Aster was taking a nap when the sound of a knock on the door woke her up. She didn't answer and hoped they would go away. Lately, she had been feeling more tired than before, and she didn't know why.
"Miss. Shepard," someone called out, stepping into the room. "Are you awake?"
"I am now," Aster replied, turning her head toward the door. "It's Aster, not miss anything."
A small frame turian walked in, wearing a lab coat. Her blue facial markings reminded her a lot of the ones Garrus wore.
"Can I help you?" Aster asked, trying to straighten up a bit.
"I'm Dr. Solana," she said in greeting. "I'm here to check your implants."
"Where is Dr. Megan?" Aster asked suspiciously.
'The good doctor doesn't know about Dr. Solana,' inputted Sam. 'She's here on a favor for your fanboy and because the emergency surgery was done on Palaven.'
'I don't have a fanboy,' Aster said.
"I'm here to check on your implants," Dr. Sloana replied, setting down her datapad.
"Of course," Aster said, ignoring the voice and peeling the covers off her. She somehow managed to swing her legs out of bed.
Dr. Solana positioned herself on the left side of Aster and undid the back of the paper gown.
"If I may ask," Aster began as the doctor did her work.
"What's that?" The doctor asked.
"Why are you checking my implants?"
"You landed on Palaven for emergency surgery," Dr. Solana replied. "The damage was extreme, and we only had turian-based implants. We were told by the Council to save you at any cost."
"Hence why I am being seen by you," Aster finished. Even though the "voice" had told her, she wanted to make sure.
"Everything looks fine," the doctor said, straightening up and tying up the back of the gown. "Have you gotten much rest?"
"I feel a bit more tired than before," Aster answered. "All I want to do is sleep."
"That's normal," Dr. Solana said, taking notes. "The implants are meant for turians, so the wear of them can take their toll on someone who doesn't have the same anatomy."
"That's good to know," Aster mumbled, scooting back onto the bed.
"Do you need help, Aster?" Dr. Solana asked, seeing her struggle a bit.
"I can manage," Aster replied. "No one is going to help me anyway. All everyone looks at is a broke soldier."
"They all have a pitied look on their face when they see me," She continued. "The same look you had when you first saw me."
"Aster, I didn't-" Dr. Solana began feeling distraught.
"Don't worry about it," Shepard answered, getting back into bed. "I'm used to it already. I took a peep at what was left."
Or rather, SAM found a picture from her medical files of how the stump turned out, without the bandages. It wasn't pretty. Dr. Solana stayed quiet and sat on the edge of the bed, not saying a word. What could anyone say in that situation?
"Do you mind if I come by and visit?" Dr. Solana asked after some time. "I'll still come and do your checks, but I mean afterward too."
"Sure," Aster replied. "I figure I might have a lot more time on my hands soon enough."
**
Weeks went by before Aster began to feel normal. She no longer felt as tired as she did before. During this time, there was no word from the Council. Garrus was her constant companion during her recovery. Then, three days ago, out of nowhere, Garrus stopped by after his shift and told her the meeting was set for the end of the week.
"Are you ready?" Garrus asked as the Blasto movie played in the background.
Aster shrugged and got comfortable on his lap. Garrus grunted.
"Does this mean that you'll no longer be my guard?" Aster asked, glancing up at him.
"Most likely," Garrus replied. "Once you're discharged, we can finally get out of here and try the new bed out."
"Oh, new bed?" Aster teased.
"Yes, I ordered a new bed weeks ago," Garrus said.
"What did Solana say about your implants?" Garrus asked as the final credits began to play.
"The implants integrated well enough," Aster replied. "No issues."
"I should go," Garrus said, stretching without disturbing Aster.
"Fine," she pouted and sat up. "I'll see you tomorrow."
The next morning, Dr. Solana stopped early in the morning to check her implants. She gave her the all clear. Garrus stopped by a bit after to bring over her uniform.
"Need some help?" Garrus asked, seeing her struggle with the buttons.
Aster sucked on her teeth and nodded, "I need help."
Garrus chuckled a bit and helped her get dressed.
"You know the Council is waiting," he commented.
"I am aware that they are," Aster replied, annoyed. She was having a hard time buttoning the buttons in the front.
"The meeting is taking place in ten minutes," Garrus continued.
"Well, instead of panicking," She said, glancing at him. "How about you help me with these buttons?"
Garrus came over and, with a lot of misplaced touches to her breasts, finally managed to button her coat. Both of them rushed to take the elevator up to the Presidium.
"Captain-," Garrus began, but got interrupted by Shepard.
"I am a Captain now?" Aster asked smartly.
"Well, I - Aster," Garrus replied, not looking at her.
"How about we meet up at the apartment afterwards?" Aster interrupted. "Bring dinner!"
With that, the elevator door opened, and Aster rushed ahead, leaving Garrus behind with a surprised look on his face.
"You're just in time," Ambassador Udina said, seeing her walking up the steps.
Aster followed Ambassador Udina up the steps and waited patiently for the Councilors to begin the meeting. Garrus stood on the other side of the room. While they waited, Captain Anderson and John hurriedly joined them as well. They didn't say anything to her, and neither was she inclined to speak to them either.
"We'll get started," Councilor Tevos said, indicating for Aster to stand before the Council.
"Captain," Councilor Valern began. "Would you like a chair?"
"I'm fine," Aster replied, coming to stand before them. "Thanks for the offer."
"Captain Shepard," Councilor Tevos began. "We are here because of the evidence that you've gathered against Alec Ryder and the allegations of the creation of an A.I."
"The evidence against Alec Ryder is irrefutable," she continued. "However, there are some concerns that have been brought up."
Aster stayed silent; she knew what they were getting at. They thought she had something to do with the A.I being created.
'It's more than that,' SAM commented as the counselor continued speaking. 'I suggest you remain calm as much as possible. You are in for hours of questioning.'
'How kind of you to inform me,' she shot back.
'I don't want to end up dead,' Sam replied smartly.
Three hours later, Aster was still being questioned. Most of the questions consisted of the notes and Alec Ryder's involvement with the Science Academy. Nothing had been brought up about the A.I. at all.
"One last question, Captain Shepard," Councilor Valern said. "Do you know if the A.I has been created?"
'You better lie,' Sam reminded her for the 100th time.
"I don't know," She replied. "I was under the impression that it wasn't."
"What do you mean, you don't know?" Councilor Sparatus asked, in confusion. "You were at the Science Academy, closely working with Alec Ryder. How is it you don't know?"
"I- don't remember much," Aster replied hesitantly. "Everything- is -a bit hazy. I- don't even remember grabbing those notes. From the notes you've shown me, I can see that I wrote them. I understand what they mean and can translate them, but that's about it."
"What is the last thing you remember?" Councilor Tevos asked, her face indicating she was thinking very hard about the situation.
"Only the day of our arrival," Aster replied. "We met Alec soon afterward. Dinner was served and- well- everything else gets a bit hazy."
"I have- bits of memory- bits of flashbacks that I don't recall very well," Aster continued.
"Dr. Megan did say you sustained a lot of damage to some areas of your brain and various organs," Councilor Tevos stated. "What else did you forget?"
"I- don't know," Aster said quietly. "I'm not- I- don't-I- can't remember."
The Councilors just looked at her but didn't continue their questioning.
"That's all the questions we have," Councilor Valern said. "We will convene and return shortly."
'Is there a reason why I lied to the Councilors?' Aster asked SAM as the Councilors left the podiums.
'You should thank me,' he replied smugly. 'I have seen what's on their omni-tool, it's not pretty. You could end up in jail.'
'Thanks for the heads up,' Shepard replied sarcastically. 'What else do you have planned?'
'We are leaving the Citadel as soon as we get out of here,' he replied. 'I've arranged everything to be taken care of.'
'Where are we going?' Aster asked curiously. 'Are we going after Alec? Why was he not detained in a cell? Why is he free?'
Before SAM could reply, the Councilors came back with their verdict.
This is it, Aster thought, a bit nervous, forgetting about SAM and his plan for the moment.
"Captain Shepard," Councilor Tevos began. "The Council commends you for your heroic effort in bringing Alec Ryder to justice. Without the evidence, the Council would not have been able to stop the creation of an A.I."
"However," Councilor Tevos said, her voice turning a bit grim. "Given the circumstances and the nature of your injuries, the Council has agreed to release you from their services."
There were a few murmurs from the crowd, but Aster wasn't surprised by the turn of events. She would have done the same thing in their shoes.
'There's more,' SAM whispered, almost seeming to enjoy himself.
"Per your request, the Alliance has accepted your retirement."
Aster stood frozen, not reacting as the Councilor continued her speech over the roaring crowd.
My request? She thought. I-
'My request,' SAM replied. 'We are leaving the Citadel.'
It took Councilor Sparatus to step in for everyone to settle down. Clearly, the decision to retire from the Alliance had not been acceptable. Not that it was her choice, but she couldn't say that now. Not if she wanted to remain free and not locked up.
"Thank you," Aster replied when she could speak.
Councilor Tevos spoke a few more words before ending the trial. John and her father walked over as soon as the councilors were gone from the chambers. They weren't happy to hear about her retirement.
"What do you think you're doing?" John asked, angrily. "Why did you ask for a retirement?"
"You can't just leave," Anderson also said over John. "You're not thinking clearly."
"I have one arm," Aster stated once they had stopped speaking. "What am I supposed to do?"
Neither of them spoke.
"That's what I thought," She said, sidestepping them.
"We can help you," John blurted out. "I don't know how yet, but I'm sure we can figure something out. You don't have to go."
"Why would I stay?" She asked him. "There's nothing for me here."
"You have a family here," John reminded her angrily.
"A family," she scoffed. "A family talks to one another, a family doesn't go behind their backs and make decisions for them. A family doesn't force you into situations you don't want to be in. We haven't been a family for a long time."
Aster left the chamber and headed home.