Aftermath

Chapter 29

The celebration of the Reaper defeat and the announcement of the Galactic Unity Fleet was ready to get underway, though a few days later than originally planned. The Prothean ship had been dry docked. It's engines and technology would no doubt be the subject of intense study. The Normandy was also out of commission until a new engine solution could be resolved and any other damage repaired.

Javick took over the leadership of the Prothean refugees immediately. This not only provided peace of mind to the rest of the Galaxy but also to the Prothean's themselves who were going to need help navigating a new political and social climate. They were happy to have a leader of their own kind to guide them.

Despite the positive outcomes and her newfound optimism about the future, Shepard still paced anxiously in the small anteroom outside the hall where the galaxy's leaders and thousands of it's peoples were waiting to see her and more unnervingly, hear her speak. She had given speeches before, many times in fact. But those had been about war. This speech was to be about peace. She felt entirely unprepared and she was out of time.

When the tall double doors opened to the grand walkway leading to the podium, the brightness of the room was almost blinding. But it was nothing compared to the roaring of the crowd once she took her first step and began making her way down the walkway. There were crowds from all known races filling the three tiered decks that encompassed the room almost a full 360 degrees. To her right high in the second deck were the box seats of the Counsel. They too were standing and watching her enter. She glanced up and caught the eye of her mother who nodded slightly, her smile and gaze reflecting openly the pride she felt for her only child. The sight of it made Shepard's breath hitch as it was a surreal but welcome sight.

Flanking the walkway on the left and right were soldiers and officers representing every species that participated in the Reaper War. They all stood smartly at attention as she passed, but their eyes followed her and hints of smiles could be seen. Many were strangers but scattered amongst were some familiar faces as well. As she passed the Krogan ranks she saw both Wrex and Grunt standing at the head of their contingent. Wrex gave her a trademark grin as she passed. She smiled and nodded slightly at them. Next she passed the Quarian and Turian ranks. She recognized a few familiar faces but not the two she was searching for. She passed the Alliance ranks next, finding Admiral Hackett himself standing at attention for her. Miranda was there also, casting Shepard a small smile and rolling her eyes at the pomp and circumstance surrounding them. Shepard could only grin knowingly.

It wasn't until she passed the Alliance ranks that she understood why some familiar faces had been missing. There nearest the podium were a special mix of species. Her crew. The crew of the Normandy. Standing at attention were Ashley, Joker, Vega, Tali, Garrus, Cortez, Dr. Chakwas, Traynor, Liara and the rest. They all stood at attention, each casting her knowing smiles.

Shepard, suddenly feeling the nervousness edge away, stepped to the podium. The thought of her crew standing behind her bolstered her. She felt calm, familiar confidence and focus sweep through her. Looking out over the masses she found the Protheans in attendance as well, with Kovas and Javick standing at the head. She nodded to Javick and he crossed his arms and nodded back.

She gripped both sides of the podium before her and took a deep breath.

"My name is Jess Shepard. Some people call me Captain, some call me Spectre, some have even called me hero." Cheers erupted across the crowd. Shepard held up her hand and they quieted. "But I am only a soldier. I was trained to fight. And fighting is all I have done for the past... well, a long time now." She paused. "The term hero is a tricky one. It is dangerous in any war to single out one to call a hero. Especially a war as large, long, and hard fought as the one that ended only a year ago. The Reapers were the greatest threat this Galaxy has ever known. It took all of us... every... single... one of us, fighting with everything we had to defeat the Reapers. I am a soldier. I was trained to fight. Fighting is what I do best. It is expected of me." She paused again, looking around at the crowd. "To me the heroes of this war came in many forms, not the least of which were the soldiers serving like those standing behind me. But what cannot be overlooked is the part each civilian undertook in this fight as well. Anyone who helped a neighbor, provided food or shelter, and any of the countless who died while we fought against the enemy is a hero. Those who weren't trained but fought all the same. Fought for their homes, their families, their friends no matter what species or ship or home world. That is why as I look across this room today, one year after we defeated the greatest threat we have ever know, that I call all of you heroes."

A huge cheer erupted again. After a moment Shepard held up her hand once again for silence and it came.

"The war is over now. The Reapers are defeated. But I am here to remind you that our true struggle is only just beginning. The fight to keep peace is much more difficult than the fight to end war. Peace is delicate and will require all of us to remember that without each other we are lost. Just as without each other, the Reapers would have won. I for one, am willing to fight with everything I have to keep that peace."

"To that end, the Counsel will be forming a new fleet whose sole purpose is to keep this peace... to work in any way needed to sustain this galactic unity we have managed to forge. The fleet will be a collaboration between all species. The only way we will be successful is by working together."

"The Counsel has asked me to lead this new fleet, to build this alliance, to foster and grow this delicate unity we all fought so hard to create. Being a soldier I wasn't sure if this was right for me... if I was the right person to be a leader in peace after so much loss. Sometimes we can loose ourselves in the sacrifices and difficult choices we are forced to make." She took a moment to steady herself before looking out into the crowd. "But I believe in this peace. I believe we are far stronger learning to value and embrace our differences and find common ground, to support and share with each other so that our children never... NEVER have to face the horror and loss of what we have just endured EVER again. That to me is worth the greatest fight of all. I plan to make it the fight of my life as I lead this new Galactic Unity Fleet. All I have left to ask you is, are you with me?"

Shepard's momentum was met by a silence that enveloped the crowd. She looked out at them, her eyes sweeping the many colors, shapes and sizes. They looked unsure. Unsure of the peace or unsure of her she didn't know.

Then she heard a voice from behind her. She turned to see that Ashley had stepped forward. She snapped to attention and saluted. "I'm with you Shepard," she said, loud enough for her voice to carry. Shepard met her eyes, a grin breaking out over her face. Almost immediately the rest of the Normandy crew joined her in saluting and repeated, louder even in a chorus, "I'm with you." And like a wave the sentiment swept down the walkway through the ranks of every species and then it spilled into the crowd, civilians of all creeds holding their salute to Shepard, pledging to fight for peace. To fight for the future.