Chapter 17 - Downtime? Forget It.
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.

They had made it. Not only had the entire crew survived the attack on the Collector base but the mission had been a success and they were on their way home. Only space debris remained on the other side of the Omega 4 relay now. Yet the ultimate mission was not over. The Reapers were still on their way and Kiara Shepard was determined to do everything in her power to make sure the galaxy was ready when they got there.

It was the 'how' of how she would do it that left her stumped.

The Normandy was on route to Earth, making a few stops along the way including the Migrant Fleet for Tali and Tuchanka for Grunt. They all deserved a bit of shore leave and she was going to make sure they got it. She even approved some time off for herself, wanting to return home to visit her parents in person. She hadn't seen them in years, and that wasn't before the two she'd been dead during.

She'd learned from Anderson that her parents were both back on Earth for her father's retirement ceremony. It surprised her. She'd never thought he would ever retire but he was getting up there in age. She was glad he was finally taking the break.

It was her hope she would get to surprise them, both by returning from her mission unharmed and showing up to the ceremony. She recalled the recording she'd sent her mother before they'd entered the relay and wondered how painful it must've been to receive it. She'd be there soon, though, and her mother could chastise her in person. The thought brought a smile to her face. It'd been too long since she'd seen her mother. As soon as they dropped off the crew for their shore leave, she was going to make sure she got the chance.

Her thoughts shifted to Kaidan as she stood at the galaxy map of the CIC. She wondered if writing him again was be the best course of action. She had said her goodbyes and he hadn't responded. Maybe he had moved on and done exactly as she asked. After a few moments of thinking, she convinced herself to write a short one just to let him know she was alive. Stepping over to her console, she opened it up and began to type. Keep it short and professional, she reminded herself.

Subject: Mission Success
From: Kiara Shepard

To: CDR Kaidan Alenko

It seems I was wrong. Against impossible odds, and even more impossible challenges, the mission to destroy the Collector base on the other side of the Omega 4 relay was a success with no casualties. The crew of the Normandy pulled us through and it is thanks to them our colonies are safe from the Collector threat.

I fully intend to continue to pursue avenues to counter the Reaper threat and the invasion we know is coming. I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you will continue to help convince whoever you can that the Reaper threat is still very much a danger. We need them, Kaidan. They're coming and we won't stand a chance unless we start preparing now.

I also hope that wherever you are, its going good for you. Maybe…I don't know…maybe after some time has passed we can try to find time to meet and discuss everything. Get some closure that doesn't come by either of our deaths.

Stay safe,
Kiara

So much for keeping it short and professional but it was what it was. Sending it off, she took a breath. It felt odd, having the mission over. She never did well with downtime, especially with her ties with Cerberus severed and her insecurity of where she stood with the Alliance.

Yoeman Chambers piped up that she was receiving a secure transmission from Admiral Steven Hackett. Speak of the devil, she thought. What was he doing calling her? "I'll take it in my quarters," she instructed then headed up to take the call. A sense of foreboding nestled in her stomach. She got the feeling she wasn't going to get that shore leave she'd been expecting…