Author's Note: I'm a recent Mass Effect fan, so I figured I would try to write a fic. I don't expect too many people to be excited about it, but I've worked on it for some time, and, hey, at least I can say I enjoy it! Thanks for taking the time to check it out.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or universe created for Mass Effect, with the exception of possible original characters to come out of the woodwork later. All properties go to BioWare for their creation (And thank you for creating them!). And credit to droot1986 of deviantart(.com) for the cover image.
Aftermath
"ETA, two minutes," Cortez said quietly.
None of those in the shuttle seemed to react to his announcement. In fact, aside from the hum of the shuttle itself, and everyone's breathing, there was nothing but silence.
James Vega, the bulky human, stood in the corner, pressing his body against the wall. His rifle was in his hands, as it always was, but it laid at ease, the barrel pointed down at the floor. His eyes focused on where the barrel as pointing, not allowing himself to focus on anything else.
Liara T'Soni was one of the few who were sitting down in the shuttle, squeezing her hands together in her lap. Vivid red veins spidered around her blue eyes as she looked straight ahead, but didn't really see anything. The tears rarely stopped after the Normandy retrieved her from Earth. It was unusual to see how the young woman (well, young for her species' standards) had kept so much back during their months before the completion of the Crucible. Here they were, as it seemed, in the aftermath of the biggest battle their galaxy knew, and they were alive. But she couldn't get herself to calm down. Not until she knew for certain what had happened to her best friend.
Tali'Zorah vas Normandy was sitting across from the asari, looking as dispirited as a quarian could in her enviro-suit. Her elbows rested on her knees, her hands dangling before her. The shotgun propped against her left leg wiggled slightly as she bobbed her right leg. She fought the urge to begin talking, knowing that everyone should be left to their own thoughts, but her own thoughts were consuming her, making her nervousness peak to untold levels.
Garrus Vakarian stood beside her, head slightly bent as he held on to one of the grips on the ceiling with his left hand. His right still held on to his right side. Turian as he was, he knew to swallow down any pain, fight through and keep going. Orders were orders. Dr. Chakwas had fought a losing battle to keep him on the Normandy, especially when the crew decided to go back to the Crucible/Citadel/Catalyst … whatever C-word the remaining beings alive decided to call it. He didn't particularly care. What he cared about was the fact that Shepard was still there somewhere, and she had her own orders to follow.
"Forgive the insubordination, but your boyfriend has an order for you … come back alive. It'd be an awful empty galaxy without you."
One of the last things he would say to her, looking into her eyes before pulling her into him. The last push to the Conduit led to Liara and himself getting injured. Picturing Shepard walking away from the Normandy made his mandibles click angrily. Damn stubborn woman, he could've done something to help …