M-Angel: Did anybody guess right?

Knight: *gagged and tied to a chair mumbling incomprehensibly* [(TRANSLATION) Sorry it's a day late guys! My bad!]

M-Angel: Him? Oh, he's fine.

Knight: *gives the middle finger*

M-Angel: Love you too... Lemme just put him in the closet… Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Death pt2

I opened my eyes. I could barely keep from puking as bile rose up my throat. My armor was gone. The world was closed up around me.

I was in one of those Collector pods. Through the transparent window, I could see a wall of lined with them, and there were people in them! Suddenly one of them looked up at me. She was a colonist! I began looking around the pod. There wasn't anything there, nothing I could use to escape. I tried activating my omni-tool but it was dead. That's when I heard a scream.

I looked back at the woman across from me. This time I had a good reason to puke as I watched horrified as she literally melted into gray mush in front of me, screaming and pounding on the glass. Then a suction sound filled the air and I watched as a tube behind the pod began sucking up the mush. Seeing that, I fainted.

As I came back around, I noticed all of the colonists I could see were gone. Oh god...I'm next! Tears began to roll down my cheeks. I noticed how hot the pod was getting. My heart began pounding faster in my chest. I don't wanna die. And more tears rolled down my cheeks.

That was when I saw the figures of Shepard and her team. It was moments later I hear a scream next to my pod. The mechanisms in the pod activated as hot acidic steam hit my body. It felt like being drenched in lava.

I kicked, screamed, and pounded against the pod door. I saw Shepard and the others tearing at the pods. Finally it opened, and I fell forward, coughing and inhaling the somewhat fresher air. I saw it was Thane that had grabbed me. He sat me on the ground next to Carolyn, Kelly, and Gabby. I wasn't listening to what Shepard was saying. I looked around and counted the crew. It looked like everybody was there. Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you! I chanted in my head.

I felt somebody help me stand. It was Kelly, who was smiling with tear-stained cheeks. I gave her a tentative smile back.

"Zaeed, Miranda, and Legion" Shepard said. "They'll get you back to the Normandy. Miranda's in charge."

"Agreed," Miranda said with a smile.

The trip back to the Normandy was quiet. Too quiet. Everybody was on edge, ready to run, or fight. Then the buzzing began. This...seems familiar. Then I remembered my dream. Oh no.

"Seeker Swarms," Zaeed yelled as he pulled his gun to the ready.

"Everybody run!" Miranda ordered. "Zaeed take the sides. Legion front, I've got the back!"

The swarms were close. The hair on the back of my neck stood on their ends. My legs began to feel like they were on fire. My lungs burned. But we kept running. We rounded a corner and there was the most beautiful sight. The Normandy was waiting for us. I could've cried. Gunfire sounded and an unearthly scream followed.

We picked up our pace. Carolyn was on my left, Gabby in front of me and Kelly on my right. We're gonna make it! Then my Jeff opened the cargo door and had my HWMGS shotgun in his arm, shooting at the nearby swarms.

I saw him look right at me and mouthed I missed you.

Another shot was fired.

Pain spread like fire through my chest. Jeff's eyes widened as he saw me fall. Several people trampled over me and I saw her. Miranda smirked.

"Orders are orders," She pushed my body over the ledge with her foot and took off after the others.

My body landed on something hard and I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. Pain was everywhere. I lost sense of how long I was in pain before a flash a white heat overwhelmed my senses.

As I began to come back from a void darkness I heard voices around me.

"Where did she come from?" A soft voice spoke.

"People don't appear out of thin air," Said a familiar voice.

"Then how do you explain she appeared on this ship, in deep space, with no way to get on or off?" Came a deep, obviously male voice.

"Good question," Said another, gruffer voice.

"Stowaway?"

God I wanted these voices to go away.

"Dr?" Asked the deep voice.

"Gunshot wound to the back," She said. Carolyn? "She would've died had Joker not tripped over her when he did. Acidic burns all over her legs, arms, chest, back, and neck. Severely dehydrated. Blood in her left lung-drained it. Broken clavicle. Broken left femur. Left wrist sprained. Right ankle sprained. Multiple rib fractures. Right hip fracture,"

"Good God,"

"Spirits…,"

"My sentiments exactly," The doctor said. "She's either lucky to be alive or the unluckiest person alive,"

"Thought that was my job," came a sarcastic voice. Jeff!

My eyes opened and scanned the room. A turian male to my right, standing next to a black man wearing a uniform. To my right was a man with blue eyes and blonde hair, staring into my eyes.

"Ah, you're awake," He said.

Next to him was...my eyes narrowed. Kaiden.

"Hey," came Jeff's voice behind blue eyes. "Not that I don't enjoy bein' swept off my feet by a hot babe, but next time I'd appreciate some warning,"

He was in a medbay bed, his left leg in a cast.

"Sorry, Jeff," I said.

His eyes widened, then narrowed. "Hey, how'd you know my name?" He asked.

I frowned at him and was about to reply when I was interrupted.

"As much as I'm enjoying this," The turian said. "Mind telling us how you got on a secure ship in the middle of space?" He asked.

"Huh?" What do you mean? This is Commander Shepard's ship. I'm the team medic,"

The turian looked up.

"Excuse me?" Blue eyes asked. "This is an Alliance Vessel, not mine."

"And you are?" I asked.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Commander John Shepard."

I blinked. "That's not funny." I said with a frown.

"I'm not joking," He said seriously.

"That's impossible!" I yelled. "Commander Shepard is a woman!"

Kaiden burst out laughing, causing John to glare at him.

"Sorry Commander," He said raising his hands to defend himself.

"Fine!" I yelled. "Don't believe me. Get an asari to do that freaky mind-meld with me and you'll see I'm telling the truth!"

"I agree," The turian said. "I know one that'll do it."

"Nihlus, let's speak." the captain said.

My eyes widened. Nihlus?

"Wait!" I yelled at him causing both to turn towards me. "Specter Nihlus Kryik?" I asked.

"Yes," He said.

"But, you're dead," I said. "You died on Eden Prime,"

"What do you know of Eden Prime?" He asked, stepping towards me.

"Commander Ann Shepard told me. She had this massive regret because she was unable to get to you in time to stop the corrupt Specter Saren from killing you! And gaining the data from the Prothean Beacon that would give him information on the Reapers and the knowledge about the Conduit and how to activate the Mu Relay," I said in one breath.

They all were gaping at me, including the turian.

"What did I say?"

Ann Shepard glared at the woman in front of her. Miranda just sat in her cell. No look of remorse on her face. No begging for forgiveness. Nothing. She had killed in cold blood. Ann felt a tinge of her lesser biotic abilities flare. Serena had become like a little sister to her. She had lost her whole family on Mindoir. She'd hardened; it took a lot to get under her skin. Garrus had done it. A few of the other crewmembers had done it, to one extent or another. But Miranda had dug that little piece of her out. Serena was dead. All because of this...bitch. Everybody had called her a cold-hearted bitch but Ann had her doubts, kept a little faith in the better part of Miranda. Not anymore.

"The Illusive Man thinks you're dead," She said. After her little 'meeting' with him she'd come directly down here. Legion had been the one to tell her what happened. She hadn't told Joker yet that it was Miranda's fault.

"He didn't believe you," She said sounding sure of herself.

"He did," She said. "He said he'd sent something to your sister."

Miranda's body became stiff. "Shepard, orders matter, whether you believe it or not. I was given an order,"

"Bullshit. You wanted to do it," Shepard coldly said.

"Some orders are easier to follow than others," Miranda shrugged, smiling.

"She was part of the team!" Shepard yelled back. "You've deceived me the last time." she turned to Thane. "What would you do to a traitor?"

Thane's deep black eye stared back at her.

"A mission of this importance relies on the absolute faith. The greatest trust, from crew to Commander. And vice-versa. This traitor has shown her true loyalty, and it is not to her crewmates, nor to her Commander. She has broken that bond; she is worse than useless. She is an impediment. Impediments cannot be tolerated. Not when so much is at stake,"

She nodded. "I should have you killed," She turned to a security officer. "Strip her of her belongings, instruments, biotic amps, omni-tool, everything," She opened a link to Joker.

"Y-Yeah?" He asked shakily.

"Find an uninhabited jungle planet," She said.

There was a sniff. "Target practice?" He asked.

"Something like that." She said.

"So you're going to drop me off on an unknown planet, without anything?" Miranda asked.

"No. You'll have a gun," She said and walked away.

About an hour after leaving the planet Ann walked into the cockpit.

"Joker,"

"Hmm?" He answered.

"I have something to say about Serena," She said.

"Yeah?" He said. "Something on how she was a giving person, who gave so much of herself but never gained much from others or something like that shit?" He barked. "Don't need to hear it."

"Jeff is going through a mourning stage, Commander." EDI said softly. "He needs time."

"Yeah, I know," She sighed. "She wasn't killed by a Collector,"

Jeff stiffened and turned around. His hats covered more of his face than it normally did. "Then what did?" He asked through his teeth.

"Miranda Lawson," She said, causing his hand to turn into a fist. "The Illusive Man gave the order for her death. Unknown as to why,"

"The Illusive Man gave the order because he knew almost nothing about Miss Lavargus." EDI said.

"How do you-" Ann was cut off.

"It's how I was programmed," She said. "When the universe is your enemy, you see newcomers as hostile by default. I saw her as a threat myself, but Miss Lavargus became...a friend. I do not have many friends, or those who consider me as their friend. Miss Lavargus was a very good friend. She looked to me for protection at night. She had me keep her doors locked doing the night. When she had that nightmare I saw her in pain. I didn't like that and contacted you, Commander," She paused. "I will miss her,"

"EDI?" Ann questioned. She's sounding more and more like a person.

"She needs time too," Joker said. "What are you gonna do with-"

"Miranda's been dealt with," She said. "Get us to the Citadel. We've got the proof now,"

"Aye, Aye Commander," He said and began running his hands across the consoles.

Ann felt Garrus' talons running up and down her shoulders. She gave a sigh of relief as a bunch of muscles finally loosened under his ministrations. She lay down on her back, on the bed. He looked down at her.

"You okay?"

"Why did you chose to become a soldier Shep-I mean Ann?" Serena asked her light blue eyes staring at her with a sweet innocence.

"Because of what happened on Mindoir," She said.

"I read about that." Serena said leaning against the couch. "You don't have to talk about it."

Ann chuckled. "Thanks." she said. "You're the first who hasn't asked to hear about it or the Akuze incident."

"Not my business," Serena said as she took a sip of the glass of wine from the table.

"What made you wanna be a medic?" Ann asked.

"Easier than anything else." She said. "Or at least, it is to me." she paused. "I'm saving lives, not taking them."

Ann nodded. "The opposite of me." She muttered.

"You're saving them too, Ann." Serena said. "You just don't see it yet, but you will. Trust me, you've saved more than you think."

Tears ran down Ann's cheek, alarming Garrus.

"No," She sniffed as more spilt down her cheeks.

Garrus leaned his forehead towards hers.

"I miss her too," He whispered and pulled Ann close to him.

M-Angel: So? How was it?

Knight(In a whispery aside): Cold, dark, musty, filled with spiders. I hate spiders! *Out of the closet, sneaking up. Ropes wrapped around knuckles. Rambo headband appears out of nowhere*

M-Angel: Did we do good?

Knight: *Right behind her.*

M-Angel: Please leave a review!

Knight: DOES THIS SMELL LIKE CHLOROFORM?

M-Angel: Heaurk…..blah.

Knight: MWAHAHA. Now you go in the closet!