Survival of the fittest chapter 19
Jane and Liara had quickly debriefed with Hackett on the way to the citadel. The weapon, the blueprints… they were something, some form of hope that hours ago they simply did not have. anything right now was something.
This was enough for Jane, enough for her to focus on something other than the pain in her heart, the regret in her head and the loss that lingered in the air, there had been way too much pain already.
The ship was silent as she paced, she crossed by Kaiden's limp body for what felt like the millionth time and felt that pang again and again…
Liara looked up and met those pained green eyes and nodded once with grit teeth, jane nodded sternly back and continued her rhythmic pacing.
Liara cleared her throat softly, "jane- where's Aki?"
Jane looked to the asari and inhaled deeply "I don't know" she answered honestly.
"is she d-"
Jane held her head in her hands "I don't know liara"
"goddess" liara whispered under her breath, this was hell.
Through some miracle Kaidan had survived the flight back to the citadel.
Medic's had already been alerted and were awaiting the Normandy landing, they rushed aboard and took him up to Huerta memorial hospital, Jane followed them ignoring the councils summons for now.
"I'm going with Kaidan, I'll message after"
"we'll be here" liara nodded looking to the others, "take your time"
Jane entered the hospital and scanned the waiting area, she smiled as she took in the sight of a familiar face.
"ahh, Jane, there you are!" Doctor Chakwas beamed as she approached the pair
"Chakwas! It's- I can't even tell you how good it is to see you," she grinned as she reached out and hugged the older woman.
Jane nodded to the younger doctor and frowned slightly it had been a while, but she remembered her face, Dr. Michel.
From what Jane could recall she remembered her having taken a liking to Garrus, the doctor nodded once before stepping away.
"What are you doing here?" jane pressed as she stepped back.
"I'm working at an Alliance R&D lab down in the Shalta Wards, coordinating closely with Admiral Hackett. I heard you escaped Earth in the Normandy, and that someone was critically injured. I came as fast as I could." She admitted "after all, we're family are we not?"
She felt her eyes fill "yes- we certainly are"
Chakwas frowned "so what happened?"
"We were on Mars, there was a Cerberus bot... and Kaidan took the worst of it" she looked down almost guilty, "How is he doing?"
"I'm sorry jane" she stated thoughtfully "but all things considered, I'm extremely impressed with Major Alenko's resilience, he's stable you can wipe that worry from your face"
she smiled softly, "thank god" she inhaled deeply steadying herself "so… six months. How have you been?"
"Good jane, I've been good very good. I was fortunate. When they impounded the Normandy, the Alliance seemed to overlook any involvement seeing as I was simply medical staff. I was never officially part of Cerberus and I'd gotten a proper leave of absence from my previous post unlike a certain feisty blonde aboard"
"Aki's been overlooked too, training the new generation of fury's" she shook her head "I'm glad you didn't get into any trouble"
"Where is Aki?" chackwas pressed curiously, "did she make it off earth too?"
Jane swallowed hard "no- I mean- not with us"
"oh jane- I'm sorry"
"I'm sure she's fine- she's-"
"too stubborn to die" Chackwas smiled softly
jane cleared her throat, "you realise we can't look after ourselves? We need a competent doctor to make sure we survive"
"I couldn't agree more" she laughed "Jane, you say the word, and I'm with you."
"The Normandy wouldn't be the same without you Chakwas, Docking Bay D24."
"Yes, Commander. Thank you."
"it's where you belong"
Chakwas nodded as Jane walked away and down the hall towards the medical rooms. Jane glanced into the rooms as she passed, she could see Kaidan now.
She took a deep breath and entered the room his broken, bruised body hooked up to IV's.
She came to his side and reached out to place a hand over his, "kaidan" she whispered, he was asleep and for that she was thankful, she held his hand in hers, her fingers interlacing with his.
"hey, it's me" she breathed, "you had me worried there Kaidan, guess I came close to knowing how you felt when I got spaced" she swallowed hard, too loud in the silence "I guess i just wanted to check on you; to I don't know... see how you were doing. I hope, no, I know you'll be okay, just rest." She leant into him and placed her lips against his forehead "I need to go, I'll come back in a few days"
Jane quickly exited the room and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her palm…this was the worst day of her life… other than dying. Earth destroyed, Anderson staying behind, aki MIA, the man she loved was in a hospital bed.
Jane took a long steadying breath and exited the hospital her destination- Udina's office, upon arrival Jane was greeted by his assistant.
"Commander, Councillor Udina said you'd be coming. If you'd follow me, the Council is already in session."
Jane nodded sternly and followed behind him. She was not in the mood for a slanging match with the council. Upon approach Jane could hear the Turian councilman, Sparatus, talking.
"We've got our own problems, Councillor. Earth is not in this alone," he said to Udina.
"But Earth was the first Council world hit. By all reports, it faces the brunt of the attack," Udina snapped back
"By your reports," said the Salarian councillor, Valern.
Jane crossed to the end of the walkway where Liara already was she smiled in greeting.
"The reports are accurate," Jane stated coolly, "Earth was attacked by the Reapers I witnessed this first-hand. And it is just the beginning. We need your help"
"Each of us faces a similar situation," stated the Asari councillor, Tevos. "Even now, the Reapers are pressing on our borders. If we lend you our strength to help Earth, our own worlds will fall."
"We must fight this enemy together!" shouted Udina.
"And so we should just follow you to Earth?" scoffed Valern.
Sparatus raised his hand to Valern a signal to calm down.
"Even if we were to unite our fleets, do you really believe we could defeat the Reapers?" Sparatus pressed to Jane.
"I wouldn't expect you to follow me without a plan," Jane replied with a frown
Liara nodded at this "Councillors, we have that plan. A blueprint created by the Protheans during their own war with the Reapers."
"A blueprint for what?" asked Sparatus suspiciously
"We're still piecing it together, but it appears to be an ancient weapon of some sort," Liara explained as she displayed the blueprint from her omni-tool.
"this weapon is capable of destroying the Reapers?" Valern with a frown.
"So it would seem," Liara nodded
"The scale is…it would be a colossal undertaking," he replied.
"No, I forwarded the plans to Admiral Hackett," Jane interjected "The remnants of the human fleet are already gathering resources to begin initial construction."
"Our calculations suggest it is actually very feasible to build," Liara stated
"Only if work together," jane looked to them, at the scoff on their faces
"Have you considered the fact the Reapers destroyed the Protheans? What good did this weapon do?" asked Tevos
"that is because the weapon was incomplete. There was a missing component, something referred to only as the Catalyst," Liara replied. "They ran out of time before they could finish building it, by that point it was too late"
Sparatus locked sights with a steely eyed determined Jane, "Do you really believe this can stop the Reapers?" he asked
"Liara believes it can work, and so do I. And while I and Udina rarely see eye to eye, he's right about this" she assured the council "we need to stand together; now more than ever. The Reapers won't stop at Earth, they will spread and destroy every organic being in the galaxy if we don't find a way to stop them."
there was a silence before the Asari councillor sighed, "The cruel and unfortunate truth is that while the Reapers focus on Earth, we can prepare and regroup," said Tevos.
Jane felt her blood boil to the point where she was aware of the flush that worked its way across her skin, she ground her teeth, they were willing to let the human species die to give their own home worlds a chance to survive.
"We are convening a summit amongst our species," said Valern. "If we can manage to secure our own borders, we may once again consider aiding you."
"I'm sorry, Commander. That is the best we can do," Tevos said.
Jane who had bowed her head suddenly snapped to look up, she felt her lip curl back in a snarl "if you had of listened at the beginning, if this threat was took seriously- maybe this situation would be different" she spat with anger
The councillors looked at each other in silence, she eyed each of them, once again meeting the eyes of Sparatus- he looked as though he had more to say…but he didn't.
The council members called the meeting to an end and walked away.
"Shepard, my office," Udina stated before walking off himself.
Liara looked at Jane, "I'll go dig up what I can on this Prothean device." She patted janes shoulder as she passed by.
Jane waited for Udina in his office for what felt like an eternity.
"They're a bunch of self-concerned jackasses!" Udina yelled as he entered the room. "We may have a spot on the council, but humanity will always be considered second-rate."
"How could they be so blind?" jane asked with a sigh
"They're scared and they're looking out for themselves." Udina stated coldly
Sparatus entered the room and quietly approached them.
"Our people are scared, and we're looking out for them the best we know how," he offered
"Councillor," Udina stated
Sparatus looked to Jane, it seemed as if she had gotten through to one of them, "Commander, I can't give you what you need, but I can tell you how to get it,"
she frowned slightly "you have my attention councillor"
"Primarch Fedorian called the war summit however we lost contact with him when the Reapers hit Palaven. Those meetings cannot proceed without him. The Normandy is one of the few ships that can extract Primarch Fedorian undetected."
"when was Palavan hit?" she asked quickly, Garrus had plans to go home….
"not long ago" Sparatus continued, "The leaders of this summit will be the ones deciding our future; the fate of our fleets, where they fight and with whom. A grateful Primarch would be a tremendous ally in your bid to unite us."
"you want me to play politician?" she asked in disbelief
"If it gets you what you need, what does it matter how you do it?"
She nodded "very well"
He continued, "Our latest intelligence says that the Primarch was moved to a base on Palaven's largest moon. I've done all I can to help you. The rest is up to you, I hope you are successful Shepard" He turned around to walk away stopping to address jane again, "There is one other thing. We've chosen to uphold your Spectre status. And various resources will be made available to you"
Jane arched an eyebrow as she looked to Udina, "Well, that went well."
"It's a start," he responded dryly, "I'll talk to the others, in the meantime; see if we can support this summit and move things along. I'll focus on getting things together on our side, as well as getting work done on the Prothean device around the clock."
"understood"
"It's strange days when the turians are the least hostile towards humans." Udina murmured
Jane smiled "he's just the most reasonable, I better get going. Good luck."
"You too, Shepard."
Jane debated as she went to leave "udina I have a favour"
He looked to her "what is it?"
"you have more contact with earth right now- could you keep your ears open for news on my sister"
He nodded "of course shepard"
She nodded "thanks"
Jane messaged the rest of the crew for armour and supply requests before heading to the Armour all shop which Jane often stocked up in.
Once restocked and ordering additional supplies for their return she headed back to the Normandy to explain their next task.
Jane passed by the passenger waiting area and was called over by young dark-haired woman, she had reporter emanating from her.
Jane approached her cautiously… she didn't have the best track record with reporters.
"problem?" jane pressed
"Commander, just who I was looking for. I'm Diana Allers, Alliance News Network. I think we can help each other."
jane folded her arms "that so?"
"I'm a military reporter with a show called "Battlespace" we're carried on just about all Council planets. My producers want me embedded on a human ship, and I want that ship to be the Normandy."
"Why would I want that?" she pressed in response
"Wars can be won or lost in the editing room. And this war needs to be won. I've got Alliance security clearance and I operate without a crew. You get veto power over the segments I file. Can you handle an arrangement like that, or do I keep looking?"
Publicity was good, getting the truth out there was even better, "tell you producers yes for now. We will see how it works out. Report to the ship as soon as possible; we're heading out soon. Any questions?"
"How much gear can I bring?"
"One footlocker."
"Aye aye, Commander."
Liara stood at the war table, she glanced to her side and smiled "palaven has been hit"
"yeah- have you heard from-"
Liara shook her head "I tried, no response"
"fuck" jane tsked under her breath
"I hope he's okay"
Jane nodded "me too liara, I can't lose anyone else"
Jane headed to the cockpit "Joker, we all set?" She asked.
"Good to go, Commander. Just give the word."
"Alright, let's head out."
Jane inhaled deeply before heading to her quarters.
She hadn't realised just how exhausted she was but her body ached with every step, she needed to try and get some sleep before they arrived on Palaven's moon.
After the quickest shower known to man she sprawled in bed and found herself almost instantly falling into a fitful slumber.
heavy footfalls stirred her unconscious mind, she was running, sprinting through a forest.
She noted the little boy…the same little boy from Earth ahead of her.
He was running, jane following quickly after shouting after him.
She could hear his sobs as they filled the eerie woods around them, jane finally caught up her chest heaving, her body felt heavier than normal like the armour she wore was weighing her down- suffocating in its sudden heaviness.
she reached out for him, the world around her swam with flames the body alighting she staggered back a hand on her should made her spin "YOU LEFT ME!" the creature roared the noise emanating like nails on chalkboard
jane cried out at the thing before her its once human body had twisted and contorted the limbs gnarled, blue cybernetics glowed in the dim lighting, her eyes were hollow black holes her mouth wide open hair matted with blood and grime she reached out again, and jane screamed-
Jane awoke with a gasp her heart beat throbbing in her ears what the actual fuck!
She sat bolt upright the room spinning, that thing, she sobbed now tears flowing down her cheeks, Aki, that thing... was aki, twisted and terrifying... a reaper puppet, she wretched a little, her stomach churning, it wasn't true, Aki wasn't dead, she couldn't be.
Jane had gotten ready and exited her cabin almost faceplanting Liara who was waiting by the door.
"shit- Liara, what are you-" she cleared her throat steadying herself, after that nightmare she was a little jumpy, "everything okay?"
"I've been forwarding information on the Prothean device to the Turian councillor. It can't be built without council support but he's not budging until the Primarch is safe."
"I know." Jane nodded "it was his condition"
"Are you alright?"
"I've been better." Jane smiled softly
"What's bothering you?" Liara pressed to her old friend
"When earth fell Liara… fuck, the screams… I couldn't help them" she ground her teeth "I couldn't help any of them"
"There's no way you can save them all. But I know you're doing everything you possibly can and you'll get back there in time to help."
"I just- want this over already, it's never simple is it" she ran a hand over her jaw
"no jane, but we will stop them" liara looked too determined, jane had never seen that look on her face before, her eyes lay on jane "That's not everything…is it?"
Jane sighed, "a million things liara"
"kaidan?"
"Yes- and Aki and Garrus, and our old crew… we have so many people- I'm panicking" she admitted with an audible swallow
"kaidan will pull through and I'm sure that Aki and Garrus is okay. I'm sure in time we'll find the rest of our friends too"
"Thanks, Liara."
jane noted the young woman stepped out of the elevator and approach them.
"Commander, I'm comm specialist Samantha Traynor. I was part of the team retro-fitting the Normandy when you turned it over to the Alliance. There wasn't many of us aboard when the Reapers hit."
"Nice to meet you, Traynor. Why don't you tell Liara and me about the retro-fits."
"The ships in line with Alliance regs now and it has top of the line quantum communicators. In fact, Admiral Anderson had intended to use the Normandy as his mobile command centre."
"Sadly, that's no longer an option," jane replied.
"Yes, I heard he chose to stay and fight. In any event, I'm honoured to serve under you, Commander. For as long as you need me that is - they only sent me here to oversee the retro-fits."
EDI chimed in, "Shepard, some of our systems require further testing and Traynor has been extremely helpful with the installations. I would prefer that she remain."
"Got it, EDI," jane responded.
Samantha looked surprised, "Wait…since when does a virtual intelligence make requests?"
"EDI's an AI," Liara explained "Fully self-aware."
"Oh…I knew it! I knew Joker was lying!"
EDI responded, "Jeff suggested I pretend to be a simple VI to protect myself. I apologize for the deception."
"Thanks, EDI. And…I apologize for all those times I talked about how…attractive your voice was."
Jane smirked as Liara giggled, "to be honest I see where you're coming from Traynor" jane admitted
Samantha looked over at them, her cheeks were red "you do?"
"yes, it's rather sexy I'll admit- don't be so embarrassed"
she cleared her throat, "Anyways, would you like me to give you a tour?" Traynor asked Shepard. "You'll be impressed by the new upgrades."
"Sure, go for it"