Shepard walked along the balcony in her pajamas. She couldn't sleep with her mind racing like a lev-car on the Kansas speedway. All this new information rattled around her brain and she needed to get it in order. Her spot in the tower overlooked the nearby river and a handful of trees. Everything glimmered under a breathtaking array of stars. The cool metal railing felt soothing beneath Shep's rough hands. Each inhale brought crisp clean air to her lungs that made the Commander's eyes flutter closed for a brief moment; even the best shipboard filters failed to replicate this odd reaction.

She loved predawn hours; watching the world come to life gave her a sense of completion. Hearing people stir on the floors below her. Smelling a variety of breakfast foods being prepared; fruit salads, baked fish and meat patties. To stand there watching as the 'Sun' slowly rose. Shepard was in the very heart of things and yet the day started just the same as anywhere else, but this morning felt ...off.

Shepard noticed the sound drain from around her; like in the forest when a predator is about to pounce. A slight vibration began to build in the metal floor. Stars faded from view only to return a moment later as the sun flickered in the sky above. The vibration grew to a steady rumbling that cracked windows and shook leaves from the trees.

The area was bathed in red as emergency lights flooded the entire ring. Shepard's heart pounded painfully in her chest. The sky was torn away by pillars of burning crimson. She yelled into the raging vacuum; trying desperately to drown out the war-song of a murderous god as a gargantuan rusted metal hand reached down to crush all she knew.

Can not be stopped

They can not be stopped

Shepard bolted upright screaming at the top of her lungs before vomiting onto her lap. She was freezing cold and yet sweating profusely; her now ruined blanket doing nothing against the night's chill. She balled up the quilt and throw it to a corner. Shepard collapsed on the bed and cried into her pillow. Fear was an emotion she rarely felt; N7 training taught her how to replace that feeling with anger, but this was deeper and more primal.

She cleaned herself up at the primitive wash basin. Once again she was glad to have gotten that facial-scar removal surgery. Things would have gone a lot weirder if she showed up on Turvess looking like a cyberdemon. Now confident she no longer smells like bile Shep got dressed in a set of casual clothes and headed to the banquet hall.

The sky was still dark which explained why she hadn't seen anyone wandering around the visitor areas. With the kitchen staff still asleep Shep chose to dig around in the supply crate. A few protein bars and a sports drink would do the job. Her eyes scanned for a defensible spot from which she had full view of the room; just another habit picked up from a lifetime in the military. Unfortunately that spot happened to be the dais raised royal table, right in front of the balcony.

Shep walked slowly to the open air section; slow enough to finish her meal before stepping onto the overhang. "What the hell is wrong with me?" This was the first planet she'd been on since Ilos and the first mission since getting blown to hell. "It's just the scenery that's all. Just a reminder of the past." Outside underneath the stars were dozens of gray/beige Prothean skyscrapers all tangled in ivy. "Is this what it looked like before?" Flashes of dead vegetation a burning sky and infinite coffins pierced her mind like a sniper round. Shepard lashed out with her omniblade at the sudden presence behind her, nearly slicing Orian's snout open.

The Raloi gave a loud cry as his backside hit the floor. "Oh shit! Sorry about that kid." She helped the shaken Prince up and checked him for any injuries.

Orian dusted off and smoothed his still ruffled headcrest. "Fret not Commander; I am unharmed and the only one at fault. Also I am not a kid... at least not by human standards." He came to stand beside her, taking in his domain. "After a lifetime of seeing the same vista everyday one becomes desensitized to its beauty. Until they see it in a new light, or with good company. Are the dawns like this on your world?"

Shep once again found herself in the awkwardness of small-talk. "I don't remember. I only spent a few months on Earth during my N1 training. Didn't have much time to sight-see." This was a lie. She had plenty of time to watch the sun rise, but she never did. It wasn't apart of her mission, so it meant nothing to her. "I grew up on ships and space stations. Whenever I've been it was military purposes." Shep felt oddly embarrassed at her confession. Orian looked as if he couldn't comprehend what she told him; like her lifestyle was just not compatible with his understanding of the universe.

"So you have never been fishing?

"Only in survival training."

"Had a picnic in the grass?"

"If military rations count."

"You've never played at a beach?"

"I blow one up." She offered weakly.

The Prince began to tear up before he wrapped his arms around Shep's waist and hugged her tightly. "Commander, you have spent so much time fighting to protect the lives of others that you have not one of your own." He pulled back and proclaimed "I've decided to give you a personal tour of our city. One on one." Orian reached to his collar and started undoing the latches to his cloak before stepping behind her.

Shep went rigid feeling a slender body press tightly against her back and arms once again around her midsection. Twenty hours may not have been the shortest amount of time she spent getting to know a man before things got physical, but those men were human and definitely not heirs to a planetary dynasty.

"Listen I think you're a nice guy and all-" She was cut off by a tug on her waist and the sound of a metal clasp snapping into place. In too odd a position to bend over and look Shep felt near her hips. A thick feathered leather strap held her securely to the avian boy.

Beyond confused Shepard's brain stopped working when a star shaped foot grasped the railing and a familiar sense of weightlessness surrounded her body.

"What are-" She wasn't able to finish as the Raloi sent them hurling off the balcony.