Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 38

Milky Way/Shadow Sea/SSV Normandy

Earth year: 2185 CE - July

By the time she stepped aboard the Normandy, Callie had regained control over her emotions. She wasn't fine by any stretch of the imagination, but she was no longer at risk of snapping someone's head off with her biotics.

On the bridge, Joker turned to face her, his usual smiling face replaced by one of cautious interest. "Hey Commander. It's pretty crazy the kind of people you can run into out here huh? I mean it was probably a set up or something, but it was still good to see Kaidan, uh.. Staff Commander Alenko. Wasn't it?"

"He's moved on." Callie said, feeling her throat constrict. "I can't blame him."

"Right, right, a mutual thing. Got it." Joker said, clearly not buying it. "Well, if you need to talk you might want to take it up with a... a people-person."

"You're a real pal."

"I'm here for you Commander." He said, turning back to his console. "Up here. With my things."

Callie turned away and headed back to the CIC and the elevator when Kelly stopped her.

"I saw the reports on Horizon Commander. What you did was amazing." She gushed. "The report also mentioned that Kaidan Alenko was there. How did that go?"

"We've been through a lot. I wish we could've had more time together."

"Do you have strong feelings for him?" Kelly asked.

"Kaidan's an incredible man. I didn't like saying goodbye."

"I'm sorry. Parting ways with someone so close is never easy.

"I appreciate that, but I'll be okay." Callie said, not wanting to talk about it on the bridge. "Was there anything else I should know?"

"You have unread messages at your private terminal. Operative Lawson and Operative Taylor would both like to speak with you."

"Thank you Kelly."

"Commander?" EDI's voice came over the comm. "The Illusive Man would like to speak with you. He's waiting for you in the briefing room."

Callie's face clouded as she told EDI she was on her way.

"Excellent work on Horizon Shepard." The Illusive Man said as his image came into focus. "We struck a blow against the Collectors. They'll think twice before targeting another colony."

"This wasn't a victory." Callie snapped. "They still got away with half the colonists."

"Half the colony is better than the entire colony Shepard." He reminded her. "I suspected they might be searching for you or people connected to you. Now I know for sure."

"I wondered if you had something to do with this. Kaidan mentioned the Alliance got a tip about me."

"I released a few carefully disguised rumours with key Alliance personnel that you were alive and working for Cerberus."

"Never again." Callie seethed, her voice cold. "You put me, my squad and the entire colony at risk with your stunt."

"A necessary risk Shepard. Need I remind you of what's at stake here?"

Callie said nothing, not trusting herself to speak.

"If you expect to succeed against the Collectors, you'll need everyone at their best, including you. Can I assume that you've put your past relationships behind you?"

"None of your damned business."

"If it affects the mission, better that you leave it behind. Once you go through the Omega-4 relay there's no guarantee you'll be coming back."