Sorry this chapter is a little short but this was the one chapter that I was dreading to write. I hate doing this to characters but shit happens. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, comments, and questions. As usual, please read and review. Enjoy!
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The Normandy dropped out of FTL over Alchera. Three ships had gone missing in the last month. Too many working theories were being thrown around the CIC for anyone to really know what to expect, but the only reason the Normandy was patrolling the sector was because there were a few pencil pushers that thought it might be geth. Though the simple mission had given time for everyone to recover from their party and spend some time simply enjoying each other's company.
Claire and Garrus had been spending most of their time that they were not on duty together. Everyone had seen it coming apparently. Luke had been wanting to see it happen for a while. Claire and Garrus were made for each other, they simply never took the time to enjoy each other's company until Luke had gotten Calire drunk and sent her with Garrus back to the ship.
No one really minded the little bit of flirting between the two. It was not like there were regulations against it, though Pressley had been a little judgmental when it came to light. Hoping not to bother Claire with something so petty and stupid, Luke had jumped on it as soon as it had come to his attention.
He felt that Pressely's manner had improved some but sometimes he said things that made Luke want to strangle the man.
"My money is on slavers. The Terminous is crawling with them," Pressley voiced from the cockpit, voicing his opinion on the disappearances they were investigating. Luke stepped in and crossed his arms. Now was one such time that Luke wished he could put his hands around the man's throat and squeeze.
"All the more reason to eradicate them. Slavers are even lower than geth in my book. At least the geth have a cause their fighting for. Might have been a reaper, but it was a cause," Luke said turning and heading toward the stairs to the crew deck. "Slavers only want profits and death."
"I'm picking up something on long range sensors," one of the crew said. She was a young woman named Caroline Grenado. She had been assigned to help monitor the new scanners and ship index. "Looks like a cruiser."
"It's not matching any known signatures," Joker stated. Luke stopped and jogged back up the cockpit.
"Give me a visual," Luke said leaning over the console.
"It's too far out, but it's changing course. Wait, it's on an intercept trajectory," Grenado said flipping through some of the readings.
"Can't be stealth systems are engaged. There is no way a geth ship could possibly…" Pressely started.
"It's not the geth! Brace for evasive maneuvers!" Joker shouted as he forced the ship into a sudden inversion. Luke watched as a bright yellow beam shot past them.
"Holy crap, who are these guys?" Luke shouted.
"I don't know but they are really pissing me off!" Joker shouted.
Suddenly, the entire ship lurched as sparks flew from the consoles. The display in front of Pressley flared up and exploded sending shrapnel through the man's body, killing him instantly. Grenado got up to check him but a second explosion sent her to the floor as well.
"Joker, do what you can to get us to a safe distance. I'm gonna go get Claire," Luke said.
"Well, its not like I'm going to go toe to toe with these bastards, but I can get the ship clear. I can save her," Joker pleaded as he tried to help the Normady limp to safety.
"Fine, but first sigh that she is going down, you get out of here." Luke left his warning at that as he took off down the hallway as fast as his feet could carry him. He locked his helmet into place and continued down the stairs to the living area.
"Claire, where are you?" Luke called through the radio.
"By the escape beacon, I've got Garrus with me," came the reply. Luke took off at a sprint. He pasted Liara, Wrex, and Tali helping everyone into the escape pods. He nodded to them as he ran past.
"Beacon is reasy for launch," Claire said as Luke came up behind her and Garrus. Claire was fiddling with her helmet, making sure that all the seals were clamped and tight.
"Will the Alliance make it in time?" Garrus asked.
"They sure as hell better. I don't like escape pods. One person farts and everyone wants to take a walk outside," Luke responded. Claire shook her head and sighed as she sounded the alarm to abandon ship.
"Garrus, oversee the evacuation. I want everyone on the escape pods," Claire ordered.
"I'm not leaving you," Garrus said defiantly.
"Go Garrus. Now." Claire's voice left nothing to question her. Luke could see Garrus swallowing his pride and burying his personal feeling.
"Aye aye Shepard." The turian quickly turned and sprinted down the hallway toward the main escape pod area.
"You too Luke," Claire said.
"Joker is still in the cockpit. He's sure that he can save the Normandy. Besides, I'm not getting on a pod until you do. Call it 'brother's protection,' okay?" Luke stated as Claire started toward the stairs. An explosion knocked her back into Luke.
"Fine, let's get Joker out of here before these bastards finish off the ship," Claire said. They both took off at a dead sprint through the fire and crumbling hull. They could hear Joker speaking over the radio and intercom on all frequencies sending out a distress call.
As the two Shepards emerged from the stairs, they were met with the sight of Alchera above them through the massive hole that had claimed the ceiling of the CIC. Luke felt his stomach twist itself into knots as he noticed a terrifying fact; the planet was getting larger by the second.
They passed through the barrier keeping the bridge separate from the rest of the ship and Claire stepped to Joker's side.
"Come on Joker. We gotta get out of here," Claire said trying to take his arm.
Joker immediately pulled away. "No, I won't abandon the Normandy. I can still save her."
"The Normandy is lost, Joker. We are crashing. Not even ten of you could save the ship now," Luke said as he unlocked the hatch for the last escape pod.
"Luke's right, throwing your life away won't change that," Claire said offering her hand again. Joker looked distraught by the statements. He sighed and reluctantly took Claire's hand.
"Okay, I…Oh shit. They're coming around for another attack! Joker shouted. Luke turned just in time to see the yellow beam rip straight through the CIC galaxy map.
Claire grabbed hold of Joker and looped his arm around her neck. "Ouch, watch the arm," Joker groaned as Claire carried him to the pod. Luke climbed in and help Joker into a seat, but before Claire could follow, another explosion knocker her back.
"Claire!" Luke shouted reaching out for her. In an instant, another yellow beam ripped through the ship separating Claire from the pod. "Just hang on. I'll get you." Luke shouted reaching for her once more. He tried to pull her bioticly but quickly realized his power was doing nothing. He had forgotten to switch his amp on before he put on his helmet.
"Commander!" Joker shouted.
Luke knew what was going through her mind. Always the selfless hero when the galaxy needed her most. Don't you dare do it, Luke thought as he watched Claire eye the auto-purge control.
"Claire!" Luke shouted once more. Her only response was hitting the control and the doors closed. "No, Claire, NO!
Luke jumped to the radio controls and patched his omni-tool in. He scanned all frequencies desperately trying to find his sister's radio.
"Claire, do read me? Come on Claire, answer me," Luke shouted into his radio.
"I can…you…My suit…damage…leaking air…can't…" Luke listened to the garbled message as tears filled his eyes. He did not want to believe it. Was his sister lost? Spaced like dust out of the airlock?
"Claire, don't you dare die on me. I don't care what it takes, I'm gonna save you. I promise," Luke said into the radio.
"Sorry…Ash…my fault…stay safe…look after…"
Luke sat back and removed his helmet. The one time that he truly needed his biotics and he forgot to turn his damned amp on. How could be have allowed his to happen? He just let his sister die. Not in battle, but plummeting to the planet below in a leaking suit with no chance of rescue or survival.