Chapter 3: A Spar With Ash, A Medical Procedure

"Embrace Eternity!"

We had a little debrief, now it seems like Veronica and Liara's melding. It looks strange, as they're just standing there not doing anything. Even though I know that Veronica will be reliving the vision. God, that's going to be even more surreal for V. When they finish whatever happens, V blinks several times.

"Goddess...That was so livid...uh...I'm not feeling so well"

"Huh? I feel fine."

"That's because you were the passive part of the exchange. I was the one who had to gather the information, to recieve the vision. I do not know how to translate the vision, it is just images at the moment."

"Ah I see. See the nurse, Doctor Chakwas. She'll help you with anything."

"Thank you Commander."

"It's just Shepard. And we're dismissed everyone."

Everyone, including me got up.

"Commander, want me to patch you through to the Council?"

"Yes please Joker. Serviceman, stay behind."

"Aye aye Shepard." I got up, and stood beside Veronica.

"Shepard, we've recieved your report as well as the Courier's. Seriously, blowing up a Prothean ruin?"

"With all due respect Councilors, it was neccesary to rescue T'Soni's life. She's proven to be loyal so far so it has been worth it. As for the Prothean ruins, that was the assassins sent to kill Ms.T'Soni, more proof that Benezia or Saren wanted T'Soni dead."

"Right. Keep us in contact Commander and Courier."

The holograms of the Council then dissipated into nothingness.

"God, the Council's full of assholes." Says Veronica, shaking her head slowly.

"You think Veronica? You JUST recognized that. I applaud your amazing detective skills. You would've been 'excellent' in C-sec." I emphasise excellent, showing I'm just joking around.

She just smirks in response and walks out of the comm room.

I follow, but I head towards the cockpit to see Joker.

I really quietly walk up behind him, where I'm sure he's 'reading' a magazine.

"Enjoying your alien porn?"

"GAH! Jesus Dewitt...gave me a heart attack."

"Good. Heart attacks are good to uhm...heart stuff."

"Hah. Anyways, what do you want?"

"Just checking you haven't broken your hand looking at your Fornax."

"How would I b-Oh ho, funny. Sorry, I'm busy, I got a urgent meeting."

"Alright then. I'll let you get back to your stuff"

"See ya then Dewitt"

I walk away from Joker, and I head downstairs. I see Kaidan's talking to Veronica again. Please no Shenko romance. God, Horizon...

Anyways, I press the button to go down to the Training deck. I need to train on my assault rifle. The recoil's been getting my arm a bit sore so I need to go down, and train at the firing range.

There's also a mod bench down there so I can always add a modification to reduce the kickback.

The doors finally open and I see Ash punching the hell out of a punching bag. I walk over to her and I lean against a wall.

"What'd that punching bag ever do to you Ash?"

"Heh. Shut up Dewitt."

"Y'know, not many people call me by my first name."

"Hell if I know why, Dewitt. Anyways, what'd you want to talk about?"

"Just checking on you. If you want to talk about your sqaud that's okay."

"Fine. But we're sparring if you want me to talk."

"Crap. I'm gonna get my ass kicked. But deal. Let's get going."

We move over to a ring-like area and start getting in our fighting stances. I stretch and crack my neck.

"So basically, my squad was stationed at Eden Prime. We were supposed to find the Prothean artifact, a beacon. Once we did, we were to escort it to a ship, the Legion. "

She threw a left jab, aiming for my stomach. I deflected it with my arms. She then quickly threw a right hook, and it hit my cheek. I jumped back after she hit me, and circled her, wary.

"We saw several Geth dropships. Our mission had just gotten harder. A lot harder. We got swarmed by a lot of Geth troops. Thats...that's when we saw the big ship. The one Saren uses."

She then did a flying roundhouse kick. I barely just ducked under it. I saw that most of the crew was now watching the fight. Most people were cheering, not for any particular person.

I lifted my leg up, and managed to get her in the stomach. She winced in pain. I then jumped at her, like a tackle. I got her to the ground and raised my fist an held it to her face.

"My squad...we got overwhelmed. We had to retreat but...my teammates were slaughtered. It wasn't a retreat, it was just a run for our lives. I tried...I tried saving them but it was too late. They had bled out..."

She then kneed me in the groin. I fell onto the side, and she held her fist to MY face. She then helped me up.

"I wish...I wish we hadn't been stationed there..."

"It's not your fault that Saren did this. It's HIS fault, not yours."

She laid her head on my shoulder and started to cry. I wrapped my arms around her. Everyone who was watching went off, who just realized they had somewhere to be.

"Thank you, Dewitt. I appreciate this. You're a good friend."

"Heh. Anybody would be nice. I like you a lot Ash. You're my friend. Now and forever."

After a little while, Ash went back to her spot on the 2nd level. I pressed the button to go up to see Liara. I waited a little while and the elevator doors finally opened. I walked to the little medic-center. Oh before I see Liara, I thought I'd see Chakwas and check up on my wounds.

"Hey Doc. I'm here 'cause I've got some wounds which I need to check up on."

"It's Chakwas. And hello Serviceman Dewitt. What wounds would this be?"

"Blow to the head, graze on my ear, and chest shots. I used some medi-gel but I think they need a proper check up."

"Mmmhmm. I'll need your history with medical problems as well. Just so I know if any medicines I may prescribe or use in a or several operations will cause any allergic reaction."

"No. My mother had leukemia though so there's that. I don't know if it's a family condition. That's all really. Oh, and I died once, for 5 minutes."

"Mmm, alright. I'll check your wounds and see if there's any cancer in your system."

"Alright Chakwas."

She then scanned me with some futuristic machine. There was some beeps and bops, then she was finished.

"Mmm, your ear will have to be taken off. The 'graze' actually took off half of your ear. I'll add it with a synthetic ear, it should make up for loss of hearing. It may even increase hearing. Your chest shots are fine, they barely surfaced through your skin. I can take them out, but scars will remain. I can remove the scars though if you wish. And then there's the blow to your head. It caused a little bit of damage to the back of your skull. I can introduce a metal-like skin to protect that area. Although, you will probably feel some pain from time to time. It seems that you already have some bullet fragments in your body, which I'm assuming is from your death-experience. I am unable to remove those fragments without proper medical machinery, I'm afraid."

"Right, right. Leave the scars, makes me look badass. Also, the bullet fragments are okay. The fact that they are there means I can't become too sick. Which is good. The bullet fragments 're good for my immune system, ironically. Ok, how long will all these procedures take, Chakwas?"

"Around 2 hours. Plus one to rest in here, after you've woken. If you'd like, I can call in somebody or some people when you wake up."

"Yeah. Call Kaidan in after I first wake up. When Kaidan leaves, get...Shepard in here. She'd probably be worried."

"Of course Serviceman."

And after breathing in some anaethistic, I finally pass out.