If there's one thing John learned in his time as a Marine, it's that being a Vanguard means spending lots of time in sickbay between missions, and sickbay<span style="font-style: italic">sucks</span>. Confinement to a bed or gel tank with nutrient intake via tube were not exactly the most comfortable accommodations. Then there was that awful medicinal aftertaste that got in everything. When he emerged from the gel tank, Shepard, Garrus, and a number of other crewmates stepped in bearing gifts of all kinds.<br/><br/>'We heard the latest vintage of John Jose Augusto del Pilar was being decanted,' Shepard said.<br/><br/>'Garrus and I wrote you a nice book about your heroics, too,' said Tali. 'It's titled,<span style="font-style: italic">How to Dodge</span>.'<br/><br/>Garrus handed the beleaguered Solar a gift basket with all sorts of edibles and potables. 'We even got you a gift basket. Medigel-flavored wine, medigel-flavored cheese, medigel-flavored candy--'<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">______________</div><br/><br/>Despite the aches and pains of rapid restoration treatment, John felt good to be back. Within the week, he had little to complain about. Thank goodness for Exalted biology and space science. He exited the human embassy with only minor discomfort--a shot to his leg had hamstrung him on the way out of the Collector Station, and the wound still hadn't fully healed. He made his way to the source of the commotion in the embassy lobby. Two guards, both of them packing heat that wouldn't look out of place on a Spectre. It turned out they were bothering the LT.<br/><br/>'Excuse me,' John said as he approached, 'is there a problem here?'<br/><br/>The Asari and Turian both turned and saluted him smartly. 'Sir,' the Asari said, 'just dealing with a loiterer. No need to--'<br/><br/>'A loiterer? All I see is one of my Marines, officer.'<br/><br/>'One of<span style="font-style: italic">your</span>Marines?' The Turian shifted uneasily.<br/><br/>'He's one of mine, and I asked him to wait here while we sorted some things out with Admiral Hackett and Councilor Udina.' John tapped his new rank pins, which he'd only recently attached to his uniform. 'Commander del Pilar, Alliance Navy. The Lieutenant here works with me. Nothing to worry about.'<br/><br/>'Ah,' stammered the Asari, 'well, uh, apologies, Commander. He looked dangerous, so we thought--'<br/><br/>'He should be,' John said with a smile. 'Any N7s who<span style="font-style: italic">don't</span>look dangerous need to turn in their badges. No worries. You two should be commended for doing your jobs. We'll be going now.'<br/><br/>He shook their hands and the trio left without further incident. The Citadel looked eerily peaceful despite the circumstances. The imminent Reaper invasion, the tensions rising between the Geth and Quarians, and the lack of military preparation didn't seem to bother anyone on the station. After a brief jaunt, the trio arrived at C-Sec's docks.<br/><br/>'What's that look you're giving me, Shepard?'<br/><br/>'Oh, nothing,' she said. 'Just seems like you're letting the rank go to your head already.'<br/><br/>John shrugged then immediately regretted it. 'Ack, pins and needles. Ugh. I suppose so, Shepard. I guess I just need to force myself into the command mentality is all.'<br/><br/>The Spectre punched him lightly in the shoulder. 'You'll do fine. Good luck, I need to see to the<span style="font-style: italic">Normandy</span>.'<br/><br/>'Thanks, boss. Happy hunting.' The Citadel Council had other plans for John, Esone, and 042. All three of them were transferred to the SSV<span style="font-style: italic">Midway</span>, a new Mk II<span style="font-style: italic">Normandy</span>-class stealth frigate. The ship was currently docked next to her older sibling and looked factory-new. Apparently, Cerberus' brief attempt at recruiting Shepard resulted in the theft of both the new<span style="font-style: italic">Normandy</span>and all of the blueprints and backup files necessary to build her. Go figure.<br/><br/>Hackett's mission briefing was rather sparse in detail. Liara's contacts had discovered Cerberus agents on Eden Prime, allegedly searching for a Prothean artifact of unknown nature. While Shepard's team went off to handle a crisis in the Bahak System, the three would accompany Liara to Eden Prime. There, they would link up with a Geth stealth vessel to load up the gear and Mechanical Charms necessary to repair and refit 042 for a variety of purposes. After the equipment transfer, it was a matter of making planetfall, securing the artifact, and making the Illusive Man unhappy.  'A simple smash and grab,' Liara called it.<br/><br/>Sure, Liara. Sure.