Chapter II

Muffled noises sounded somewhere in the background. Explosions? Gunshots? Then there was something else - some sort of scraping sound; like someone was dragging something across the floor but what she had no idea. All she knew was that she wanted it to stop, the more sounds she started hearing; the more she became aware of the pain. Every part of her ached so fiercely she couldn't pinpoint any one thing that hurt the most; she felt like she had been thrown out of a speeding shuttle - and she'd had some experience with this.

Every sound made her head throb worse; she let out an involuntary groan. Shepard had no idea how long it took her to open her eyes but when she did she immediately regretted it. The light stung her eyes and she groaned again. It was easily another few minutes before she tried again, it still hurt, badly but this time she able to make out at least a few blurred images. She blinked several times, each time the pain easing and the images becoming clearer.

It wasn't long before she could clearly make out objects in front of her; she seemed to be in a corridor staring at what was that? Rubble? Why was there Rubble? Where was she? And what was that scraping noise?

If Shepard had had enough energy she might have jumped when she saw the pile of rubble move and a Keeper appear at the bottom of it. So that's what the scraping sound was; the Keepers were clearing up the Rubble. So she must be on the Citadel then. Why was she here again? Not important right now. She needed to get out of here, find help.

She tentatively moved her left hand forward and winced; she must have been lying on her right side so long her left arm had become stuck to her dried blood. Not wanting to tear her arm away in case she started bleeding again. She tried moving her legs this time, they responded, however sluggishly. Now she tried her other arm lying flat against the ground above her head, she had enough strength to prop herself into an uncomfortable sitting position. She doubted very much that she could stand, just getting to this stage had taken most of the energy she had. She was never going to make it far like this, especially since she was at the top of a flight of stairs, she cursed; she could never make it down there without causing a lot of damage. Then her addled brain finally registered something; the Keepers were taking the rubble somewhere, if she climbed on one of them it might take her at least to a place she was likely to be found. Now she just had to get to the other end of the room.

With agonising slowness Shepard dragged herself across the floor until she finally stopped at the bottom of a large slab, exhausted. She wasn't done yet, mustering all her remaining energy she dragged herself onto the slab of rubble and passed out.

Voices reached Shepard ears but they sounded miles away, she couldn't make out what they were saying but from their tone, they sounded urgent. She half opened her eyes again, a black blurred image walked into her field of vision.

"Are you OK?" Shepard opened her mouth and tried to speak but her throat was too dry and stuck together. A strangled gargle was the best she could manage. She was vaguely aware of something pulling at her. What now? She thought and passed out again.