Book 3, Chapter 5 – Academy Blues

Walking into the war room, I came to attention and saluted. "Primarch Victus."

He looked my way and waved me away. "Please, Commander. I'm a guest on your vessel. Fine vessel that it is."

"Merely respect, sir. Already received information…"

"You mean my file?"

I grinned, earning a turian grin from him in return. "Yeah. I was expecting Fedorian, and I've already read his file back to front more than once, so figured I should get to know who you are, at least the dry facts on a piece of paper. Figuring we'll be working together so I'll get to know the man over the coming weeks."

He leaned back against the circular console in the middle of the room as I leaned against a railing nearby. "Anything specific you want to know?"

"No. Was just thinking a conversation, primarily about what we're facing."

He nodded, then gestured for me to step towards the console. He'd already figured out how everything worked. Keying a few commands, what must have been the situation in Palaven space appeared as holograms. "We've barely been fighting them a week, and already we've suffered catastrophic losses. Not even our wars against the krogan were conducted with such…" He paused a moment. "The strategist in me admires their brutality. The turian in me knows I'm watching the destruction of fifteen thousand years of civilisation." That's when he turned to meet my eyes. "My civilisation."

"I understand, sir."

"I know you do, Comm…"

"Shepard. We're going to be working closely throughout this, sir."

He offered his hand. "Most people call me Victus. I prefer Adrien but… well, guess we're both known by our surnames."

"Okay, Victus. Here's the question. What's the one thing on your mind that might immediately change the direction of this war?"

"We need boots on the ground. We need warriors." He paused a moment, probably wondering how I'd react to whatever he had to say. "We need the krogan, Shepard." I released a breath at that. "I'm aware of your relationship with Urdnot Wrex, Shepard. Some of us do have long memories, and history is rather bitter about our dealings with the krogan, but in a war of annihilation, I can't think of a better species as an ally."

"Salarians will freak at such a suggestion."

"That's why the summit is important. The four Council species must come together and figure this out."

"Heard about the asari?"

He nodded. "I'm hoping it's not true but, knowing what the asari are like, they'll hope to take a long term view. I don't think we have that long to deal with this. If we don't come together, the Reapers will tear us to pieces."

"Like I'm hearing myself," I admitted.

"I won't say I was entirely convinced, Shepard, but Vakarian argued a good game. That's how he managed to get the support he did. His father totally believed him and basically moved mountains to get his son the support he needed."

"Always thought he had a poor relationship with his father."

"Vakar… Garrus has always been his own man. His father has always known that. But when he returned to Palaven, both father and son had changed. Few years old. Few years wiser. Most importantly, both were willing to listen to each other for once. And the thing is, Fedorian was convinced. Helps that he and your Admiral Hackett managed to establish a quick rapport. We've been building ships like crazy the past six months."

"So were we, but that got us nowhere. Two fleets completely decimated. I'm aware Hackett has kept another couple in the field, but Earth and our home system is basically just cut-off now. Far as we know, everyone on Earth is fighting but there's not a lot of information coming out right now."

"We'll get there in the end, Shepard. It's just going to be ugly between now and then."

We discussed fleet movements and the latest situation across the galaxy, but we knew it was still early days yet, and for the moment, all we could do was fight where we could but preserve for the future. Losses were going to be catastrophic to start, but both we and the Reaper would adapt tactics with every battle. It was a battle of annihilation and attrition. Already Victus was planning to remove and preserve fleets. No point flinging everything at the Reapers now with nothing to fight them with later.

My office was now ready for use so I walked by the galaxy map, Kelly turning and smiling at me, Traynor somewhat surprisingly doing the same, though I think she was just a very friendly woman, but I think she was still a little nervous in my presence. It didn't surprise me. Seasoned veterans could be nervous in my presence. Was told I had this 'aura' more than once.

Taking a seat at my desk, I glanced left to look out the window. We'd departed Palaven space and were now, to be honest, flying aimlessly. I figured returning the Citadel would be best until the summit was convened, but I didn't particularly want to go there unless necessary. So I'd ordered Joker to basically take his time getting us there while negotiations with the salarians and asari continued. Glad I wasn't involved in that, otherwise there wouldn't be a summit at all.

"Nice office, Shepard," Liara said from the doorway, leaning against the side. I looked up and grinned. "No bed down here? Thought you'd want one so you could fuck Kelly whenever you wanted." I laughed as Liara rarely cursed. Or, at least, she had rarely. She walked forward and sat in one of the two chairs opposite me. "Have you read what I sent you?"

I couldn't help sigh as everything she'd sent me had been bad news. "Talked to Tevos?"

"I have. It's not only her decision, and the Matriarch's are not budging. As far as they're concerned, the humans and turians are on their own while they do their usual thing." She sighed herself. "Fucking idiots."

"Not used to you cursing, Liara."

"I'm angry, Shepard. This summit should have all the species of the galaxy involved. The way it's already looking, humans and turians will be there. Salarians might begrudgingly put in an appearance. But my people are being… foolish."

"Need to take the edge off?" I wondered. That made her grin, and my own broadened when she nodded. Standing up and rounding the table, I called Kelly into my office, locking the door when she was inside. Turning to face me, I said, "Liara needs a little something."

"Ooh, have you invited me to watch?"

"Would you like to join in?" Liara asked.

"No, I'll get naked on the couch over there and masturbate. Just bend her over the desk and fuck her, Shepard."

"That's what I was hoping he'd do. I'm so angry right now, Kelly. A hard fuck is just what I need."

"Strip. Both of you," I ordered, putting all the authority I could muster into my tone. Kelly undressed so quickly, she nearly fell over in her eagerness to please. Liara's suit had a zip in the middle that went from her neck to just above her pussy. She was wearing some rather nice black lingerie underneath which she quickly removed as well. "Damn, we fooled around the other night but I sometimes forget…"

Stepping towards me, I kissed Kelly first then Liara, and while kissing her, Kelly helped remove my clothes and boots until I was as naked as they were. Then I felt her lips wrap around my cock, smiling as Liara and I continued to make out, Liara wasting no time dropping to her knees as well. Kelly stood up and wandered over to the lounge nearby, sitting back and spreading her legs without hesitation. Normally, I'd just watch her but I looked down to see Liara looking up at me.

"You'll swallow a load first then I'll fuck you afterwards."

"Love hearing you just give orders to us," Kelly said with a giggle, "Liara, will you swallow his cum?"

"By the Goddess, I've thought about sucking his dick for months, Kelly. Would have done it the other day, but I just needed him inside me."

Liara proved how much she wanted to do it as she made sure the blowjob lasted a long time. While I did try to spend most of my time looking down to watch her please me, the desire in her blue eyes making me smile constantly, I did glance over at Kelly from time to time, and she was certainly getting herself all excited, her pussy looking very wet and… is succulent a word to use when a pussy looks good enough to eat?

Aware Liara always liked it when I caressed her crest, she almost shuddered when I did so, and that seemed to make her more determined to make me cum. When I groaned loudly, that was the first sign I was getting close. I didn't need to ask where I was to finish, Liara had proven time and again she only wanted it in one place whenever she blew me.

"Fuck," I grunted as her head was now bobbing up and down quickly. She almost giggled when feeling my cock throb and the first spurt would have hit the back of her mouth, but Liara was nothing if not determined, making sure she took every spurt of cum in her mouth, and like many of my girls, made sure her gulps were loud enough for us to hear before I was finished, feeling her tongue run up and down my shaft as I leaned back against my desk.

"Well, that was just delightful, Shepard," Liara said. Then she glanced over towards Kelly and laughed. "And I think Kelly loved the show."

"Fuck her, Shepard," Kelly breathed, "God, I want to see you fuck her."

Liara looked up at me with a smile. "Neither of you have changed, have you?"

"Why would we? Situation out there has changed. No reason why what we share can't continue otherwise." I helped her up and kissed her cheek. "I'm already of the mind to find Shiala and Gianna as quickly as possible. If necessary, they'll be here on the ship with us."

"They're safe, Shepard. I've been in contact with them already." That earned her a tight hug and a thank you. "Not sure if you've managed to communicate with them. Aware the Alliance kept you off grid for the most part."

I let her go as she stepped towards me desk, bending over it, resting on her forearms as she looked back. "Now, I believe Kelly asked you to bend me over this desk and fuck me." She shook her arse in my direction. "Would you like to do that, Shepard?" A loud slap echoed around the office. Liara shuddered as she had found a liking for having her butt slapped. She had a thick arse, just perfect for fucking from behind. I teased her with the head of my cock, even rubbing it along her arse crack a few times. "Want to fuck my arse later?"

"If you're getting anal, so am I," Kelly moaned from the lounge. I glanced to see her fucking herself silly with her fingers. Made me even harder.

I slid inside her pussy with one slow movement of my body. Liara moaned loudly, lowering herself down as I buried myself, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. "Remember this feeling," I whispered.

"Definitely missed your cock all those months, Shepard."

Once we were comfortable, Liara got fucked, just like she wanted. Kelly urged both of us on, and I'm sure everyone out in the CIC had a good idea of what was going on in the office. Kelly wasn't particularly quiet as she made herself cum more than once, while Liara was no longer the shy lover she'd once been. She knew what she liked and had no problem telling me what she wanted. Which is just what I wanted from a lover. I had things I liked, but my focus was on making my lover cum. Often, if possible. I was going to cum regardless. If I could make them shudder, quiver and almost pass out with pleasure, I could lie back with a smile on my face.

Liara eventually ended up laying back on the desk, keeping her legs spread wide while I could fondle her with my thumb at the same time. That definitely made her orgasm, and we kept on going until I finally left a load inside her, leaning forward as she met my eyes and smiled. "Well, that's just what I wanted too," she whispered, leaning up to kiss me.

Kelly moaned again, both of us looking across to watch her continue to masturbate. "Want to go eat her out?" I asked Liara. She smiled as I stepped back, removing my cock before helping her up. She happily trotted over, getting down on her knees before Kelly, who immediately removed her fingers as Liara wasted no time using her tongue on her. Watching that for five minutes just turned me on, so I quickly had Liara on her hands and knees, fucking her again from behind as she focused on eating out Kelly.

Once I came inside her again, Kelly wanted to swap positions, Liara sitting back on the lounge, Kelly eating her out and joking about the fact my cum dribbled out of her pussy, while I spent a long time fucking Kelly, considering I'd already cum three times by then. I heard my terminal continually ping with new messages, and really should have been concentrating on my job, but as it was still early days, I was going to take advantage of the down time when it was available.

I was done once I'd cum inside Kelly, who'd orgasmed so much herself, she was just as worn out. Liara sat back with a dreamy smile on her face as I sat next to her, Kelly sitting to my other side. "Well, if this is a sign of how things are going to be going forward," Liara murmured.

Kelly giggled. "I hope so if I cum this often. I'll barely be able to stand up once I head back out there."

The three of us eventually got up and dressed, laughing as Kelly's legs were nothing but jelly. Liara had a smile on her face I'd seen more than once, an asari that was completely and utterly satisfied with life in that moment. Once dressed, I hugged both of them before I unlocked the door. Liara was graceful as ever walking out, but Kelly practically limped towards her terminal. Chuckling as I returned to my desk, I switched on the screen of my terminal to see a list of new messages.

Traynor walked in and immediately stopped, sniffing the air. I looked up to see her cheeks immediately colour. But she cleared her throat as she walked to my desk, offering a datapad. "You hear anything, Traynor?" I asked. The colour in her cheeks darkened further but she nodded, so at least she was honest. "Apologies if…"

"Don't apologise, sir. Kelly had been… very honest about what to expect."

"Does it bother you?"

"Not at all. Liara looked very pleased with life when walking out of here, while Kelly…"

"That situation doesn't bother you?"

"Again, Kelly has been nothing but honest about your situation. It's none of my business anyway. And, far as I'm concerned, sounded like you were having quite a bit of fun in here."

I looked down at the datapad. "Okay, let's focus on work. What's this about?"

"Received this barely half an hour ago. Ever heard of Grissom Academy?"

"I have. Where all the geniuses and gifted kids are sent."

"Exactly. Well, this is a priority message from… whoever is in charge now. I'm assuming Admiral Hackett and whoever else remains. Figured you might want to check it out."

"Considering we're waiting for the summit to convene, I guess we can do just that. Thanks, Traynor. Good catch."

"Samantha, sir." I looked up to see her smile a little shyly. "I know you're known as Shepard, but I prefer my first name. If that's okay."

"Sure thing, Samantha." I paused and asked, "Sam?" The face she pulled suggested no, which made me chuckle. "Okay, Samantha it is. And call me Shepard. Only need to use 'sir' in front of the brass or important dignitaries." I held up the datapad. "And good catch on this. Keep your ear to the ground regarding anything we either need to investigate or might help us. Might be worth getting to know Liara if this is your sort of thing."

"Oh, you think she'd work with someone like me? She's…"

"Intimidating?"

She made a gesture with her finger and thumb. "Just a little."

"It's just a front. Get to know her and you'll realise she's very sweet. Don't have to do it right now. Perhaps chat with her in the mess during breakfast or dinner… if she comes out of her room, that is."

Following Traynor out into the CIC, I stepped up towards the galaxy map. Gauging our position in our current system, I pulled up the position of Grissom Academy. Once I'd ascertained how long the potential journey would take, I asked Joker to get us there as quickly as possible. "Better than aimlessly floating around space, Commander," he said, "I can get us there within twenty-four hours, all being well."

"We'll have to be careful upon entering the system. Report is that Cerberus is responsible for the possible attack."

I glanced at Kelly and her usual pale face seemed to go even whiter. "Is that true?" she asked quietly.

"Tim made his intentions clear to me on Mars. He's going to be a thorn in our side going forward. If it's not the Reapers, he's going to be a spanner in the works." I turned to Traynor. "Samantha, something to work on, by yourself, with these fine people around you, and also with Liara. I want to know what Cerberus is up to. Where are their operations? What do they have out in the field? What is their potential numbers on the field, particularly regarding troops and ships? And, finally, if at all possible, find their headquarters. EDI, open the comm to Liara's room."

"Done, Shepard."

"Liara, I've just given Traynor an assignment regarding Cerberus. I'd like you to use that network of yours to assist her."

"Of course, Shepard. Specialist, please pop down to my office whenever you have a moment. We'll put our heads together to find whatever it is that Shepard requests."

"I'll do so soon, Doctor T'S…"

"Liara, Specialist. First name basis if we're going to work together. So I should call you Samantha, shouldn't I?"

Turning to Kelly, she looked at me rather expectantly. "You have any contacts within the organisation?"

"I do. Not sure how trustworthy any of them would be though."

"Okay, give it some thought. If there is anyone you think you can trust, let me know and I'll make the decision. But if you're not sure…"

"I'll give it some thought, Shepard."

During our journey to Grissom, I spent half my time in my office, the other half down in the armoury, working with Vega as he continued to take apart each weapon, clean it, then reassemble it, while the armour was constantly checked the prepped. We had a squad of a half a dozen marines. Most ships would normally carry far more, but ships under my command had always been different. A small squad of soldiers, in and out quickly. Most of the time.

Joker got us to the system where Grissom Academy was located even quicker than he anticipated. Like always, I would take a large team with me. I'd always selected EDI as it would be first real test of her capabilities on the ground. Garrus would always join me, watching my six. Liara for her biotic abilities. And Vega would lead the squad of marines, as they'd secure the station while my team dealt with the threat.

Looking out the window, the station was still some way into the distance. I had good eyesight, but not that good. "Joker?"

"We're not the only ones who answered the distress call. Cerberus cruiser. And at least a dozen fighters on patrol. This won't be easy, Commander."

"Care to play the rabbit?"

Joker turned to me and grimaced. "Why do I have a feeling I won't like this idea?"

Before I could retort, EDI said there was a message. Nodding, she opened the comm. "This is Kahlee Sanders, director of Grissom Academy. To any Alliance ships in the area, please, we need your assistance!"

"Sanders, this is Shepard. SSV Normandy."

"Commander Shepard? Thank God!" The relief was palpable in her voice. "I would ask what you're doing here, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. Cerberus is attacking us. There are only kids here, Shepard!"

"How do we get aboard? I would assume they've taken the docking bays."

"Correct. But there is an auxiliary cargo bay I could give you access to. Don't think Cerberus has noticed that."

"EDI?"

"Capable of taking a shuttle."

"Good enough. Joker, it's up to you to drag away as many of these fighters as you can."

We all loaded onto the shuttle, Cortez in the pilot's seat. As soon as we were away, Joker reported in that he'd head towards the station, attract their attention, which would give us a free run to the station. Worked a charm, as Joker reported in the Normandy quickly had the fighters on a wild goose chase. The cruiser wasn't interested, but didn't seem to notice our approach. I spent time going over tactic. I would lead my small squad in clearing the station. Vega and his marines would clean and sweep, while also getting any children to safety.

Stepping onto space station, Kahlee patched into our comms, letting us know she was barricaded in a server room. Cerberus troops were attempting to break in as we arrived. I charged into the one trying to pry open the door, ending him flying. Liara was already angry, grabbing another in a biotic hold and slamming him into either wall, then the ceiling, then the floor. Fairly sure she broke every bone in his body. Grabbing a second, she proceeded to just squeeze him until even I was a little taken aback by his screams before she just sent him flying backwards.

"Spirits, Liara," Garrus muttered.

"I'm already pissed off, Garrus, and they're just kids here."

She looked at me. All I did was grin. "Guess we're treating Cerberus with extreme prejudice, Shepard?" he asked me.

"Like the Reapers, Garrus. I might occasionally want a prisoner, but Tim pissed me off on Mars. He had proceeded to piss me off even more with his shenanigans here."

Kahlee opened the doors, greeting us with a relieved smile. What surprised me was when she stood up and hugged me briefly. Seeing the surprise on my face, she said Anderson had spoken to her about my recent house arrest. I knew the two were close but I figured they were closer than I thought. The slight grin on her face as I thought about it suggested I was right.

She gave me the rundown of the situation. Most of the students had been sent away once the Reapers hit. Approximately twenty students and staff remained on the station. Some of the kids were there because they were geniuses. Others because of their biotic abilities, apparently military recruits.

"Where am I going?"

Kahlee patched into internal communications. Cerberus had pretty much sealed the station and taken over but Kahlee still managed to find a back door or two. Finding a radio link, she told me to head towards Orion Hall. Apparently that's where the students were fighting back. I tried not to grin at the thought. I liked anyone willing to fight against Cerberus.

"Any students we find, I'll send them back here. The ones without biotics anyway."

"While you do that, I'll try and regain control, see if I can find us a way off this tin can."

"I'd offer you EDI but I think I'll need her help."

"I can assist while fighting if necessary, Shepard," EDI suggested.

"Any help you can offer would be gratefully received," Sanders said.

We found a couple of kids on the way to Orion Hall, while also dealing with a couple of small Cerberus patrols. The kids were surprised to see us, and when I told them who I was, there was the usual hero worship. Even Liara joked about one young woman who swooned as I helped her up, nursing a leg wound as she was. One of Vega's marines took her, helping her back to Sanders. Cue another joke from Garrus about liking them younger.

Hearing shouts ahead, we entered Orion Hall to find a group of students being faced down by Cerberus troops. Not just students, there was someone else I recognised. She'd grown out her hair, and was now wearing a leather jacket and jeans, but there was no missing the biotic power on display as she threw a trio of troopers into a far wall. Then she glanced my way and I almost snorted at the confusion on her face. "Shepard?" she called.

Before I could reply, our attention was taken by the giant mech that appeared through a nearby doorway. "Get the kids to safety!" I called as my team burst into action. Glancing to see Jack getting her kids into cover, my team got to work on the mech.

"Hacking now," EDI reported.

"The old biotic one-two, Shepard," Liara said.

"I'd attempt to charge it but not sure it'll work. Keep its attention, I'll do something else."

Liara, Garrus and EDI got to work as I flanked the giant mech. Its attention taken by the others, I managed to get behind it. I figured the armour would be thinned at its back, but I wasn't sure if it would actually destroy it. So, instead, I had the stupid idea of climbing onto it. Managing to make it to the top, I waved at EDI then gestured to the canopy. Soon as she managed to make that pop off, the trooper inside looked around then up to see my pistol.

"Hello," I said before pulling the trigger a couple of times. "EDI, overload the arm so it explodes." I jumped off, the four of us sliding into cover as the mech exploded behind us.

"You're insane, Shepard," Liara said with a giggle.

What surprised me was Jack. As Garrus checked to ensure we were alone, I heard her giving tactical and general advice to her students. And she knew what she was talking about. Liara and I shared a glance as she leapt down to our level. Her eyes glared at mine. Knew it was coming. Still, she didn't pull the punch at all. I'll admit, it hurt. Not enough to put me onto a knee.

"Fucking hell, Shepard. I warned you about these cunts, didn't I?" Then she grabbed the back of my head and gave me one hell of a kiss, feeling her body press into mine. Lasted long enough that Liara needed to clear her throat. "Trust you to save the fucking day though."

"Should have expected this sort of meeting," Garrus stated.

Jack stepped back and laughed. "Ah, where there is Shepard, there is Garrus. Still look like shit." Her eyes moved. "Ah, Liara, right? Fucking yet?"

"What do you think?"

"Definitely fucking already." Then her eyes moved again. "What the fuck is that?"

"It's me, Jack."

"EDI?" She burst into laughter. "Holy shit, Joker must have thought all his Christmases have come at once."

"Jeff approves of my choice to inhabit this body."

Jack snorted. "Yeah, I bet he has." She looked back at me. "Right, we can catch up later, Shepard. Right now, the only thing that matters is getting my kids to safety."

"Your kids?"

She smirked. "Yes, yes, my kids. Blah, blah, blah. You rubbed off on me a little bit, okay. Still not sure who got me the role here…" She glanced at Liara, before looking back at me. "Maybe the Alliance brass helped too. But I've enjoyed it here, and the kids seem to like my methods."

"I will destroy you!" one of them called.

"The psychotic biotic!" another called.

Cortez then called in, stating the cruiser was still showing an interest, and the shuttle simply couldn't chance an extraction. So I ordered him away and we'd find another route off the station. Jack asked what she should do with her kids. When I said all that mattered was getting them to safety, and not to jeopardise their escape, I think that nearly earned me another kiss. "Tell them to keep their heads down, but if you can help out while we're making our way out of here, I won't say no."

Cerberus was there in force. Complete overkill to kidnap a few kids, but it meant we could kill a lot of them in return. I was already annoyed at the fact Cerberus was now interfering. What we should have been doing is working together to eliminate the Reapers. Or, at least, not working together but they clearly had the assets to take the fight to them. Further proof Tim had gone off the fucking deep end.

So we laid waste to any group of troops we came across. I charged all the time, my shotgun barking constantly. Liara shimmered blue, amazed at the power of her biotics, particularly compared to when I'd recruited her three years ago. I noticed one or two different and new talents on display. I had nowhere near the biotic power she had at her disposal, but I thought about a new training regime. Garrus took out anyone at distance. EDI used an SMG but spent most of her time using her technical talents to make our lives a little easier.

There was one moment that I would remember for a long time, when we came across David Archer. Garrus had been present for that mission. So had EDI in her own way. Liara knew the whole story. Compared to the shell of a human we'd taken off Aite, he looked fit and healthy. He even apologised to EDI for trying to hack into the ship all the time while we were trying to help. She assured him he had nothing to apologise for.

"Have you been okay here at the Academy?" I asked.

"Yes. I've been counting."

"Anything in particular?"

"Yes. The number of days you lengthened my life." I felt a hand on my shoulder, recognising it as Liara's. "Goodbye, Commander."

"Goodbye, David."

I watched him walk away. "He looks well," EDI whispered.

I definitely grinned. "He does. Still think about what happened on Aite, what we found. I never considered joining Cerberus, but that was the day I promised myself I would end them, no matter the personal cost." I took a deep breath. "And someone with his mathematical talents would be perfect regarding what we found on Mars."

Cerberus didn't stand a chance after that. The four of us worked together as usual, but Jack certainly provided assistance, and the kids in her care proved to have plenty of talent. We left plenty of troops dead, EDI hacking into the comm links for information. We found a databank that had the histories of nearly every single student on Grissom Academy, and a message from Tim himself regarding Jack, though he still called her 'Subject Zero'. It was easy to figure out why he wanted her back in his 'care'.

Coming across a pair of troops next to a giant mech, we put them down before I climbed into the mech. There were one or two jokes about my penchant for destruction, but all that mattered was getting off the station. I didn't intend on destroying it as the Alliance would no doubt want to use it afterwards.

Controlling the mech wasn't something I was entirely used to but all that really mattered was learning how to use the cannon and missile launcher. Reaching the extraction zone, Cerberus threw everything at us to prevent our escape. We had to take control of the area, Liara, Garrus, EDI, Vega and his marines creating a killing zone, and with my mech, Cerberus didn't stand a chance.

Jack got her kids out first before the rest of us slowly withdrew. There was a moment of concern when Jack did a head count to find one missing, turning to see one of her students cowering behind cover. The trio of troops didn't stand a chance as Jack shattered the window and we just unloaded everying, the student crawling to safety, getting her onto the shuttle. Sanders was in control and she had us shooting back to the Normandy.

"Joker, we're on a Cerberus shuttle. Check your fire."

"Got you on sensors already, Commander. You'll be with us in a jiffy."

Jack was pumped up after the battle, I think only half-joking about taking all her students out to get a tattoo. A few jokes were cracked about what they would get before she asked what my intentions would be regarding them. Even Sanders glanced back at me. I didn't think it was entirely my decision but my word would carry weight.

"Your kids did well, Jack. But they're still just kids."

"We can fight, sir," one of them stated, many of them agreeing.

I crouched down to meet their eyes, meeting each set that looked at me in return. "You kids showed plenty of guts and determination just then. But this war is going to be something else entirely. You kids are the future of the Alliance. You need to survive this war to help train the next batch that'll come through. So you're going to support the front line troops, help keep them safe. Your time will come, I can promise you that, but right now, that's my decision."

There were grumbles. I expected it. Jack looked at me with nothing but a grateful smile. Back on the Normandy, I didn't want to keep the Cerberus shuttle so we put it on auto-pilot and sent it back out into space to drift aimlessly away from the station. With so many students, Jack and Kahlee, I ordered Joker straight to the Citadel.

Jack and Kahlee took the kids up to the lounge as the rest of us needed to get changed. "Totally wants to fuck you," Vega stated as I took off my armour.

"Better tell Kelly to watch out," Liara added.

"Not just Jack. Think all her female students are swooning right now," Garrus added.

"People still use that term?" Vega asked.

Thankfully Jack hadn't raided the liquor cabinet, her kids sticking to juice and soft drinks. Kahlee definitely wanted liquor to take the edge off. Jack wanted something too so Vega and I played the role of bartenders. "So, Jack, I do have a question."

"Shoot."

"What's with the lack of cursing? Whenever I've noticed you were going to launch into a good series of expletives, you've stopped."

To my surprise, Kahlee got the giggles. "Sorry, Shepard, that's all on me. Jack obviously arrived a little rough around the edges. Can't have her cursing too often around the students, so the easiest way to stop it was a swear jar. Whenever she swore, she put in a credit chit. Didn't take long for her cursing to almost stop entirely. Still let's rip whenever she gets a little excited, but she's been a model professional."

"I've been out of the loop so how'd she get the gig?"

"Recommendations from the Alliance, and also an anonymous benefactor." I glanced at Liara, who sipped at her drink and looked away. "We were a little taken aback by the diminutive, shaven haired, young woman who walked through our doors with her breasts almost on display. As you can see, she's grown into the role."

"I've enjoyed it," Jack said softly, before looking at me, "Thanks to you."

"Me?"

"Yeah. We'll talk later."

Kelly and Samantha wandered in as we were sipping at our first drinks. Kelly remembered Jack and the pair were surprisingly friendly. Samantha was introduced to Jack, who then made a joke about her obvious sexuality and my obvious disappointment at the fact I wouldn't fuck her. That's when Kahlee glanced at me. "Yes, Jack wasn't shy in describing at least parts of her life, Shepard."

"I live life to the full, Kahlee."

"Good. Life is short as it is."

The kids were soon exhausted, so we provided them with bedrolls as they spread around the lounge. Kahlee was happy enough to stay with them, nearly everyone else returning to their roles or quarters. To my slight surprise, Kelly invited Jack upstairs, the three of us perching ourselves on one of the lounges with the half-consumed bottle of liquor.

"So you're going to fuck her, right?" Kelly asked.

I glanced at Jack, who looked at me with such longing in her eyes, I was slightly taken aback. "I mean, if she wants to."

"Fucking right I want to," she murmured, leaning towards me. That first kiss was the same as that on the station. She quickly ended up on my lap, feeling Kelly shuffle closer to me. What surprised was Jack leaning over to kiss her, glancing to see Kelly grinning as the pair made out. "I can feel your dick," Jack murmured, "You're hard, Shepard."

"Of course I fucking am!"

Her fingers went straight to the buckle, button and zipper of my trousers before she pulled down her own with some urgency. She groaned as I felt my cock slide inside her, amused that she made sure I was buried as quickly as possible. "Oh fuck, that's the good stuff," she cried.

Hands on my shoulders, she wasted on time riding me. Kelly stood up and helped undress her completely so she was now naked, Kelly them stripping off as well, kneeling behind Jack, kissing up her back then her neck. Jack smiled at all the attention. "Always thought you beautiful," Kelly whispered.

"Always known why he loved you in return."

We needed to get onto the bed, Jack getting off me so I could undress. Kelly and Jack tumbled onto the bed together, Kelly ending up between her legs, giving Jack's pussy plenty of attention before I gently moved her out of the way, sliding my cock back inside her. "Sit on her face," I said.

"Great idea," Kelly said. Jack couldn't stop smiling, and I'm fairly sure I got harder as I watched Kelly lower her pussy down onto Jack's face.

I came rather quickly as I always loved watching Kelly being eaten out by another woman, while Jack certainly proved to have talent when it came to pleasing Kelly, as she made Kelly enjoy an orgasm. I moved out of the way so Kelly could lean forward and the pair were soon pleasing each other, though as I sat back on my knees, Kelly would lean forward further to give my cock a little suck.

We found various positions that meant we could all be pleased at once. The best, as always, was me on my back, Jack on my cock, Kelly on my face, but Jack loved it on her knees, with Kelly lying back, Jack managing to give her enough attention to keep her happy, though I was fucking Jack as hard as I could, just as she wanted.

We needed a shower, Jack barely able to stand up as we'd worn her out, though she had a constant grin on her face, giggling as I left it to Kelly to soap her up and wash her done. Definitely tried giving her pussy more attention as even Jack had enough, sleepily asking her she'd had enough.

Lying back in bed with a woman in each arm, Kelly kissed my cheek and relaxed. "Thanks for coming to rescue us," Jack whispered.

"Proud of you," I whispered back.

"Blame you for it. But I've loved every minute. They're good kids. Thanks for protecting them."

"We'll discuss what you'll do when we get to the Citadel."

"Good. I'm knackered and feeling very tender. And Kelly eats pussy as good as I remember."

"Hang around and I'll keep doing it," Kelly said.

"Tempting offer. But, right now, I need sleep."

No surprise Jack was asleep before Kelly and I. She kissed my cheek a final time, whispered she loved me, and we almost fell asleep at the same time.