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To: Garrus Vakarian

From: Lt. Cmdr. Jane Shepard

Garrus,

I doubt this message will even get through, like the others I've tried to send since I've been here. Despite my requests, the Alliance still blocks my extranet access (still sticking to that whole stripped of my command and being thrown in the brig thing, I guess), but I thought I'd try anyway, on the off-chance it might work. And you know me. I'm always about taking whatever odds I can, even if they're tiny.

I hope you are doing alright out there. Can't believe it's been six months since I dropped you off on the Citadel and I went back to Earth. Talks with the Admirals at this Defense Committee have gone just as expected, either questioning my motives or my sanity. If not for Anderson and Hackett, I doubt they would be wasting their time and would have court-marshaled and sentenced me immediately. Though I noticed they seemed less skeptical about the Reapers last time we met and more on edge, but they wouldn't tell me anything concrete. It makes me wonder what's going on. Damn it, it's driving me crazy not being in the loop on anything anymore!

When I'm not trying to talk to the Admirals, I'm trying to keep myself from going stir-crazy best I can. Doing exercises, occasionally being allowed a "supervised" walk around the grounds or to the gym off-hours, picking up what scraps of information I can. There's a marine named Vega who's been assigned as my guard here in the brig. He doesn't know much of what's going on either, but it's nice to just be able to talk to someone who isn't on this Defense Committee. Though I guess it could be worse. At least they've given me warm food and I have a soft bed to return to at night. And my room has this huge window that gives me a nice view of the mountains in the distance. But it doesn't beat the view of the stars from the Normandy's Observation Deck.

How are your efforts going? Anderson didn't have any info on you last I saw him. Were you able to meet with Sparatus or was it a dead end like it usually is with the Council? Have you heard from any of the Normandy crew? And your family? How are your dad and your sister? How have your mom's treatments gone? I know you were reluctant to accept my help in paying for treatments, but I don't regret it, not when it's so important to you and your family.

I…miss you, big guy. So much.

Take care of yourself out there. I hope we'll get to see each other again soon.

~J

*Error: Unable to connect to the extranet. Attempt to deliver message to recipient failed. Message returned to sender Fri, 21 Sep 2186 19:34:56.*


To: Lt. Cmdr. Jane Shepard

From: Garrus Vakarian

Shepard,

I'm sure this message will just bounce back like the others I've sent, but what is it you humans say? Fourth time's the charm? I think that's right… Suppose it was too much to expect the Alliance would let you have free reign and access to the extranet.

I hope you are doing okay. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to be grounded like this for six months with the Reapers on the way. I know you said this was for the best, and you know I respected your decision…I wish I could be there for you.

I've been trying to do the best I can, yelling loud enough about the Reapers until someone actually listens. Sparatus was a dead end (like we knew it would be). After that, I knew I couldn't just try to talk to the Primarch or anyone in the hierarchy without some type of political clout. So I went to the only person I could. My father.

I know you're probably wondering why, when I told you before we didn't see eye to eye on a lot, but he has heavy pull in the government and is friends with Primarch Fedorian. I thought he might call me crazy, some of the things I was telling him about the Reapers, the Collectors, Vigil (I might've if I hadn't seen it myself), but he saw the same connections we did. He took it to the Primarch and after a lot of pushing, it got me a token task force and Reaper Advisor title. I can't give specifics, but I'm hoping our efforts have bought the turian fleet time. Now we're forced to wait for the Reapers' next move, but I guess we've been doing that for awhile, right? I've been hearing rumblings about me being sent someplace in the cluster to do some more "Reaper advisoring;" just waiting for an official order.

Even though it's been busy, it's been good to be back on Palaven. To see my father, and Sol. Things were still a little tense between us (she nearly chewed my head off when I told her where I got the scars), but they've gotten better. I know you might be wondering about Mom. She…didn't make it. In the end, the treatments still weren't 'enough. They did warn us they were in the experimental stage, not a guarantee. Still, I appreciate you helping to pay after you heard the fees couldn't be waived for Mom in time. You know I was hesitant to take your offer, but I'm glad you did. It means a lot.

Haven't been in touch with the crew outside of a message from Liara and message from Mordin. Hard to say that I don't miss my time on the Normandy and the people on it. Or that it hasn't been hard not being with you.

I…miss you, Jane. A lot.

Take care of yourself. If I know you, you'll find a way to be set free and we'll see each other again soon.

~G

*Error: Attempt to deliver message to recipient failed. Message returned to sender Sat, 22 Sep 2186 22:12:43.*