in which there are bodies under blankets
Running in to the room, instinctively looking for threats. When none are forthcoming I give the room a second glance, this time trying to figure out who this 'archangel' is. Very little decor, mostly chairs and tables, a kitchen to one side, four dead body in hold blankest, some shelves...wait... four bodies? I signal to Jacob to guard the entrance way and Miranda to watch the stairs. Then I dropped down next to the hold blanket, god how I hate these blankets. You put them over your dead to keep them from going rancid when you can't pull out of a battle, those battles are the ones that last for days or weeks without end.
'Jane your trying to distract yourself just release the hold and see how they died.' Steadying myself I flick up the top of the blanket. human, male, shot execution style. Moving to the next one, batarian, unknown, shot execution style. Next one human, female...i lifted the blanket up a bit more, being shot would have been a mercy...
"Shepard we should go meet with Archangel" Miranda voice was low, but still carried. Flicking up the last blanket, salarian, unknown, shot execution style. Standing up, I take a deep breath.
"Let's go." Up the stairs, around the corner. i quickly duck back down the stairs a step, waiting for a lull in the shots. Then I come out of cover to fire, Jacob right behind me. Miranda throws a biotic attack. The guy cutting the door falls first, but the one watching his back just seconds after him. The door lock change to green. Archangel is letting us in, he knows we're here to help. But first I check the room to the left, one can never be too careful. Chair, desk, shelves, master bed, and two more blankets...damn it...I can't bring myself to check these bodies.
I head to the room that Archangel is in. And immediately I see the edge of another god damn blankets. But now is not the time to be distracted. I motion for Jacob and Miranda to guard the door.
"Archangel?" I asked, he held up his hand in the wait sign. He was a turian, that's for sure, hope he isn't one of the, hate all humans on sight, turians. Probably not there where at least two human he worked with. Archangel stood up using his rifle to give him leveraged. To be that tired he must have been at this a while. That when I noticed the stylized bird on his shoulder... it was familiar but from what or when... then Archangel removed his helmet to revile...
"Garrus!" I did not stop myself from giving him a hug, and feeling the way his armor did not fit quite right, as if he had not eaten well in a while...
"Shepard, I thought you were dead." He said setting down as I stepped back.
"Ah well you know how it goes, spaced one day, brought back to life by your one of your arch nemesis." I tried to force a laugh, he smiled slightly.
"And you, how did you wind up pissing off three Mercenary groups?" I asked, glancing around the room, taking stock, more chairs, beds, and at least one, maybe two more of the blankets.
"Well it was not easy I had help." He frowned at that but shook himself back to the present. He stood and moved over next to me and looked at the bridged. " We can catch up on old times later Shepard, we should get out of here first." Nodding my head in agreement I turn to the window.
We take out the mech without any problems, I make a quick search of the place finding any med gel and ammo I can carry and confirm three more filled blankets in the room Archangel...Garrus is in... then Garrus lets me know that the basement is breached. I send Jacob to watch Garrus' back, he is a soldier I can trust him to watch another soldiers back.
Taking out the vorcha down in the basement goes by quickly. I am on autopilot, Garrus is alive, is all that keeps looping in my head. After closing the last shutter we book it back up the stairs. Miranda and I assist in taking out the krogan leader of the Blood Pack that had Garrus and Jacob pinned down. Maybe we have a chance after all. Maybe we will get out of this unscathed...
"Archangel!" The voice over the gunship speakers says. Turning...time seems to slow. I see Garrus turning for the gunship starting to aim his rifle, the bullets rip thru his shields. I hear the sicking thunk as they hit his body... then I see only ceiling as someone pulls me back behind cover. Jacob released me only after something explodes. Then I dart for the couch next to Garrus.
"Garrus?" I snap, pulling out my rocket launcher and made quick work of the gunship. He does not reply. Dropping down next to Garrus, fear started to claw at my belly, there was a lot of blood.
"Garrus, just hold on," I rolled him over, "Miranda radio Joker. Make sure they're ready for us." I hear Jacob say something, but I'm not sure what. Looking down at Garrus' eyes, as they blink once, twice, then flutter closed...he gave one last gasp. And I screamed.
Shepard bolted awake in bed, blindly reaching out, "no, nonono." She felt for Garrus who always slept next to her. Suddenly she is not sure. Maybe he had died and everything else was a dream...
"Edi where Garrus." Shepard closed her eyes and place her hand on her heart and tried to get her heart under control and her thoughts back in there right boxes; the nightmare that did not happen box, and nightmare that did happen box.
"He is currently having a, I believe it is call, a midnight snack." Edi replied from her spot by the door. "Should I call him up Commander?"
"No Edi," Shepard felt the relief permeate her voice, "let him eat."
"Good night commander. Login you out."
Shepard sighed, she hate the nightmares that where close to what really happened. It made them so believable that way. At least this one was easy to take the part out that fell under 'did not happen' box, and stuff everything else in the 'did happen but only look at in light of day' box...
Shepard got out of bed and tossed on the first uniform that came to hand... a midnight snack sounding good.