Ch: 9 [Five years too late]

In Sephard's cabin, Jack sat in a moment of quiet reflection, surrounded by the remnants of the Commander's life. The fish in the aquarium swam lazily, a calming presence amidst the memories that flooded her mind. She watched as the hamster scurried in its cage, a small reminder of the bond that had formed between Sephard and the creature.

God, it's been so long since I've been in here, Jack thought, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the desk. So many memories...

Images flashed through her mind, snapshots of moments they had shared together. The battles fought side by side, the late-night conversations, the stolen kisses in the midst of chaos. A bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

You know, Sephard, Jack thought, her voice echoing silently within her mind. You always had a way of getting under my skin. I never thought I'd find someone who understood me like you did. Someone who accepted all the broken pieces of me.

She glanced around the cabin, taking in the familiar surroundings. The scattered datapads, the personalized trinkets, and the worn-out armchair where they had spent countless hours talking and finding solace in each other's company.

Damn it, Shepard, Jack's thoughts grew more fervent, her emotions welling up within her. Why did you have to leave us like that? Why did you have to make that sacrifice? You had so much more to give, so much more to live for.

Her hands clenched into fists, a surge of anger mingling with her sorrow. She directed her gaze toward the images of the fallen heroes adorning the walls—the faces of Thane, Mordin, and countless others who had fought and died alongside them.

We won, didn't we? Jack's thoughts were laced with a sense of disbelief. We beat those goddamn Reapers. But at what cost?

She felt a pang of guilt, a heavy weight settling upon her chest. I wasn't there, Shepard. I should have been there, fighting by your side. Maybe if I had been, things would be different. Maybe you'd still be here with us.

Her eyes welled with unshed tears, and she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. Jack was known for her strength, her resilience in the face of adversity. But in the privacy of the cabin, she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, a moment to acknowledge the pain that still lingered.

You left us a legacy, Shepard, Jack's thoughts softened, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and sadness. A galaxy saved, a future rebuilt. We'll carry your memory, your spirit, with us always.

She stood from the chair, her gaze lingering on the portrait of Sephard displayed on the desk. With a deep breath, she reached out, her fingers lightly tracing the edges of the frame.

Rest in peace, Commander, Jack's thoughts whispered, her voice filled with an unspoken promise. We'll keep fighting, keep living, in your honor. And maybe, just maybe, find a way to heal the wounds left behind.

----

Jack was lying on the bed in Shepard's cabin, looking at their couple picture they had taken before the final battle.

"Huh?!" Jack's eyes went toward her omnitool, "EDI?"

"Jack, I have received a distress signal... It's faint, but..."

----

Jack's heart raced as she read the urgent message from EDI about the faint distress signal. It had taken five long years to reach them, and the source was unknown. Could it be a coincidence? The mention of Sephard's N7 armor sent a jolt of anticipation through her. They had never found his body, and the thought of a glimmer of hope ignited a fire within her.

Without hesitation, Jack made her way to the command center, the weight of uncertainty hanging heavy in the air. The rest of the crew, including Admiral Hackett, gathered in response to the urgent call. There was an air of anticipation mixed with trepidation as they all waited for answers.

As Jack entered the command center, her eyes quickly scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of her comrades. She could sense the tension and curiosity gripping everyone. It was clear that this message had struck a chord, reawakening the memories of the Reaper War and the lingering questions surrounding Sephard's fate.

EDI's voice broke through the silence, her holographic form appearing in front of the crew. "I have received a faint distress signal from an unknown location. The signal appears to be fragmented and heavily distorted, but I believe it is imperative that we listen."

Admiral Hackett stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of the room. "Play the first fragment, EDI. Let's see if we can make sense of it."

EDI nodded, her blue eyes focused on the task at hand. The holographic display flickered to life, showing the visual and audio fragment. Static filled the screen, making it difficult to decipher anything meaningful. But amidst the crackling noise, a voice broke through, familiar yet distorted.

"Initiate the Andromeda Protocol," the voice said, the words hanging in the air, laden with urgency.

Gasps of recognition rippled through the room as the crew exchanged glances. Sephard's voice, though damaged and barely audible, had a profound effect on everyone present. It was a bittersweet reminder of the leader they had followed, the friend they had lost.

"What is the Andromeda Protocol?" Tali's voice broke the silence, her eyes searching the room for answers.

Admiral Hackett stepped forward, his voice steady and authoritative. "The Andromeda Protocol was a contingency plan developed during the Reaper War. It involved the establishment of an outpost in the Andromeda galaxy, far beyond the reach of the Reapers. It was meant to ensure the survival of humanity and other species in the event that we were unable to defeat the Reapers here."

A mix of surprise and concern washed over the faces of the crew. The idea that there could be a threat greater than the Reapers was almost unfathomable. But if Sephard had called for the activation of the Andromeda Protocol, it meant that a new danger loomed on the horizon.

Ashley added, her voice resolute, "If this message is indeed from five years ago, then it means that there is a chance that the reapers threat is far from over. Or, it could be a new threat. We must prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. We are five years too late and Sephard is fighting another war on his own."

The room fell into a heavy silence as Ashley's words hung in the air, the weight of their implications sinking in. The crew exchanged concerned glances, the gravity of the situation palpable.

Admiral Hackett broke the silence, his voice steady yet laced with determination. "We cannot afford to ignore this distress signal. Whether it is a continuation of the Reaper threat or a new danger, we owe it to Commander Shepard and to ourselves to investigate further. We will assemble a team, gather the necessary resources, and prepare for the unknown."

"But, how can we travel without the Mass Relays?" Tali asked.

Tali's question hung in the air, highlighting the immense challenge they faced without the mass relays, which had been crucial in traversing the galaxy during their previous battles. The loss of those technological marvels had severely limited their ability to travel long distances and connect with other systems.

Admiral Hackett acknowledged Tali's concern, his expression thoughtful. "The destruction of the mass relays was a devastating blow to galactic travel, but we have been working tirelessly to find alternatives. Since the end of the Reaper War, numerous advancements have been made in FTL (Faster-Than-Light) technology, allowing us to navigate the stars without the reliance on mass relays."

He gestured to a holographic display showcasing sleek, advanced starships and experimental propulsion systems. "We have been investing in research and development, and although it won't be as efficient or convenient as the mass relays, we now have options for interstellar travel. Our scientists have made breakthroughs in quantum entanglement-based drives and experimental wormhole technologies. It will require careful coordination and planning, but we are confident that we can overcome this obstacle."

Tali nodded, her expression a mix of relief and determination. "I've seen the advancements in FTL technologies, but I wasn't sure if they were ready for long-range travel. If we can adapt these technologies and retrofit our ships, we might have a chance."

Admiral Hackett smiled, appreciating Tali's logical thinking. "Exactly, Tali. But the thing is, we are due to trial runs. We need volunteers to perform the test. And it will be dangerous since this will be our first test."