Kaidan
When I finally reached the cockpit, I saw Pressly's dead body lying nearby. Joker worked frantically to regain control of the ship. I fell back and forth, as the Normandy began to succumb to the fire and explosions.
"Joker!" I yelled. "What the hell is going on?"
"We were attacked by an unknown ship! All I know is it wasn't Geth."
"Shit. You need to get the hell out of here!"
"Fuck no!" Joker shot back without sparing me a glance. "There's still a chance for me to save the Normandy!"
"Joker, please! Shepard's going to kill me if you don't get out of this alive!"
"I said no, Kaidan! Now go make use of yourself and put the fucking fire out!"
It was no use trying to get through to him. I had to find Shepard. She was the only one that could talk some sense into Joker. I shook my head in frustration and ran through the minefield of explosions to the other side of the ship.
"Shit!" I exclaimed as a blast flung a crew-member into the air and their lifeless body landed right in front of me. I called Shepard's name desperately, silently praying that she would still be alive.
When I turned the next corner, I saw Shepard standing there and I breathed a sigh of relief. She looked calm and collected as if everything was under control. I envied her level head in stressful situations. She never panicked; at least she never showed it.
"Shepard!" I yelled hoarsely.
"Distress beacon is ready for launch," she replied in a very official tone, much different from the way she had just spoken to me in her cabin only minutes ago.
"Will the Alliance get here in time?" I asked, feeling doubtful. A small explosion from behind threw me into Shepard's direction and she helped me back to my feet.
"The Alliance won't abandon us," she replied. "We just need to hold on. Get everyone onto the escape shuttles." Shepard threw me a fire extinguisher and I used it on the raging flames nearby. It hardly made a difference. The fire was growing uncontrollably.
"Joker's still in the cockpit. He won't abandon ship." I glanced over my shoulder toward Shepard. "I'm not leaving either."
Shepard shook her head. "I need you to get the crew onto the evac shuttles," she ordered, gripping my arm. "I'll take care of Joker." She headed toward the cockpit, and was suddenly thrown off her feet."
"Commander!" I yelled.
Before I could help her she was already up and walking away from me again. "Kaidan. Go," she glanced at me one last time. I couldn't see the expression on her face because of her helmet but I could tell from her tone of voice that she wasn't bullshitting. "Now," she added.
I nodded, knowing she was right. Someone needed to help the other crew-members. "Aye, aye." I ran to help the others, not knowing it would be the last time I would see Shepard again.