Whole, Part 2 (a Mass Effect fanfiction)

One Last Fight

As she climbed the rubble toward the War Room, Shepard could hear Wrex's voice booming out across the ruined streets of London. It wouldn't surprise her if his voice carried across the ocean to the shores of New England, where her parents had been from. She smiled with deep affection for this giant creature unimaginable by her ancestors, with the big heart and deep devotion to his people that he tried to hide under his gruff exterior.

"When the rachni laid waste to the galaxy two thousand years ago—when all seemed lost and the end was near—one word delivered the killer blow! One word beat the monsters back to the abyss, and one word brought death to an enemy none dared fight. That word was 'krogan'! And today, the krogan rise again! Today we forge a new path and join the galaxy as allies in victory. Today ... we win our future!" He broke off as she joined him. "Shepard! You did it."

"Had to."

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." He clapped her on the back. "No matter what else happens today, you did what no one else could—you united a galaxy. That's a victory right there. And don't worry, I know why you're going to win."

"Because I brought the krogan?"

"Because you brought the krogan!" He grinned widely. "Oh, and Bakara sends her regards. She's already pregnant. There are benefits to being a clan leader. But she keeps insisting we name the first one Mordin. I'm pushing for Shepard, personally."

Shepard shook her head. "Name it Mordin. He deserves it. None of this would have been possible without him."

"Well ... maybe if it's a girl. Anyway, Shepard, let's get to it!"

"See you on the other side, Wrex."

"You know it." As she started to move past him, he stopped her. "Shepard. I, uh ... well, you know."

"I do. It's been an honor, Wrex."

"Yeah. What you said."

He returned to shouting down at his troops, and Shepard went through the remnants of the doors into the building.

She found Javik there, looking out over London. He turned to her. "I am prepared for whatever lies ahead, Commander. The Reapers have haunted the galaxy long enough. It is time to end the nightmare." He sighed deeply, nodding to himself. "The deaths of my soldiers will be avenged. The events of the Cronian Nebula will not have been in vain. The last Prothean awaits your command." He drew himself up stiffly.

"Thank you, Javik. I'm glad to have you with us."

"A great moment lies ahead of you, Commander. There was no final battle against the Reapers in my cycle. Just attrition, our defenses worn away like the dripping of water on rock." Javik turned his head toward the blasted doors, through which Wrex's voice could be heard again. "I have been listening to the krogan speak to his men. In our cycle, the races never came together. There was no rallying cry. I envy you."

That this was because the Protheans had subjugated all other races to their will was a truth Shepard kept to herself. It wasn't the time to argue galactic history. "There's not much left out there to envy," she said instead.

"The future is still out there! It is something my people could never say: There will be a tomorrow."

Shepard was far from certain of that. She muttered, "Only if we win today."

"No one else has ever made it this far."

"You did. You came a long way, Javik. Further than anyone else here."

"And I look forward to fulfilling my mission. But you are now the avatar of this cycle, the exemplar of victory. Not just for humanity, or turians, or Protheans, but for all life. Every soul that has ever existed is watching this moment."

She didn't feel like much of an avatar. Just tired, really, and ready to be done, and more than ready to put down the burdens of representing the hopes for the future of every soul that ever existed. "Well, no pressure when you put it that way."

"I know you will see this through for all of us—no matter the cost." Javik put out his hand and Shepard shook it.

"If we actually pull this off, what will you do afterwards?"

He sighed. "Seeing the past again in the Echo Shard, the faces of my men ... I will go to the Cronian Nebula and I will find their graves. I will put their ghosts to rest, and then I will join them. If I live that long."

"Let's hope so."

Shepard moved past him to a small knot of human marines, quietly telling what looked like war stories. James Vega smiled at her from amongst them and stepped out of the group to join her. "Commander."

"What, no 'Lola'?"

He smiled nervously. "Yeah, sorry."

"You okay?"

"I don't know what I thought I'd feel, coming back to Earth. I was ready to fight—ready to die, if I had to. But seeing everything like this ..."

Shepard put a hand on his shoulder. "I know it's hard to see, but this is only temporary. First, we have to win this thing. Don't let them take your will to fight, James."

"I know, I know. You're right. I'm going to make those Reapers pay—for everything they've done. So ... I guess this is it, no? One more push, one last fight."

"Not necessarily our last." Although she hoped it was. Win or lose, she didn't know how much fight she had left in her.

Vega saluted. "It's been an honor serving with you, Shepard."

She reached out, clasping his hand. "You're a good man and a terrific soldier."

"Thanks."

"Whatever happens out there, I know you'll make me proud."

"That means a lot to me, ma'am." Vega cleared his throat. "Good luck out there ... Lola."

Shepard smiled at him, glad to hear him back to his usual irreverent self, and he returned to the rest of the marines.