Author's notes: Hello dear reader! Before we continue, I'd just like to say a few words. First of all, thanks for giving my fanfic a chance and reading what I'm saying right now. Second of all, English is not my first language so I sincerely apologize for any typos and text continuity issues. I go over every chapter multiple times until I judge it worthy of publishment but as this is my first time writing anything outside of mandatory school literature, I'd assume some errors can and will be found here and there. And last but not least, a huge thanks to the user going by "TheLastReckoning", he gave me the motivation to try something like this and his "Unbreakable Bond" series is truly a piece of art and I highly recommend it. Sorry for the holdup hehe, but without further ado. I hope you enjoy !
As Shepard helped Joker get out of his pilot seat and onto his legs, Joker hissed at him. "Watch the arm!". The commander instinctively apologised without thinking.
Their ship, The Normandy had suffered critical damage from an unknown vessel, and they didn't have the time for pleasantries, rubble was flying to outer space, a major hull breach could be seen looking back out of the helm where the galaxy map used to be and there were some fires burning at the places that still had oxygen.
The evacuation order has been given 3 minutes before, so Shepard hoped everybody got out safely. He remembered Liara urging him to let her help with extinguishing the fires he was earlier battling down on deck 2. He instead ordered her to help with getting people out. She unwillingly obeyed the order and disappeared behind a corner.
Now back in the helm. Whilst with Joker around his shoulders, limping to the closest evacuation pod, he saw two lifeless bodies to his right. He immediately recognised the one with a receding hairline, it was wearing an Alliance officer uniform. Navigator Pressly. Shepard remembered having a few heated talks about his choosing of crewmates with him, but other than that they got along well.
Rest in peace Charles. He whispered so silently even his comms didn't pick it up.
They finally reached the pod. As he was helping Joker inside an explosion sent him flying away from the airlock.
Joker yelled for him.
Luckily enough, he managed to grab himself just before he was sent into the vastness of space. Close to him was a button that would send Joker to safety inside his drop pod. He knew that if he'd disengage the coupling, he himself would most likely not make it out.
Joker saw what he was about to do and looked him straight in the eyes. He did the same. Jeff's eyes had uncertainty and fear written all over them.
Shepard pushed the button.
Joker once more yelled for his commander, the first human spectre, but mainly his friend. He started clobbering the little window of his drop pod with both of his hands clenched in fists. He forgot about his medical condition and recklessly broke a few bones. The pain brought him back to reality.
Now sitting and looking down on the floor with his palms facing upwards from his lap, he mumbled through the lump that had emerged in his throat. "You always had to be so fucking selfless".
He started sobbing.
Shepard heard his name, probably for the last time he thought as another explosion hit him.
This time he wasn't as lucky. He got flayed with his back against a wall next to the helm. His oxygen intake port on the back of his helmet has been punctured. He started to hear a slight hiss as the oxygen from his suit started to escape.
That can't be good.
After desperately trying to somehow fix the hole in his helmet, he realised he was now out of the Normandy and being tucked into the gravity well of a planet he was supposed to pass long ago.
Seeing the ice sphere approaching rapidly and his oxygen now empty, he stopped trying to patch up the hole with his hands.
He started remembering all the crewmates that became so close to him. How he defeated Saren and Sovereign, saved the citadel and the council a month ago.
Those fools he thought. Even with death knocking on his door, he was thinking about others.
They sent him to 'eliminate any outposts of Geth resistance in council space', whilst the real threat were the Reapers. Nobody expect his crew believed that any of it was real.
His mind now slowly fading, he thought of his crew. All the time he spent with each of them.
How he saved both Tali and Liara from most certain death.
How he shot up a clinic with Garrus.
How he shot up a night club with Wrex and Garrus.
How he had to choose between saving Kaidan or Ashley. He was still trying to cope with the loss of a good soldier that Williams for sure was. He however didn't have to bear this pain alone.
One member of his crew stuck out amongst the others. It was Tali.
He started to remember all the talks about Quarian Culture, about the Admiralty board, about how every one of them had to go on a pilgrimage to earn a place as an Adult and prove they're capable.
Tali always had something to say about her life on the flotilla and Shepard always loved to learn more about her people. He enjoyed these talks very much.
And so did she.
They had become close friends over the span of an adventure of a lifetime to save a galaxy.
As his vision faded to black, he started to feel heat on his back from entering the atmosphere of the planet.
Author's notes: If you enjoyed, please be sure to tell me what you thing I did/didn't do well! Any constructive critique or just praise is most welcome as it makes me want to be better and improve! Also, one last thing. I know that Tali only becomes admiral if certain conditions are met and that it happens in ME3 but I still liked the Name and went with it.