Chapter 4 - Letter From Mum
Eternity's Struggle
Eternity's Struggle, the sequel to A Glimpse of Eternity, is a complication of short stories, letters and life-snapshots that are sprinkled throughout the events of Mass Effect 2 following both Commander Kiara Shepard and Kaidan Alenko. While they're in chronological order, its not the complete storyline of the whole of Shepard's missions as she prepares, then faces, the Collectors. There will be SPOILERS. Please read the Eternity Series - Disclaimer for more general information.
Disclaimer: I own only the parts of the individual personality of Commander Kiara Shepard I have developed inspired by the Commander Shepard in the gameplay. I do not own, nor hold any rights, to any of the characters, dialogue, storylines or any part in or of the "Mass Effect" game series. I want to thank Drew Karpyshyn and his staff of amazing writers, animators and voice actors. These are for fan enjoyment only and no money had been made on these stories.
Shepard sat down once more at her terminal in her cabin and opened up her messages. She was glad she had found Garrus, which had been an unexpected surprise, but she wasn't sure about the rest of the crew she'd acquired.
Miranda she didn't trust. Period. Jacob seemed to have a good moral base but the fact he was working for Cerberus put everything he did on the table for suspicion. Mordin was as eccentric as eccentric could be, and his work on re-releasing the genophage on the krograns made Shepard question his ethics, but he was experienced, talented and they needed him.
Jack, though she didn't know why, she liked. Maybe it was because she hated and distrusted Cerberus as much as Shepard did. Whatever the reason, despite the danger the biotic represented, Shepard considered her an ally - at least, an ally to keep a close eye on. She was unstable, that was clear, but with what they were having to do, the value of her strength outweighed the instability.
She looked at one of the messages titled 'You're Alive?' and her heart shipped a beat. Was it Kaidan? Had he gotten her messages? Was he finally replying? Opening it up, she let out the breath she was holding as her heart dropped but she couldn't help the warm smile that slipped onto her lips. It wasn't a message from Kaidan, which made her heart ache, but it was from her mother and that helped balm the pain.
Subject: You're Alive?
From: Mom
To: Kiara Shepard
So I have to find out my child is alive third-hand from the Alliance brass? Where the hell have you been?
I figure whatever you're doing is classified, likely part of your Spectre operations. Just stay safe out there, and keep doing your mom proud. And sneak something through a secure channel next time.
Love,
Your mother, Captain Hannah
Shit. Shepard ran a hand over her face. Everything had been so busy, moving so fast, she hadn't even given a second thought to really absorb the fact that she'd been declared dead and what that meant for her family. Her heart ached when she thought of what her parents must've got through. She cursed herself for having thought about letting Kaidan know but not her own parents.
She wasted no time in typing a response.
Subject: Hello, Mother
From: Your, Very Much Alive, Daughter
To: Cpt Hannah Shepard, SSV Orizaba
Its good to hear from you, mom. I'm sorry I didn't send word sooner. Things have been crazy and nothing seems to be slowing down. I should have messaged.
I can't imagine what you and dad must've gone through, thinking I was dead. I can't go into the details now but know that I haven't been hiding or undercover somewhere out here. I was really dead, or so they tell me, but Cerberus brought me back to life.
You don't have to say it, I know. Cerberus. Just know, I'm not working for them. They patched me up and they gave me a new Normandy. They're giving me whatever resources I need to track down what's happening to our colonies out in the Terminus System. I'm still a Council Spectre and, at least in my heart, I'm still an Alliance soldier. That hasn't changed and it never will.
I heard you passed up an Admiral promotion to stay in command of the Orizaba. I didn't even know you had your own command. Congratulations! You were always a strong leader and the Alliance is lucky to have you, mum. How's dad? He still pushing hard or thinking about actually retiring soon?
I have to go now but I miss and love you. Both of you. I don't know what's going to happen with my mission, or the future, but I want you to trust me that I will make you proud. I'm not with Cerberus and when this mission is done, I will be done with them too.
Take care of yourself. I'll write again when I get the chance.
Love,
Your daughter, Kiara
P.S. Cerberus is monitoring all of my communications, as I'm sure you guessed, so I hope this gets through to you. Be careful when replying.
With a tap on the console, the message was sent and Shepard sat back. She glanced over to the picture frame on her desk that held Kaidan's photo with a soft smile. She hoped someday her parents would get the chance to meet him. She knew they'd love him.
Joker piped in over the comm, "We're approaching the coordinates, Commander."
"I'll be right there," she said and set the frame down. Time to track down a Krogan warlord.