'Are you afraid?'
It was a simple enough question in itself, however, EDI couldn't help but be confused as to why Shepard was asking her. They were stood in the Forward Command Post in London, consolidating their troopers before the final push to the Conduit.
Many had come to aid the Commander and humanity in destroying the Reapers, a testament to the threat such an enemy posed on all life, however, it was more an example of the leadership, determination and strength of the woman that stood before EDI. Shepard had brought the races of the galaxy together in their time of need. They stood by her side in this fight and were proud to do so. EDI knew she felt pride to be able and allowed to fight with the Commander...and she knew that there were many others that said the same.
EDI pondered the question for a moment, trying to narrow down Shepard's reasoning for asking such a thing.
True, out of all of the people in the Command Centre, she was the one with the most to do. Although her physical platform didn't show it, EDI's attention had never been so sorely split. Even when they had hit the Cronos base, EDI's mind hadn't felt so divided. The Cerberus troops and fighters had put up a fight, but in the end, they had failed and fallen to the might of the Alliance. However, the Reapers were not so easily cowed.
In the space around Earth, a pitch battle had raged since the minute the Fleet had emerged from the Charon Relay. The moment they had arrived was not lost on EDI, she saw the Fleet's arrival in ways the organic crew did not and had to wonder at the spectacle. Ships from every corner of the galaxy burst into the Sol system in a neatly ordered fashion. Races that had been hostile to others flew alongside each other in complex formations, finding their places within the Fleet and readying themselves for what was to come.
So many ships, so many people, united with one purpose. EDI knew that statistically many would never live to see another day. So many would die in this endeavour and yet still they had come. Still that have stepped forward and vowed to end the Reaper threat once and for all. It made EDI smile to think on it as she too felt that same sentiment. She would fight with them, both with the Normandy and with her physical platform too...even if it meant her life. Some things were more important.
What was happening above was mirrored on the ground too. Shepard, her squad and the squads of Hammer had to fight their way to get to the Command Post and a great deal had failed to make it. In truth, were it not for Shepard, the numbers would've been much less. Although EDI had not been in Lieutenant Cortez's shuttle, she had monitored the Commander's movements very carefully.
A shuttle carrying some heavy weapons had been shot down, it's crew killed. Shepard had diverted her shuttle to find the wreckage and, fate willing, the heavy weapons inside so that they could complete the mission. They had succeeded, although it had almost cost Lieutenant Cortez his life. Were it not for his quick thinking and piloting skills, he surely would've died in the crossfire. But it meant that he could no longer pull the Commander out. For a slit second, EDI feared that the Commander would die in the opening stages of the battle. But it seemed that fortune was smiling upon Shepard or so Joker said in a much cruder manner.
When the AA Reapers were removed the Commander and her squad were pulled out by Major Coates and the signal for Hammer to made planet fall had to be sent immediately, statistics dictated that any hole that was punched through the Reaper's lines would be quickly plugged. EDI's shuttle plunged through the gap in the Reaper's defences at speed; she noted the nervous looks of those aboard with her, although Liara looked a little queasy when they hit turbulence. EDI found herself reaching out a hand to steady the Doctor and received a wan smile in return.
The Command Post itself was in a series of blasted out building and everyone moved with purpose. The group from the Normandy dispersed too, going to areas where they thought they could help while they awaited the return of Shepard. EDI found herself being approached by Admiral Anderson himself for help with co-ordinating between the Fleet and the ground assault. Tali had been asked too.
The Commander herself appeared a little later, a little bashed and battered but ready and determined. EDI knew she'd been talking to the rest of the crew, one last chance to give words of encouragement and to say her goodbyes in her own way. She knew this has word had spread like wildfire that Major Alenko and openly kissed the Commander in front of his squad and ,soldiers being soldiers, they'd told everyone. Admiral Anderson had cast an almost disapproving look in the Commander's direction when she had entered, but nothing was said. EDI could understand the Major's actions; she had taken similar ones herself and did not mention it when she asked for Shepard's help with another question, which in turn had prompted Shepard to ask if EDI was afraid.
'Our probability for success is greater than any other plan presented to date.' EDI replied back to the Commander's question. It was not a false statement, although the numbers on a positive outcome were still low.
'That's not what I asked.' Shepard replied softly. 'Are you afraid?'
A slight waver in her voice, EDI simply replied. 'I do not understand the purpose of the question.'
EDI listened as Shepard told her that now was a critical time and that there was no room for fear or doubt. Everyone knew what they had to do and they had to stand firm. EDI understood this and she didn't hesitate to tell the Commander this. And that they would defeat the Reapers. Once more, EDI show Shepard smile the smile she always did when she felt sure EDI had learned what she needed to learn of her own accord.
'Couldn't have put it better myself. Time to move out!' The Commander turned to leave.
EDI bite her lip for a brief second, weighing up if she should speak such things out loud. They involved the Commander directly and she had always been open and honest with EDI. EDI owed her this much at least. However, there was also a feeling that sat ill with EDI when she looked at the Shepard here.
'Shepard? There is something I want you to know.'
Commander Freya Shepard turned and regarded EDI, allowing her to speak her mind.
'The Illusive Man ordered my creation years ago. Jeff was the one who allowed me to think for myself...but only now do I feel alive. That is...your influence.' EDI found herself trying to say more, to articulate the extent to which the Commander had influenced her life and that EDI dearly felt she owned Shepard some sort of debt of gratitude for all she had done...but the words would not come. But when EDI looked at the Commander, she knew that no more words were needed.
The Commander smiled warmly at EDI. As she did at Garrus when he cheered her up, or at Liara when she sat with her in the mess for food, or when James called her Lola. It was the quiet smile that said so much without saying anything at all. She reached out a hand and placed it gently on EDI's shoulder.
'Thanks EDI.' She said softly and then nodded over towards Admiral Anderson. It was time to go.
The plan itself was simple: Get to the Conduit. However, the practical application wasn't so straight forward. What little remained of Hammer would push through the No Man's Land before the Conduit and break through the Reaper lines. A battery of Thanix rockets would take out the Destoryer that stood sentinel over the mouth of the Conduit and then it would be a mad dash for all who remained to reach the portal and get to the Citadel.
Casualty estimates for this offensive were astronomical, even with the hit that Hammer had taken already. But EDI couldn't put a mathematically derived number on the hope and determination of the organic 'spirit' so her numbers could be off. But still, it was the only plan so far that still statistically had survivors.
The Crucible had arrived with the Shield fleet protecting it and what remained of Sword were doing their best to keep the Reapers away from the Crucible and Shield...bleeding the Reapers with hit-and-run tactics, trying their best to force the Reapers to strike back at the stinging, biting flies. It was now or never.
'Pick your team well Commander.' Was all Admiral Anderson said before he took his own leave to prepare, leaving Shepard and her crew alone.
'This war had brought us pain, suffering, loss...but it's also brought us together, as soldiers, allies, friends.' Shepard spoke in her quiet but firm voice. There was no need for her to shout and bellow to stir the hearts of those who stood before her. They all knew the Commander and would walk into the very depths of hell with her if she asked them to. But she spoke all the same, EDI suspect it was as much for her own benefit as theirs.
'This bond that ties us together is something the Reapers will never understand. It's more powerful than any weapon, stronger than any ship. It can't be taken or destroyed. The next few hours will decide the fate of everyone in the galaxy.'
The Commander came forward as she spoke, walking through the crew and looked at each of them in turn.
'Every mother. Every son. Every unborn child. They're trusting you...depending on you to win them their future.'
EDI saw that some like Liara and Tali nodded in agreement to what Shepard was saying. Lieutenant Vega shifted on the stop, loosening his shoulders, reading himself for action. Garrus and Major Alenko were stoic but stood straighter at her words. Javik didn't move at all.
'But take heart. Look around you.' The Commander spread her arms to encompass them all. 'You're not in his fight alone. We face our enemy together, and together we will defeat them.'
Although no cheers were raised by her speak, EDI knew that if had done its job. Fire burned in all of their eyes. They were ready for what was to come and they would all fight up to their last breath.
In orbit of Earth, the Normandy let rip another salvo from her cannons, blasting away at a Sovereign Class Reaper, it did some damage but not enough to disable it. However, it got the Reapers attention.
Let them come! EDI thought...I am ready for them!