A Little Help From Our Friends
Prologue
Unbridled rage pulsed through Shepard's veins as she exited the transport. She could feel the weight of the universe on her shoulders, a rare moment for her. She had gotten practice at separating herself from the mission enough for the stress to be minimal, and those few moments it got to her, she could focus her entire being on the next mission. She was used to being in control. She needed to be in control. This time it was different.
Kei Leng had been enough of a pain in the ass on the Citadel, but to have him and those bastards Cerberus swoop in and steal the last bit of hope Shepard had left; the only hope, it was wreaking havoc on her soul. Thessia wouldn't leave her for a long time. She could still hear the screams; smell the flesh, even as she debriefed Admiral Hackett. She kept her mask in place for the most part, but as she left the comm room, she could feel the crew's worried stares on her back.
Shepard shot in vain at the retreating Cerberus ship, brain racing to find a way to fix the situation. She had to fix it.
"Anyone on this frequency? This is Lieutenant Kurin. My squad is trapped."
Disoriented for a moment, she reached for her communicater and held the button down to reply.
"This is Shepard! Give us your location."
"I repeat: Is anyone on this frequency?"
"We read you! Give me your-"
Shepard fought to hold back the flood of emotion as she realized there was something wrong. She couldn't respond. And then she spotted a shadow in the sky.
"Did anyone see Shepard? Did they make it to the temple?"
"I saw them—Wait, I've got Reaper inbound!"
"Please! Is anybody there? Oh Goddess, no!"
Shepard opened her eyes as the elevator door opened to her quarters. Her fists clenched tight and a lump in her throat, she stormed into the bathroom and splashed water on her face. She gripped the sides of the sink and took a few deep breathes. She didn't want to collect her thoughts, that would mean having to remember them.
"Please! Is anybody there? Oh Goddess, no!"
Shepard could feel every muscle in her body, coiled tight and ready for destruction. Her mind replayed the battle with Leng over and over. She scolded herself for every hesitation, for letting him get away.
"EDI?"
"Yes, Shepard?" EDI's sensual voice echoed in the small bathroom.
"Set a course for Sanctuary."
"Of course, Shepard. My sensors indicate you are experiencing high levels of stress. Dr. Chakwas is available-"
"I'm fine." Shepard snapped.
Or I will be, when I have Leng's throat in my hand.