Verner, Conrad

I hope you enjoyed the service, Commander Shepard. Wherever you are.

(I thought it was strange that no-one called you by your first name.)

Oh well, I just thought I'd, uh, come round and pay my respects - you know, personally.

I mean, I suppose you probably know everything I'd want to say, anyway - we always had that kind of rapport, right?

But, uhm, I thought I'd let you know that I did some thinking, you know, in the days after the war - actually that's an interesting story! See, I was on the Citadel when the Reapers attacked - I know right!

That was pretty scary, but we managed to get through it. I mean I was like: "Okay Conrad, think! What would the Commander do?"

But actually, Jenna heard me (I'm still working on filtering what I say out loud) and she said: "C'mon Conrad - we can't live our lives by Shepard!"

And then I said: "Why not?"

And then she - sorry, I'm rambling, right?

Anyway. We managed to get past them! (We kind of used a mix of crouching behind waist-high boxes - you would not believe how many of those are just lying around! - and like, dashing quickly whenever the Reapers passed out of sight. And now I think of it, that might have ended up being what you'd have done after-all...)

But we didn't have any money, or anything really, (I kind of lost everything when the orphanage got attacked) so we we thought we were at the end of the line anyway. But then we just (completely by chance, talk about luck right?) met this Drell! He was with C-Sec, but it looked like he'd been stuck with everyone else.

He helped us get on one of the last shuttles off the station!

But, uh, I don't know what happened to him after that.

What was I saying earlier?

Oh! Yeah, after all that, once we got away - and I still can't believe that we did! - but a while after, when the battle over Earth was done, I did some thinking.

And, Commander, I realise that...

I was kind of a pain in the ass, right? I guess I caused a lot of trouble. For you, and other people.

So... I'm sorry. About that.

And I'm gonna try - me and Jenna are gonna try - to live our own lives now. I'll never forget everything you did for me, Shepard. But I think I'm ready to be my own man now.

A/N:
Took me a long time to think of who deserved the coveted #40 slot. Of course, who else but Conrad - was there ever any doubt.

Time for correspondences:

Tolreve Fodrol: Thanks for the suggestion. I have actually had Shepard's mother planned for a loooong time. I think I mentioned back in an earlier author's note that she's most likely going to appear towards the end of this series. So not for a while yet. Can't remember when I said that though.

Maryz: I absolutely take on board your critique. I even agree, for the most part, about your view of Kal's character. That said, I - personally - don't feel that the swearing detracts from his persona. Kal'Reegar is a particularly firery Quarian, which is partly what makes him such an excellent character. Still though, each to their own - sorry if that appearance wasn't quite as on the mark as you'd hoped.

shriosfan: All in good time...

NarwhalWarlord: I'm afraid there's more chance of hearing from Jenkins, than there is of Marauder Shields making an appearance. Then again, stranger things have happened...

Elycat: Glad you liked the Zaal'Koris chapter, I've always thought he had some excellent character development, making him a periphery favourite.

FireEnchantress: Glad you're enjoying the series, and I hope you continue to.

We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when.

-Nevery.