+imperatorvictus

thefirsthumanspectre:

     Shepard had to grin,

     “The Normandy is an exceptional ship, Primarch, the best in the Fleet I’m told. Inclined to believe just that. I have the best ship, the best pilot, and the best crew.. I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” she responded. The elevator opened and she let him go first, pressing her hand to the door to open it. Gently she’d usher Victus in before he’d start in about them both knowing who he was after.

     Yep, as she’d thought.

     ”Primarch, with all due respect, but I’m going to have to decline. You may need him at your side later, but I need him now. Garrus has been with me since the beginning,” she continued, gesturing for him to sit down if he wanted to, “and I’d want nobody else at my side going into hell again," Shepard, more than anyone, appreciated the Primarch’s need for dependable soldiers at his side. Which was why she had to decline him straight off the bat.

                    It was ballsy of Shepard to turn the Primarch down straight away – but he wasn’t going to fool himself into thinking this was the first time she’d shot down the requests of a prominent political leader.  Hell, when he stopped to think about it, Adrien couldn’t even count how many times he’d heard of the soldier standing her ground against damned politicians like himself.

                    He didn’t mean to refuse her hospitality, but he did not feel like sitting.  He remained on his feet, stubborn but weary.  "Believe me, I know.” He acquiesced – just a little – “I know what it’s like to have someone you trust at your side.  A companion in battle.  A strategist.  A brother-in-arms since you were green on the field.  The Reaper war, in your case.” He amended.  “I won’t command you to give him up.  Couldn’t, even if I tried.  Not even I have that authority.  I could order him – but I won’t subject him to that kind of conflict.”

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                    His mandibles twitched, amused for a moment at the thought.  “Besides.  I know he’d still choose you, Primarch’s dictates be damned."  He turned away from her, eyes raking over the collection of model ships in her cabin, lingering on the turian cruisers just a bit longer than everything else.  "I’m asking you.  A request.  I’m old and used to getting my way, but I still have to pose this question: your refusal – is it really for the betterment of your team, your effectiveness?  If you truly feel that Vakarian will be more of an asset to you than he would be to me, I’ll let the matter slide.”

May  21   ( 8 )   via   +
HW