Chapter 7: Home
"We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it, and you will end because we demand it"- Sovereign
When I eventually regained consciousness, it took me awhile to figure out where I was. The scenery was still the same as before, but a crew had begun to recover the deceased. Cleaning droids were busily trying to clear debris from the hallway, accompanied by technicians trying to coordinate a station-wide repair. They seemed to take no notice of me. The bodies had already been cleared out of the vicinity, but the memory of Leng's attack was still fresh in my mind. Pain shot down my neck as I struggled to my feet. To my surprise, a voice I hadn't heard in quite some time responded to my movements.
"Take it easy there, Jericho. The enemy is far away from this place".
The illustrious Commander Shepard stood above me. Hard to believe a man of his stature was able to remain silent for so long. Brushing dirt off my uniform, I shook the hand of the supposed savior of humanity.
"Glad you could make it to the party," I replied. "I'm assuming you know Cerberus was to blame for this".
"Turns out it wasn't just them. Udina allowed them access to the station".
"Udina? That traitorous son of a bitch. When I get my hands on him…."
"Sorry to say you won't get the opportunity. He was killed trying to lead the Council into a trap."
"That's a damn shame. Men like him don't deserve such an easy death".
"He died doing what he thought was best for humanity. Whether I agree with his actions or not, I realize his intentions. Would you have done differently in his shoes?"
"Yes I would've," I shouted back, a fire starting to grow within me. "I wouldn't have stabbed my allies in the back. I wouldn't be running around like an errand boy trying to forge alliances".
"If you've got a problem with the way I run things, head back to Earth yourself. Let's see how long you last before the Reapers blast your ship to dust."
"Better to die a hero than to die pleading for help. Or has the great Commander Shepard lost all sense of pride?"
For a moment Shepard opened his mouth as if to continue the argument, but he decided to remain silent. Giving me a stern look, he only shook his head in disgust before walking away. I watched him storm his way down the hallway, and laughed to myself as those in the vicinity went out of their way to watch him in awe. How a man like him remains in such a high-ranking position is beyond me. If our roles had been reversed I doubt he would've survived.
"I wouldn't believe that way of thinking if I were you," a voice coldly said behind me. "The Commander has proven himself more than you know".
"And who are you?" I asked. The person I was standing in front of had a human physique, but, his head was that of a reptilian design. Four eyes, two where a human set would be and one on each corner near his ears stood locked upon me. His skin was green as well, at least from what I could tell. His body was clad in red armor, with a design I had never seen before.
"One final relic from a time long forgotten. You may call me Javik".
"A time long forgotten? Do you mean you're a Prothean?"
"Yes, the only survivor from the planet of Ilos. The Commander rescued me from my cyro pod there."
"Did he? Well I guess that's one thing he's done right".
"Your convictions lead you down an incorrect path. Now is not the time for petty arguing. The Reapers are here".
"And what do you suggest we do? Seeing as how the Reapers defeated your kind?"
"The Reapers defeated us because we couldn't adapt. Our methods were barbaric, we often sacrificed worlds or systems at a time. Allowed entire populations to disappear overnight."
"So you're suggesting we play nice and waste time?"
"I suggest you make sure the choice you make is the right one. I was born into war; my generation never had any chance of reprieve. No hope for aid. The decisions our ancestors made jeopardized us all, and here you stand on that same precipice. Fight or flee human, and whichever you choose; be prepared to do just that."
With one final stern look, the Prothean headed down the same hallway Shepard had traveled just a few minutes earlier. I contemplated stopping him and continuing the conversation, but something within me kept me frozen in my tracks. Whatever this Javik had experienced in his lifetime, it obviously still had an effect on him. Even though I didn't feel like admitting it, part of what he had said was true. It's going to take a combined effort to defeat the Reapers, and with Cerberus now making their presence felt we'll need all hands-on deck.
Stepping through the now-functional elevator, it didn't take long for me to reach my next destination. The docking bay had been cleared of all signs of the recent battle, and in it stood an entire company of armed soldiers. Clad in Alliance blue and gold, the attentive troops turned and faced me as I approached. At the helm of the company was a familiar face, who sported a fresh bandage along his right arm. Despite the injury, he had his certified Alliance rifle and gear in hand.
"I was wondering when I was going to figure out what happened to you Jeff," I said warmly. "Started to think Leng had made easy work of you."
"Commander, I know you were knocked for a loop, but I totally had it handled."
We stood in silence as I gave him a cold hard look. He attempted to laugh and ignore my gaze, until it drove him to near insanity.
"Okay, fine. He slashed by arm and had me done for. Thankfully yours truly got the elevator running and took off."
"So that's it? You left me there?"
"Come on, Commander, you were fine."
"I was unconscious, Jeff".
"Better than being dead".
"Anyway…are the men ready?"
"Yes, sir. Coordinates are locked in and the ship is primed for takeoff. Where is it we're going exactly?"
"Well, since we can't take the fight to Earth, it's time for the next best thing".
"Which is?"
"Time to repay the favor to Cerberus".
