I Should Go

by Nevery

Speeches, farewells, denials, howls of grief and of rage. Those that knew Shepard in life remember the Commander in death. Shepard's gender and any interpretations of romance are intentionally ambiguous and left up to you. Disclaimer: Reading these shorts whilst listening to "An End for Once and For All" carries with it a heavy risk of tears.

19. Nineteen: Aria T'Loak

T'Loak, Aria

Thanks Shepard.

No really, I mean it.

Not for "saving the universe" and that Bull. No.

Your cute little sacrifice landed me on the winning side of a very satisfactory bet.

Well, obviously we don't know that it was a heroic sacrifice - who knows, maybe you died screaming - but from what I hear it looks good for you. And that means I win, so thanks.

I mean, we're talking about more than credits here. A nice big after action win.

Anyway.

Omega weathered the storm in the end, so I guess I do have to thank you for that. Partly.

Lot's of people there want me to sanction a nice big statue of you. I mean, you've already got one where they "buried" you - well, whatever was left of you.

But hey. We could have our own Shepard in Afterlife - that could work.

But... I have to give you a nod. You toed to lines this whole time. You had the Savior-shtick down, united galaxy shit. And then you had your seedy little underside, eh?

Just how many dodgy deals did you make before the end?

I don't believe for a second that I was the only Sinner on your side.

Ah well, desperate times huh? Can't have your rep tarnished too much now. T'Soni would start crying. Again.

And can you believe that shit-stain Petrovsky has a book out on you? Fuck. Should never have let you talk me out of gutting him.

Well, enjoy the big sleep Shepard. They're already making enough of a meal out of you; building the Legend. Won't be long before some whack-job tries to dig you up again.

Don't hurry back though; the galaxy is just the way I like it right now, and pretty soon, Omega's One Rule is going get Universalised.

Thanks, Shepard.

The best is yet to come.

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A/N: (So there you go, a doubl-bill for today - partly because they sort of go as a set.)

The people asked, and then they got. Here's the Queen of Omega, for your consideration. Please enjoy her unique send-off for the Commander.

There's a new poll that I'm about to put up on my page, for the next few chapters, so go ahead and vote as soon as you can! The options will be as follows: Doc Chakwas, Steve Cortez, Joker, and good old Captain Kirrahe.

Enjoy!