Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect.

Horizon. "I know where my loyalties lie." I was an arrogant jerk, clouded by my preconceived view of Cerberus. Why the hell didn't I join him, why did I report back to the Alliance? Shepard didn't lead us astray when chasing Saren, so why did I abandon him? What was I thinking?

I'm sorry. I never said those words, though they stick in my dry throat. Regret fills my gut, racking my body and knocking against my skull like a hammer. I wish I had told him how sorry I was, that I wish I could take back the words from Horizon. Now, I'll never get that chance.

It was an honor serving under him, both during the chase for Saren and the Reaper Invasion. He is what every soldier should aspire to be. Strong willed, courageous, inspiring. He had an empathy for the entire crew, for everybody he met. His knack for diplomacy, his ability to make people see reason, his ability to rally the races of the galaxy is what saved us in the end.

Earth may have been half razed to hell, the Citadel may have lost a couple of wards, Omega blasted to oblivion, but in the darkest hour he was the light that shone brightest and vanquished the darkness for good. All the time I could have told him, all the times I paused. The Commander seemed to not hold Horizon against me. It was in the past; he didn't dwell on it. He wasn't in the wrong.

Now he was gone. Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, it's back to work for Kaiden Alenko. I'll live by Shepard's code, by his conduct; I'll make him proud.

I swear it.