Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 75

Milky Way/Hawking Eta/Thorne/Derelict Reaper

Earth year: 2185 CE --- December

Shore leave had the desired effect. Having everyone take a break from the confines of the ship had lessened the disturbing events they'd witnessed on Aite.

Satisfied the crew was now more focused on the mission, she ordered Joker to the Hawking Eta system.

Staring at the galaxy map in the CIC, Callie focused on hardening her heart and her resolve. It had been over a month now since she'd written Kaidan and she'd heard nothing from him. At first she'd put aside her worry, giving him time to come to terms with Liara's confession. But as the days became weeks, a part of her had died. She had lost him. She knew she wasn't the same person she'd been when she'd believed they'd be together forever. It hurt like nothing she'd ever felt before, but she had learned long ago how to be alone.

She dropped the steel grate of cool detachment that had kept her alive all those years ago on the street, the cold detachment of survival replacing the space that Kaidan had occupied while her hope was still strong. She felt Kelly look up at her from behind as her posture stiffened and her hands clenched the railing before her.

"Commander?" She asked. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Kelly." She answered, knowing that if Kelly saw her eyes now, she would find no warmth or humour there. "Just worried about this derelict reaper."

"Of course." Kelly nodded. "I understand."

It was then that the Normandy dropped out of FTL and began banking left and right like a drunk rhino. Cursing, Callie made for the cockpit.

"What's with the chop Joker?" She demanded.

"The planet is causing a lot of interference, winds gusting to 300 kph." He replied just as the Normandy's flight path smoothed out.

"What just happened?"

"We just passed inside the Reaper's kinetic barrier." He said, checking his terminal. "The mass effect core is still active. Probably what's keeping it in orbit too."

"Take us in slow." She advised, her eyes glued to the dark black shape that loomed in front of them.

"I'm not reading any life-signs Commander, but there's a ship parked alongside it. Ladar pings it as geth."

Callie frowned. "Guess we know why the science team stopped reporting in. Have Garrus and Thane meet me in the cargo hold. We'll take the shuttle in."

"Aye, aye."

----xxx----

Milky Way/Serpent Nebula/Widow System/Citadel

A little over an hour after receiving Anderson's message, Kaidan emerged from the Armax Arena to change into his BDU's. His anxiety over Shepard and his anger towards Liara had numbed by the time he finished his simulated battle and he felt collected enough to meet with Anderson.

He knew the man was still sharp and might still pick up on the change in him, but he wouldn't be radiating tension as soon as he entered Anderson's office.

"Commander," Anderson greeted as Kaidan took a seat in his office."

"Anderson."

"How was your trip?"

"It was good."

Anderson frowned. He'd known Alenko long enough to recognize when he was hiding something.

Shit. Kaidan swore, he knew that look. His workout hadn't had the desired affect after all.

"I know you were on shore leave." Anderson began. "But..."