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Mass Effect: Restored Hope

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The soldier's eyes shot open, looking from side to side, seeing the familiar room of the medical bay of his ship. He sat up; gasping for air, his left hand resting on his left abdomen, surprised at the fact there was no bullet wound. He looked around surprised that Dr. Chakwas wasn't in the room with him. He groaned, sliding from the bed and onto his feet. He rolled his shoulders, again surprised of the lack of bullet wound.

"Commander Shepard, I am surprised to see you up so soon." A female voice came from behind him.

Shepard turned to face one of his oldest friends, Dr. Chakwas. He smiled, "Karen, I told you that you could call me Marcus." He said, rubbing his head gently. "How long have I been out?"

"And you know I will never call you that. Anything less is disrespectful to you, Commander." She replied. "A week. You're vitals stayed strong, but your mind wasn't there. Coma almost. Garrus found you in the ruins near the beam after a Quarian and Geth infiltrator squad made it into the beam and activated the Crucible. You were barely alive. I think it was your implants that kept you alive."

Shepard nodded. "So they destroyed the Reapers?" He asked, grabbing his boots, sitting down to pull them on.

"Yes and no." She said, looking at him. "Within the Sol Relay, yes. Harbinger and all the other Reapers within the Sol System fell. But there are still Reapers in other systems, and each of the Council races are begging for the Crucible to be sent to their systems."

Shepard nodded with a sigh. "Well, at least it worked." He muttered. "Where are we?"

"Still in orbit over Earth." Dr. Chakwas said, looking at him. "Admiral Hackett gave the Major temporary command of the Normandy and ordered him to stay in orbit until you recovered."

"I feel better, we need to join the fight." Shepard spoke, walking towards the door.

"No, you are not. Not yet. He ordered me to be sure you will finally rest." Dr. Chakwas said, blocking his way to the door. "You've been though some serious trauma, and you need to rest."

"There is no rest until the Reapers are defeated." Shepard said, trying to side step Dr. Chakwas, but she blocked his way.

"There is for you, Commander." He said, looking at him. "Another order from Hackett, you are on mandatory leave, and you need it. The wear and tear of this war his showing, especially after the Battle for London."

Shepard sighed. "Doctor's orders?" He looked at her.
"Doctor's orders, Commander." She nodded. "Go back home, take Garrus and Liara with you. Show them your weapon collection. Garrus would love that, Liara will just love being with you. Just get away from the war for a while. It will be here when you come back."

Shepard nodded. "Thanks, Dr. Chakwas. I will try to take it slow." He said, nodding. "By the way, we're still opening another bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy in two months. We're still here." He smiled at her. "I am buying this time."

"I look forward to it, Commander." Dr. Chakwas said, smiling and moving from in front of him. "Now go talk to Alanko, tell him you're going planetside. Perhaps go on a hunting trip."

"Now that's a good idea." Shepard smiled, walking out of the medical bay, getting smiles from the crew as he walked past them. He was going to find Liara before going to see Alanko, just to show her that he was still alive and not in a coma. He opened her door to see her standing by her terminal, reading messages. "You know, I don't think you've ever been on Earth to just visit it and see it. How about we change that?" He leaned on the wall, looking at her.

"Good afternoon, Commander Shepard." Glyph spoke in his electronic voice.

Liara turned to face him, first with a face of shock, then with great joy as her lover came back from the dead, a second time. She quickly walked up to him and hugged him. Shepard wrapped his long arms around her, holding her tight in his embrace. "Shepard, don't die on me again, please?" She looked up into his green eyes, smiling at him.

"I'll try not to, Liara." He chuckled, lifting her chin with his fingers. "But it's kinda hard when a lot of people want to kill you, more so when they are taller than skyscrapers." He kissed her lips gently. "Now, you didn't answer my question. Dr. Chakwas ordered me to get some shore leave, and I was going back home for a weekend and make sure everything is where I left it. Figured Garrus might want to tag along."

"Tali and Garrus are not leaving each other sides right now, so she will probably come along as well." Liara looked up at him.

"Is that alright?" He asked, brushing her cheek gently. "I am sure she wouldn't mind too much."

Liara thought about it for a second, then shrugged. "I don't see a problem with it. It might be nice, even." She smiled, pushing her cheek into Shepard's palm.

"Sounds like a plan, then." He smiled, kissing her forehead. "Just go get Garrus and Tali and pack up for a weekend outdoors."

"I thought you grew up on ships." Liara stepped back, letting go of her lover. Shepard let her go as she moved about her room.

"I did, but my family had a house in Florida since my Grandpa's Great Grandfather lived there. Granted, it wasn't a Shepard household then, but it was passed down to my father, and now to me." He shrugged, watching her.

"You visit there often?" Liara asked, looking over at him, opening up a backpack and throwing some clothes into it.

"Not as often as I'd should, especially with the armory I keep there." Shepard chuckled, walking into her room, sitting on a desk.

"Armory? No wonder you want Garrus to come along." Liara smiled at him.

"No, there are other reasons. But I figured that he would like to see what human sniper rifles looked like before we took to the stars." Shepard smiled. "I have a lot pre-Contact War weapons, some dating to before World War II. My family was weapon collectors and weapon smiths. I am the only Shepard that isn't."

Liara zipped up her bag and threw it over her shoulder. "Modifying your weapons here doesn't count?"

Shepard shook his head. "No, not really. I do that to my weapons at home too, but weapon smiths fix, improve, even make weapons." He stood up. "I'll show you later. You'll get Garrus?" She nodded, and he kissed her cheek. "Alright, see you in the shuttle bay."

"I am very happy that you're back, Shepard." Liara smiled at him, and they walked out of Liara's room. "Glyph, monitor the teams, make sure they report in, and send the most important reports to me."

"Yes, Shadow Broker. Have a nice day." Glyph said, watching them walk out of the room.

"See you in a bit, Liara." Shepard said, walking towards the elevator as Liara walked to the main gun battery. "EDI, where is the location of Major Alanko?"

"Shepard, glad to see you up and about." EDI's voice came over the intercom system.

"And I am glad to see you're still here." Shepard said softly, pressing the button to call the elevator.

"What was that?" EDI asked.

"Nothing, don't worry about it." Shepard replied, as the door opened. "Were was Alanko?"

"He's in the briefing room with Javik, Zaeed and Colonel Coats, discussing tactics on the war with Cerberus. Cerberus made several attacks on both Alliance and Turian Hierarchy troops in the Sol system and the Alpine Crest after the Reapers were driven from both systems." EDI said as the elevator opened.

Shepard nodded, slightly disappointed that the dream or hallucination he had wasn't real in destroying the Reapers, even if it meant EDI and the Geth were destroyed. "Thank you, EDI. Let Joker know I am alright." He walked to the door leading to the briefing room. The door opened.

"Already have." EDI spoke.

"Commander Shepard. Good to see you on your feet again, sir." Private Campbell said, saluting.

"Thanks, good to be on my feet again, Private Campbell." He smiled, saluting back. He walked into the scanner. When it was finished, he stepped through and heading through the second door.

He looked outside the window, seeing Earth down below them. There was the northwest part of the United States and southwest of Canada, where the Systems Alliance headquarters was located. At least until the Reapers hit.

He sighed, and kept on moving to the War Room, and opened the door to see Kaiden Alanko, Zaeed Massani, Colonel Coats and Javik. They were all gathered around the holo table, discussing how to take down Cerberus operations in the Sol System. "Cerberus has taken and held the Mars archives at least a division of solders. They also hold a few systems for the Reapers. They are under complete control of the Reapers now." Coats was speaking. "And the Collectors, even with their base destroyed, have begun to take systems in the Terminus systems, and those are just holding planets for the Reapers like Cerberus is doing."

"And I was hoping we'd be done with the Collectors." Shepard spoke up, walking down to the holo table.

"Shepard, you're proving to be one tough son of a bitch." Zaeed said, smiling at Shepard. "Not even a near hit from Harbinger can take you down, and keep you down." He chuckled.

"Zaeed, you and I both know we have to compare kills at the end of a fight." Shepard laughed, walking next to Zaeed.

"Well, don't spoil it now, we have to wait for Grunt to get here." Zaeed smiled, turning back to the holo table.

"Welcome back, Shepard. It's good we didn't lose you, too. Admiral Anderson didn't make it. I don't think we could have lost you too." Coats said, putting his hands on the table edge. "Admiral Hackett put in a promotion for you. It went through faster than I have ever seen. Congratulations, Captain."

"And to you, Colonel." Shepard smiled to Coats. "Don't let me interrupt. Do continue."

"Well, the Terminus Fleets are holding relays that are important for taking back the Terminus systems." Zaeed said, pointing to three systems. "These three are the strongest build-ups of the Terminus Fleets. They will hold, and can hold for months, perhaps even years. The planets there have ship docks and garden worlds for food. The other systems rely on these three systems for food and munitions. We're running out of personal to fight, though. Sooner or later, we will have to just hold these three systems and wait for support." He looked at Coats.

"We're engaged on more fronts, mostly holding and contain actions against the Reapers. So far, only the Sol and Alpine Crest systems have been freed from the Reapers. The Krogan's system is next, then the Exodus system." Coats said, looking back at Zaeed. "We don't even know if the Crucible will work against the Collectors. Yes, they are Reaper controlled drones, but the Crucible didn't work against Cerberus." He sighed. "I would liked to free the Terminus Systems from the Collectors, we have several colonies there, but we can't."

"Here's an idea." Kaiden spoke up, looking at Zaeed. "Recruit from the colonies." He turned to Coats. "Wouldn't that work? We do have platoons and companies scattered throughout the colonies. Have them train the colonists to form militias, and recruit them into the Terminus Fleets as holding units, freeing up the Fleet's actual soldiers for fighting."

"What if the colonies come under attack?" Javik asked. "Militia's won't hold a planet from a Collector attack, let alone a Reaper attack."

"Hit and run attacks, feints, harassment attacks." Zaeed started to name out. "Suicide bombing, nukes." He said, looking at Javik. "Make them pay for every inch of ground the bastards take."

Javik smiled. "I like you, human. You're like Shepard." He said, looking at Coats. "The mercenary has a valid point, Colonel. When it comes down to it, that's all the colonist can do in a situation like that."

Coats looked at Kaiden, then to Shepard. "Tell me you don't agree with them."

Kaiden shook his head. "I don't, but it's almost the only way to beat them."
"I do agree with them. The suicide bombing and nukes should be a last resort, but not out of the question." Shepard said. "The Turians and Krogan on Palaven have been employing these tactics for weeks now."

Coats nodded. "Zaeed. You have my approval for this. I will send word to the companies out in the Terminus systems to start training volunteers for the militias. I will also request the Turian and Batarians to do the same." He looked at Zaeed. "Don't waste them."

"You got it." Zaeed said, patting Shepard's shoulder. "You going to that bar in Destin you've been telling me about?"

Shepard nodded. "Yeah, probably tonight, if the Major will give me shore leave."

"I'll meet you there, Shepard." Zaeed nodded, walking out of the war room.

Shepard turned to Kaiden and Coats. "I hear that I am not allowed to fight for a while."

"That's right, Captain. Admiral Hackett has ordered you to take at least a week of leave before returning to the fight." Coats said, looking at Shepard. "Which is fine, we can handle Cerberus on Mars without you."

"I don't understand the problem with the Commander continuing the fight." Javik said, looking at Coats. "I fought the Reapers my entire life, Colonel."

"Shepard just got out of a coma. Not only that, but he is the symbol of this fight. We cannot risk him being killed so soon after retaking Earth." Coats said, telling this to Shepard just as much as he was telling Javik. "We still need him."

Javik nodded. "Perhaps I could go on 'leave' as well then. I would like to see Eden Prime. It was my home."

"Eden Prime is still having trouble with Cerberus. But, some areas, including were we found your stats pod, are cleared. You can go there." Alanko said, looking at Javik. "We'll have to send a squad with you, though."

Javik thought for a second. "Alright, but they will be under my command then." Alanko nodded.

"Sounds fair enough." Coats said. "Shepard, you want to head to Destin, Florida?"

"Yeah, if it wasn't hit that hard, I have a house in the woods up there." Shepard said, looking at Coats. "Liara, Tali and Garrus are wanting to join me as well."

"Go on, have your leave. Be back in a week." Coats said, smiling. "Don't get too fat."

Shepard chuckled. "Yes, sir." He turned to go, heading to the elevator. He stepped in and went up to his cabin. He was only grabbing a few things. He had clothes at his house. When he was finished, he headed to the elevator and down to the shuttle bay. When he stepped out, he saw Liara, Garrus and Tali waiting for him. He walked up to them.

"I hope you will have food for Tali and me. Or at least alcohol." Garrus smiled. "And you owe me one, by the way, for pulling your ass out of that rubble. You have a hard head."

Shepard smiled, patting Garrus' shoulder. "C'mon, you three. I bet none of you have ever seen Florida. There is a reason why it's called a party state."

"Please tell me you're not planning on dancing." Tali said, staying close to Garrus.

"What's wrong with my dancing?" He looked down at Liara, who shrugged. "No, there will be no dancing for me. As long as Garrus goes to the beach with us."

The group laughed as they walked towards the shuttle as James jogged up with a bag over his shoulder. "Hey, Loco!" He shouted. "What, you think you were going to go to Florida without me?" Tali and Liara stepped onto the shuttle, sitting down on the seats as Garrus and Shepard loaded the bags.

"James, I don't think he's that interested in you." Garrus chuckled, looking at James.

"I thought you were busy with the duty, James." Shepard said, tossing his bag into the shuttle. "If you want to come along, that's fine. But you're sleeping on the couch."

"That's fine by me. As long as you don't mind if I disappear with a lady friend if I meet one." James said, tossing his bag in.

"If you do, I think we'll all be surprised." Tali said, looking at James.

The group laughed again, and Shepard got on the shuttle and sat by Liara. Garrus sat by Tali, who rested her head on his shoulder. "Aw man, this is the love boat, isn't it? And I didn't bring a date."

"Mr. Vega, if you're lonely, there is room in the cockpit with me." Cortez laughed as he closed the shuttle door and took off.

"I'll pass, Estabon, but thanks for the offer." James said, sitting down next to Shepard. "Thanks, Shep for letting me tag along. If you and Garrus are going to hit the town, I know there is going to be good time going on."

"Liara said something about an armory at your place, is that true, Shepard?" Garrus said, looking at him.

"Yeah. Pre-Mass Effect weapons, some dating back to World War II." He nodded. "Anti-material rifles that make your Widow look sad."

"You're talking about a Barret M80 fifty caliber?" James asked, looking at him.

"That and an AS-50. A few others too, but mostly those are for show. The fifty's are easier to find ammo for." Shepard said, looking at Garrus. "You'll see, Garrus. I think you'll like them."  

"I hope so." Garrus said, looking back at Shepard.

"Any shotguns?" Tali asked. When Shepard nodded, she added. "Good. Didn't want Garrus to have all the fun."

"Oh, I will be having all the fun." Garrus said, squeezing Tali a little who squeaked a little. The group laughed again, and made small talk as Cortez piloted the shuttle to coordinates in Florida.
So, after playing Mass Effect 3 several times in the past couple weeks, and watching a couple Shepard Indoctrination theories, I decided to make a ME FanFic. This takes place a week after the Battle of London in ME3. I am playing off of the Indoctrination theory, which to me, makes the most sense to me.

If you guys think I should stick to Star Wars fanfics, let me know. I think I will continue this for a little while longer.
© 2012 - 2024 Kal-Venku
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