I'm back so sorry for the delay but I really had a busy time since my last update. I had graduation, graduation preparations, prom, preparations for prom, baseball tournament (we lost), had to prepare and take finals, hanging with family and friends before I graduated (my siblings flew in from all over the country to watch me graduate and my senior class wanted all of us to hangout a few more times before graduation), got in a wreck (I'm ok and the vehicle is still drivable), injured myself while caving with my friends which put me out for another week, and most recently I visited my father spending my time fishing with him in Louisiana for a week. I will be heading home today so I'm hoping to get everything going again. Thank you for your patience. Now I going to stop talking so you can read this
I slowly awoke from my sleep, lifting my eyes allowing light to pour in. I sat up and looked around to see Jesse sitting on his bed. I turned my body and planted my feet on the metal floor. I stood up and stretched my arms out and released a small groan. The noise was enough to catch Jesse's attention as his head snapped to the side.
"What time is it?" I asked as I dragged my feet towards him
"8:00 A: M Earth time" he said with his back towards me
"Ok" I said emitting a yawn "What are you doing?" I asked as I began to approach him
"I found Brent's computer under his pillow." He said as he turned to show me that he had Brent's laptop on his lap
"Why do you have it?" I asked as I slumped onto the bed next to him
"I'm looking at the pictures he has on it." He replied simply as he scrolled the touch pad
"Anything interesting?" I questioned as I leaned in to see the screen
I looked at the screen and saw pictures of the people from back home. I watched Jesse scroll through more of them until he stopped on one that was of the three of us. The picture was taken when we were juniors. It was a picture of us, sitting on Brent's truck bed with a deer in the background all of us smiling in the picture while we wore our camouflage gear and holding our .270s.
"I remember that day." I whispered "It was when you killed that eight point. I remember sitting in that tree stand for hours and only seeing squirrels. Then there was a gun shot and I ran through the woods and saw you and Brent standing over it." I say as I observed it
"Yea, Brent saw it first but I was able to shoot it first, got right in the heart." Jesse said as a small smirk streaked across his face as he scrolled to the next one.
The next one was of us horsing around in English class while the teacher was out. "You remember that one?" Jesse asked as he chuckled
"Oh yea, that was when the three of us decided to see who could toss a hat and land it on the others head first."
"Man, were we bored that day." Jesse said laughing and I soon joined in
We shared in a laugh for a second before Jesse's laugh turned to a sorrowful cry "I can't believe he's gone." He said as he laid the computer on the floor.
I stopped laughing and rested my hand on his shoulder "It's ok" I said trying to reassure him
"What are we suppose too do." He said as he leaned forward and placed his face on his hands
"I don't know man… I really don't" I said truly uncertain what to say.
I was about to say something else when the intercom interrupted me. "Joseph, Shepard wants to see you in her cabin" Joker stated as his voice rung across the whole room
"Ok thanks Joker" I said as the intercom went silent "I wonder what she could want?" I asked to myself
"I don't know either but you should go see what she wants." Jesse said as he stood up whipping away evidence of tears "I'll be here putting Brent's computer back where I found it. I'll head up later."
I nodded my head and entered the elevator; I pressed the elevator up button as I began my ascension.
As the elevator stopped and opened I saw Ashley waiting in front of me. "Oh" she said giving me the realization that she wasn't expecting to see.
"Going to talk to Jesse?" I asked figuring that to be true
"Yea, I haven't talked to him in a while." She said smiling at me
"Well he's down below." I say as I walked past her allowing her to enter "Oh, and Ash he could use the company" I say as the elevator closed cutting off any chance for an immediate response from her.
I turned and walked to Shepard's door. I approached the door and waited for it to open. I stood there for a couple of seconds before I realized that it was locked. I looked around watching people walk by at first before I leaned close to the door and knocked. "It's Joseph" I say raising my voice high enough to carry through the door. I stood there for a minute figuring she was busy so I turned to leave when the door opened. I turned around to see Shepard in the door way. She motioned me into the room without uttering a word.
I walked in, this was the first time I've been in here I think. The room seemed to be clean and orderly. I looked around and saw something on her desk that sent chills through my spine. An object of horror that came into our possession recently lying right in the open, an object I wish I could remove from my head it was Brent's helmet. I looked at the object on the table and approached it. Shepard saw what I was moving to and remained silent to allow my moment. I reached down and gently grabbed it lifting it up to eye level. As I looked into the shattered visor, a memory slammed into me as I had some kind of flashback. A flashback of the last time I saw Brent in that visor... alive.
"How are you handling yourself?" I heard Shepard say snapping me out of my flashback
"Good I guess, still feeling the wound of his death." I say setting the gray helmet on the table
"Yea I know how that feels." She said rubbing her arm that rested on her side and glancing at the helmet that now lay on her table once more "I was sad when Jenkins died, I hate losing people."
Those words caught my attention "Wait, you were sad from Jenkins death but you are devastated by Brent's. Your sorrow matches Jesse's and mine but you've known him for a much shorter time period than Jenkins. Why are you so devastated by his death?" I commented. When I finished I saw Shepard's eyes look away as her face turned a very slight red but enough for me to see. "My god… you fell for him didn't you." I said as I felt a smile smear across my face as I watched the great Shepard flinch by mere words confirming my words. "Man that's… amazing really." I whisper truly impressed "Does anyone else know about this" I ask figuring the effects it could lead to
Shepard stood there for a second before she looked at me "No one knows that we are… were seeing each other. Things didn't really develop until we headed for Ilos." She commented but I had to stop her to get a question in
"So did the two of you… you know" I asked straining myself to release the words
Shepards head snapped to attention "We did no such thing" she said bashfully "although we almost did." She finished glancing at the helmet once more. This told me that it really did happen before Ilos
"Alright let's drop this topic for now." I say as I was becoming uncomfortable with the subject "What was it that you called me for?" I asked remembering the original reason for my arrival
"Right, well I wanted to talk to you about you and Jesse remaining on the Normandy." She said as her voice turned serious and steady instantly, surprising me
"I'm not following so well right now, explain?" I asked thinking I was going to remain I didn't know there was an option to stay or leave
"Well now that Sovereign is gone and the Reapers are approaching I wanted to ask you if you wish to remain on the Normandy as a soldier of the Alliance." She said as she sat in a nearby metal seat
I stood there for a second as my mind processed what she said "A soldier of the Alliance?" was all I got out
"Yes, an N7 operative to be more exact. I finished the report minutes before you arrived." She finished smiling for the first time I've seen in days
"A…N7… operative" I say trying to prevent my brain from exploding with excitement "I need to sit down" I say as I plop on Shepards table. "Why are you doing that?" I ask, never in the game did I know that she could simple apply people for the N7 program
"You and Jesse showed great potential in the time that I've known you and I thought this could be a reward for helping me with Saren and Sovereign. It could also help you develop some other skills." She said as she folded her arms
I leaned my head down as I tried thinking of future benefits of either rejecting or accepting the offer. Brent always told me to think of more long term than short term effects. "Lets see if I take the N7 position with Jesse we will likely advance in combat and stay together. But if I accept I might not be a good choice for when Shepard comes back and Cerberus is looking for people. Also I won't be able to stay with Liara if I join because of the training I'm certain I would have to do." I thought to myself thinking of the different consequences
"Can I stay on the ship but stay out of the Alliance?" I asked hoping I can do that, guaranteeing that I will be here when Shepard dies, I stay with Liara, and that I can still be a choice for Cerberus's team.
"Well of course but I thought you might like to join the program." Shepard said in a tone that told me that it was always an option.
"I appreciate the offer but I must reject. However Jesse might want to though." I said trying to nice about saying no
"I'm not going either" I hear making me jump a little. I turn my head and saw Jesse leaning in the doorway. He must have entered while I was thinking; I really need to become more aware of things while thinking simultaneously.
"Why aren't you going, you are the fastest learner of the two of us and you could learn a lot from the training?" I asked as I stood up and approached him
"No… I want payback from the Red Hounds and staying with you holds my best chance to do so." Jesse responded to me holding up his hand
"Jesse the Red Hounds beat the shit out of me and Brent's rage was the only thing that beat their Commander" I say recalling the incident at the Citadel "Nathanial even said he was only the fifth strongest among his rank. Their biotics are greater than mine and they rival even Brent's what hope do we have against them when you don't even have biotics… considering fire arms aren't very effective against them." I said waving my hand
Jesse's eyes snapped to mine as he gave me a blood chilling glare "Just because I don't have biotics you think I don't improve our chances of success." He said defensively "Don't think that my chances are no better than yours because I don't have biotics!" He shouted clearly becoming upset
Before I could say anything else Jesse turned and stormed out the door as it slid open. I released a deep sigh as I turn to Shepard. "I'm sorry about that" I say thinking about how a decent morning turned into a shitty day.
"It's ok; I can understand where he is coming from. His two friends have biotics and he has to depend on his skill to survive." She replied
Her comment struck me in the chest, "I never considered that" I whisper while looking at the ground ashamed. I then let the thought slide off my shoulders not wanting to feel worse than I'm already feeling.
There was a silence that crept around the room for some time before Shepard cast it out. "So… with all that over, I wanted to tell you something. The Council wants me to look into some disappearances in the Terminus System."
When Shepard said that my heart literally skipped a few beats I felt a cold chill crawl through my spine and the color left my skin. I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. Shepard noticed my reaction and placed her hand on my shoulder
"Are you ok, you look pale?" she said in a calm voice
"They don't want us to go right now do they?" I asked praying that this isn't happening so soon
"Not right now, I told them we had a few personal matters to take care of. However when that's done we have to check it out." She said
For some reason that didn't make me feel better "What kind of personal matters are we talking about?" I asked curious now drawing away from the already approaching death of Shepard
"Well we still need to help Tali with her pilgrimage like Brent promised; Garrus wanted us to look for a man named Dr. Heart, and there are a few other things the Alliance wanted us to take care of."
I sighed with relief from that, I was glad there was more time than I thought. "So what are you going to do first?" I asked trying to get a feel for where we will be starting
"Well I figured we could go get something for Tali's pilgrimage. But I think we should go take care of a rogue AI on Luna." She said as she began to walk around the room.
"I think we should take care of the AI to help the Alliance." I said offering what I would do first
"Ok then we'll go there first." She said as she nodded her head in agreement
I nodded in response and turned to leave when I heard Shepard say my name "Joseph, I'm sorry that your world is falling apart."
I stopped and looked out into the mess hall, I turned my head to face her and smiled "Its ok, things could be worse. Brent use to tell me that I needed to be more optimistic." I say as I turn my head stepping outside the door with my hands in my pocket.
I walked into the mess leaving Shepard to fetch some food. I grabbed the food and quickly ate it. Gulfing down whatever was edible to me. I was beginning to hate this high metabolism, I thought as I put the dishes in the sink.
Figuring that if we're going to Luna I would need to get ready early that way I'm not late for the departure. I began to walk when I caught the sight of Brent's locker. My curiosity overwhelmed me and I walked towards it. I approached the red and white metal locker and opened it.
I looked in it and found that it was not empty. It still held the armor that Brent used to wear before he bought the new one. I grabbed the scarred armor and looked at it for a second running my hand across the bullet holes that still remained.
I sat there for a few minutes just staring at the holes in the armor before I shattered my phase. I carefully set the armor back in the locker and left to prepare.
Sometime later
I was prepared for the mission as we exited the relay that led to Earth. I was sitting on top of the Mako lost in thought when I saw Jesse approach me with his armor on and weapons equipped as well. "Hey man" I say waving at him trying to get his attention.
He looked up at me and gave me a small wave "Sorry, if what I said made you mad. I didn't realize…" I began to say when I was interrupted
"Didn't realize what that I have to depend on my reflexes, instinct, and training to survive rather than biotics" He said looking at me with some anger evident. "It's ok man don't worry about" he said as he released a deep sigh.
I watched him for a second before turning my attention to the other members of the group that will be accompanying us. I saw Shepard, Garrus, Wrex, and Kaiden walk towards us fully geared. Figuring we were about to leave I hopped off the Mako and watched as everyone filed in.
"How long until drop?" I asked stopping Shepard before she could enter
"In about two minutes" she responded as she motioned her head to the Mako and crawled in
Taking that as a sign I climbed in behind her. I squeezed between Jesse and Garrus as Shepard jumped into the driver seat while Wrex took the gun.
We sat there for a couple of minutes when Joker gave us a green light. Soon I felt the jerk as we hit the ground and began to roll towards the Luna bases. I sat there as Wrex mumbled about finally getting to kill something, Shepard cursing about the annoyance of trying to climb a steep hill while Garrus gave Jesse further pointers about shooting a target that was a great distance away, and Kaiden just sat there quietly. Sitting between Garrus and Jesse for some odd reason felt awkward. I guess because they were talking through me or because I was in the middle of two people talking about something I wasn't that familiar with.
Those moments continued until Shepard finally drove up to the three bases. The only heads up for that being Wrex's shouting as he, I figured, blew up the turrets protecting the bases.
After about a minute of whiplash from Shepard launching and landing, slamming on the breaks, going in reverse and the deafening shouts or battle cries from Wrex I was ready to jump out of the Mako while it was moving.
Soon that all stopped as Wrex blasted the last turret to pieces and Shepard stopped in the center of the three bases. We all filed out of the Mako with our helmets on and weapons ready. I was the last to exit and as I left the Mako I heard Shepard already giving orders to everyone.
"Wrex, Kaiden clear Lunar Base 1; Garrus, Jesse take Lunar Base 2; Joseph you and I got Lunar Base 3. Move out everyone" Shepard said pointing at each base as she gave orders in a commanding tone
We all nodded and approached our designated base. I walked over my base with Shepard at my side. I looked back and saw Jesse and Garrus race towards their base, they probably had some competition going.
We arrived at the entrance of the base and opened it, I took in a deep breath and released as I stepped into the base.
Soon I was standing inside the underground structure, removing my helmet to let the oxygen flow into my lungs and grabbing my pistol.
I began to move forward when I heard Shepard "Be careful there will be drones and lots of them."
I nodded in response as I approached the first door. I turned my head to her "Are you ready?" I asked as I waited for her to give me a nod of approval. Once I received it I opened the door to reveal a clump of crates in front of us leading to an open room just around them.
As it slid open I heard a bullet bounce off me as it struck my shields. Shortly after, a rain of bullets started to hit me nearly dropping my shields. I jumped behind a crate that rested in front of the door and used it as cover. I looked at Shepard and saw her using the doorways sides as cover.
I took in a deep breath and turned the corner, the moment I turned from cover bullets began to strike my shields. I quickly launched an overload on the nearest drone. I watched as an electrical pulse surged on the drone and then spreaded to two others bringing them down as well. With the drone down I turned into cover once more as another volley of bullets flew at me.
Not soon after I returned to cover did Shepard join me behind the crate. "Well things are progressing at least." I said as I shot a drone that came around the cover
She simply chuckled at me as she switched to her assault rifle. She then looked at me and gave me a nod telling me what we were about to do. "You take the left, I'll take the right" she said as she turned the corner with me following
Without the cover we were open targets so we knew we had to finish this fast. I threw out an overload into a group of drones that clumped together, destroying them. I saw Shepard unload on a couple of drones. Being distracted for that second I didn't realize that my shields were close to dropping. So I threw up a barrier with my biotics to protect me until my shields could recharge.
With this added time I took it upon myself to think of a more efficient way to finish the rest of these drones. I looked around and saw that there were several junction boxes near the pillars that stood in the room acting as support for the ceiling. I observed the placement of each drone including the ones Shepard was dropping. Finally thinking of a plan I prepared to execute it.
When I knew my shields were recharged I dropped my barrier, pulled out my pistol and threw an overload into a drone that stood between me and my path. As the drone was falling I caught it and launched at another drone as I rolled, destroying them both.
Mid-roll I bounced myself back up with my biotics and turned my gun on the boxes and sinking multiple rounds into it. As I shot another bullet the box exploded, but instead of getting an electrical explosion like I thought would happen I got a simple explosion that sent shrapnel everywhere. My shields stopped the shrapnel from reaching me so I was safe but my original plan was shot. Fortunately I saw another plan arise from the ashes of my dead one.
The missing junction box revealed four long cables that sparked with electricity. I ran towards them ducking under a drone that was crashing to the ground thanks to Shepards fire support.
I slid next to them and quickly lifted them with my biotics. As my body emitted a blue glow I launched each cable, snapping them like a whip. Every time the cables met with a drone it short-circuited them dropping them in the air.
As I struck each drone using the cables an image popped in my head and for some reason it was of Doctor Octopus from Spiderman. I chuckled a little at the image, but soon the image faded as a bullet zipped past my head. Pulling back into the real world I heard the sound that signaled that my shields were gone. So I dropped the cables, looked around to see where the bullet came from and saw a single drone remaining from the horde of drones that lay in pieces.
I turned behind a pillar so my shields could recharge when I heard the blast from a shotgun. I peeked around the pillar and saw Shepard standing in front of the falling drone. Seeing that the threat of a drone swarm was over for now I holstered my pistol on the magnetic clip. I left my pillar stepping over the pieces of drones that littered the floor and approached Shepard who stood in front of the door to the hallway that would fork into two rooms.
"Well that was fun" I say as I nudge Shepard with my elbow "wonder how Jesse and Garrus are doing?" I ask as we walked into the hallway.
"I figure they're progressing" she said as she walked up to the door at the end of the hall
When the door opened the path split towards two separate rooms. "You go left, I'll go right." Shepard said as she turned to the left path
Standing there in the middle I turned and made my way to the right.
I walked up to the door and opened it and rather than being greeted by more drones I saw a row of hardware towers. I approached one when a shield flew up in front of it.
I guess Shepard has already destroyed some of the hardware. Figuring that I shouldn't fall behind I began to shoot around the shields with my pistol, each round ripping apart the devices components.
I shot another round into the hardware and it rewarded me with a detonation that I sought. I turned and approached the door when it suddenly closed, with the only sight I was able to see before its closure was Shepard coming from the other room.
I ran up to the door and slammed my fist into it. I turned around and looked as I heard a strange sound emerge from the walls. I looked to the corner room and saw a strange gas come from it. The realization struck me as to what it was. I turned and punched the door as I heard Shepard yelling for me to hold on, signaling that she at least made it out of her room before the doors closed.
I turned my head and saw the green poisonous gas creep on the floor like a mist over a lake. Figuring that this door wouldn't open, I decided to take a more primitive approach.
"Move Shepard!" I shout through the door as I wished not to hurt her
I backed up about a foot and focused on the door. I took in a deep breath and readied my biotics. I then focused on my hands as to add impact. As the green mist reached my feet I lunged forward and struck the door causing it emit a loud bang. I backed up and saw that I only threw a punch with enough force to dent the metal door but not bust it.
Seeing my attempt was a failure I looked at the ground and saw the gas rise. I knew I had to act quickly. I knew that even if I threw my helmet on the poisonous gas would still get me. So this time I held my breath as the gas began to reach my chest. Relaxing my body I encased myself in my biotics and charged the door at full force.
Nearing the door I leapt using my leg muscles to give me the extra push and I slammed into the door. I felt the door warp around me and as I continued to push I could hear the metal creak signaling that it could no longer hold. Soon the door was unable to withstand the force and gave in.
Shortly after I hit the ground on the other side of the door I began taking in the filtered oxygen once more. I felt a hand grab my shoulder and lift me up. Looking up I saw Shepard struggling to lift my body that was nothing but dead weight.
"Are you ok?"
"Yea" I say as I take in another breath of air "It must have been a failsafe in case someone destroys the last of the hardware that runs the AI."
"If that's the case then we should head back to the Mako and then leave for the Normandy"
"Let's go then" I respond as I begin to stand and follow Shepard to out of here.
As we left our base and climbed into the Mako I saw everyone else sitting, waiting patiently for us to return. I sat where I was previously on arrival and saw that Jesse was sleeping. I quickly nudged him in the chest and he awoke.
"Oh, look who finally joined us." Jesse said as he stretched
"Were you really sleeping?" I asked thinking that it hadn't taken that much time for me and Shepard to finish
"Yea, it was a nice nap until you rammed your elbow into my chest."
"How fast did you go through there?" I asked
"Well I finished in about six minutes and forty-two seconds after entering the building"
I looked at him for a couple of seconds trying to figure out how he did that so fast and why he had a precise time, when I hit me. "You two had a contest didn't you?"
"Yea, unfortunately I ran out of ammo and was forced to use explosives so Garrus beat my time with six minutes and ten seconds. I really hope that the Alliance doesn't mind structural damage." He said slapping Garrus's hand congratulating him on his victory, I guess Jesse's teaching him some human customs "But I'll beat you one day my friend." He said as he and Garrus had a good laugh
I smiled, being glad to see that Jesse was feeling better since the conflicting chat we had. I'm really glad we finished a this side mission intact but that's one down with more to go
That's the end of this chapter I'm glad to be back and once again I thank you for your patience. I spent all night finishing this chapter so I could upload it as soon as possible, due to the large delay that has already occurred, so please excuse any errors. I wish to see you again and thanks for reading I really appreciate it.