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Turnabout-	By : Spiritwolf71 Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 7688 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This story takes place within Bioware's Mass Effect Universe, their creative property. I do not own any of Bioware's stories or characters or locations. The Author recieved no money from this story and is writing it purely for entertainment.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
Ok now both sights are completely caught up on the story, which means now it will take longer for the chapters to get posted cause IM presently writing them. Enjoy and review if you like, let me know what your thinking, would like to see or even what you hate.

Shepard remembered the council chambers, at least the public one. Like everything related to the Citadel it was large and grandiose. Being human of course she thought the floor was made of marble but over time she had learned that it was called lapis and it was a rock found on Thessius. She had always remembered this little fact because it made her realise that no matter how different all the races were that they shared a lot in common.
Life, death; love, loss, the circle of life, every race lived that, granted some longer than others. They were all so very different but in the basics of life, they were exactly the same. It was funny how each one of the races could have their own role, every one of them but the Humans. The Asari were the counselors, the Turians the tacticians, the Salarians the scientist, Quarians the Engineers, Krogan the warriors, the list went on but Shepard could never figure what the Humans role was.
As she walked into the chambers now she looked to the floor. She could only wonder if the stone was lapis or marble or even a similar stone from a different world. She promised herself she would look into it later.
She hid behind a hoodie and dark pants, she was not ready to be seen. Not that anyone was in the chambers except a few of the cleaning staff. She had needed to come and just get familiar with the layout. She was pleasantly surprised to find that it was rebuilt exactly like the old one. A fact that did surprise her since the chamber was in the shape of a Reaper, or at least she always thought it was. Perhaps they had decided that by leaving it alone that it showed they were not frightened of the massive machines anymore.
It didn’t matter, they as a Galactic community had defeated the imposing machines. They as a Galactic community had helped each other rebuild. It had been an amazing occurrence that had brought them all so much closer. It had not mended everything but it was a great start in the right direction. She had never expected them to become a Utopian society but at least they had learned how strong they could be together.
Shepard walked slowly and found herself standing in the exact spot she had stood eight years ago. She closed her eyes and could hear the echoes in the room.
“It is the decision of the council that you be granted all the powers and privileges of Special tactic and reconnaissance branch of the citadel,” the Asari councillor, Tevos had started. Cayle could not help but remember how proud she was at that moment. The first Human Spectre, she had not really wanted the honour, not when Udina had mentioned it to her but when it happened it was like a wave and she was helpless. Anderson had been at her side then, like he had always been. Ashley and Kaidan had been there as well.
She remembered how quickly the chambers had filled when Tevos had started speaking, no one really certain what was happening or what it would mean.
It was Valern, the Salarian councillor, who spoke next, she could hear his voice as if it also echoed, “Spectre are not trained but chosen, individuals forged in the fires of service and battle, those who actions elevate them above the rank and file.”
It had almost been like a well-rehearsed speech. The Turian, Sparatus continued the formalities, “Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defence, the safety of the galaxy theirs to uphold.”
This was the responsibility that Shepard upheld herself to, the first and last line of defence. That was her duty as well as her burden. It was the guidelines she had set for herself, the defender of galactic peace. She knew that secretly Udina had hoped for more power for the Humans but Shepard had never viewed her appointment as a Human thing, she was not a Spectre to help humanity, she was a Spectre to help everyone equally. She was more than certain that she had been a huge disappointment to the Human councillor, especially when she had originally backed Anderson for the job.
That was the day everything had changed for her. It was the day she had realized that things were so much bigger then Earth and humanity. It was also the day she had realized she would never be able to live a normal life.
Shepard leaned against a podium that faced the area where the councillors stood. She had many battles with them in the past, mostly regarding the Reapers. For the longest time they had refused her claim that the large “beast” was anything but a myth. Even after defeating Saren and Sovereign they denied her claim of a Reaper invasion. They refused assistance to the Humans in the traverse when the Collectors started to harvest them, acting on behalf of Harbinger. They even turned their back on her when she had been forced to destroy the relay in the Behak system killing over three hundred thousand Batarians in order to delay the Reaper Invasion.
It wasn’t until the Reapers had appeared in their front yards that they realized that she had been speaking the truth and by then it was almost too late. Even then they refused to listen to her when she called for a united front to oppose the Reapers. She knew deep in her heart that united together as a galaxy nothing could oppose them but they were only interested in protecting their own people.
She had very little faith they would help her now. She had very little faith that anyone would do anything but jail her.
“Commander Shepard?” someone approached from behind, she knew that voice. Shepard could not help but wonder if that was still who she was. She had been pronounced dead by the Alliance, was she still a Commander?
“Councillor Tevos,” Cayle turned and faced the beautiful Asari. Tevos was a mix of grace, serenity and the characteristics of royalty, or at least Shepard has always thought of her like that, almost like a Queen.
“By the Goddess, you are alive,” She said and to Cayle’s surprise, hugged her. When they parted she placed her hand on Shepard cheek. “When Aria told me you were alive and wanted to speak to me, I, well, I really didn’t believe her.”
Shepard raised a brow. She had always wondered what the connection was between the two. She remembered Aria calling on Tevos before to help her out of a situation. She also remembered Aria and herself almost having a one night stand, sisters’ maybe? Shepard figured she would never know. She just knew that Aria had something on the Councillor and maybe it would be enough to get Tevos to help her.
“Yeah, I’m still figuring it out myself,” Cayle said.
“Aria also told me that you had been working for Cerberus, but that they had been controlling you, making you think you were someone else.”
Shepard turned away and wince, Aria had talked too much. “They had a Doctor that specialized in hypnosis; apparently Cerberus found me first on the Citadel and they snuck me to one of their facilities. It started when I was still injured and weak, the ideal situation they said, to rebuild the mind.”
“And you had no idea you were Shepard?”
Cayle shook her head slowly as her arms crossed defensively over her chest. “They cleverly mixed reality with make belief, from what I understand it took the just over a year to program me.”
The councillor looked to Shepard for long moment before speaking again, “And you have come here to…”
“To turn myself in, I have committed crimes against the Council races, crimes I need to answer for,” Shepard turned away, gripping the podium with both hands, “I was the Assassin that killed Linron.”
It was quiet for a very long time before Tevos finally stepped up to stand beside Shepard. “We have not seen eye to eye on a lot of things in the past, Commander. We, as a council have treated you badly, not believed you and shunned you. We even went as far too once call you a traitor. Through that all you remained steadfast in your goal, strong in your beliefs and loyal Spectre member. When we first made you a Spectre most thought it was to placate the Humans. I cannot speak for Sparatus or Valern but I can tell you what I saw when we appointed you as a Spectre.”
She continued when Shepard did not answer, “I saw a woman, a being who was willing to put everyone else before herself, not just her race, but everyone. I saw a woman who was brave, strong and mighty, I also saw a woman who was caring and selfless. I saw in you the best of all of us and you have never let me down Commander Shepard. The fact that you are here now, torn up over what your body did when your mind was not in control is proof of just what kind of a person you are,” She placed her hand on Cayle’s back for support. “I imagine the audience with Liara T’Soni is really an audience with you and that you plan on turning yourself in.”
Shepard nodded and turned to her, “That and some other pretty important things. Cerberus has Harbinger and I think we should get it back before they do any harm with it. I know that I have to answer to all that has happened and that I might be condemning myself by returning but if it means stopping Cerberus then I have to do it.”
“And that is why you are a Spectre, Commander.”
“Are?”
“Even if you were stripped of the title, you are the very model on which the foundation was built. A title is just that, anyone can wear them, not everyone can be them,” Tevos turned to leave. “Go and be with Liara now, the council will convene shortly and we will continue this discussion there,” She smiled slightly as she moved away, “I think you will be surprised at the outcome.”

“The council chambers are full,” Liara said as she returned the room, “It’s almost as if they are all expecting something big. Are you nervous?” She asked raising a brow.
“If I said no, would you believe me?” Cayle said and she looked at herself in the mirror. It had been a long time since she had worn her dress blues and she felt extremely uncomfortable in them. She tugged at her collar. “Is there usually that many people at the council meeting.
“Usually it is empty, maybe a few political representative, people who brought support for their problems but never a full house, rarely half a house.” Liara explained. “Mind you until recently the council had been sitting in the Ascension. They just moved back to the Citadel a few months ago.”
“Did you have something to do with the full house?” Shepard’s eyes narrowed.
Liara smiled, “No and not that I would admit it either with you looking at me like that.” She reached up and tended to Shepard’s epaulet.
“There are some strange Quarian and Turian waiting to speak to Shepard,” Falere said coming into the room.
“I figured you would want your friends with you,” Liara whispered, Cayle smiled and turned as Garrus and Tali entered the room. Falere left to give them privacy. She wasted no time and bringing them into a big hug.
“Oh god, I have missed you.” Cayle said to them. When they parted Tali was crying and Garrus was smiling.
“How dare you go and come back from the dead and not tell us.” Tali said. Cayle focused on her for a long time. She looked at her slightly yellowish skin, she knew Tali was young, perhaps the youngest of them all but because of the mask she had never realized just how beautiful the Quarian was. It was fitting though, that Tali was as beautiful on the outside as she was inside.
She was surprised that the thick mane of long black hair that flowed from the Quarian. Until now she had only ever seen humans with hair. Well Lissa had come across a few suit less Quarians in her time, this was the first for Cayle.
“Tali, I,” She reached out and took the Quarians hand. Her skin was soft like humans as well. Shepard smiled. “You are beautiful.” She hugged the young Quarian again. When she parted she looked to Garrus, her smile grew.
“You, however, still look like you took a missile in the face,” this cause Garrus to laugh.
“It’s good to see you both,” Cayle said holding her own emotions in check. “I’m going to guess Liara called you.”
“She said you might need some support,” Garrus said and smiled to the Asari who moved over to Sheppard and took her hand. “Of course, I had to figure that out on my own since it was Tali who answered the call and she kind of forgot how to speak after she heard the news.”
Tali smiled, “It was quite shocking,” She defended, “I mean coming back from the dead once was, amazing but to beat death a second time.”
“Unfortunately I didn’t beat it this time,” Shepard said and looked to the floor.
“Liara told us about that as well,” Garrus said, “But I knew, or had a feeling since the Assassination that something was not adding up. I only knew one other person who could make a shot like that and then when the blonde came running out of the building. I didn’t get the best look but enough to know that something was up.”
“Liara never thought you were dead,” Tali said with a smile as she wiped her eyes, “She always said she would know, she would have felt it.”
Shepard smiled to her lover. “Well, I’m putting my life into the hands of people that have never listened to me before.”
“Well, the Quarian Councillor, Adayia will be an ally,” Tali said. “You know her father, Zaal’Koris. Most Quarians see you as the one that Untied the Quarian and the Geth anyway. They even named a city after you on Rannoch, or it’s in the process.”
“And you won just as many points with the Turians when you ended the feud with the Krogan, I don’t think you have to worry about Sparatus.” Garrus added.
Shepard looked from Tali to Garrus then to her side at Liara. She moved off to a spot by herself. “I admit I am happy and flattered but I don’t think any of us are looking at the big picture.” She turned back to them. “I let Cerberus get to me, use me, people died because of that. I mean do I deserve to be just let free?”
“Shepard,” This was from Garrus, he moved until he was directly behind her. “Cerberus used you against your will. Had you been in your right mind you would never have done what this Assassin did. Cerberus attacked you when you were weak and unable to defend yourself. None of us have the right to judge that, hell the only one that is judging that is you.” He paused for a long moment and spoke lowly so only she could hear, “I don’t think you are even blaming yourself for what she did, you blame yourself for Cerberus being able to control you.”
“I thought I was stronger.” Cayle said, barely above a whisper. Garrus chuckled slightly.
“You are stronger, you broke their hold, most probably never would have, you need to focus on that. Shepard you are the strongest person I know.”
Cayle looked to him, “But the Dalatrass?”
“That was Cerberus, not Commander Shepard. I know you didn’t like the woman but you would never have killed her, least of all like that. If she needed to be taken care of you would have done so face to face and you would have made sure she knew why. You need to stop punishing yourself for something you had no control over. Save that blame for where it belong, Cerberus.”
Shepard turned and looked to Garrus for a long time. They had been best friends for a very long time and new each other very well. Both Garrus and Tali had been at her side through everything, good and bad. She was thankful they were here now. Garrus always seemed to know what to say.
“Cerberus,” She echoed and smiled slightly, “What would I do without you Garrus.”
“Well, you probably would not have save the galaxy without me covering you back,” he joked and they laughed.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door and Falere entered the room. “Your next,” she said to Liara. The room became quiet Shepard looked to Liara.
“We’ll all wait for you on the chambers,” Tali said taking Garrus’ hand and leaving, the others followed suit.
“I have a good feeling about this, Cayle,” Liara said with a smile. She reached up and kissed her. “We’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, I hope so,” Shepard said looking at the door, “If not there is always the conjugal visits.”

As Liara and Shepard walked up the podium she could feel everyone’s eyes resting on her. There were some surprise gasps and an overall murmur to be heard throughout the chambers as people began to realize who she was. Even before she reached the podium the audience was giving her a standing ovation. Liara squeezed her hand and smiled at her slightly as she felt the temperature rise in the Spectre. She had never felt Shepard so tense.

By the time Cayle stopped she was at a complete loss of words. The speech she had planned in her head had disappeared. She looked around as people continued and she spotted Admiral Hackett smiling to her and clapping. She could only wonder who had filled chambers, was it Hackett? Would he see this as an advantage, was it an advantage? Again she thought of Garrus words, did she feel guilty about the death of the Dalatrass or the fact that Cerberus had controlled her? Did she feel like she had to be punished because she was weak?

She waited, gripping the podium tightly as the council calmed the crowd down. Once they were quiet she looked up to the council. As usual they were a hard bunch to read.

“Commander Shepard,” Sparatus started talking first, “I must admit that this is a surprise and an honour.” He was quiet for a few seconds. “May I be the first to welcome you back from where ever it is you came from?”

“Well, that was why I came here, to explain what had happened, I just didn’t expect it to be, so public,” She admitted.

“Well then, I am sure everyone here is waiting to find out,” the Turian continued to speak for the council.

“Well,” Shepard looked to Liara who smiled gently back, “First of all I am glad I am back and I am happy to see most of the council survived the attack. I imagine that the question you all want to ask is where I have been,” She paused again and then straightened out. “Five years ago I sacrificed myself right here to end the Reaper war.” She paused as she thought back to that time, the choice she was forced to make, the choice no one would ever know about except Liara. “I thought my life was over and I guess for a little while it was. Apparently I was wrong. I was found in the rubble by Cerberus and whisked away to a lab.”

This time she looked to Garrus, he was right; she was more ashamed that they had taken control of her then what she did when she was controlled. She remembered the night when she was fourteen and the gangs had gotten a hold of her, it was the same feeling. She had been used and had no control over it. Hopefully, like then, she would make sure it would never happen again.

“Cerberus used hypnosis to control me, used my weaken state to allow it to take hold. For the next four years I believed I was someone else, a Cerberus Assassin. As this Assassin they used my skill to commit crimes that I would never have committed.” She looked around the room as everyone was listening intently. She looked to the Human councillor whom she did not know. “It pains me to realize, as this assassin I was the one tasked with the assassination of Dalatrass Linron.”

She paused as she heard a slight murmur from the people in attendance. “At this time I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Salarian people and I would hope that they know that I would never have done that of my own free will. It was shortly after this attack that I was found and Cerberus’ control broken. “

Shepard took a deep breath, “I have come here today to make this confession and to surrender myself to the Council. I will abide by whatever reparation they deem necessary.”

It was quiet, quieter then Cayle expected it to be as everyone seemed to be holding their breath. She certainly knew she was. Liara reached out and took her hand as they watched the council. Tevos looked from one councillor to the other and then began to speak.

“Commander Shepard, I would like to be first to say that there are no words that could express our happiness at seeing you alive. It was a sad day when you were finally declared dead and the search ended. The Galaxy was a poorer place when we all believed you were no longer in it. I believe I speak for the council in saying that what Cerberus did to you was a travesty and a crime, one that will not go unpunished.”

She paused, “In the time that I have known you, you have been petulant, demanding and hard headed but you have always been so with the best of all of us in mind. We have disagreed on a great many things and you have even hung up on us a couple times out of frustration. I have found over time that you are emotional because you care, because you wanted to protect us from harm. I have also found that every time we have not listened to you, disaster struck.”

Again she paused, Shepard would have crossed her arms over her chest had Liara not been holding her hand. “There is not one person in this room that does not owe you their life and I think I speak for all of them when I say that it was Cerberus that killed the Dalatrass not Commander Shepard and there will be no reparations. If anyone thinks differently, they can come forward now.”

Again the room was quiet. The Asari councillor waited a moment before speaking again. “Well Commander Shepard, I believe you have your answer. Welcome back.”
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