A/N: Well I wasn't expecting it will take me this long to up the new chapter, well maybe I did... Anyway we're going to start right where it end in Chapter 1. By the end of this chapter you will know more about Shepard background.
Chapter 2 : Haunted
As soon as the Normandy arrived in Citadel, there were already a team of medics waiting. Liara and James follow Shepard as they watched a team of medics took Ashley to Huerta Memorial for a proper treatment. They then were greeted by Commander Bailey who is now the head of Citadel Security. After telling Bailey and Liara that she would like to check on Ashley first before meeting with the Council, Shepard heard a commotion from a reporter asking one of her crew about the whereabouts of Commander Shepard. Her crew were hesitant to tell the reporter anything and just when Shepard thought she could slip away, the reporter call out for her name thus making her stop dead in her track before walking towards the reporter.
The reporter name is Diana Allers and she asked for Shepard permission to be on board the Normandy for a show called Battlefield. At first Shepard didn't want a reporter snooping around her ship but then she thought it might be best to have a reporter watch a day to day action on board her ship and perhaps it could interest people on joining the Alliance and help other species realized what happened on Earth. After dealing with the reporter, Shepard head towards Huerta Memorial. On her way to Ashley room, she saw two familiar figures chatting with each other.
"Shepard. There you are." greet Dr. Chakwas as she saw Shepard walking towards her.
"Dr. Chakwas. You're here?" said Shepard as Dr. Michel excuse herself to give the two of them some privacy.
"I'm working at an Alliance R&D lab in Shalta Wards, coordinating closely with Admiral Hackett. I heard you escaped Earth in the Normandy, and that someone was critically injured. I came as fast as I could."
"We had a run-in with a Cerberus synthetic on Mars. Ashley took the worst of it. How is she doing?"
"Very well, all things considered. I'm impressed with Lieutenant-Commander Williams' resilience, as well as Dr. Michel's expertise. I wish I could have been there to help on Mars."
"It's been six months, Doctor. How have you been?"
"Good. I've been fortunate. When they impounded Normandy, the Alliance didn't really know what to do with me. I was never officially part of Cerberus, and I'd gotten a proper leave of absence from my previous post."
"So you hadn't technically done anything wrong by joining me to defeat the Collectors..."
"Yes, though I suppose if you were judged to be a war criminal, I would have been tried as an accessory."
"Your place is in Normandy's med bay, not some lab."
"I couldn't agree more. You say the work, and I'm with you."
"The Normandy wouldn't be the same without you, Doctor. Get your things. Docking Bay D24."
"Yes, Commander. And thank you."
"Don't thank me soon. Remember: Joker is still aboard."
"And I'd be surprised if he's been remembering his medication."
Now that a doctor has been assigned to the Normandy, Shepard made a mental note to drop by Alliance office in Citadel to see if there's any available Alliance officer or enlisted who can join the Normandy. After all Joker was right, they can't possibly operate with a skeleton crew especially in the middle of a war. After talking to Dr. Michel, Shepard head towards Ashley room when a doctor and a nurse were talking outside her room regarding a way to threat Ashley. Shepard walk pass them and open the door to Ashley room and make her towards Ashley bed.
"You got pretty banged up there, Williams. Had me worried." said Shepard after a few seconds of silence.
"I just wanted to check in on you, see how you're doing. You hang in there alright? I need you up and reporting for duty ASAP, you hear me?" add Shepard mostly half joking on the order.
"You need anything, doc, let me know." said Shepard to the human doctor who walked into the room.
"Okay, Ash. You take care." said Shepard as she turns her head towards Ashley.
"I'll see you soon." add Shepard after leaving the room.
After leaving Huerta Memorial, Shepard took the elevator to Citadel Embassies where she then head to Councilor Udina office where his assistant were waiting for Shepard arrival before they head towards Councilor chambers. As expected, the Council decided not to help human with the fight against Reapers as they more focused on making sure Reapers are away from their homeworld with exception for the Turians as they had fight of their own against the Reapers.
"They're a bunch of self-concerned jackasses, Shepard." complained Councilor Udina after Shepard arrived in his office as per his request after the Council meeting.
"We may have a spot on the Council, but humanity will always be considered second-rate." add Udina.
"How can they be so blind?"
"They're scared. And they're looking out for themselves."
"Our people are scared, and we're looking out for them the best we know how." said Councilor Sparatus as he walked into Udina office.
"Councilor." said Udina.
"Commander. I can't give you what you need, but I can tell you how to get it."
"I'm listening." said Shepard.
"Primarch Fedorian called the war summit, but... we lost contact with him when the Reapers hit Palaven. Those meetings won't proceed without him. The Normandy is one of the few ships that can extract Primarch Fedorian undetected."
"So far you've only explained how I can help you."
"It might seem that way. But the leaders of this summit will be the ones deciding our future. The fate of our fleets, where they fight, and with whom. A grateful Primarch would be a tremendous ally in your bid to unite us."
"We're at war, and you want me to play politician?"
"If it gets you what you need, what does it matter? Our latest intelligence says that the Primarch was moved to a base on Palaven's largest moon. I've done all I can to help. The rest is up to you." said Councilor Sparatus before heading towards the exit.
"There is one other thing. The Council wanted me to tell you... we've chosen to uphold your Spectre status. And various resources will be made available to you. Good day." add Councilor Sparatus.
"Well, that went well." said Shepard.
"It's a start. I'll talk to the others in the meantime. See if we can support this summit. Move things along." said Udina.
"Thanks."
After leaving Councilor Udina office, Shepard head towards Commander Bailey office when she saw a reporter she knew so well, Khalisah Bint Sinan Al-Jilani having argument with Bailey. After she left, Shepard talked to Bailey for a few minutes before leaving his office. She then was stopped by Khalisah asking for an interview. As annoying as she was with her question, she strain herself from punching the reporter. She then reassured Khalisah that she is doing everything in her power to beat the Reapers. That got the reporter to calm down and even thanking Shepard. As Shepard was about to take the elevator, she saw James by the window and decided to check on him.
"Hey, Commander." great James as he realized Shepard is beside him.
"Liara told me the Council's not interested in helping us."
"Something like that."
"Why would they? Look at this place. There's no war here. People are whispering about it. Talking about it. But they don't really believe it."
"I take it this is your first time here... with the elite of the galaxy."
"I've been to the Citadel, but never up here on the Presidium. It's... not right. It looks pretty. Calm and peaceful. But it's not right. It's all just an illusion."
"It was peaceful... once."
"But was it? Really? I mean, when push comes to shove, they're just gonna turtle up, hope it don't hit them, too. They rather believe in this than face the truth."
"They're in for a rude awakening. Every species will fall, one by one, if they don't work with us."
"No shit. I can't believe it's even up for debate."
"So, you still want to go back to Earth?"
"Hell, yeah. But..."
"But?"
"You were right. So was Anderson. We can't stop them alone. Besides looks like you're gonna have your hands full convincing these pendejo politicians to help us. And I'm up for it. Whatever it takes."
"Glad to hear it."
"I'm gonna head down to some of the lower levels. Where they keep it real. You get some spare time, you should come and find me."
"Maybe I'll do that."
After talking with James, Shepard then stop by Alliance office in the Citadel to assigned available Alliance officer and enlisted to the Normandy. After her business is done, Shepard didn't waste any more time in the Citadel as she walked straight to docking bay D24 so the Normandy could get some real work done.
The last time she got some real sleep was before the Reapers attacked Earth. And that was a few days ago. The adrenaline from worrying about Liara on Mars and then Ashley after Mars, kept her from realizing just how tired she was. As soon as she laid her head on the pillow on her comfortable queen size bed in her Captain's cabin, she felt fast asleep. But she wasn't expecting the nightmares...
Shepard found herself in a middle of the woods. All trees were burn down and she could hear distance laughter of a kid. She run and run to find the source of those voices when she saw a little boy, the little boy she saw back on Earth. When she got closer, she heard sounds, sound of Reapers. That little boy ran as he heard those sounds and Shepard chase her among the woods. He finally stopped and once Shepard got close to him, she immediately reaches out her hand to the little boy. He just looks at Shepard before he was cover in flames. Shepard watched him got burn down with a horrified look. Her heart broke into pieces before she finally awake from her nightmares.
As she was trying to recover from the nightmare, a knock on her cabin door got her attention. She got up from her bed and walked towards her door to see who was knocking. Once the door was opened, she saw Liara waiting by the door.
"Liara, can I help you?" asked Shepard as she came at a stop in front of her cabin door.
"I've been forwarding the turian councilor information on the Prothean device. It can't be built without Council support, but he's not budging until their primarch is safe."
"I know." said Shepard as she walked towards the railing in front of her cabin.
"Are you alright?" asked Liara as she move inches closer towards her lover.
"I didn't get what you'd call a good night's sleep."
"There's more to it than that, isn't there. What's really bothering you?"
Oh how much Shepard hates it when Liara always knew when something bothering her.
"When the Reapers hit... I could hear people screaming in the streets below me. We left a lot of them behind." Shepard decided to be honest although that was only half truth of what really been bothering her.
"There's no way for you to save them all. But I know you're doing everything you can, and you'll get back there in time to help." said Liara as she trying to reassured Shepard.
"I hope you're right."
"Don't blame yourself, Commander." said Liara before the elevator door swoosh opened.
"Commander Shepard? I'm Specialist-Oh." said a black haired woman with a British accent before she stopped in a middle of her sentence as she realized Shepard wasn't alone.
"I beg your pardon. I thought you were alone." add the Specialist.
"I was just leaving." said Liara as she makes her war towards the elevator.
"Commander Shepard? I'm Comm Specialist Samantha Traynor, with Alliance R&D." said Specialist Traynor as she salutes Shepard.
"I was part of the team retrofitting the Normandy after you turned it over to the Alliance. There weren't many of us aboard when the Reapers hit..." said Specialist Traynor as she move inches closer to Shepard.
"Slow down, Specialist Traynor. You're doing well." said Shepard as she can senses the Specialist was nervous. They always do. Thought Shepard.
"Thank you. I worked in a lab. I never thought I'd be serving on a ship."
"Why don't you tell me about the retrofits?" said Shepard as she signaled the Specialist to go into her cabin.
"The ship's in line with Alliance regs now, and it has new top-of-line quantum entanglement communicators. In fact, Admiral Anderson had intended to use the Normandy as his mobile command center."
"That's no longer an option."
"Yes, I heard he chose to stay and fight... in any event, I'm honored to serve under you, Commander. For as long as you need me, that is. They only sent me here to oversee the retrofits..."
"Shepard, some of our systems requires further testings, and Specialist Traynor has been extremely effective during installation. I prefer that she remain." said EDI over the comm.
"Got it, EDI."
"Wait... since when does a virtual intelligence make requests?" asked Traynor, confused by EDI request.
"EDI an AI. Full self-aware."
"Oh, I knew it. I knew Joker was lying!" said Traynor as she was furious with Joker.
"Jeff requested that I pretend to be a simple VI to protect myself. I apologize for the deception." answered EDI.
"Thanks, EDI. And I apologize for all those times I talked about how... attractive your voice was..."
Well that was amusing... Thought Shepard as she listened on Specialist Traynor apologizes to EDI. Specialist Traynor then start to explain to Shepard about the retrofits as Shepard kindly listens.
"Finally, Liara has set up a lot of hardware down in the old XO office on Deck 3. I think she claimed that room."
Guess I know what Liara has been doing after the meeting with the Councils. Wonder how many Alliance soldiers tried to stop her from claiming the old XO office. Thought Shepard, amused by how Liara already felt at home on board Normandy SR-2 and how thing has changed.
After a debrief with Admiral Hackett, Shepard told Joker to set a course to Palaven 's largest moon. She then checked on Diana Allers in the old cabin Zaeed used to stay back when they were working with Cerberus. She then met with Engineers Adams where he apologized for not joining her when she was working with Cerberus. Shepard then head down to cargo bay where he met with Lieutenant Esteban Cortez before checking in with Lieutenant James Vega. After all she never got around to talk to him about his stunt back on Mars.
"Hey, Shepard." said James who was working out when he saw Shepard besides her.
"We're going to rescue a turian primarch from Palaven."
"Sounds like fun. Never been to the turian homeworld. You come down here for something, or you just lookin?"
"It's my ship. I go where I want and talk to whoever I want."
"Fair enough. Not sure what there is to talk about. You already know my service record."
"I don't, actually. I didn't have access to personal record when we met."
"Right... forgot about that. Well... Think you can dance and talk at the same time?" said James as he finished his work out.
"Oh, I can dance." said Shepard as she walks towards the middle of the cargo bay with James follow behind.
"Okay, Lola... let's do this." said James as both of them ready with their stances.
"Don't let my good looks fool you, Vega. I've got my share of scars." said Shepard before threw a few punches which easily blocked by James.
"Ha. You remind me of my old CO." said James before he threw a few punches which easily dodged by Shepard.
"Oh yeah, and who was that?" said Shepard as she threw another few punches which James dodged easily.
"Captain Toni. He was a hard-assed son of a bitch, but a good leader." said James as he let his guards down which Shepard realized but decided not to take the chance. James then threw another few punches but easily blocked by Shepard.
"Was?"
"Died-with most of my squad-protecting a civilian colony from a Collector attack." said James as he threw few more punches which Shepard dodged.
"And the colony?"
"It was either them, or the intel we had on the Collectors-intel we could've used to destroy them." said James as a rage start to took over him and he starts threw 4 more punches towards Shepard which Shepard barely blocked or dodged.
"I chose the intel." add James as he threw another powerful punch which Shepard dodged.
"Sorry. That's a tough call." said Shepard as she tried to catch a breath. She realized how mad James is now and this is no longer a casual sparring.
"The best part was we didn't really need the intel in the end... Because you were out saving the galaxy by taking down the entire Collector homeworld." said James as he kept throwing punches towards Shepard.
"You didn't now. You can't blame yourself, Vega." said Shepard as she kept blocking James punches. Shepard knew she needs to calm his Lieutenant down before she got badly hurt.
"Who say's I'm blaming myself?" said James, furious with what Shepard said.
Shepard saw an opportunity and she knew she had to take it, she need to get through to his Lieutenant. Shepard faked a punch with her right hand which blocked by James, but Shepard managed to punch James in the stomach with her left hand before she threw a punch across James face with her right hand.
"I do." said Shepard after those punches.
"You're a shrink, too?"
"No. But that stunt back on Mars was reckless. You're lucky to be alive." said Shepard as she threw four more punches before James threw a few more punches.
"So?"
"So... maybe you don't care if you live or die." said Shepard as she threw a punch.
"Or maybe..." James threw a punch. "I'm just willing to do whatever the fuck it takes to end this goddamn war!" yell James as he tried to punch Shepard but Shepard grab him by the waist and put him down on the floor.
"Maybe you are." said Shepard as she saw James on the floor, finally giving in.
"But if you're half as good as I think you are... we need you alive." said Shepard as she watched James stood up and walk pass him.
"Thanks for the pep talk." said James stop short in front of Shepard.
"Anytime."
"Hey. Thanks for the dance, Lola."
"Lola, huh?"
"You kind of look like a Lola."
"You're cute... so I'll let you get away with it. For now."
"That's it... now you made me blush." said James as he walks back to his work table.
James heard so many things about Commander Shepard but for most of the time, he thought they were exaggerating but after the so called "dance" he knew they weren't exaggerated. Despite her good look, she sure knows how to handle her weapons. From assault rifles to sniper rifles to handgun. He doubt there's a single weapon in this galaxy she couldn't handle. All those asides she surely know how to get through her crew. Captain Toni might be the best leader he ever had, but surely he's only half better than Commander Shepard. He doubt his former Captain will ever got through him just what Commander Shepard just did.
Their mission in Palaven's largest moon almost didn't go well. From their shuttle, they could see Palaven's burning and the thought of Garrus is on Palaven scared the hell out of Shepard and Liara. To make things worst soon after dealing with a few husks, the General in charge informed them about the news of Primarch Fedorian death. Liara then mentioned how Turian hierarchy is organized and they should know who next in line as the new Primarch. The General names, Conrinthus said until the comm tower restored, he won't know who's the new Primarch is.
Shepard, James and Liara head towards the comm tower and after dealing with some husks, had Liara doing the repaired on the tower while Shepard and James deal with more husks; they got back to the base where General Corinthus is. Once they arrived, he express is concerned on how it won't be easy to find the new Primarch as the hierarchy in chaos, Garrus appeared and gave his assurance they will find the new Primarch.
As they planned on finding Adrien Victus, who will be the new Primarch, Joker interrupted and said there's a problem with EDI. Shepard send Liara back to the ship and before long a Harvester show itself and she, with James and Garrus head out to check on what the Harvester drop. After dealing with Mauridiers who looked like Turians, the base they was a few moments ago were attacked by husks. They rushed back to the base and Shepard took over a main gun while Garrus ready his sniper rifle after finding a good spot as James getting ecstatic with a chance to kill husks with his Avenger rifles. Dealing with the husks was easy enough as Shepard took care most of them while Garrus took care a few straggler as James kill any husks that got too close.
But of course, it will never be easy. A brute arrived and charged which sent Shepard flying. She got up as soon as she could and start shooting at the Brute with her Revenant assault rifle but the Brute still stand and it start to charge and Shepard knew there's no way she could dodge the charge. But luckily Garrus who kept his calm, snipe the Brute and after all those bullets Shepard "gave" to the Brute, it finally down.
They then head towards where Primarch Victus was last seen and they encountered more husks but they weren't having too much problem dealing with them. As they got closer they heard fighting's and they rushed towards the base when they deal with more Mauridier, Cannibals and 2 more Brute. After the fighting they were greeted by Primarch Victus and after telling him that he's the new Primarch and convinced him he's the right person for the position, he then told Shepard the only way she going to get Turian helps is by having Krogan helped them win back Palaven.
It was definitely a tall order by the new Primarch considering the bad blood between Krogan and Turian. But she needs Turian helps and despite she knew Urdnot Wrex, she doubt it will be easy.
Once they got back on board the Normandy, she brief the Asari Councilor about Primarch Victus plan, and the Asari refused to joins the summit as there's already too much bad blood between Turian, Salarian and Krogan. She said it won't end well. Shepard then brief Admiral Hackett before talked to Primarch Victus some more in the war room. As she's walking across the conference room, the lights on the room grew dim and Joker told her that EDI went offline.
Without wasting any more time, Shepard rushed towards AI core behind the med bay where Engineer Adams and one Alliance soldier waited. Shepard opened the door to the AI core when she heard a loud noise from AI core. After asking Joker what that sound was, Shepard walks into the room while calling for EDI name while Engineer Adams putting out the fire. Suddenly the core lights up and the Cerberus synthetic they killed on Mars walks among the smoke towards Shepard. The Alliance soldier who was with Engineer Adams immediately pointed his Avenger rifle.
Apparently EDI has taken the Cerberus-mech body and now not only she's the ship, she can now also help out on mission when needed. After letting what just happened sank in, Shepard head back to the med bay when Dr. Chakwas stopped her. After asking if the mech is EDI, Dr. Chakwas was insisted for a checkup. Lucky for Shepard, it wasn't anything invasive and after Dr. Chakwas confirmed the implants Cerberus planted on her still working properly, Shepard asked how the doctor settling in.
After leaving the med bay, Shepard headed towards the main gun to check on Garrus. When she arrived, Garrus was calibrating the main gun while talking to Primarch Victus. After he done, Shepard started asking how her friend is doing and 10 minutes later, she exited the main gun room to leave Garrus to his calibrating. Shepard then finds the courage to go check on Liara. Ever since they got back from Mars, they barely talked and let alone acted like a couple. She needs to check on Liara and perhaps apologize to her for the way she acted before. She certainly didn't want to fight another yagh to gain her beloved heart again.
When Shepard opened the door to Liara "office" and walk inside a few inches before look around the room which are full by Shadow Broker stuff, no doubt, a blue orb she recognized from the Shadow Broker ship hovered around her before greeting her.
"Commander Shepard! It's a pleasure to see you again!"
"You're the drone from the Shadow Broker's ship."
"Dr. T'Soni now refers to me as "Glyph" instead of "info drone" 95 percent of the time."
"In the meantime, Dr T'Soni would like to speak with you. Have a pleasant day!" add Glyph.
After the conversations with Glyph, Shepard then walked towards Liara.
"Looks like you brought more than just that drone from your ship."
"A few things were necessary. I'd be a very silent Shadow Broker without datafeeds."
"So you have access to your resources?"
"What I can get. We'll need it to research this Prothean device." said Liara before she walk to a nearby chair and sat and start checking on the terminal.
"Did the Protheans actually complete this weapon?"
"You mean, "Will it work?" They wouldn't have poured their last resources into this device if they thought otherwise. But we really need to find out just what kind of weapon they left us."
"It'd be nice to know we're not kids playing around with a loaded gun."
"Absolutely. The damage it could cause if it backfired is unthinkable. This will be difficult, even for us. If something happens on a mission, if either one of us are hurt..." said Liara as she stood up so she could get close to Shepard.
"I'll always remember that tour of the Normandy, but let's be honest, Shepard. It's been more than a half a year. Should we continue where we left off?" add Liara.
"I'd like that more than anything, Liara." said Shepard as she touched Liara cheek with her right hand.
"Good. I was getting worried." answered Liara with a small smile.
"There were a lot of reasons I was happy to see you on Mars..." said Shepard as they start holding each other.
"I'd like that list... but later. There's so much left to do." said Liara before she break apart from Liara and head towards the side of her office with full of monitors.
"I'm working with EDI. Hopefully we can discover what the Protheans left for us. But I'm looking forward to talking about something other than business. Maybe later?" add Liara as she starts to focus on her work.
After leaving Liara office, Shepard has a conversation with her head.
"Well that didn't actually go as I expected. At least I made it clear to Liara that I still want to be with her and Liara was happy with my decision too. But why I can't shake off this feeling that there's something wrong with our relationship? That it's different than usual? Ah, it must be my lack of sleeping." mutter Shepard to herself as she rub her temple before she bump into someone just around the corner of the elevator.
"I'm sorry, Commander!" apologize the young Ensign who she bump into in the conference room after Mars.
"You sure have a knack on bumping into your Commanding Officer, Ensign." joked Shepard.
"I didn't mean anything by it, Commander." said the young Ensign and suddenly tensed up.
"Relax, Ensign Robertson. I'm just joking."
"Oh... Anyway thank you, Commander, for letting me stays on board the Normandy. I just received an email of confirmation from the Alliance."
"I always keep my word."
"I can see that, Commander."
"So, since I can't seem to find a way to gain access on your personal records, mind telling me about yourself?" asked Shepard.
"Well... My name is Andrew Robertson. Most people just called me Andy. I was born and raised on Earth."
"Huh, Andrew." said Shepard as she thought about something.
"Is something wrong, Commander?"
"No. It just I had a friend name Andrew. It has been awhile since I thought about him. So hearing the name just brings back some old memories."
"A special friend, Commander?"
"Hah. Who gave you permission to poke into my personal life, Ensign?"
"Oh... I..."
"I'm just joking. Anyway where are your parents now?"
"I just heard from my mom. She survived and on her way to the Citadel. My dad... Well he hasn't been around since I was 15."
"I'm glad to hear your mother survived."
"What about your parents, Commander?"
"Oh, my parents died when I was a few years old."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Commander."
"It's alright."
"Well, I hope you can meet with my mom. You will love her." said Andrew with a smile.
"Oh, before I forget. When we have a chance, I want you to come with me to a shooting range."
"Are we going to hold a competition, Commander? I'm sure you will win by a long margin."
"No. I just want to see how your shooting are and gives you a few tips if you need it. I don't plan on having you on the ground but it will help if you know how to use your weapon properly in case we are being boarded or I need you on the ground."
"Am I the only one required to do so?"
"Yes. You barely out from the academy and I don't want to meet your mom to tell her you die in action because you didn't know how to fires your weapon properly."
"What about comm Specialist Traynor? I doubt her training involved more than basic weapon training?"
"You're right but I don't plan on scaring our comm Specialist for life. I plan on her being our brain beside EDI on the ship. Her personal records are impressive so I hope she can help EDI analyze any intels we encounter."
"What about our Flight Lieutenant?"
"Joker? He is more capable than he let on. Don't let his look fool you."
"I keep that in mind... Well you know where to find me when you find the time."
"Very well."
"You know, Commander. I was so scared when I heard you will be my Commanding Officer. But now I'm really glad."
"I have no idea why new recruits or new crew members are so scared of me. It's not like I'm going to eat them alive... Unless they gave me a reason." said Shepard as let out a small chuckle.
"I can't blame them. You're a living legend."
"I won't achieve what I achieved without the support of my crew."
"You're so humble, Commander. It just like you're one of us. Not our Commanding Officer."
"I had good mentors over the years. I learnt that you want your crew member to respect you, not scared of you. You want them to be your friends, not enemies. You want them to know they can come to you if they have problems. It's my job to make sure my crew in good morale. Especially in the middle of a war. Good morale can go a long way than a good weapon."
"I guess I'm lucky that my first Commanding Officer is you. Not only you're Commander Shepard, the living legend, savior of the Citadel and survived the journey to Omega 4 relay, but you're also down to Earth." said Andrew as he really impress with his CO.
"You're going to make me blush, Ensign. I'm just doing it because it's my job."
"I hate to see what your definition of not doing your job, Commander."
"Shepard, we are 10 minutes away from Eden Prime." said EDI over the comm.
"Tell Garrus and our Prothean expert to get ready. You might need to peel them away from their work but I think Liara will skip once she heard about Prothean artifact." said Shepard as she stifle a laugh at the thought how excited Liara can be when she heard about this.
"Now that you have a duty, I guess I should go check on Dr. Chakwas. Ask her if she needs my help. You know to make myself useful so you won't think I'm just one the decor on board your ship." said Andrew.
"Haha. We won't want that, do we?" said Shepard as she get into the elevator.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me about a Prothean artifact Cerberus dug up in Eden Prime." said Liara on the shuttle as she was annoyed that Shepard kept it a secret.
"I just thought it will be a nice surprise. Also I was wondering how you're going to react when your heard about this so suddenly. And I don't regret it one bit." said Shepard as she gave Liara a smirk.
"Ah, look at the two lovebirds here. I think I might throw up." joked Garrus.
"Commander, I'm going to set down the shuttle now." said Cortez from his pilot seat.
Once they touchdown, Eden Prime was quite empty as the colonists has being evacuated by the Alliance. After a few minutes of walking, they saw the Prothean artifact. Once they got close Liara immediately analyze it and realized there's a living Prothean in the cyro chamber. Liara advices Shepard to find the signal to open the cyro chamber without killing the Prothean. Soon enough they were greeted by dozens Cerberus. They took care most of them with ease but Cerberus also send their Engineers to arm themselves with arm turrets. Garrus took care of the turrets while Shepard killed the Engineers. Liara in the other hand threw a few singularities to trapped Cerberus stragglers before killing them off.
They then arrived to two different facilities to find the signals needed to open the cyro chamber. Shepard opened the vids and she saw the destruction of the Prothean species. Not like the one she saw from the beacon. Apparently she was the only who saw the videos as Liara said all she saw was static. Liara make an assumption it had to be the decipher she received on Feros.
On their way back to the cyro chamber, they were attacked by a dozen more Cerberus troopers. After dealing with them and arrived at the cyro chamber, Shepard start to type down the signals needed to open the cyro chamber. As they wait, 4 more Cerberus shuttles arrived and drop of more Cerberus troopers. After a minute or so, the cyro chamber finally ready to be open and Shepard, Liara and Garrus all done dealing with Cerberus troopers.
Once Shepard opened the cyro chamber, Liara start getting excited with a prospect of seeing a real living Prothean. While explaining to Shepard and Garrus on how it need some time before regains full consciousness, the Prothean slowly opened it eyes. Once it saw their presence, the Prothean send a blast of biotics towards them which sent them flying.
"Be careful. He's confused!" warned Liara as she got back on her feet as the Prothean trying to get away.
He didn't get very far as all those time being inside the cyro chamber clearly had some affect. He stumbles before he got up and finally looks around him. Shepard took the chance to get close to the Prothean.
"Remember, it's been 50,000 years for us, but for him, it's only been..." said Liara.
As Liara was saying that, Shepard who already inches closer from the Prothean touched him but she was greeted by another visions.
"How many others?" asked the Prothean after the visions stop.
"Just you." answered Shepard who still had a small headache from the visions.
"You can understand me?" asked Shepard.
"Yes. Now that I have read your physiology, your nervous system. Enough to understand your language." answered the Prothean.
"So you were reading me, while I was seeing..."
"Our last moment. Our failure."
"Your people did everything they could. They never gave up. And I could use some of that commitment now."
"Shepard, whatever you did got Cerberus interested." said Cortez from her comm.
"Asari. Human. Turian. I am surrounded by primitives." said the Prothean as he saw Liara and Garrus.
"It's not safe here. Will you join us?" asked Shepard.
"You fight the Reapers?"
"Yes."
"Then we will see."
Once they got back on the Normandy, Shepard debriefed Admiral Hackett before Liara call her to the room where they put the Prothean. As Shepard walked towards the elevator, Specialist Traynor let her know that there's something she need to talk about. Once Shepard arrived in Grunt old room, there's 4 Alliance soldiers with weapons pointed at the Prothean as Liara trying to talk to the Prothean. After Liara complained to Shepard how she wasn't allow to talk to the Prothean and one of the Alliance soldier informed her of Alliance protocol, Shepard dismiss the soldiers as she told them the Prothean is not a threat.
They talked to the Prothean whose name is Javik. After asking few questions that Liara are dying to know, Shepard left Javik alone as she go check on Traynor. Traynor informed her of a distress call from Grissom Academy and how EDI informed her about the signals from the Turian were the same with the one that lure them to the Collector ship, Shepard then check her messages before she finally check up on EDI and Joker on the bridge. After talking to them, Shepard head towards the main gun to inform Garrus about a slight chance of schedule.
"Shepard." greet Garrus as he sense Shepard entered the main gun even without turning around from his calibrating.
"There's a slight change of schedule. We need to delay the summit as we are going to make stop at two places first." said Shepard as she stood beside Garrus without interrupting him.
"Where?"
"We're going to dry dock on Citadel for a few hours. I received email from Ashley. She already up and I were thinking about checking on her first. Also I have countless of things to do on the Citadel too."
"Well Primarch Victus and I can take the opportunity to check on refugees from Palaven. I don't see a reason to stop you from doing so." said Garrus as he still focus on calibrating.
"After that I want to check Grissom Academy."
"Grissom Academy? Those sound familiar.
"It should be. That's where we send David Archer."
"Why would you want to check Grissom Academy? Shouldn't school be closed?" asked Garrus as he turns to face Shepard.
"It should be but they didn't. Or who know why. But they sent out a distress call. A Turian evac ship intercepted the call but upon further investigation, it was the same signals which the Illusive Man lured us to the abandon Collector ship."
"I don't see any harm on checking to make sure."
"Good. Because I was thinking you should talk to Primarch Victus about it."
"Are the great Commander Shepard afraid?"
"I did tell him, he didn't seem amused with my decision to check up on Grissom Academy. I just thought you could convince him that it's not a way for me to delay the summit. The sooner it done, the better but if the distress call is real, which I'm sure it is because I doubt EDI ever wrong, we could save those kids. I didn't send David Archer there so Cerberus could do the same exact thing I saved him from."
"I will talk to Primarch Victus if you answer my questions."
"Do I even have a choice? Fire away." said Shepard with a sigh.
"What's with you and Liara?"
"What's what?"
"You two seem cold. I have been on this ship almost a day now and I didn't even saw you spend time together for more than 10 minutes."
"I thought you said "look at these two lovebirds here. I think I might throw up." we are acting as usual."
"Less than usual. I'm sure Liara was annoyed you kept her from the fact there's a Prothean artifact on Eden Prime until she in the shuttle."
"You know... she just busy with her Shadow Broker stuff. And I am too busy. In case you didn't realize I'm not only play as a soldier, now apparently I have to play politician." said Shepard but she realized how Garrus didn't buy it.
"Ugh... I don't know, okay? We are still together but I just... I don't know how to explain it."
"Have you talked to her?"
"No. In case you didn't hear what I said before, we are busy."
"That didn't stop you to go to med bay after each mission, 3 years ago. It might look usual but we all know you're meeting with Dr. T'Soni instead of Dr. Chakwas. Should I mention you put a hold on our track against the Collectors to helped Liara track down the Shadow Broker?"
"That was... different."
"How could it be different? You two always find time for each other no matter what. What stop you now?"
"I have an idea why..."
"Then talk to her. I hate to see you or Liara so sad when you two break up."
"You know, Garrus. I never imagined having this conversation with you. I thought it would be with Tali."
"I blame it on spending so much time with you three. Now if you don't mind I would like to be alone with the main gun." said Garrus as he turns his focus on calibrating the main gun again.
Shepard was doing some work on her desk in her cabin when there's a knock on her door.
"Come in." said Shepard as she stood up to greet her guest.
"You call for me, Shepard? You said it's important. Is something wrong?" asked Liara as she walks into the room towards Shepard.
"I didn't mean to alarm you, but we needs to talk." said Shepard as she signal Liara to the sofa.
"That doesn't sound good."
"I will make sure it's good." said Shepard as she sat on the sofa.
"How much did you know about my past?" asked Shepard as Liara sat next to her.
"No more than what on your Alliance personal record."
"Did you know I was an orphan?"
"...No."
"My parents died when I was a few years old. I think I was about 4 years old. They died in a car accident. I was in the sky car too, but guess what, I cheated death. Since that day I spent my life from one orphanage to the next. I never spend more than 6 months at the same orphanage or foster home since I was 7 years old. There's always something that make me leave."
"I'm sorry to hear that." said Liara as he hold her lover hand.
"When I was 12 years old, I was adopted by this family. They had a daughter a year younger than me. I spent 2 years with them. It was perfect at first. I thought I finally had a family. But a year and half later, everything changed. One night, I heard noises from the next room, it was Emily room, that's my adopted little sister name. I go into her room to see her father beating the crap out of her. I tried to stop him and I got hurt. It never too much but mother never knew. At least that's what I thought. 6 months later I got hurt pretty badly after another night trying to protect Emily. Mother sent me to the hospital and she asked me if father laid a hand on me. I admitted and from her reaction I knew it wasn't the first time he did so. I bet before he started hitting Emily and I, mother was his target." said Shepard as she took a deep breath before continue.
"Child services came after the hospital reports my injuries, before they came; mother promised me that it will stop. That she's done giving him chances after chances. She shouldn't have turn blind eyes on what he did. She told me if she knew he start hitting on Emily and I, she would have done something a long time ago. The next day, the child services informed me that mother and Emily are dead. They said father had a rage and killed Emily and mother stab him even she was stabbed before. She died because of the wounds... I think that's what happened. My brain started to shut off once I heard they died." said Shepard as tears threatening to fall.
"A few days later, when the doctor was getting ready to discharge me so child services could take me to an orphanage, I ran. I went a few days without proper foods when this gang took me in... I stayed with them for a few years before I got out."
"I have no idea." spoke Liara.
"You know when I was 15 years old I go to the firehouse where the firefighters were dispatched to the car accident that killed my parents, to find out more. One of the firefighters still in the firehouse and he told me about how they found me. My mother was hugging me tightly; to protect me from getting hurt and my father was hugging her to protect her and me. They said, what they did, might be the reason why I still lived. They only had seconds to think when the drunk driver flew in their sky car line. The only thing that was in their mind was me... I'm not sure if he just made it sound my parents were heroes or maybe that's what exactly happened. But I guess protecting those who you cared already in my blood."
"I knew that I promised you I'm always coming back. But if push comes to shove, I will give up my life to protect others. To make sure you have a better life. This war will end in one way or another and I intend to end it with Reapers are beaten. But if it will kill me to achieve that, so be it. If you think you can't be with me, I understand." continue Shepard.
"Shepard. I will never leave your side. And I know you will survive this. We both will." said Liara as she lifted her lover chin.
"If I didn't, I want to make sure I leave without any regrets."
"What do you mean, Shepard?" asked Liara.
"I... I'm not ready to tell you yet. Please trust me." pleaded Shepard.
"I trust you." said Liara as her heart broke into pieces to see how shattered her lover is.
"For now I just want to be in your arms, like this." said Shepard as she snuggle tightly to Liara. Not wanting to let her go.
They stay like that in a comfortable silence until Joker mentioned they're about to dock on Citadel.
A/N: Well that goes longer than the last chapter even though I rushed with Palaven and Eden Prime missions. I'm sorry for the way I described it but since those situations happened in the game, you should have encountered it at least once so you can imagine how it exactly happened. I want this story to contain my original scenes since it can be quite boring if I write most of the scenes in this chapter from the game. I hope it still gives you a great idea when it happened. Anyway leave me a review or PM me to let me know what you guys think and if I should improve anything. Other than my grammars... I knew I'm so bad at it and I just can't help it. I have great ideas but I'm so weak with my grammars. So bear with me. Again I apologize for those mistakes.