Warning: The following chapter may cause 1)crying 2)missing funny Joker moments 3)you to hate me for it being so short.
Disclaimer: Yeah, kinda forgot my first one but I don't care.
Chapter 2
Two days. It took two days for anybody to find Joker. For two days Joker was completely alone. For two days the pilot could do nothing but think of Shepard. For two days Joker blamed himself.
You should have known.
Known what? Never seen anything like that…that…thing.
You could have done more. Evaded better. You're supposed to be the best damn pilot in the Alliance.
If it weren't for me, we would have died immediately.
Well maybe then you could be with Shepard. You should have left when she told you to.
Shut up.
You're worthless.
Shut up.
You're weak.
Shut Up.
You're a failure.
Shut Up!
You killed her.
"SHUT UP!" he shouted before punching a sidewall with his good arm and creating another dent. "Well that's just great." The scenario kept playing again and again in his end, but there was nothing he could do now. Not here, not now. When his rescue finally did arrive in the form of an Alliance frigate, Joker could only desperately ask whether Laura had been found or not. Everybody he asked could only look away and shake his or her head.
Five days. The search for Commander Shepard lasted for five days. For five days, Joker and the surviving Normandy crew helped look for Shepard. For five days Joker stared and glowered through every scan and search report. For five days Joker blamed himself.
You should know where she is.
How? There was a freaking explosion. Even if she survived the fire, it could have blasted her in any direction.
Not to mention hard suit breaches.
Or burning in the atmosphere of a planet on reentry.
Or floating through space until the oxygen ran out.
"Shit" he cursed, throwing the charts to the floor.
"Stop it," came a voice from the doorway. Joker looked up to see Ashley. "It won't change anything. She's gone."
"Don't say that."
"They're calling off the search, she's is officially listed as KIA," she spat.
"How could they do that?" Joker asked, slowly getting to his feet. "She saved the galaxy, and they're giving up? It's only been five days!"
"Alliance regulations call for a maximum search of two days," Ashley said, leaning against a wall. "It's been five days, with Alliance and Council sent ships. Plans for a funeral at the Citadel are already being made."
"How can you say that without any…emotion?" the pilot queried, resisting the urge to tackle her. "She was your friend."
"I know."
"She saved you on Eden Prime."
"I know."
"She let Alenko die for YOU!"
"I KNOW!" the Chief exploded, before sliding down the wall. "I know."
Four hours. The funeral for first human Spectre and Commander Laura Shepard lasted for four agonizing hours. Admiral Hackett spoke first, describing how it was possible for every human to reach such heights. The Council spoke of how Shepard was a shining example of how far humanity had come. But it was Anderson's speech that meant the most.
Humanity's first councilor stood at the pedestal with his head bowed silently for the longest time. When he looked out at the gathered people, his eyes were bloodshot and puffy. "Shepard was…is the closest thing I could ever call a daughter. I was in the recruitment office when she stumbled in, with a cut cheek. The recruiter was just looking to improve his numbers, I bet he never thought that the punky little girl would save all of our asses. I remember when she graduated from the N7 program, I was there as an alumni. She gave the most stirring speech, her classmates applauded for ten minutes while her speech only lasted five. It was glimpse into how she would come to inspire any crew she came in contact to. She served under my command many times; I thought she was following me. But of course the truth was that I kept picking her, eager to see just how high this young woman would go. When she became a Spectre, I was more than happy to hand over the Normandy. I realized that she officially surpassed me, like all parents hope their children will. And I couldn't be more proud. But we have lost more than just a person, or another daughter. We have lost a bit of ourselves, and the galaxy feels much emptier for it. So rest in peace Laura Shepard, may you find peace. May we all, find peace."
Hope you like this, keeping up with this story may be hard with my stupid life. REVIEW!
