Shepard's waking this time was slower and more painful. The first thing she was aware of was the rock hard cot beneath her, digging into her bones. Then the emptiness. Thane was not lying beside her. Though she wanted to open her eyes and find him, her lids were slow in obeying. When they finally opened, she hissed as the light burned.
Squinting, she turned her head to gaze at the room's other occupants. Kasumi, her normal hood down around her shoulders (revealing thick black hair) stared at her, mouth agape. Miranda, in a skintight suit the color of blood, looked as passive as always, but worry was etched in the set of her shoulders. Her gaze finally landed on Thane. Shoulders bowed, his hands were clenched in fists on the top of the bed. There was worry and not a little bit of fear written in his gaze.
"Shep…" Kasumi spoke first.
"Liara sends her apologies, Commander." Miranda said after a brief silence.
"Just Erin, please. Just… call me Erin." Shepard's voice was hoarse. As if she'd been screaming.
Miranda stared at her for a moment before dipping her head. "Of course. But if she had known… I am sure she would be here."
Shepard fought back a grimace. "If she had known what?"
Thane growled in frustration. "Siha, you were in a coma. For twelve hours."
Shepard closed her eyes in a long blink. "Miranda, do you have any news of Cerberus? What have they been doing in the last year?"
All three were visibly confused at the change of topic.
Miranda answered slowly, approaching the bed. "Com- Erin, you need to worry about your health first. Thane told us that you do not sleep. It's just the comas. If that's even what they are."
Shepard waved a hand. "That can wait. Cerberus?"
All present knew there was no arguing when she used her Commander Shepard voice.
"Since the disappearance of The Illusive Man, they have been silent," Miranda started slowly.
"Contact Liara. I don't think they've been idle. Tell her the Artemis Tau systems specifically." A cough wracked her body. She could barely breathe.
Thane's right eye twitched as he placed a hand on her bare shoulder. "Siha! You're burning up."
"We need to get Shep to a hospital," Kasumi said, bringing up her omni-tool display and typing furiously.
"Earth," Shepard managed once the coughs had subsided. "I want to go to Earth."
