"What the hell?" Shepard awoke lying on the ground.
The sounds of Birds echoed from the distance, was enough to arise some alarm. Not the birds per say but the fact that the last thing he remembered was being in his cabin, enjoying some whiskey, as he went over the video log he made of his first encounter with the Reapers true intelligence making sure nothing was left out. It wasn't long until his eyelids became heavy and threatened to slam shut on him and seal themselves shut. After that everything became a blur…and now he was here.
Now standing on his own two feet he could take in the full scale of his surroundings. It was a forest of some kind, dry and humid, but with breathable air. It must have been approaching dusk since the shadows seemed to slowly be creeping up on him claiming the once glowing forest floor as its new dark kingdom. It was almost unsettling because he had no idea where he was or how in the world he had gotten their but he knew he couldn't stick around, the wildlife was unknown and at the moment he did not wish to take any chances. The sun set fast here and he soon found himself freezing in the cold night air that descended upon him.
Shepard began panicking and turned to his OMNI tool to call the Normandy for an immediate pick up.
"What the hell?" Shepard couldn't believe his OMNI tool was gone, nowhere in sight and that wasn't the only thing that was missing. His N7 Armor was gone too, replaced in its place was what could only be described as a sad attempt at dress clothes. A thin black dress shirt and matching pants with light grey dress shoes to finish the apparel. The problem with the selection was as stated earlier…IT'S FRIGGIN FREEZING!
Finally coming back to reality Shepard was alerted to a change in the environment that did not boast well for him. The birds, from a few moments ago, had silenced and the entire surroundings had gone quiet. The silence was the key that told any survivalist that something dangerous was nearby.
Shepard started slowly making his way towards the largest tree he could find within his immediate vicinity, that being the larger tree about ten feet to his left. The sun had set and the cold had started taking its effect on his body as he felt himself start to shiver. The body's natural response to try and generate friction to create heat to warm itself up.
Although the sun had set the moon shone out across the jungle basking everything in either a dim light or a darker shadow. This was both an advantage and disadvantage. The advantage being that he was not completely blind and could see for a good distance in areas that didn't have much cover. The disadvantage was that in areas where the brush was thicker the darkness was almost impenetrable. There could be an army hiding in those shadows and he would never have been able to see them.
Shepard laughed a little as he thought back to Leviathan and that this jungle at night could securely hide it perfectly…A place where the darkness could not be breached.
Shepard had made it only four feet or so when he stopped. He didn't know why exactly but felt that it was in his best interest. Behind him lying in the shadow of the giant tree…something was their…he could feel it.
Turning quickly Shepard saw it…Well part of it. A swift movement and whatever it was disappeared into a thick brush of area. This was not good, Shepard was defiantly being hunted by something and whatever it was it knew exactly where he was and he had no idea where it had disappeared too. The tree was no longer safe as whatever it was, was using it for quite some time to spy on him, or so he assumed.
"Darkest corner" Shepard turned his head sharply to the left and caught a glimpse.
A tail tucked under the brush as it moved again. Hiding from sight and moving like a cat. Wait that was it, whatever it was it was moving and anything that moved made noise. If he could track the noise then he could figure out where it was hiding and plan accordingly. Shepard steadied his breathing and slowly began to listen. Nothing.
"Best View" Shepard threw his head to his right this time and saw it take off. Quickly steadying his breathing Shepard listened again. Nothing…that was impossible…no it made sense. Whatever it was it had stopped moving again and that was helpful because he now knew it was to his right somewhere in the bush.
"Please grant this one rest" Shepard heard the voice right behind him and quickly turned his body throwing a massive punch trying his hardest to try and hit whatever was behind him but his fist struck thin air.
"Very good" the voice came from behind again but this time was followed by the feeling of a cold barrel pressed against Shepard's head. It was then that time slowed and he truly felt tired. The air was not thin it was heavy and thick with moisture. The trees and bushes damp with liquid, water he assumed, and the cold barrel of that gun looming at the base of his skull. A point blank shot, no way to dodge or counter and this was how it was going to end.
"Grant this one rest" the trigger being pulled was the last thing Shepard heard and the last thing this monster heard was a name.
"Miranda" Shepard cried as the bullet left the chamber and Shepard hit the ground…the soft…warm ground.
"Commander?" The voice again….Sounded familiar. "Commander Wake up" The raspy voice yet deep and full of sorrow…no not sorrow…of Meaning.
"What?" Shepard opened his eyes and was now lying on a hard wooden floor…cold to the touch but yet almost inviting him to stay on that floor.
"Commander" The voice came again…who was it? "Commander please get up. We have much to discuss"
"Ugh" Shepard slowly lifted his head off the cold floor trying to move as slowly as possible trying to feel the cold inviting floor for as long as possible because he knew when he finally got to his feet he would have more questions than answers.
Slowly pushing his body up, he kept his head down as he made his way to his feet. The only benefit to keeping his head down was he saw he was back in his N7 armor. Before Shepard knew it he was standing but still had his eyes concentrated on the N7 of his armor, for some reason it was transfixing him.
"Shepard" Shepard brought his eyes up immediately and were greeted with two black eyes staring right back at him.
The green coloring of his skin allowed good camouflage the black eyes staring right at him yet seeing straight into his soul. The pink tint in the two ridges running along the top of his head towards the base of his skull. How did he know? Because Shepard knew who he was talking too.
"Thane?" Shepard could hardly believe his eyes at the sight before him.
"It has been too long commander" Thane smiled and extended his hand.
"Far too long" Shepard smiled back as he shook his hand "where are we?" Shepard admired the surroundings.
A small fire place, couches and a table at the far end of the room. Doors leading to other rooms were closed but the room he was in was quiet, warm and very inviting. Almost like a waiting room.
"Let us sit" Thane took a seat on one couch and motioned for Shepard to take one on the adjacent couch.
Shepard quickly made his way and sat down. The couch gave under his weight and he sunk into the cushion slightly almost as if it was trapping him.
"Commander what has brought you here?" Thane began.
"Here? I don't even know where we are" Shepard responded as he repositioned himself on the couch.
"Ah, allow me to refrain my question…What do you need of me?" Thane sat back.
"What do I need of you? Nothing Thane. What I really need is for the council worlds to lend me all the support they can spare so we can mount a defensive against the Reapers" Shepard started to get serious.
"So it's about the war effort?" Thane interlocked his hands as he leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees and chin on his hands.
"Yes. The Reapers are coming and we are defenceless right now. The Asari have given me their support but that may not be enough right now…no it won't be enough" Shepard knew he needed every single race again and even then he realised it might not be enough this time.
"And you cannot accomplish that goal without me? Or is there another reason you have come?" Thane was making no sense to the commander.
"Thane I still don't understand…where are we right now?" Shepard needed an answer.
"We are wherever your thoughts have brought us…I do not know exactly where we are but I know where I must go when we are done" Thane leaned back into his seat but kept his hands interlocked and rested under his chin.
"I don't quite understand but please if you have anything that could possibly help me I would appreciate it" Shepard almost pleaded.
"Why, commander? You have always managed to unite those around you why is this time any different?" Thane posed the question.
"Because I need help and I can't do this alone" Shepard admitted.
"Ahhh I see. You have become…disconnected" Thane released his hands and sat up again staring at the commander.
"I don't follow" Shepard didn't understand how he became disconnected.
"You have forgotten all those who fight with you. Shepard you must remember that no matter how alone you feel you will always have your friends and loved ones fighting beside you. The council is scarred of becoming extinct and are trying to reassure their people that that it is not the end. Commander I have full faith in your ability to bring the galaxy together again just as you have done before and I have utter faith that this time will mark the end" Thane was staring right into Shepard's very soul, he could feel it.
"The end? For who?" Shepard posted the question.
"That commander…is up to you to decide" Thane smiled as he thought the commander was finally getting what he was trying to say.
"But Thane how am I…" Shepard grabbed his head.
"Commander?" Thane rose to his feet concerned.
"The voices are so loud…It's started to hurt" Shepard was desperately gripping his head in his hands as if that would supply any relief.
"Shepard how many voices do you hear?" Thane seemed to know something.
"I…I don't know…one…I think" Shepard's head was throbbing.
"Then you will be fine" Thane sat back down.
"I feel like hell right now" Shepard felt the pain easing as the voice quieted.
"Are you feeling any better commander?" Thane smiled.
"How did you know?" Shepard was curious.
"Trust me commander…when you get to the end of the line…everything is revealed. But I know this. You are not at the end. Nowhere near the end so you must return and continue to fight" Thane stood up.
"Thane wait" Shepard stood up and immediately felt something. "Did it just get warm in here?" Shepard felt the left side of his body become warm…He didn't realize until now that the air in the room was cold…despite the fact that there was a fire place. His body was not warm it was the illusion of warmth.
"Shepard I has been an honor but you must go. It is not your time" Thane extended his hand.
"Will I see you again?" Shepard didn't really want to leave.
"Perhaps in time…but for now we must part ways" Thane began for the door.
"Wait how do I get out of here?" Shepard was still feeling the warmth on the left side of his body.
"Give in to the warmth" Thane smiled as he disappeared behind the door.
"Wait Thane" Shepard ran and threw the door open. He was greeted with a solid wood wall. "What the hell" Shepard didn't understand what was happening. But he felt it. The warmth spreading through his body…something drawing him away. He didn't understand it but he did trust his friends. So he let himself be taken away.
"AHHH" Shepard arose in his bed. Surveying his surroundings he noticed he was back in his cabin. The whiskey bottle rested on the table with an over turned glass beside it. His log book rested on the floor next to where he was sitting. Turning his head to the left he saw her.
Still wearing her trademark white outfit with the Cerberus logos removed and replaced with Alliance logos. Long black hair lightly draped over her sleeping face. Making barely any noise as she breathed softly and slowly. This was the booster that he needed. This was the reason he fought so hard.
"Shepard?" Miranda opened her eyes slowly as she tried focusing on him.
"Yeah I'm here…just had a weird dream" was the only way he could put it.
"Want to talk about it?" She rose up and moved closer to him until they were sitting side by side on the bed. She rested her head on his shoulder as she awaited his reply.
"Maybe another time. I'm fine just like this" He smiled as he rest his head on top of hers.
"Well before we get too comfortable I think we need to talk" Miranda didn't move she just tried to portray how important this was to her though her words.
"Is everything alright?" Shepard lifted his head and positioned himself so he could look at her directly.
"It's not that important" Miranda was kind of hoping that he wouldn't move. Somehow it was harder to talk to him when he was looking straight at her. "It's just when I was at Maelon's lab he found something" Miranda was finding this a lot harder then she thought it would be.
"What did they find? Are you ok?" Shepard was getting worried.
"I'm fine Shepard" Miranda laughed a little at his concern "But it's just that they found…"
"COMMANDER URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE QUARIAN HOME WORLD. THEY ARE DEMANDING TO SPEAK TO YOU NOW" Joker sounded concerned and that was never good.
"Miranda" Shepard looked at the woman in front of him.
"It's fine Shepard. They need you we can talk later" Miranda faked a smile as she was disappointed in the turn of events but knew she couldn't distract him now. Especially if this urgent message was something terribly serious.
"I'm sorry" Shepard threw on his shirt and started for the door "And you'll have to tell me how you lifted me from the chair to the bed sometime" Shepard just realised she must have moved him while he was out cold.
