Alan Shepard

The ship gave another sickening lurch, throwing Commander Alan Shepard to the ground, "Status!" he shouted.

"Shields at 20%," Lieutenant Daniel Arêtes responded. The ship shook as another deafening crash echoed through the hull. "Scratch that, shields down, taking heavy damage," he paused and punched a few commands into his omni-tool. A terrified look crossed his face. "Ship controls not responding, we're going down! I repeat we're go-"Another blast rocked the ship, knocking the lieutenant back out of his seat, crashing his head into the wall and tossing it backwards at an impossible angle, breaking his neck. The ship shook as it entered the atmosphere of the unknown planet below.

"Abandon ship! Abandon ship," shouted an unknown crewmember. The crew of the Allenby rushed to the escape pods.

"It's too late," said the Commander, "get the information off the ship, somewhere it will be found. This is too great a threat to be ignored."

"But…"

"Now soldier!"

"Yes sir."

Rita Shepard

Earth

"No! It can't be! They were just scouts! They were safe! " Ella Shepard cried at the Alliance official that stood across from her, "Why? Who?"

"I'm sorry ma'am," said the officer, his voice uncaring, "your husband's ship was found wrecked on the planet 276 Bout. No survivors. As for the culprit… That is still unknown. Now if you'll excuse me."

"Wait! What about my daughter? Her ship was in the area! The SSV Cortina!"

"Her ship discovered the wreck, ma'am." With that the official left Ella alone. She fell forward on her hands and knees, sobbing.

A voice from the doorway startled her, "Mom?"

"Rita? Rita! I am so sorry you're seeing me like this," Sobbed Ella.

Rita rushed over and enveloped her mother in a hug, murmuring "it's okay mom, we're gonna get through this. Together."

"But, honey, you must be taking this hard too. Are you okay?" That was her mother, always putting others before herself.

"I'm fine mom. What upsets me the most is that the Alliance isn't looking to find the cause of this," Rita responded. She had a certain look in her eye that meant she wanted to give them a piece of her mind, but knew better. "You should go to bed mom, I've got to finish up some business here before I leave for the Citadel."

"You're going to the Citadel? I didn't know that," Ella said.

"The officer didn't tell you? Those guys aren't dependable for anything," she muttered, "Anyway, get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

Tacita Vakarian

Palavan

"I am very sorry to tell you this Tacita, but you have Corpalis syndrome," said the Turian Doctor standing across from Tacita Vakarian.

"But… It's so rare it can't be… Tell me it's not…no," Tacita mumbled. The Doctor then left leaving the Tacita, her husband, Anoelis, and their daughter, Solana, to absorb the crushing news. "But, wait. Shouldn't Garrus be here? I thought he wanted to find out what was going on too." Tacita asked. She turned to look at Anoelis, a questioning look in her eyes.

"Remember, I told you that Garrus is still on the Citadel, with C-Sec," responded Anoelis calmly.

"But he's so young. Only seventeen," Tacita sounded bewildered.

"No, mom, he's twenty-two," said Sol gently, not quite understanding why her mother couldn't remember.

"Oh, time goes by quickly, doesn't it? I'm going to bed," then with a wave she left.

"Dad," Sol asked, "why did mom mess up Garrus' age?"

"Corpalis Syndrome causes neurological degeneration. She honestly couldn't remember," her father responded, his usually calm voice wavering, "she'll forget more and more until there is nothing left. Unless we stop it."