Alliance Headquarters, Vancouver, Thursday, 2184 CE

"Admiral Hackett, sir," Kaidan said, saluting.

"Lieutenant Commander Alenko," Hackett said, giving him a firm nod. "I've been wanting to speak to you for some time."

That... okay. Kaidan had requested time to speak with someone in charge. In the light of that one weekend, Jack becoming Jack, he'd felt honorbound to at least try and set something up to work on the Reaper issue. Anything. He'd be willing to lead it up himself, even if that meant leaving the island. He'd actually rehearsed that whole speech in his head, too-- so to find Hackett apparently eager to talk to him was throwing him off his stride.

He didn't shift in place, thank god. But he did let his eyes flick momentarily to the datapad lying on top of Hackett's desk.

"Sir," Kaidan said, attempting to find the scraps of his spiel that suddenly seemed lodged away too far in his mind. "I realize that the Alliance officially denies reports of the Reapers--"

"I heard about your accomplishments over the past two months. Very impressive," Hackett said, ignoring him. "Your actions against the Blood Pack and Totenkopf especially. The Alliance feels it's time to reward your efforts-- and your insights."

That was... an odd bit of inflection. "Reward me," Kaidan said slowly.

"Consider this verbal notice of your promotion, Staff Commander," Hackett said. There was something cold in his eyes. No, not cold: something fierce. Like he was gearing up for battle against... something. Kaidan had the strangest feeling that Hackett was telling him he was on his side, but he couldn't actually prove anything.

"I... thank you, sir," he said. "But I--"

"The necessary paperwork has already been filed," Hackett said. "That's it, Commander. You're dismissed."

Well.

Kaidan saluted.

"Sir," he said.

He left the office none the wiser - but with a feeling in his gut that said things were starting to change.

[[ establishy. ]]