Disclaimer: Still don't own Mass Effect.

Chapter 5

Left Behind

"Got it!" Kaidan shouts, readying his pistol as he stands up and backs away from the disarmed bomb. "That's the last one, Commander!"

"Good," Shepard answers tersely, taking out the final geth in sight with precision.

I blow out a breath, glad to have a little breather. It was pretty hectic there for awhile. After we talked to Powell the smuggler and discovered Saren's involvement in Nihlus's death, we fought our way to the cargo train controls and rode that to this platform, where we discovered the armed bombs as I knew we would. I feel it's important to note that even with the five of us, scrambling around to disarm all of those bombs before they blew up was a lot harder than it had been when I played the game. Yet, somehow we managed it. I'm just glad Kaidan finished with the last charge and that it's over.

Well, almost over. There's still the matter of the beacon. And the handful of enemies surrounding it.

"You really saved me back there, Tyler," Kaidan says gratefully. "I'd have been a goner if you hadn't seen that geth and taken him out."

"No problem," I respond lightly. "You would have done the same for me."

He nods, "Anyway, thanks."

We all made it through the battle with minimal damage, the only injury belonging to Jenkins, who was spattered with bullets at one point when he'd been a little too reckless. His shields had been fully depleted, but fortunately he was protected by his armor and would only have a dozen or so large bruises to deal with later on.

Shepard checks her gun before stepping ahead. "Let's keep moving."

As we move down the ramp, we all catch sight of the beacon.

"That must be the beacon," Shepard announces, mirroring my thoughts. She speeds up down the ramp, looking at the beacon. That's when I realize she hasn't seen the last group of enemies yet, since they're obstructed from clear view by all of the stuff around us.

"Shepard!" I bark, jumping forward and yanking her to the ground just as I hear shots fire. I pull Shepard back to cover, noting the fact that if I'd been even a split second later, an entire volley of bullets would have hit their target and the Commander might be dead. Or at least injured.

I push myself up and Shepard does the same without a glance in my direction, as the others are already returning fire. It's only a short time later that the last husk falls, outgunned by the five of us. We all make our way toward the beacon, stopping near it and looking at it as it glows.

"Normandy, the beacon is secure," Shepard reports in a monotone, hand up by her ear.

"This is amazing. Actual working Prothean technology," Kaidan lets out in awe. "Unbelievable!"

Ashley is of a similar mind. "It wasn't doing anything like that when they dug it up."

"Something must have activated it," Kaidan mutters as he steps forward to get a closer look. Knowing what's going to happen next, I'm not surprised when the beacon suddenly starts sucking him in.

Shepard runs up and throws him back, ensnaring herself in front of the beacon instead.

I feel a lot better seeing this. This Shepard may be Renegade, but she's still a competent enough leader to protect her crew, even at her own expense. That at least gives me some hope for the future. And this is the next step - now she gets the Prothean visions that will lead to everything else.

"Commander!" Both Kaidan and Jenkins shout, attempting to rush and help her as she's lifted flailing into the air. But they're too late.

"No, don't touch her! It's too dangerous!" Ashley jumps forward to hold Kaidan back, as I simultaneously pull Jenkins away.

We all watch in suspense as Shepard remains suspended in mid-air before the beacon, for what seems like the longest minute ever. It's a small comfort that I'm able to release my grip on Jenkins as he stops struggling and relents. Then the Prothean beacon is destroyed just like that, flinging Shepard backward in some invisible backlash.

She flies over both Kaidan and Jenkins, her boot clipping the side of Jenkins head as she goes by. He's knocked to the ground and her weight brutally collides into me, also sending the two of us to the platform floor in an awkward pile. Me, being the painful cushion between Shepard and ground, takes the brunt of it. Her armor doesn't help matters either.

Thankfully, neither of us suffers any major injury, although Shepard is still unconscious. It's as I drag my bruised body up and back away, as Jenkins shakily gets to his feet, and as Ashley and Kaidan are racing over, that another gun starts firing. At me.

My neck cracks to the left as my widened eyes snap toward the source. It's another geth trooper! One last hunk of junk coming down the ramp we just descended moments ago, now pushing toward us. We must have missed it in our fixation on disarming the charges and getting to the beacon, I conclude, and now it's caught up with us.

I feel a sharp pain as a bullet grazes my side, but reflexes that aren't my own save me from fatal injury as I throw myself off to the right, landing roughly on the ground. I still can't summon up a barrier, it seems, even though I'd subconsciously done it that first time with the rocket. Crap. I make to roll further into the only piece of cover I can find, a small crate nearby.

Meanwhile, the lone geth targets the others and continues firing, steadily moving down the ramp and despite all odds withstanding the scattered counter-fire from Kaidan and Jenkins, while Ashley pulls Shepard's dead weight behind one of the large crates in front of the beacon. The geth soon reaches the bottom of the ramp, approaching my crate without hesitation, and I realize any second now it'll have a clean shot at me. Unfortunately, my assault rifle is on the floor where I dropped it to hold back Jenkins from Shepard and the beacon, so that's a no go, but luckily I still have my pist-

Panic hits as I reach to my waistband, only to find nothing there. Stricken, I look around myself frantically. And then my eyes finally catch sight of the pistol, laying innocently out in the middle of the platform.

Shit, it must have fallen out when Shepard was hurled at me and we fell. Damn it!

I don't have any more time to mourn the loss of both of my firearms, as the geth is upon me. It crouches into cover on the other side of the crate, however, to my surprise. With no more of its geth friends nearby, I reason, it's probably pretty stupid. Still, I'm not out of the woods yet. It's still alive and it has a gun, while I don't. And the others can't risk a shot now that I'm in the way, the revelation bludgeons me. Maybe the robot isn't that stupid after all...positioning itself like so.

Doing my best to ignore the wound on my left side, I play the only move I have left. Sliding my knife out of its leather holster on my bicep, I don't think anymore - just act. With a grunt I lunge over the crate, knocking the geth back a step and waste no time in elbowing its rifle away, before thrusting the knife up into it's neck all the way through the back of it's head. White fluid spurts out all over me, the geth shuddering before it drops limply to the ground as I rip my knife out of it.

Breathing heavily, I can tell I'm shaking. Trying to calm my speeding heart rate, I look down at the fallen geth trooper. Now it's just a pile of machine parts. With white stuff, I add to myself in disgust as I examine the gooey liquid dripping off my knife and hand.

"Captain, Shepard's down," I hear Kaidan radioing in the background. "We need a pickup ASAP!"

Regaining myself, I clean off the knife as best I can and slip it back into my arm holster. Apparently I'm not too shabby with a knife as well. I turn around to find Kaidan and Jenkins kneeling by Shepard's prone form, and Ashley looking on. I make my way over to them, scooping up the pistol and the assault rifle as I go.

"How is she?"

"I've got a pulse," Kaidan divulges softly. "Seems she's just unconscious, but she'll need to be fully examined by our doctor on the Normandy."

"Good to hear," I respond, getting a strange look from Ashley. "I mean, it could be worse, right?"

"Yes, you're right," Kaidan replies, as Ashley and Jenkins both nod. "We're lucky that explosion from the beacon wasn't any larger, otherwise the Commander may not be alive right now."

"What was that, anyway?" Ashley wonders aloud. "The beacon did something when the Commander approached it."

"And it made her float," Jenkins points out. "I don't know how or why, but it didn't look good. Too bad it's destroyed now. We'll probably never find out why it did all that."

"Definitely some crazy stuff," I agree wearily. "I wond-"

I break off abruptly as I see something move out of the corner of my eye. Something black. I pivot right, whipping my assault rifle in that direction. Only to halt at the sight greeting me, and lower my weapon slightly.

"Tyler?" Ashley questions, drawing the attention of Kaidan and Jenkins. "What's wrong?"

Black fur. Four legs. White spots. No...but how?

"Jax?" I whisper in confusion, my jaw dropping at the pitbull sitting not far away with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

"Sorry, what was that?" Kaidan says, as I look back at them. They're surveying me cautiously. Worriedly. "What are you staring at, Tyler?"

Huh? What are they talking about? Surely they must notice the large animal right there.

I blink a few times and turn away from them, pointing at where Jax is. "You don't see that dog there?"

My best pal darts behind some containers as I say that, and I return my perplexed gaze to them, certain they must have seen him now. But all three of them just have puzzled expressions on their faces.

"Uh...are you sure?" Jenkins remarks doubtfully.

I shake myself and blink some more, not able to understand why they didn't see him.

"He was sitting right over there," I explain, before moving over to the container I saw him go behind. "And he just ran over behind here..."

I trail off as I reach the container and glance on the other side of it, but there's nothing there except a wall. I...what? Where could he have gone? I would have seen him if he moved away from the container. Somehow...he's disappeared.

"Everything alright, Tyler?" I hear Ashley's voice, though its a bit warbled.

I swivel around, glimpsing Ashley and Jenkins stepping toward me slowly as Kaidan remains kneeling by Shepard. I can see him observing everything with concern. All of a sudden, I'm not feeling so hot. Really...light-headed.

"Are you okay?" Jenkins asks as he approaches, his words even more distorted than Ashley's were. "You don't look so good."

My head begins to slouch, and it feels like I'm really drowsy, but I shake myself back awake. What the hell is happening to me, I wonder, not sure if I'm saying it out loud or just thinking it.

"That wound on his side," I pick up Kaidan's faint voice, as the world stirs and launches into a spin. "He's losing a lot of blood."

Maybe that's...

"Yeah," I mutter, stumbling a bit in their direction. "I don't feel so gr-"

And then everything goes dark.

I come to, slowly.

Shepard, the beacon, being injured by the last geth, and seeing Jax all flashes back to me. Or thinking I saw Jax, anyway. Then I must have collapsed. The details are a bit fuzzy though. A groan escapes me as I groggily open my eyes, hearing some shuffling noises. The bleariness thankfully begins to fade away, enough that I'm able to push myself up into a sitting position on the bed I'm in.

Looking around, I find I'm in a very familiar place. It's pretty much impossible not to recognize it, especially now that I know I'm really in the Mass Effect universe. It's the Normandy's infirmary. Seems I made it aboard, that's a good sign. The others must have brought me along. Of course they wouldn't just leave me out there unconscious.

Kaidan's there, just like he would be in the game while waiting for a female Shepard to wake up. It had always been Ashley waiting for me when I played, because my Shephard had always been male, but I'd read that it was this way for those that chose fem-Shep.

The lieutenant pushes off the wall he's leaning against as he sees me sitting up, and moves over to me.

"Tyler's awake," he announces to Dr. Chakwas, whom I notice is working at her desk. She rises from her chair, stepping toward me as well.

"How are you feeling, Mr. Banks?" She greets on approach, giving me a friendly smile.

I feel fine, I realize. I look down at my side to find it bandaged up pretty heavily, and a smaller patch up on my shoulder where I was hit saving Jenkins, but there's no pain anywhere. "Surprisingly good. Um...what happened exactly?"

"You took a hit from that geth," Kaidan answers, drawing my curious gaze. "Lost enough blood to make you faint."

"Oh, right. I remember that."

"Your wound is what I like to call a 'gusher,'" Dr. Chakwas says wryly. "Doesn't look bad, doesn't hit anything important, but spills more blood than is recommended."

I snort, but sober as I remember seeing Jax. There's no way that he could have really been here though, and the others clearly didn't see him.

"Erm," I begin uncertainly. "Can that cause hallucinations?"

"Hallucinations?" Dr. Chakwas repeats to herself. "Sure, it's possible to experience them if the blood loss is severe enough. Why, did you have one?"

"Yeah, at least I think so," I tell her. "I saw...well, I thought I saw an old pet that couldn't have been there."

"Ah," Kaidan comments, eyes alighting in understanding. "That's what you were mumbling about before you dropped. We heard you saying something about a dog and 'axe' or something like that. Was that its name?"

"His name was Jax, but close enough," I say softly. "Surprised you even heard that much, I imagine I must have been slurring my words pretty bad."

"Yeah, you were, but we could still make out most of it," Kaidan fills me in with a smile.

"A childhood pet, I suspect?" Dr. Chakwas sends me a sad look. "Those are always hard to forget. It's pretty common for things like that to show up in hallucinations, so I wouldn't worry about it. You're not going crazy."

I let out a breath. If only they knew what I was going through right now...they might not be so certain. "Well, I guess that's something at least. Good to know."

Kaidan glances at me with amusement written on his face. "Trust me, I've been there. Just remember to apply medi-gel and get your wound sealed up sooner next time, so that you don't lose so much blood."

Dr. Chakwas instantly agrees. "Some excellent advice there."

I flush slightly, "Right, will do."

Kaidan eyes shift to the bed on my left, where I see Shepard sleeping. Still knocked out, it seems. A hint of worry crosses Kaidan's face for a moment, barely enough for me to catch. That's right, he's likely feeling a bit guilty that the Commander is like this because she had to save him.

"How long was I out?" I ask them.

"About twelve hours," Dr. Chakwas tells me, which has me raising my brow in shock. That long? "I gather with the amount of blood you lost and the overall fatigue from surviving the attack on Eden Prime, your body no doubt needed all the rest it could get."

I accept the explanation with a shrug, I suppose that makes sense. And if I was out that long, that means Shepard would be waking up in another few hours at most.

Dr. Chakwas gives me a reassuring smile. "You should be fine - good as new in no time. Once we treated the wound and got it bandaged, it wasn't bad at all."

"Great," I respond with a grateful look. "Thanks, doc."

"Of course," she nods. "I'll just go notify the Captain that you're awake, as he asked me to."

"Okay," I say agreeably as she exits the infirmary, the door sliding closed behind her. I find myself wondering if I'm going to be offered a seat on the Normandy. Why else would Captain Anderson want to know when I was conscious again?

Kaidan's attention returns to me.

"You were pretty good back there, Tyler," he praises with a slight smile. "Especially taking out that final geth with your knife, that was hardcore."

I let out an embarrassed chuckle.

"Thanks. Didn't have either of my guns, so I had to resort to that. Can't say I enjoyed it though," I reply, recalling being covered in all that white geth juice. "A bit too messy, really."

He grins, "Won't argue with you there. I prefer not getting covered in my enemies insides too."

I return the grin with one of my own. Speaking of that white liquid mess, I glance down at my body only to see I've been changed into a simple pair of black pants. They must have dressed me while I was out, I realize. At least the pants are clean. I'm still naked from the waist up, but I notice a blue shirt hanging nearby. For me to wear, maybe?

"You can put that shirt on if you want," Kaidan confirms as he sees where my eyes are focused. "Dr. Chakwas only took it off a little while ago to change your bandages, but I guess she never got around to fitting it back on you."

"Oh, alright," I say as I stand up and make to do just that. Pulling the shirt over my head, we rest into an easygoing silence.

Once the shirt is snug, I lean back on the side of my bed and look over to Shepard's bed. It occurs to me that this is the first time I've seen her not in her armor. She's just in a jumpsuit now, with no helmet either. I step closer to her bed, examining her face. I can see Kaidan watching me in my peripheral vision, but I don't care, taking in her features quietly.

Shepard's skin isn't what I'd describe as tan, but at the same time it's not pale. Somewhere in between, really. Her hair is jet-black, pulled back into a tight ponytail. And I know she's got those sharp green eyes behind her closed eyelids. Her expression is unguarded now that she's lights out, and softer, which is quite the contrast to the scowling I kept seeing through her helmet visor when she was awake.

"She's not as intimidating without her armor on," I eventually say aloud, returning to my own bedside with a glance at Kaidan.

He smiles briefly, "I don't know, I'd say it probably has more to do with the fact that she's unconscious."

I tilt my head in consideration, "That too, I suppose."

We both look to the door as it slides open, Dr. Chakwas striding in with Captain Anderson. Kaidan quickly stands at attention.

"Thank you for coming to get me, Karin," Captain Anderson says as they enter. "We'll get your telecom unit working again as soon as we are able."

"No problem, Captain," Dr. Chakwas smiles, moving over to her desk.

"At ease, Lieutenant."

Kaidan relaxes and nods, clearing his throat. "I'll just head out here for a minute."

Anderson holds out a hand as he nears. "Mr. Banks, I presume?"

I shake the offered hand quickly, a bit nervous at meeting the man. "Yeah, that's me. You must be Captain Anderson then?"

He dips his head, breaking out in a comforting smile. "You've got it."

"Nice to meet you."

"And you as well, young man," Anderson politely responds. "You're probably wondering what this is about."

"Yeah, a little," I admit sheepishly.

"Yes, I thought so, as would anyone that suddenly wakes up on a military frigate. First things first, I would like to personally thank you on behalf of the Systems Alliance Navy, as well as the Normandy crew. Your assistance in retrieving the beacon, despite the final outcome of its destruction, is certainly well-appreciated."

"Uh, sure. Glad to be of help."

Anderson turns somber. "I also wish to express my deepest condolences for the attack of Eden Prime. It is my understanding that you live here? I am very sorry, this must be a hard time for you."

I nod, "Thank you, sir. I don't think everything has even really sunk in yet."

"Of course, I expect it's quite the shock," Anderson gives me a sympathetic look. "It's good to see you're healing from your injuries well, however."

"Yeah. I think I have Dr. Chakwas over there to thank for that."

Captain Anderson follows my gaze, agreeing. "Yes, she is one of the best at what she does. I'd trust the health of myself and my crew to no one else."

The doctor glances up from her work, smiling at us as she sees us looking in her direction, before returning to it.

"Now, on to other things," Anderson moves on, turning more serious. "There's some legal matters we have to get through, unfortunately."

"Oh, alright," I say neutrally. I'm not entirely sure what he means by 'legal matters.' Maybe inviting me to stay on the Normandy?

"As a civilian, you were privy to some sensitive information regarding the Prothean beacon and its purpose. Because of this, I'm going to have to ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement," putting up a hand as he sees me open my mouth. "Now, I trust you won't go around revealing everything you've witnessed, as you seem like a fine person, but it's simply Alliance policy."

My good spirits begin taking a nose dive as he finishes. This doesn't exactly sound like it's going to lead to an invitation to join. What do I do if he doesn't let me come along, I idly wonder. Doubt creeps into my thoughts.

At my dumbfounded expression, Anderson continues speaking, tone apologetic. "I'm afraid there's no getting around it. Believe me, I'm no fan of these formalities, but before you leave this vessel I'll need that signature from you."

"Leave?" I echo faintly, focus turning inward. So he's not here to give me a spot aboard the Normandy at all, just to make me sign something that says I won't talk about what I saw. But...no. I have to get on with them! My knowledge won't do any good if I'm not traveling with Shepard and the Normandy!

Yet it's not as if I can just tell them I know what will happen in the future. They'd think I was crazy, and I'd be stuffed into a psych ward by the end of the day. No, that was definitely not an option, no matter how desperate I become. I need to convince him that I can be useful in some other way, just like I did with Shepard after running into them. I can do it, I just know it!

Somehow, I manage to keep from hyperventilating at this unpleasant turn of events, looking into the face of the Captain. "Uh, well actually, Captain, I'd love to join you if you'll let me. After what Saren and the geth did to Eden Prime, I want to help. I think you could use me if you allow me to come with you."

Captain Anderson looks very surprised at this, but then his expression turns regretful to my immense disappointment. "You heard of my offer to transfer Gunnery Chief Williams, I see."

I hesitate at his expectant look, before nodding affirmatively. Best to just go along with his assumption, I think to myself.

"I'm sorry, but it's just not possible," the Captain states, releasing a sigh. "Don't get me wrong, Mr. Banks. It's nothing to do with you personally. The Normandy is an Alliance military vessel, and you are a colonist. We can't just pick up civilians whenever and wherever we want, it doesn't work like that. Chief Williams is with the Alliance already, so transferring her to my crew was very easy."

"But that won't work in my case," I finish for him, utterly crestfallen. All of this knowledge...it's just useless then? If I can't get on the Normandy, how will it be able to help them at all? Yeah, it won't. And it won't help me either. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

Peering at the obvious disappointment on my face, Captain Anderson puts a hand on my shoulder. "I'd secure your presence in a heartbeat if you had any sort of Alliance credentials, know that. Lieutenant Alenko, Corporal Jenkins, and Chief Williams have all reported to me how helpful you were in fighting the geth. And I'm sure the Commander will agree when she wakes up, so I assure you it's not a matter of your skills either. Those speak for themselves after what you did."

His words make sense, they do, but it's nowhere close to what I want to hear. And...and what else I can say? There's nothing that's going to change his mind, I realize. His hands are tied, as he told me.

I finally give him a short nod, throat tight.

"R-right. I understand, sir. I can sign whatever you need."

This hasn't gone at all like it should have. I needed to be welcomed onto the Normandy, not rejected. And now...what now? The sinking feeling gets worse.

"Thank you," Captain Anderson says, presenting me with a data pad, the non-disclosure already brought up on-screen.

I shakily sign the pad and give it back, earning a nod from him. He rotates around and takes a step toward the door, but stops, turning back to me.

"Did you have any family here?" He asks curiously, the unspoken question of their survival showing in his eyes.

This brings my thoughts to Robby, the younger brother. I haven't thought of him since I woke up, I realize with a start. There's a chance he might still be alive, and if he is, he probably thinks I'm dead after that rocket explosion. I can try to find him, I suppose. Since I'm not allowed to join the Normandy, I really don't have anywhere else to go.

That thought is so crippling that I have to take a moment to shove it down, before I answer.

"Yeah, I did," I grimace, not so much for the loss of loved ones that aren't truly mine, but more as a result of my inner musings. "Parents died in the attack, but my brother might still be alive. We got separated, so I don't know."

There's a pause before I realize my error. Why did I tell him that? Damn it, now he's probably wondering why I wanted join them in the first place, without even knowing the fate of my supposed kin! The captain is definitely going to be suspicious if I don't explain myself.

I hastily continue. "Wow, I should be figuring out what happened to him, not trying to join you guys. I'm sorry, sir, I have no idea what I was thinking," I ramble a bit, trying to cover for my slip. "Guess I got caught up in everything."

Fortunately, Anderson agrees with a nod, seemingly accepting my flimsy excuse. I thank my lucky stars I got out of that one.

"Yes, I bet he's worried about you." If he's alive.

I fill in what he doesn't say. He's probably thinking it, I don't doubt. A man in his position has seen a lot, he'd have to think realistically if he's survived as a captain for as long as he has.

"You may want to know this then," Anderson informs me, holding my gaze. "A couple hours ago I received word that global aid agencies already have crews on the ground, coordinating cleanup efforts and gathering survivors. Your brother will likely be at one of their stations if he made it through okay," the captain informs me. "All of the stations will have record if he's checked in at any of the camps, and they should be able to tell you where he's at."

"Alright," I reply dully, before regaining myself. Keep it together, man! "Thank you. I better go then."

"Of course," Anderson gestures for me to follow him, and we leave through the sliding door after I thank Dr. Chakwas again for patching me up.

Kaidan is loitering outside the door like he told us he would be, along with Jenkins. I survey the interior of the Normandy intently, my first time seeing it except for the infirmary. It's quite spectacular, I have to say. The game's graphics didn't do it justice.

Shame this will be the last time I see it.

The depressing thought leaves me feeling the worst I've felt since realizing I've been ripped away from my normal life, along with everyone I knew, and thrown into the Mass Effect universe.

Anderson's voice pulls me out of my daze. "I'll have the lieutenant and corporal here escort you off the ship. Did you want them to accompany you to the nearest aid station? It's no problem, it's only a short distance away."

"No, that won't be needed," I shake my head. "Thanks though. I'll be alright."

"Very well," Anderson nods, and we shake hands again. "I wish you luck, Tyler."

"Thanks again, Captain. Give Shepard my regards."

Anderson sends the Kaidan and Jenkins a look. "See Mr. Banks on his way, you two. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Will do, Captain."

Captain Anderson walks away, and I look between Kaidan and Jenkins. As we start moving, I see Ashley standing by the lockers. She looks up on our approach, curious. I snap her a mock two-fingered salute, to which she raises an amused eyebrow and nods back. Guess that'll have to do for a goodbye then.

"It's too bad you're leaving, Tyler," Jenkins says. I'm only half-listening as we pass the Gunnery Chief and step into the tunnel with all of the flight personnel. "But I understand you wanting to get back to your town to check on everything."

We continue down the central aisle leading to Joker's chair, as well as the airlock.

"Of course he wants to check back on everything," Kaidan finally answers for me, blinking as something occurs to him. "Say, Tyler, did you have any family here? You never told us before."

I remain silent after he unknowingly asks the same question Anderson did not even two minutes ago.

Kaidan appears to notice my reticence, and his eyes widen as he hurriedly backtracks. "Oh. Oh, forget it, you don't have to answer th-"

"No, you're fine," I stop him quickly, giving him a small smile. As we step into the airlock, I decide to tell them the little that I do know about my history. It's not as if I have anything to lose anyway, now that I'm leaving the ship. "I told you I was a merc for a bit, right? Well, after I left that I came back home to Eden Prime and I've been living with my parents ever since. So yeah, my whole family was here."

Jenkins sucks in a breath. "Are they...you know? Did they make it?"

Kaidan shoots him a quieting glare, "Seriously, Corporal?"

Jenkins instantly looks contrite. "Yikes. Sorry, Tyler. Don't mind me - I say stuff without thinking sometimes."

I roll my eyes in exasperation as we exit and descend the landing stairs. "Really, guys. Don't worry about that, you don't have to walk on eggshells around me. Being blunt is good in my book."

We stop as we step onto the ground. It seems Joker put the Normandy down in some out of the way field, which means I've got a bit of a walk ahead of me.

"But no, they didn't all make it," I reveal. Their faces fall at the news, no doubt ready to express their condolences for my loss and whatnot. "I've got a brother who might still be kicking around here somewhere though. I'm gonna go check in at one of the aid stations to see if he survived."

"Sorry to hear that," Kaidan tells me, the sentiment repeated by Jenkins.

"Yeah, thanks," I respond distractedly, looking out across the field we're in. "Um, you don't happen to know what direction the nearest aid camp is, do you? I forgot to ask Captain Anderson."

Kaidan gives me a nod, looking down at his omni-tool before pointing in the distance. "Yeah, according to this it's just northwest of here. Are you sure you don't want us to walk with you there?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll be okay on my o-"

"Tyler!" A voice shouts from inside. Ashley's, I realize. This is confirmed as she emerges from the Normandy, moving down the steps. "Don't forget these."

As she reaches us at the bottom, she hands me my pistol, my knife and its holster, and the assault rifle I'd found in that crate. Oh, wow. I completely forgot about those. I grin at her as I stuff the pistol in the waistband of my new pants and return the knife holster to its rightful place strapped on my left bicep, before finally taking the assault rifle.

"Thanks, Ash."

She shrugs nonchalantly. "Nobody should leave their guns behind if they can help it."

"Right. Still, glad I didn't forget these."

We all stand there for a moment, me looking at each of them. Sadness flushes through me...I feel like I really could have found a place with them. Already it feels tough to leave, and we only fought together once. Makes me wonder what it would have been like after fighting countless battles with them. Guess I'll never find out now.

I finally gulp, and send them a quick nod.

"Take care, you guys," I say my farewell, swiveling around and starting to walk in the direction Kaidan pointed in, due northwest, before I can stall any longer.

"You too, Tye."

Thanks, Kaidan. You're a good guy, I imagine we could have had a real bromance going on in time. Oh well.

"Good luck, hope you find your brother."

Me too, Jenkins. Me too. Even if Robby isn't really my bro. Because let's face it, who else do I have in this world?

"Later."

Heartwarming goodbye, Ash. Really. Thanks a lot. Sorry about your squad, but chin up - at least you haven't lost everyone in your universe like I have. 'Later' back at ya.

I force myself not to look back at them, to just continue treading away from the Normandy and its crew. I'm pretty successful for a bit, but as I hear the thundering noise of the stealth frigate lifting off the ground, my resolve crumbles and I turn around. Numbly, I watch the magnificent spaceship ascend, passively marking it as it gets further and further away.

It's over. I'm not here one day and already I've failed. Pathetic. What the hell is wrong with me? My grip loosens around the assault rifle in my hands, and it falls, clattering in the patch of dirt at my feet. I can't even muster up enough effort to care. The Normandy is just a speck of light now, moving across the clear blue canvas that is the sky. My eyes rigidly follow its path, unable to look away from what could have been. If only I'd been more convincing. If only...

Finally, I drop to my knees in despair as I lose sight of the speck, and the SSV Normandy completely disappears.