Woops, I seemed to have skipped a day. This one is technically yesterday's, today's chapter will be posted probably about an hour after this one. Please accept my apology.
The inspiration for this drabble comes from a snow storm and a Reliant K song. It also details what I think is a pretty important (and downplayed) part of Mass Effect 2. Don't forget to tell me what you think!
12 Days-Burial Grounds
"All this time I never thought,
That all we had would be all for naught."
-"Which to Bury; Us or the Hatchet?", Reliant K
The snow fell heavily, whipping at my armor, resisting me. That same snow suffocated the planet, burying the remains of the corpse that lie here. This whole place seemed barren, freezing, and uninhabited. It was only fitting, I thought. There was an eerie calm, and a shiver coursed through my body that had nothing to do with the temperature that my N7 suit kept out. This was the crash site of the Normandy. It was also where I had died.
Bits and pieces of my former home where strewn across the surface. All different parts of the ship, some recognizable. Large chunks of the ship protruded from the ground, reaching to the sky like metallic spires. I passed the CIC, the helm, and the Mako. Never had I thought that I would actually want to be back in that vehicle. But even my terrible driving would be better than what I had now.
Glints came up at me through the snow, the reflected light catching my eye. Dog tags, one of the reasons I was here in the first place. Solemnly I collected them, fingers running over the engraved plates as I remembered the owners of each of them. It was yet another harsh reminder of the price that was being paid. In blood.
When I had found all twenty of them I made my way back to the broken helm. This was the place. This was where the memorial would go. After it had been place I stood in silence, taking in the whole site. There would be no tears today, only painful remembrances, and a wish that I wasn't here alone.
A few years later, after the war had ended, I came back to the burial grounds of the Normandy. I stood again in front of the statue, contemplating all that had happened. So much had changed for me, I had changed. There was still a weariness to me, one of someone who had fought hard and sacrificed much. But there was also the joy of victory, and the peace of retirement. I was done fighting.
In this moment though, I felt the weight of all of the losses bearing down on me. Before I could help it, a choked sob escaped my lips. Then there was an arm around my shoulder, and I was pulled into an embrace.
"Shhh," he whispered, holding me closer, "I know, sweetheart. It's ok to let it out. I'm here, and I always will be." I stayed into his arms until I had no more tears.
"I'm ready," I said quietly.
"Let's go home, Mrs. Alenko." He said, making me smile.
"After you, Mr. Alenko."