"Ash!"
Running into the Normandy and taking the lift up to Deck 3, Shepard ran as fast as his legs could take him. Sprinting into the med bay, he deposited Ashley's limp form onto one of the hospital beds and took off her helmet to assess the damage.
It didn't look good. Her tanned face was barely recognisable, with purple bruises and cuts littering her head. Shepard was no doctor, but he knew they would have to get her proper medical care, and soon. Otherwise…
"We need to go to the Citadel!" Liara shouted at him, although he barely registered her words. His mind flashed back to when it happened, how he'd just stood there as Ash was picked up and slammed into the shuttle. How could he have just let it happen? If she died, it would be all his-.
"Shepard, she needs proper medical assistance! Set a course for the Citadel!" Liara yelled, jarring him out of his depressive trance.
"All right, just… do what you can for her. And… see what you can learn from that thing" he said, gesturing to the synthetic lying on another hospital bed.
As he left the med bay Joker's voice sounded into his ear. "So what happened down there?"
"We ran into Cerberus and it's egomaniacal, unethical boss, that's what happened down there. Ash… she got hurt real bad. Set a course for the Citadel, and make it quick"
"Aye, aye, Commander. I'll get us there as fast as I can. Oh, and Admiral Hackett is in the war room. Best not to keep him waiting"
"Yeah, sure… wait, what? The admiral can't be aboard!"
"Just go into the war room. We got some new toys to play with"
" Right. I should go"
Walking into the elevator, he took a moment to reflect on what had happened. His friend had got injured and his world was burning, and there didn't seem to be anything he could do about it. Nothing except put all his faith in this device the Protheans had made. That didn't exactly reassure him. As the lift arrived, he strode out to the back of the deck. Going in he saw a room with a circular projector, with a little walkway down to it. Going down the steps he noticed terminals surrounding the space around the projector. He kept walking into the back of the room until he saw a hologram waiting for him, a holographic image of Admiral Hackett. It looked as if he was trying to speak but something was preventing him from doing so.
"Edi, can you clear this up?"
"I can try, Commander" the AI dutifully replied.
"Shepard, is that you?" the admiral's voice asked, much clearer than his first attempt.
"Yes sir"
"Did you get to the archives?" he said, getting straight to the point.
"Yeah, I did, but I ran into some unwelcome visitors. The Illusive Man for one. Lieutenant Commander Williams was badly hurt by a synthetic"
Hackett nodded like he expected it. "I was worried Cerberus might try something. Did you get the data?"
"Most of it. He downloaded some before I could stop him. Edi and Liara are analysing what we recovered, trying to learn anything they can from it"
Seeing Liara walk into the room behind Shepard he asked her "So what did you learn? Was it worth the effort and William's wellbeing?"
"Initial evidence and study suggests it is a blueprint for a Prothean device"
"Device?"
"We've determined that it's information contains the key to defeating the Reapers. A weapon massive in size and scope, capable of unknown levels of destruction" she said, tapping into her omnitool to show him the data.
"Send it on to me, then. We'll do our own analysis. If Liara is right, and if we can build it, hopefully this may end the Reapers. What' your current course?"
"We're headed to the Citadel. Partly for Ashley, but Anderson ordered me to get help for Earth. That's the main reason"
"All right, you do that. Try and get help for the device too, I'll take anything you can get us"
"Will do, sir"
Cutting the link Shepard thought about what would happen if he couldn't get the Council onboard, how much time they would have, how-
"Commander" Liara's voice intervened. "Edi has been extracting data from the Cerberus machine. We'll have our findings ready by the time we get to the Citadel"
"The one scrap of good news. What about Ash?" he said. He was almost afraid to ask.
"I've done all I can. She needs proper medical care, and fast. The sooner we get to the Citadel, the better"
As he made to leave she asked him the question that was really affecting her.
"It's going to get worse, isn't it?"
"Unless we stop the Reapers, yeah, it's going to get worse. Hope this works out so we don't spend our last days regretting what we never did, what we never said"
Liara thought about who he was referring to. He got on great with everyone on his mission to stop the Collectors, if her contacts of the Shadow Broker were to be believed. However there was only a couple of people who he was really close to. His two best friends, a certain turian and quarian duo, and someone else…
Trying to reassure him, she said "This weapon could be the answer, if we can build it. I get the sense you don't really believe it though"
"Have you seen Earth? Centuries of civilization is being wiped out of existence right now, and we're barely slowing them down. Even if Garrus were here to 'calibrate' it, I don't think one weapon is going to be enough"
"What are our options? We can't defeat them conventionally. This is our chance, possibly our only chance, at stopping them. At the very least, we have to try"
"How long till we get to the Citadel?"
"Couple of hours"
"Right. I'm going to check in on Ash. If someone wants to find me I'll be there"
2 hours later
After two hours of being left in his thoughts about the war and Ash's health, Shepard was glad to finally leave the confines of his ship. Helping the medics that were wheeling Ashley out of the Normandy, he couldn't help but feel responsible for what had happened. He hadn't, of course, but the feeling stayed with him nevertheless. Behind him were James and Liara. He knew that Liara was going to help him convince the Council about help for Earth and the prothean device, but he didn't know what James was here for. He was restless with the invasion of Earth, so rest and relaxation was probably not on his mind.
"Where are you taking her?" he asked one of the medics, referring to Ashley.
"Huerta Memorial. Best care on the Citadel" was the reply.
"Wait, we're not going with them?" James asked.
"No, we got to talk to the Council. Can't wait for that conversation" he remarked sarcastically.
As they walked through the docking bay, Shepard noticed a familiar face walking toward him.
"Captain Bailey"
"Hello Shepard. Should've known you would turn up. Although it's 'Commander' now" he said wearily. He didn't seem too happy about his promotion.
"Congratulations?"
"Yeah, thanks I guess. But to be honest I would have preferred staying in Zakera Ward. At least there was some action. Now half my job is doing errands for the brass, directing dignitaries around and dealing with political bullshit. No offence"
"None taken. So I guess you're not just here to say hello to your old buddy?"
Bailey almost cracked a smile at that one. "No, if it were that boring I'd have quit a long time ago. I'm here to tell you that the Council has their own 'problems', with the war and everything. And they expect… blah blah blah. Anyways there still preparing if you want to see your friend in the hospital"
"Sure, thanks Bailey, I'll do that. What about you two?" he asked, gesturing to Liara and James.
"I'll visit Ashley later. I'll go ahead and brief the Council. Take as long as you want"
"And you, Vega?"
"Just a visitor today. I'll try not to get lost. No promises though"
"All right. Just be ready to come back to the ship at a moment's notice. Something tells me the Council is going to ask me for something instead of the other way round"
As he turned back to Bailey, something in his radio bleeped. "Got to take care of this now. The other part of my job. See you later"
Walking to the elevator, Shepard went to the Huerta Memorial Hospital.
As he walked through the ward he saw two familiar faces. One he remembered distantly. The doctor Garrus had saved when they had been looking for leads on Saren. Dr Chloe Michel. He recalled the other person with perfect clarity, however.
"Dr Chakwas!"
"Ah Shepard. Good to see you again"
"What are you up to nowadays?"
"I'm working at a R&D lab down in Shalta Ward, coordinating closely with Admiral Hackett. I'd feared you had been stranded on our home. Let's just say I was greatly relieved to hear you escaped. I heard someone was critically injured so I came here as fast as I could. I'm sorry that it was Lieutenant Commander Williams though"
"Yeah, Ash got into a nasty situation with a Cerberus synthetic while we were on Mars. How is she doing?"
"Very well, considering what happened. I'm impressed with her resilience and willpower, as well as Dr Michel's medical expertise" she said, nodding to the younger doctor.
"I just did my job" she modestly said. She beamed from the praise though.
"That you did. I wish one of us was there on Mars. It might not be this bad if we were"
As Michel left to give them a bit of privacy, Shepard asked curiously "So, what have you been doing? It's been six months"
"I'm good, when you consider what might have happened. When they impounded Normandy the Alliance didn't really know what to do with me. I was never officially a part of Cerberus, I merely lent my talents to you, plus I'd gotten a proper leave of absence from my previous post"
"So you didn't actually do anything wrong when you joined up with me"
"Exactly. Although I suppose that if they interpreted you as a war criminal, I'd have been tried as an accessory"
"Right. Perhaps you should stay in the labs then?" He'd meant it as a joke, but he sounded more serious than he'd intended.
Her expression was filled with disappointment and sorry. "I can't stay in the labs while I know you are going around saving the universe again. Eden Prime, going to Ilos, saving the Citadel, defeating the Collectors… I'm not a field doctor and I couldn't stand it if you left without me. Please, let me serve on the Normandy. Please"
She was giving him the pleading eyes now, not wanting to cry lest that it would end any chances she had of getting back onboard the Normandy. Relief coursed through her veins when he said:
"Don't give me the puppy eyes, I was just joking!" he sheepishly said. "Your place is in the Normandy's med bay, not some lab. Get your stuff and go to the docking bay D24. I'll be looking for you aboard. And… sorry about the joke, it was… stupid"
"That's alright Commander. As long as you don't scare me like that again, I'll be glad to serve on the Normandy once more"
"You sure?" he snickered. "Joker is still on board"
She smiled. "And I'm sure he's not taking his medicine. I can reprise my role as the grumpy mother in his world again"
"I'll see you aboard"
Walking into Ashley's room the jolly mood he'd had with Dr Chakwas soon petered out and a sad, almost guilty feeling took it's place. Looking at her face as she slept brought back a ton of memories, memories that he had left behind.
"Hey, Ash. You scared me pretty bad on Mars. Just… keep fighting, okay? That's an order" he said, as he tried to keep is voice from cracking. "I know we haven't seen eye to eye lately, just…" How could he explain? He didn't have any romantic feelings for her, he was sure of that now. Before he had worried that he had just seeked comfort from Miranda, his heart still belonging to Ash, and that the repercussions would be detrimental, leaving both women feeling betrayed by him. Miranda would have been furious and heartbroken if he had just played with her emotions, considering her difficulty of letting people in, and he was worried that Ashley would have felt cheated by his lack of loyalty to her. But those feelings were gone now. Whatever they could have been had vanished, and while he was still confused and worried about Miranda, he knew he didn't love Ashley anymore. Feeling more perplexed than ever, he made to leave as Dr Michel came into the room.
"She needs anything, big or small, you talk to me doctor. Take care of her"
"I will Commander, I promise"
Turning to the door, he glanced at her sleeping form one last time.
"Get better soon, Ash"
Taking the lift to the Presidium, Shepard stepped out to see a lot of diplomats talking. The war seemed ethereal here, words whispered about it but none to confirm or deny it. People talking in hushed silence was the biggest indication. This part of the Presidium was always crowded and loud. It was still filled to the brim, but it was quiet. The big thing saying that something wasn't right. As he came to the meeting point, he took a deep breath and stepped in
The Council was already in session. They were arguing about something. As usual.
"We've got our own problems, Councilor. Earth is not in this alone" the turian councilor, Sparatus, explained.
"But Earth is facing the Reapers right now! It was the first council world hit, and by all reports it faces the brunt of the attack"
"By your reports" the salarian, Valern, intervened. Slimy asshole.
Udina glared at him, while Shepard saw Liara shake her head at their squabbling. Politicians, he thought.
Announcing his presence, Shepard stalked forward. "The reports are accurate. Earth was attacked - by the Reapers. And it's just the beginning"
The 'esteemed' Council, so high and mighty, were silent. Shepard could tell they hadn't been looking forward to this conversation. The feeling was mutual, at least.
"We need your help. Supplies, soldiers, anything you can spare"
The asari councilor, Tevos, spoke. "I'm afraid we can't. Even now the Reapers are pressing on our borders. If we lend support for Earth our own worlds will fall"
Udina bristled at her words. It was easy to see that they had argued about this already. "We have to fight this enemy together! Otherwise every world will fall"
"So we should just follow you to Earth?" Valern asked incredulously.
Sparatus put up his hand to silence them, signalling he was feeling diplomatic today. That would be a first.
"Even if we united our fleets, and took the fight to them, do you really believe we could defeat them?" he asked.
Shepard strode forward. "I don't expect you to follow me without a plan" Nodding to Liara, she took the reins. "Councilors, we have that plan. A blueprint, created by the Protheans, during their war with the Reapers. It's a weapon of mass destruction, capable of unknown quantities of power. If we can build it, we have a chance to defeat them"
"The scale is… huge. This would be a colossal undertaking" Valern spluttered. He still seemed in denial of the Reapers existence.
"No" Shepard confirmed. "I've already forwarded it to Admiral Hackett. The remnants of the Alliance fleet is already gathering resources to fund and construct it. From what Liara tells me, initial readings suggest it is very feasible to build"
"If we work together" Liara added.
Tevos shook her head. "Have you realized this came from the Protheans? They lost against the Reapers. If this weapon didn't help them, then what good will it do us now?"
Liara took the question as an opening to explain her vast Prothean knowledge. "They didn't go down easy. It took centuries for the Reapers to finally eradicate them, and in that time the Protheans came close to defeating them. They simply ran out of time, with the weapon missing a key component. Something called the Catalyst. As I said, they ran out of time. Something we can avoid if we start right away"
"Do you have any idea what the Catalyst is?"
"No. Not yet. I've got everyone I've got out looking for it or any information about it. As soon as I find something even remotely related, I'll forward it to you. Considering the situation we're all in, I don't think people will be holding back any information that will help us build it"
The councilors all looked at each other. Udina seemed desperate, looking for anything that could help Earth. Valern didn't seem convinced, which was ironic since every time he hadn't listened to Shepard it had came back to bite him in the ass. Tevos had a strained look on her face, as if she didn't want to say what she was planning to. The big surprise was Sparatus, who seemed to be in agreement with Shepard and Liara. He had never trusted Shepard, probably would have preferred if humanity hadn't been granted access into the Council and the Spectres, and he had always dismissed the claims of the Reaper's existence. He looked contemplative. The asari councilor spoke up though.
"The unfortunate thing is… while Earth is being attacked we have time to prepare and regroup. If our own borders can be sealed, if we can secure our homes, we would once again consider helping you"
"But-"
"This meeting is adjourned" Valern finalized.
The three aliens made their way to exit, leaving Udina to dwell over the meeting. He looked sad, broken.
"Shepard. Meet me in my office. Now" he said. He walked off to their meeting place.
"Well, that went just great" Shepard dejectedly said. He had always had doubts over whether he'd made the right choice in saving the Destiny Ascension. Alliance ships had damn near sacrificed themselves so they could live, and for what? Maybe a new Council would have…
Nah. They would just sit on their asses doing the exact same thing, probably would have been even more pissed at me then the old one.
"You would think our worlds on death row would spur them into action. Instead they are even more political and unhelpful" Liara scoffed. Even when she was angry she would never mutter profanities or do something stupid. In a way, she reminded him of Samara. Without the extremely serene and tranquil posture she would adapt everywhere, even in the face of tragedies like Project Overlord.
"Yeah. Sometimes I think if it was a mistake sparing them in the first place. Can't do anything about it now though""I agree. I'm going to head back to the Normandy, maybe visit Ashley in Huerta Memorial"
"Right. She ain't up yet, at least she wasn't when I was there"
"A short visit then. See you after your meeting with Udina"
"Goodbye"
Coming back down from the Citadel Tower and walking into the councilor's office, it was clear the man had been venting his anger. He whirled around to face Shepard as soon as he entered the room.
"They're a bunch of self concerned jackasses, Shepard!" he snarled. "You saved their sorry asses, and for what? Excuses and promises that boil down to 'maybe later'?"
Looking out the window of his office he muttered bitterly "If help doesn't arrive soon 'maybe later' is going to be the epitaph of eleven billion"
"How can they be so blind? Every Council world, hell, every pirate, uncharted and colony world is going to fall because they're damn idiots!"
"We are looking out for our homes the only way we know how. I'm a politician Shepard, not a soldier" Sparatus cut in, announcing his presence.
"Politicians have more power than soldiers, not less! All those times I constantly reminded you, warned you about the impending invasion, you did nothing but sit back and call me insane and delusional!" Shepard retorted, whirling on him.
Sparatus seemed apologetic, however the day he would admit he was wrong was the day Shepard would go to Tuchanka and throw rocks at thresher maws.
"It's too late now to re-hash the past, and it is pointless to do so. I'm not here to argue about it. I'm here to offer help"
"That would be a first" Shepard muttered. Sparatus didn't react though.
"I can't give you turian support, but I can tell you how to get it. Primarch Fedorian is the real political power in the Turian Hierarchy. He alone is the one who will decide where we fight. He is currently fighting on Menae, Palaven's largest moon. If you can get him out of there to represent the hierarchy, then you can gain support for Earth. A thankful high ranking turian militant would be invaluable for your cause"
"All right, I'll get him out of there" Shepard accepted wearily.
Before Sparatus left he added: "There is also one other thing. The Council has decided for your Spectre status to be upheld. All the appropriate resources and equipment will be made available to you". With those words, he departed.
"Well, that's something" Udina remarked. "He's right for once. A smart idea for us to obtain the primarch. Strange that the turian is the most co-operative"
"He seems understandable and approachable. Can't be the same man. If it is then he's drastically changed his tune. What about Valern and Tevos?"
"Valern is scared out of his wits, and more unhelpful than ever. Salarians like their wars won before they even start, but no genophage is going stop the enemy this time. Tevos is usually the most diplomatic, but she will defend Thessia like a mother panther. She can and will do anything to save her home planet. The same as me" he stated resolutely.
"Well, I know what I'm going to do. What are you going to do?" Shepard asked.
"Cash in on our chips. Humanity is owed many favors throughout the galaxy, now we call them in. I'll send the message out, 'help Earth, help yourselves'. Any resource I can get, no matter how small, will be made available to me. Our government is near extinct at this stage, meaning I am the most powerful political human in history. I can move mountains, the only problem is that we are going to have to move planets. You do your job, I'll do mine. The Reapers will pay for what they've done"
"Any friends back home?" Shepard was surprised. This was probably the first time he had spoken to Udina and he had been approachable. Too bad it took the war for it to happen.
"Yes. Had a lot of friends back on Luna. Had to keep a VI just to remember their birthdays. Now, they're all gone"
"Goodbye, Councilor"
"Farewell"
Coming out of the councilors office, Shepard decided to talk to an old friend. As he headed into Bailey's office he could hear an angry voice berating him.
"I demand an audience!"
Shepard inwardly groaned. It was his least favourite reporter in the world, Khalisah Al-Jilani. He was aware it wasn't her full name, which he didn't know because it was so goddamn long. She seemed to be in a quarrel with Bailey. Why does that not surprise me.
"I'm sorry miss but the Council isn't giving interviews at this time" he answered. It sounded like he was really bored and tired.
"My viewers need to know what's going on! This is an outrage!"
"Listen lady, do you think I like policing the press to appease the politicians? You're not getting an interview until further notice". Frustration was evident in his tone.
"Really? I'm not leaving till I'm granted an audience"
"Then I hope you brought your sleeping bag" he responded dryly.
As she barged past him she yelled at Shepard once before the doors closed. "Commander, humanity has questions!"
Shaking his head he turned back to Bailey. "You're the wall between the politicians and the journalists now?"
"Yeah. The only good thing about this position is the pay-rise. I hate dealing with political bull"
"It can't be all bad, right? I mean, surely there's got to be some redeeming feature. Otherwise you wouldn't stay here"
"Ah, it wasn't that bad at the start, but now people are on edge. That reporter isn't the first and won't be the last to come here looking for answers. Unfortunately, if I'm honest I scare the hell outta of them and the Council get on my back, and if I just cover it up they leave more frustrated then ever. Damned if i do, damned if I don't"
"Any friends or family back home?"
Bailey's expression drew distant. "An ex-wife. Son and a daughter. Feels like it's been years since I last saw them. Now I may never"
Shepard remembered the last time he had heard Bailey filled with such regret. You think he's the only man to ever screw up raising a son?
It nearly made Shepard guilty for asking him. "Well, keep fighting the good fight. Going to need you to stay sharp"
"See you Bailey""Goodbye, Shepard"
"Commander Shepard!"
The man in question didn't even bother to hide his groan. Khalisah Al-Jilani was heading towards him like a women possessed. He never really liked the press, but at least some were understandable.
Scratch that. Emily Wong maybe, but not the rest.
As she came over towards him, Shepard recited the last time he'd seen her. Patiently explaining to her that his admission into the spectres wasn't 'humanity being thrown a bone' two years ago was bad enough. He lost it the other time, punching her full-on in the face. That was even worse.
It felt good though. Really good. Good thing I got reinstated as a spectre beforehand.
"Commander, how does the Alliance justify running away while millions of people die back on Earth?! Is that the best we can expect from our government?!"
"I came here to get help for Earth. Don't you dare suggest I abandoned them!" Shepard was getting angry now.
"But you are! Every minute the Reapers are here families die! How could you? They need you!"
Shepard was getting ready to punch her again when he detected something in her voice. When she had interviewed him before she had always sounded stuck up, arrogant, but now her tone was border lining devastation, heartbreak.
"You're leaving them all behind!"
"Your family is back on Earth?" Shepard asked, his tone sympathetic.
"Yes… I haven't got any contact from them. I have no idea when I'm going to see them again. If… if I ever do" her shoulders slumped, her anger disappearing.
"Listen. I promise I'm going to do everything I can to retake our home. What I need you to do is to keep asking the hard questions. Don't let anyone forget about us"
"I… I will, Commander. I apologise for my outburst. And… thank you"
"No problem"
As she left he made his way over to the lieutenant who was looking at him with appreciation.
"Nicely handled, Loco. You'd probably make a good politician"
"Never going to happen, Vega"
"Aww, and here I was hoping to take your place" he remarked sarcastically.
"You got a lot to learn"
"So everyone keeps telling me. Not that much to learn. If our home is under attack, standard response is to fight it off. If it's threatening the galaxy, you would think they'd work together and bicker about it after the war. Not make demands like they always do"
"I read you. Can't believe it's even up for a debate. The war is going to affect everyone."
"Really? Not here. Everything is calm and peaceful up here. People want to believe in this fantasy"
"It was properly peaceful. Once" Shepard responded wistfully.
"Was it? I mean, when push comes to shove they're just gonna turtle up, hope it don't hit them too"
"They're blind"
"I hear that. This all looks pretty, calm and peaceful. But it ain't right. It's all just an illusion"
"You know what? I couldn't agree more"
"Yeah. Just hope when we get assistance it won't be too late"
"Still want to go back?"
"Hell yeah. But… you're right. We can't beat this enemy alone"
"Glad to hear it. You heading back to the ship?"
"Yeah"
"I'll see you there. We're heading out to Palaven"
"See ya"
"Bye"
Shepard's way back to the ship was quiet. After picking up some of the money he had amassed over the years from the bank in the Citadel commons, he had selected some elite weaponry from his terminal in the spectre offices. Going back down to the Normandy's docking bay, he had greeted Dr Chakwas at the entrance, formally welcoming her to all the crew as they made to leave the Citadel. James looked impressed with her when she listed off all her adventures with Shepard over the past few years, while Liara seemed happy to have another familiar face back on the Normandy. Her first 'recommendation', which seemed like an order to Shepard, was to get some sleep.
"You have had a long day, Commander. You need to sleep to properly absorb today's events. We're going to need you sharp tomorrow"
"I need to talk to the crew, get to know who's running my ship" he had protested.
"They can wait. We'll all be here tomorrow. Get some rest" she advised.
So that was what he did. Going up to the Captain's Cabin, and ignoring the new customization of his quarters, he flopped back onto the covers, not even bothering to undress. He thought he couldn't possibly sleep, that he couldn't just rest, but his eyes closed as soon as he lay down.
You can't help me.
Looking around he found himself in a forest, with trees made from dust, and people made from shadow. As he drew near to their figures, they dissipated, appearing further away, rippling like mirages. Then the memories hit him. Hard.
He tried to get a sense of what was happening. He seemed to be looking down at the scene. It was no mistaking what he saw. This… version, this mirage of himself, talking to Sidonis. The fear in the turians eyes, as Shepard desperately tried to talk Garrus down.
"Don't do it. Garrus, you're better than this. It's destroying him, and it's destroying you" he said, seeing the way his words seemed to hit Garrus like the slamming of a prison door. The relief on Sidonis's face as his friend slowly lowered his gun, telling him to go.
"Universe seems clear when it's just black and white. Gray… I don't know what to do with gray"
The scene changed, with Shepard and Tali in a hearing, the Admiralty Board seemingly determined to convict the quarian, Tali, terrified of exile but unwilling to destroy her father's name. Shepard, compassionate, angry at the injustice of it all.
"No wonder the other races ridicule you! Tali showed the courage, the strength, the value of the quarian people and you want her exiled! How could you?!"
He remembered the way the admirals had pondered his words. The relief and immense gratitude on her face, clearly visible, even with her helmet concealing her features.
"You deserved better, Tali"
"I got better, Shepard. I got you"
It changed again, and Shepard's… dream self, for lack of a better term, could clearly see this one. He could see himself lying on his back in the engine room, Miranda's beautiful and sated form on top of him, both panting after rounds and rounds of lovemaking. Their clothes were scattered throughout the room, and both of them were basking in the moment, their thoughts away from their mission, their allegiances, with both of them content to just gaze at each other.
"Shepard… that was incredible" she purred.
"Ready for round two, or…. ten? I've lost count at this stage" he asked, smiling as she lay on his chest.
"So soon? I doubt you'll be able to satisfy my needs in this state" she chuckled, although she had a challenging glint in her eyes, filled with mischief and desire.
"All crewmen, we are within range of the Omega 4-Relay. All hands, prepare for the assault of the Collectors" Edi's voice sounded across the Normandy.
"Well, we better get ready" Miranda said, with a hint of regret. "Shepard, just… be careful. Please"
His confident and reassuring smile was the last thing he saw before the visions were ripped apart.
He was back in the forest, although this time he could see someone else. The child he had failed to save.
"You will fail" Harbingers voice boomed into the dream. "Your allies will fall, you will wither and die, knowing that you couldn't stop the inevitable. This is only the beginning"
Shepard stopped as he saw a fresh group of visions, all his former teammates, each time he was there for them. He could then only watch as the scenes were ripped to shreds, dissolving into blackness, into nothing. He tried to move to the child, try and reassure him, try and help him. He watched in horror as flames enveloped him, surrounding and burning him until he was nothing but ashes.
"You can't help me"
Shepard woke with a start. Going into his private bathroom, he washed his face and tried to make sense of the nightmare he had just experienced. He couldn't recall a time he had a dream so vivid, even the beacons had been less ethereal. Splashing the water into his face he heard a concerned voice calling from the door.
"Shepard, are you okay? Can you hear me?"
He focused on it. It was Liara. Opening the door of his bathroom, he let her in.
"How close are we to Palaven?" he asked.
"Just about to hit the relay" she replied. He could sense this wasn't what she had come to talk about. "How did you sleep?"
"Not great. Just keep thinking about all the people who have got hurt or killed because of me. Ash is just the latest in a long line"
"That list is tiny compared to the amount of people who owe you their lives. Including me. How many people are there who are alive and well thanks to you? Elysium, and all of its recipients, wouldn't be standing without you"
"Thanks, Liara. Doesn't help much but… thanks"
Liara looked as if she would say more but before she could, the door opened to admit a tanned woman walking through. She moved with the poise of a professional, but Shepard had seen this kind of thing before. The nervous employee looking to make an impression on the boss. If the boss was Commander Shepard, then the silent message was: Don't screw this up.
"Commander Shepard, I'm Specialist Traynor. I am to be your-" She faltered when she realised that the asari was ther also. "Oh… I was under the impression that you were alone. I will come back later" she said hurriedly, making to leave.
"No need" Liara said. "I was just leaving"
As she left, Traynor visibly tried to calm herself. "Commander, I'm Specialist Traynor. I am to be your communications specialist. And it's an honour to serve with you, Commander"
Looking at her in bemusement Shepard decided to reassure her. "Hang on, Traynor, you're doing fine. What's your name?"
She looked surprised. No commanding officer she'd ever had was this laid back, and most didn't bother asking her name. "Samantha. Samantha Traynor"
"Samantha. Well, why don't you tell me about your position on the ship?"
"As I said, I'm your communications specialist. Well… for as long as you need me. I was only assigned to oversee the retrofits"
"Specialist Traynor has been most useful in running the Normandy. I would prefer that she remain" Edi's voice resounded into the room.
"Edi? But wait… VI's don't make requests"
"Edi is an AI. Fully self aware" Shepard explained.
"I knew it! I knew Joker was lying!" she said.
"I thought it best to keep my true nature hidden. That way we would never engage in conflict" Edi replied.
"It's fine Edi. And I apologise when I said how attractive your voice was" she said.
"Well, why don't you tell me about the new upgrades we got?" Shepard asked.
She proceeded to show and explain the war room, the old XO's office which was now full of Liara's equipment, and the various new equipment around the Normandy.
"And so there you have it. Basically the same ship, only difference is that it runs Alliance colours now" she finished.
"Right. Tell Liara and Vega to suit up. We'll be going in soon"
"Understood, Commander"
Author's notes:
I apologise for the amount of time this took. As I said, I was on holidays the first week and real life just got in the way the second. To be honest I'm not 100% happy with this chapter. I just feel that this kind of takes away all the momentum I had in the other chapters. I don't like to follow canon exactly, but I didn't see an alternative with this one. Anyway, the next chapter has been started and I'm looking forward to this one. The return of one of my favourite characters( By the way, everyone survived the suicide mission. Shepard's background can be seen in the dialogue, while the other choices Shepard has made will soon become clear)
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