"Quick, get Shepard to surgery now!" A Turian orders urgently as they rush the critically injured Commander to the operating room. Karen emerges from the Phoenix Shuttle, gripping her wounded arm in pain. A Phoenix medical team immediately attends to her injury. Just moments ago, they were leading an attack on an Alliance FOB, but they were ambushed by an Alliance sniper. Karen and the sniper both knew that Shepard would come to confront her crew, and that's exactly what the sniper wanted. As Karen sits on the bench, another shuttle arrives and Admiral Tali'Zorah emerges. She approaches the shuttle that was carrying Shepard and notices Karen's injury. The Phoenix medic finishes treating Karen's arm, and she winces as he tightens the bandage. Tali'Zorah looks at her with concern.
"Are you okay, Captain?" Tali'Zorah asks, inquiring about Karen's mental state rather than her physical condition, as her arm is now in a sling.
"I've certainly been better, Admiral Zorah," Karen replies, wincing in pain. Tali'Zorah looks at her sympathetically before turning to head towards the Surgery Ops. Karen takes a deep breath and decides to ask the question that's been on her mind.
"Admiral...why does the Alliance hate Shepard so much?" she asks, hoping Tali'Zorah can provide some answers.
Tali'Zorah stops in her tracks and turns to face Karen. "They don't hate Shepard," she explains. "They hate what she represents. They hate the woman who can lead armies while they struggle to lead a small rifle squad. They hate the woman who can inspire loyalty in people, not to the Alliance, but to her. She's the woman who can start a war by merely showing herself to the galaxy. She's the woman who would never use Reaper technology to advance the Alliance's power, not just technologically, but politically. They hate the woman who can change history just by living it." Tali'Zorah's words take on a preachy tone as she captures the essence of the Alliance's feelings towards Shepard.
"Why not just kill her? That would have saved them a lot of trouble," Karen said, rising to meet Tali'Zorah's gaze.
"I'm sure the Alliance has considered it. But can you imagine the chaos that would ensue? Look at what happened when people found out she was still alive. Imagine what would happen if they found out she was killed," Tali'Zorah responded, looking away from Karen.
Karen paused for a moment before asking, "Who is Garrus Vakarian to Shepard?"
"In another world, in another time, he would be her husband. He is the Turian Shepard loves with all her heart, the one person who has followed her through thick and thin, without question or hesitation - although he may complain a bit. But he never questions his captain or leaves her side. Although now, I'm not so sure," Tali'Zorah answered before leaving for the surgical ops, leaving Karen to ponder over everything she just learned.
--
Years Ago, Two Months After Reapers Defeat
With the war now over, the galaxy can finally begin the process of rebuilding and restoring the lives of those who were once thought to be lost. It's a time for peace and reflection, for honoring those who sacrificed everything for the greater good.
In a quiet corner of a hospital in the North American homeland, a lone woman lies hooked up to a heartbeat monitor. She has been in a coma for several months, and her injuries were severe. Despite the odds, the medical staff managed to save her life, though they were unable to save her right arm below the elbow. The Phoenix organization brought her to an Alliance facility for treatment, and once she was stable, the Alliance Admiralty moved her to a secluded medical facility in the Texas desert. Though her recovery is far from over, the fact that she survived at all is a miracle.
After waking up, Shepard's first thoughts was of her crew, whose whereabouts were unknown. Despite feeling physical pain, Shepard couldn't help worrying about them. As she stared at the stump where her arm used to be, she sometimes felt a phantom sensation of its presence. Turning her attention to a photograph given to her by Garrus, Shepard looked at a picture taken before the Reapers invaded Earth, before she turned herself into the Alliance. The photo showed Shepard and Garrus snuggled up on a couch in her quarters, with Garrus holding her close as she slept. Unbeknownst to them, the photo was taken by EDI, who then sent it to Garrus before their date. Since then, she always had it with her, in the field it was stored in one of her ammo pouches. However, the memory the photo brought back was too painful, and Shepard had to look away from it
Only the medical staff had visited Shepard in the months since she woke up, and they kept their distance, asking only about her health. Shepard sensed that something was amiss, and her intuition was proven correct when Admiral Steven Hackett arrived. Shepard attempted to salute him, but her missing arm made it impossible. Hackett waved it off and informed her about what happened after the Crucible fired. Many Geth were lost, but a significant number survived, along with their AIs and VIs. Additionally, the Alliance had appointed an interim Prime Minister. When Shepard asked about the Normandy, Hackett revealed that it was slowly making its way back and that EDI had survived the Crucible's firing. However, as Shepard looked at the Admiral, she could sense that he had more to say. His expression conveyed a sense of regret. She was right. The moment her world ended again. The moment she died for the third time.
Admiral Hackett congratulated Shepard for her outstanding services to humanity and the galaxy, but also informed her that her services were no longer required. She deserved a quiet retirement in Texas, a small town with only 250 residents, out of the spotlight and away from the galaxy she had saved. Shepard was in tears, asking if Garrus could be with her. However, Hackett explained that Garrus's services were still needed, and he would be stationed on Palaven, which meant that they were taking him away from her. This realization made Shepard cry even harder, as the Admiral looked on, unable to do anything. He apologized to her but explained that the decision was out of his hands. The Prime Minister believed that it was best for the galaxy to think that Shepard was dead, killed in action fighting the Reapers. The Alliance will cover the cost of her apartment and provide her with a stipend for food and other expenses. Additionally, she will be given a new identity and will go by the name Jane Edwards, which happens to be her mother's maiden name. As Hackett left, she felt as if her world was collapsing yet again and remained seated on the bed, watching him depart without uttering another word.
Two Months Later
Shepard is being transported to her new, forcibly imposed, apartment. Compared to her previous residence on the Citadel, the new apartment is much smaller. With her arm in a sling, Shepard takes note of the bleak, flat surroundings and realizes she is expected to spend the rest of her life in this place. As she is wheeled into the living room, she is informed of her curfew and the restrictions on her activities. Essentially, she is expected to lead a life of solitude. Today marks the beginning of her new false life. Today, Commander Jane Shepard is officially dead. Ironically, it was not Saren, the Collectors, Cerberus, or even the Reapers who succeeded in killing Commander Shepard - it was the Alliance who accomplished this feat.
A Three Months Later
Shepard has lost all sense of time and has stopped caring about it altogether. Her apathy began when Hackett visited her in the hospital room several months ago. She occasionally receives tidbits of information about what is happening in the galaxy. Three days ago, or so she thinks, the Alliance held a public ceremony in her honor, extolling her virtues and contributions to humanity and the galaxy. Shepard would have been content with this if her crew had not been present at the event, reminding her of her past life. The Alliance still has not permitted any of her crew to see her. After only 15 minutes of the celebration, Shepard turned off the hologram and broke down in tears. She had served the Alliance unquestioningly and without hesitation for the majority of her life. However, she began to question the Alliance during her pursuit of Saren. Now, she can barely stand to lay eyes on the Alliance.
Few Weeks Later
Today, Shepard was being fitted with a mechanical prosthetic arm on behalf of the Alliance. They thought it would ease the pain of their betrayal, but Shepard knew it wouldn't. However, she was grateful to have her arm back and moved it around experimentally. The medical staff knew who she was but remained quiet, only asking about her new arm. The arm itself blended almost flawlessly with her organic arm, with only a thin, faded line where the mechanical arm met with her flesh.
Upon returning to her apartment, Shepard was greeted by a familiar face, Liara T'Soni, who had managed to blackmail the Alliance leadership to allow her to see Shepard. Shepard was surprised but overjoyed to see her old friend. However, Liara could tell that Shepard was no longer the same person she once knew.
"Liara!" Shepard exclaimed as she hugged her, happy to see her. Shepard had thought that the Alliance wouldn't allow her to see anyone from her old life.
Shepard's escorts left without a word, which surprised her. When Shepard opened the door to let Liara in, Liara was taken aback by the apartment's small, spartan appearance. Shepard headed to the kitchen, and Liara followed.
"How have you been, Liara? How's everyone doing?" Shepard asked, curious about her old crew's well-being.
"Everyone's missing you, Shepard. Especially Garrus," Liara replied. She could tell that Shepard was taking it well, but the hurt was still visible on her face.
"How is he?" Shepard asked as Liara leaned up against the counter.
"He's been better, Shepard," Liara said, noticing the pain on her friend's face.
"It's Edwards now, Liara," Shepard retorted.
"Yes, I saw that in the file. But you're still Shepard to me and everyone else, regardless of what the Alliance wants," Liara said. Shepard smiled for the first time in months.
Shepard asked Liara, "How did you know? Does the rest of the crew know?"
Liara responded, "they told us about you and gave us a weak excuse for you living here. We figured things out quickly. The crew is on patrol, and Garrus is back on Palaven handling security and law enforcement. Fortunately, I don't answer to them. The Alliance was not happy with my demands."
As they talked for hours, Shepard felt happier than she had in months. However, all good things must come to an end. When Liara got ready to leave, Shepard could tell she was dreading it. Liara explained that she had business off-world, so she couldn't stay. As Liara left, Shepard knew that she would be alone again. She sat down on her couch and broke down crying, overwhelmed by the pain of her exile and the loss of her old life.