Where To Go From Here?

December 30, 2185

UT-47 Kodiak Shuttle - Operator Miranda Lawson - 0100 hours

It's all my fault! I knew I should have stayed on the fucking ship. I quickly shook my head, This is that damned pilot's fault. Huffed. To leave him in charge of the ship. What was I even thinking?! The nerve-

I felt the gentle touch of my shoulder. An alien touch. I half expected it to be Charlie's. Feels like something he would do, I inwardly rolled my eyes. I looked at the hand still on my shoulders, to find Shepard's petite hands touching me. I looked at her and no words were spoken. I must have output some sort of body gesture but then again, I didn't care. This was my fault. Ugh. The paperwork that I would have to send to The Illusive Man.

"How long until we reach the Normandy, Hale." I heard Charlie just behind Shepard. I found it funny that I spent that last few years rebuilding Charlie. I can almost tell what he's thinking or feeling. I looked back at Shepard and she gave me a nod.

She hardly knows me, I told myself. But she did. She could tell I was frustrated. I guess she's been in my shoes before. I took a deep breath and nodded back.

"We're about to jump out of FTL, Commander."

And there she was. Alone. Drifting in space. Most of the crew looked out the port side window once the Normandy dropped out of the cockpit window.

"I've got a bad feeling about this." Ashley said softly.

"I agree," Shepard matched the Alliance brat's voice. "Could be a trap. Hale, see anything on your scopes?"

"Negative. I've hailed the Normandy and so far, no response. I'll keep trying as I get closer."

"Could be a trap…" Charlie pensively thought aloud. "But we have a group of bad asses on board. If it is a trap, we'll be ready for them."

Oh, as if it were that easy! I rolled my eyes as the ship filled with cheers. In the end he was right. We had to take the ship back one way or another. Hopefully the Collectors didn't the damage the ship too badly, in case we had to make a quick getaway.

As we came closer to the ship, I inched forward, inspecting the Normandy more closely. "Strange… No damage to the hull. How did they get in?" I was surprised how intact the Normandy looked. Also frightening, If I was anybody else in such scenarios.

"One way to find out." Charlie readied his biotics, "Hale, get ready to dock."

Touch-down was easy enough, still being cautious as the team moved out of the Kodiak. I took the left flank, taking several ground team members with me. Along with Charlie, taking the opposite flank, we did a official sweep of the cargo bay. I ordered Miss Zorah to inspect the terminal just near the elevator lift that would take us with the rest of the ship. She had no problems accessing the vid security recordings. The two Commanders join us in taking a look.

"The seeker swarms. Bastards!" I slammed my biotic fist on the desk, levitating nearby datapads and other schematics.

"Wait!" Shepard shouted, ordered Tali to reverse the footage and signaled to the little window that highlighted the Normandy's AI Core. She laughed. "That's Joker! How did he managed to stay clear of The Collectors? Let's find out where he went." Tali nodded and sped up the footage until Joker appeared again, coming out of one of the service shafts in the Engineering Deck. EDI's avatar shows up the footage goes dark.

"Well that's just great." I groan. "If I'm right...and I usually am, then Joker must have-"

"Hello."

EDI's avatar appears on the desk near Shepard. "Hey, EDI. Is Joker alright? We just ran the security feeds and found him but the vid goes dark. How's the ship?"

"Officer Moreau is patching himself up in the medical bay. He will need more medical attention due to his illness. The ship, and the Reaper IFF is installed and ready for travel. I managed to secure the ship from any hostiles. If it weren't for Mister Moreau's help in unshackling me, then this ship would most likely have been destroyed in the invasion."

"Joker did what!?" I exclaimed. Oh, once I get my hands on him, I'm going to tear him apart. That's not his bloody job!

"Oh no you don't. I'm sorry."

Darkness.

A Few Minutes Later

Captain's Quarters - Commander Alonso

"I've done it this time." I sighed in guilt. I probably should've handled that better. I'll take whatever punishment that comes from this. I turn the faucet off and bring the glass of water next to the my bed, where Miranda lays unconscious.

Not that I blame her, I continue to wander off. Joker did in fact unshackle and AI. History does end up repeating itself. I end up remembering the mission on Luna a few years ago when Shepard and I were on the hunt for Saren. Though that was a bit different. VIs are different and we destroyed it. EDI has turned out to be an important asset to the team. I'm not sure if I could do the same. EDI is a...sentient being. Even before Joker did what he did. Which reminds me.

I gently shook Miranda's body awake, causing her to groan.

"Why did you do that?" She asked.

"How did you know it was me." I gulped.

"Well, your body language is a clear sign." She glared. "I sure hope you have some sort of apology."

I did...sort of. "I-Unfortunately, it'll have to wait." I gave her the glass of water, which she took from my grasps with ferocity. "Everyone is waiting on my signal for a 'next phase of the attack' thing."

"I wasn't able to assess the rest of the ship cause somebody decided to hit me in the back!" Miranda groaned and touched her head.

Maybe I hit her too hard, I winced.

"So, how's the crew?"

"Shepard came up and...well" I breathed heavily, "...that's just it. Everyone is gone. Those fucking roaches took them from us. Joker is the only survivor. The ship is fine, just like EDI said- and before you get upset, hear me out." I quickly jumped at her protests. "We need EDI on this. We wouldn't have the IFF running so quickly without her help. Yeah, she's shackled but Joker didn't have a choice! Joker could be dead and The Normandy would might as well be destroyed if it wasn't for EDI. We need everybody. This mission is too damned important to get rid of anyone. Miranda, everyone is gone! We have to get them back. Safe and sound."

"So, Commander. What's our next move?"

I scratched my beard in contemplation and with annoyance. "We aren't ready yet. The Collectors have our crew and we need to get them back as soon as possible. We can do that now. The IFF is ready and the Normandy is ready to go...but I'm not sure if the crew is ready. I see doubts in some of their faces. We're close to heading inside the Omega-4 relay. Hell, we might not even come back! We need to be focused and ready. I need to speak to the crew and get a game plan going. I just need your support."

She gave me a sad smile and a nod. "Of course. I'm right there next to you, Chuck and I agree. Some of them don't seem to be all there. Talk to them. Then we'll go from there. As a group." She got up and started to head towards the door. "If you don't mind, I'm going to skip the debrief, for Joker's sake. I've got other pressing matters to take care of. Come find me if you need anything."

The Next Day…

"Commander," EDI's avatar popped up next to me on my office as I was compiling a orders list to be placed once we arrive at the Citadel. It's been an uneasy past nine hours. The Normandy is empty and the ground crew, for the exception of Thane, Samara Miranda and myself, have hunkered down in Port Observation for sleep when Garrus somehow managed to spook the crew with one of his spooky Turian horror tales. "We've finally docked. Let me know when you're ready to leave the Normandy. I'll send the lists to Operator Lawson. Thane wishes to speak with you."

"Right," Shepard and Garrus seemed on edge when we had breakfast earlier. Shepard kept giving me an urgent look but unfortunately for her, I've been busy with paperwork. Ugh I hate this so much! I miss Kelly. "I'm almost done here. Tell those two to meet me outside in five. Who else is here?"

"Operators Lawson, Sturridge and Joker are still present."

With paperwork done, I stretched and headed outside the Normandy, shooting Miranda a quick message on my way out. Thane is leaned on a railing overlooking one of the wards, deep in thought.

"What's going on? Everything alright?"

"Commander, I need a favor."

Citadel - Zakera Ward - Commander Shepard - 1000 hours

"Shepard, do you have eyes on him?"

"Not yet." I hate wearing this helmet. I hate it even more at this particular moment. With Former C-Sec officer Harkin with broken legs and nose, we managed to get a hold of one of our old friend's whereabouts. We got a tip that Sidonis was hanging out in the Citadel, laying low from...well, Garrus and me. Why would he hide here? No idea. Maybe he thinks Civilization will help him. I scoffed. Not after you betrayed our team. You brought us together you piece of shit! Now we're gonna avenge the deaths of those you killed! I shook my head. Focus!

"I see him!" Garrus exclaimed over the comms. "Over by the ARMAX shop. He's talking with the owner. I don't have a clear shot. Wait. He's on the move again. Do you see him?"

"He's heading to the alleyway. See if you can cut him off!" I quickly make my way and make sure that I can still see that fucker. I'm thankful that Charlie decided to land here. Who knows if Sidonis would've stayed on the station or not. "He's leaving the alleyway and heading towards one of the Turian shops."

"Shepard, get outta there! You're gonna be surrounded!"

What? I felt the air in my lungs escape me. Almost as if I was hit by a ramming air car. I screamed in pain. I could hear Garrus over the comms but the pain was too much. What happened next was just as bad as a Krogan foot came crashing down on my chest, sending another sharp pain on my ribs.

I heard a familiar Turian laugh before coming to my view. "I knew you two were coming for me. Good thing I hired the local Blood Pack for protection." He gestured to the large Krogan that was currently holding me down. "You know where to take them."

Last thing I saw was a large fist coming towards my face. I knew I was screwed.

I'm back from the dead. Sorry that I haven't updated anything in such a long time. I missed this. I'm gonna do my best to get a rhythm down in posting new content.

Hope you guys enjoyed this short chapter.

Until next time!