2.
Opening his eyes there was no sound to be heard. Commander Shepard could feel the blood seep from his wounds, could feel bones broken and the extreme tightness clawing at his lungs. He lay there amongst the rubble of some unknown building daring to wait for deaths haze to descend down on him. Every breath racked his dying body with agonising pain. He didn't need to recite the Catalyst's words to know it was over for him. This was your choice, he thought. You could have had some sort of existence within the Catalyst. A consciousness above anything possible for a mere organic but you decided otherwise.
"No", he groaned, all strength gone from his voice. These few moments of real life were worth more than a thousand years as part of some synthetic hive mind. All I am feeling is agony, but at least I am truly alive no matter the length of time. Dust from the debris was clogging the air, it covered him from head to toe, the taste of its metallic tang coated his lips and the inside of his throat. It brought the Krogan liquor Ryncol to mind. I'm going to die with the taste of that damn shit in my mouth. Barely able to see, the Commander gazed around. After all the battles, and deaths, this is where it ends. It's not quite the all guns blazing going out in explosions finale I expected.
With a strained grunt Shepard attempted to raise his arms. Pain exploded all over his body forcing him to slump back down across the slab beneath. He stared blankly at the exposed sky above. Earth! At least I made it back. The sky was just as he had seen it last, cloaked in grey darkness. For what felt like minutes he just lay there staring. Steadily his eyesight began to fade from him. I can't see the sky anymore. He wished for the end to just come. The contemplation was a forlorn one. I hope everyone made it out. Memories brought his friends and crew members to him here in these last moments. Squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to thwart the thundering pain Shepard formed pictures of them in his head. They will carry me on to the end.
He stood on the bridge of the Normandy, all of them arrayed before him. My team.
Hands clasped behind his back Shepard walked along their line. I'm proud of all of you.
You and the Normandy will become the symbol of rebuilding the galaxy.
A smile appeared on Ashley's lips. "Thank you Commander", they answered in unison. Saluting one and all they left for their various jobs aboard, only Ashley remained behind. She fell into Shepard's arms, clinging tightly.
"Don't go", she pleaded.
I won't, I promise. He let the lie linger in the air.
He was at the top of the Presidium with Garrus shooting cans, then drinking with James in Purgatory. A moment later Shepard sat upon the soil of reclaimed Rannoch alongside Tali. So many memories shot through his skull in instants brought to a close in the Presidium Commons. "I wish we could spend more time together like this…just friends", Liara said.
He couldn't remain here. The pain hauled him back to reality. Rolling his head to the side Shepard coughed, splattering blood.
Tears began to roll gently down his cheeks, moistening cracked and dried lips. The noise of footsteps began to echo from the street outside. I'm in here. He tried to shout but the pain took the sound from his throat. Too late.
With his last bit of strength Shepard threw himself down to dusty ground. I'll crawl out of this building if I have too. Overhead the hum of a ships engine could be heard, breaking the silence. Forcing his eyes open Shepard had only a tunnel like vision. At the end of that tunnel light danced, wavering from one side to another. Light at the end of a tunnel? What the fuck would you make of this Catalyst? How shall I be judged?
Behind he could see his blood staining the powdery floor. His shuffle stuttered to a halt. The blood loss had caught up with him. Righting himself Shepard tumbled over onto his back. A gentle sprinkling of rain had begun its fall to the earth. Thankfully, he thought, it began to bath him. Washing the grime from his flesh it eased the pain just enough for the Commander to smile.
The light had disappeared and along with it Shepards fight to live. People die in war. These words set him free.Between his lips blood dribbled, running down his cheek to rest on the dust.