3.1 Normandy SR-2 Captain's Cabin
Shepard opened the door to her cabin and went into the bathroom.
Her hands and armor were covered in blue blood. She had held Garrus's hand all the way until they had got him to the medical bay. He was so weak, barely conscious, and struggling to breathe.
Dr. Chakwas had told her to go and get some rest, that there was nothing she could do here, and that she would do all she could to help him. But Shepard had seen the scans. All life signs were critical and failing. He'd lost so much blood. She turned on the shower and sat back against the wall letting the water run over her.
"God, Goddess, spirits, anybody…" she whispered. "please… he can't die. He just... can't."
3.2 Normandy SR-2 Medical Bay
Dr. Chakwas looked over the scans and they didn't look good. Garrus was tough but it was a miracle he'd survived at all. She had been a military doctor long enough to know that sometimes even with all the technology and skill in the universe nothing could be done.
All his vital signs were weak and unstable, heartbeat was irregular, breathing labored. There was severe tissue damage to the lower right half of his face and neck, second, third, and fourth-degree burns, damage to nerves and circulatory system, extreme blood loss, blunt force trauma, and bruised organs. Even if he survived the surgery, it was a certainty that he'd lose sensitivity and feeling in his face, have some level of facial paralysis and that he'd lose functionality in his right arm and hand. There was a good chance, he'd never fire a gun again.
She double-checked the scans, looking for broken bones. Turian bones are lighter but more flexible than human bones and can withstand more pressure before they break however when they do, they shatter. Without surgery, most breaks will be debilitating, if not fatal. Bone shards can tear through muscles, even severing ligaments and tendons or damaging organs, microscopic bits can get into the bloodstream causing internal bleeding, heart attacks, and even strokes. But thankfully, he hadn't broken any.
Two of the crew who had medical tech training were getting him prepped for surgery. This was a state-of-the-art facility but it wasn't set up to treat this severe of an injury. Normal protocol would be to stabilize the patient and get them to a hospital, but he didn't have that kind of time. His vital signs were failing, blood oxygen levels low, blood pressure dropping, his body wasn't replacing the lost blood, a complication from the exhaustion. His organs were showing signs of shutting down. They were losing him.
Miranda came through the door.
"What…"
"We have permission to use the prototype cybernetics." She said.
"I thought they only worked for humans." Dr. Chakwas said.
"They were designed for humans," Miranda said as she opened the cabinet and typed in a security code. "But theoretically, they should work for turians too."
"Why would you… would he agree to that?" Dr. Chakwas asked.
"How do you think Shepard will react if he dies or can't stay on the mission?" Miranda said as she pulled out the cybernetics. "These were designed not only to facilitate her recovery but to keep her alive in case of injury or trauma, basically a miniature life support system. If they will work with turian physiology, they should do the same for him."
"Thank you." Dr. Chakwas said. "Now get prepped. I'll need your help."
3.3 Normandy SR-2 Medical Bay
Jacob came in with a cup of coffee. "Here you go, doc,."
"Thank you," she said. They had spent hours in surgery. She could use some rest but she wasn't about to sleep until he was awake. It was amazing how long one could go on coffee. She took a sip.
"How's he doing?" he asked.
"Very well considering," she said. "Vital signs are stable. Cybernetics are functioning properly, and he's not showing any sign of rejection. The skin graph has bonded. As far as I can tell, he should regain full feeling and functionality in his face, neck, and arm, but how long that might take, we won't know until he wakes up."
"Commander Shepard is asking for an update on Mr. Vakarian's condition." EDI said.
"Tell her I'll meet her in the comm room." He said. He got to the door and stopped. "Hell of a thing you did, doc. Glad you're here."
A light flashed on her monitor. She got up and walked over to where Garrus was laying on one of the examination tables. He took a couple deep breaths and then opened his eyes. She checked the monitors, vital signs were good.
"Garrus, it's Dr. Chakwas, She said.
"Dr. Chakwas, how are you?" He said.
"Quite well but I'm not the one who took a gunship rocket to the face." She said.
"I wouldn't recommend it." He said. No slurred speech, no signs of facial paralysis. She scanned his face. All muscles and nerves working correctly.
"After seeing what happened to you neither would I," She said. "Can you move your right hand?" He closed it. Normally she'd check his grip the old-fashioned way but turians' talons were as nearly as sharp as steel. "Now open and close it as fast as you can." He did. Scans came back normal. "Any numbness or tingling in your face or arm?"
"Tingling here," he said and reached up and touched the right side of his face where the skin graft was.
"Skin graft." She said. "We repaired the damage to your nervous and circulatory system with cybernetics. The skin graft will make sure they bond, prevent infection in the damaged tissue and help the skin heal."
"How bad is it?" he asked.
"Thankfully your armor took the worst of it." She said. He looked on the floor where his armor was. He saw the chuck out of the front side and the hole in the back. That didn't make him feel better.
"You have a mirror?" he asked.
"Because of the severity of the burns, even with skin grafts, the scars will never completely heal." She said. He noticed she didn't respond to the request for a mirror.
He looked around. "Where am I?"
"The medical bay of the Normandy SR-2." she said.
"The Alliance rebuilt it?" he said.
"No, Cerberus did," she said.
"Cerberus?"
"Yes, they found the commander's body and spent the last two years and an enormous sum of money to bring her back." She said. "In addition, they rebuilt the ship, or rather built an improved version of the ship."
"Why?" he asked.
"They want her to investigate the human colonies that have gone missing." She said.
"I heard about that," he said. "I thought it was slavers."
"It's not," she said. "It's the collectors and we think they are working for the reapers." She said.
He considered and then nodded.
"Shepard wanted to stay but I told her that there was nothing she could do." She said.
"Commander Shepard is heading to the comm room to meet with Operator Taylor." EDI said.
"Garrus, this is EDI. The ship's AI." she said.
"Charmed." He said.
"Shall I inform her that you are awake?" EDI said.
"Don't bother," he said as he stood up. "I'll tell her myself."
3.4 Normandy SR-2 Debrief Room
"Tough son of a bitch. Didn't think he'd be up yet." Jacob said.
"No one would give me a mirror. How bad is it?" Garrus said.
"Hell, Garrus you were always ugly. Slap some face paint on there and no one will even notice." She said. She had tried to play it straight but couldn't help but smile.
"Ha, oh don't make me laugh. My face is barely holding together as it is." He said. "Some women find facial scars attractive. Mind you most of those women are krogan." She had to laugh. It was good to have him here.
Jacob saluted and then walked out of the room.
"Frankly I'm more worried about you. Cerberus, Shepard. You remember all those sick experiments they were doing?" He had taken a rocket to the face and was more worried about her. God, it was good to have him here.
"I do." She said. "But the collectors are abducting entire human colonies and they're working for the reapers. The Alliance and the Council can't or won't help. Cerberus is willing to foot the bill to stop them. I can't turn down their help." Garrus nodded. "If you don't want to stay, I understand." She said.
"No, I'm with you." He said.
"Good, because if I'm walking into hell I want someone I trust at my side." She said.
"You realize this plan has me walking into hell too. Hah, just like old times."
3.5 Normandy SR-2 Medical Bay
"Commander," Dr. Chakwas said.
"Is Garrus alright?" Shepard asked. "He says he's fit for duty but I wanted to clear it with you first."
"All indications are that he's fine. Dr. Chakwas said. "As long as his body doesn't try to reject the cybernetics and the wounds don't become infected. He'll need to have it cleaned at least every eight to twelve hours and anytime he leaves the ship, plus he's taking antibiotics and supplements. Normally getting a soldier to go through all that is tough but turians are extremely good patients."
"Doctor, I know you're one of the best but I saw what happened. It's hard to believe that he's... fine." Shepard said.
"Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't be." Dr. Chakwas said. "Even with surgery, cybernetics, and months of therapy, he'd be looking at partial paralysis in his face, arm, and hand. But we used the prototype cybernetics that were designed to bring you back. They are very expensive and probably just as illegal. They take over the job of the damaged tissue and stimulate healing. We also added a couple to boost his immune system to prevent infection as skin infections can be serious for turians. But if you're asking if he is able to fight, the answer is yes, as long as he doesn't take any more rockets to the face."
Shepard slowly nodded. "Can anything be done about the scars?"
"Unfortunately not much," She said. "He had second, third, and fourth-degree burns, and turian skin isn't like human skin. It's more resilient but doesn't heal as well. He'll need follow-up treatments and more skin grafts after this initial one heals. There are treatments that can lessen the appearance of the scars, but that's about it."
"Thank you, doctor."
3.6 Normandy SR-2 Main Battery
"Thanks for stopping by, Shepard. I've got some things to take care of." Garrus walked back into the battery. The door closed behind him.
First, he sent credit transfers to his contacts on Omega, paid off all their outstanding debts, including their tab at the bar. He took the rest of the funds, divided them into ten parts, and put one in each of his team's private accounts. He took one credit and tried to transfer it into Sidonis's account just to check but it came back as closed.
He opened the messaging system.
To Nalah Butler
My name is Garrus. I was the leader of the team your husband worked for on Omega. As you've probably guessed, the reason I am writing is to tell you that your husband is dead.
It was my fault. The gangs joined together and set a trap for us. I should have prepared for this. I should have seen it coming and made sure the base was secure.
I can't tell you how sorry I am. Butler was a good man and a friend. I was there when he died. His last thoughts were of you.
I put his share of the funds into his private account. Clean it out as soon as you can. Then I'll close the account and erase any records to make sure no one can trace it. I don't think anyone will try as they believe everyone is dead but I'm not making that mistake again.
I am on the SSV Normandy SR-2 captained by Commander Shepard. If you need anything, contact me there.
Garrus
He reviewed the message and then sent it. Only nine more to go.
3.7 Normandy SR-2 to Cerberus HQ
All indications are that Shepard is the same person as she was before. Her personality, character, morals, etc all match her psych profile. Also, she doesn't seem to be showing any ill effects from her 'near' death experience, even joking about it on occasion.
Her stress levels are within normal ranges but on the high side. I believe that is due to her being surrounded by people she doesn't know if she can trust. Having Joker and Dr. Chakwask has helped as did having the ex-Alliance crew (Donnely and Daniels) on board. She seems to be getting along well with Jacob (as expected) Miranda was somewhat aloof at first (also as expected) but has warmed up considerably, after seeing Shepard in action (also as expected), even discussing her personal history with her.
But the biggest improvement in Shepard's stress and comfort levels was the addition of Garrus to the team. although, he has been through a traumatic ordeal, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have requested his psych profile and will monitor him for warning signs.
3.8 Citadel Council
"You realize of course that they won't actually do anything," Anderson said.
"No need to burn bridges," Shepard said.
"True enough," He said. "Although given the situation, there isn't much they or the Alliance can do. The Citadel fleet and the Alliance still haven't recovered from the attack. They barely have enough ships to patrol Citadel and Alliance space much less all the colonies in the Terminus systems and having a fleet just sitting in Terminus space is just asking for a war neither can afford."
"But I heard their statement. Why are they saying that they can't get involved in a purely human matter?" Shepard said.
"That's politics for you. There have been a lot of complaints about human favoritism. If they launched an investigation about attacks on human colonies outside of Citadel space, well, it would make the situation worse. So would overtly helping someone, even one of their spectres, who is working with a pro-human terrorist group." He said. "But you know what you tell the public isn't the whole or even the real story."
"Is that your way of saying that they are taking the attacks and even the reapers seriously but just aren't admitting it publicly?" She said.
"No, but I wouldn't admit it if it was." He said. "After the battle, rumors and misinformation spread like wildfire. We had to step in to stop widespread panic and keep the peace. We sent teams to Illos but the VI was inactive. They are trying to get as much information as they can out of the place but it's slow. As far as Sovereign goes, we don't have enough wreckage to account for even half of that thing. Mostly just bits and pieces that don't tell us much. We have teams studying it but they haven't gotten far. We've been fighting geth holdouts here and there but we haven't gotten any more information from them. Right now, we don't have much to go on."
Shepard nodded. "Where is Lt. Alenko?"
"Staff Commander Alenko is working on a special project." He said. "I can't say anymore. I'm sorry, with you working with Cerberus we all have to assume everything we say to you they know about."
"That's fair," She said. "And probably true."
"I'll do what I can here, fighting the good fight, right?" he said. "I'll make sure the Council and the Alliance stay out of your way but this is going to be up to you."
"I should go." She said.
"Of course. Take care Shepard and be careful. You can't trust Cerberus." He said.
"I will and I don't." She said.
3.9 Citadel Souvenirs
Shepard stopped in at the Citadel Souvenirs shop. Bought a couple of model ships for the case and a couple fish and then saw the listing for a 'space hamster.'
"Excuse me," She said to the clerk. "What exactly is a space hamster?"
"It's the most popular pet on the Citadel. It is a hamster that is bred to survive in low or no gravity environments such as found on space stations or spaceships. Many animals if they live in space for a period of time even with artificial gravity will develop health problems, circulatory and heart problems, breathing problems, lost bone mass, etc. These are specially bred to not have those problems. They are very easy to take care of and are smarter than a regular hamster, even capable of learning tricks."
"Why are they so expensive?" Shepard asked.
"Partially because they have been specially bred but also the price includes, all licenses and fees, all shots and vaccines, a shatterproof glass cage that is airtight, so that if the ship losses pressure or is vented they can survive several days on the air in their cages, a cage shelter, exercise wheel, bedding and food for one year, training manual, treats, toys and a miniature first aid kit with manual to deal with common problems. Everything you'll need to take care of them." She said. "Here you can pick the one you want." She slid back a panel to reveal several cages each with a small furry animal inside. Some were eating, some sleeping, some running on wheels or moving small balls around their cages. As she looked them over one was chewing on a small treat but looked up. He dropped the treat and came to the glass and looked at her.
The clerk said. "Here let me get him out for you." She opened the cage and picked up the small ball of fur and placed it into Shepard's hand. It didn't seem afraid, didn't try to run off. It just looked up at Shepard, tilting its small head side to side, and then it squeaked.
"I'll take him," Shepard said.
"Wonderful." The clerk said and took him back and put him in the cage. She took the number from the cage and typed it into the console. "There, just complete your purchase and I'll have him sent to your ship. He will be there in less than half an hour. Oh, do you have a name to put on the customs form?"
Shepard thought for a moment. "Chewie."
3.10 Normandy SR-2 to Cerberus HQ
Talked to Hadley regarding the attack on Ferris Fields and his brother who was stationed there. While obviously upset and accepting that he may never see him again, he is hopeful that he may be rescued. We talked for over an hour and he seems even more dedicated to the mission. I do not feel that is it at all necessary to remove him from the ship, in fact, being here gives him a purpose and a way to positively deal with the loss. I will check in with him later.
3.11 Normandy SR-2 Captain's Cabin
The door to Shepard's cabin opened. She walked in and saw the picture frame on the desk. As she touched it Kaidan's face appeared. How could he say those things to her? Call her a traitor? A traitor! Out of everyone, Tali, Joker, Dr. Chakwas, Garrus, Anderson, Wrex, he was the only one who questioned if it was really her. The others, they understood her thinking, her motives, they understood why she would do this even if they didn't agree. He was the only one who didn't and he was the one who should know her better than anyone else. Maybe he didn't know her as well as she thought he did. Maybe he didn't know her at all.
She set it back down, got undressed, and turned on the shower. She stood there letting the water run over her. Though her scars had mostly healed, the water still burned them. She got out and picked up the frame again. She turned it over and put it face down on the desk.
She wasn't going to think about him. She couldn't. She had a mission, thousands of lives depended on her. He was wrong, wrong about her, about Cerberus, and about the collectors. She didn't have time to think about him.
She thought about going to talk to Garrus. He had been there but every time she had tried to talk to him lately he'd been doing calibrations. Maybe he was or maybe he didn't want to talk to her, but he had been through a lot, maybe he needed some space and time. She understood but it would be nice to have someone to talk to.
She took Chewie out of his cage. He sat in her hand, looking up at her and squeaked. She set him down on the desk. She had been training him. She did a hand motion, and he sat back on his haunches, She gave him a treat. She pointed to a place on the desk and he went there, then she moved her finger in a circle and he turned around and got another treat. She put her hand down and he crawled into it. At least there was someone on the ship who was loyal to her even if it was only because she fed him. At this point, she'd take what she could get.
3.12 Bekenstien
"Looking good, Ms. Alison Gunn," Kasumi said. "Hock won't be able to keep his eyes off you."
"I assume I'm wearing this get-up for a reason," Shepard said.
"You'd look really out of place at a society part in armor, don't you think?" She said. "Besides you look great. You should wear this stuff more often."
"Where did you even get this? It isn't like the dresses I've seen on the Citadel." Shepard said.
"I had to special order it from Earth," Kasumi said. "I wanted a human fashioned dress, one that shows off your particularly human attributes. The dresses on the Citadel and Illum are based on asari fashions which are based on what turians find attractive. All of Hock's security are human and most are men and we want them not to be watching your face or hands. In this business, a little distraction can go a long way. "
"Why would asari based their clothing on what turians find attractive?" Shepard said.
"The same reason human women wear dresses like this… to attract men, in the asari's case turian men. Salarians don't have a concept of physical attraction, so no need trying to impress them. But turians do. So asari dresses changed to show off the assets turians liked. Turian females don't have breasts so no low-cut dresses, in fact, necks are erotic, so usually, they cover them up. A strong midsection is good, so bare midriffs and cutouts. It has something to do with how they used to walk around on all fours or bent over, so standing upright put stress on their backs. Oh and since their legs aren't the same they just cover them up. And there you go. Asari fashion in a nutshell."
"Humans have been around for a while, why haven't they changed to what human's like?" Shepard said.
"Remember asari take the long view, give it another hundred years or so and they will." She said.
3.13 Normandy Shuttle
"Isn't there some way to just destroy the data?" Shepard said.
"No, Keiji was a master at encrypting files. He laced the information into his memories. You can't get one without the other." Kasumi said.
Shepard thought about telling her to delete the files. She knew Keiji wouldn't want her to be in danger. He obviously loved her. She felt a pang of jealousy. What was that about better to have loved and lost… She let herself think about Kaidan. Kaidan had said he loved her but if he had how could he have walked away like that. Did she love him? Has she ever? She wasn't sure. She thought about the time they had spent together before Illos and what that meant to her and what she would give up to keep that memory knowing it was all they'd ever have.
"If it's that important to you, keep it," Shepard said. "Just be sure you're ready to live with the consequences."
"I am," Kasumi said. "Thank you, Shepard."
3.14 Normandy SR-2 to Cerberus HQ
Garrus is exhibiting signs of PTSD. After talking to Shepard about his team on Omega and their betrayal by one of their own members, he has avoided talking to Shepard and barely speaks to members of the crew or team outside of missions. This is in direct contrast to his psych profile. The letters to the relatives of his team show an overwhelming sense of guilt about what happened. He also is suffering from insomnia and wakes up with night sweats. He hasn't listened to any music since joining, something he previously enjoyed. Only turning on the audio player in his visor a few times and then turning it off indicating a lack of ability to enjoy things he once did.
And then there are the calibrations. He is obsessively calibrating the Normandy's weapons, doing them over and over again, several times in a row. Or he will start to do them, get partway through, stop for several minutes, and then start over, which indicates intrusive thoughts and/or an inability to concentrate.
So far none of this has impaired his ability to function during missions or take care of the weapons system. Therefore, I have not brought this to Shepard's attention. Turians only consider emotional or mental issues a problem if it interferes with their ability to fulfill their responsibilities. Given that, I think confronting him at this time would be the wrong course of action.
He is also obsessed with finding the traitor of his team. I think that finding and confronting him may help Garrus to put this episode behind him and focus on the mission. I have requested Cerberus Intell to see if they have any information on him. I will continue to monitor him for any changes.
3.15 Normandy SR-2 Captain's Cabin
Shepard saw the message from Kaidan on her terminal. But didn't open it. She waited till she was in her cabin, then sat down at the terminal, opened the message, read it twice, and then closed it. She marked it as read. It disappeared from her screen.
Maybe it should make her feel better but it didn't. It didn't change anything. It didn't suddenly make that not have happened. It didn't change the fact that he had walked away from her.
Maybe he was sorry, maybe he regretted it too. Well, good for him. She started to pick up the picture frame but didn't. She couldn't think about him. There was too much at stake. If he could move on, so could she. She pushed him out of her mind. She'd just have to keep pushing him out of her mind till he stayed there.
She got Chewie out of his cage and rolled the small ball to him.
3.16 Illium Liara's Office
The door opened. Liara looked up from her monitor. Garrus was standing there alone.
"Garrus, what can I do for you?" She said.
"I'm looking for someone." He said. "It's not connected to the mission. It's a… personal matter. I'm not sure how much you charge for something like this. I have some credits but I can…"
"Garrus, if I can help you I'm happy to do it," She said. "Besides if I ever need someone shot precisely between the eyes, I'll know who to call. Now, who is it?"
"His name is Lantar Sidonis, turian, here is all the information I have on him." Garrus typed into his omni tool. "He was last seen on Omega but left there."
"Is he hiding from someone or just missing?" She asked.
"Hiding," He said.
"From who?" She said.
"Me." He said.
"I see." She said. "What are you going to do when you find him?"
"I'm going to kill him." He said. "Does that change anything?"
"Not at all." She said. "It just helps me know where to look. People hide in different places if they are in fear for their lives or just debt collectors."
"And don't tell Shepard I asked you to look for him." He said.
"Of course, I'll contact you directly if I find anything." She said.
"Thanks, Liara."
3.17 Normandy Engineering Deck
Jack walked up the stairs, staying away from the door to Engineering. She looked out into the hall. Empty, good. She walked to the Cargo bay and opened the door.
"Hey, you want to watch a vid? I got…" She looked down, Grunt was sitting on the floor, surrounded by small boxes, containers, paper cups, and such that had been stacked up into piles. In each hand, he had a krogan action figure.
"Is that Garr the Krogan Battlemaster?" She asked.
"Yeah, here." He handed the figure to her. "It's got new 'smash your enemies 'action.' Heh heh heh."
Jack sat down on the floor, placed the figure in front of the stacked up piles of boxes and paper cups, and said in a loud, gruff, deep voice. "I will destroy you!" She moved the small switch on the back of the figure and its arms went up and down. With her other hand she flicked her finger, a tiny shockwave went out and knocked down most of the wall.
Grunt took the other figure and ran it into the rest of the wall knocking it to the floor while shouting "I am krogan!" They both laughed.
"Let's set it up again!" Jack said. "We could make a fort.'
"Let's put a roof on it. Then they can crash through it." He said.
"Oh, hell yeah!" Jack said as they gathered the materials and started building.
3.18 Cerberus HQ to Normandy SR-2
From Cerberus Intel
To Kelly Chambers
As per your request, we searched our databases for information on the turian, Lantar Sidonis and discovered that he arrived on the Citadel soon after leaving Omega. We have no further information at this time.
We have also discovered that Liara T'soni's agents are looking for information regarding him. They will discover this eventually but leaking it to them will save them some time or we can follow up the lead ourselves. Please advise.
From Kelly Chambers
To Cerberus Intel
Please leak the intel to Liara T'soni's agents.
3.18. Normandy SR-2 Engineering
"So, Tali what's the deal with Shepard and Garrus?" Ken said.
"Deal? There isn't a deal with them. They are just friends." Tali said.
"Really, sure seems like there is a deal," Gabby said. "She barely leaves the ship without him."
"She took him everywhere when we were hunting Saren too. But there is no deal." Tali said. "I've never even heard of a human and turian dating. They can't even eat the same foods, much less… well… you know… anyway… They're just friends."
"That's too bad," Gabby said. "They'd make a great couple."
"Yeah, and they'll probably never realize it," Ken said.
3.19 Illium to Normandy SR-2
To Garus
From Liara
I found out that Sidonis was recently seen on the Citadel. He was trying to contact a forger named 'Fade' who specializes in providing people who want to disappear with new identities.
I hope this helps.
3.20 Normandy SR-2 to Cerberus HQ
Jack is showing progress. Your assessment that she would benefit from a positive role model like Shepard appears to be accurate. Shepard has talked to her on several occasions and each time has marked a change in her behavior. The most obvious concerns her plans for revenge. At first, she was fixated on killing anyone associated with Pragia but now she simply wants to blow up the abandoned building. While this is still a violent and destructive solution the fact that she has shifted from mass murder to property damage is a very positive step. Destroying the facility should be cathartic and will hopefully mark a major turning point for her.
While she still hides away from most of the crew and even the team members, she has joined in the poker games that Zaeed has in his room. She also seems to have bonded with Grunt over their lost childhoods. They frequently watch vids together and have ordered all kinds of children's toys and games (all of the purchases I have authorized) that they play together. I see this as a very positive thing for both of them. I will continue to monitor them.