Author's Note: Most of this book will be written in first person from Commander Shepard's point of view. This is a female Shepard novel. Some of the things that happen in this novel are my own personal choices that has happened throughout all three games. So, if it differs from your experience, I do apologize in advance.
The aftermath of the Reaper invasion on Earth was devastating, but Earth was saved as were many planets. All thanks to one Commander Shepard. The Alliance was busy trying to clean up their world, especially London, to try to build the pieces of their civilization back up. There were soldiers, and even some civilians, going through the rubble to find any survivors or find anything useful they could use. As the soldiers were busy scouring the area, a cough was heard distinctly around the beam that led the famous Commander up to the Citadel.
"Over here!" A soldier called out as he raced to the area of the sound.
In moments, a swarm of soldiers were around the area moving rubble to get to the sound. They were grunting with the effort of lifting heavy concrete and other materials off the person surrounded. Finally, with a great heave, they lifted the last bit of debris and were astounded.
"It's the Commander! Call a medical and evac team!"
I jerked awake. But it was suddenly a bad idea after that happened because everything hurt. It even hurt to blink. I struggled to comprehend what was going on as I looked around me. It seemed that I was in a hospital, but how is that possible… wasn't I just…-
"The Reapers!" I yelped, sitting up quickly. As soon as I did that I let out a sharp inhale of breath at the pain that shot through my body.
I felt something stirring on the bed beside me and I looked over to see Kaidan Alenko, the love of my life, resting with his head on the edge of my bed. He sat up slowly and his mouth dropped. He stood up quickly and moved over to me and grabbed my hand, causing me to wince, even that hurt. He didn't notice though, he just looked relieved and I could also see, joy.
"You're awake! Oh, Shepard, you're awake!" He said in an emotional voice.
I blinked, why wouldn't I be awake? Then it hit me. The Reapers were destroyed. I killed them. It all came flooding back to me the minute I started to think about it. The Crucible… The Catalyst… The Intelligence. It all came back. The Catalyst gave me four choices, and I did the only one that could save everyone, destroying the Reapers. Finally, the battle I have been fighting for almost three years, was over. The struggle was done. I couldn't believe it. I laid back against my bed, and closed my eyes.
"How long was I out?" I asked calmly.
"You were out for almost two weeks. The doctors didn't know if you were going to wake up. Shepard… I was so… I was so scared that I was going to lose you… That I had… lost… you," He choked out. I opened my eyes and saw the tears forming in his eyes.
"Oh Kaidan…" I whispered as I reached out softly to put my hand over his instead. "I'm fine. I promised you I would come back, and I was determined to keep it."
"I know… but after what happened with the Collectors… I just didn't know if I could handle it…" He said.
I pulled Kaidan to me, internally groaning at the motion that made my body feel it was being torn apart by pliers. He wrapped his arms around me and the only indication that he was crying were when the hot tears dropped onto my face. I felt his lips on my forehead and he looked down at me, pulling away after a couple of minutes and sighing. I think he felt better after that and he took a step back. Every part of my body screamed at me for some more comfort, but I just sat there and looked at him.
"I should probably go get a doctor or something, so you can get your medical exam… It's what happened to me after Mars," he spoke softly. He turned on his heel and out the door on my right.
I closed my eyes, trying to relax but my body ached and hurt so much it was almost impossible. I was alive. And the Reapers were dead. The whole galaxy was saved and it was because of me. Normally I didn't think that way, it's never just because of me, it's because of everyone. But this time, this time I did do it. I felt such a satisfaction at being able to help the whole galaxy live. It. Was. Over. Maybe I could get some shore leave after I recover. I hadn't had a true shore leave in almost three years. Oh, I could just think about putting my feet up.
My thought process didn't last very long as the door was opened and in walked a Salarian Doctor to do my medical exam. Only, Kaidan didn't return with him.
"Okay, Commander, let's see how you're feeling…" The doctor said and it suddenly just became a blur.
"How much longer before I can get out of here, Admiral? I am itching to get out of this hospital," I said gruffly.
Admiral Hackett was visiting me in my room, in complete Regs. He laughed and shook his head, he knew I couldn't stand to be cooped up for long periods of time. It was good to see him. After losing Admiral Anderson it was nice to know there was still someone that had my back.
"Commander, you need to rest first, then you can get back out there in the real world. It will be there waiting for you until you're completely healed," he remarked with a chuckle. His eyes met mine and I saw something in there, it looked like desperation… But that couldn't be right. There shouldn't be, the threat was gone, wasn't it?
"Well, you're a soldier just like me, sir, so you know how I feel about all of this. There is so much bullshit I must go through. Like physical therapy. Who knew that walking again took so much effort?" I commented in a joking manner. Hackett looked away briefly and then back at me. Something was going on, I could feel it, I just didn't know what yet.
"Just get patched up and we'll put you back on duty. Just make it snappy, Commander, it's not right having you in here," He said finally. He saluted me, and I him before he headed to the sliding doors.
"Oh, one more thing, Commander, you're up for a promotion. Rear Admiral," he said.
"Rear Admiral? You just passed one whole rank, sir," I replied.
"Considering that you saved the galaxy and defeated The Reapers, I feel you're due it. Have a good day," He then stepped out of the doors and they slid shut behind him.
I laid back on the pillows that were on the bed and closed my eyes. Something was going on and Admiral Hackett wasn't telling me. I'm sure that once I was up and running he would tell me, but my guess is he wasn't because he wanted me to focus on getting better… Right. Better. If physical therapy and healing bruises were recovering, I was doing a bang up job of it… Literally a bang up job, because I was banged up. Hah, I made joke. God, must be these stupid meds I'm on.
The door to my room slid open and my eyes cracked open to see Liara and Glyph walking into my room. She was busy looking at her omni tool and Glyph, her ridiculous VI, was following her around like a lost puppy. I blinked a little, it was slightly funny to watch their spectacle.
"I need those documents to give to the council right away… I don't care how long it'll take, that's your priority from here on out… Are you really trying to talk back to me? Have you forgotten that my biotics could tear you apart in a single second? That's what I thought. Get to it," She said the last part harshly. I was still amazed at how much she had changed from being just a Prothean scientist. She had certainly become more deadly.
"Liara," I said in a greeting. She looked up sharply and seemed a bit surprised.
"Oh! Commander! I apologize, I thought you were sleeping when I walked in, if I woke you up, I am very sorry," she spoke hastily. I laughed.
"You could wake the dead, but that's not important. It's good to see you, Liara. How is everything? How is my crew?" I asked.
I hadn't seen Kaidan since that first day I woke up, so I was curious as to how he was doing. Everyone else had come and go. Tali, Garrus, Miranda, James, Jacob, even Kolyat came to visit. It was very comforting to know that my squad mates still cared, but the fact that Kaidan didn't come back worried me. He was a Spectre and a Major in the Alliance. They probably had him on some dangerous mission. Maybe that was why Admiral Hackett didn't want to tell me… It wasn't protocol to enter a relationship with one of your subordinates, especially one on your own crew. I still didn't know what was going on and it kind of aggravated me.
"Your crew is doing fine, Commander, or should I call you Rear Admiral now?" Glyph spoke in its electronic voice.
"Uh… Commander is fine for now, I haven't been promoted just yet," I answered. "But speaking of my crew, where is EDI? I haven't seen her come to visit me, or Joker for a matter of fact. They better not be in bed together instead of visiting me." I joked.
"Shepard, didn't you know?" Liara asked.
"Know what?"
"EDI… She's dead."
"What?! EDI… she's dead?!"
"Commander, when you destroyed The Reapers, all AI's were destroyed with it. That included the Geth, EDI and a few others. Joker said he couldn't handle seeing you right now," Glyph answered. "I was only spared because I am a simple VI. Good thing you didn't upgrade me yet, huh, Dr. T'Soni?"
"Glyph, quiet, sometimes you speak and reveal too much," Liara chastised her VI. "Shepard, I am so sorry. Joker will eventually come around. You didn't know that EDI would have been destroyed as well, you were just focused on taking out The Reapers. It isn't your fault."
"No, it is. It is all my fault, but thanks for trying," I said with a heavy heart.
EDI was gone… The Geth… All that effort that Legion and I did to help the Geth and I destroyed them anyways. I was no better than The Reapers. I took out synthetic life so easily. Was that really the answer? Now Joker was distraught without her. He loved her. I took away the one person, because EDI was a person, that he could really love. Guilt wracked my body, I didn't know how to handle it.
"Is that why Kaidan hasn't been back?" I asked.
"Kaidan? He's been here the whole time. Admiral Hackett has had him in a lot of meetings and it seems they're discussing something important. I could get information on it, Shepard, if you want. But I thought he would have been back by now," Liara said softly. "I can go get him for you, if you want to see him."
"No, don't bother Kaidan. He's busy with the Admiral." I desperately needed to change the subject. "What about the new council for the Citadel? Have they made any decisions regarding that yet?"
"Well Primarch Victus is a forerunner for the Turians. An Asari Matriarch by the name of Tillari has been voted in by my race. The Salarians are still in talks for their vote, no news on that yet. The humans have offered up your Admiral Hackett as the next council member from your race. It isn't a set thing with him yet, but they feel he has the most experience for it. Your mother, Hannah Shepard, will be promoted to his position once he takes the seat," Glyph spoke up.
Hm. My mom would be my direct commanding officer. That would be something interesting. Last I had heard she was promoted to Rear Admiral and was Hackett's right hand. She must have done something right if the ragtag Alliance Navy wanted her as an Admiral. My mind wandered to when I was going to get back into my active duty. I hated feeling useless. Everyone was out there fighting and fine but I was stuck here.
This was going to be a long recovery.
