AN: Just a teaser, a prologue of a new story. A normal, linear one for a change. Enjoy and don't forget to tip a review!
She's waking up, Miranda!
A bright light shines overhead, and eyes close out of instinct. Lids scrunching up, ears vaguely register more voices, mentioning a name. Shepard.
Shepard, can you hear me? Just relax.
Choking, burning, grasping at the plastic piece blocking the throat. Trying to sit up against the bar pressing down.
Easy Shepard, give us one second.
Relief follows swiftly as the tube passes through lips. Coughing and struggling some more until weakness runs through limbs. Sagging back against a cold surface, the only sound that escapes is a rough groan.
Can you open your eyes, Jane?
Eyelids felt so heavy, a moan escapes from the exertion. Everything is blurry, blobs of colour that won't settle into shapes no matter how much blinking.
Good job, Shepard. My name is Miranda Lawson. You had a bit of a nasty fall.
Brown and white blobs move away and the bar removes. Arms that had been keeping shoulders against the cold.
We're going to run some tests now. Deep breaths and just relax.
A floating feeling, fighting the urge to sleep. Minimally aware of the poking and prodding of legs and arms. A slight tickle causing toes to twitch and foot-jerking. Flinching at the snapping noise next to the ears, an unpleasant sound.
She shouldn't be conscious; it's impossible. Her last scans still showed minimal brain function. What happened?
Obviously, we've got to run them again, but first, we need to warm her up. Temp's still well below normal, let's not damage all our hard work, hm?
The strange sensation of being lifted by many hands, then set back down onto a warm soft bed. Unconscious shivering eases and stops when the warmth wraps around her with a comfortable weight. Snuggling into the warm cocoon, the blackness rapidly encroaching. A push to the shoulder.
You're safe, Shepard. We've got you.
A last thought before slipping under.
Who's Shepard?