Joker sits at the helm, waiting anxiously for Shepard to radio in. Virmire had proven to be a very tumultuous mission. The Salarian reconnaissance team that was supposed to have information about Saren certainly did. The Salarian in charge of the team, Captain Kirrahe, had told them that Saren was breeding a Krogan army, that he had found a cure for the genophage. When the decision was made to destroy Saren's base along with the Krogan and the cure, Wrex was infuriated. Somehow Shepard had talked him into cooperating with her and following through with the mission.
Joker had surmised this much via spotty radio chatter. He had been commanded to stay out of range of the AA guns. Virmire is crawling with geth and when he tunes into the radio feeds he hears the chaos of guns firing, Shepard's voice commanding her subordinates through various tasks. He turns off the feed. The anxiety is killing him. Joker sits and waits for Shepard's command in full alert, constantly checking the gauges, eyes moving from screen to screen. He adjusts and readjusts his ballcap. His fingers drum nervously along the armrest. He hasn't seen the team since the initial drop off.
Shepard finally radios in: "Joker, we're ready."
"Right away, Commander." Joker immediately engages the Normandy. The ship gains altitude and speed quickly.
"Commander, I'm bringing us in."Joker says over comms. "I'll get us as close to the site as I can."
"You know where to find us." Shepard responds.
He maneuvers the vessel agily. Adrenaline has always been a force that clears his head and steadies his hand. He descends into the middle of the base, where the crew awaits.
"You're good. We've got the nuke in place." Shepard informs Joker after a few minutes.
"Roger, Commander. We'll meet you at the rendezvous point."
"Wait." Shepard amends. Silence. "Ash needs your help at the AA tower. They're being overrun by geth. Get them out of there, Joker!"
Joker opens his mouth to comply, but Ashley's voice protests over the line. "No! It's too hot over here!"
"It's okay, Commander." Joker hears Kaiden say. "I need a few minutes to arm the nuke."
"Alright. Joker! Get to the AA tower." Shepard shouts.
"Aye, aye!" He pulls the Normandy back up into the air as quickly as possible. From his vantage point he cannot see the ensuing battle. His gauges reveal the heat of explosions and the movement of both organic and nonorganic life. His heart races.
"Joker," Kaiden says after a few minutes, in a defeated tone. "The Commander has informed me to tell you to change course immediately and meet us at the bomb site."
"Uh, roger that." Joker responds. His heart sinks. Something feels wrong. He obeys immediately regardless and within minutes eases the Normandy to the ground. He tunes in to Shepard's feed and hears chaotic screams and the splash of water. Shepard radios him directly, "We're in, Joker. The nuke's live! Go! Go!"
"Aye, aye." He responds as he furiously presses buttons and inputs the data necessary for the Normandy's ascent beyond Virmire's atmosphere and back into space. The sound of fast approaching foot steps doesn't break his concentration.
"Go! Go! Go!" Shepard's hand is quickly on the backrest of his chair. She scans the data feeds. "Shit…" She mutters under breath. "Shit, we're cutting this one close."
"Alright, everybody. Hang on!" Joker shouts over the Normandy's PA system as they break atmo and rocket out into space. The velocity leaves Virmire in their wake almost instantly. Joker quickly reviews the glowing orange screens before him. The gauges read green across the board. He slowly unclenches his teeth. His heart beat steadies.
"We made it." Joker says as realization washes over him. "We made it!"
He turns to face Shepard. Her head is lowered, one hand covering her face. Her other arm lays across her body and props up her elbow. It's not the posture of victory.
"Not all of us." Shepard says sadly. She turns before he can inquire.
Shit, thinks Joker. What the hell happened down there?