07. Sacrifice

"This is the end, isn't it?" June's voice was trembling.

He couldn't see his brothers nor could he feel them. He didn't know if they were standing next to him or if they were somewhere else. He couldn't move and his biotics were off‑line.

All in all, this was the worst situation June had been in, not counting what Shepard had experienced.

When he was taken into custody, June had been hopeful that Kaidan would soon convince the Council to grant them a normal life. When Kaidan's fingers left his, June had smiled. They had cracked jokes in the cell about what they wanted to do first when Kaidan came back with the good news. Jude wanted to go eat ramen, and Jamie and Jet said they wanted to go for a swim. Jared wanted to show off his moves on the Purgatory dance‑floor and get hammered with Jimmy. Jon wanted to see the new Blasto movie. All June wanted was a quiet walk with Kaidan and maybe to get some steak sandwiches.

But all hope shattered when a platoon of heavily armed C‑Sec officers had shown up to escort them to their next destination. First, June hadn't thought anything of it but when the Captain pulled out the biotic‑restrains, June's alarms rang.

Still, in order to show some good faith, none of them protested. Now, June knew that it was a big, big mistake. From there, it hadn't been difficult for the platoon to shackle them to a pole and blindfold them. Though Jared had shown some of them the seriousness of his kick‑technique, their rebellion had still been ineffective.

"Hey, anybody there?" June asked again. If he was about to die, he wanted to die with his brothers.

"I'm here!" Jared answered first. June and Jared had always been close. It was at least a little comforting to know that Jared, his favourite brother, was at his side. "Don't be afraid, I'm with you."

"I don't want to die, Jared," June whispered. "Jimmy, you're there somewhere?"

"Stop talking to me!" His brother Jimmy hissed back. "I'm still angry at you!"

"We're about to be executed and all you can think about is being angry at June because of a joke?" Jared snapped from his left.

"Might by my last chance!" Jimmy snapped back from June's right.

"Oh, come on!" The sentinel moaned. "Okay, Jimmy, I accept!"

"What?" Jared sounded bewildered. "You're talking about Kaidan again, aren't you? I thought it was just a joke!

"No, I'm serious," Jimmy replied. Though his words weren't kind, June knew that he was only trying to ease the tension surrounding their probable death. "I meant it when I said we should share him. It's not fair if only June gets to be with him. A week has seven days for a reason!"

"Okay." Jared chuckled. "How do we handle this? Draw lots? Pass down by our numbers? Damn, he'd be sore when he reached Jet!"

The three of them chuckled but quickly felt silent again. Waiting for death wasn't funny and June was aware of it. Though he wished this was just a bad joke. A way for the Council to teach them who was in charge.

Something inside him urged him to make peace with his life.

But what was there to think about? Shepard had sacrificed himself for the galaxy and it wasn't up to June to say a few last words about that man's life. And his own? He had only experienced a little. His only regret would be in knowing that he couldn't die in Kaidan's arms.

He had become one with that man and it had been perfect. When he had watched the Citadel coming into view, he had felt hope. When he leaned back against Kaidan, June couldn't deny that it had felt like coming home. Shepard might have lived and fought for peace or a greater purpose, but June had always only wanted Kaidan. He had dreamed of a house in Vancouver and a shared sunset. He had wanted only a life with Kaidan.

"Okay, I admit," June whispered again. "I'm seriously scared."

"Don't be, Brother!" This time, it was Jon who spoke. Judging by the closeness of his voice, he must be standing next to Jared.

"Don't be afraid, Brothers!" Jon said with his strong voice. "Let's not grant them the satisfaction! We have fought like real men. We have shown the world that we are not machines. Now, let's fight hard and die proud!"

"Oh, Jon." Jared sighed. "You're so damn good at speeches!"

"Shut up, Jared!" Came from somewhere down the line. It might have been Jude. "You're ruining the moment. I'm feeling epic right now!"

They all laughed.

When the smile faded from June's face, he exhaled and was ready for the bullet. He listened silently and counted. And counted and counted. But the bullet didn't come.

Instead, sounds of turian screams filled the air. He heard glass shattering and the following sound couldn't be anything other than a biotic shockwave.

"What's happening?" Jared snapped next to him, struggling heavily against his chains. "June, was that you?"

"No! I can't use my biotics!" June fought against his shackles without success. "The restraints, remember?"

"What's going on?" Jimmy cried, also struggling.

"Listen!" Jon snapped and June bit his tongue.

From afar, he heard gunfire and turians calling out for reinforcement. Many footsteps rattled the floor and the cry of a woman ripped through the air. He heard another man scream, but still he couldn't make out the scene.

Suddenly, a pair of hands found his. June struggled instinctively, trying to hit his attacker with the only part of his body that wasn't chained to the pole. His head‑butt had impressed Krogans before; he would show this guy that he should not touch Commander Shepard.

"Careful!" The man dodged his head‑butt and snapped back with a husky voice, "It's me!"

"Kaidan?"

"Major!" the woman who had screamed before called from not so far away now. "We have C-Sec incoming!"

"Untie them! They can help us!" Kaidan shouted back, hands still fumbling with June's chains. "Hold still, Shepard! I'm shooting it!"

"What? No!"

But he heard Kaidan's weapon fire and his hands were free. With adrenaline pulsing in his blood, June quickly analysed the situation. Even if he hadn't been that smart, he would have realized that this was an unauthorized rescue mission.

He removed the blindfold from his head and closed his fingers around his restraint‑collar. He pulled with all his force and when the collar cracked, energy surged through him. A mass effect field emerged from his body, a barrier for his unarmoured body. He bent down to lose his foot‑shackles, but the chains didn't give way.

He grunted. "Kaidan! I need a weapon!"

The woman in blue Alliance armour reacted first. She took a heavy pistol from her side and threw it to June. The Sentinel caught it in mid‑air and two well aimed shots later, he was completely free and Jared, who struggled like a Krogan, could help himself.

His surroundings were in chaos. Everywhere he looked C‑Sec officers and Alliance soldiers were staring down each other's barrels. Surprisingly, shots were rarely fired.

"Major," the woman called again, gasping from exertion. "We should go before more arrive!"

Kaidan sprinted back to the woman and knelt down behind cover beside her. June quickly joined them, followed by a red‑faced Jon, who appeared from nowhere.

"Brief me!" his brother demanded and Kaidan flinched.

"Later!" The Major didn't turn to look at them but focused on the woman whose face was hidden behind a helmet. "Varov, I've radioed the Perseverance. They're out of lockdown. If you want to drop out now, I won't hold a grudge."

"Major." Varov shook her head. "My career is over anyway; I just want to do some good before it's too late."

"I appreciate it, Lieutenant." Kaidan breathed. "But if you surrender now, I will deny all your involvement. You still have a chance, don't waste it."

"With all due respect, Sir." She threw a quick glance at June and Jon. "Shepard saved my life once. I'd like to return the favour personally, or to his…offspring, descendants, clones, whatever!"

"I'll take that!" Kaidan nodded and finally turned to face June and Jon, who had been joined by Jared as well. "This is close to treason, but if you want to live and destroy Cerberus, come with me and we make a run for my ship."

"You can bet on that!" Jon snorted, agitated. He reloaded the shotgun Kaidan gave him and smirked like he always did when he was ready to charge.

"All right, let's go!" Kaidan bellowed and darted out of cover.

From there, instincts took over. Even though June wasn't wearing any armour, he wasn't afraid. He was one of the most powerful human biotics in the galaxy; his shields and barriers had allowed him to survive so many of Cerberus' test runs. A C‑Sec platoon couldn't scare him.

With Kaidan and Jon leading the front, his five other brothers next to him and Varov behind them, they were an unstoppable juggernaut that sprinted through the Citadel wards. Their speed was unmatched and their force simply inhuman. Though June wanted to apologize to all the citizens who had to jump out of their path, he had to grin at their awed expressions.

When they had reached the elevator to the docking bays, June breathed out. Though they were hopelessly outnumbered by C-Sec, June had complete confidence in their force. Even if June hadn't been an expert on turian expressions, he would have noticed the hesitation in their movements and the fear in their faces.

When they exited the elevator, the beautiful and alien shape of the Perseverance was waiting for them. She was still linked to a docking tube, though she clearly wasn't locked down. In front of the airlock, three Alliance soldiers were defending their position. June had wondered where the rest of Kaidan's squad went.

Freedom was so close.

"Hey, Varov," June said while they sprinted towards the air‑lock. "You're one of the kids Shepard rescued from Grissom Academy, right?"

"Yes, Commander," she replied breathlessly, throwing constant glances over their backs. "But if you don't mind, we can chat later. I'm a little bit busy right now!"

"Sure." June chuckled and a broad grin appeared to his face.

What was better than seeing that people you had saved had made it through? Though it hadn't really been him who had saved that girl, it still pleased him to see that she had, for one, survived the war, and secondly, had become one of the most talented human biotics in the Alliance. He tried to recall exactly who she was and what he had thought about her after the mission, but he was ashamed to admit that he didn't really remember.

"What's your name?" June asked again, trying to make some new friends.

"Really, Commander?"

"I'm not hitting on you, Lieutenant."

"Fine, it's Nathasha!" She snorted, her temper short. Maybe she still wasn't used to these situations.

"Nice to meet you, Nathasha." June smiled. "I'm… Incoming!"

He didn't register who he had seen cast it, but the huge biotic shockwave couldn't go unnoticed. The next moment, Varov's armoured body crashed against his and they both landed on the floor, hard. When he came to his feet, the whole dock looked different. Boxes and bins were lying around and between them Lieutenant Varov was whimpering on the ground.

Though June couldn't see any visible injuries, he was aware of the damage a well‑aimed shockwave could do. The poor girl wasn't one of the strong kinds; her slender body was curled into a ball and she was obviously in severe pain.

"Varov! Nathasha, can you hear me?"

She didn't answer.

"Man down!" June called and dragged her out of the direct line of fire.

Because fire was what was coming at him. Behind them, the C‑Sec platoon had closed in. Only this time, they were accompanied by a tall asari that walked towards them steadily, her whole body glowing with biotic energy.

"Jimmy! Man down!" June cried again and his brother emerged from the crowd.

As soon as Jimmy reached him, June couldn't hold back anymore. He had never cherished conflict, but his body was thirsting for release. He threw one warp after the other and with satisfaction he watched the line of C‑Sec officers thin out.

But the asari remained standing. So did another turian June hadn't seen before. He didn't look any different to all the others, but the logo on his armour was visible and familiar.

"Shit, they're Spectres!" June cursed and crouched behind a fallen box. "Kaidan, Spectres on our six!"

"I've got it!" The human Spectre threw his biotics like a god. He had learned some new tricks since Shepard had seen him last; his shockwaves, reaves and slams raged through the hall like thunder. "Get to the ship! I'll hold them off."

"I'm not leaving!" June bellowed and matched Kaidan's skills with his own. He was aware that he wasn't as strong as Shepard had been and the injuries he had suffered back on the moon were bothering him. He could feel the tickle of his head‑wound and the cut on his side felt like it was bursting. Blood soaked his fatigues but adrenaline blocked out the pain.

"Get to the ship!" Kaidan bellowed. His finger didn't leave the trigger. "Jimmy, take Varov and get her to med‑bay!"

"Do it!" Jon stepped in, supporting Kaidan.

Though June always felt the urge to follow Jon's orders, he rebelled against them now. He wouldn't leave Kaidan. Not now; not when it mattered. He could be a smooth‑talker and romantic when he wanted, but now he wanted to stay. This moment would define him like the war had defined the bond between Shepard and Alenko. He couldn't leave. Not now.

And as they held the line, June and Kaidan worked as one. Just as they had done when they had first met. When he lifted one opponent in the air, Kaidan's bullet met the body. When Kaidan's cryo‑blast immobilized another, June's bullet was their doom.

But no matter how well they worked together, two Spectres and a C‑Sec platoon were still too much to take. He had faced stronger enemies, but not even Shepard could have handled their combined forces.

"There are too many. Pull back!" Kaidan commanded.

So they retreated. With every step, June could feel the pull of exhaustion in his body. He was losing blood. Fast. If he didn't get medical attention soon, there would be no future for him.

But the spray of fire the Spectres and the C‑Sec officers were pressing them with would mean the death of anyone who turned their back. Without a shield or covering fire, they might just all die.

"Come on, June! That's enough!" Jon cried behind him.

He quickly threw a glace back and realized that he was the only one still holding the line. Kaidan and Jon were the closest to him. They were only metres away from the air‑lock, where Jared was waiting, covering them.

June retreated steadily and didn't stop preventing the enemies from getting closer. He could hear Kaidan's and Jon's voices louder in his ears. He knew he was close. A last glance towards the air‑lock told him his current position:

50 meters away.

40 meters.

Kaidan was only 30 meters away.

"Watch out!" Kaidan screamed and attempted to get to him.

But it was too late. June felt a cold surge of biotic energy blow him from his feet. A moment later, an armoured foot landed on his chest, pressing the air from his lungs. The eyes of the asari flared blue and her fist blistered with energy. She punched and June screamed out in pain. The cut he received back on the station burst open and, for a moment, June was unable to move or fight.

He took a ragged breath and managed a desperate battle‑cry. With a trembling hand and clenched teeth, he grabbed the asari's ankle and jerked. She landed on the floor next to him with a thud and June didn't waste any time and pinned her down. His fist met her jaw with a loud crack. She spat blue blood on the floor, but June had no time to admire it.

There was still that turian somewhere. Just as he looked up, the figure of the spiky monster towered over him. His eyes were black, his face paint white. The barrel of his rifle was at June's temple and the burning heat sent a thrill down his spine.

"Shepard!" Kaidan screamed from behind.

"No, Kaidan! We have to go!" It was Jared's voice. "Jon, stop him!"

"Shepard!" Kaidan cried again.

"No, Kaidan! We have to go!"

"Let me go! I can't leave him!"

"He's not Shepard!"

June closed his eyes and gathered the last of his strength. He faced the screaming and raging human Spectre and smiled. With the last bit of his determination and strength, he cast a throw in Kaidan's direction. His energy caught the Major and his Vanguard brother in full scale and both of them flew through the air and into the air‑lock.

He thought he saw Jared punch the controls while all three stared at him with widened eyes, but he really didn't know. Because in the moment he smiled, the turian pulled the trigger.

All he knew from there was how far away the ceiling was and the pain. The endless and empty pain.

And then, there was absolutely nothing more.