ME: Lost

Politics

Kaidan's head ached. Hundreds of useless facts swirled in a brain too full to make sense of them.

Four days spent researching his past and he'd gained few answers. He could list every stop the Normandy made while it hunted Saren, but he couldn't picture the different worlds or remember any of the missions. He could name every crewmember on the SR1, but he couldn't hear the different tones of their voices or see individual expressions.

Even more disconcerting were the reports that made no sense at all.
A dry paragraph detailing how the Normandy SR1 was destroyed in combat and Commander Shepard killed in the line of duty only to reappear two years later. Or the report of her working with a group called Cerberus; whose file accused them of acute xenophobia but listed the worst atrocities imaginable committed against their own species.
He knew some of his confusion could be attributed to dry military reports stating cold facts, but Kaidan suspected the truth simply was THAT fantastic.

If nothing else, he'd gained a profound but wary respect towards this commander. She finished the job even if no one else agreed with her - and it seemed most of the Alliance brass didn't.

The door swished open, admitting a middle aged human dressed in a fine tunic.

The man's sharp pinched face smoothed into false sympathy as he surveyed the room. "Major! I am so glad that you're doing well! Nasty business on Mars, just awful. How are you feeling?"

Kaidan tried to smother his instant dislike. This stranger oozed politics, the poisonous kind. "What can I do for you, Mr....?" He let the words trail off in a question.

"Is this some kind of joke, major? I'm a very busy man, you know! I came all the way down here to present you with an opportunity, a high honor for both you and mankind."

The door swung open again, and Kaidan bit back his caustic answer. Dr. Michel hurried into the room, exhaustion evident on her face. "Councilor Udina!" she said quickly, "can I help you?"

The ambassador threw a sour look towards the bed as he turned to answer. "Doctor, I was just about to call for you. I've left several messages with that incompetent nurse at the front desk, messages that have not been returned. I'm a very busy man you know!"
He gestured stiffly in Kaidan's direction. "What can you tell me about the major's progress? When will he be fit for duty?"

Annoyance sparked from the doctor's eyes for a brief moment before smoothing into a calm focus. "I apologize, councilor, we've been overworked and short staffed with the influx of refugees. I meant to return your messages yesterday." She waved her delicate hand towards the door, "Why don't we adjourn to my office while I update you on the major's condition."

The man sputtered as he was ushered out, pompous admonishments still ringing in the room after the door swung shut.

Kaidan sighed in relief, closing his eyes and resting his head back on the pillow.

<><><>

"I want answers, doctor, not guesses!" Udina paced in front of the door, anger glinting in his eyes. "I've spent the last three days talking to the Council, convincing those uptight know-it-alls that humanity deserves another SPECTRE, and you're telling me that our best candidate...our ONLY candidate can't even remember the heroic deeds that put him on the list in the first place?"

Chloe sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

The last two weeks could only be described as a literal hell. Earth burned. Her parents were missing, presumed dead. The Reapers killed thousands every day. Refugees on the Citadel suffered from infected wounds, unsanitary conditions in the temporary shelters, and extreme cases of PTSD; and those were just the ones who'd made it to the hospital.

Things were spinning out of control.

A quick pause signified that Udina had finally run out of things to shout, and Chloe spoke up quickly. "I'm not sure what you want me to say, councilor, a brain with that amount of swelling is hard to predict. Especially when the patient is a biotic."

She stood, stepping around her desk to hint that the conversation should end. "I will keep you informed of his progress and notify your office as soon as he is fit for duty."

Udina grunted in resigned displeasure. "See that you do, doctor!"