Weeks of skin treatments and therapy at the Huerta Memorial Hospital felt like months, but Shepard was finally feeling better, as were Liara and Garrus. Surviving a nuclear-like blast was another thing Shepard could add to his long list of things that should've killed him.
Hearing news of their release, the Council wasted no time summoning Shepard and his crew to a meeting. They hailed a sky cab to the Council Chambers in the Citadel Tower, and Shepard noted how quickly the keepers had fixed up the place. There was almost no sign of the Cerberus attack, and best of all, the Citadel was back where it belonged rather than hovering over Earth. Thankfully Shepard had scanned all the keepers with Chorban's device when he first began this crazy mission. Those scans proved instrumental in communicating with the keepers their desire to return the Citadel to its normal location.
Shepard entered the Council Chambers' large room and couldn't help but think of his confrontation with Saren only a few years ago. Saren had become indoctrinated, but somehow, Shepard was able to convince him of his folly. In the end, Saren took his own life rather than willingly be a vessel for the Reapers. Although Shepard knew him as a villain, his final action certainly proved Saren wasn't always that way. And if it weren't for Liara joining her mind to his while inside Harbinger, could he have become just as Saren?
He shuddered to think of the possibility. As he neared the metallic platform below the Council, he heard Admiral Anderson arguing with the turian councilor.
“AI's have no place in the galaxy,” Councilor Sparatus was nearly shouting. “They're illegal for good reason, and the Reapers are ample evidence!”
“I tend to side with Councilor Sparatus,” the salarian Councilor Valern agreed. “AI is too dangerous.”
“How can you say that?” Admiral Anderson admonished them. “Would you judge an entire race by one member?”
The asari Councilor Tevos cleared her throat. “That is an unfair comparison, Admiral. The Reapers were indeed one race, and they were all bent on our destruction.”
“But not all AI's are like that,” Shepard interjected, placing himself in the middle of the debate. “The Geth are AI's, but they are not like the Reapers.”
“The Geth?” Councilor Sparatus scoffed. “You would use them as a positive example, after how they exiled the quarians from their home planet? That's hardly a compelling argument, Shepard.”
“And what are they doing now?” Admiral Anderson rebutted. “For the last several weeks, the Geth and quarians have been living together on Rannoch in peace. The Geth are even helping them rebuild their homeworld.”
“Not to mention they were crucial in helping me take down Harbinger,” Shepard made sure to point out.
Councilor Sparatus paused to consider it.
“You're also neglecting the only reason any of us are still here,” Shepard continued. He pointed to the sleek, robotic body EDI had appropriated. “The AI on my ship, EDI, is the one who figured out how to stop the Reapers. She saw through the Crucible's guise and created the code necessary to destroy them. If it weren't for her, we would all be under Reaper control.”
“You present a valid case,” Councilor Tevos admitted. She turned her head to read Councilor Sparatus. He nodded to her as did Councilor Valern.
“Admiral Anderson's request to have AI permitted, under strict and specific circumstances, will be approved. The Geth and EDI will be allowed to continue and will join us as citizens of the galaxy, afforded all the rights and privileges of any biological being.”
Anderson, Shepard, and crew clapped their hands over the change in law. This was a massive step forward for mankind and AI. His heart warmed as he saw the smile on EDI's face as she too clapped and then nestled herself next to Joker.
“But there is another point of business we cannot wait on,” Councilor Tevos continued.
She paused and tilted her smooth, blue head toward Admiral Anderson.
“Councilor Udina is dead and there is a vacancy on the Council. Admiral Anderson, you served us once before. Are you willing to join the Council again and make it whole?”
Before, being a councilor never quite sat right with Anderson. It was with relief he gave up the position to Udina. But Udina had betrayed the Council, hell, had betrayed the galaxy. He would ensure the rest of the alien races knew they could count on him, and all humans. With the Reaper threat eliminated, the time felt right.
“I accept,” he answered proudly.
Shepard slapped him on the back by way of congratulations.
“Councilor Anderson,” Tevos stated, “in light of your report on the krogan assistance in the war against the Reapers, we would like to vote on asking the krogan to join the Council. How do you vote?”
“I vote yes,” Anderson answered loudly.
“I also vote yes,” the salarian councilor chimed.
“That makes it unanimous,” Councilor Sparatus announced.
“Wrex,” Councilor Valern spoke, his large black eyes glistening. “You are the leader of clan Urdnot and your people. We all know of the tensions between the krogan, salarians, and turians. You have proven yourself to be a true ally and a powerful leader for good. Under your guidance, we do not doubt our peoples can work together to end these tensions and deliver prosperity to all. Will you represent the krogan by becoming the first krogan Councilor?”
“On behalf of the krogan, I accept,” Wrex rumbled in his deep voice. This honor may have been long overdue, but he was grateful the krogan were finally getting the recognition they deserved. He thought back on Wreav's sacrifice. This was the second galactic war, after all, that the krogan were instrumental in bringing to an end. But would they have offered a hot head like Wreav a position on the Council? Doubtful.
“We need another planet to recover our numbers. Tuchanka will always be home, but resources are limited.”
“We already have one in mind,” Sparatus informed him.
“But that is for another meeting,” said Tevos, nodding her head to Wrex. “If there's nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.”
The mood was high as the crew began filing out. Just then an idea occurred to Shepard.
“Everyone, meet me at the cafes in the presidium. Get yourself food and drinks. We're celebrating and it's on me! I owe you all that much.”
“I don't think you realize how much a krogan can drink,” Wrex responded. “Let alone two krogan.”
“I'll keep a ryncol waiting for you, Shepard,” Grunt offered. “If you've got the quad for it.”
As his friends left, he quietly stopped Wrex and Anderson, indicating he wanted them to stay. He was surprised to see Aria T'Loak silently entering the room. Councilor Tevos was now on the main level and handed Aria a small trinket. Shepard couldn't make out what it was, but he did overhear their conversation.
“We owe you,” Tevos said with sincere gratitude.
“I know,” Aria replied imperiously.
As quickly as she came, Aria was gone. Just what exactly was the nature of the Council's relationship with Aria?
That mystery would have to wait. He had one last request to make of the Council before they parted ways.
“Esteemed Councilors,” Shepard spoke up, addressing them all. “There is one last thing.”
*
“What was that all about?” Liara asked Shepard, having waited for her commander just down the stairs outside the chamber.
“Follow me,” he said, offering her his arm.
Together they walked through the presidium commons, arms linked, excited to celebrate with their comrades-in-arms.
When they reached the cafes, first they saw Garrus and Tali. They were holding hands across a table, drinking Turian brandy, albeit through an emergency induction port for Tali.
Shepard and Liara waved to them and let them have their alone time. There would be time to chat later.
As Shepard walked toward his intended target, he was treated to a wondrous site. All around him were his friends sitting at tables, engaged in conversation and laughing. EDI and Joker were doing well, and Ashley and Vega seemed to be hitting it off as they playfully hit each other back and forth.
Eve had joined the group, and it was clear Wrex was absolutely smitten with her. She was a remarkable woman. In addition, the krogan had a second chance and hope was now tangible for their people. The future couldn't be brighter.
Just a few feet away, was that Kahlee Sanders standing next to Anderson with a drink in her hand?
But Shepard didn't stop to talk to any of them. He kept walking.
“Where are we going?” Liara wondered, still curious what Shepard was up to.
“You'll see,” was all he replied.
With their arms still linked, Shepard approached Javik, the last Prothean, who was standing by a rail looking out at the gardens in the presidium as the sky cabs flew overhead.
“This has got to be pretty surreal for you,” Shepard told him. “You wake up fifty thousand years later and the Reaper war is ongoing. You were chosen to be the voice of your people and now, you've succeeded.”
“I am pleased that a Prothean could send the first known Reaper to its grave,” Javik answered, “and subsequently the rest. Although I did not know it, I awoke at the correct time. As the avatar of this cycle, you truly became the exemplar of victory, Commander.”
Shepard nodded to Javik at the endorsement. He did not give compliments easily.
“Doesn't Javik mean vengeance in Prothean?” Liara asked. “I'd say you lived up to your name.”
“Yes, and now my mission is complete.”
Shepard recalled one of the first conversations he had with Javik, and his plans to end his life once the Reaper threat was over.
“I put your name forward to join the Spectres,” Shepard revealed to him.
“Me?” Javik asked quizzically. “A Spectre?”
“What, you don't want to hunt down the remaining Cerberus and indoctrinated? Get more vengeance for your people?”
“You are right, Commander. I think I would like that. Perhaps there is more for a Prothean voice to say.”
“Agreed.”
Shepard left Javik to allow him time alone with his thoughts. Seeing his chief medical officer alone at a table, Shepard and Liara joined her.
“Your Serrice Ice Brandy, as promised,” Dr. Chakwas stated, handing him and Liara a glass. “Now, if you'll join me in a toast.” She raised her glass. “To Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre, the savior of the Citadel, and hero of the galaxy.”
They raised their glasses to their lips and drank deeply.
“I couldn't have done it without all of you,” Shepard told her honestly.
“Speaking of which, you two make a particularly effective team,” Chakwas said with a wink. “I'll give you two love birds a moment. I'm going to fraternize with the rest of the crew. It's not often I get to do so.”
Liara rested her head on Shepard's shoulder, interlocking her fingers with one of his hands.
“What you did for Javik was commendable,” she observed. “I hope it brings him purpose in his life.”
“I hope so too,” Shepard admitted. Though the war was over, there was plenty left to do. Where was the Illusive Man? Perhaps Javik would have luck hunting him down. And besides, wasn't Cerberus a mythical three headed dog? If the Illusive Man represented one head, where were the other two?
As he pondered this possibility, Admiral Hackett abruptly appeared and sat down next to him. He shook Shepard's hand.
“None of this would be possible without you, Commander. The Alliance, and the galaxy, owe you a great debt of favor. One we can never repay.”
“Just doing my duty, sir,” Shepard replied as he saluted.
Hackett returned the salute.
“I'll let you get to it, but I wanted to personally congratulate you. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you.”
Admiral Hackett enjoyed a drink with them before returning to his duties. Shepard panned the cafe floor. His friends looked so relaxed and free. He took in the moment the best he could.
Miranda, Kasumi, Samara, and Traynor were all here. Cortez, Kelly Chambers, Zaeed, and even Jacob had made it. It was amazing to have so many of his loved ones in one place, their spirits so high.
He even overhead Grunt talking to Jack.
“You may be the only human who could handle me.”
Shepard allowed himself to smile. They did it. They defied the odds and came out successful. He bowed his head in remembrance of his fallen teammates—Jenkins, Kaidan, Thane, Legion, and Mordin. They had given everything to the cause.
“C'mon,” he said to Liara. “Let's join the others.”
As the drinks flowed, it was only natural the group wound up at Purgatory Bar.
While ordering drinks, a familiar face surfaced.
“Look who it is,” Shepard indicated, pointing to a blue and purple hued asari.
“Aethyta!” Liara exclaimed. “How did you get here?”
“Hey, that's father to you,” he, or she, answered. “I pulled a few strings. Someone's gotta keep an eye on you. So what'll it be?”
“A tequila sunrise sounds appropriate. Wouldn't you say, Shepard?”
It was a new beginning and a new era. Highly appropriate, Shepard concurred.
“Here you go, babe,” Matriarch Aethyta said, handing the drinks to Shepard.
“Father!” chided Liara playfully.
Aethyta winked at her, or his, daughter knowingly. She couldn't be prouder.
Eventually they made it to the dance floor and Shepard dazzled his teammates with his impressive moves. Even Aria T'Loak made an appearance.
“You see that, Commander?” Joker pointed out, one arm resting across EDI's shoulders. “The desperation is gone. People aren't dancing like it's the end of the world anymore. And that's thanks to you.”
“I had some help,” Shepard told him. “I couldn't have done it without the best pilot in the Milky Way, or an AI, who for reasons unknown, sided with a group of lowly biologicals.”
“I could still change my mind,” EDI assured Shepard.
“I'd rather you didn't.”
“Shepard, dance with me,” Liara urged, pulling him toward the dance floor. Too tipsy to refuse, Shepard joined her for one last dance.
Time passed too quickly and it became late. The team began going their separate ways. Shepard held Liara's hand as they both stumbled to the apartment Admiral Anderson had given him. But before he could reach the complex, he was accosted by a blond haired man.
“I heard you were released from the hospital,” Conrad Verner announced himself. “I should shoot you in the foot, but I guess you did just save the galaxy.”
Shepard rubbed at his face. This guy?
“So how did you do it?” Conrad asked sincerely. “How did the mighty Commander Shepard defeat the unstoppable Reapers? I bet it's an amazing story.”
Shepard considered it a moment. “When things got tough, I asked myself what Conrad would do,” he lied with a straight face.
“Really?” Conrad's eyes beamed with pride. “My wife will be elated when she hears this. Well, if she'll respond to my messages that is.”
“Good luck with that. I mean it.”
“Thanks, Shepard. I'll send her a message right away.” He walked away with purpose, determined to make his wife proud.
*
They made it home to his swag apartment and Shepard couldn't be more content. The celebration had gone off without a hitch, something that rarely happened in his line of work.
As he lied in his comfortable bed, he couldn't help but realize how fleeting the fun would all be.
“This is it. Isn't it?” Shepard remarked to the gorgeous, blue asari by his side. “With the Reaper threat over, everyone will go their separate ways.”
“Although some paths can still be walked together. Spectres need good information. So does the Alliance. And I'm a good information broker.”
“I still can't believe you're the Shadow Broker.”
“Sometimes neither do I.”
Shepard pulled Liara tighter to him with his strong arms, her skin so pleasantly warm against his bare chest.
“Before everyone leaves, what do you say we get the crew together and hit the Silver Coast Casino one last time? And we can eat at that favorite sushi place of yours.”
“Is Ryuusei's back in business after you wrecked it?”
Shepard chuckled.
“It is. I double checked.”
“It's a date then.”
“We finally found a quiet evening,” Shepard noted, sliding a hand gently across her azure face. “And tonight, I want to spend all my time with you.”
“I'd like that.” Liara smiled and kissed him affectionately. “Is there anything else you want, Commander?”
Shepard considered it a moment.
“A promotion.”
Author's Notes
This outcome is the result of specific choices, an obvious one being Liara as your romance partner. How would Shepard have overcome indoctrination with a different lover? I didn't explore that here, but perhaps in the future.
This entire ending is only possible if you chose “destroy” and had high enough war assets. Canonically, it's the only way to trigger the extra scene where Shepard takes in that sharp breath. If you chose “control” or “synthesis,” you succumbed to indoctrination.
When you board Harbinger, if you don't bring a biotic with you, all three of you will die from the M-920 Cain's explosion (no biotic shield to absorb damage). Your scorched bodies are recovered and you still save the galaxy. A funeral service is held in your and your teammates' honor where kind words are spoken and the impact of your decisions discussed. If your lover was not on the Harbinger mission with you and thus did not die, he/she says some particularly poignant words about you. #TearJerker
If Wreav was your krogan leader instead of Wrex, the Council would not have offered the krogan a spot as Councilor. He would not have sacrificed himself at the end, and instead another ship would've punctured the hole in Harbinger. He will guide the krogan in a completely different direction than Wrex, most likely resulting in another krogan rebellion.
Scanning all the keepers in Mass Effect 1 allows the Citadel to be returned to its rightful location. If you did not scan them all in ME1, the Citadel would remain above Earth.
If you allowed the Council to die in ME1 and had an all human council, you could choose to keep it that way or vote to bring the other alien races back in.
Your interaction with Conrad Verner could be completely different, or not happen at all, depending on earlier choices.
You don't have to help Javik become a Spectre. You can allow him to kill himself, and return to his people, as he originally planned.
You don't have to thank people for helping you destroy the Reapers. You can take all the credit with specific dialogue options. #Renegade4Lyfe
There are countless other small variations, like who creates the wall of ships on Earth, if you didn't save the Council in ME1, allowing you to escape London on the Normandy, but that kind of minutia could easily be worked out. Fun little details like that could easily be interchanged with others in several places. I'll let your imagination figure those out.
Thanks for reading my alternate ending. I hope you enjoyed it. I have to give a special shout out to the creators of the Indoctrination Theory, upon which this story is based. Their hard work and insight provided the inspiration for this fan fiction. When I first discovered Indoctrination Theory, I fell in love with the idea. However, there is one glaring problem. In Indoctrination Theory, you still have not saved the galaxy. You awake from the dream (assuming you chose destroy), but the war is still being waged. Therefore, Shepard has not stopped the Reaper invasion. How does he do it? Can he do it? This labor of love was one possible outcome.
Indoctrination Theory link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSE0osxQvA8
Shepard taking a breath in the rubble (4:32-4:53): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AdWqlsQjWo
