Reviews:

Masso 2010:

Yeah, sorry about that. I always let people know if a story is cancelled. It just sometimes takes me a while to finish writing the next chapter of a story. As for what you suggested, well, that will be more in the ME 2 arc.

Mashot Tito:

Glad you like it.

shugokage:

Thanks.

Guest (Aug. 20, 2019):

Thanks.

Voldrek:

Yeah, I'll work on that.

Mckertis:

I wouldn't exactly put it like that. I just needed to think of the worst thing that could be done to a female character. That was pretty much the top on the list.

A/N: Please remember to review with any comments, questions, suggestions, or constructive criticism that you might have. Thanks!

Chapter 19:

Cut loose

After connecting with the mind of the previously enthralled asari, who introduced herself as Shiala, and working with Liara, Shepard was back in the conference room on the Normandy with his squad.

"So, we know where to find Ilos," Shepard said to his squadmates, "It's through the Mu Relay, which we now have the coordinates to."

"Oh, is that all?" Garrus said, sarcastically, "From what I heard, the relay is in the Terminus system. Not exactly the most welcoming place for outsiders, especially those working for the Council."

"Maybe, but if we don't go after the relay, Saren will find the conduit first and bring the reapers back," Tali insisted.

"Yes, but we can't take Saren and his geth down alone," Ashley said, "We need to get in contact with the Alliance. We need the back-up to take them on."

"She makes a good point, Commander," Kaiden said, "With the Council's help, we'd have a much easier time taking Ilos."

Wrex snorted derisively, "If we can get them off their collective tails that is."

"They're right though," Shepard said, "We need to get the Council on our side if we're gonna protect the Citadel and take the fight to Saren."

"Why wouldn't the Council help us now?" Tali asked, "After everything we've done, they shouldn't have any reason to not help us now."

"Let's hope so," Shepard said as he activated the comms, "Joker set a course for the Citadel. Time to end this."

"Right away, Commander," Joker said before he set about doing what Shepard ordered.

Shepard spoke to his squad, "Everyone get ready. We'll be moving back out once we have the Council's backing."

The group separated to prepare while Shepard headed back to his cabin.

Once the door was sealed behind him, Brainiac spoke up, "Commander, I would like to speak with you."

"Sure, I guess we haven't had much time to talk before now, so what is it?" Shepard asked.

"I believe that there is a high probability that the Council will not aid us in our mission," Brainiac explained, "In fact, the likelihood is high that they will impede us in some way."

"I'd see them maybe not helping us, but what makes you think that they'll try to stop us?" Shepard asked.

"Thus far you have gone against threats that they perceive to be real, like Benezia invading a company facility or the geth attacking a human colony, but this mission will require their belief in the Reaper threat, which they have yet to agree with. If my guess is correct, they will believe that Saren is no longer a threat and that your continuing to chase him will cause problems for them with the Terminus system," Brainiac explained.

"Yeah, you make a good point," Shepard said, sighing and rubbing his head in frustration, "We still need to try though."

"Of course," Brainiac agreed, "That said, we should take steps to defend against any attempts they make to stop us."

"Yeah, but what will their move be? Think they'll take us into custody?" Shepard suggested.

"Unlikely," Brainiac said, "I doubt they will be as overt as that considering the good you've done and the support that you have among the common people. Most likely, they will lock down the Normandy to prevent you and the crew from leaving the Citadel."

"Okay, how about you download into the Normandy's systems?" Shepard suggested, "That way you could be ready in case they do go against us. Just make sure that you aren't spotted. It'd ruin any plans that we try."

"Of course," Brainiac said, sounding slightly insulted by the idea that he might get caught, "I will ensure that I am undetected."

Shepard nodded as Brainiac's symbol disappeared from his omni-tool and the commander started checking his weapons as he always did when he prepared for a big mission. After a few minutes, he heard the chime on his door, signaling that someone wanted in. He went to open it to find Tali on the other side.

"Clark, could I come in?" she asked, fidgeting her fingers nervously.

"Sure, Tali," he said, shrugging before moving back to let her into the room, "What's up?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about some things," she said nervously.

"Is something the matter?" Clark asked, pulling a chair out for her while he sat in another.

"No, it's just…I wanted to talk about what happened after we stop Saren," she said, "I…I plan to go back to the Migrant Fleet with the geth data. Once I update everyone in on the Reapers, I will rejoin you, but I have to go back."

"I understand," Clark said, nodding, "I'll miss you when you are gone."

"Me too," she said, still twisting hands, "Y-you're a…g-good friend."

Before they could continue, Joker came over the comms, "Commander, we're approaching the Citadel."

"Right, thanks Joker," Shepard said before turning his attention back to Tali, "We should get going. The Council needs to help us with retrieving the Conduit."

"R-right!" she said as the two left the room.

They joined the rest of the squad at the airlock and the instant they stepped off the ship and Shepard spotted the C-Sec squad waiting for them, Shepard knew that Brainiac was right to not trust the Council.

Shepard approached them with his squad following behind, "Is there a problem?"

"We've been asked to escort you to the Council," one of the C-Sec officers said, "They wish to speak to you immediately."

Shepard, planning to talk to them anyway, shrugged and gestured for them to lead the way.

Entering the Council's room, Shepard saw that Udina was already in the room, no doubt doing more to solidify his political position with them.

"Commander, thank you for coming," the Asari councilor said.

"Didn't have much choice," Shepard said, "Regardless, I needed to talk to you about getting help to chase after Saren. I found where he's heading in order to get the Conduit and we need to stop him."

"While we are still uncertain as to the legitimacy of this 'Conduit' your reports have discussed, we agree that Saren is still a potential threat," the salarian councilor said, "Where might we find him?"

"He's through the Mu Relay. On Ilos," Shepard said.

The Councilors looked at one another before the Asari spoke up, "If that is the case, then it is more complicated than we'd hoped. The Mu Relay is located in the Terminus Systems and sending our forces to chase after Saren will be seen as an act of aggression. As such, it may be best to consider Saren handled for the time being."

That statement shocked the Kryptonian commander to his core, "With all due respect, Councilors, but Saren is not handled. He might have been pushed back, but he will continue in his mission to find the Conduit and when he does, he will bring back the Reapers and wipe us out!"

"We understand you believe this and we agree that the Geth believe it, but it is clearly a ruse to get Saren his army. Regardless, we have called our forces to surround the Citadel and they will be more than enough to repel any force Saren might try to send our way," the Turian said.

"Councilors, we need to go after him. Saren will not stop now," Shepard insisted.

"We understand your desire to bring him to justice," the Asari said, "But sending our fleets will cause an unnecessary complication with the Terminus Systems."

"Not if you send one ship!" Shepard said, "If you're worried about causing an incident, then fine! I'll do it on my own! One ship won't be seen as an attack."

"We appreciate everything you've done for us, Commander," Udina said, "But now the politicians need to take the reins before you hurt Humanity's place now that we've received it."

"You bastard, you're selling us out!" Ashley snarled.

"Take it how you will," Udina said, shrugging off the squad's anger, "The Normandy is on lockdown and you all are forbidden from leaving the Citadel. You simply can't be trusted not to ruin things for us."

Shepard, knowing they weren't going to change their minds, turned and walked out of the chamber with his squad following after him.

Anderson, his face grim, approached them as they left the Council chamber.

"Shepard, sorry about this. I wanted to warn you that they were going to try this, but I was forbidden by the higher-ups," Anderson said.

"It's fine, sir," Shepard said, "But we can't just let Saren go."

"I agree," Anderson said, "But the Normandy is locked down. You won't be able to leave the Citadel without having someone on the Citadel release the clamps while someone on the Normady activates the ship."

"That won't be a problem," Shepard said, as he activated his comms, "Joker, do you read?"

"Commander? What's going on? The Normandy's been locked down!" Joker said.

"I'll explain when we get back," Shepard explained as he turned back to Anderson, "What will we do on the Citadel side of things?"

"I can handle that. You just send me a message to let me know when it's time for my part," Anderson said.

Shepard nodded and heand his squad headed back to the Normandy. Arriving back at the Normandy, Shepard explained the situation to Joker.

"So, we're going anyway, right?" Joker asked, clearly already knowing the answer.

"You okay with that?" Shepard asked.

"No way I'm gonna give up now," Joker said, "Besides, where are you gonna find a pilot as good as me to go along with you?"

Shepard laughed, "Thanks, Joker."

"No problem, Commander," Joker said turning back to the console.

"Joker, can you turn on the comms for the whole ship?" Shepard asked.

"Sure thing, Commander," Joker said before pressing a few buttons and saying, "You're all good now."

"This is Commander Shepard," he started, "The Council has decided that we are not to finish our mission to get Saren as such they've grounded us, but I plan to continue regardless. That said, I cannot ask you all to do this as there will likely be extremely harsh consequences for all involved. So, if there is anyone that wishes to be let off the ship, sound off now."

Shepard waited for a few minutes, but when no one made their way towards the exit, Shepard turned back to Joker, "Get ready Joker. Things will get chaotic pretty soon."

"Sounds like fun, Commander," Joker said, smiling.

Shepard sent the message to Anderson who, not without a bit of pride, walked into Udina's office where the ambassador was working on his console.

"Anderson? What is it?" Udina asked before Anderson walked up to him and with a single punch, knocked the pompous ambassador out cold.

Anderson used the computer to hack into the dock controls to free the Normandy.

Back on the ship, Joker was tapping away at his console, "Commander we've got a little problem! They seem to have cut us off from the network so I can't do anything from our side!"

"Let me try something," Shepard said before he pressed a few buttons to send a message to Brainiac, 'Brainiac, can you do something?'

'Yes, Kal-El,' Brainiac replied seconds before Joker spoke up.

"Commander, I don't know what you did, but we're free!"

"Good, then set a course for Ilos," Shepard said, "Let's end this."

"Roger, Commander!" Joker said as the Normandy shot out of the Citadel docks, avoiding ships that attempted to intercept them, before taking the mass relay out of the system.

A/N: And there's chapter 19! Please remember to review with any comments, question, concerns, or constructive criticism that you might have.