, eyes searching his.
“I know… you probably can’t tell me everything, but… is there something left of my mother?”
Alex sighs deeply. “I wish I could tell you more. As I said before… she’s in a place that’s not worse than this galaxy. I swear that to you, Liara.”
“Can I check… if you’re telling the truth?” she asks gently, almost shyly.
“How?” he replies, genuinely confused.
“I’m not doing this just for that. You saved my life. You’ve done so much—for me, for all of us,” she says, voice trembling slightly.
Before Alex can respond, she tightens her grip on his hand and leans closer.
Her lips tremble, her eyes fixed on his. She’s so close now—he can feel her breath. Without thinking, he places a hand on her shoulder… and kisses her.
The moment their lips touch, something overwhelms him. The feeling of kissing Liara is like a new experience, and his entire body is lit on fire. An emotion he’s never truly felt before. He pulls her closer, one arm around her back, the other gently cradling the back of her head, gently caressing her small scalps. She softly moans as she leans into him.
When she pulls away, gasping slightly, her eyes are glassy.
“I… this feels incredible. Alex, I…” she stammers—then, with surprising boldness, she begins to remove her clothes.
No way... Is she really willing to go all the way?