AN: On the suggestion of a friend of mine, I've moved the last paragraph of 42 to here. You will still get 5000 new words of content, I promise. ;)
Chapter 43
One thing Jane appreciated about Jack was that she didn't waste her time on frivolous conversation. It didn't mean that she wasn't thinking, Jane suspected that Jack was highly intelligent, but she rarely engaged in conversation just for the sake of it. It was one of the things that made engaging with her so difficult, but also made her the easiest to be with in times like these. Still, the commander was still very aware of the fact that they needed to have a conversation about her future, though she also didn't have the energy for it now.
Jane limped back to the Normandy, feeling as if her soul had been torn in half.
She had left the hospital feeling both shattered and renewed. Broken that she leave Samara but joyous that she was alive to be left. Her emotions were so tumultuous, her feelings of devastation so close to the surface that she finally forced herself to push Samara from her mind and think... of everything except her. Jack, being visible as she led her back to the Normandy was an easy thread to grasp at. Asura had still been at the hospital and had retaken her vigil by Samara's bed as the justicar lay sleeping. She and Jack had clearly been in each other's company for a while with no incident which gave her hope that the biotic's plan to stay with Abby for a bit would work.
But, looking at the tension in Jack's shoulders as she seemed to want to both deter and invite people to attack them, Jane was... worried. She realised that she had to try and find a solution to the biotic's situation but... She didn't have the energy to think about it. In that moment, she could not imagine fixing the world. She could hardly imagine making it to the Normandy without collapsing in public.
But, she did and when she got there, her mother was waiting in the airlock where she had left her. A part of Jane wondered whether she had waited there all along and as she drew close, she found that she forgot herself as she crossed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around the person who smelled like home and safety.
The urge to cry again came and went but even in that, Jane was spent. She was only vaguely aware of Jack's awkward glance in their direction before the biotic disappeared into what already felt like an emptier Normandy.
"Let's go inside," her mother whispered in her ear as she still held onto her. "Come on, my child."
It was too much for Jane as her aching leg finally collapsed beneath her and she sank to the ground, gulping for air as the airlock closed between her and the rest of Omega. Her mother said nothing but followed her to the ground and pulled her close while pressing a kiss into her hair. She felt the woman breathe in deeply and knew instinctively that as she had done, Hannah Shepard was breathing in the life of her. The arms around her were firm, familiar and promised safety though Jane knew she could not provide her, but would if she could.
Jane cried softly because she had to and because she knew that she might not get the chance again for a very long time.
"Jane, how can I fix this?" Hannah breathed. "Please... Please let me."
There was no answer. No recourse.
The commander had to go through with what she discussed with Hackett.
"Just let me cry," she breathed. "Please. Let me just feel human for a little bit longer."
This made the senior Shepard breathe out slowly and pull her in tightly, holding onto her in silence until Jane's tears finally stopped flowing. Her mother's breathing was deeper though Jane had not seen her shed any of her own tears. She had been taught to cry by her father.
Yet the moment they shared was precious and Jane could not help but wish that this closeness would continue. She was again drawn to the changes her death must have awoken in her mother. And reminded that, for all her mother's shortcomings as a parent, she loved her very much.
"I hope your... friend is alright," Hannah Shepard said finally when the time for emotions passed and although Jane still didn't want to discuss Samara with her mother, she appreciated the words.
"She'll recover," she said quietly and sighed, realising that she had to get up. A lot of time had passed at the clinic, time she could actually not have afforded to lose. But she owed herself that time. She started to pull away from her mother, then winced, settling back for a bit.
"I wonder who we're going to summon to pull us up."
Hannah barked a laugh. "We make quiet a duo at the moment," she confessed then sighed. In a rare show of affection, she caressed Jane's cheeks and kissed her on her forehead. She didn't not profess her parental love to Jane, but the woman could feel it in that moment.
"Miranda Lawson has left," Hannah pointed out. "As have a few of your other crew. And I believe there are a few who are hanging around simply to excuse themselves and bid you farewell."
Hearing it was harder than Jane had imagined.
"It is good that they did," Jane said. "Especially Miranda. She will serve me much better out there than in some cell." She tried to keep her tone light. "I tell you mum, she is the best XO I've ever had."
Hannah Shepard gave her a strange look as she shifted away from her and braced herself against the wall. Grimacing, the older woman pushed herself up, then held out a hand to her daughter.
"In theory she is the only XO you've ever had," she pointed out and grimaced. "I've had a message from Anderson. He is also on his way though he might be too late for the party. Your AI informed us that more Alliance ships have docked."
Jane's stomach turned as she accepted her mother's aid, trying to hide her grimace of pain as she was pulled to her feet.
"I wonder if it is in personal or professional capacity." She glanced at her mother to see the woman's lips thin.
"With him the line is very thin," Hannah spoke dryly. "But maybe he can sort out this mess."
Jane didn't allow herself to hope.
"Maybe," she said. "But this is Alliance business and he is a Councilman."
And if he stands with me, this might cost him his career.
Her mother's grunt told her what she thought of the latter.
"He and I will have words as well," she pointed out then sighed. "For all the good it will do." Jane didn't miss the brief fear that crossed her mother's features and it prompted her toreach out to her.
"Thank you for trying," she said and meant it. "And being here. You... I... we don't always say enough to each other. I'm sorry about that." She felt as if she had too much to apologise for but her mother's snort told her what she thought of the gesture.
"I don't always know what to say," Hannah pointed out. "But I love you Jane and I admire the courage you are showing in this. And the honour. You are more your father's daughter than mine." She looked sad. "I am still hoping another way out of this will present itself but our options are growing thinner by the moment. Anderson might know..." She trailed off and shook her head. "But I cannot hope."
Jane watched this litany and felt it echo in her.
"I am more of you than you think," she told the woman quietly. "I certainly get my courage from you. Let's not think of it. I have to go to my crew, those who want to see me. I owe them that much. But, wait for me in my room, Mum. I want to spend whatever time we have together. It might seem trivial but I want to know what happened in the last two years of your life. I have missed so much."
Snorting again, Hannah shook her head.
"Nothing worth mentioning," she pointed out. "But we can speak of it." She studied her daughter for a moment, then reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "I'll meet you there."
She left the airlock before Jane did, giving the commander a moment to collect herself. Rubbing at her eyes, Jane took a deep breath, hoping that she looked better than she felt. She stepped into the Normandy and first turned left to the cockpit where she heard Joker's voice. He was talking to EDI, but stopped abruptly, perhaps because the AI warned him. He turned to Jane, his hand moving to the back of his neck as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Commander," he said. "How..." He trailed off, awkward. It dawned on Jane that they rarely had personal conversations. She moved so that she could lean against the one chair and nodded quietly.
"She's fine," she said. "Tell me, whose left on this ship? How many have left?"
Joker grimaced, his expression reading disapproval. "Most of the old Cerberus compliment," he pointed out. "Gabriel and Kenneth are the only ones left from engineering. I tried to tell them that they should go but..." He shrugged, not making eye contact with her. Jane studied his features for a moment then softened her features.
"And you, what are you going to do?"
Joker's mouth thinned as his eyes became a bit harder.
"Point out one last time that I think you're being crazy for surrendering like this," he pointed out. "And, trust me Shepard, if you tell me right here and now that we should go I will get into this pilot seat and go." When she didn't comment he sighed. "But, I guess I've known you long enough to know you don't like an easy way out." His hand went back to his head.
"Hackett, the old bastard, has made me an offer."
Jane raised a brow but didn't comment because she could immediately tell that it made Joker uncomfortable.
"Has he been here again?"
Joker shook his head. "No, he did it through coms, might be concerned that I will try and break my wrist on him. He got us into this mess you know." Jane did, but still didn't comment.
"What does he want from you?"
Joker slowly motioned around the Normandy. "To... stay with the ship," he said. "I tell you Commander, they've already gotten some specs on her and they are hungry for more. If you give over and they fly her back – they are going to turn try and mass reproduce her as quickly as they can. I had a lot of input in building this one as I was already with Cerberus even before you regained consciousness." His expression soured. "They keep on pointing that out as if it is a bad thing, but you know what? They were the ones who benched me! I'd have stayed with the Alliance if they allowed me to fly!"
As would Chakwas, Jane thought. They created their own opposition.
"I think it's a good offer Joker," she said, feeling a little light headed with relief when she realised another one of her crew members would have a way out. Her pilot seemed angry though.
"It's not," he snapped immediately. "They should be handing us medals!" He sniffed. "But, this is the only way I can stay close and protect EDI." He glared around him. "I don't know what else to do."
Jane felt his frustration echo her own.
"Me neither, Joker," she pointed out and sighed. "You know I've never wanted a medal, I just wanted people to believe me. I'd have never imagined that that would be too much to ask for."
Joker nodded slowly. "Catherine's going with the Alliance as well," he pointed out. "But Hackett said whatever charges she thinks she's doing to face won't stick. Garrus and Tali, they're about ready to go. I think they were just waiting for you." He must have seen the expression on her face because he grimaced.
"I'm sure we'll see them again."
Jane nodded slowly, turning away from the cockpit. "I've got to go," she said. "Thank you for... Thank you, Joker."
Awkward again, the man shrugged. "EDI and I are mapping out her commands to make sure that she can fake being a VI. Gabriel and Kenneth's doing some rewiring to hide some of the more complicated circuitry. We'll... send you a report when we are finished, Commander."
Waving it off, Jane shook her head. "Honestly I'm beyond reading reports," she said. "That was Miranda's forte. I'm going to look for Garrus and Tali."
"You won't have to look far," Joker pointed out. "They're at the bar."
The old friends had sat together and drank together quietly till Joker and Chakwas joined them. Catherine was always a happy drunk and soon got them talking about old times, sharing stories of people they had known before the world turned to hell. Jenkins came up a few times as did Alenko and Presley. They ended the night on a toast to the fallen and a strange kind of desperate promise that they will see each other again. While they were busy drinking, Jane received a message from Hackett that the Alliance security will come and pick her up the next day, from where she will be escorted to Earth under protection.
Jane bitterly thought that it was just a light word for incarceration.
She said goodbye to Garrus and Tali, neither of whom wasted any words apart from giving her reassurance that they would try and continue their crusade from wherever they found themselves. They left for the transport hub together, choosing not to stay on the Normandy for another evening.
Jane had watched them walk off together, then took a slow tour of the now nearly deserted ship, regretting not being able to stay drunk or even tipsy for long. It would have been easier to deal with the empty husk her ship had become. She ended her tour in the bowels of the ship where she found Jack lying on her bunk, a ball of biotic power swirling above her hands. She didn't cease her display when Jane arrived, nor did she look at her. The commander looked at the ball of glowing energy and once again found herself thinking about Samara. She wondered if it would ever be possible for her to have the asari far from her mind. She had become the shadow in Jane's subconscious, in a lot of ways, her very reason for living. Jane debated how fair it was to lay so much at a person's feet but chose not to dwell on it. Instead, she found herself laying down on the floor, watching the ball hovering above Jack's chest. More minutes passed than she would have expected before Jack finally let it die down, then turn over and glare at her on the floor.
"You're freaky as fuck, Shepard," she said. "What do you want?"
Jane smiled, feeling a genuine spark of mirth.
"I didn't want to disturb you," she said, putting her hand behind her head. "But, I also need to, if you know what I mean."
The biotic rolled her eyes and sat up. "If you want to have a conversation just say so," she said. "What's up?"
Jane studied Jack's expression, marvelling at how calm she seemed.
"The Normandy's pretty empty now," she pointed out. "I guess... I wanted to come and find out if your stuff's sorted."
Jack glared at her for a moment. "Have you heard from the Alliance?"
Jane nodded. "They are coming to pick me up tomorrow," she said. "And take the Normandy and all who are still on her back to Earth."
There was a flash of considered violence in Jack's eyes as she studied Shepard, her disapproval of the whole plan still clear. But to her credit, she said nothing but turned back on her back though the ball of light did not appear.
"Then I guess I'm going to the doc's," she said. "I had a talk with Asura, she says its fine." Jane waited to hear if she would say anything else but the biotic remained quiet. Wondering how to approach the subject or whether she should ask for more details, Jane sat up slowly, then got to her knees so that she could look at Jack. The position was too uncomfortable, forcing her to get up and perch on the bed.
She was a little surprised when she found that Jack's eyes were still open and there was... something in them that made her feel uneasy.
"Jack, I..."
The younger woman met her gaze and frowned. After some consideration, she pushed herself up and crossed her legs, prompting Jane to move a little deeper onto the bed.
"Don't say anything, Shepard, I don't need to hear it." Seeing the expression on Jane's face her gaze softened a little as she shrugged. "I mean it, I don't need to hear your apology, I don't need to hear..." She blew out a breath. "You're doing what you think you should do. I think you're wrong but..." She shrugged. "I trust you." She shifted. "I think the important thing for me is to know that you trust me."
The last caught Jane by surprise.
"I do," she said automatically. "With my life. With that of my people. Jack, I am... I am very proud of you."
The biotic snorted. "Yeah," she said. "Thanks."
There was an awkward silence. Jane, not knowing what else to say, got up slowly and stared at the younger woman.
"And you'll be okay? I mean... we dragged you out of a cell, Jack. I... I need to know you won't end up there again. You have... You have people now, who can help."
Jack's eyes were sombre when she regarded her.
"I know, Shepard," she said and meant it. "Don't worry."
It dawned on Jane that she hadn't really heard Jack cuss through several sentences now. Watching the younger woman, she felt a little of the unease she had in her chest ease up as she found herself nodding.
"Okay," she said and found herself finally accepting that she could not control her crew's fate anymore.
"Okay."
Jack studied her then, in a very rare moment, reached out and touched her arm. Briefly, but it had been a wonder that she reached out.
"I've got your back, Shepard," she promised, then drew her hand away. "Don't worry about me. You don't have to come and say goodbye again tomorrow morning. I won't be here. I don't think anybody will be anymore. I'm just... spending the night for ol'time's sake. Then I'm leaving early. Figured I should also give Asura and the doc some time on their own tonight. Before I move in."
Jane nodded mechanically, but realised suddenly that she had slipped her head into her hands and was rubbing her brow. Jack reached out again, this time to push her off the bed.
"Go sleep Shepard, you've got a hell of a day tomorrow."
The thing was, she didn't sleep. Jane lay awake beside her mother, listening the older woman's breathing as she slept soundly despite declaring the evening before that she would probably not manage a wink. They had stayed up talking for a long time, cautiously allowing the other to see a glimpse of the time that they had missed. Jane knew her mother was holding back on some information but she still got the impression of a woman driven by a grief she could not share, doing everything she could within the sunset of her career to stop herself from thinking of a daughter she could not mourn.
Studying the sleeping woman, Jane found herself memorising every new line on her face, every blemish and every grey hair. Her mother was getting old.
Jane pushed a hair out of her mother's face and then leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. When the older Shepard didn't stir, Jane quietly got out of the bed and made her way down to the now empty commissary. Looking into the infirmary she could see Chakwas fussing around but didn't join her, needing a little time by herself. She got a cup of coffee and sat down at the table, staring at the drink in her hand, willing it's warmth to spread through her. She thought of Samara but wasn't worried, Mordin had sent a message to her saying that the asari was doing better by the hour.
I love you Samara, she thought and prayed that by some magic, the justicar would hear her. Perhaps she did, because Jane knew immediately what she would say.
And I you, Jane Shepard.
"Jane?"
Blinking out of her reverie at the last voice she expected to hear on the Normandy, Jane looked up to see a noticeably travel worn Anderson standing in front of her. She was on her feet before she realised it, her hand touching her brow in a salute before she could stop herself. She had served as this man's XO for a very long time and, thinking back now, it had been amongst her happiest times in service.
"At ease," Anderson said, then looked a little embarrassed when it caught up to him as well that they were no longer parts of the other's chain of command. "Sorry... old habits." He took the seat across from her but waited to sit down till Jane gave him the slightest of nods.
"You're telling me," she said. "I... didn't think you would make it in time."
Anderson's face was stark as he spoke. "I nearly didn't," he confessed. "But I had to try."
Jane sat down as well, wondering if she should offer him a cup of coffee or not. By his expression, she suspected that it wasn't the time.
"I appreciate it," she said instead. "But I am going to assume that this is a personal call and not Council business." She hesitated. "Or, are you here to tell me my status as Spectre has been revoked." It was a muscle she rarely flexed, but it meant a lot to her.
"Personal," Anderson said. "The Council is distancing themselves from this and you. But, until you are tried or found guilty of some criminal act, they will not do anything. One way or the other."
Jane hadn't expected anything more.
"You didn't come all this way just to tell me this," she pointed out. "What do you need from me?"
The man blinked at her choice of words, his expression softening. "I think it's telling of the kind of interactions you've had of late that the only reason you imagine someone would come to you is if they want a favour," he pointed out. "Shepard, I'm here to ask what I can do to help you. I wanted to get the story from you, but Hackett has already shared it with me." He grimaced. "If there is anything you feel you should add?"
Jane shook her head. "I did what I had to do," her voice was dead pan. Not wishing to look at him, fearing the judgement she might see there, she took a sip of coffee. When she put the mug back on the table, two hands reached out an enfolded hers.
"I know," Anderson said and his words brought a euphoric release, surprising Jane because she had not realised how much she needed to hear it from him. After all these years, his opinion meant a lot to her. "But it's bad, Jane, matters have moved beyond Hackett's control. They are not simply coming to take you to the Alliance today, they are coming to arrest you. Orders have been giving above Hackett's command, the word terrorist has been used. The media is a hair breath away from finding out that you were involved in Ba'hak's destruction, if they haven't already. This is will no longer be a voluntary surrender, Jane. You and everybody still on this ship will be arrested."
Jane blinked but found that she wasn't that surprised. She had known that this would escalate. And expected it, even if she didn't expect it to happen this soon. She looked to the infirmary, then back to Anderson.
"You have to protect my crew," she said. "I have never asked anything of you, Anderson. Never. But I am asking you this. Protect my crew. Is there still time for them to leave?"
Anderson shook his head. "No. This ship is already surrounded. Hackett's outside, arguing with Admiral Armand de Sevigny who's helming this."
Cold ice gripped Jane's stomach and suddenly she wondered what she was doing here, drinking a coffee she didn't even enjoy. She started to get up, then sat down again. Through all the turmoil she suddenly experienced, Jane found it almost laughable that her second thought apart from panic was that she was still in her bed clothes.
"Will they at least allow me to get dressed?"
Anderson's face was pained. "I think you should."
Jane rose but didn't walk away, her mind still reeling.
"My crew, Anderson."
Her old commanding officer and tentative friend made eye contact to convey the gravity of his next promise.
"I will exhaust all the powers I have to keep them safe," he said. "You have my word."
He was a good man, a man she trusted, so Jane believed him.
"There is a biotic on my ship, Jack." she said. "Kaylee Sanders met her. She can't go to prison, Anderson, they cannot take her today. I don't know what you will have to do now, but that is the one thing I won't allow. If they touch her, I will fight back. Hell, if they touch her she'll fight back."
Jane caught movement out of the corner of her eye and saw Chakwas standing closer, her hands gripped in tightly clenched fists.
"She left earlier," Chakwas said. "Very early, I think she's off. Anderson, surely you're not saying..."
The councilman's gaze softened when he saw her. "Catherine," he greeted. "It's good to see you, under these circumstances."
The doctor was having none of it.
"Words have long since ceased to impress me, Anderson," she said. "What the hell is going on in our house?" She was referring to the Alliance.
The old commander held up his hands. "I'm not longer in the Alliance, Catherine. I can't..." She cut him off with a wave of her hand.
"Then you are of no use to us," she said and looked to Jane. "Arrested? That's not what Hackett said!"
Jane shook her head, then went cold.
"Anderson, my mother is on board," she said. "She has had absolutely nothing to do with this. Nothing. She isn't even on my crew."
Anderson looked a little startled at this. "I will speak to de Sevigny. They know each other, I think he'll understand. Go, get dressed Jane. I'll try and make sure this goes as smoothly as humanly possible." His features looked pained for a bit. "Catherine, you have to cooperate as well. Please."
The doctor looked furious.
"Cooperate?!" She snapped. "That's all we've been doing! God damn it, Anderson. This is wrong and you know it!" Anderson moved to her but it was Jane who reached her first, taking a hold of both her shoulders and stepping into her periphery.
"Catherine," she spoke quietly. "Catherine, it's not worth it." She held Chakwas' gaze until the woman took a deep breath and brought her own hands to Jane's, her eyes a little moist.
"I just... want them to treat you fairly, Shepard," she pointed out. "I just want you to have a fair chance to explain all of this."
Jane forced a smile. "We'll be fine," she said though she did feel a touch of guilt suddenly. "I'm sorry that this escalated so. I didn't want to drag any of you into this." She looked at Anderson, reminding him of his promise.
"I have to go get dressed, if they are going to drag me out of here, I'd rather it not be like this." She motioned to her sleepwear then glanced at Anderson again. "My mother's in my room, I'll send her down here. I am... going to take a moment, then I'll go to the CIC. They can do with me there what they wish. But I am serious about my crew Anderson."
The councilman nodded.
"I know," he said. "I will honour our promise, Jane."
The look she send his way was not kind or understanding and she knew it conveyed to him that she was very serious and unwilling to compromise.
"See that you do. I'm sending my mother down to you."
She wore a simple uniform she often worked in when she was on the Normandy, one of a few that didn't bear any of Cerberus' designs. She had almost considered putting on her Alliance uniform, but realised that she didn't want to give the impression that she was trying to get into their good graces. Nor that she thought she was still a part of them. The line had been drawn and she had been on the opposite side.
EDI had quietly informed her that her crew had been taken just moments before but that her mother at least had been allowed to leave with Anderson. Hannah Shepard had protested when she send her down to him, saying she wanted to be by her through this but Jane had finally won that argument though she also believed that perhaps her mother just gave in so that she could try and bully her old commanding officer.
Now, riding down the elevator to the CIC, Jane knew that for the first time since waking up from her coma, for the first time since being revived from death, her fate was no longer in her own hands. There was a process that was going to have to be followed and she would simply have to accept wherever it took her. The elevator door didn't open immediately when it came to a standstill and Jane knew why.
"EDI," she said, finally addressing the AI. "I'm sorry you have no choice in this."
The AI took a moment to reply.
"Neither do you," she said and there was no judgement in her tone. "In that, we are the same."
Jane nodded and touched the elevator's walls though felt a little silly suddenly, because EDI wasn't a person and couldn't understand the gesture.
"We are," she said instead and took a steadying breath. "You can open the door."
EDI did and she was immediately brought face to face with a handful of Alliance soldiers, their weapons trained on her. Jane blinked slowly when she looked at them, then lifted her gaze to look at the tall man standing behind them.
"Admiral de Sevigny, I presume," she said. "This is hardly necessary."
Jane didn't know the man, but could tell immediately that he was a young Admiral, fresh to the rank. If her mother knew him, it might well be that he had served under her, rather than the other way around. Still, he was clearly comfortable with command, his dark eyes hard as he looked at her, his ebony skin showing faint burn scars in his neck.
"This is simply a precaution," he pointed out. "Your crew has proven to be less than cooperative."
Jane's eyes hardened. "They see this for the farce it is," she pointed out. "You can hardly expect them to give in to the will of lunacy. I was planning on coming peacefully, as by the agreement with Steven Hackett."
Admiral de Sevigny's eyes were hard when he motioned to one of his soldiers to approach her. Jane didn't look at the woman but stood patiently as she frisked her, keeping eye contact with the Admiral.
"It was decided that he is too personally involved in this," the admiral said. "There is evidence that he knew of a covert operation in Ba'hak. It's too close for a coincidence, so the Alliance decided to leave this in the hands of someone who is more impartial."
Impartial, Jane mused and wondered if the man knew the meaning of the word. The woman finished frisking her, declared her free of weapons and then, to Jane's silent chagrin, put her in handcuffs.
"Is this necessary?" She asked Admiral de Sevigny, whose expression was cold.
"It is procedure," he said. "Come, your transport is this way." He started walking and Jane, not wishing to be led, moved quickly, falling in beside him before his soldiers could react.
"It is also procedure to tell me what I've been accused of," she said. "You've not read me my rights yet, Admiral."
The people he had brought in with him fell in step around them. The woman who had frisked Jane, a sergeant by her rank, made to take her arm to steer her away from the admiral but the man shook his head briefly, indicating that it wouldn't be necessary.
"We have a long trip ahead of us, Commander Shepard," he pointed out. "It will be addressed shortly. I guess I can remind you that you have the right to remain silent?"
Jane gave him a cold smile. "I don't plan to exercise it," she said. "You know as well as I do that this is just all political bullshit." She held up her wrists to emphasise the cuffs. "Even these."
The man made no comment as he led them through the airlock. Jane saw that there were more soldiers outside who moved into the Normandy the moment she stepped out. She thought she had heard Joker's loud voice in the cockpit before they left but had not had the chance to glance that way. A procession fell in behind them as they were marched down the docking tube to another large docking bay and hanger where a congregation of Alliance transport had gathered. Jane wondered how they had managed that and whether Aria had had something to do with clearing an area so close to the Normandy. There were quite a few Alliance soldiers around, but the area wasn't completely deserted, with a gathering group of spectators forming on the other end of the dock, held only at bay by a line of Alliance soldiers.
The situation, Jane realised, could become very volatile very quickly.
She could see the rest of her crew now. Only a handful had remained behind, all ex-Alliance-ex-Cerberus soldiers. Along with Kenneth and Gabby, another specialist, Lieutenant Moira Graves had also left the Alliance for Cerberus after Jane's death. Her twin brother had died during the battle of the Citadel, so when the Alliance and Council started denying that Sovereign was anything other than a sophisticated piece of Geth equipment she had cut her ties with the Alliance and never looked back. They were being loaded into a smaller transport vessel, but Jane could tell that they weren't cooperating. Kenneth, who was about to be loaded in, had turned by some whim of intuition and had seen her approach. Also cuffed he immediately stopped moving, his expression a mask of fury.
"They have 'er cuffed!" He yelled, his accent stronger now that he was angry. "Like some common criminal! What the fuck are ye all doing?! Ye bloody wankers!"
Jane immediately stepped in their direction, thinking that she would join them in their transport but the sergeant immediately put a hand on her wrist.
"This way," she said harshly. "You're not travelling with them."
Jane couldn't help but glare at her before she turned to Admiral de Sevigny. "Let me talk to them," she said, scanning the area quickly to see that Anderson and her mother was also still there. Her old commander had a firm grip on her mother's elbow, trying to keep her out of the fray.
"They'll cooperate if I speak to them."
She heard Gabby's voice, admonishing Kenneth and telling him to come sit down. At least they could keep an eye on each other.
"They are not your concern anymore," the admiral said. "Come, we don't have time to dawdle, we don't have a lot of time to be here. Aria's not friendly towards the Alliance and there is already a crowd of spectator's forming.
You managed this, Jane thought. But did Aria do it for my benefit? The quicker they could get me away from here, the safer I would be... She looked at the crowd of Omega denizens, her heart turning to ice suddenly when she recognized one of the spectators.
"Admiral," she said. "You are going to have to let me speak to my crew. Uncuff me, and let me talk to them."
Kenneth had stopped protesting but there was a sudden commotion on near where the Alliance soldiers were holding back the line of Omega spectators.
"You!" A soldiers voice carried above the din. "Get back behind the line, you can't be there!"
Admiral de Sevigny was too slow to respond, he wasn't paying attention to what was happening around him. But, then again neither he nor his people knew who to look out for. He had turned to look at the soldier who shouted.
"Hey! What the hell do you..."
Jane's world slowed down.
She had turned to look back to Kenneth and Gabriel, hoping that they wouldn't see what she saw but Kenneth had also looked in the direction of the soldiers, his expression suddenly wild with glee.
"It's Jack!" He yelled. "Jack, you crazy..."
The rest of his sentence was cut off when a flash of biotics illuminated the din of the Omega docking area. Soldiers shouted protest but were thrown aside as the little biotic stepped into view, her body alight with power and her expression feral.
"I've changed my mind, bitches!" Jack yelled. "Shepard's coming with me!"
Jane, who had still been looking at Kenneth, saw the man grin then launch himself at the nearest Alliance soldier.
"You can take away our freedom!" he yelled, creating more of a ruckus and distraction. "But ye cannot take away our Commander!"
Jane wanted to yell at them all to stand down but she had no time. Two shockwaves were coming towards them and she knew... She knew that if she just stood still.
"Admiral!" She shouted in warning and pulled de Sevigny into her space.
The two shockwaves passed so close to them that their power made Jane's hair stand on end and her knees nearly buckle underneath her. She had felt this before in battle, Jack had perfected this tactic to get clusters of husks away from people. All the soldiers that had been standing around them flew away, leaving only her and the Admiral, who had nearly collapsed against her, unused to the sensation.
Looking around wildly, Jane tried to see Jack in the throng of chaos.
"Jack!" She yelled. "Stand down! Kenneth!" The damned Scotsman had managed to knock out two of the guards and even Gabby looked ready to join the fight.
No, Jane felt the situation slip away from her then looked down as she felt the pressure on her hands release as the Admiral found his feet.
"Let me talk to them," Jane yelled above the din. "I can..." She trailed off, meeting his gaze and seeing the fury in his eyes. She could immediately tell his intent as he began to step away from her, ready to issue the command to retaliate.
They will kill my people.
Jane, who was still holding onto him, yanked him forward violently and head butted him. She was good at that, had learned from the best on the first Normandy when she and Wrex got drunk together. She would never have thought that it would be a handy skill to have but...
She was sure she felt the admiral's nose break as blood gushed from his nose immediately upon impact. She hardly felt it and dropped him to the floor as he crumbled to her feet. Jane grabbed his sidearm, aimed it at one of the soldiers who were raising their gun towards Kenneth and fired.
The man's gun flew from his hand and he only had a second's notice to register shock before a flash of biotics grabbed him and threw him across the room. Jane followed his trajectory before she ran forward, straight to Jack. She didn't know what she had to do but she knew she had to get her out of here. She thought she had Anderson call out to her but nothing he did now would make a difference.
"Run Shepard!" Gabby yelled. "We've got your back!"
Jane glanced back briefly. "I don't want you to have anything!" She snapped. "Stand down!"
A soldier made a lunge for her but Jane side stepped her, faster and unhindered by armour. She pulled the rifle from her hands, swiped her feet out from underneath her and then threw the weapon away. Jack, still a glowing ball of fury, was charging her way as well. She reached Jane in two strides, her hands aglow with her biotics as she made a grab for the handcuffs and tore them from her wrists. Her biotics made Jane's hands go numb.
"Jack!" Jane began to yell. "What the hell..."
The biotic grabbed her hands and pulled her forward and knowing that she would not be able to fight her, Jane followed.
"We can fucking talk about this later," Jack yelled. "Now, we have to run!"
Jane hated to admit it, but Jack had a point. Glancing back she saw that the soldiers were recovering from this sudden onslaught and Kenneth had already been subdued. She caught a glimpse of her mother, fighting in Anderson's arms either to try and stop her or join her.
And she saw Admiral de Sevigny being helped to his feet with murder in his eyes.
She knew without a doubt that if they caught Jack, they would kill her.
How the hell do I fix this?! Jane thought wildly but followed Jack because she knew she had no choice if she wanted to protect her. What the hell am I going to do now?
The End of Chapter 43
