Beyond the Horizon.

A Chance.

Kaidan had been going from outpost to outpost for nearly 9 months, he was tired of it. The hits on the colonies became slimmer and slimmer, but Anderson found out too late each time. He got Kaidan there with no issues, then his investigation brought nothing but more questions. 

The colonists also didn't trust him, they would not speak to him or when they did it was with a blatant attitude. Anderson wanted to bring Kaidan back, they had no proof Cerberus was behind the kidnappings. More interesting news hit his desk straight from Admiral Hackett. Shepard had been seen alive and well. Anderson didn't believe it to begin with, but when he heard Garrus Vakarian was seen with him, he had speculation to believe. 

"Commander, I need you back to the Citadel first thing," Anderson said with urgency. Kaidan raised a brow, staring down at his omni-tool, the councilor on his screen. 

"Any reason why, sir?" Anderson nodded but did not go into detail on it. 

"We will discuss it tomorrow. Get on the first shuttle you can." Kaidan salutes him before the call ends. He sat back on his small bed in his tiny room. He was happy to go back to familiar ground, this colony was small and the people were rude and brash. Kaidan opened his omni-tool again, this time preparing a message. 

To: Jeff Moreau.

From: Kaidan Alenko. 

Joker, 

I hope you are well and looking after yourself. This message I doubt will reach you since none of the others did, but I just wanted to check in. You left the Alliance without a word to anyone. I wanted to know what you are doing now, are you living well? Making sure you're taking care of your body and taking your medication!

Please let me know, 

Kaidan. 

P.S. Have you also heard from Dr Chakwas? she's gone AWOL as well. Me and Anderson are worried about you both. 

Kaidan knew the message would bounce like most of them did but knowing Joker and Chakwas had just disappeared without even a goodbye was a surprise to him. He never expected that would happen. He also had a hard time speaking to the other crew members. Liara rarely replied, Wrex was too busy trying to get Tutuchanka and the Krogan in shape and Garrus stopped replying around four weeks ago. Tali had also disappeared from the galaxy, he last heard she returned home but that was all.

He hated knowing the family they built together had all but gone when Shepard died. At that moment he missed him, he lay's down, hands under his head as he remembered the good times with his Commander. 

"I miss you, John," he whispers before turning on his side to turn the thoughts into dreams. 

---

"Thank you for returning so quickly, Kaidan," Anderson says as Kaidan snaps a salute. "You may want a seat." 

Kaidan looks at the seat to his right then back at Anderson, he nods towards it. With a curt nod, he sits down in the uncomfortable chair, crossing one leg over the other. "What is it?" Anderson walks out from behind the desk, stopping in front of it and leaning back. 

"We had some reports come in, Hackett sent them. Shepard has been seen." Kaidan's eyes snapped open, standing up quickly in one motion. 

"Bullshit," he shouts. Anderson raises a brow, and Kaidan quickly corrects himself, standing straight and looking directly forward. "I'm sorry, Councillor, that was not directed at you." 

Anderson lazily waves his hand, and Kaidan relaxes. "It's fine, that was my reaction to the news. I had no reason to believe it before the report of his companions came through." Kaidan moves closer, thinking being closer will make him hear it better. "Garrus Vakarian has been seen with him, along with a Krogan, however, we confirmed it isn't Wrex. He is still on Tutchanka." 

Kaidan knew if it was a Krogan and Turian with a human, it was most likely Shepard, he'd always preferred the diversity of working with different species. "How? He can't just reappear after two years." 

"That's why I needed you back," Anderson explains. "If this is Shepard we need to know where he's been for two years and why he hasn't contacted anyone." 

Kaidan scratches his growing stubble, thinking for a moment. "What was he doing when he was seen?" Anderson's head drops and Kaidan knows the bad news is next. 

"The report came from Cerberus servers if this is to be believed..." Kaidan shook his head as Anderson said the words, "he's working for Cerberus." 

Kaidan almost fell in his seat, he fought with Shepard against them. Killing hundreds of their agents, now he's working for them?! It couldn't be true. "I need to find him," Kaidan whispers. 

Anderson walked back around his desk, grabbing some datapads. Kaidan was looking into the distance, hand clenched against his chin. A million thoughts ran through his mind, he had so many questions. He was angry, happy, and upset neither could settle for what mood he should have. 

"Kaidan," Anderson calls getting his attention. "I need you to find Shepard, find out what he's doing." He passed the datapads to him, it had information on the reports from Hackett and the current status of Cerberus movements. "There is a rumor Shepard is heading to Horizon, you will get there before him. I had AA guns sent ahead of your arrival, they are having issues getting them up and running. Go there to... help," he says using air quotes. "If Shepard does arrive, find out what he's doing and where he's been." 

"Yes, sir. I need to know for myself as well, it's been hard finding my purpose without him and the Normandy." Anderson gives him a sympathetic smile, he knew Kaidan was struggling mentally, but they all have a job still to do. 

"I've got you passage to Horizon, only myself and Admiral Hackett know you're going. Be quick and swift, don't draw too much attention to yourself." Kaidan shakes his hand and leaves with datapads in tow. He'd read them on the travel to Horizon, he was somewhat excited. If Shepard was alive, he could finally get his purpose back, but also if he's with Cerberus, everything he thought he knew about Shepard would all come into question.