So guys, first of all I haven't forgotten about Call to Arms or Closer to the Edge. I've just been so busy with classes and everything that I've gotten off track with them, but have no fear I'm back to working on them:) Anyway, I just recently got into Mass Effect, which is also a contributing factor to why I haven't updated in a while. And let me just say, I LOVE IT! I may even enjoy the series more than Dragon Age, but I'm not sure. Anyway, ideas started running through my mind instantly, so I thought I'd give it a shot. So lemme know what you think, honestly. Hope you like it! And that you continue reading what I've already got. (The letter thing will be explained later, promise.)

Chapter 1: Death

"Please, Garrus, you're so full of crap!" Lane Shepard exclaimed with one eyebrow raised.

"Are you calling me a liar, human?" Garrus offered with a huff. Even through the vidcom Shepard could see that sideways smirk of his.

Shepard smiled and crossed her arms, sticking her hip out defiantly, "That's exactly what I'm calling you."

"I don't think even the big bad Commander Shepard could handle Spectre training nowadays with how squishy and soft you are."

"If you recall, my forgetful turian friend, I didn't really have any official training. I earned it and was called upon in a time of need. So, it looks like you are the one they think is squishy and soft and in need of training."

Garrus shook his head and chuckled, his eyes focusing on whatever was in front of him at his end. "How's it going out there?"

Shepard let out a heavy sigh, "Boring. This is a waste of time. The geth aren't the real threat… The Reapers are."

Garrus looked back up, his face serious, "You know that, and I know that… But-"

"But nothing, Garrus. There is no excuse." Shepard started to pace, being cooped up on the Normandy not looking for the real threat was eating away at her.

"I know they're a bunch of hard headed politicians but maybe they'll come around, Shepard."

Shepard huffed, "Yea, when the Reapers are on our doorstep knocking to come in… Or rather blowing it all to h-e-double-hockey-sticks." Lane let her eyes drift away, staring at the floor but not really seeing it. Sure, she had stopped Saren and Sovereign, but that wasn't enough. The Commander knew she had only put off the inevitable, the Reapers were coming and no one was prepared.

"What's wrong, Lanie?" Garrus asked.

Shepard shook her head, ignoring the flutter in her stomach at the sound of her nickname on his tongue, "It's just… We're not ready. I can't image fighting more than one Reaper. And no one has any idea how many there are. If we wait around for the Council to wise up it may be too late."

oOo

Garrus stared at her, wishing he was really there with her. He hated not being on the Normandy, but he made a promise to her that he would train to be a Spectre and keep an eye on things for her at the Citadel. He hated being there, but if Garrus was being completely honest, what he really hated was being away from Shepard. They had been through a lot, and he respected her more than anyone else in the galaxy. The true respect of a turian was a hard thing to gain alone, but the friendship? That took time and Shepard was the best friend he had ever had. She was so unlike anyone else. She was tough, witty, unyielding, respectful, reassuring, warm… Garrus could go on forever, but right now, his friend was frustrated and he wanted to help. He searched his mind, trying to find the right words to say. He was never good at this stuff, "Shepard, I kno-"

White light flooded the vidcom image of Shepard, when it faded, Shepard was getting up off the ground, yelling and looking around but the sound was gone.

"Shepard! What the hell was that!" Garrus yelled, standing at attention, a sudden panic rising in his chest.

Shepard looked around then back to Garrus, she started saying something but he couldn't hear her.

"Lanie! I can't hear you!" Another explosion of light blasted her image. When it faded, Shepard was stumbling to her feet, a cut at her right eyebrow. She looked back at Garrus and started to say something, but she was cut off. Her image was gone.

"Shepard!" Garrus yelled again, the panic in his chest making his heart beat fast, "Lanie! Lanie!"

oOo

Shepard leaned over the console, "Garrus!" It was too late, the connection was gone and she needed to move.

"Joker, what the H was that?" Shepard asked into her omni-tool as she pried the vidcom room doors open.

"Unknown ship just shot the shit out of the Normandy! Cut through her like butter!" Joker responded breathlessly.

"Unknown? It's not the geth?" Shepard was running to get her helmet and send a distress beacon.

"No, not a Reaper either… I've never seen a ship like it, but the Normandy's barely moving!"

"Understood."

Fires and explosions were happening all around Shepard as she ran for the distress beacon. Members of the crew were scattered about, either running for escape pods or lying dead on the floor. By the time she reached her helmet and sent out the distress call, she was sure this entire ship was about to fall apart.

"Shepard!" A panicked voice called out from behind.

After Shepard sent the beacon she picked up a fire extinguisher and started working on the fire closest to her. Liara was breathing heavily through her helmet.

"Shepard! Are you alright?" Liara panted.

"I'm fine, Liara. Get everyone to the escape shuttles."

"Will the Alliance be here in time?"

"I ain't doing this so they can find our frozen corpses. Now go."

"Joker won't leave the cockpit, and I'm not leaving either." Liara's voice was definite, but Shepard had no time for it. The professor needed to make it out alive, her knowledge was invaluable.

Shepard gave up on the fire she was trying to put out, the ship continued to shake and explode all around them. She huffed and chucked the hydrant in annoyance, "I'll take care of Joker, now get to an evac shuttle."

"I'm not leaving you-"

"Liara, now!" Shepard began to sprint toward the cockpit, giving a slight push on Liara as she passed.

Shepard looked back and yelled over her shoulder when she saw Liara wasn't moving, "Move your blue A now, asari!"

Lane ran as fast as she could, hearing Joker call for help over the com. Shepard had lied to Liara about the Alliance. The beacon was sent, but there was no way they would get here in time to save the Normandy. The ship was lost, she had accepted that. The hard part would be convincing Joker. As Shepard walked out into the completely spaced part of the Normandy, all she could hear was her own breaths. It was peaceful, despite the chaos surrounding her. A few bodies were floating in the air, along with parts of the ship. She could see Joker in the cockpit, still trying to fly a ship that was already lost. She passed through the shield protecting him and immediately began yelling.

"I didn't know brittle bone disease affected you brain as well making you stupid. What the H are you doing! The Normandy is going down!"

"I can still save her, Commander!" Joker pleaded, his hands moving fast as tried to fly the broken ship.

"The Normandy is lost! Going down with the ship won't change that!"

Lane watched in silence as the realization hit him, he conceded with a nod. Panic flashed in his green eyes, "Oh shit! They're coming around for another attack!"

Shepard pulled him up roughly, effectively breaking his arm.

"Ow! Watch the arm!" Joker whined.

Joker huffed as Shepard pulled him toward the life pod, she practically threw him in as another shot was fired on the Normandy. Shepard stumbled back from the pod. The third consecutive shot sent her flying against a wall, pushing her far away from the shuttle.

"Commander! Shepard!" Joker called, but it was too late.

Shepard hit the launch button at the last second, sending Joker flying away. She watched as the ship broke apart around her, floating through space. Suddenly it exploded, knocking her into a piece of it. The back of her head hit hard, and she felt her suit rupture. She began to panic, breathing in heavily as her heart rate rose. She looked around, the life pods where getting away, and the ship that attacked seem to pay them no attention. She closed her eyes, attempting to calm herself. The crew was safe and that was all that mattered. A face flashed across the blackness offering her comfort. A metallic voice sounded in her head, softly calling out to her, 'Lanie'.

"Garrus…" She whispered weakly as she took in a last breath.