MATTEO: Life and Death

Chapter 65

"So he's dead," Noble said. The Great War or 'Alliance Wars' was lost. The Empire, despite losing at the beginning , won , and the shadow of victory disappeared. Despite the strong army that Shepard had , Emperor Palpatine outsmarted them all. He won giving another point for the Sith. Another point for his Empire. For Shepard it was the ultimate defeat. A defeat , which he paid with his life. God rest his soul.

EC-99-01 'Noble' , Sera Madreth , Maul , Kira Nes , Jane Shepard , Ellie Shepard , Jubilee Shepard , Arla Jareni , Damian Reese , Garrus Vakarian , Tali Zorah , Joker , Rosalia and EDI stood over Matteo's grave. His body was not found which means that it burned or was crushed by the numerous wrecks of the Alliance fleet. The only thing left of him was the helmet he wore. Jane impaled it on a wooden stake in the middle of the graves of other soldiers the group had buried. Matteo's lightsaber lay on the ground. It had been lowered from Noble's hands. Everyone could not believe , that Matteo Shepard was dead. The commander and warrior died fighting for the freedom of all citizens of the Galaxy. He sacrificed everything to stop the Imperials. Unfortunately, his sacrifice was in vain. But the memory of him will remain forever. Arla moved closer to the woman.

"He reunited with the Force. He marked peace. As you Earthlings say - He is in a better place and looks down on us."

"He was a great soldier." Jane began. A tear escaped from her eye. "He knew what he was counting on. He sacrificed himself , so that we would all survive and fight against the Empire."

"But , how are we going to do that? We have practically nothing. Practically the entire fleet has been destroyed. We have nothing to fight with." Damian said.

"We will hide in the shadows padawan. We'll disappear from the Empire's radars and keep our heads down." Arla answered.

"Matteo , wouldn't want that." Damian gave an argument.

"Shepard is dead. No one can change that. Master Jareni is right. We should go into hiding. Disappear from this world. The Empire will think , we died in the war." Maul joined the conversation. Arla snorted. She didn't like Sith. Especially ones like Maul. She remembered what damage he had done to the Jedi Order. How many Jedi he had killed. She looked at him.

"Do you know the difference between your brother Savage Opress and the brain cells in your head?"

"What?" Maul asked.

"Nothing. They both dead." Arla roasted him. Maul looked down. That hurt. He growled and slowly began to walk away. Sera slowly followed him.

"We will meet soon . . . . Lady Jareni" He said with a wink. He and his wife retreated backward. Madreth had a sad expression on her face.

"My condolences" Those were the only words she spoke. She said them to Jane , Ellie and Jubilee. She made her way to her ship and flew off the planet with her husband. The rest watched as her T-6 shuttle left the planet's atmosphere. Jane looked again at Matteo's grave. Arla placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He was a great person. The galaxy will not have another like him."

"Indeed," Jane began. "We lost our hope for a better tomorrow."

"So what if hope is not lost." Ellie said. "What if there is still a chance to win."

"What do you mean?" Mistress Jareni asked.

"I mean , someone can replace Dad and lead the Alliance to continue fighting. We will start rebuilding. Step by step."

"But , who would do it? Who would replace Matteo?" Damian asked.

"I could replace him." Ellie began. "I am ready , to face all the trials. I know that I am young and according to all of you I am not ready to take risks , but I will show you. I will show you that I am not afraid of anything. I am ready to fight against the Empire. I am ready to replace my father. I am ready to become a commander."

Jane approached her niece. She knew that there was Power in Ella. She knew that she was angry at the entire galaxy - the Empire had killed her father, taken away the parent she loved, the person who had given her a future and hope for a better world. Now that person was dead - she died in the name of a higher good. Matteo Shepard is dead - all his relatives and friends will mourn him.

"You can try , but I do not promise that you will survive the trials" Jane lowered her hand "If you want to start move with me. Now. " After a moment she left and headed for the canon boat. Ellie looked at her father's grave - she will miss him very much. She sent him a kiss and went with Jane to the ship.

"Come on Jubilee," Ellie wailed. "We have to go now."

Jubilee looked at Arla and Damian. She nodded and headed for the gunship. The Jedi Master and her padawan watched as the ship took off and flew upward. Noble looked up at the sky.

"What's next?" She said aloud. Arla looked at her.

"Go back to your brothers. Go into hiding and start a peaceful life." She said.

"What about you?" Noble asked.

"Don't worry about me. I will hide from the Empire. I think it's time for training my apprentice" Jareni looked at Damian.

"May the Force be with you mistress" Noble said goodbye to Arla. She then went to her ship and flew out leaving the two Jedi alone.

"What now Mistress?" Reese asked. Arla looked at her student.

"It's time for us" Jareni moved to the ship on which Garrus , Tali , Joker , Kira , EDI and Rosalia had been waiting for a long time. Damian joined his mistress. The ship took off and flew upwards leaving the planet and Matteo Shepard's grave once and for all. After their departure, the wreckage of the cruisers began to shake and N7's helmet leaned forward activating the visor.

"My name is Matteo Lorien Shepard De Arienze. If you hear this , it means that  I'm dead and I died a heroic death