Chapter Six

Thank you for your service ...

As I woke, I realized the sound was coming from me. For a moment I worried that I might disturb the neighbors, until I realized my voice was just one of millions.

If a galaxy cries out at once, can anyone hear it?

I glanced at the time, then rolled back and stared at the ceiling.

Spirits, I miss her. They say, whoever they are … they say time heals all wounds. When?

When does it even begin to diminish?

I keep hearing her last transmission in my head. No words, just an anguished cry.

Fuck it.

I get up. Shower, and head outside.

The streets are deserted, my footsteps softly echoing through the debris canyons. Menae was setting, giving the cloud cover a soft gray glow.

(… in the matter of [Rank:] Commander [Name: Last, First] Shepard, Elizabeth Agena , the Terran Alliance is permanently changing her [Tap for Gender Classification(s)] classification from MIA to …)

Most of the street lighting is still down, but Illumi-Strips® are mounted on the walls bordering the streets. Some were old, or under-powered, creating a constant flickering between bright white and sickly yellow.

Just enough lighting to make out a path around the rubble.

I found myself where I always end up, outside the park. I just arrive, I rarely ever remember getting here.

( … the change to KIA is based on several factors; including, but not limited to: … )

I lean my head against the fence, the feel of the cold metal soothing.

( … an incomplete set of dog-tags found at the last known location of Commander Shepard; …)

I look across the park, the plants a dark fractal gray superimposed over the chaotic lines of the rubble.

( ...portions of armor found at last known location ... worn by Commander Shepard at the time of … as verified by multiple witnesses …)

Spotting a bench, I walk over and sit down. Leaning back, I just watch the clouds move across the sky.

I hear movement in the park, I do a quick scan, but I don't see anything. I go back to cloud gazing.

( … confirmation by multiple DNA tests performed on the portion(s) of organic tissue found at the last known … )

It's eerily quiet, and I wonder how many generations it will take before this neighborhood is back to pre-war levels.

I'm sure that data is on someones desk, or in a shiny presentation. Not even the Reapers can kill bureaucracy.

( … as the designated beneficiary of [Rank:] Commander [Name: Last, First ] Shepard, Elizabeth Agena, and pursuant to Alliance regulations, [Tap here for relevant regulation(s)], … )

I hear something flapping in the breeze that slowly winds through. I flip around and lay down on the bench, and continue staring at the sky.

( … you have 60 (Sixty) GS (Galactic Standard) Days to claim any, and all personal effects of the deceased. … failure to retrieve any, and all items, can and will lead to forfeiture … )

I wonder if they're going to refurbish most of the buildings, are is it more cost-effective to tear them down, and rebuild when needed.

And I'm sure there's a study out there somewhere on the issue.

( … Signed, Major John Winters, MD. Alliance Personnel [Retrieval and Identification, Forensics Division] )

After a few minutes my legs ache, so I get up and stretch. Shaking my head as I look at the park, I blurt out. "You deserved better than all this."

I hear a scuffling behind me, then a quiet voice. "Yes she did."

A/N: Thanks for taking the time to read this, hope it isn't a waste of time.

Please R&R, if you can.

Thanks again.