A Shoulder To Cry On
Chapter 1 - A Rough Day
Commander Sophie Shepard looks utterly distraught as she walks out of the debriefing room. The Council weren't happy with her decision to release the Rachni Queen on Noveria and coupled with the horrible fact that she'd gunned down Liara's mother, Matriarch Benezia, to save the lives of the young asari and her other squad mate, Garrus Vakarian. Benezia had broken Saren's indoctrination only briefly to pass on information that brought the Normandy's crew one step closer to bringing down Saren. But then she succumbed again and attacked.
The elder asari had not counted on her getting up from the biotic throw and had turned around only to take a bullet to the chest. Right in the centre of the ten-ring. The Matriarch survived long enough to admit how proud Liara made her. She had tried so hard to revive Benezia but she had said Saren would still have a grip on her should she survive. Sophie can't help but replay the gross scene in her head as she enters the left hand side door to head down into the mess hall.
The mess hall is full. Sophie isn't interested in anything or anyone there though as she drags herself through the Med-bay door, gaining the attention of the crew sat around the table. Garrus attempts to call her name, but she's through the door already. Karin's gaze lifts from her terminal to see who has stepped into her domain. "Shepard." the older woman starts, her green eyes study the Commander "I heard what happened down there, my dear."
Something inside of Sophie snaps and she raises her voice at Karin "I killed her mother, Karin! I didn't intend that shot to be fatal, but Benezia was about to kill Liara. I just acted and my shoulder's dislocated because I was sent flying across the room by way of a biotic throw!" Sophie takes a deep breath and runs both hands down her face, calming herself down before she continues. "My suit was shooting me up with painkiller and adrenaline even as I made the shot. She turned around, Karin. Took the bullet to her ten ring."
Karin doesn't appear phased by the Commander's shouting as she steps forward to guide the woman to a bed. "Shepard, you knew that Benezia's death was one of the possible outcomes of this mission. You also knew you couldn't deny Liara the chance to see her mother when you found out she was on Noveria." Karin states as she prepares to reset Shepard's shoulder. There's a click as the joint is set and a grunt from the Commander and Chakwas steps back slightly "As the Medical Officer I have to confine you to ship while that heals. No doing anything too strenuous either." the Doctor's professionalism showing slightly, but it fades as she then offers with a concerned look "I haven't seen Liara though, she didn't come here after the debrief."
Sophie slides off the bed and looks to Karin "I'll go look for her." She heads toward the door and pauses as she looks back slightly "I'm sorry for shouting, Karin." then she leaves. The med bay door letting off a hiss as it closes behind her.