"Y-You're supposed to be dead." coughing up blood, I'm still trying to make sense of what I'm looking at. There's no way it's him, it can't be.
"You see, one would think that, but yet here I am. And you seem to have done well for yourself," he gestures toward me, pointing to the gaping hole in my stomach. "Considering. I bet you're wondering how I'm even alive let alone standing in front of you, so seeing as you're about to bleed out I'll have to keep it short. To boil it down, it turns out that the shuttle bay was closer to the pods then we originally thought, after just barely avoiding being caught in the explosion from the Ticonderoga and floating around aimlessly for days, I was picked up by our friends here. Survivors from our little incursion. I spoke to Shaw, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse," smiling, Page kneels down and puts his hand out toward me. "I can talk to him, and he can do the same for you. We were friends once Ethan, I don't want to see us on different sides when the revolution begins."
I look in his hand, seeing enough Medi-Gel to close the bullet wound in my stomach and keep me alive. "You expect me… to believe that? Haven't you seen what these people are capable of? I have, slaughtering innocent people, not just non-humans, but the humans they claim to put first," coughing up more blood, I can barely keep my eyes open. "They're nothing more than murderers… and now you're part of that. You're a goddamn traitor, and you're spitting on the memory of our team, our friends, who died because of them." Broken and battered, my voice cracks and tears make their way down the side of my face.
Page moves his hand back and puts the Medi-Gel back in his pack. "They died because they were incompetent, I thought you were different," looking at me with sadness in his eyes, Page somberly stands up and begins walking out of the room, he stops and turns his head to face me, Ashe, and Selene. "Guess I was wrong." Nodding to one of the mercs, he walks out and the door closes behind him, even while I'm bleeding out, I can still hear the sadness and regret in his voice.
The three mercs still in the room all take out their weapons and aim at us, I look at Ashe and knowing this is it for us, close my eyes and hold her hand. You know, they always say that in your final moments that your life flashes before your eyes, but the only thing on my mind are things that I could've done. Things I regret not doing, the people I could've saved.
Jolting, I feel myself move across the floor, slamming into an adjacent wall, my eyes still closed, I hear gunfire and shouting. Three loud thuds are all I hear and when I open my eyes, the mercs lay lifeless on the ground with Selene standing over them, weapon in hand. She rushes over to me, and she and Ashe try to lift me to my feet, but I'm little more than dead weight. I'll only slow them down.
"Get out of here… just leave me." Lying on the ground, leaning against a locker, barely able to speak, I motion toward the door and tell them to go.
"No! Ethan we've gotten this far and I'm not leaving you here!" Ashe… stubborn as always, yells at me with an ocean of tears rolling down her cheek.
"C'mon don't be stupid Miller, your map says the escape pods are just outside we can make it if we try!" Selene, still trying to save me, attempts to lift me, but fails to get me off the ground.
I grab her hand and she kneels back down with tears of her own welling up in her eyes. "It's better this way, you can do what I can't. Get. Her. Out, of here." Gritting my teeth, I wince as I try to move. "Find… Captain Michaelson, he'll help you."
Reluctantly, she nods and squeezes my hand. "You have my word… you fucking idiot." She moves her mandibles to resemble a smile as the tears begin to fall.
I thank her and turn my head to face Ashe, who is looking at me, still crying. I cup my hand on her cheek and wipe away the tears. "No tears Blue. I know we weren't together long, but it was the best time of my life," fighting as best I can to say what I need to say, as my arms go limp. "I...love you." my hands fall to the ground, my limbs go numb, and my vision fades.
Looking around, I see little more than a constant array of blinding white lights.
"Where the hell am I?" I'm not sure how to describe this feeling, it's almost like I'm nowhere, but yet… everywhere at the same time. Looking down at myself, I see that my wounds have healed, I'm not wearing my beaten and battered Alliance uniform. Instead, I'm wearing an all white jumpsuit. Weird, how the hell did I get in these clothes?
"Somewhere you aren't supposed to be." a voice calls out to me, whipping my head around I'm trying to find whoever is talking to me but… nothing. "Over here Ethan."
I turn my head to see whoever it is that's talking, and I'm speechless as to who I find. "Dad?" Gasping, I take a step back and try to comprehend what I'm looking at.
"You're not supposed to be here, not yet." I can see him begin to fade away. Instictively, I reach out to him.
"Wait, can't we just talk?! What is this place?! Dad?!" Looking down, I see that I'm starting to fade as well and before I know it, the world goes dark again.
I open my eyes and I'm greeted by bright light that almost blinds me, when my vision adjusts I can see that I'm on the Manhattan, or in her infirmary at least. How the hell? Looking around, I don't see anyone around me until I look over and see Dr Koslov's desk to see him talking to someone. I try and sit up, but just trying feels like my chest is being ripped open. The groan I make is loud enough to cause Dr Koslov to run over and put his hand on my chest.
"Just waking up and you're already trying to get out of bed, if I didn't know any better I'd say you enjoyed hurting yourself," smiling, he eases me back into the bed, it's not as comfortable as the one in my bunk, but it's a hell of a lot more so than what I've grown accustomed to. "But at least you're awake." He places his hand on my shoulder and walks toward his desk. He puts me through basic sensory tests to make sure I'm at 100%. Koslov's voice isn't what I'd call comforting, but right now he might as well be singing to me, sounding damn near angelic.
I feel something squeeze my right hand and instinctively I look, and I see who Dr Koslov was talking to. "How are you feeling Hero?" Ashe looks at me with tears rolling down her face. She takes my hand and puts it up to her cheek. I wipe her tears with my thumb and smile.
"Never better, are you okay?" she nods and stands up to kiss my forehead. "That all I get?" jokingly, I pucker my lips, Ashe sits back down and giggles. I scoff and look as she has a massive grin sprawled across her face. "I'll go ahead and assume you're fine, how did I even get here anyway?"
"You can thank Lt Martinez for that, he's been working day and night to try and find you," Captain Michaelson walks into the infirmary and stands beside my bed. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you alive son." he places a hand on my shoulder and Dr Koslov walks back over to the bed and does another damn visual test. He gestures to Captain Michaelson to speak over near his desk, leaving Ashe and I to talk alone. It turns out the 'unknown vessel' that Shaw mentioned, was the Manhattan, who had tracked me to his ship. Luckily they got me out before they did any serious damage.
After a few minutes of talking to Dr Koslov, the Captain walks back and sits across from Ashe. He tells me that my wounds were a lot worse than I thought, malnourishment from only having enough food to barely keep me alive, coupled with internal bleeding from the constant beatings I was given. Apparently it was so bad that if they found me even a few minutes later… we wouldn't be having this conversation. Didn't realize it was that bad. Well, I guess being shot didn't help any. Miracle I even survived.
"How long was I out?" curious, I look at each of them, but I'm greeted with only saddened expressions.
"Ethan, they found us 4 weeks ago." after a small eternity, Ashe finally breaks the silence. It turns out that a lot has happened since they found me, Captain Michaelson tried to get Selene to stay aboard as a permanent member of the crew but she said she needed to get back to her people. Damn, it would've been nice to have her here.
"Director Daava hasn't necessarily been understanding either, she's been contacting me everyday, asking if you're awake, then disconnecting immediately." Dr Koslov's hands the Captain a data pad, sounding almost annoyed at the Director.
Director Misàn Daava is in command of the UGDF, she's not known for being benevolent in any way. She has a reputation for being… less than hospitable, seeing as she used to be the Captain of the Destiny Ascension it isn't surprising.
"You'd think she'd be at least slightly worried about her best ground team leader," Captain Michaelson chimes in while looking at the data pad Koslov handed him. "She said that she wanted your report as soon you were awake." gritting his teeth, he hands me the data pad.
I let go of Ashe's hand, much to her dismay, and begin typing. I put everything I know in my report, everything from my capture, to stupidly giving them information, that fucking traitor Page, to waking up in the infirmary.
Upon finishing my report and giving the data pad back, I begin the arduous process of physical therapy, wanting to get back on my feet as soon as possible. Taking almost a month, and with a lot of help from Freddy and Ashe. Freddy especially helping any way he can when Ashe works in the infirmary with Dr Koslov. She's taken to ship life pretty quickly, I'm glad Koslov took her as his assistant. Now she doesn't have to worry about me as much. They both thought it would take a lot longer considering the extent of my injuries, but I don't have time to sit around and do nothing while Shaw, and that damn traitor Page are both still alive.
After I finish my physical therapy, finally being able to walk, and run on my own, I end up resorting to my old routine, waking up as early as possible, running a mile in the hangar, and making sure my hand to hand skills stay sharp by hitting the punching bag in the Manhattan's rec room.
"Don't you ever take a break?" Freddy walks in holding two bottles of water and hands one to me.
"We get it, you're basically Superman, come one Ethan you're making me look bad." laughing, he sits down on one of the benches.
"Can't help it, I have a reputation to keep you know?" out of breath and sweating from head to toe, I take a sip out of the bottle and lean against the wall next to the bag. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Trying to find you." Freddy takes a sip from his bottle. "You want to talk about it?"
"What's left to say? I thought I told you and others everything."
"That's not what I meant, I heard you knew of of them… the people that captured you."
I set the bottle down on the bench and put my attention back to the bag. "Yeah, I knew him, but it doesn't matter now."
"Come on man, don't give me that. He was your friend once, there has to be at least some part of you that still cares about him." Freddy stands up and walks toward me. "Listen, you know I'm here if you want to talk."
"Yeah, well I don't. So if you don't mind I could use some space." Little harsh, but it's true. I don't want to talk about it. Yes, he was my friend once. Now, he's spitting on the memory of the people who died to protect the both of us, I swear on my life that if I get the chance… I'll kill him.
"Okay, I understand. I'll leave you to it." Freddy stands up and walks out. His voice taking a saddened tone as he leaves. I take a few more hits on the bag until I lose my temper and punch it as hard as I can before grabbing the bottle on the bench and throwing it across the room.
"Fuck!" I walk over to the bench and grab the bottle before walking out of the rec room toward the showers.
I exit the showers and someone tells me that Captain Michaelson wants to speak with me. I make my way to his quarters and pass Ashe as she goes to the infirmary to see Dr Koslov. We exchange a few smiles and I walk toward Michaelson's quarters. He lets me in and sits me down at the table next to his desk.
"I just got a call from Director Daava, she wants to speak with you as soon as possible. Beckett is plotting a course for the Pillar as we speak."
The Pillar is a space station floating where the Citadel used to be and is serving as the main HQ for the Council and the UGDF. It's not as grand as the Citadel was, but it serves its purpose as a stand in until the Citadel is fully repaired. It has three towers on the end, representing the three pillars of the UGDF, Unity, Determination, and Resolve.
"Why does she want to speak to me? I thought I sent my report?" I could've sworn I sent it through as soon as I finished it.
"She said she needs to speak to you in person."
"In person? Must be important then?" I doubt she'd ask to see me in person for nothing. She could easily just Holo-Call.
"The Turians finished the repairs on the Mass Relay in that system, so that buys you a few hours before being thrown to the dogs." a slight chuckle escapes as Captain Michaelson starts toward the elevator.
"Wolves in this case." I mutter under my breath as I head my quarters. I inform Freddy and the others on the situation. The atmosphere is… well, more than tense between Freddy and I since I yelled at him this morning.
Ashe walks in shortly after they leave. "Hey, are you okay? You look tense," Always worrying about me, even when she doesn't have to. It's one of the many things I love about her. She walks up behind me and wraps her arms around my back.
I grab her hand and smile. I love the warm feeling I get when I'm around her. It makes me feel safe. I don't think she knows about what happened, maybe I should tell her. "Frederick told me something happened between you two this morning." 'Course he did.
"I was in the rec room, and… I'm not gonna lie, it's my fault. He was just trying to help and I yelled at him," sighing, I fumble through the words. "I know I should try and talk to him… but I just don't know what to say. He's my best friend, I don't want to lose him."
"You won't, just talk to him, you two are inseparable, he won't let something like that come between you and you shouldn't either." She always knows just what to say. I nod and she heads for the door while I finish getting ready.
Docking at the Pillar, which is a needlessly arduous process in my opinion, myself , the rest of Jericho, and Captain Michaelson are escorted to the director's office by two Salarian guards. They wait outside while the door opens and we walk inside.
"Ah, Commander Morris, just who I wanted to see, I've been looking forward to this." Director Daava sits at her desk, her dark blue, almost purple skin is outlined by silver facial markings akin to Asari.
"Director Daava, it's a pleasure to see you again." a little annoyed that she still doesn't remember my name, I try and keep a respectful tone.
She looks at me almost annoyed, then shakes her head and rolls her eyes. "Whatever, you and I need to have a chat, I read your report and to be honest, I'm not happy," her tone becoming more serious with each word. "In your report, it says that you not only know nothing about the mercenaries that captured you, but you willingly gave them information as to why you and your team were on the colony I sent you to."
"That's true, but only becau-"
"I don't care why you told them, by giving them even the slightest bit of information you aided the enemy, making you a traitor. So as of this moment I am removing you from the service of the SSV Manhattan and recommending you be tried, court marshalled and discharged from the Alliance and the UGDF."
"Bullshit, do you even understand what this man has been through?! He's lucky to even be alive!" I turn to see Freddy standing next to me with an angry expression on his face.
"I understand the circumstances of his situation but that does not negate his actions. Now watch your tone Lt or you will be in the same boat as your Commander." Director Daava begins gritting her teeth at Freddy.
"If you want to get rid of him, you're getting rid of the one man whose been carrying the UGDF on his back since it was founded. He has fought for this cause, he bled for this cause… he almost died for this cause and you're just gonna spit in his face?! If he's out… than so am I." Fucking idiot, he's throwing away the best opportunity he'll ever get. I have to stop him.
"You may as well put the Manhattan in the same boat." before I can say anything, Captain Michaelson and the rest of Jericho step forward and stand beside me. What the...
Infuriated, the veins in Daava's neck begin to protrude through her skin. A long, almost deafening silence takes over the room. "You're lucky I can't afford to lose any ships. But let me get make this very clear, one fuck up and you're out on your asses." clearly angry, Daava breaks the silence.
"Thank you for your kindness Director, have a pleasant day." Captain Michaelson ushers the us toward the door.
I'm the last one out but… "Oh yeah, one more thing."
"And what might that be?"
"My name is Miller." I'll make this up to you guys… I promise.
Well, if you made it this far, first of all, thank you I know this is one of if not the longest chapter I've written, but I also hope you like this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Also, I know, two chapters in one week, not a common occurrence. As always leave a comment if you enjoyed and please visit the Mass Effect Fanfiction writers page on Facebook, it's filled with all kinds of amazing people who inspire me to keep writing.
