My Own Alternate what if I not specifically me but someone who could be me came entered Mass effect in some way or form and knowing I shouldn't be here.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything bioware has done and make no profit in this
Major Andrew Reynolds, U.S. Army Intelligence, Head of a classified Taskforce
November 10th, 2014
The Major didn't have much time, he knew that. In truth the best way he would learn anything would be to let the soldiers return home and have the task force keep tabs on them. However, he felt he needed to learn at least something at this moment. For now that division Colonel that ordered the soldiers state side two days ago did not know of the Majors intentions. It was only a matter of time before he did, so the Major had to work fast.
Reynolds readied his recorder on the table in the offices his set up as a debrief room from the soldiers. A corporal that was assigned to watch the three men brought in the Majors first subject, Sergeant Brendan McNeil. The Major motioned for the sergeant to take a seat, and he did so, while the corporal stood at attention by the door.
"How are you doing sergeant" it was a dumb question, but it was probably the best way to start.
"Good" The sergeant bitterly replied, the Major had a feeling the Sergeants answer would be bland at best.
"Now" The Major spoke, pulling up closer to the table with his chair. "I know you're probably itching to get home, so I'll try to make this as quickly as possible" The sergeant remained silent, as he was not yet answered a question. The Major took a mental note of how to best talk to the man. "What do you remember about the disaster during the operation?"
"Not much"
"Did you see any strange lights, anything out of the ordinary" In truth the Major knew the Sergeant would deny any this if he did, but he wanted to see the Sergeants reaction.
"No, are we done here?" The sergeant asked looking uneasy and ready to leave as soon as possible, yet he couldn't hide the fact that the man fringed a bet to the mere suggestion of strange and out of ordinary light.
"Calm down sergeant, as I said this won't take long" he reminded him. "You've served in the military for a good while, I can see many tours on your record" The Major noticed.
"Yeah, so have a lot of other soldiers"
"Does the NCO Staff sergeant Hamilton mean anything to you?"
"He…..he was a friend of mine" The Major noticed how un easy the Sergeant was at even the name of the man.
"Was, you sound so certain he's dead"
"Just like a lot of other good soldiers that are" The sergeant made a point, in truth The major probably couldn't go anywhere with this, but there was something about it that troubled the soldier. After all, the Major was good at reading people.
"Yet you're so sure he's dead. You know your squad wasn't even operating in the same area as his during the operation"
"So what"
"So" The major paused "how can you be so certain he's dead"
"Because…I just know, Sir"
The Major remembered reading his reports on the Sergeants past tours, so he thought now was the best time to bring in this soldiers past. "Funny" The major muttered.
"How so Sir"
"You two were once close friends, were you not?"
"What does Iraq have anything to do with this" The sergeant didn't need a direct answer to know what the Major was getting at, so he just blurted it out.
"I didn't mention Iraq, but since you did let's talk about it" The Major pretended to look over some files in front of him. "Maybe you want Hamilton to be dead"
"He did what he had to do to save his men"
"Giving the Insurgents that captured him and his squad deployment information, that if I might add ended in three of your own squad members killed"
"He had no choice, the mans a hero leave him alone"
The major smirked "We call men that were captured heroes, but both you and I know the title is fake. Besides, it didn't stop the Insurgents from killing Hamilton's men anyways"
The sergeant stood from his chair, looking really annoyed and pissed would be an understatement. "Are we done here?" The sergeant asked, looking at the door.
The Major also stood. "Yes, I'm sorry for the discomfort with the questions, but I have my own report to do. You understand being an NCO and all" The Major held out his hand to shake the sergeants, but he didn't take his hand.
"Great, can I contact my wife now?"
The Major motioned towards the Corporal at the door. "Yes the corporal here will make sure you get the chance" With that the sergeant headed towards the door, but the Major was curious about something. "Oh sergeant" The Major called out, and the sergeant turned his head back towards the Major. "Does the name Ryan Sheppard mean anything to you?"
"No, I don't know the Corporal" The sergeant replied, with a nod from the Major the Sergeant left the room.
"Yet I never mentioned his rank" The Major told himself.
A few minutes passed until his next subject came in the room. The Major didn't have many questions for this one. In fact he figured he wouldn't learn anything at all from the man. The door opened and the same Corporal from earlier brought Private Johnny Tan in the room.
"Private Johnny Tan" the major said, as the private took his seat on the other side of the table.
"That's what my name says it is" The private muttered, and the Major smiled at this. A no good loud mouth towards and officer, he always enjoyed these types of grunts.
"Try to show some respect to an officer"
"Sir, I apologize, Sir" The Private replied, although in a mocking tone. The Major couldn't help but smile to himself at that.
"Good, let's talk about your sergeant"
"What do you want to know about McNeil?"
The Major remembered the only medical report he had with him. "He has a massive amount of marks all over his back, does he not?"
"I don't know how he got the scars"
"I didn't mention scars private" The Major pointed out, yet he knew it was probably a dumb fact to go with. Just like always peoples reaction told the truth
"No, but I'm sure that's what you meant"
"Does the name Staff Sergeant Hamilton mean anything to you?" The Major tried going the same route he did with Sergeant McNeil.
"Not really"
"How about First Lieutenant Jeffery Overstreet?"
"I know he was our platoon leader, but I never meet the man"
The Major decided go with someone he know the private shouldn't know. "What about, Lieutenant Jeremy Williams?:"
The Private paused for a second at the mention of the name, which caught the Majors attention. "Look, if you're looking for someone to blame you picked the wrong guy"
Now this was interesting. "Blame?"
"Yeah, I figured you're trying to find someone to blame for the missing company, and to be honest Sir. Even if I did know something I wouldn't tell you, I'm no snitch…..Sir" The way the Private said Sir at the end did amuse the Major.
"I see, I can assure you I want nobody to blame, but you're right about one thing. I'm sure you won't tell me anything" The Major sighed.
"Can I go then, I'm sure you have more important things to do then talk to a grunt like myself"
"Yes, I apologize for any discomfort Private"
With that the private quickly made his way out of the room. The Major hoped his last subject might prove somewhat useful.
Once again after another few short minutes his last Subject was brought into the room by the Corporal. The Major worked fast, he knew he was running out of time.
"Specialist Max Killian" The major said, as just like the last two soldiers took a seat at the table across him. The Major could see the Soldier looked a lot more nervous than the last two. He knew this was his advantage.
"y…yes sir" The Specialist stuttered.
"Can you tell me about the disaster during the operation?"
"There….was energy…..earth quack that…"
"Energy, what energy specialist" The major was quick to question.
"I said an earth quack sir" He tried to correct, but The Major didn't buy it for a second.
"Sorry, my mistake" The Major decided to play along. "I have enough Info on that anyway. Let's talk about your squad leader"
"Hamilton died a hero sir" well this was interesting; the Major noticed everyone seemed to think that lately.
"Strange how people keep saying that, but you were his comm. man, so I'm sure you saw what happened to him. What about your platoon leader Lieutenant Overstreet?"
"The Lt…he…..he um" The specialist stuttered again, as if there was a secret about this he was keeping from the Major.
"Yes specialist, go on"
"He died um….." The Specialist looked lost of words
"You were nowhere near the Platoon leader's position during the disaster, so how do you know he died" The Major raised his voice.
"Uh…."
In the worst timing ever, when The Major thought he was getting somewhere. The Division Colonel barged angrily in the room. The Corporal was about to stop him, until he noticed who it was, and stood at attention.
."Major that will be enough" The Colonel barked, coming behind the Specialist, who was still sitting.
"Colonel Grissom, your family's military history precedes you. How may I help you?"
"This witch hunt of yours is over"
"I assure you colonel my debrief is within reason. I'm only following the orders of my superiors"
The Colonel, like the major thought, didn't buy it for a second. "These men are under my commander, and I ordered them stateside days ago. You can…debrief, as you call it, after their medical leave"
"Of course colonel, you know I'm sure your family is destined to do great things colonel" the Major continued to play innocent. "I won't be any more trouble" The Major looked back at the specialist. "You're free to go"
The specialist
was quick to leave. And the Colonel huffed, following the soldier out. The Major took note of what he just learned. All of the soldiers seem to have witnessed deaths they shouldn't. Not only that, all three soldiers had looked at the Majors taskforce patch, as if they had seen the symbol somewhere before, which was nearly imposable.
Lieutenant Commander John Shepard
Normandy, captains quarters
Shepard's been in his quarters for what seemed like hours, but was in fact minutes. He couldn't make it to Kaidan and the salarian STG unit in time, but that's not what was eating him up. Learning the truth about the reapers he didn't know what to think. He had only wished he had the chance to meet sarin face to face, to put a bullet into his head. Shepard went back through his memories, were nothing but dread lied. Shepard lost his family only at the age of three. Shanxi turned him into a war orphan. Growing up in an orphanage Shepard was the leader of a blood cult. Something he wasn't exactly proud of, yet he wasn't disappointed either. Learning the truth of his family's death, He gave himself a blood oath for revenge, for all the hard times he had to go through.
He opened the cabinet in his desk, once again grabbing the pitcher frame of his family. He was robbed of his family, Shepard would never forget that. Turning the frame around, he smiled seeing the old blood stain was still there, from when he gave the oath. The oath was fulfilled, he ordered the Normandy to head away from the planet, leaving the chief and the others behind. Shepard suddenly heard the door to his quarters slide open.
"I Thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed" Shepard said Still looking at the frame not giving a glance back.
"Sorry SOB, I guess I didn't get the memo" A voice that shouldn't be alive spoke out plaguing Shepard's mind.
Shepard quickly rose from his chair, looking behind him to see Private Jackson pointing a gun at him. "What are you going to do with that, Private?"
"What, I have a promise to keep Commander. Someone should have fragged your ass a long time ago"
Shepard remembered his promised. He was still confused as to how he was alive, also confused about his words. "Fragged?"
"Whether the term has changed in a hundred years or not doesn't matter; you know what promise I made you piece of shit"
"How are you even here, I ordered the Normandy away from the planet?"
Jackson started yelling "Oh I know you did, why else would I be here. Luckily your crew doesn't take to well with your orders" the private was getting more stressful with the whole situation.
Shepard figured Joker wouldn't take the order that well, still that didn't give him the right to disobey his orders altogether.
"Commander, do you have any last words, before I kill you?" Jackson asked, Shepard was surprised he would even ask such a thing. He figured the man would shot him right then and there. He wasn't so sure now if Jackson had the guts to pull the trigger in the first place.
"What's wrong private, do it already" Shepard pressed slowly walking towards him.
Before Shepard could do anything, the door once again opened. The corporal and the chief came inside slowly, seeing what Jackson was about to do.
"Hay Taylor, what's going on?" Sheppard asked with his right hand up, slowly walking towards him.
"Ryan, you and I both know what's going on. I told you I wold Fragg him." Jackson muttered. While his hand holding the gun started shaking.
"Jackson you don….." Ashley tried to speak up, but Sheppard motioned his other hand for her to remain silent.
"He doesn't deserve to live" Jackson said with a cursing tone.
"You're better than him Taylor, don't trend to his methods"
"I am better, that's why I have to do this" Jackson was getting tenser; Shepard could only imagine what was going on in his head.
"This scumbag will get what's coming to him Taylor, that's what court martials are for" Sheppard stated, still slowly walking towards him, reaching for Jacksons weapon from affair.
"C'mon Ryan, he's a spectre, or whatever it is you called. They'll just let him walk" Jackson replied to Sheppard, while turning his head. Not knowing he was letting his guard down.
Shepard took advantage of the situation; he rushed the private's gun. Trying to force it out of his hand, Sheppard and Ashley got into the fray, forcing the commander off Jackson.
"Chief, I order you to seize these two" Shepard yelled, as Sheppard had force him back against the wall.
Ashley Just started laughing at his orders.
"Now chief" the commander barked, while in frustration with her laughter.
"Like hell sir, you can kiss my ass for trying to leave us all behind" Ashley hissed in anger, while she pointed at the commander.
"You have no power here Shepard, why wouldn't you just come back for us?" Sheppard asked, kneeling down towards the commander.
Shepard just started laughing to himself, while looking down on the floor.
"What's so funny about this, we all could of died" Sheppard began yelling, demanding an answer.
"Just let me waste him Ryan" Jackson asked from behind him, Sheppard could see he once again raised his pistol. Luckily Ashley placed her hand on his weapon bringing it down.
"You don't understand Corporal, you and your band, are nothing but trouble to me" shepard mentioned looking into Sheppard's eyes. "My oath was almost complete, until you ruined everything"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sheppard asked, holding the commander against the wall.
"My family was almost able to rest in peace, until you ruined everything"
"Is this about her grandfather being the reason for your family's death, why are you continuing this? Ashley is innocent in this matter, No matter what you think he may have done."
"Her blood is guilty Corporal"
"What the hell is wrong with you?'
"I led a blood cultist in my youth; I gave an oath against the Williams blood" Shepard began telling him the truth.
"What the hell, you're crazy. You would let life's die because of a crazy thing"
"Soldiers are just pawns corporal, they die for others. You obey them and stay out of the way or you're dead to me. The same goes with allies." The commander said, forcing Sheppard back.
"You're Insane. That's why you shot Wrex so suddenly"
"I would have killed tali too, if it wasn't for that damn brother of yours"
"What the hell happened, and what do you mean by brother. Both my brothers are back in my time"
The Commander smirked at revealing this little bet of info. "Your mercenary friend, I wanted to kill Tali because she wouldn't give me to evidence I needed, but that Merc brother of yours stopped me. He got the info form Tali letting her go" Sheaprd Explained.
"What the hell makes you think he's my brother?" Sheppard barked, which made the commander smiled.
"We did a blood test; he's more related to you than you know. Although there's something else interesting about him, I'll let you find that out for yourself. And before you say he's probably an ancestor, he had that same radiation mark you and your friend had when you came to our future"
"What's the rest of the crew worth to you commander?"
Shepard slowly paced himself towards the corporal. "Nothing, if they refused my orders, I would throw them out of the airlock if I had to" He rpeleid with an evil grin.
"Commander, that's not the way an officer, should be" Ashley spoke up.
"What the hell would you know; you're still just a grunt yourself. You will never become an officer with your history. I'll see you dead before than"
"That's easy to say, coming from the butcher of Torfan" Ashley stated with an angered tone.
"Oh yes torfan, at least the pawns there followed my command" shepard remembered how he ordered his unit into a slaughter fest on Torfan. "So, it seems you have the power here corporal. What are you going to do?"
"Lock you up, and remove you from command" Sheppard said, motioning Ashley to come forward with a pair of handcuffs she had with her.
"What are you crazy; you have no authority with the alliance. Besides the crew would never follow you"
"Oh is that so…..Joker you there" Sheppard spoke up into the ceiling, where the intercom laid.
"Yup, just like you asked me to Sheppard" Joker replied through the intercom.
"And were you broadcasting"
"Of course I was, what do you take me for Corporal? And my, my, what an interesting story commander. I could tell you, the crew just loved it" Joker said in a humorous tone.
"You son of a…." shepard cursed throwing Ashley off him before the cuffs could be put on. He just straight rushed the corporal. When suddenly, a loud bang was all he remembered.
Corporal Ryan Sheppard
Normandy
Ryan had ducked away, seeing Shepard charging at him. When he then heard a gunshot, the commander was suddenly lying on the ground. Looking behind him Ryan could see Jackson had pulled the trigger.
"Was that necessary Taylor, he was still unarmed" Ryan commented giving a hand towards ash, who was on the ground from Shepard's aggressive actions.
"I should have done that a long time ago Ryan" Jackson said holstering his weapon. "Is he dead?"
Ashley went over to the commander to check his pulse. "Unfortunately he still kicking, but just barely"
Two marines entered the room, after hearing the gunshot over the ships comm.
"Take the commander to the medbay, and keep a guard on him" Ashley ordered to the marines.
Both the marines saluted as they then went over to the commander, picking him up.
"What happens now Ryan?" Ashley asked looking towards him.
Ryan wasn't exactly sure why she was looking to him for answers. After all, he has no say on an alliance ship, if anything Pressly should now be in command. Not only has he earned her trust in the past few weeks, relationship or not. He probably just earned the trust of the entire crew for what he just did. Although he did have the answers, as he knew sarens next move and it was up to them to stop him.
"Ash, have the others in the briefing room for me, Taylor have bravo join us. I think everyone needs to hear what I have to say, but first I have someone to talk to"
Ryan didn't have to go far to find who he was looking for. The man was already waiting outside the commanders quarters.
"Sheppard" Jeremy said nodding his head for Ryan to follow him. Ryan figured he wanted to talk somewhere private.
The two were now in a more private part in the mess. "What the hell" Ryan hissed. "Why didn;t you ever tell me you were related to me?"
"Listen, your….your father looked out for me. He was like a father tome and….."
"Are you saying my father cheated on my mom, because he would never do that…."
"No, I want to tell you everything; I do, but know that this isn't the time. I'm more of a step brother to you anyhow."
Ryan remembered his dads office for some reason, he then knew where he seen this man before. "The photo…" Ryan muttered, which caught Jeremy's attention. "I saw a photo of you in my dad's office, that's where I know your face"
"I've been here for over five years like I said, with that time I had a lot to think about. When this is all over I promise to tell you the truth when you're ready. Just trust me for now…please"
Ryan wanted more answers, he knew he was hiding something big, but he was right. Now was probably not the time, and they had more important things to worry about. "Will you be in the briefing?"
Jeremy shook his head. "No, I'll just follow you like always when the time comes"
"Always the lone wolf huh"
Jeremy smiled. "It's why I was known as Raider"
Two Hours Latter
Ryan still couldn't believe the truth, the commander was just…he was pure insane. He honestly was glad Jackson shot him. Doctor Chakwas Currently had the commander in surgery, although she says he has a very little chance of making it.
Ryan was now heading towards the briefing room. Everyone needed to know what was down the road, they also could use the councils help. However if they were anything from the games, they probably won't help.
Upon entering the room, a Marine stopped him. "Hay past boy..." he said. Ryan didn't think this guy would end up talking to him again.
"What's up Navy Boy?"
"Funny, you think you're a funny grunt aren't you"
"I try, so what's on your mind"
"Just wanted to say good job back there, none of us figured the commander for a nut case. Also I wanted to apologies for my mistreatment with you when you first arrived."
"No worries man, just doing what's right."
"Yeah sure, they're waiting for you inside by the way"
Ryan gave the marine a nod who gave him entrance. It was good to know he'd gain the trust of this crew. Ryan figured he be the last to thank him. Entering the room, Ashley and Garrus were already waiting.
"Ryan, you're a bet early" Ashley mentiond as he sat next to her.
"Just wanted to think for a bet, while everyone made their way"
"Corporal, you are a tough one. I knew the commander was trouble ever since we met" Garrus stated from across the briefing room, where he was also setting.
"Thanks Garrus, I know we haven't had much time to talk. But that means a lot "Ryan replied, he hasn't spoken much to Garrus, actually there's a lot of people on this ship he hasn't talked much too at all. Ryan figured he knew everything there was to know about everyone. Since most of the back story on the people here were the same as the game. Well not including Shepard, but he could have a diverse background, so Ryan guessed that answers that question.
"And maybe we can finally see how good you are in combat Corporal" Garrus joked, with a slight laugh.
"Garrus, I was at noveria and virmire."
"Yeah, but both times I really haven't seen your combat performance"
This was true, on noveria Ryan only participated in a small firefight. And on Virmire he had to split up from the main group with Jackson. "I bet I'll surprise you Garrus"
"I doubt it, besides everyone knows I'm the best shot here"
"Both of you two just shut it" Ashley groaned with a slight hint of annoyance from their conversation.
Looking around Ryan wondered why they were the only two here. "So where's Pressly Ash? Isn't he in charge here" He asked
"Technically yes, but we're all relying on you. Since you know what's going to happen next"
Although he did know were saren was going, he had no idea what was going to happen there. "So why isn't he here Ash" Ryan repeated himself since she didn't really answer his question.
"Because he has a ship to run Ryan, besides I'm technically In charge of the ground team now. So the briefing is my responsibility"
At that the briefing room door opened, as Jackson, Killian, Hamilton and the LT all entered the room.
"Well now, looks like the grunt club is here" Ashley joked
"That's funny chief, coming from a marine" Jackson replied, sitting down next to Ryan
The LT just came up and stood right in front of Ryan. "Corporal, I hope you know what you're doing. And that you two don't try anymore…fragging" he said
"There's that word again" Ashley said
"There will be no more Fragging on my watch Sheppard" the sarge said in his usually tone, yet Ryan could swear he was just trying to put some humor in there.
'Don't worry LT; I know what we're doing. Now can you and the sarge please just set" I asked nicely, throwing my arm up to calm him down.
The LT and the sarge both sat across the room sitting next to garrus. The specialist was already setting in the coroner chair on the other side. Ryan wondered why he hasn't talked much.
"Where's…um Raider?" Jackson asked, noticing the man was not In the room. Everyone had heard he was related to Ryan from Shepard, but they all did their best not to mention it.
"Being a loner like usual, don't worry he'll be with us when we get there. I had you all come to this briefing to discuss the situations with Saren." Ryan Explained.
"Who cares about that alien, how are we getting home" The specialist finally spoke up.
"Relax Specialist, we stop him and we get to go home" Sergeant Hamilton said calming him.
"Yeah Mark, you mind telling me how we're going to do that?" The lieutenant asked.
"Corporal, you know don't you?" The sarge asked looking towards Ryan
"Yes Ryan, for the love of god. Please enlighten us" Ashley commented showing her frustration again. But this time she was probably frustrated with not knowing the answers.
"Saren Is heading for earth" Ryan stated.
"What? How do you know that, isn't he heading for the conduit or whatever Ryan"
"That blue chick said on noveria that he wasn't looking for it anymore" Jackson reminded Ashley, as she wasn't there when everything went down. And probably didn't learn that after the mission, with Ryan getting shot and all by the commander.
"And you never thought she could have been lying to throw us off track"
"No we're certain, he's looking for the prothean device that set us all here" Ryan said
"And how would he learn where to find it?" Ashley asked. Ryan knew how, he just didn't want to be the one to speak up because of what might have happened to him on the planet in captivity.
"It's my fault" the sarge admitted with guilt.
"What do you mean Mark?" the LT asked
"I'm sorry Jeff, I couldn't take the…"he paused
"Don't be sorry mark; I know what happened to you back In Iraq. I'm sure you held out as long as you could" The LT reassured him.
Ryan wasn't exactly sure what they were talking about by what happened in Iraq, but he was sure there's a whole story involved that was none of his business.
"So we need to warn the alliance, where on earth can they expect the attack Ryan" Ashley asked
"Iran or whatever it's called these days. Look up the coordinates with the operation our company was involved in like I told you before. We also need to tell the council, try to get there help"
"That could be a problem Ryan"
"Why?"
"We haven't exactly told them we hospitalized one of their spectre's. Come to think of it, well we haven't told anyone"
"You handle the alliance ash; I'll connect to the council"
"Oh right Ryan, I guess that's everything for now...dismissed" Ashley said taking up her new leadership, although it felt like Ryan was the one in command, while Ashley was technically running the show now.
Garrus walked next to him as everyone was leaving the room. "Keep your head down with the council corporal, and I'll see you ground side"
"I know Garrus, but thanks. Whatever Happens out there good luck" Ryan held out his hand to shake Garrus's, as he did so he gave Ryan a nod before leaving.
"Corporal, The council is all ready to here you, brace yourself though, they're probably expecting the commander" Joker mentioned with his usually humorous voice.
"Just patch them through Joker"
The holograms appeared as all three council members were now visible, being the jerk as he was in game. The turian was the first to speak up.
"Commander, your constant need to ignore us ar…." He paused, as he probably just noticed he wasn't talking to the commander. "Who are you?"
"Corporal Sheppard, we need to talk"
"If this is some joke as to impersonate the commander, you should have got his rank right" the turian snorted.
"I assure you this is no joke, my rank is right. I am a corporal and my name is Sheppard spelled with two P's"
"While we can discuss names all day, why are you contacting us from the Normandy?" the asari councilor asked, always the diplomat.
"Yes and where is the commander" the salarin councilor added.
"He is…well...Injured"
"What how?" the turian councilor asked
"He got shot"
"Well yeah, but how did he get shot"
"By one of us"
"WHAT" all three councilors yelled, god that was annoying.
"He kind of went insane; to simply put it he was a cultist or something. And let's just say he went rouge"
"This is an outrage corporal, we expect a full…" the turan spoke up, but Ryan interrupted.
"Let's get down to the reason I called yall, we need to stop Saren"
"This is council business corporal, besides we will be taking action if he tries to make a move on the cit.."
"He is heading to earth, with the full force of his fleet probably, we need your help"
"If this is true, than it is a human affair. We have to look to our own borders for protection" the asari said with her cold voice.
"You don't understand, we need your help "Ryan now pleaded
"That's all corporal, the alliance can take it from here" the turian stated, as they cut their feed from the hologram comm.
Ryan knew the council was cold in the game, but it's not like they could start a war with someone. They really weren't going to help them. "SON OF A…" Ryan yelled as he kicked one of the briefing chairs, forcing its top off.
"I take it that it didn't go so well" a voice from behind him spoke. Ryan turned around to see it was Ashley, he didn't even hear her come back in.
"Guess I should have expected it, God damn council never wants to help humanity does it?" Ryan question himself sitting back on one of the chairs.
"Don't beat yourself up Ryan, we've never gotten any real help from the council" Ashley knelt down in front of him.
"So how the alliance take the news?" Ryan asked curious to how they reacted to what the commander was like.
"Well it wasn't easy, but Anderson wasn't too much surprised. A little, but not much"
'How so ash?"
"He apparently knew about the commander's background"
"And they still let him be a candidate for the spectre's" Ryan snorted with a slight laugh towards himself.
"He honestly thought those days were behind him, well that and he didn't know about the whole blood oath thing"
Ryan was surprised of that also; he knew that was just bad shit crazy.
"I'm sorry ash"
"For what"
"For that whole blood thing, how the commander really wanted you dead in the end"
"Don't be Ryan; it's not your fault"
"No but still, I…I guess I just don't want to see you hurt" After what he said, Ryan could see a few tears coming from Ashley, yet he wasn't sure why. "What's wrong ash?"
"You um, you're going to go home aren't you after you finish Saren and find the device" she replied whipping her tears off with her hand.
Ryan honestly never thought of that, even if they do find the device he wasn't sure how to use it. But it was still their only ticket home. But then it hit him. "No ash I won't"
"But Ryan you have to, your family and friends. You can't just leave them all behind"
"Ash, I can't go back it isn't right"
"Why are you saying that Ryan"
"Ash, when we all left. History was already made. If we go back, we could change people's life's. Generations itself could change, just by us going back. We have no right to that Ashley"
"But you were still robbed of your life's Ryan"
"That may be so, but we still have a responsibility, besides the rest of Bravo Company is still out there I have to find them ash"
"I understand that at least, just promise me something Ryan" Ashley said as she stood back up.
"What's that ash?"
"Let me help you find them when this is all over" she asked starting to walk back towards the door.
"Ash there's another reason I'm staying"
Ashley turned around "what's that Ryan"
Ryan started walking towards her, taking a long pause as to what he was about to say. "I'm…I'm staying for you"
Ashley didn't say anything; she just started into his green eyes. She finally walked towards him, placing her lips onto his. The next few moments felt like nothing else in the galaxy had any other meaning.