Streaks of red and white slashed across the sky outside as debris fell through the atmosphere. Debris showers were a common occurrence since the end of the war with the Reapers. Most of the debris burned up before it could reach the ground but they had force fields raised to protect the infrastructure from the debris that made it to Earth. It was beautiful, in a way, how the faint traces of war flared across the sky.
Shepard had washed off the blood from the madman once she got back to her living quarters but she still felt unclean. She felt...marked.
Did you know this individual? Did he have a vendetta against you? The investigators had been through in their questioning but she assured them she had no idea who that madman was or why he wanted to harm her. There were plenty out there who would love to see her dead but not any civilians she knew of. They assured her they would keep her updated on anything they found out about the unnamed man but she wasn't expecting them to find any connection.
She sat by the window watching the sky a moment longer then turned to see the datapads Ben had dropped after their meeting sitting on the table nearby. She rose from her chair and picked up the topmost one. She began to flip through it but she didn't know what she hoped to find in it. Most of the data was just numbers and charts of findings, nothing really interesting.
"What are you looking for, Shepard?" A voice whispered into her ear. The hair along the back of her neck prickled and her gaze rose from the datapad.
"Anderson?" She answered in a hushed voice.
"Feeling better?" It wasn't Anderson who answered but a different, more familiar voice. Shepard turned to see Garrus standing nearby with a drink in each hand. "I figured you could use something to help take the edge off." He said as he approached her and offered her a drink.
"You read my mind." She said as she accepted the drink. She immediately took a drink from the glass; the burn of alcohol was a welcome feeling. Obviously she was still stressed from earlier and hearing things. She needed to just relax.
"You had a rough day. Having to deal with stuffy offices...and crazy lunatics shooting at you." He almost sounded amused. "It's nice to know even a year later things still manage to stay interesting when famous Shepard is involved."
"Yeah...if it isn't Reapers it's something else. It feels like the galaxy enjoys throwing danger my way. Maybe I'm cursed?" She sank down onto the couch and drank from her glass.
"Hm...well, maybe. I've never really believed in curses myself. But with you I'd believe in almost anything." He sank down beside her, one arm stretching out across the back of the seat behind her. She immediately leaned into his side. Even after a year he'd stuck by her; something about that nagged at her.
"Garrus..." She started to say as she looked down into her glass. She suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
"What is it?" He just answered in his naturally calm manner. He always had a way of putting her at ease without much effort.
"...Why didn't you return to Palaven after the war?" She'd thought about this for a long time but never got up the nerve to ask. Her injuries had put her out of commission for a while and there was no telling when she would be back on regular missions. The Normandy had been missing for nearly three months after the war ended and showed up when she was still dealing with the worst of her injuries. Garrus was quick to find her and from then on stuck by her. That was something she wanted to understand.
He just blinked slowly, steel-blue eyes seeming as relaxed as ever. "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
"I'm just curious. I've been thinking about the past a lot recently. The war...everyone we lost. There's still a lot of rebuilding to be done. Your people could use your help. Your father and sister..." She looked into his eyes, trying to find the answer there. "...everyone else left to help rebuild and protect their own worlds. Why didn't you?"
"I thought it would be obvious." He answered and she felt his arm move to rest around her shoulders and he pulled her in closer. "Shepard, you and I have been through a lot together. We fought Saren and Sovereign. We faced the collectors and Cerberus. We even went against all the odds and defeated the Reapers. You helped me out a number of times and even-" He stopped then, at a loss for words. "-you even gave me a reason to live. Cheesy as that sounds."
"Maybe a little cheesy...but I don't mind cheesy." He was good at showing his feelings when it was just them. It had been a challenge for him at first but as they began to open up to one another he learned to let his guard down around her.
"I'm glad you think so."
She was silent a moment after that, unsure what more to say. Without giving it much thought she spoke. "I saw Anderson today."
Garrus didn't immediately react to that revelation. It took several moments for him to answer her. "You don't mean...the Anderson...right?"
"I do." She felt crazy admitting it but she needed to confide in someone. She trusted Garrus the most. "I don't know how but I know it was him. It looked like him but there are more to it than that. I just knew it was him. I can't tell you how I knew I just...knew. He was standing there in the lobby."
Garrus still seemed unsure. He didn't seem to think she was crazy, he was just trying to think up an explanation. "Maybe it was just someone who looked like Anderson? I hate to admit it but even I have a hard time telling you humans apart sometimes."
Shepard gave him a mock look of disapproval but there was no substance behind it. She knew he was just teasing her to lighten the moment.
"Maybe. I don't know. I was sure it was him."
"You've been under a lot of stress lately. From work and therapy...and that whole incident earlier."
"I saw him just before that." She quickly interjected.
"Well, still, it could have been a trick of the light."
Shepard knew it was hopeless trying to convince him. She decided it was pointless for the time being; but in her mind that scene continued to play out. "You're probably right."
"Of course I am. Haven't you learned that by now? I'm never wrong." She felt his fingers brush over her hair as he looked down at her. "Well...almost never."
The Normandy had come and gone away on missions since the end of the war. Leaving such an important and well-respected vessel dry docked would be a waste of a good ship; especially with resources in high demand and the need for long-range communication with the mass relays still in disrepair. Massive teams of scientists and engineers from all races were working together to develop plans to rebuild the mass relays but they said it would be three or more years before they were ready for long-distance travel once more. Until then long distance traveling was kept to priority missions.
Apparently Ben's research was top priority to someone high up because it had gotten approved by their superiors. Not only that, but the Normandy was assigned to the mission. Someone in the higher ranks obviously had an interest in Ben's findings.
Shepard reached the Normandy early. She wanted a chance to explore her old ship before they made their departure. The ship was quiet and only a few of the engineering crewmen had shown up for pre-flight checks. Shepard stepped onto the ship for first time in what felt like forever. Not much had changed in a year. There had been some necessary upgrades made to key components but nothing had really moved. It almost felt like the same Normandy she had left behind a year ago.
She was feeling nostalgic, memories of her last voyage came flooding back. She wasn't sure then what would happen or if she would even survive. She nearly lost her life that day and she had lost several good friends along the way. She stood on the platform overlooking the galaxy map and watched as the glittering map materialized before her.
She reminisced a while longer then continued to explore the rest of the ship. She started at her quarters and made her way down to the crew deck but found only a few changes. As she paused to examine the medical bay she thought she heard voices coming from inside the AI core. That was strange since EDI's processors was destroyed when crucible was fired. She entered the room to find Joker inside and alone.
"Joker?" It was odd seeing him here so early. He was working on the machine within.
"Commander!" He answered back, turning to face her. He looked like a kid who'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "You're early. I was trying to get everything ready before you arrived."
"You're here early too. You didn't have to do anything special for my arrival, though. And it's Captain now, remember?" It felt good to see him. She had only seen Joker a handful of times over the past year. He'd kept busy ever since the end of the war. She suspected it was to keep himself from thinking about the loss of EDI. He'd never said anything about it and she suspected he never would if not prompted. Now was not the time, however.
"Oh, right, Captain Shepard. You finally convinced them all that the Reapers were real and pulled their asses out of the fire and they finally decide to promote you. About time. It's gonna be a pain to get used to though."
"You'll get it eventually." Shepard said with a smirk. She gave a quiet chuckle but didn't comment on what he said. It really wasn't her place to speak ill of their superiors.
"Yeah...probably." Joker seemed distracted for a moment and at a loss for words. "Either way...it's good to have to back."
"It feels good to be back." She replied honestly. The Normandy was where she belonged. It always felt like home. Hopefully after this mission the Alliance would allow her more missions aboard the Normandy.
"So what are you doing here in the AI core?" She decided to ask. He usually did routine checks now that EDI wasn't around to do them but there wasn't any reason for him to be here in the AI core. At least no reason she could think of.
"I was just making sure everything was in order before you showed up, Shepard." He seemed so innocent saying that but she didn't quite buy it.
"Uh huh...and what is the real reason?"
"I would be that reason, Shepard." A voice Shepard did not expected to hear spoke. Shepard looked shocked.
"EDI?!" Shepard barely managed to say that name. She thought she might be imagining things again. "H-How can you-?! I thought you were destroyed after I fired the crucible."
"She was." Joker answered. "But she wasn't entirely wiped out. Her processes were damaged during the blast but she managed to back-up her vital functions. Adams and Tali helped me salvage her back-ups and begin rewriting her programming. A lot of her data just before the crucible fired was corrupted but we managed to work around that."
"Tali?" Now there was a name she hadn't heard in a while. "Is she still here?"
"Naw, she had to head back to Rannoch a couple of months ago. Adams and I have been working to bring her back to how she was before but...well, it's a work in progress."
"Keep it up. Hopefully you'll have her to her old self soon." Shepard nodded in approval. EDI was smart, it made sense she would provide a fail-safe in the event she was damaged.
"It is good functioning properly again, Shepard." EDI said, though she sounded a bit off.
"I'm glad to have you back, EDI. I imagine you've thought up some new questions that need answering." Shepard mused.
"Error: this class of questioning does fit into any of the allotted routines. Can you restate?" EDI answered. Shepard gave Joker a confused look to which he shrugged.
"There's still a few bugs that need working on. She's been out for a while."
"I know that feeling...well, keep me updated. I'm going to go check out the rest of the Normandy. I need to make sure things haven't changed too much while I was away." She nodded to Joker.
"Will do, Comm—Captain. I really need to get used to that..." Joker said with a shake of his head. Shepard just smiled and turned to go.
"Oh, and Shepard." She paused and looked back at Joker as he spoke. "Welcome back."
Shepard spent the remainder of the morning exploring the rest of the Normandy and getting reacquainted with it. It didn't take her long to greet some of the old and new faces of the crew. She was pleased to see Cortez still working in the armory and shuttle bay. She also ran into Adams, Donnelly, and Daniels in engineering. Just as she was leaving to head back up to the CIC she ran into Ben as he was exiting the elevator.
"Learning your way around, Hopper?" Shepard said as she approached him. He was carrying several bags and a box full of supplies. He certainly arrived ready for the mission.
"Captain! Er, sorry I cannot greet you properly. I'm kind of...uh, at max capacity." He tried to shift around the things he was carrying to raise a hand to salute her. Shepard quickly moved in to take the box from him just as it was about to spill over.
"At ease, Hopper. There's no need for formalities here. Let me help you with that."
"Thanks. I'm headed to starboard cargo hold. I heard that I could setup my things there. I have a few more crates to bring down."
"Crates? It sounds like you came prepared for every possible situation."
That made Ben laugh. "No, I haven't gone quite that far...not this time. I have all the tools I need to conduct my research. There was a turian up top who offered to help me. I think he's still struggling with what I left him with."
Sounds like Garrus, she thought. "Let's just get this to the cargo hold."
"Aye, ma'am." Ben lead the way into the hold. Not even a year ago Diana Allers had claimed this room and before that it had been Zaeed Massani. Now it had a new occupant, and hopefully not one not quite so invasive as Allers had been. She put Ben's things down and looked around the room. So many had come and gone through here over the years.
"This space should be perfect for my lab." Ben said as he began unloading his things onto a desk in the corner. "I hope you don't mind that I brought along so much."
"As long as you have all the things you need to complete your experiment." Shepard said as she watched him unpack. He pulled out what appeared to be a photograph and placed it upon the desk. She leaned in to see what was in the frame. It was an oddly familiar old man.
Ben noticed Shepard looking at the photo and gave a proud smile. "Albert Einstein. Are you familiar with his work?"
"I know all the important things about him...I guess."
"He's something of a hero of mine. A man who came up with a number of world breaking theories in physics. Um...I won't bore you with the details, though."
"So, Einstein is your hero, huh?" She picked up the picture and looked at it a little closer.
"One among many. I was actually nicknamed Einstein in basic training. Not the worst nickname I could have been given but I don't think they meant it as a compliment."
"So, do you prefer Hopper or Einstein?" Shepard asked as she set the photo back down onto the desk.
"I won't stop you from calling me either. I know you won't mean it as a jab...I hope."
Shepard chuckled and shook her head. "Of course not. You've obviously earned your place in the Alliance and the higher-ups seem impressed enough with you to give you this mission."
"Thank you. That means a lot coming from the famous Captain Shepard." Ben seemed a bit sheepish suddenly. "I admit, when they said I'd be going on a mission with you I had some...apprehension."
"Relax, Einstein. I'm sure you'll fit in just fine."
"If you say so, Captain."
The door to the room opened and the first thing to appear was a large crate that was immediately followed by Garrus. "Make room." He said as he carried the crate inside. "Where do you want this?" Ben pointed to a clear spot on the nearby floor and Garrus set the crate down.
Garrus took a moment to stretch and wiped his brow with the back of his hand, pretending to wipe away sweat. "Sorry that took so long. This crate isn't nearly as light as it looks."
"What's wrong? Big strong turian not able to cut it anymore?" Shepard teased.
Garrus just laughed. "Funny, I didn't hear any complaints from you." Garrus rolled his shoulders and looked down at the crate. "This guy has more stuff than you do, Shepard. What is in here anyway? Shoes?" Garrus reached for the lid of the crate and pulled it off.
"No, don't open that!" Ben called out in warning but it was too late. As soon as the lid came off something came flying out of the open crate and quickly began bouncing around the room. It moved in a blur too fast to keep up with. Shepard reached for her pistol. Garrus was faster, however, and already had his assault rifle out.
"Nobody move!" Garrus warned as he took aim.
"No! Stop!" Ben cried out, throwing up his arms to get their attention. The shape came to a stop and clung to Ben before crawling up to perch upon his shoulders. A long, ringed tail curled around his neck.
Garrus lowered his rifle and Shepard took her hand off of her gun. It took her a moment to realize what the creature was. "Is that a...pyjak?"
"I'm sorry...I couldn't leave him at home. He's part of my experiments." Though, the way Ben was scratching the pyjak's head made Shepard wonder if it wasn't more of a pet.
"Ok, but I don't want him leaving these quarters. I'd rather not have a pyjak turning up in out vital systems or digging through our food supplies."
"You won't! He has a very strict diet. He's not interested in most human foods...and certainly not dextro-foods." He added on with a glance at Garrus.
"Is that similar to what you wanted to get, Shepard? A-what did you call it—cat?" Garrus commented with a look at Shepard.
"No, cats are for more docile than pyjaks...not that Erwin here is misbehaved." Ben answered first.
"Erwin?" Shepard asked with a raised brow.
"Erwin Schrödinger. He's a another famous...er, maybe I'll tell you later." Ben again looked sheepish.
"Uh huh...well, I don't think Commander Williams will be as lenient as I am so just...keep him under control." Shepard said with a nod.
"I will! And I should really get him back inside his kennel and get my things unpacked. It was nice meeting you both."
"Nice meeting you too, Einstein." Shepard with with an amused smile as she and Garrus left. They headed to the elevator.
"He's certainly a strange one. Though, I guess we've had stranger occupants aboard the Normandy. What did you call him? Einstein?" Garrus began to say as he tapped the call button for the elevator.
"That's just a nickname. His real name is Benjamin Hopper."
"I have a feeling this trip is going to be more than we bargained for." Garrus said just as the elevator doors opened and they both moved inside. Shepard hit the button for the CIC and just as she did she felt a pair of arms snag her waist and suddenly she was face-to-face with Garrus.
"Now what was that you said about me not being able to cut it anymore?" Garrus had a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
Shepard grinned. "You have been getting pretty soft lately. I guess that's expected the way you laze about watching vids all day." She teased.
"You're just asking for trouble." Garrus said with an amused flutter of his mandibles as the elevator doors slid shut.