Andromeda Shepard found herself entranced by the void that lingered beyond the glass of her cabin's skylight. Chocolate eyes watching the stars as her mind raced with all the doubts and fears that had haunted her the past few years. She'd fought to, not only, prove the Reapers existed, but also to stop them. From Sovereign and Saren, to Harbinger and the Collectors, to the Alpha Relay. She'd done everything she possibly could, yet it still wasn't enough.
The Reapers had hit Earth hard.
In a matter of minutes she'd been proven right in the worst way possible. The Reapers decimating the city of Vancouver like it was meaningless. Cutting down men, women, and children like their existence meant nothing. Evac shuttles where no different than the alliance fleet which where cut down without a second thought. Nobody wanted to believe her until it was too late. Now she was stuck playing politician while her world burned.
She didn't necessarily blame the Council. They where scared. The devastation on Earth had even her doubting the Crucible's ability to stop the Reapers. She'd seen them cut through steel like butter and take a particle beam like it was nothing. If that didn't deter them what hope did one weapon have at stopping them? What chance did she have?
Sighing heavily she forced herself into a sitting position. They where due to arrive at Palaven soon. All she'd have to do is get to the Turian Primarch and negotiate. She could do that. She had to. Getting the Turians on board was a benefit she couldn't overlook. All it took was one alliance for the others to be swayed.
She only hoped it'd be swift. Earth wouldn't last long under the Reapers. Nor would Palaven which recent reports confirmed the Reapers where targeting. The moment the report came through she'd pulled up her omni-tool and attempted to contact her favorite Turian. None of her calls went through. It's the one thing that had waves of anxiety crashing within her mind. Garrus Vakarian was, at the moment, the only light she could find. No mattered what happened he'd always stood by her, never once judging the choices she made. He trusted her with everything he had. Just as she did him. Just a fleeting thought of loosing him had her chest clenching. In the three years she'd known him he'd become her rock. The one always watching her six. He was the one she'd find joining her in the mess hall late at night when her choices haunted her dreams. It was one of those late nights as he spun her a story about a Merc on the Citadel that she found herself questioning her feelings towards the Turian crew member. Funny how dying seemed to be the push she needed to act on her feelings. The night they'd spent together and all the time after was like a dream she never wanted to wake up from. The Alpha Relay incident seemed to halt everything though. She'd been limited on who she'd been allowed to contact. All incoming and outgoing messages monitored by the best Alliance surveillance they had.
They lost touch and the thought of loosing him now was absolutely devastating. Never getting to see his stunning cerulean eyes, or listen to his awe leads flirting was soul crushing. All she could hope for was that he was out-there somewhere and would get in touch when he could. For now, she had to be strong.
"Commander, we're about thirty minutes out."
She sighed, her mask slipping into place as she steeled her nerves. Show time.