Death of an Icon
ME:1/ME:2 Bridge
Chapter 2
Like a predator of the deep oceans, the frigate SSV Normandy SR1 hangs motionless in the void. Its sleek lines denote its speed and concealed power. Its revolutionary stealth systems allows its master to hunt with none the wiser. It is has been one month since the Battle of the Citadel and the destruction of the Reaper vanguard by the Imperium of Man. One week since the new reports and the manifesto released by their leader.
One week letter the Citadel's belated response to the threat posed by the Geth. A massive fleet made up primarily of the Council ships crashed into the Traverse. Sweeping aside Geth Outposts and the remnants of their invasion fleet. The Council expected gratitude from the colonies they saved, the mostly human planets saw this as paying lip service to their plight. They had suffered dozens of not hundreds of raids throughout the year long crisis.
Commander Shepard's scything remarks in response to the Councils actions have reverberated across the Alliance. His message was the Council didn't believe him when he first accused Saren and then decided that their fleets had better things to do despite that humanity is guaranteed assistance and protection by the Citadel. That promise, Shepard says, was betrayed. Thousands of human deaths can and should be laid at the Council's feet. When asks why he continues to service as a Spectre, Shepard replied, "I was given this role to show that humanity can be a benefit to the galaxy. I will not betray the trust humanity placed in me. I have to place my duty and honour to humanity before my own beliefs."
This sense of duty chafes Shepard as he has his ship patrolling a shipping lane that has had several ships gone missing. The Council believing that the Geth are behind this and that the lanes are important to the Alliance, they hoping to regain some goodwill have assigned Shepard to investigate.
Shepard and his crew are pissed. He is being sent on babysitting duties that are far less important than figuring out how to stop the return of Reapers, the rumours human colonies in the Terminus System disappearing, and the lack of anything from the Imperium. Looking at the system tactical map, Shepard shakes his head and lets out a sigh. "Alright Joker, this sections is cold. Move us to a gas giant so we can vent the heat sinks and the core and move on to the next one."
"Aye Aye Commander. Do you how much longer we're going to be stuck here? I mean the Galaxy won't save itself."
"No idea Joker. Let's hope that the Council comes to their senses soon or the next time their lives are in danger we won't be coming to save them."
The frigate moves on. Another section of space, another section of vast nothingness. They were there for a week before they were discovered. A creature that believes in its own superiority some much that their whole way of life boils down to might makes right. It killed its master and assumed his role. Wanting more; power, technology, and information it made a deal with an enigmatic race.
A long spire like ship knifes through the airless void. The star light reflects off its insectoid like hull. Its drive glow a twisted yellow as its scanners find the SR1. It accelerates, happy that the information was correct. Happy that its prey is at hand. Happy that it can please its master. Sensors go active and weapons charge, alerting the smaller warship that it is being attacked.
Joker reacting quickly to the shrill alarms snaps the frigate out of the fatal path of the particle beam. The beam missing the kill shot rakes across the engine pods destroying one. Energy relays flare and crackle as a fatal overload cascades through the wounded ship. Fires break out as consoles explode, maiming and killing those unfortunate service men and women who were to close.
Gravity, lights, and power flicker as the crew rushes to fulfill their duty. The ship shudders as Joker throws the ship though desperate manoeuvres. Shepard knowing that the Normandy is doomed he sends a distress call and orders all hands to abandon the ship. Klaxons ring out as people rush to the escape pods. Particle beams cripple the ship, tearing long gashes through its fragile hull. Drifting with erratic pulses of power Shepard moves to the bridge in order to save his pilot.
Save his pilot he does. As the death blow is struck Shepard pushing his way through the wreckage and chaos of battle saves Joker and the majority of lives entrusted to his care. He does this at great sacrifice. His suit damage is leaking life giving air as he tumbles in the orbit of an icy desolate moon. All sound is gone. No alarms, no screams, no explosion only the hiss of leaking air. He tumbles with broken pieces of his iconic vessel.
Death claims him. He does not witness the last particle blasts that rends his ship apart. The dwindling air combined with being hit with a large section of burned hull ends his life as he re-enters orbit as a blood red meteor trailing a wake of fire. The insectoid cruiser turns and leaves the battlefield its mission complete.
Shepard's death does not go unnoticed. The Alliance, the Council, the Inquisition, and the Shadow Broker, as well as Shepard's surviving friends all want to recover his body. This sets off a deadly race with the legacy of an icon up for grabs. The Alliance wants to give him a hero's burial. The Council to gain good will and help ease the tension between the rest of Citadel and Humanity. His friends want to gain closure and have something to mourn. The Shadow Broker sees an asset to sell, to further exploit for power. The Inquisition wants a champion. One that shows what a normal human can do, can aspire to. Someone that is more relatable than the Primarch and his Space Marines. Above all they want a fighter to help protect humanity from all foes both internal and external.
The race is on.