A/N: No major trigger warnings, but please remember that my Shepard is a neutral Shepard (half-paragon/half-renegade) but starts out mainly renegade. The storyline of Mass Effect 3 is only slightly AU for some parts. Most of it follows the real plot including the dialogue. I don't own either franchise, just as a disclaimer. This is a bit of a filler chapter for the next one, in which there's a few more Korrasami moments and the action actually begins, lol. Also, I hate the council all the time. Literally the biggest douches.

"Everyone out of the way, now!"

Shepard's scream echoes down the hall of the Normandy as she helps Liara wheel the gurney carrying an unconscious Asami Sato down the halls of the Normandy. Blood pools off the corner of the rolling bed, leaving crimson drops in each stride they take. The skeleton crew that had been on the ship part ways at the sound of her voice echoing along the metal walls, their faces paling with the gory sight as it flashes past them. Korra follows closely behind, refusing to let her friend go out of her sight. She's leaned up against the burly lieutenant, James as they hobble in behind the rushing soldier. Kuvira and Ashley follow slowly behind them, the lieutenant-commander's hands placed firmly on the bridge of the metal-bender's cuffs.

Soon enough, they reach the medical bay. The automatic doors swish open as Liara and Shepard push their way through. As soon as the burly woman enters, she rolls Asami's gurney to a grinding halt, locking the wheels before reaching down and cupping her arms underneath the pale woman's legs tentatively. With a grunt, she effortlessly lifts the limp inventor and sets her down upon the medical examination table with a huff. Korra stumbles in behind them, shoving herself off of James to struggle over at Asami's side. Liara and Shepard stay frozen for a moment as they watch the so-called Avatar begin to sob, reaching down to clutch at one of Asami's hands with her own trembling, bloodied fingers.

"She needs medical attention," Liara grimaces, glaring back at Shepard, who appears to be hesitating on making a decision. The commander remains silent for a few seconds, simply staring as Korra's cries intensify. The Avatar's sobs are heart-wrenching as each hiccuped cry breaks from her chapped lips. From the doorway, Kuvira and Ashley watch on in silence, their eyes narrowed in on the sight. Something flashes in the metal-bender's eyes before she glues her stare to the floor, her green eyes burning a hole through the metal upon which she stands.

"Hey Lola?" James mutters as he catches a glimpse of the torn flesh and white of Asami's bone. "I really think you should listen to Blue."

"We need to leave the Sol system," Liara tells her pleadingly, tugging on her armoured hand in order to draw the commander's attention. The red-head glances over and rolls her bottom lip into her mouth pensively as she bitterly growls, "I know."

"The Citadel is our best chance," Liara says, turning back to grab a pair of gloves and a set of scrubs from the dispenser beside the woman's bed; after, she reaches over Korra's trembling shoulders for some medi-gel and some gauze. "We can find help there." Shepard looks apprehensive, but Liara fixes her with a stern glance. The soldier goes to refute the doctor's claim, but she finds herself interrupted by a low, shaky voice.

"Please, I don't care where you take us, just don't let her die," Korra whimpers as she stares at them with misty eyes. "She's my best friend, please."

"Citadel? Shepard, we need to help Earth!" Ashley pipes up from the doorway, her voice growing defensive. She stares between Korra and Kuvira with a dark, piercing glare. "We didn't sign up to be fucking babysitters, Skipper. They're not our problems. It's one of them dying versus the millions of people dying back on Earth. You said it yourself after Virmire; you can't save everyone. I fail to see how this situation is any damned different."

The commander is stumped on Ashley's words. Virmire brings up horrid memories of Kaiden's final goodbye over the comms before the facility had been blown sky-high. She remembers consoling Ashley and reminding her that the choice she'd made was one that Kaiden would've wanted; the soldier had always been a better fit than the biotic, considering his implants. The man had sacrificed his life for the lives of countless others. Ashley has a point, and Shepard knows this from the expression Ashley holds in her hazel eyes. Beside her, Liara stiffens, her shoulder's squaring as she lets out an angered breath part from her lips. Shepard's eyes never leave her lieutenant's as she bites her lip. Ashley's eyes flare as Shepard's gaze softens ever so slightly.

They've had their history, their ups and their downs, their flings and fall outs, but this is the present.

This is different.

"How dare you?!" Korra shouts before Shepard has the chance to answer.

Ashley's brows perk in surprise as the Avatar rises and makes her way over to the raven-haired woman in three strides before winding her fist back and punching a long blade of air in her direction. The hit slams the soldier against the frame of the doorway, causing her to collide against the metal with a strained huff. Korra's eyes are bloodshot as she leans down and picks up the taller soldier with ease, slamming her against the wall with a rough shove. Kuvira side steps, but continues to watch in silence. Ashley manages to retaliate with a sharp uppercut upon the armour-less woman, causing Korra to let out a pained gasp. She curls over, but not before violently knocking her elbow straight across the cheekbone of the older woman with a sharp snap.

"Enough!" Shepard bellows out, reaching out in a few steps to pry the two women off of each other. The somewhat empathetic expression is wiped off her face and her stoic, commanding look is once again returned. One of her hands places itself on Ashley's chest, shoving her off of Korra, where as the other one grabs the scruff of the shorter woman's neck and hoists her up, shoving her into the wall roughly.

"You touch a member of my crew one more time and you'll be off this ship before you can say 'ma'am', kid." Shepard hisses the threatening words between clenched teeth, pushing her harder into the wall. Ashley looks smug as she watches Korra shrivel up under the strength of her grip. Before the soldier can add something to Shepard's warning, the commander whips her head around and lets go of the Avatar, letting her fall to the ground with a soft thud. Korra's hands go to her neck, where there's already a small line of blood dotting on her skin from Shepard's gauntlets.

"And you, Lt Williams," Shepard mutters with a shake of her head, "I expect better from you."

"But-"

"No buts," the older woman interrupts coldly.

"Typical," the raven-haired woman says, "always supporting aliens."

"Careful Williams, you're walking the thin line of insubordination," Shepard threatens in a voice like lead. Ashley's glare deepens again as Shepard's eyes practically scour hers, the deep red twinge flaring up in frustration. The older woman soon breaks the stare and turns to Kuvira, eyeing her up and down menacingly. The metal-bender remains calm and unfazed by the daggers being shot at her with those fiery green eyes. Instead, she just nods her head up to further aggravate the commander. Shepard snorts and shakes her head in disapproval, looking back at a frustrated Ashley.

"Take this load of filth down to cargo and set her up in the hold. She's your problem until I find a better place for her - for all of them," Shepard orders strictly, pointing at Kuvira. Ashley looks like she's about to argue, but Liara's voice pipes out amongst their heated stares, jolting them from the fight.

"Shepard, she's losing too much blood. I can't help her on my own," Liara says frantically, catching Korra's dazed attention. The Avatar almost crawls back towards the Asari, her eyes wide as she sees that Asami is awake again. Her eyes are deliriously flickering from one spot of the room to the next in fear. Korra reaches for her hand and tugs upon it tightly, trying hard not to cry as Asami starts sobbing and blurting out muffled cries of pain. Liara's azure eyes stare into Shepard's, pleading for her to make a decision soon. As the woman glances at the crimson staining those white gloves, she growls something unintelligible before rubbing her forehead and biting her bottom lip in frustration.

"Joker," she snaps angrily, "get us to the Citadel, stat. I need an emergency evac bulletin sent to Heurta." Korra's eyes widen with relief as she lets out a choked out cry of victory. The Avatar clutches her friend's hand tighter as Shepard glances stonily at Liara. "EDI, get a doctor on the comm with Liara."

"Understood, Commander," EDI's automated voice registers through the speakers in the med-bay. "Jeff has plotted a course for the Citadel; our ETA is six hours and forty-two minutes. Specialist Traynor is working on patching a line through to Dr T'Soni with the head team at Heurta Memorial. I've also received a ping from Admiral Hackett; he wishes to speak with you urgently. The comm room is prepped for your meeting, Commander."

"I'll be right there," Shepard mutters as she glances once more at Liara.

The Asari nods sadly, her attention focused back on Asami's leg. Shepard glances over at Korra, who's still fretting insistently over a rapidly deteriorating Asami. Her worry is spilling out into protection, as any movement Liara makes that causes a pained reaction in the heiress instills an angered response in the defensive Avatar. As Liara ties a band around Asami's thigh to cut off blood flow, the heiress lets loose a bloodcurdling scream as more blood burbles out from the wound. The archaeologist winces as she sees the raw marrow between the split crevice of the younger woman's bone.

"It's a bad break, Shepard," Liara grimaces, trying to ignore the sobs of both women beside her, "I can't fix this one."

"James," Shepard says to her lieutenant, watching Korra warily again. "Take her down to life support and patch her up. I need her away from her friend, not to mention I need a debrief, too. Bandage up those burns and see what else she needs. Radio in Private Campbell to help Liara with Asami."

"Right away, Lola," James says without argument. He walks over to Korra, tensing as the woman shoots him a threatening glare. She goes to raise her fists again as he reaches for her arm, but her eyes meet Shepard's steely gaze and she reigns back her fury. Beside her, Asami has already slipped back into unconsciousness. Korra looks hesitant to leave her friend, but James quietly murmurs something soft and encouraging under his breath that causes her to nod and rise. The woman reluctantly limps out of the room, her eyes glued on Asami's figure until she's ushered out, leaving Shepard and Liara alone.

"Thank you," Liara whispers as she tends to Asami's leg. Shepard only grunts and heads for the door, bracing herself for the meeting with Hackett.

"Just fix her up so we can get them the fuck off this ship," the older woman grumbles back as she exits the room.

/

"Just sit in the corner and don't talk."

Kuvira eyes Ashley with a piercing glare as the soldier growls out the command. Used to being the one in authority, Kuvira doesn't take well to the order and instead huffs, crossing her arms and fixes the raven-haired woman with a smirk. Ashley's brows furrow and she seethes at the action, rolling her bottom lip into her mouth as she tries to contain her rage. The metal-bender scoffs and rolls her eyes sarcastically.

"So what's your deal with that Shepard woman?" Kuvira asks, picking at some dirt between her fingernails. The question has an air of nonchalance to it that further irritates the soldier. The subject is sore enough to begin with, and she doesn't need some random stranger bringing it up to aggravate it.

"Nothing," Ashley mutters in a low growl, shaking her head as she snarls, "now turn around and shut up."

"Were you fuck buddies or something?" Kuvira asks, peering up curiously. "I mean, I'm not much into burly women that have craters in their face but she's not too shabby, I suppose." Ashley growls again, whipping her head around furiously as she reaches into her holster to draw out her pistol. She steps forward and plants the muzzle of the gun taut against the other woman's forehead, ignoring the smirk played out on Kuvira's face.

"Wow, looks like I guessed right," Kuvira says with a chuckle, "so, is the commander as rough in bed as she is on the outside?"

"You are one step away from getting your brains blown out, you little bitch," Ashley snaps back, shaking her head. Kuvira rolls her eyes and yawns, her senses focusing on the metal inside the gun. She snaps her fingers subtly, out of the view of the soldier, and the gun cocks back with a click.

"Try me," the metal-bender hisses as she leans up to meet Ashley's somewhat shocked face. Ashley growls and mutters something incoherent as she draws the gun back into its holster and bites her lip frustratingly. Kuvira laughs again, leaning back in her chair and smirking up at the soldier.

"You know I can bend metal, right?" Kuvira's voice is a mere taunt. "I can take the hull of this vessel apart with a flick of my fingers."

"If you do that you'll die, you idiot," Ashley snarls, stepping forward to jab a finger into the younger woman's chest harshly. Kuvira hides the wince, but the prod aggravates the sore spot from where she'd absorbed the force of one of those bullets from the firefight. "Unless you have a way to bend some air into your lungs, then you're fucked. All of our suits have oxygen ventilation systems in case of emergency. Last time I checked, your little friend had to whip you guys up with some air, so you can drop your stupid, pretentious attitude right there. You have no power here, bitch."

"Fuck you," Kuvira growls lowly, though she can't ignore the truth in Ashley's words. The metal-bender notices the smug look of victory on the soldiers face and shakes her head, dropping her arms as she stalks over to the corner of the room. As she sits down, she can't but grimace subtly at the ache in her chest. The former captain looks down and rubs tenderly at her chest, noticing she still has the dented armour on. With a soft flick of her wrist, the metal flies off her chest and clatters to the ground, causing Ashley to mutter something angrily under her breath.

"Pick it up," Ashley says, pointing to the metal, "you're not a kid, and I'm not a fucking babysitter."

"Whatever," Kuvira mutters, reaching for the metal and swiping it into her hands. She bends the material into different shapes, just to annoy Ashley further until she finally submits and flattens it into a sheet, stacking it against the wall with a smug grin. Ashley rolls her eyes and turns away.

"I've got work to do, so just stay there. If I catch any funny business, you're Shepard's to deal with, not mine." Ashley threatens the woman as she cocks her head over her shoulder to stare at the metal-bender with a smirk. "Trust me, she's hell in comparison to me, so I'd keep your little tricks to yourself until she finds out what to do with the lot of you."

"You'd know," Kuvira scoffs, rolling her eyes sarcastically. The comment barely agitates Ashley as she smiles crookedly and nods.

"I do," she says with a smug grin, "and for your sake, I hope you don't find out."

Kuvira remains emotionless as Ashley chuckles confidently, turning her head as she stalks away. The metal-bender disguises the sound of her nervous swallow as she senses the rage pouring out of the woman before her. Images of Shepard tossing Korra into the wall like the bender had been nothing but a child's rag doll flash through her brain, muddling with the slowly recurring pain of her injuries. The woman hides her wince, but her aching sigh doesn't go unnoticed by Ashley, who lets her shoulders loosen with the loss of pressure to keep the status quo. She's in charge and she knows it.

"First we have aliens," Ashley mutters as she makes her way over to the work bench, "and now we have time travelling humans."

As she works, Ashley tries to ignore the burning gaze from Kuvira behind her.

/

"Why can't I stay with Asami?" Korra pleads desperately as James takes her inside the elevator. James sees the need and sadness in the young girl's eyes as she folds her hands together and practically begs him to take her back to her friend. The man shakes his head rather reluctantly, knowing that Shepard's orders are final, no matter the guilt that arises in his chest.

"Blue needs space to work, mija. Your friend was roughed up pretty bad back there. That leg wound ain't something a patch of medigel will fix. Trust me," James says, pointing to his scar that runs down his cheek and under his eye. Korra's eyes fill with tears as her hands shake.

"I can't leave her. I've already left her once before. Now she's hurt because of me," Korra whimpers, her chest aching as a sob rips through her lungs. James pauses mid-stride to glance over at her sympathetically. The woman is in her early twenties, but to James, she looks more like a child than anything. The man sighs and reaches out, tugging on her arm softly as he pulls her into the life-support room.

"Look, I know you're scared. This is all overwhelming. Something tells me that you've never seen anything like this before, and I know you must be terrified for your friend. You have to trust me on this, Blue is smarter than anyone I've ever met. She'll figure out a way to help her," James tells her softly, urging her to sit atop the examination table. Korra's hesitant, but her fingers slide across the dried blood matted to her shirt. With a pained groan, she hoists herself up on the table, letting her legs dangle from under her, hovering just above the floor.

"I-I can't lose her," Korra sobs, clenching at her chest. Her fingertips scratch over the metal piece lodged in her skin, causing her to cry out. James' eyes flash and he quickly notices the slow dripping of blood from around the wound. Grimacing, he turns around, reaching for the medical kit on the far wall. He pulls out the box and sets it down on the table beside Korra. The Avatar glances at it hesitantly, though her mind screams for help.

"You won't," James says assuringly, placing his hands on her bobbing knees. Korra's eyes meet him as she sniffles and wipes her eyes. She tries desperately to stop shaking, but nothing seems to appease her fear. James squeezes her kneecaps again, causing her to look at him directly.

"Shepard may seem like your biggest enemy right now, but she's getting your friend the help she needs. The Citadel houses the best hospital in this system. You have to understand that she's doing everything she can. Right now, you just have to wait it out. I know it blows, but you need help too," James murmurs softly, eyeing her chest wound with a slight wince. "That's got to be hurting you. It looks nasty, that's for sure."

"I've been through worse," Korra mutters under breath, more so as a reminder for herself. James doesn't react to the comment, but opens the kit regardless. Korra looks a bit skeptical about having to remove her shirt in front of a man she'd just met a few hours ago, but James gives her another kind smile, setting down the gauze pads and gel upon the table beside her legs.

"I'll be quick, don't worry. I've patched up worse wounds than yours, or your friend's for that matter. It'll only take a minute, I swear." Korra looks apprehensive, but she can't ignore the throbbing heat that pulses out from the wound. Reluctantly, she nods and lays back on the table, feeling small as the man hovers over her. The shaking in her shoulders and frame intensifies with fear when she catches James reaching for a small surgical knife.

"Easy kid, you won't feel a thing. I'm gonna sedate you so I can take the piece out," James explains as he reaches for a needle filled with some kind of serum. Korra's eyes widen and her hands tremble again, but James is there to ease her fears with another small smile.

"S-Sedate? W-What does that mean?" Korra asks, confused. Her voice is hoarse from crying, but James doesn't mind. He points to the piece of shrapnel in her chest and sighs deeply. Korra feels fear run through her spine with a chilling tingle through each interlocking bone.

"It means that I'm gonna put you to sleep for a little while, that way you don't have to be awake when I cut the piece out," James watches Korra tenses up and he quickly adds, "but don't worry, it's totally temporary. You'll wake up in a few hours. Maybe by then, you'll be able to see your friend."

"What if something happens when you put me to sleep?" Korra asks, her eyes lit with trepidation as she glances hesitantly from the needle to James. The soldier is patient and sweet, making sure to not scare the bender more than she already is. He waits until Korra calms down a bit before he talks again, carefully explaining to her, "don't worry, mija. Blue's got the girl sedated, too. You'll both be knocked out for a bit. It's for the best, trust me."

"And Shepard?" Korra asks, suddenly remembering their altercation in the medical bay. Anger builds in her chest, but James shakes his head and smiles.

"Shepard has other things to worry about. Her priorities right now don't involve hurting either of you," he assures her calmly, "and besides, despite her hot head and stubborn attitude, Lola wouldn't ever hurt a civilian, even if you don't quite fall under that category. The commander can be harsh, but she's not cruel. What happened in the med-bay was just her trying to assert her power; she wanted everyone to know she's in charge."

"She won't hurt Asami, right?" Korra's question is so soft and choked that James barely catches it. The soldier nods again and squeezes her shoulder.

"She'll be fine, kiddo," he tells her as she watches Korra's body grow lax, "I promise."

/

Shepard pinches the bridge of her nose before she steps into the comm room. The holographic interface lights up as the fuzzy picture of both Admiral Anderson and Admiral Hackett come to stand before her. Shepard wipes her face clear of any previous conflict and straightens her back, snapping a crisp salute to both her commanding officers. Hackett and Anderson both wave their hands in dismissal, allowing Shepard's arms to fall back to her sides. Hackett clears his throat, the sound garbling from the weak signal and static of the communication line.

"Commander, we've received word of what happened on Mars," Hackett says slowly, his eyes wary and a bit distant, "I understand that the archives were destroyed in the explosion. Did you manage to retrieve Dr T'Soni and the information on the Reapers?"

"Yes, sir. Liara is safe and so is the data packet. We've also picked up three civvies that were on the station. We're heading out to the Citadel to find a better place for them that isn't the ship. The Normandy doesn't have the greatest track record with crew safety," Shepard says with a grimace. The two admirals nod at each other, but Admiral Hackett frowns as she glances nervously to the side.

"Care to share some information on those civilians, Commander?" Hackett asks her with a garbled voice. The static annoys her beyond reason, but she tunes out the scratchy sound and sighs, shrugging as she simply says, "we don't know much about them, sir. One is injured and being tend to by Dr T'Soni, the other two are… indisposed for the lack of a better word."

"Indisposed?" Anderson asks, raising his brow curiously. Shepard sighs and rubs her forehead.

"With all due respect, Admirals, my priority is not saving civvies but trying to bring an end to this war," Shepard says, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice, "so, please, if we could return to the topic at hand." Anderson looks like he's about to refute her suggestion, but Hackett beats him to it.

"Commander Shepard," he says strictly, his gaze narrowing through the blue haze, "your job is to save the lives of all civilians, alien, foreign, friendly, or otherwise. I do not want any unnecessary risks to you or your crew members. Your role in this war is important, but do not lose sight of your mission."

"Yes, sir," Shepard says quietly after sometimes. She mulls his words over, letting them digest before she speaks again, "they've somehow managed to slip through a time warp. It's complicated and none of us understand quite yet what's happening, but I swear, we will figure it out. Until then, one is injured, the others are being held under surveillance until we figure out if they're friends or foes."

"Now, wasn't that easy?" Anderson chuckles, smiling at the commander with a knowing glint. Shepard sighs and shrugs again, once again growing irritated. Anderson sees that Shepard has something more to say that doesn't involve the discovery of the three new women.

"What was in that data packet, Commander?" Anderson asks, switching topics - much to Shepard's relief. The woman nods and straightens her back, down to business as her green eyes gleam in the dim blue lighting. She folds her arms in front of her as she speaks, her voice clear and confident.

"Liara has not yet decrypted everything, but from what she told me on Mars, she thinks that the information may be about a weapon that could destroy the Reapers. It's something called 'The Crucible'," Shepard explains, the pounding in her head ceasing for a small period of respite. "We've also recovered Dr Coré's body before the explosion. We've yet to do an autopsy, however. The weapon diagnostics for 'The Crucible' are fully intact and being sent to the science teams at both Arcturus and Lunar stations. Liara thinks there's potential for it to work should we have the sufficient resources." Anderson and Hackett both nod, a grim smile painting their weary faces at the slightest spark of hope that maybe, they can win this war.

"Good. It'd better work, all considering. It may be our last hope, Commander," Anderson tells her as he scratches at his beard. Shepard turns to him, her eyes softening as she glances at the faint scratches and dirt on his face. Anderson smiles again at her, trying to convince her that he's alright.

"How's Earth holding up, sir?" Shepard asks guiltily. Any essence of ruthlessness from before is wiped clean as she lets herself become slightly vulnerable in front of the man who'd practically raised her since she'd been found on one of the street gangs back on Earth. Anderson sighs and shakes his head.

"I'm not gonna lie, Shepard, it looks rough," he says honestly, "we've lost a lot of men and women. Good men and women. We've developed a resistance and we're doing our best to hold them back, but right now things are looking bleak. We need some reinforcements." Shepard steps forward and parts her mouth, but Hackett beats her to the chase, placing a finger up to stop her from speaking the words they both know she's about to say.

"Commander, we know you want to fight, but you're not worth this one battle. We need you gathering intel, making alliances, and building a fleet strong enough to at least distract these metal beasts until we can destroy them," Hackett explains in a strict voice, "it's not just Earth that needs you, Commander, but the entire galaxy. You must go to the council while on course to the Citadel and form a summit that could unite our species."

"With all due respect, Admiral, I'm no diplomat," Shepard says, arching her brow. "I'm a shoot first, ask questions later kind of gal."

"But you've also defeated Sovereign and the Geth back on Ilos, destroyed the Collector home-world and lived to tell the tale," Anderson cuts in proudly, nodding his head in admiration as Shepard lets out a quiet breath of apprehension. "You have the power to be a beacon of hope, an icon, if you must."

"I also wiped out an entire colony of Batarians," Shepard reminds them, though she also grimaces at the statement. "I'm not exactly a saint, Admiral."

"Neither are the Reapers, child," Anderson replies softly, "but you've done more for all our worlds combined then they have."

"Go to the council," Hackett says, catching her attention once more. "Perhaps, they'll also reinstate you as a Spectre. They know the consequences of not having listened to you three years ago, trust me. They'll do anything to keep their people safe, even if it means putting you back in charge."

"Speaking of promotions," Anderson cuts in, smiling at Shepard proudly once more. "I think that we're long overdue on yours, don't you think?"

"Sir?" Shepard asks, confused. Hackett and Anderson both look at each other and nod knowingly before turning back to the woman.

"Shepard, since your reinstatement back on Earth, we've neglected your promotion to captain status," Hackett explains with a smile. "Though, between all three of us, I without a doubt believe it should have come long ago, not now. As Anderson had been promoted to admiral, so shall you to captain. You have been leading the role without the proper title. It only seems fitting that now you become what you were always meant to be."

"Councillor Udina will present you with your new set of tags after your meeting with the council," Anderson nods, though his tone changes to one of mild irritation at the slight mention of his former rival. Hackett grunts in approval, sharing the same sentiment as his fellow admiral.

"With your promotion, you must appoint your own commanding officer and lieutenant commander," Hackett tells her, smiling as she sees the flash of understanding on the new captain's face. "And before you ask, non-alliance members can fill the position, too."

"Would you like to call them in, Captain Shepard?" Anderson asks, his voice adorned with a multitude of admiration and pride. Shepard smiles slightly, despite the guilt weighing down on her chest. The sound of the title causes her heart to beat hard and nervously inside of her chest. She nods hesitantly, still stunned at the recent promotion, and glances at the ship's communication interface.

"EDI, please notify Dr T'Soni and Lt Williams to come the comm room urgently," she orders calmly, despite her bouncing nerves. EDI replies with quick affirmation, letting her know that the two women will be with her shortly. Within a few minutes, the doors to the comm room whoosh open, both Ashley and Liara walking in, panting lightly. There's still blood on Liara's uniform and Shepard winces, but the Asari quickly nods and regains her breath.

"You asked for us, Commander?" Ashley speaks, her voice raw from exertion. Shepard stays silent, and instead looks to both the Admirals. Upon seeing them, the two women snap a crisp salute and nod in respect. Anderson and Hackett wave them down as they'd done with Shepard earlier.

"You've been brought here because your captain has a question to ask you," Anderson tells them, stressing the title. Both Ashley and Liara's brows raise as they turn to Shepard, who still looks a bit hesitant. The woman barely fathoms a nod as she clears her throat and steps forward.

"Ash," she says, her voice softer than usual. It reminds Ashley of the old Shepard, the one before Cerberus brought her back and everything she'd known about the woman had been burned to hell. It's warm and caring, two things that she'd thought Shepard had lost when she'd died three years ago.

"Skipper," Ashley breathes out in return. Shepard stands straighter and nods at her, keeping her stare determined and strong.

"I know we've had our rough patches and we're still working through old wounds, but there's no one I'd rather have as my second in command. You've always been there, even when I was with Cerberus. You've earned every title given to you and I believe there's no better placement for a commander." Shepard's tone is full of admiration and respect, something that Ashley had thought she'd lost just a few moments ago. It's only as she looks into Shepard's eyes that she understands how desperate the commander is for a familiar face, of something to remind her of what she'd been once ago.

"I accept, Captain," Ashley says, saluting the woman strongly. Shepard cracks a faint smile and sighs, replying, "thank you, Commander."

"It's got a nice ring to it," Ashley muses, rousing a half-chuckle from the older woman's throat. Shepard nods her head again, giving her another smile.

"That it does, Ash," she murmurs before turning to Liara. The Doctor's eyes are glazed with emotion. For a moment, Ashley feels a pang of jealousy, but nothing of animosity or frustration burble up. When she sees the complete love in the Asari's eyes, she knows that Shepard made the right match. If anyone could follow her orders should something happen, she'd want no one other than the archaeologist.

"Liara," Shepard says in a bare whisper as she bows her head slightly. "If something ever happens to me, I need to know my crew will be protected. I need to know that the people who are leading them are people whom I trust… and love." Shepard's eyes glance back over at Ashley, but the younger woman ducks her head. She's an old flame that died out long ago, Ashley reminds herself somewhat sadly as memories of a few passion filled nights on the first Normandy with the captain rush through her mind, but she shakes away the thought to glance over at Liara and Shepard.

"I'll do it with honour, Shepard," Liara says, her eyes misting as Shepard takes a breath and solemnly nods her head. The captain turns back to face the two admirals with determination set in her fiery green eyes. She snaps a salute and straightens her back. Anderson and Hackett nod proudly once more.

"Go to the council, Captain Shepard," Anderson says as he watches Hackett salute back before signing off. "Bring us hope one more time." There's a glint in Shepard's eyes as she nods again. She takes a step forward and drops her arm, setting her jaw and jutting her chin up tenaciously.

"I will, sir," she says as she watches Anderson sign off. The woman doesn't turn away as she mutters, "go give them hell."

Ashley leaves the captain and the new lieutenant commander alone as she exits the room, making her way down back to the armoury. Liara's gaze is fixed on Shepard's back. The Human breathes slowly, as if she were still processing all that had happened. Liara steps forward quietly, placing her hand upon Shepard's shoulder. The muscles underneath her Alliance uniform tighten with tension as Shepard turns slightly, her face scrunched in worry. Liara's expression softens at the rare visibility of Shepard's vulnerability.

"Sweetheart," Liara coos as she runs her hand up to Shepard's scarred cheek. The woman looks away and sighs, shaking her head.

"How's the girl?" Shepard asks, her eyes tracing the many splotches of blood upon her outfit. Liara understands the need for a change in topic, so she swallows thickly, furrowing her brows before responding with a soft grunt.

"Luckily, there isn't too much of nerve damage between her kneecaps and her spine. The break was nasty, but straight. That being said, she's lost a substantial amount of blood. We don't have anything in our reserves for her specific type," Liara says softly, wincing as Shepard closes her eyes.

"Give her mine." The words come out before Liara can process them. Shepard's eyes train on hers, and for a moment there's some semblance of the old Shepard in those familiar greens. Liara's breath hitches as she watches Shepard's hands trace her bloodied gauntlets absently.

"You know that I'm o-negative. Just give her one of my reserves until we're at the Citadel," Shepard tells her quietly. "Have you gotten in touch with anyone at Heurta Memorial, yet?" Liara nods, a faint smile creeping up on her face as she squeezes Shepard's wandering hands, thus stilling them.

"An old friend, actually," Liara says with a bigger smile, "Dr Chakwas sends her regards, as well as her requisition to fill the position of chief doctor aboard the Normandy." Shepard's eyes light up and she feels her heart beat inside of her chest. Liara only smiles harder, for she understands how close of a bond the two women shared; from the start of Shepard's career, Karen had been there to nurse her wounds, both physical and emotional.

"Tell her to get her supplies and things ready," Shepard says with a flicker of genuine happiness, "the Normandy welcomes her with open arms."

/

When Korra awakes, she notices that everything is blurry and her head feels like someone had dropped a tiger-seal on it.

"Easy, mija," James' voice comes into hearing as she turns her head with a groan, "it seems like it's your first sedation."

"Mm," Korra mumbles, her eyelids drooping again. Her body feels light and airy, as though she were floating through the clouds.

"Luckily for you, there's minimal scarring to your chest from the wound. I got the shard out, but pieces of shrapnel are still lodged in your muscle. Unfortunately, it's far too danger for me to remove without causing anymore tears or bleeding," James explains, though he still chuckles when Korra glances at him hazily. A faint frown forms on her face in confusion, but then she remembers the reason behind her sedation.

"'Sami…, Asami," she gargles the words, her voice thick from sleep. James lays a hand on her shoulder and squeezes reassuringly.

"She's okay, kiddo. Just resting," he tells her gently, giving her an assuring smile. Korra tries to sit up quickly, but only manages to slump forward. James assists her in sitting until she's strong enough to swing her legs over the table to dangle once more in the air. She takes a deep breath the quell the spell of nausea that overwhelms her before she gulps and glances at James with a worried expression.

"I want to see her."

"No can do, Korra. Doc says she needs the room to be clear of anyone until we dock on the Citadel," James explains, feeling guilty as he sees the pout forming on Korra's face. He attempts at another smile, but he knows it won't rid the girl of her anxiety.

"Listen, last I heard from Blue was that Asami was out of the danger zone. Sure, she's still banged up, but she'll live," James tells her assuringly. Korra doesn't seem fazed by the information, however. Instead, she stares at him blankly, tears misting in her eyes.

"Will she walk?" Korra asks the question in a low voice. It takes the soldier by surprise as he raises a brow.

"I… I think so," he says, puzzled by Korra's sudden cloudy expression, "why do you ask?"

Korra's about to answer when the door behind them whooshes open and in walks Shepard. Korra's eyes light with a new fire as she practically launches herself off the bed. In a matter of a few strides, she's standing in front of the captain with her nostrils flaring angrily. James quickly moves to pull her away, but Shepard flashes him a look that warns him to stay out of the picture. The soldier nods and mumbles something incoherent as he maneuvers around them, leaving the two hot-headed women alone in the room.

"What did you do with her?! Why can't I see Asami?!" Korra demands, shoving the woman in front of her. Shepard doesn't react, but she still gazes at Korra with a slight frown. Old memories from her childhood pass through her at the sight of the frustrated young woman, but Shepard shakes them away.

"Your friend needs time to rest. With your current emotional state, it's safe to say that you should not be in the picture with her," Shepard mutters, rolling her eyes at the scorching glare that burns from those bright blue eyes. A pit grows in the soldier's stomach because those eyes remind her too much of what she's lost, and what she may end up losing should the Reapers win. Korra opens her mouth to protest, but Shepard shakes her head.

"You can argue later, but right now there is a matter I need to discuss with you," Shepard cuts her off before she can even speak. Korra thinks about questioning the older woman, but thinks better of it from the glare she receives. Shepard takes a breath and crosses her arms, leaning back slightly.

"You have some strange powers that we have not yet come across. Biotics are something Asari and a few other races have, but nothing of this element manipulation you seem to possess. I need to know how you do it, where you come from, and what sort of danger you pose to my crew and this ship." Korra's brows raise as her glare is replaced with an irritated expression instead. She too, crosses her arms and grunts in disapproval.

"Wow, straight to the point, huh? You really seem to have something against me," Korra growls, biting her lip as Shepard doesn't react.

"I am not in the mood for games, Korra. I need to know what you're capable of creating or destroying," Shepard says, her tone verging on hostile. Not wanting to repeat the events from earlier, Korra quietens. Her hands trace her neck subtly as flashes of the powerful soldier's grip whip through her mind. At the action, she notices Shepard's expression soften, but only by a slight amount.

"I'm the Avatar, I don't really know what else to say," Korra says, shrugging as she ponders what other explanation she could give. Shepard murmurs something unintelligible before she sighs and nods her head. She glances at Korra with another stern stare.

"So your friend Kuvira-"

"She's not my friend." Korra's voice is cold but firm like steel. Shepard pauses as she sees the anger lit in those blue eyes again. The woman takes a breath before back-pedalling, correcting herself as she continues to say, "so, your associate, Kuvira. Is she an Avatar, too?"

"What? No," Korra says, shaking her head with a slight chuckle, "she's only an earth-bender that can metal-bend, too. Big whoop."

"What is this bending you speak of? Is that your manipulation of the elements? Why do you call her an earth-bender and not an Avatar?" The questions come out rapid fire, nearly overwhelming Korra as Shepard's voice begins to rise out of frustration. Korra takes a step back and gulps.

"Well, the Avatar is the master of all four elements, though I can metal-bend, too," Korra explains slowly, thinking carefully about how to tell the impatient captain how bending works. "You see, there are the four elements; earth, air, water, and fire. Some people can bend these elements to their advantage and use them against other people. Water has the ability to heal; fire can also induce lightening-bending, which is like electricity; earth-benders can manipulate the fine granite structures in metal; air-benders can suck the air out of someone's lungs, though they're typically nomadic."

"And you can manage all four? Why is that?" Shepard asks, perplexed. Korra rubs her face and takes another deep breath.

"The Avatar is the representation of balance, hence the ability to master all four elements. I'm a reincarnation of the very first Avatar, Wan, who lived many, many years ago. Each time an Avatar dies, a new one is born in the element that follows its predecessor. For example, the Avatar before me was an air-bender, and therefore I was born as a water-bender. It must seem bizarre to you, I know, but it's really how it works. Surely you must have some history books perhaps that explain the Avatar? Maybe you have an Avatar of your own?" Korra asks, raising her brow. Could it be possible that two Avatar's coexist? The idea both thrills and numbs her as she watches Shepard's eyes darken.

"No, we have nothing of the sort," she mutters, but then an idea sparks in her mind. "But, I may know someone who might."

"Who?" Korra asks as Shepard turns back to look at her with a determined gaze.

"The council on the Citadel has an Asari that has lived near to a thousand years," she says, scratching at a deep scar on her jaw. "Perhaps, she may know more about your kind. Maybe, you can come in handy in our fight." Korra's brows raise up as she shakes her head and lifts her hands dismissively.

"Fuck no, I'm not fighting in your war. I don't understand it, and it's not like any kind of combat I've encountered before. I just want to get Asami out of here and back to Republic City safely. If I wanted to die, I would have stayed on Mars, Commander Shepard."

"It's Captain Shepard to you," Shepard snarls, startling Korra. The older woman wedges a finger into the still healing chest wound of the Avatar, desperately trying to ignore the wince and welling of tears the action causes. Shepard's stare remains glued to the younger girl's fearful irises.

"You will listen to what I have to say or else you won't be seeing your friend anytime soon," Shepard threatens in a hiss. Something triggers a reaction in Korra as the slightest mention of the inventor's safety causes her shoulders to slump and her to look away. Tears roll down her cheeks and Shepard feels another pang of guilt attack her heart. Her skin feels like fire as she feels another one of her scars splitting the skin. Orange light bursts from the new laceration upon the side of her jaw, causing her to growl out in pain. Unfortunately, Korra takes the growl as something hostile, shrivelling up again.

"Fine," Korra mumbles dejectedly, "just please, don't hurt her."

"Good," Shepard says strongly. She glances at the woman before her, noting how she's wearing the same baggy pants as before, but her chest is wrapped up in white bandages. Shepard gazes at the multiple scars on her bare skin, her insides clenching as she notices a particularly long score that runs down the divot of her navel and to her hip in a crooked line, as if someone were trying to physically tear her apart. Shepard pushes away the lingering sympathy and glances back at Korra. "We dock in two hours. I'll get Specialist Traynor to bring you some extra clothes. I think you're about the same size."

"Okay," Korra mutters, still not looking at Shepard. The older woman sighs and rubs the bridge of her forehead.

"Look, we've got a doctor coming from one of the best hospitals in this galaxy to take care of your friend," Shepard explains, her voice quietening to lose the aggressive tone. "Trust me when I say that she's the best of the best. I wouldn't trust anyone else with my life besides her. Asami will be okay."

"Then why can't I see her?" Shepard is taken aback by the sheer need and desperation in Korra's voice.

"Because she's not stable right now. She's breathing and alive, but Liara - Dr T'Soni - thinks that any sort of panic can jeopardize her state. She's lost a substantial amount of blood but her body is still in shock since the explosion. It's not that you can't see her, Korra-"

"It's that I could hurt her if I do," Korra finishes for her solemnly, her eyes trained to the floor. Shepard sighs and scratches the tear in her cheek absently, trying to come up with a way to comfort the young girl. She comes up dry and soon enough, Korra's tears are running freely down her cheeks.

"I get it," she mumbles under her breath, "this is all my fault."

Shepard doesn't reply, even though one half of her mind - the half she'd not been in touch with for a long time coming - screams for her to refute the Avatar's claim. That part of her wants to reach out and wrap her arms around the smaller woman, to wipe the tears that fall from those blue eyes, but she can't. She's not her, Shepard thinks as another wave of memories wash over her, she's a foreigner whom you don't even know. Closing the walls back around the newly aroused wounds that she'd thought she'd long since buried, Shepard fixes Korra with a hard stare and stern nod.

"Two hours. James will take you to the bridge when we're ready," she instructs, ignoring the turmoil within her.

The skin near her scar splits again.

"Yeah," Korra replies, walking back to the table. She hops up with a wince before curling her arms around her bare stomach. "I'll be there."

/

"Jane, come help with dinner."

Jane glances up from the colouring pad and grins toothily at her mother. The five year old hobbles to her feet and darts into the kitchen, her arms launching themselves around her mother's waist. Her head lands on the swell of her mother's stomach and she smiles as she hears the small thud from beneath the cloth of her apron. Hannah's eyes soften as she looks down at her daughter, squeezing lightly at one of those pale arms. Her other hand weaves through the curled locks of the child's hair, smoothening out the tangles.

"When is she gonna get here, Mama?" Jane asks, glancing up at her mother with an anticipated expression. Hannah only smiles harder, squeezing her daughter's arm tighter as she leads them further into the kitchen. Jane instinctively understands, bolting from her mother's side to reach for the stack of plates before setting them up on the mahogany table. Outside the window, the sunsets over the pale green fields, painting the sky orange and red.

"Hopefully after your father returns home," Hannah muses, her voice growing distant as she thinks of Richard, "I'm sure he'd want to meet her with you."

"Can I pick the name please, Mama?" Jane asks, settling herself down on her chair as her mother brings over the pot of steaming stew. Hannah chuckles as she sets the food down and situates herself on the chair beside her eldest daughter, nodding happily.

"What did you have in mind, sweetheart?" Hannah asks, serving some of the food to her offspring. Jane picks at the broccoli and shoves it away with a disgusted glance before grinning back up at her mother, her green eyes lit with innocent curiosity that could only be found in a child.

"Rachel, Mama," Jane says proudly, "I wanna name her Rachel."

"Captain Shepard?"

Shepard snaps her gaze up to see Samantha walk into the private cabins. A snarl plays at the older woman's lips as she hastily wipes tears she'd no idea had been falling away from her face and cleaning up before the Indian woman could get a good look at her. The specialist's eyes are wary with fear as she watches the great captain rise with an angered expression and her eyes lit furiously. The glare is smouldering and Sam has to check that she's not burned up herself. Shepard stalks towards her like an animal - a beast - would its prey. The younger woman resists the urge to shrivel and cry as she salutes her.

"We've docked, Ma'am," Traynor tells her, desperately trying to keep the quiver in her voice from cracking further, "we've tried alerting you-"

"Get Korra from the crew deck," Shepard interrupts her as she reaches for her blazer jacket from the side of her desk. "I want both her and Liara at the port in five minutes, tops. Also, patch Dr Chakwas through and tell her to bring whatever supplies she needs. I want her on this ship, ready to go, before sun down. Understood, Specialist?" Sam hazards a small nod as she quickly jerks and turns away, leaving the older woman alone in her room again.

"Captain Shepard," EDI's voice rings out over the comm, "you've been experiencing high levels of blood pressure and your brain wave patterns are slightly above abnormal. This indicates immense levels of stress and internal tension. Are you in need of medical assistance?"

"No," Shepard barks as she rushes into the elevator. There's a pause in the air before EDI calmly says, "very well. Logging you out, Shepard."

The elevator stops on the crew deck, and in walk Korra and Liara both. The youngest woman, upon seeing the glare set upon the red-head's face, presses herself into the back of the small metal booth anxiously, her eyes drawn to a single spot on the floor. Traynor's uniform is a bit small on her, causing Shepard to glance at the bulging muscles in her arms. An idea sparks in her head, but before she can make a comment, Liara observes the nervous gesture of Korra's wince and sighs sympathetically, much to Shepard's disapproving grunt. The older woman crosses her arms and rolls her eyes at the captain's obviously childish behaviour and pushes the button for the bridge. The ride is silent and tense, but thankfully short.

"Dr Chakwas will be on board within the hour," Liara says as they exit the elevator. At this, Korra's eyes light up.

"Asami's getting help? Will she be awake soon? Can I see her? Do you need me to-"

"All I need for you is to be quiet and follow me," Shepard snarls, cutting her off. Again, her skin protests and this time Liara's azure pools flare at the sight of the orange line on the side of her jaw splitting under the stress. At her love's distress, Shepard sighs and lowers her voice, taking a breath.

"Korra, look," she says, placing both hands on Korra's trembling shoulders, "just please, listen to me, okay?"

"How can I trust you?" Korra breathes, tears welling in her eyes. "You take me away from Asami, you keep me in the dark, you threaten me, you bribe me to help you at the cost of my friend's life - how do I know you're not just going to kill me or her?"

"Because this isn't about death, Korra," Shepard says, her voice cracking slightly as she whimpers, "there's already too much death."

"Then what is this all about? Why do you need me?" Korra asks pleadingly, her hands folded together desperately. Shepard releases her hold on the Avatar and glances downwards, pinching the bridge of her nose as she sucks in a deep breath.

"I don't know, I just need to figure this out," Shepard tells her earnestly, glancing back up. "I need to figure you out."

"How many times must I say it before you understand that I don't want to hurt you? I just want to get Asami and get out of here, dammit." Korra's cheeks are damp with tears now, and some of the crew members on the deck have paused to look in their direction. Shepard shoots them all a glare that sends them back on their paths, letting the commotion fizzle out to just them once more. Shepard sighs and calms down before turning back to face Korra.

"I want to save you and your friend both, Korra, but I need you to trust me," Shepard says, her voice drawing thin on desperation. "I may not act like it, but you have to understand, I am not your enemy right now. I want you safe just as much as you do. I know it's not much, but it's all I've got."

"Yeah," Korra scoffs, tearing her eyes away, "but is it enough?"

"Look, kid, we have some of the best scientists and archaeologists in this galaxy on the Citadel," Shepard insists further, "you just need to stick it out for a few moments longer until we figure out what to do next. It's not just hard for you, but for us also. We just discovered that you are from a time era that not even Liara was born into; it's a tough get for all of us, okay? Just give me a chance to understand our next step."

"Our?" Korra says with a glare, "there is no our, Shepard. I am not part of your team."

"Shepard," Liara says before Shepard can hotly fire back an insult. "As much you enjoy wasting time arguing, we have a meeting to attend. The council never did like being held late. I suggest we make our way to the chambers now. Please and thank you."

"Fine," Shepard and Korra both huff out at the same time. Liara bites her lip frustratingly as she leads the two hotheaded women out of the airlock and onto the docking pad. Korra follows Shepard slowly, watching her every movement with hesitance that comes from wandering the world alone for six months. Her eyes never leave Shepard's back until her world is bathed in bright purple, blue, and white lights.

When she looks up, she immediately thinks she's in the Spirit World.

The first thing that she notices is the people; there are so many people. All of them are bustling around and trying to find out where they're going. Subconsciously, she sticks closer to Shepard's side, subtly seeking protection from the stronger, taller woman. All around the people, working on what to be some sort of interface mover screens are these green, spider-like creatures that come up to her waist height. The woman's eyes bug out as she sees the size of their bulging black eyes and thin striped antennae that pool from their small heads. Shepard goes up to talk to a holographic version of one of those Asari-things that Liara said she was, but her attention is drawn back to the weird bugs. Her hand curiously extends and she pokes at its side.

"Do not disturb the Keepers," an automated voice nearly sends her sprawling into the wall out of fear. Korra whips her head around to see a small glowing orb drawing closer to her, blinking every couple of sentence. Korra's breathing grows heavy as she presses herself into the wall.

"W-What the hell are you? A spirit?" She asks with dread. The orb doesn't do anything as it stays there, hovering in front of Korra.

"Keyword: Spirit matches no result in our database," the orb responds in a monotone drone, "would you like to try to refine your search?"

"R-Refine my search?"

"Our sensory information is picking up low levels of the neurotransmitter epinephrine and a steadily increasing heart rate of one-forty over eighty. Are you in need of medical attention?" The orb asks, blinking a few more times. Korra shakes her head, her eyes widening as she stares at it in fear.

"Just get away!" Korra says, swatting at the orb, but her hands claw through the air as the orb blinks again.

"Would you like to terminate this session?" The orb asks her without any emotion. Korra nods furiously, her heart slowly ceasing the thud as the orb beeps twice before floating over to someone else harassing one of those creepy green bugs.

"They're called drones," Liara's voice sounds in her ear. Korra relaxes slightly at the sound of her smooth pitch, her head turning to see those gentle azure eyes peering into her own with a bemused expression. The woman's hands slide off the wall and shove themselves into the pants pockets.

"Drones?" Korra tries to ask smoothly, though her voice still shakes. Liara smiles and nods, reaching out to rub the tension out of her shoulder.

"They're peaceful, Korra. Unless they're programmed for it, drones do not operate on combat purposes," she explains, watching as the fear slowly dissipates from Korra's eyes, only to be replaced by mild embarrassment and shame. The younger woman grumbles and looks away, blushing.

"Yeah, well I didn't really understand what it was," Korra mutters as she watches Shepard stalking back towards them. "Forgive me if I question everything after a psychotic woman with orange scars and red eyes kidnapped me and my friend and is currently holding us hostage." Oddly, Liara smiles knowingly at the statement, causing Korra's brows to scrunch together with confusion. Liara squeezes her shoulder again, sighing tiredly as she sees Shepard.

"Often times, war stems from fear," Liara says softly, "and we often fear what we don't know."

/

"Ah, Commander Shepard," Udina's secretary smiles as she greets the infamous woman, holding out her hand.

"It's Captain Shepard," she corrects her bluntly, looking around for Udina. "Where is he?"

"The meeting has already begun, Captain. It's the second door on your left," the secretary says quietly, her lips pulled into a taut line as she watches Liara walk into the room with Korra on her heels. The two Asaris lock gazes, but the secretary is left averting her gaze first. Liara only smirks as she reaches out and gently tugs on Shepard's arm, drawing her away from the other alien with a forceful pull. Korra watches the interaction, oblivious but also confused as the two make their way to the council chambers. Before they reach the door, Shepard turns around and faces Korra with a stern glance.

"Wait in the back. Don't speak unless spoken to, alright?" Shepard asks, though her tone is not hostile. Korra nods and sighs, following her inside. Up at the top, there are three figures. One of them is one of those weird blue (why are all the aliens blue, Korra has no idea) chicken-looking alien, and beside him stands some lizard-sembling thing. The only familiar race that she knows well by now is the Asari that stands beside the human. None of them look entirely pleased or relieved to see her, but the way they nod at Shepard as she enters suggests that they hold some semblance of respect for the captain.

As she'd been told, Korra sits and listens patiently.

"The Reapers are in our space, as well," the Turian councillor says, his voice ringing out over the vast chamber. "Earth is no more or less important than any council home world." His tone is gentle but desperate. He turns to the human, Udina, who looks peeved at his comment.

"But Earth," he stresses the word with a grunt, "was the first council world hit. By all reports, it faces the brunt of the attack."

"How do you know this is the brunt?" The Asari, Tevos (as Liara had begrudgingly mentioned to her in the elevator), responds. "And by which reports?"

"By your reports," the other Salarian councillor replies with a hiss.

Up ahead, Korra makes out Liara's shaking head and disappointed expression. She can tell by the tensing of her shoulders that she's holding back a heated argument, but luckily, Shepard stalks up to the podium in front of the four ministers before the well-respected Asari can blow her gasket. Korra can't help the small grin that forms on her lips as she watches Shepard point at them furiously, and she can only imagine the glare on the woman's face as she opens her mouth and begins to scold them for their ignorance in the past three years.

"The reports are accurate," Shepard tells them as calmly as she can, "Earth was attacked - by the Reapers. And it's just the beginning. We need your help. Everything you can spare." Those angry, red-centred green eyes pierce through the four councillors with intimidation, not desperation. Korra can hear the tone in her voice; shivers run down her spine when she remembers Kuvira's voice being too similar. Dread runs through her like ice.

Could Shepard be just like Kuvira?

"Each of us faces a similar situation," Tevos responds calmly, her eyes trained on Shepard. "Even now, the Reapers are pressing on our borders." At this, Liara's head jerks upwards and her eyes flash. A word floats past her lips, but Korra can't make it out. Beside her, Shepard barely stiffens at the comment. Tevos is unyielding, but not unsympathetic as she softly says, "if we lend our strength to help Earth, our own worlds will fall."

"We must fight this enemy together!" Udina says sharply, turning to face the Asari with a harsh glare. Tevos doesn't react, but before she can reply, the Salarian steps forward, his big black eyes trained on the human challenging the woman beside him.

"And so we should just follow you to Earth? Ridiculous," he hisses, shaking his head in disapproval. "Humans. Always looking out for themselves."

"Enough," the Turian councillor interrupts, staring at both of them frustratingly before turning back to Shepard. "Even if we were to unite our forces, what makes you think it would be enough to take down the Reapers?" The question hangs in the air, leaving a pregnant pause. Shepard glances at Liara, who nods and steps forward, touching her omni-tool and bringing up a picture of some weapon schematics on a giant screen in front of the council.

"I don't expect you to follow me without a plan." Or at all, Shepard thinks begrudgingly, but swallows her own irritation. She nods at Liara, knowing it would be better if the level-headed Asari explained the weapon rather than herself; she was never one for diplomacy.

"Councillors… we have that plan," Liara says as she touches another invisible pad on her arm, "a blueprint. Created by the Protheans during their war with the Reapers many eons ago." A few more schematics and designs float by, and soon enough, Korra's leaning forward in her seat, noting something very similar with the design of the weapon and the cannon from the spirit weapon Kuvira had created during her siege on Republic City.

"A blueprint for what?" The Turian councillor asks, eyeing the pictures skeptically.

"It's a weapon," Korra blurts out, causing all the heads in the gallery to turn and face her. The woman cups her hand over her mouth sheepishly as she sees Shepard's stare burn into hers. She tries to slump into her seat, but it's too late. Every eye is trained on her. The Salarian councillor snorts, leaning back as he stares at the foreigner with hate-filled eyes. He glances between Udina, Shepard, Korra, and the council disapprovingly.

"Typical that Humans can't even understand simple chamber rules," the Salarian growls, "and are you even part of the Alliance? Who are you?"

"She's the Avatar," Liara says, speaking for Shepard before the captain says something less polite. She turns to face Tevos, who's eyes have widened slightly. The Turian seems just as confused as the Salarian, but makes no effort to speak because the lizard-man beats him to it.

"And why for any purpose, should we care about that?" He asks, glaring at Liara.

"Because she's been around longer than you've existed, Councillor," Tevos' voice cuts in, sharp but also interested. She steps forward, curling her hand out, beckoning for Korra to draw herself out from the darkness and face them. "Come here, child. Let us have a look at you."

"I'm not a kid," Korra mutters as she rolls her eyes, standing and walking over to where Shepard is staring daggers into her back. Tevos smiles, though her eyes are distant and misunderstood. She leans over the railing and peers at Korra as though she were a specimen, not a normal person.

"To someone like Captain Shepard, maybe," Tevos says wisely, a slight twinkle in her eyes, "but not to me. I have lived near to a thousand years, young one. Your life is but a spec in my timeline. Though, I have only heard stories of the Avatar. Things my mother would tell me - lore, she'd say. I never thought that the fables would ring true. I still don't." The last sentence jars Korra to the spot, causing her to cock her brow.

"What?! Why? I'm literally standing right here!" Korra asks, waving her arms up frustratingly. Shepard smirks at the attitude, but at the swift and sharp nudge delivered to her side by Liara, Shepard grunts and steps forward, standing beside Korra supportively.

"We've seen her bending," Shepard says, nodding her head, "she is the Avatar."

"Impossible," Tevos murmurs, her gaze never breaking Korra's own.

"Wait, what are we talking about? First an unreasonable request and now children's stories?" The Salarian councillor snarls. "What next, Captain? Do you expect us to plate ourselves on a silver platter for the Reapers? This is absurd. I will have no part of this nonsense when my home is in trouble."

"Wait!" Korra interrupts, waving her hands out again. "Let me show you."

The Salarian goes to protest, but Tevos waves her hand up to silence him. Korra shifts her weight anxiously from foot to foot as Tevos nods down at her, her eyes intently watching the young woman. Korra takes a deep breath, glancing at Shepard and Liara, who also nod in support. Comforted in her small following, Korra pulls her arms up into a bending stance. She focuses her energy, her anger and frustration into a tightly compacted ball of heat into her chest. From there, she shifts the energy into her arms until finally her each fist forms a dagger-shaped blade of fire.

"Fire," Tevos says with a smirk as the others gape on, "most impressive. I am assuming you can master the other three?"

Korra blasts a cushion of air towards the Salarian councillor, causing his robes to crinkle and disarray. Shepard hides the smirk that forms on her face when Korra grins wickedly. Tevos watches silently and inquisitively as Korra flicks her wrist and the soil in the potted plants by the columns burst from their receptacles and hover in the air. The Avatar closes her eyes and breathes deep, curling her fingers to draw out the small flecks of water from the plants. Soon, all four elements hover around her. Korra grins as she digs deep, reaching for that last spark within her.

A spark that never comes.

The elements drop and a few people gasp, but not for the same reasons as Korra. Horror and panic strike through the Avatar's chest as she desperately searches within herself for that voice, for that support, but nothing is there but her own flesh and blood. This can't be happening again, I just got you back, where did you go? Korra thinks in a panic, her eyes flashing open, blue and bold. She grits her teeth and channels the strongest wave of spiritual energy she can muster, but still there is only silence that answers back. Dread fills her bones as she glances up at Tevos, who seems to ignore her fear.

Raava is gone.

"Interesting," Tevos murmurs as she steps down from the podium. She descends the automatic stairs that rise from the ground until she is standing before Korra. Behind her, the other councillors are muttering amongst themselves, but neither of them dare speak louder than the Asari. "So, the Avatar does exist. I'd thought you were nothing but a simple children's tale. My apologies, Avatar…?"

"Korra," the younger woman barely gets the word out, her mind still stuck on the lingering absence within her. Tevos' eyes flash with worry and subtle suspicion, but she doesn't question the Avatar. Instead, she walks around Korra to glance at Shepard, nodding her approval.

"I never thought I'd live to see the day where the Avatar's existence would hold true," Tevos says, smiling at the captain with warm approval. Both Shepard and Korra look confused. Even Liara, with her multiple doctorates and extensive Prothean-era knowledge, seems wary of the other Asari.

"Why?" Korra chokes out, "why are you surprised that I am here?" A part of her already knows the answer to her question, as she can't find the spirit within her. A part of her feels that familiar hollowness from six months and two years ago, from when she'd been broken. She'd just been fixed, she'd just… just accepted what had happened, and now Raava is gone once again.

"Enough of this, Tevos," the Turian councillor interrupts. "Great, we found this 'Avatar', but we have pressing issues."

"Finally," the Salarian says in a grumble. Tevos sighs and murmurs something to Shepard before ascending the steps and taking her place on the podium, with an irritated expression on her speckled blue face, she nods at the other councillors to continue their discussion from before the tangent.

"Right, with all this nonsense aside, we can finally turn to the really important issues at hand," the Turian says somewhat agitatedly, but Korra doesn't even react. She falls silent, her shoulders slumping as she basically - pathetically - cowers behind Shepard. All of her previously exuded confidence is thrown out the window with the sudden relapse, leaving her more vulnerable than ever. Shepard senses the discomfort and steps forward. Despite her fallouts with the hot-headed young adult, she still feels some instinctual connection with her and chooses to direct the attention away from her.

"Please, councillors, what do you want to know about 'The Crucible'?" Shepard asks, more politely than usual. The Salarian gestures to it with a prod of his talons. His eyes narrow in on the sharp, pointed end of the giant sphere jutting out from the long tail. He cocks his head analytically.

"This weapon, is it capable of destroying the Reapers?" He asks doubtfully. Shepard rubs the back of her neck and takes a deep breath.

"So it would seem," Liara answers quickly, nodding her head. For the first time since the start of the meeting, the Salarian's gaze grows serious.

"The scale seems so…," he trails off until he finds a way to finish his thought, "it would be a colossal undertaking."

"No," Shepard interrupts as she fights back the urge to shoot the smirk off the Salarian's face. "I forwarded the plan to Admiral Hackett. The remnants of the Human fleet are already gathering resources to begin construction." The Turian's brow raises, but he keeps quiet. Tevos is back to staring at Korra, and Udina looks torn between believing Shepard or siding with the council. Liara steps forward, her eyes narrowing in on the four council members.

"Our initial calculations suggest it is feasible to build," she responds, earning a snort from the Salarian. Shepard glares at him before gritting her teeth and finishing Liara's statement by growling out, "if we work together."

"Have you considered that the Reapers destroyed the Protheans?" Tevos asks, eyeing Shepard warily. "What good did this weapon do?"

"It was incomplete," Liara answers back snippily, "there was a missing component. Here." Liara brings up another screen with alien language scribbled all over the schematics. "Something referred to only as 'The Catalyst'. But they ran out of time before they could finish it. The schematics are more than possible, and we have far more advanced technology now than they did back during their war." The Turian sighs, rubbing his forehead.

"Do you really believe this can stop the Reapers?" The councillor asks with a slight tone of hesitation, almost as though he were contemplating his offer. Shepard nods, gritting her teeth as she takes a deep breath, quickly responding by saying, "Liara believes it can work, and so do I. Unless you have a better plan, councillor. I'm all ears." Salarian arches a scaly brow in disbelief at Shepard's rude scoff. The captain glances at Udina with a muted grunt.

"And while I haven't always stood eye-to-eye with Udina, he's right about this," Shepard explains, drawing out the words slowly, "we need to stand together. Now, more than ever. The Reapers won't stop at Earth. They'll destroy every organic being the in galaxy if we don't stop them." The Salarian passes a glance between the Human councillor and the Spectre with a frown. Even Tevos looks slightly skeptical.

"The cruel and unfortunate truth is that while the Reapers focus on Earth, we can prepare and regroup," the Asari says with a heavy heart. Shepard's eyes blaze as she steps forward, her fists lighting up with blue energy that cause Korra's eyes to snap off from their stare on the ground.

"So you're willing to let Earth take the fall for all of you?!" Shepard snarls viciously, shaking her head in fury. "How could you think this the right thing?!"

"I cannot afford to invest my time or science teams into a blind hope, Captain," the Salarian grunts out, shaking his head. "If anything, you'd be better off evacuating Earth." Shepard's eyes glow red as she steps forward, her fists clenched tightly as she straightens her shoulders and glares menacingly at him.

"And go where? Sur'kesh? Tell me you'd let my people come stay there, Councillor," Shepard practically spits the title, "then I'll gladly evacuate Earth."

"Your temper will get you nowhere, Shepard," the Salarian grunts, stepping off the podium. "However, I hate you breeding Humans enough to know where the line is drawn. I will consider your offer, but in the meantime, I must report in with my Special Tasks Groups stationed around the Sol system to know the damage of the invasion. We are convening a summit amongst our species. If we manage to secure our own borders, we may once again consider aiding you."

"And you?" Shepard growls, staring at the Turian as the Salarian councillor walks away. He sighs and rubs his head with his talons.

"It's a lot to ask when we're spread thin, Captain," he mutters, closing his eyes, "but I will also think about it for the summit. I'm sorry, Captain, but I think this is best we can do." Shepard knows that she should be grateful for the thought, but right now, she wants nothing more than to scream at these blind idiots, to show them the rotting corpses back on Earth, the screaming children burning alive at the plight of the Reaper's wrath, but she knows that yelling will get her nowhere.

"Thank you," she says instead as Udina mutters something about meeting him in his office after the meeting. Soon, all who remain are Tevos and the three women from the Normandy. The Asari councillor walks back down the steps and turns to face the Asari and the captain.

"Please tell me you will spare something," Liara pleads softly, "for Thessia's sake, Thea."

"Liara, you must understand that the commandos and justicars are working hard to protect the many colonies we have, not just Thessia," Tevos says, her voice grim. "I want to put faith in your plan, but I don't have enough proof that this will work. We cannot afford loss." Shepard's eyes widen and her breath leaves her instantly.

"We will all die if we don't stop them," Shepard says, her voice cracking. "Why can't anyone see that?!"

"Because in light of death, we are all blind," Tevos responds, her gaze flickering over her shoulder to Korra's defeated and still shocked face. The younger woman shivers, but doesn't look over at her. Suddenly, Korra feels queasy and feverish at the same time. Tevos' face only darkens as she nods at Shepard sympathetically. The captain looks devastated and shocked, her eyes glazing with anger and frustration, but also disappointment in herself.

"Good luck, Captain," Tevos says gently, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. Shepard rips herself away, shaking her head as she growls lowly. Tevos doesn't need to hear any of it, however, as she glances back at Korra, who's now staring at her with tears in her eyes. Her expression is knowing and hollow, two feelings that Tevos knows well. It breaks her heart, but she knows that Korra is living a life with a fate that she cannot escape.

"You asked me why I was surprised you were here," Tevos says softly, drawing the younger woman's attention back to her. Korra doesn't say anything as Tevos sighs, bitterly saying, "I'm guessing you figured it out already, Avatar Korra." Shepard raises her brow and glances back at Korra, confused.

"Figured what out?" She asks, knitting her brows together. Liara sees the flicker of desolation in Korra's ice blue depths as her head cocks upwards. Tears cascade down her cheeks and she sighs, sniffling. Tevos gives her a bittersweet nod of sympathy, before turning to face the captain.

"Shepard," Tevos whispers her name in a fleeting moment. "The last Avatar died two thousand and ten years ago… today."

"Okay? What does that mean?" Shepard asks, glancing over at Korra. The Avatar isn't looking at them, but instead the ground. Tevos doesn't speak, though the tension builds and threatens to drown them all. It hits Liara next as the blue woman does the math, causing the archaeologist to gasp sadly. Korra's eyes close at the sound, but she chokes back a heavy sob. Shepard's chest grows heavy with worry as Korra's eyes open and fix on her own stare. Her icy eyes send shivers down her spine. Shepard's jaw hinges as she sees the visible discomfort on the young woman's face, and her stomach twists anxiously.

Finally, Korra admits the words she'd known since having felt the absence of Raava.

"I was…," she says, stumbling as her voice cracks, "I am the last Avatar."