28/6 2185

Normandy SR-2

They had finally left the rotten space station known as Omega. Mads had taken some time to look through the emails he had gotten, and there was a lot of them. There were three emails in particular he kept reading over and over again. One was from his own father figure, who was now known as Councilor David Anderson, the email told him to come to the citadel as soon as possible. The second one was from Admiral Hackett, who told him to go to the Normandy crash site and find closure. But the last one really bugged him. It was from Harold and Joe Romanov, his only family in this unholy galaxy. It was a farewell message, one the left for some reason or another. He had missed them by a month, but now they were already far away and fast alseep in stasis pods, heading for a new galaxy.

Mads felt a tear creep up in his eye. He was quick to wipe it away. Perhaps it was best this way, now he didn't have to worry about them anymore, he didn't have to protect them. He hoped with all his heart that they would find what they were looking for.

After spending a few moments feeling sorry for himself, Mads ordered the Normandy to fly to the crashsite. Some of his crew didn't make it out alive, and he owned the families some closure on that matter. Then he would of course reclaim his weapons, who were, hopefully, still locked inside his locker in his quarters.

It would take a little time for them to reach the crashsite, that was located on the snowy planet where he himself had crash landed, and broken pretty much every bone in his body. Mads went back to his room, the king suite as the crew member had come to call it. Mads planted himself in his office chair when he got there. For a moment or two, he just let his thoughts run wild.

What is life without meaning, Mads?

Is this what you are looking for?

Mads was quick to regret his choice. He needed to stop letting them choose his actions. He was supposed to be a free man! It didn't matter, in the end, he would have to live with it.

Once again, he stared into the mirror of his bathroom, it had become some sort of ritual for him to perform every morning. His face, he had begun to hate it. He felt a certain amount of shame looking at it. In a fit of rage, Mads punched the mirror with all his might. It shaddered instantly. Leaving his hand bloody from the glass.

His rage calmed down, and he began to notice the pain in his hand. He quickly got some medi-gel and healed the wound, but he still wrapped it in bandages.

Then, Edi called out for him. "Doctor Chakwas requests your presense in the medical bay."

"I'll be right down." Mads mumbled as he got dressed. Mads, for once in like 11 years, decided not to equip the glove on his bloody hand. To be honest, he could care less about the reactions from the crew at this point.

Mads walked into the elevetor and took the ride down. He was greeted by the friendly face of Kelly Chambers. "Good morning, Captain!" She said with a joyful voice.

"Morning." Was all Mads muttered in response.

"Are you alright?" She asked concerned.

"Huh?"

"You seem pretty down today, I just thought- JESUS! What did you do to your hand?"

"Oh, this? It is nothing to worry about." As Mads inspected his own hand.

"You should get that looked at."

"Hmmm, maybe."

"Maybe? You know what, let me take a look at it."

"It's fine." Mads responded, but just as the words had left his mouth, she was already there to take a look at it.

Mads sighed as she removed the bandages. Kelly instantly took note of his rather, colourful hand that was covered in ink.

"Oh, I like your bodywork."

"Huh."

On the proximal phalanges part of each finger, there was a portrait of different people, but it wasn't any Kelly knew.

"Who are they?" She asked to make converstation as she inspected the damage.

"Ancestors; it's mostly a symbol, but I like to think they guide my fingers to make the right choices." Mads replied.

"That's beautiful and poetic."

"I'm glad you think so."

"So, tell me Mads. Are you alright?"

"What did you call me?"

"Isn't that your first name?"

"Yeah, but very few use it. And the 'd' is silent."

"Sorry... you don't like me using it?"

"No, its fine."

"Alright, so tell me, are you alright?"

"Depends on what you mean by 'alright'."

"If you need help, I'm here, you know."

"Thanks, but I'll be alright."

"Okay, be careful."

Mads nodded as she wrapped the hand in the bandages again. He went off to visit the doctor, he wasn't sure if it was wise to tell Kelly all that, but did it really matter in the end? A good question, one he would have to time to philosophize on once he got back to his room.

As Mads walked into the medic bay. He was greeted by Doctor Chakwas, he took instant notice of the hand. Mads was ordered to sit down on the medical bench, or whatever it was. Doctor Chakwas, much like kelly, took of his bandage and inspected the wound.

"Did you punch your bathroom mirror?" Chakwas asked as she got out some tool she would need to clean the wound.

"What did you know?" Mads asked back

"You still have some small pieces left in your knuckles. Might I ask why you decided to punch your mirror?"

"It's hard to explain."

"Huh, Are you feeling alright, mentally I mean."

"Why are everyone concerned with my mental heath?"

"Because it isn't normal human behaviour to punch your bathroom mirror."

"Fair point. Let me put it like this doc: You worry about my physical injuries, I'll worry about my mental health."

"If that's how you want it, but I do got a degree in physiological, if you need some help." Chakwas said as she finished up the treatment.

"That's good to know. Now, what did you call me down for?" Mads asked.

"Garrus was awake eariler. He asked how he looked."

"Hah, that sounds like him. Cheeky bastard."

"He also asked for you, he wanted to do some sort of beauty comparison. He then fell asleep again."

"So, he is stable?"

"Yes, I think he will make a full recovery. I don't think you should use him for any hard lifting on your mission for the next month however."

"I'll try to look after him. Thanks doc."

Mads was glad that the people on the vessel cared about him, but this whole issue was something he needed to face alone, behind closed doors. He spent the remaining part of the day talking with his newest members who wasn't sleeping in the medical bay.

It was hard to get a word in with Dr. Mordin. He spoke so fast, and sometimes Mads simply couldn't keep up. However, he was the right man for their job. He had already begun to think of possible solutions to their problem, by using whatever small amout of data they had.

Zaeed was in a hole other category. He certainly was interesting, and was quick to point out his own achievements as a bounty hunter. He had choosen a weird place to set up shop, but he was a weird fella, so maybe those things went hand in hand.

After speaking with several other crewmembers, including the newest ones in engineering. He decided it was time to retire to his quarters. They would reach the normandy crash site tomorrow.

Mads went over to his desk, and opened the minibar underneath it. He pulled out a bottle of vodka and took with him a glass. Mads planted himself in his leather couch and made himself a drink. He put on a good action movie and leaned back, but not before had himself a smoke.

Hours went by before he went to bed.

29/6 2185

Normandy SR-2

The days were beginning to feel the same. He hadn't been alive and kicking for long, but he was beginning to find himself once again. Now, it was time for the final goodbye to the old Normandy, a ship that had served him well. He also was there to pay his respects to all the souls that didn't make it out in time.

Mads took the shuttle down to the snowy planet. As Mads took his first step outside the shuttle, he felt sadness creep up inside him. Mads began to locate and collect the dog tags of each fallen crew member. Their names stacked up, it wasn't anyone he really had spoken long with. However, one of his highest ranking officer was also buried here. Charles Pressly, they had never really been friends, but they respected each other.

Mads discovered one of Pressly's datapads buried in the snow. The snow had damaged it quite a bit, but Mads could roughly make out what was written on it. It showed the evolution of Pressly, from hating Aliens, to somewhat liking them.

Mads also found his old helmet, it was ruined. But it was a nice reminder of what had happened. Mads collected the remaining tags and placed a monument to the normandy and it's crew. Mads stood infront of the statue and looked at it for a little while. It seemed fitting to leave such a mark. Mads saluted the statue.

Now, another matter had to be adressed. His weapons. Mads managed to find his quarters after a long search. There it was, the locker they had been stored in.

Let's hope it still works. Mads thought as he began to try and open it. Of course it was stuck, just his luck. Luckily, he had brought with him a crowbar. After struggling to open it for a few seconds, he pried it open.

There they, as good looking as ever. They probably needed a cleaning before being ready for battle, but a cleaning he could handle. Then, Mads noticed a very special box lying a few feet from him. They were intact as well? Mads quickly popped the lid to see if the items inside were broken. They were not. Excellent.

Now, he was done here. This graveyard would forever be here, a reminder of what happened. A piece of history if you will.

Now, there were other matter to attend to.

31/6 2185

Garrus was finally back on his feets. And they were back at insulting each other, it was almost like nothing had ever happened. And Mads wouldn't trade it for the world. Garrus, for now, was a nice counter balance to his own emotions.

"Come on! It's not that bad!" Garrus proclaimed as he looked into the handheld mirror. Garrus had choosen to spend his time at the front cannon of the ship, he said he needed to calibrate it, or something like that.

"Cheer up, Garrus. I've heard that Krogan females find scars quite attractive." Mads replied.

"You are not suggesting-"

"I'm sure Wrex can find you a suitable partner."

"Fuck you." Garrus replied in a friendly manner.

"You wish."

Then Joker's voice came over the comm. "We're apporching the citadel, we'll be there in about 30 minutes time. You know, in case you want to put on something fancy."

"Looks like I need to get ready." Mads remarked.

"Can I tag along?" Garrus asked.

Mads thought about Doctor Chakwas remarks. Should he bring Garrus with him? Mads quickly concluded that it wouldn't be anything special on the citadel, so why not?

"Sure, just be ready. And make sure that face stays together, I don't want to clean it up." Mads replied.

"Very. Funny." Garrus said as he made a fake laugh.

Mads left the room with a grin on his face. He quickly went up to his quarters and got changed into his armor. Not that he thought he would need it, but it was always good to be safe.

Stepping onto the citadel, Mads noticed it had a changed a bit, and yet it still felt the same. As they walked through the security scans, the C-sec pointed out that he had been declared dead. It was a bit of an awkward situation, but they managed to figure it out.

Soon Mads walked through the door to the councilor Anderson's office. Anderson knew Mads was coming, but the other councilors didn't, in fact, they didn't even know if he was alive for sure. Anderson went to greet Mads.

"Anderson you old dog! How are you?" Mads asked as he gave him a hug.

"Not bad, but this whole council business take up a lot of my time." Anderson replied.

"I figured."

"Come on, let's go talk to the council."

"Do I have to?"

"Don't act childish. Come on."

To say the councilors were surpised would be an understatement. They were almost in shell shock, haven seen a face that they thought was long dead.

"Captain Romanov. I see you are alive." Councilor Tevos remarked.

"You got a good eyesight." Mads replied.

"Charming as always, Mr. Romanov."

"You know me well, Mrs. Tevos."

"Tell us, Captain. Are the rumors true? That you have allied with Cerberus?" Councilor Valern asked.

"Yes and no. Cerberus is funding my current mission to stop attacks on human colonies, considering that some people have declared their uninterest in the cause-" Mads said as he looked over the councilors.

"But I have not joined up with them, and I don't share their overall goal."

"Do you have any information on who is attacking human colonies?" Councilor Valern asked further.

"Evidence show that collectors are behind the attacks. I believe there are puppets for the reapers."

"Reapers? We concluded that they didn't exist years ago!" Councilor Sparatus proclaimed.

"What about Sovereign? Or the Prothean VI on Ilos?"

"There is no evidence to show that Sovereign wasn't just a Geth creation, and whatever you spoke to on Ilos isn't there anymore." Tevos explained.

"This just goes to show the state of your mental health, captain." Sparatus commented.

"I'll be sure to keep your comment in the back of my head for the next time I am forced to decide who shall survive a battle." Mads said refercing his choice to save the council.

That comment made Sparatus shut up.

"I believe we can make a compromise." Tevos suggested.

"I'm listing." Mads remarked.

"We'll make you Spectre again, under the condition that you keep your activities limited to the Terminus system. Then the council have acted in good faith, and you can continue to do what is needed to be done."

"I suppose I can live with that. But I won't file reports, if you expect that."

"That's alright."

"Then you have a deal."

"Excellent mr. Romanov. Then that would be all" Tevos said as a final note and closed the meeting.

Anderson came up beside Mads. "You know it's just a symbol, right?"

"Yeah, but hey, at least I get to call myself spectre again." Mads joked.

Anderson let out a small laugh. They both went to the railing and looked out over the busy Presidium.

"I take it things have been stressful?" Mads asked.

"That's one word for it. I never thought I would be doing this... politics is so damn overrated." Anderson replied.

"So, how have things been?"

"Hard. Humanity may have a seat on the council, but they sure as hell don't really want our help. We have been rebuilding, and we tried to piece together what happened. There simply wasn't enough evidence to conclude that the Reapers existed. I believe you, but the others don't. And I doubt they will begin to believe you any time soon."

"What about Kaiden, how is he doing?"

"Kaiden has been promoted, and is worked on a classified mission. I can't tell you more."

"I hope I'll see him again."

"I hope so too."

"It was great catching up with you, Anderson. But I have to leave now. I'm on a tight schedule, so many fires to put out, so little time."

"I know that feeling. I'll be here if you need me."

"Thanks." Mads said as he waved goodbye to Anderson.

Mads had recived a mail last night from the Illusive man. Another member had to be filled on the crew. He had choosen a theif, or something like that, by the name of Kasumi Goto. He had to say some weird sentence to an ad to speak with her.

He saw the ad, it was obvious that it had been hacked into. It spoke some bullshit about companions.

"Silence is golden" He muttered. He felt dumb saying it.

"It's so nice to meet you Captain Romanov. I'm Kasumi Goto, and I'm a fan" She replied.

"You want an autograph?" Mads asked jokingly.

"No need, I think I'll do without it."

"You think you are slick with the smoke and mirrors?"

"I need to watch my steps, captain. And I needed to make sure it was really you."

"Huh, Interesting. You know what the mission is about?"

"Yeah, stopping collectors. However, I require a favor to join your team."

Mads sighed. "What is it?"

"I need to steal something from a very dangerous man, and I need your help."

"Fine."

"That's it? You don't even want know the details?"

"Do I need to?"

"Hmmm... I suppose not."

"Then report to the Normandy as soon as you can."

"Will be done."

Just as Mads was about to walk off, he stopped. "By the way, Kasumi?"

"Yeah?"

"Next time you want to play this game of smoke and mirrors. At least pick a better hiding place." Mads said as he looked up to the catwalk where she had been watching him the entire time.

"I could see you coming from a mile away." Mads said as he went on his way.

"What did you?" Kasumi asked, but Mads was already gone.

Mads had hoped to be out of there as soon as possible, but Garrus wanted to shop some new gun parts before they left. Mads then took a nice walk along the lower market, where crime was still at a all time high, just why he had choosen to walk there, he didn't know.

As Mads walked along the place, he heard a small child cry out. "Mother!?" Mads looked around for the source of the voice, only to find a very young Asari child looked for her mother. Well, young in Asari years, she looked like a human aged 4-5, but she was probably already in her late teens, or start twenties. He could never understand how they aged.

Mads knew this wasn't the place for a lost child, the hungry eyes of the criminal scum were already on the small child, planing ways to capture her.

Mads acted, he didn't really know why, but he never liked to see kids unhappy. Mads went over to the small child, and asked. "Is your mother lost?"

The child looked confused at him, then Mads realized she didn't understand a word of what he said, she didn't have a translator. Shit Mads thought, he had studied some part of the asari language before, but never really used it before.

"Mom lost, yes?" He knew the grammar was wrong, but his level was very basic. At least he could understand her.

"Yes." She said quietly.

"We find her, yes?"

"Okay." She replied. Mads lifted the small asari into his arms and carried her out of there before any criminals got any bright ideas. Mads quickly found his way to the C-sec police station, where an Asari was already screaming at the officer at the desk.

"You have to find her!" She pleaded.

"We are doing everything we can, miss. Please sit down and relax." The officer replied.

Mads came into the station and the small child instantly spotted her own mother and called out for her. "Mother!"

The Asari turned around and was overjoyed to find her daughter in good health. Mads put the child down, who then ran into the arms of her mother.

The two hugged eachother for a while. Mads was happy to see they reunited, and he was glad that he did something good.

"Thank you so much!" The mother said as she gave Mads a hug as well.

"No problem, miss." Mads replied. He then left the station.

Mads decided to go find Garrus, and was quickly able to locate him. The Turian had made several purchases already.

"I hope you know that you are paying for that." Mads said as he moved in on Garrus.

"I got quite the savings."

"I bet you do. How about you finish up, then we can go home."

"Where have you been?"

"I have done my good deed for the day."

"I see."