AT DR. MICHEL'S CLINIC
John hid himself behind the wall at the clinic entrance signaling Kaidan and Ashley to remain quite. He peeked slightly to see that Dr. Michel was surrounded by thugs and they all had weapons in their hands. Then he spotted Garrus, crouching behind a low wall inside the clinic. John realized Garrus was trying to take out the thug that had his gun pointed at the doctor.
"I didn't tell anyone. I swear." Dr. Michel begged the thugs.
"That was smart, Doc." The thug replied.
"Now if Garrus comes around, you stay smart. Keep your mouth shut or we'll…" The thug warned the doctor.
John realized that Garrus needed a distraction to take out the thugs. He left his cover and showed himself to the thugs, Kaidan and Ashley followed him. The thugs immediately turned their weapons on the trio.
"Who are you?" The leader of the thugs asked.
"Let her go! Now!" John warned aiming his pistol at the thugs head.
Garrus got the distraction he needed and he took out the leader with a clean head shot with his pistol from behind. The thug died and the doctor freed herself. The rest of the thugs were taken out by the trio before they could react.
"Perfect timing Shepard. Gave me a clear shot at that bastard." Garrus said.
"You took him down clean." John praised.
"Sometimes you get lucky." Garrus shrugged. He turned towards the doctor. "Dr. Michel? Are you hurt?" Garrus asked softly.
"No. I'm okay. Thank you. All of you." She said, still a little shaken.
"Why were they threatening you? Who do they work for?" John asked.
"They work for fist. They wanted to shut me up, keep me from telling Garrus about the quarian." Dr. Michel said.
"What quarian?" John asked.
"A few days ago, a quarian came by my office. She'd been shot, but she wouldn't tell me who did it. I could tell she was scared, probably on the run. She asked me about the Shadow Broker. She wanted to trade information in exchange for a safe place to hide."
"Where is she now?"
"I put her in contact with Fist. He's an agent for the Shadow Broker."
"Not any more. Now he works for Saren, and the Shadow Broker isn't too happy about it." Garrus added.
"Fist betrayed the Shadow Broker? That's stupid, even for him. Saren must have made him quite an offer." Dr. Michel asked.
"The quarian must have something Saren wants. Something worth crossing the Shadow Broker to get." Garrus concluded.
"What else can you tell me about the quarian?" John asked.
"I'm not sure. Like I said, she wanted to trade information for a place to hide. She didn't….." Dr. Michel stopped and her face brightened. "Wait a minute! Geth. Her information had to do with the geth!"
"She must be able to link Saren to the geth. There's no way the council can ignore this!" Garrus said.
"Wait, didn't we overheard that krogan in Chora's Den, talking about some kind of dealings with Fist?" Ashley interrupted.
"Yeah, we did. Time we paid Fist a visit." John replied.
"This is your show, Shepard. But I want to bring Saren down as much as you do. I'm coming with you." Garrus said.
"No offense. But you're a turian like Saren. Why do you want to bring him down?" John asked curiously.
"I couldn't find the proof I needed in my investigation. But I knew what was really going on. Saren is a traitor to the Council and a disgrace to my people!" Garrus spat.
"Welcome aboard, Garrus." John smiled and they both shook hands.
"You know, we aren't the only ones going after Fist. The Shadow broker hired a krogan bounty hunter named Wrex to take him out." Garrus said.
"Yeah, that was him in the bar." Ashley said.
"A krogan might come in handy." John said, looking towards Ashley.
"Last I heard, he was at the C-Sec Academy." Garrus informed.
"What is he doing there?" Kaidan asked.
"Fist accused him of making threats. We brought Wrex in for a little talk. If we hurry, we can catch him at the Academy before he leaves." Garrus said.
"Let's move out." John said and they were about to leave but Dr. Michel stopped him. "I never properly thanked you for saving me from Fist's thugs, Commander. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."
"I'm just glad you weren't hurt." John said.
She smiled hearing his answer. "What I heard about you is true Commander. You really are a good man. Dr. Chakwas is my friend, she told me all about you."
"Ah… Well." John rubbed the back of his neck hearing the praise from the doctor.
"I won't stop you anymore Commander." She smiled again when John returned and left with his crew.
John and Garrus were walking forward while Kaidan and Ashley were following them from behind.
"You know next time don't be so obvious when you ogle at the Commander. Show some restraint." Kaidan teased Ashley.
"When we return to Normandy I want you to spar with me, so that I could kick your ass Lieutenant." Ashley said angrily trying to cover up the blush that was spreading on her cheeks.. Kaidan laughed lightly.
C-SEC ACADEMY
"Witnesses saw you making threats in Fit's bar. Stay away from him." A C-Sec officer warned Wrex.
"I don't take orders from you." Wrex replied evenly.
"This is your only warning Wrex."
"You should warn Fist. I will kill him."
"You want me to arrest you?"
"I want you to try."
"Go on. Get out of here." The C-Sec officer said angrily.
The krogan was leaving but John stopped him. "My name's Shepard. I'm going after Fist. Thought you might want to come along." John offered the huge krogan.
"Shepard? Commander Shepard? I've heard a lot about you. We're both warriors Shepard. Out of respect, I'll give you fair warning. I'm going to kill Fist."
"Fist knows you are coming. We'll have a better chance if we all work together." Garrus said.
Wrex looked towards Garrus for few moments. Then he spoke, "My people have a saying: Seek the enemy of your enemy, and you will find a friend."
"Glad to have you on team Wrex." John said and shook hands with Wrex.
"Let's go. I hate to keep Fist waiting."
AT THE WAREHOUSE – FIST'S HIDEOUT
"Stop right there! Don't come any closer!" One of the workers of the warehouse warned John and his team. There were three workers with their guns pointing at John's team.
"Warehouse workers. All the real guards must be dead." Ashley whispered.
"Puny human! You dare raise a gun against me!" Wrex growled.
"Stay back or we'll shoot!" The worker said nervously watching the massive form of Wrex.
"Look there is no way you guys stand a chance against the five of us. You are already outnumbered. This would be a good time to find somewhere else to work." John reasoned with them.
The workers sighed in defeat and lowered their guns. "Yeah. Yeah, right. That's a good idea. I never liked Fist anyway." The workers left the warehouse.
"It would've been easy to just kill them." Wrex grumbled.
"Shooting people isn't always the answer." Ashley said.
"Alright team, let's go and say hello to Fist." John said.
"Aye, aye Commander." Kaidan and Ashley said in unison.
"Yeah, let's go. If we get this done quickly we can probably save the quarian and find out what she's up to." Garrus said.
"Fist is mine." Wrex clasped his hands.
The five of them slowly kept on proceeding forward until they found their paths blocked by at least fifty thugs of Fist.
"Things never get boring around you Commander." Kaidan remarked.
"I agree with your Lieutenant, Shepard." Garrus smirked.
"Yeah, yeah. This is what I have been waiting for. Come on." Wrex said.
The thugs started firing on them immediately on Fist's order. They all dove for cover. John threw his sniper towards Garrus as he only had a pistol. "Make it count Garrus." John said.
"You got it Shepard." Garrus replied and put his eyes on the scope of the sniper and shot one thug right at his chest. "Scoped and dropped." Garrus reported.
John peeked out of cover and fired several rounds from his assault rifle taking down two thugs by headshot.
"Nice shooting." Garrus commented.
Ashley and Kaidan fired in unison taking out five more thugs. Two thugs tried to push forward to their position but they were killed by a single shot from Wrex's shotgun. Garrus took out two more with the sniper.
"Two of the thugs hiding behind that table. Can't get a clean shot." Garrus commented.
"Ashley frag out." John ordered. She nodded and lobbed a frag grenade behind the table. The two thugs tried to run away from the cover to save themselves from the impact of the grenade but it already detonated before they could escape.
"Two more down." Ashley said.
"They have superior positions. We have to take them down from the front." John said.
"Understood Commander." Kaidan said. He pulled out several flash bangs and handed one to each, keeping one for himself.
"Flash and clear." John ordered.
Garrus holstered his sniper and readied his pistol. Then all of them threw five flash bangs in five different places blinding all the thugs. "Move, move." John said. Before they could move forward Wrex rushed past them with a growl and tackled five of the thugs knocking them out cold.
"That works too." Garrus remarked. The four of them followed Wrex and joined the firefight. Within a minute all the remaining guards were left dead or unconscious.
Wrex grabbed Fist and held him up by his throat growling at him menacingly.
"Tell me where the quarian is and I won't have to let Wrex tear you to shreds." John said coldly.
"She's not here. I don't know where she is. That's the truth." Fist lied.
Wrex increased the pressure on his throat causing Fist to struggle for his breath.
"He's no use to you now, Shepard. Let me kill him." Wrex said.
"Wait! Wait! I don't know where the quarian is, but I know where you can find her." Fist stuttered. Wrex let him down on the ground. Fist caught his breath and continued, "The quarian isn't here. Said she'd only deal with the Shadow Broker himself."
"Face to face? Impossible! I was even hired through an agent." Wrex said.
"Nobody meets the Shadow Broker. Ever. I don't know his true identity. But she didn't know that. I told her I'd set a meeting up. But when she shows up, it'll be Saren's men waiting for her." Fist confessed.
John's expression turned cold. He grabbed Fist and slammed him into the wall with one hand and said coldly on his face, "Give me the location. Now."
"Here on the wards. The back alley by the markets. She's supposed to meet them right now. You can make it if you hurry."
Wrex immediately raised his gun and pointed at Fist.
"Drop the gun, krogan." Ashley warned.
"The Shadow broker paid me to kill him. I don't leave my job half done." Wrex said.
"We don't shoot unarmed prisoners Wrex." John said.
"How many people died because of him? He brought this on himself. Besides, we have more pressing concerns." Wrex said.
"That quarian is dead if we don't go now!" Ashley said a little loudly.
Wrex finally let go of Fist and pushed him down on the floor. When the five of them turned to leave, Wrex snatched the pistol from Garrus' hand and shot Fist at his knee. Then he handed the gun back to Garrus.
"That's the least I must do." He said and walked past them. Garrus shrugged.
LOCATION: AT THE BACK ALLEY OF THE WAREHOUSE
"Where's the Shadow Broker? Where's Fist?" The quarian asked the turians in front of her.
"They'll be here. Where's the evidence?" The leader of the turian replied.
"No way. The deal's off." The quarian replied and turned away to leave but she found her path blocked by three turians. "What is the meaning of this?" She asked the turian leader.
"We're not leaving without the evidence and you aren't either."
"You. You are Saren's men."
"Got that didn't you. Now, give the evidence to us like a nice girl."
"No. Never."
"Then we will have to take it by force. You left us no choice."
The turians stepped towards the quarian and she stepped back. She knew there's no way she could take out all the seven of them by herself. But before they could touch her, three of the turians heads were blasted apart.
"What the….." The turian leader said surprised. He looked towards his left, only to be tackled by a huge krogan in red armor. The krogan smashed him on the wall and killed him with a bullet from his shotgun. The other turians were also killed in the meantime by the rapid fire from the human's assault rifle who was now walking towards her slowly in a non-threatening way.
"Fist set me up! I knew I couldn't trust him!" the quarian said to John.
"Don't worry about Fist. He got what was coming to him." John assured her.
"Then I guess there are two things I need to thank you for. Who are you?" She asked.
"I am John Shepard. I'm looking for evidence to prove Saren is a traitor."
"Then I have a chance to repay you for saving my life. But not here. We need to go somewhere safe."
"The ambassador's office. It's safe there. He'll want to see this anyway." Ashley said.
"Okay. Thanks to all of you, for saving my life. I am Tali'Zorah nar Rayya." Tali extended her hand to shake hands with Shepard.
"Alright everyone let's move." John said and everyone followed. Tali also followed them but she couldn't help but look at the human named Shepard. He seemed different from other humans. She realized that she can trust this human. Something about him makes her trust him. She doesn't know what made her do that. Besides these facts she couldn't help but notice that he is very handsome by human standards. Her eyes lingered on him all the time. She was thankful that no one could see her ogling him since her face is hidden by her helmet. She shook those thoughts away and followed them.
UDINA'S OFFICE
"You're not making my life easy, Shepard. Firefights in the wards? Do you know how many….." Udina stopped when he noticed a young female quarian among Shepard's crew. "Who's this? A quarian? What are you up to Shepard?" Udina asked, frustrated.
"Making your day, Ambassador. She has information linking Saren to the geth." John replied curtly.
"Really?" Udina's face lit up. "Maybe you better start at the beginning, Miss…..?" He said, looking towards Tali.
"My name is Tali. Tali'Zorah nar Rayya." Tali introduced herself.
"We don't have many quarians here. Why did you leave the flotilla?" Udina asked.
"I was on my pilgrimage, my rite of passage into adulthood. It is a tradition among my people. When we reach maturity, we leave the ships of our parents and our people behind. Alone, we search the stars, only returning to the flotilla once we have discovered something of value. In this way, we prove ourselves worthy of adulthood." Tali explained.
"What kind of things do you look for?" John asked curiously.
"It could be resources like food or fuel. Or some type of useful technology. Or even knowledge that will make life easier on the flotilla. Through our pilgrimage, we prove that we will contribute to the community, rather than being a burden on our limited resources."
"What did you find?"
"During my travels I began hearing reports of the geth. Since they drove my people into exile, the geth have never ventured beyond the Veil. I was curious. I tracked a patrol of geth to an uncharted world. I waited for one to become separated from its unit. Then I disabled it and removed its memory core."
"I thought the geth fried their memory cores when they died. Some kind of defense mechanism." Anderson said.
"What did you find out from it?" John asked.
"Most of the core was wiped clean. But I salvaged something from its audio banks." Tali said and she played the audio file in her Omni-tool.
"Eden Prime was a major victory! The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."
"That's Saren's voice. This proves he was involved in the attack!" Anderson said excitedly.
"He said Eden Prime brought him one step closer to finding the Conduit. Any idea what that means?" John asked Anderson.
"The Conduit must have something to do with the beacon. Maybe it's some kind of Prothean technology….. like a weapon." Anderson said.
"Wait…. There's more. Saren wasn't working alone." Tali interrupted. She played the audio log again.
"Eden Prime was a major victory! The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the Conduit."
"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers."
"I don't recognize that other voice. The one talking about the Reapers." Udina said, tapping his chin.
"Are they some kind of new alien species?" John asked.
"According to the memory core, the Reapers were a hyper-advanced machine race that existed 50,000 years ago. The Reapers hunted the Protheans to total extinction, and then they vanished. At least, that's what the geth believe." Tali answered.
"Sounds a little far-fetched." Udina said.
John rubbed his temple. "The vision of Eden Prime – I understand it now. I saw the Protheans being wiped out by the Reapers."
"The geth revere the Reapers as gods, the pinnacle of non-organic life. And they believe Saren knows how to bring the Reapers back." Tali said.
"The Council is just going to love this!" Udina commented dryly.
"The Reapers are a threat to every species in Citadel space. We have to tell them." John insisted.
"No matter what they think about the rest of this, those audio files prove Saren's a traitor." Anderson said.
"The Captain's right. We need to present this to the Council right away." Udina said.
"What about her? The quarian?" Wrex questioned.
"My name is Tali!" Tali said irritated. Then she looked towards John. "Let me come with you Commander. I can help you."
"I thought you were on your Pilgrimage." John said.
"The Pilgrimage proves we are willing to give of ourselves for the greater good. What does it say about me if I turn my back on this? Saren is a danger to the entire galaxy. My pilgrimage can wait." She explained.
"I'll take all the help I can get." John said with a small smile and shook hands with her. "Welcome to the team, Tali."
"Thanks. You won't regret this." She said.
"Anderson and I will go ahead to get things ready with the Council. Take a few minutes to collect yourself, then meet us in the Tower." Udina said. He and Anderson left the office to arrange another meeting with the Council.
CITADEL TOWER
"Come on. Udina is presenting the quarian's evidence to the Council." Anderson said to John. They could hear the audio log playing which contains the proof of Saren's betrayal.
"You wanted proof. There it is." Udina said to the Council.
"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador. Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes." The turian councilor declared.
"I recognize the other voice, the one speaking with Saren. Matriarch Benezia." The asari Councilor added.
"Who's she?" John asked.
"Matriarchs are powerful asari who have entered the final stage of their lives. Revered for their wisdom and experience, they serve as guides and mentors to my people. Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic, and she had many followers. She will make a formidable ally for Saren." The asari councilor explained.
"I'm more interested in the Reapers. What do you know about them?" The salarian councilor cut in.
"Only what was extracted from the geth's memory core. The reapers were an ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans. Then they vanished." Anderson answered.
"The geth believe the reapers are gods and Saren is the prophet for their return." John said.
"We think the conduit is the key to bringing them back. Saren is searching for it. That's why he attacked Eden Prime." Anderson said.
"Do we even know what this conduit is?" The salarian councilor asked.
"Saren thinks it can bring back the reapers. That's bad enough." John answered.
"Listen to what you're saying! Saren wants to bring back the machines that wiped out all life in the galaxy? Impossible. It has to be." The turian councilor argued. He babbled more, "Where did the Reapers go? Why did they vanish? How come we've found no trace of their existence? If they were real, we'd have found something!"
"I tried to warn you about Saren, and you refused to face the truth. Don't make the same mistake again." John said angrily.
"This is different. You proved Saren betrayed the Council. We all agree he's using the geth to search for the Conduit, but we don't really know why." The asari councilor added.
"The Reapers are obviously just a myth, Commander. A convenient lie to cover Saren's true purpose. A legend he is using to bend the geth to his will." The salarian councilor added.
"We can't take any steps based on legends. There was also a legend among my people…. An asari Matriarch predicted – When the galaxy will be at peril a hero will rise to save us. He or she will have no match in battle. But that was a prediction." The asari councilor added.
"50,000 years ago, the reapers wiped out the galactic civilization. If Saren finds the Conduit, it will happen again!" This time John spoke a little loudly.
"Saren is a rogue agent on the run for his life. He no longer has the right or resources of a Spectre. The Council has stripped him of his position." The turian councilor said.
"That is not good enough! You know he's hiding somewhere in the Traverse. Send your fleet in!" Udina proposed.
"A fleet cannot track down one man." The salarian councilor said.
"A Citadel fleet could secure the entire region. Keep the geth from attacking any more of our colonies." Udina said.
"Or it could trigger a war with the Terminus Systems! We won't be dragged into a galactic confrontation over a few dozen human colonies!" The turian councilor said evenly.
John stepped forward. "I can take Saren down."
"The Commander is right. There is a way to stop Saren that doesn't require fleets or armies." The asari councilor said.
"No! It's too soon. Humanity is not ready for the responsibilities that come with joining the Spectres." The turian councilor argued again.
"I faced Saren on Eden Prime and exposed him for a traitor. I've proven myself." John said with confidence.
The Councilors whispered among themselves for few seconds. Finally the asari councilor spoke, "Commander Shepard – step forward. It is the decision of the Council that you be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel."
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle, those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file." The salarian councilor said.
"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will." The asari councilor added again.
"Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold." The turian councilor said.
"You are the first human Spectre, Commander." This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species." The asari councilor said to John.
"I am honored, Councilor." John said.
"We're sending you into the Traverse after Saren. He's a fugitive from justice, so you are authorized to use any means necessary to apprehend or eliminate him." The salarian councilor said.
"I'll find him." John said with determination.
"The meeting of the Council is adjourned." The asari councilor said, ending the hearing.
"Congratulations, Commander" Anderson shook hands with John.
"We've got a lot of work to do, Shepard. You're going to need a ship, a crew, supplies…." Udina said.
"You'll get access to special equipment now. You should go down to the Spectre Academy and speak to the Spectre Requisitions officer." Anderson said.
"Anderson, come with me. I'll need your help to set all this up." Udina said and strode off with Anderson at his toe.
Tali turned towards John. "I thought the ambassador would be a little more grateful. He didn't even thank you."
"I didn't expect it from him. Come on." John said.
"Right behind you, Shepard." Garrus and Wrex said in unison. Ashley and Kaidan gave him a small salute. As they started walking to meet Udina and Anderson, a single thought came to John's mind, "I wish you were here Miri."
SOMEWHERE - 13 YEARS AGO
Miranda opened her eyes slowly. She blinked several times to adjust her vision as she was still feeling dizzy. Drugs. She looked around and found herself in a strange room. It was nowhere she knew. But then a shiver ran down her spine when she realized that she was hanging down from the ceiling. Her hands were tied by chains.
Where was she? Who abducted her? What do they want from her?
At that moment the door towards her left opened and a man came inside the room slowly. His eyes were fixed on Miranda the whole time. There was no expression on his face. But his eyes were burning with hate, anger, frustration and cruelty. He took a seat and kept his gaze fixed on Miranda without uttering a single word. On his left hand he held an expensive cigar which he was occasionally smoking.
Miranda's eyes were wide with fear because she knew the person sitting in front of her.
"Did you really think that you could stay hidden from me, Miranda?" The man asked.
Miranda couldn't say anything. Her widened eyes with fear were only observing the man. She was anticipating what was coming.
The man smiled cruelly seeing her fear. "I invested a lot of credits and resources on you, to create a perfect daughter. And what did you do? You ran away from this life of wealth and happiness. Why Miranda? I have given you everything you ever wanted."
Miranda greeted her teeth in anger despite her fear. Tears fell from her eyes freely. "Yes, but there was always a catch. Wasn't there? Father?" She spat with disgust.
Henry Lawson smirked. "Do you think that I wasted so much time, credits and resources to create you, so you could just go around and lead a boring life? No. I created you for a purpose. Which is far away from spending a boring life."
"You were trying to control me. You have never given me any choice!" Miranda said.
"That was for your own good, my daughter. You were created for greatness and I cannot let you waste it." Henry Lawson replied.
A sad smile appeared on Miranda's face. "Tell me something. Have you ever asked me to do something with love? Have you ever shown love to me? If… if you had, I would have no reason to leave. I just wanted a father….and to be …. Loved. No! You always ordered me around, you beat me when I didn't listen."
"Love? I do not have time for such useless emotions." Henry Lawson stopped. "You are mine, Miranda. I created you. It is your duty to do my bidding. You should have been grateful for the life I offered you."
Miranda smiled. "The truth has finally come out of your mouth Mr. Lawson. I was never a daughter to you. I was just a lab rat." She stopped and observed her father's expression turning into anger. But she didn't care. "About the life you gave me? I never wanted that. You never asked me what I wanted, you just put your wants on me. And… one more thing Mr. Lawson…"
"What?" Henry Lawson said angrily.
"I will never be yours." She spat in Henry Lawson's face. I am yours John.
"You will regret this, my daughter." Henry Lawson whispered while wiping his face with a tissue. "Now, let me see." He walked around and stood behind Miranda. Miranda couldn't see what he was doing. She tried to no avail. Then she felt something harp touching her back. Her eyes widened with fear. SHe struggled to get herself free. Even her biotics were not working. Her father must have given her some kind of drug to prevent her from using her biotics. Then she heard a tearing sound and felt cold air hitting the bare skin on her back. Her hands turned cold in fear.
"No. Please…" She begged.
"I am sorry." Henry Lawson whispered. "But I must."
Then she felt excruciating pain on her back with the sound of something hitting bare skin with tremendous force. She screamed in pain. Tears fell from her eyes. But Henry Lawson showed no mercy. The room filled with the sound of something striking against bare human skin again and again with Miranda's screams.
Henry Lawson touched his daughter's damaged back. He didn't look satisfied with his handiwork. He raised his hand again to strike.
This time a single word came out from Miranda's mouth in the form of screaming, "Johnnnnnn!"
HUERTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CITADEL – SAME TIME
John woke up from his sleep on his bed in the hospital to find that his mother was looking towards him with a smile on her face. The first question that came out from his mouth was, "Mom! Is she here?"
Instead of answering his mother indicated him to look towards his right. He slowly turned his head towards his right. And there she was. She looked as perfect and beautiful as ever. She sat there looking towards him with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Miri….." He whispered. Silent tears started to run down from his eyes but those were happy tears. She took his right hand in her and squeezed it lightly. "I am here, John. I am here with you and I will always be with you, here." She said, placing her hand over his heart. "I know that I will always be in your heart and you will also be in mine, forever. But…"
"But, what Miri?" He asked softly, taking her hands in his.
"I know this will hurt you, John. I know it will. Believe me, I don't want to do this because it is tearing me apart but I have no choice. I have to go now. I think this isn't the time for us to reunite. But I will wait for you to find me, once you are ready."
"No….. No." He whispered.
"Listen to me, John. The galaxy will need a hero one day and I know that person will be you."
"No! Miri! Please, don't leave me! Please, don't! I can't survive without you."
"You have to John. You have to become the hero the galaxy will need as its savior, my savior."
"Miri! Don't leave me, please! I love you." He pleaded.
"I love you too John. But I have to go. I am sorry John. I am so sorry."
John tried to take her hands in his again to stop her. But she stepped back from him and turned away to leave. Suddenly he heard her screaming. Then he saw it. Miranda's back was bare and there were signs of gashes on her back. The state of her back was terrible. She looked at him with eyes filled with sadness and pain. Then she disappeared.
Dr. Chakwas was keeping eyes on the medical state of John. She was making sure that nothing was out of place if necessary. The door of the room opened and her friend Hannah came in. Her expression is grim.
"Did you find the girl?" Dr. Chakwas asked.
"No. We searched for hours but she just disappeared." Hannah said.
"That seems odd. If that girl was really waiting for him, she wouldn't have left that place." Dr. Chakwas replied.
"This is what worries me. I don't think she had just left. I think she was abducted." Hannah said.
At that very moment the glass on the wall near Dr. Chakwas and Hannah Shepard shattered with a loud crack. They both flinched at the sudden disturbance. The disturbance didn't just stop with just the glass shattering. The whole room started to shake. The door and the walls began to crumble by an invisible force.
"What is going on?" Dr. Chakwas panicked.
"Karin…." Hannah whispered. "Look" She pointed towards the bed where John was lying unconscious. He was thrashing on the bed and a dark aura was surrounding his body.
Hannah immediately started towards his son but an invisible force stopped her. She just couldn't get past the invisible force. And as suddenly as it started it stopped. Everything was back to normal…. Or so they thought.
Hannah approached the still form of her son carefully. "John." She said, touching his head. There was no response. Dr. Chakwas was unable to help either because all the equipment inside the room was destroyed.
"John. Wake up." Hannah called. "You are having a nightmare." But her son didn't respond.
Then suddenly John's eyes opened and he sat up on the bed. Hannah's eyes were wide in astonishment. So was Dr. Chakwas'.
His eyes were black and filled with hate and anger. Even his whole body was shaking in rage.
"John…" Hannah called. "What happened?"
Only once name came out of his mouth. "Henry Lawson."
FEW MORE YEARS LATER
"Mom, I have been assigned to work under Captain Anderson." John said.
"I heard that. He is a good man John, a wise man. You should be proud that you are going to work under him." Hannah said.
"You know Captain Anderson?" He asked.
"Yes I know him. He is an old friend of mine and your father."
"Really? That's…"
"You are lucky to have him as your mentor john. There are very few skilled Alliance soldiers like him."
"I know. I admire Captain Anderson." He said and looked downwards hesitating. Hannah sensed his hesitancy.
"Anything you want to say, John?"
"You heard anything about her?" He asked softly. Guilt filled inside Hannah Shepard's heart. All these years she hardly ever saw her son smiling about something. She thought that his feelings for that girl will go away but it only strengthened over the years. Sometimes she couldn't understand how deeply her son loved the girl that after so many years he still couldn't let her go.
"No. Nothing. I am sorry, John." She said with guilt in her voice.
"It's okay mom. I guess….."
"You will find her one day, John. Believe me. You will or she will find you." She paused and then looked towards her son with a stern expression and ordered, "Now go and make me proud, soldier."
"Aye, aye Captain." John saluted and left. Hannah looked towards her son in the distance and sighed. She could only realize what her son is going through. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked back. It was Dr. Karin Chakwas.
"Karin…."
"Don't worry Hannah. He will be alright. He was the best in his class and training and he will be working under Captain Anderson." Karin soothed her friend.
"I know, but being a mother…" Hannah then took her friend's hands in hers and requested, "You look after him for me. He looks at you as his second mother and he trusts you. Please look after my son, Karin."
"I will Hannah. I will. Don't worry." Karin assured her.
