ME3 Infiltrator Ending With Ashley and Garrus (Ashley Romance)

 

Anderson – “Shepard! Shepard!”

Ashley – “I found him”

Anderson – “Thank god you’re all right son. Garrus come help us get this off of him.”

Garrus seeing the half ton wreck of a Mako – “This is gonna take all of our strength.”

Anderson to Shepard – “Move as soon as you’re unpinned, everybody on three, one, two, three.”

Anderson – “There its off of ya. Move.”

Shepard – “I’m out.”

They drop it with a bang.

Garrus – “That was heavy. And what a piece of junk too.”

Ashley – “And I thought the Mako was a piece of junk before it was hit by the giant laser.”

Garrus – “Don’t get me started.”

Anderson –  “Junk or not that Mako just saved your lives. Here Sheppard, I found your gun. Let’s get moving.”

Shepard – “Thanks. Let’s get to the conduit.”

Garrus – “Marauder!” Garrus fires his Black Widow X Sniper rifle at its head.

Ashley – “Headshot! That’s all of them.”

Garrus – “I hate those things. I keep thinking I’m shooting another Turian. They’re not as clearly deformed like husks.”

Anderson – “Stay focused, one lone hero isn’t the last of the fight to be had. Alright, on three we jump in the beam. One . . . Two . . . THREE.”

[The Citadel]

Anderson – “Are you alright? Is everybody here?”

Shepard – “I’m here.”

Ashley – “I landed in a pile of goo I’d rather forget I’d ever seen. But I’m ok.”

Garrus – “You think that’s bad I’ve got some in my ears.”

Anderson – “This place is a dump. Look at the bodies everywhere.”

Ashley – “Looks exactly how you described the collector base in your reports Shepard.”

Shepard – “Yeah but this is a lot worse than that. There’s a lot more blood here.”

Garrus – “Sometimes I think I’d be happier fighting the Collectors again. They weren’t half as bad as the Reapers.”

Shepard – “Seeing the Citadel like this, I’d have to agree with you.”

*ambient creaking

Garrus – “I’m surprised there aren’t more enemies.”

*Growls

Anderson – “Husks.”

Shepard – “You just had to open your mouth.”

Garrus – “Hey it’s not like the sound of my voice commands them out of thin air.”

*Shreaking

Ashley – “Oh no, that’s a banshee.”

Garrus – “On second thought, I probably should have kept my mouth shut.”

*Rawring

Anderson – “That’s definitely a brute. Maybe two.”

Ashley –  “Ok, maybe if we move now we can slip by them before they notice us.”

Shepard – “Come on, you’re not afraid are you Ash? We’ve got Garrus it’s just like old times. Us against impossible odds. Right Garrus. Uh, Garrus.”

Garrus – “I’d rather not say anything.”

Growls*

Anderson – “Enemies inbound. Cannibals.”

Shepard – “Everyone on the left.”

Ashley – “Laying suppressing fire.”

On the radio* – “This is Admiral Hackett, did anyone make it to the Citadel?”

Anderson – “Hackett, this is Anderson. I’m here with Shepard, Ashley and Garrus. We’re under heavy fire. What’s the status of the battle outside?”

Hackett – “We’re holding the Reapers away from the Citadel and the Crucible but I don’t know for how much longer. It’s not a strategic position to hold. But if we withdraw we may win this with brute force. Shepard really delivered.”

Anderson – “Hold your fleet formations for now. There are still Reapers in other star systems. If this thing works we could take them all out.”

Hackett – “Agreed, but move fast. I need to know if the Crucible is viable before our numbers reach the tipping point. You have ten minutes at best. Hackett out.”

Anderson – “You heard the man let’s go!”

The team pushes through the hallway mowing down wave after wave of Marauders, Cannibals and husks. As they reach the end of the hallway the large door opens.

Shepard – “Brute!”

Garrus – “Lets see how he handles the bite of a black widow ten!”

Garrus, a Turrian Soldier, expertly modified his rifle with an experimental armor piercing amplifier model 6 and an extended barrel model 7. In addition Garrus equipped armor piercing rounds that boost the effective penetration of each shot against armored targets. Quickly flipping on the Marksman ability through his visor Garrus takes aim and unleashes two heavy weight slugs towards the skull of the overconfident Brute. The rounds slam clean through the brute’s right eyelid and blast a huge hole out the back of the skull.

Anderson – “I’ve never seen one of those taken down so quickly.”

Garrus – “Really, I’ve been doing that all day. I’m just kidding, that was the first time that actually worked.”

Shreaking*

Ashley – “Here come those banshees.”

Shepard – “Does anyone have grenades?”

Anderson – “I’ve got some.”

Shepard – “Give me one of those.”

Garrus – “I’ve modified a few concussive rounds to act like a grenade launcher.”

Shepard – “Nice. Let’s get their barriers down fast. I want constant fire. When you reload. I’ll charge in.”

Garrus – “And I’ll be right behind you.”

Shreaking*

Ashley – “Two Banshees 12 O’clock.”

The Banshees charge in firing volleys of biotic strikes.

Ashley – “Clips run through. Firing grenades.”

Anderson – “Grenades live.”

Ashley hits them with precision shots to the head. The exploding rounds drop each of their barriers, draining their ability to charge forward. Anderson lobs a cluster of 3 grenades at their feet but the Banshees’ armor are still holding strong. Garrus turns to Shepard and says,

Garrus – “It’s our turn now Shepard. Let’s go.”

Shepard charges the Banshees with his shotgun. Shepard modified the weapon to fire sub zero cryo rounds to slow his opponents and weaken thier armor. Shepard deals high damage while Garrus not far behind, marches forward emptying a full clip through his fully upgraded Mattock X  at one of the Banshees ripping the abomination in half. Meanwhile, Shepard charges the other Banshee while cloaked with Anderson’s final grenade in hand and jams it into the Banshee’s shrieking mouth. Shepard rolls back and the grenade pops its head. With both of them dead Anderson says,

Anderson – “We’ve caught a break. Come on we don’t have much time left. Lets get the citadel arms open. Shepard we’ll need evac once we arm the Crucible.”

Shepard (on the radio) – “EDI I need you to monitor our suits internal microphones. I don’t know how long we’re going to take but as soon as we’re finished coordinate with Joker for extraction.”

EDI – “Roger Commander.”

[The control room]

Anderson – “There, that looks like the control panel.”

Garrus – “Wait, don’t rush in too quickly I smell trouble.”

Just then a group of Phantoms uncloaked around them.

Ashley – “Great. We’re completely surrounded.”

The Illusive man – “Admiral Anderson. I have a proposition for you.”

Anderson – “Go to hell.”

Illusive Man – “Hear me out first Admiral. I can’t allow you to destroy the Reapers.”

Anderson – “I figured as much.”

Illusive Man – “You’d count me as a fool. But you’re wrong. I’ve worked very hard to get to this point before you destroyed what remains of Cerberus. With the help of the Prothean VI we recovered from Thessia we discovered a weakness in the Reapers’ code.”

Garrus – “A weakness we can actually use or are you going to pitch another one of your half brained ideas?”

Illusive Man – “You underestimate me.”

Garrus – “Great, cause I was about to mention Project Overlord”

Illusive Man – “It’s not like that. Not exactly.”

Anderson – “What exactly?”

Illusive Man – “My plan is a little more refined than that. With the right amplification we can control the Reapers, disable them and study their technology.”

Anderson – “Are you mad! Shepard warned me about you.”

Illusive Man – “Where is Shepard.”

Ashley – “I don’t know, he was right behind me and then he wasn’t.”

Illusive Man – “It’s a pity. I would have liked to see him again. One last time.”

Anderson – “He doesn’t need to be here. Listen, the VI warned Shepard that you’ve been Indoctrinated.”

Illusive Man – “That’s preposterous!”

Anderson – “Hear me out. The VI said that 50,000 years ago the Prothean Empire split during the reaper invasion. The indoctrinated side believed they found a way to control the Reapers. But they couldn’t because the Reapers were controlling them. Any of this sound familiar?”

Illusive Man – “I’m aware of that.”

Anderson – “Well the point is that the Protheans were defeated because they couldn’t present a united front. Right now there’s a war going on outside and we have a chance to use the Crucible to win this war once and for all. ”

Illusive Man – “And we will. Trust me Admiral, or don’t. Either way you’re wrong. Thanks to you, this cycle will be different. Humanity has completed the Crucible and Humanity will reap the benefits.”

Anderson – “It was a galactic coalition that made it a success.”

Ashley – “Humans aren’t alone in the galaxy.”

Illusive Man – “Really Ashley! I thought a Williams would know better.”

Ashley – “Shepard tought me otherwise.”

Illusive Man – “Enough talk, it’s time for action.”  The Illusive Man turns toward the console.

Anderson – “What are you doing?”

Illusive Man – “I’m opening the citadel arms. In a few minutes the Crucible will amplify the Reaper control signal and I’ll be in full control.”

Anderson – “And what will you do with that control?”

Illusive Man – “Exactly what Cerberus has been doing all along. Furthering Humanity’s interests. If you must know, I think Palavan and Thessia would make excellent Human colonies.”

Garrus – “You wouldn’t dare.”

Anderson – “You’re off your rocker if you think that’s what’s in Humanity’s best interest.”

Illusive Man – “It’s only a matter of perspective. I see the world in ways you can’t even imagine.”

Garrus – “Oh no, I don’t doubt for one minute that you’re seeing things. Have you ever taken any psychedelic drugs? Cause I hear they can leave permanent damage.”

Illusive Man – “You mock me.”

Garrus – “Way to state the obvious.”

Garrus tightens his grip on his assault rifle.

Garrus – “You give the word Admiral and these Phantoms are as good as dead.”

The Phantom in front of Anderson sticks its blade to his neck.

Illusive Man – “I’d like to see you try.”

Anderson – “He’s right we make one wrong move and we’ll be as good as dead.”

Ashley – “We don’t have a lot of options.”

Anderson – “We just might have to chance it.”

Shepard – “That won’t be necessary.” Shepard walks up behind the Illusive Man and points his gun directly to the back of his head.

Illusive Man – “Shepard, how did you get in here?”

Shepard – “The same way you did. Through the ventilation shaft.”

Illusive Man – “Shepard put down the gun.”

Shepard – “I can’t do that. Admiral Hackett gave me an order.”

The Illusive Man – “What order was that?”

Shepard – “Well his exact words were ‘Put a bullet in his head on sight.'”

With that Shepard pulls the trigger.

*BLAM

Anderson – “What took you so long?”

Garrus – “We were beginning to think you wouldn’t make it to the party.”

Shepard – “Sorry the air ducts are a maze.”

Ashley – “Glad you made it, but what about the Phantoms?”

Garrus (waiving his hand in front of a Phantom’s face)- “They don’t seem to be moving at all.”

Shepard – “They’re mostly robots now. With the Illusive Man dead I don’t think they know what to do.”

Garrus proceeds to sidestep the ring of phantoms.

Shepard – “Well what do we do now?”

Anderson – “We’d better check in with Admiral Hackett. Hackett this is Anderson, come in.”

Hackett – “Anderson what’s your status? EDI was concerned a moment ago that you might have been compromised.”

Anderson – “We’re fine. Shepard took an alternate route and he saved our lives.”

Hackett – “And the Crucible?”

Anderson – “The Citadel arms are open. The Crucible can dock.”

Hackett – “Affirmative, it should only take a minute.”

Ashley turns to Shepard.

Ashley – “So this is it huh.”

Shepard – “Until I see every Reaper dead I’ll reserve my judgement.”

Garrus – “I’m with Shepard on that one.”

Anderson – “The Crucible’s docked.”

Hackett – “There seems to be a problem.”

Anderson – “What is it?”

Hackett – “The Crucible isn’t firing.”

Anderson – “Well give it time, it only docked a moment ago.”

EDI – “That isn’t the problem. It appears that control of the Crucible’s firing mechanism was originally intended to be routed to the central control panel in what used to be the Council Chambers.”

Anderson – “Dammit, that section is badly damaged we can’t get to there.”

EDI – “Correct. In order to reroute control someone will have to access an external panel at the Crucible and Citadel Juncture.”

(Make a Choice. Reroute control at your own risk or withdraw fleet and chance a brute force victory *Warning 6000 effective war assets are needed for this victory. Click HERE to withdraw the fleet. Read on to reroute control.)

Endgame 1 *Reroute at Own Risk.

Shepard – “I’ll go.”

Ashley – “Not so fast. I’m coming with you.”

Shepard – “No you won’t Ash. I’m going alone.”

Ashley – “The hell you are!”

Shepard – “You can’t, I’m the only one who brought breathing equipment.”

Garrus – “He’s got a point. I don’t like it either but it’s his call to make.”

EDI – “I’ve been looking further into the schematics of the juncture point. It is possible to arm the Crucible from there. If Shepard stays behind, I recommend a rendezvous for the other party members with the Normandy.”

Anderson – “You sure about this son?”

(Paragon Choice “I’m sure.”: continue reading. Renegade Choice: click the link “Send Anderson.”)

Shepard – “I’m sure.”

Anderson – “Good luck son.”

Hackett – “We’ll pull you out of there when you’re done Shepard. One way or another . . . ”

Anderson – “EDI Send me the Evac coordinates.”

Garrus – “Don’t get lost out there Shepard.” (Paragon option shake his hand.)

Ashley – “I’m a soldier Shepard I should be used to following orders but I’m not used to saying goodbye. Don’t die out there Shepard. I can’t lose you again. Get it done and come home.” (*Paragon romance option. Kiss her.)

Shepard – “I will.”

Ashley – “I love you.”

Shepard – “I love you too.”

Ashley – “I love you more.”

Shepard – “Hey.” He kisses her again.

Ashley – “Careful Shepard, you’re making it harder for me to leave.”

Shepard – “It doesn’t get any easier.”

Anderson – “So you and the Lieutenant?”

Shepard – “I’m not going to make any excuses.”

Anderson – “You don’t have to Shepard. I always had a hunch and I know when to look the other way. Ashley is a fine woman and an even better officer. Do yourself a favor and stay alive out there.”

Shepard – “Yes sir.”

Garrus – “When this is over Remember: you, me the beach and I’m buying drinks. You better not flake out on me.”

Shepard – “I’ll be there.” (Paragon option “and I’ll drink you under the table.” Garrus – “I don’t know if I have the creds. The way you drink, I’ll have to take out a loan.”)

Shepard – “Now get out of here. That’s an order.”

Ashley kisses Shepard one last time and follows Garrus and Anderson out of the room as they escape to the evac point. Shepard fastens his breathing mask and punches a few buttons on the control panel. Then the platform beneath him raises him up towards the external hull. Shepard takes 3 steps before hearing a noise that triggers a flash of a Prothean memory. He looks behind him quickly but sees nothing.Then Hacket comes in again over the radio.

Hackett – “Shepard we’re picking up a single Sovereign class Reaper bearing down on your position.”

Shepard – “Harbinger!”

Hackett – “A likely guess.”

Shepard – “What about Anderson and the team?”

Hackett – “We just made the pickup. Listen, we’re gonna engage the Reaper to give you more time.”

Shepard – “Don’t bother, just get the hell out of here.”

Joker – “Negative commander. Hackett outranks you. Besides I’ll run evasive patterns at limit. It’s not my first time dodging Reaper ordinance plus now we have EDI we’ll keep the Normandy safe.”

Shepard – “Admiral don’t engage Harbinger without backup.”

Hackett – “It’s not up for debate Commander, there’s no other ship within range that’s fast enough. The Normandy is the only ship that can harass the Reaper. Listen we’ll hold up our end of the bargain so you can hold up yours. Haul ass Commander that’s an Order.”

Shepard – “Aye sir.”

Hackett – “Hackett out.”

Shepard sprints forward at full speed still 200 meters from his target. Meanwhile the Normandy zips by overhead from Shepard’s right toward the approaching reaper on his left. The Normandy stares down Harbinger in this galactic game of chicken.

Joker – “Do we have a target.”

EDI – “Target locked.”

Garrus – “Dodge this you son of a bitch!”

With that, all the hours of intense calibration, hardwireing and rerouting are put to good use by a volley from the Normandy’s giant gun.

Joker – “Everybody hang on!!!”

Joker rolls the Normandy left of Harbinger as the Volley hits the Normandy narrowly misses contact with the massive ship. Even a scrape would have ripped the Normandy apart. Any other pilot couldn’t have made a maneuver like that. But Joker isn’t any other pilot.

Shepard – “That was close. Joker. . . Dammit Joker come in!”  Shepard’s audio is getting through but Harbinger is blocking communication from the Normandy back to Shepard. With no response he gives up on communicating for the moment and he nears the control panel, when he sees the silhouette of a figure. Drawing his weapon, he sees the figure more clearly.

Shepard – “Illusive man?”

Harbinger – “No!”

Shepard – “Harbinger!”

Harbinger – “Don’t be surprised Shepard. It was only a matter of time before his indoctrination was complete.”

Shepard – “Just like Sarren.”

Harbinger – “Just like you.”

Shepard – “I don’t think you can or you would have done it already.”

Harbinger – “It’s only a matter of time.”

Shepard – “I don’t think so. You had to radically alter the Protheans’ DNA in order to control them. I’m willing to bet the cipher makes it harder for you to control me.”

Harbinger – “Not by much.”

Shepard – “Listen as much as I enjoy our little reunions I have to activate the Crucible.”

Harbinger – “I can’t let you do that.”

Shepard – “Go figure. Hey you got here before me. How come you didn’t simply sabotage the console yourself?”

Harbinger – “I was in the middle of doing so when you interrupted me.”

Shepard – “No I think it’s more than that. The Prothean’s designed it. They must have safeguards that prevent the indoctrinated from using the Crucible.”

Harbinger – “You’re more clever than we anticipated. A mistake that we will not repeat. Your end is final. I will destroy you.”

Shepard – “Quite the opposite Harbie. You’re going down just like Sovereign and his puppet.”

Little did he know, Hackett broadcast the entire conversation to collective fleets.

Joker – “Voicecomm sent.”

Hackett – “I think that rose morale a few points. Bring us arround for another attack.”

Joker – “Aye, Aye”

Hackett – “Garrus fire at will.”

They go at it in all out combat. Everything is on the line now, nothing held back. The Normandy broadcasting his suit audio live to the fleets, fully aware of every move Shepard makes in this critical fight. Shepard, knowing nothing of the battle overhead charges the husk of the Illusive man’s body which responds with super Human strength.

Harbinger – “This is no ordinary fight Shepard. I will destroy you.”

Shepard’s shields deflect a biotic volley.

Harbinger – “I know this hurts you.”

EDI – “Commencing emergency maneuvers.” She takes control of the Normandy and fiercely spins the port hull to deflect the majority of the Reaper weapon’s impact.

Joker – “Oh god I didn’t see that.”

EDI – “That’s why you have me.”

Hackett – “Damage report.”

(If you bought the cooling conduits for the Normandy.)

Adams – “Minimal hull damage. But drive output spiked if we hadn’t upgraded the thermal conduits everyone below the engineering deck would be dead.”

Hackett – “Keep up the fight.”

Then the Turrian Primarch comes in over the coms.

Victus – “Turrian fleet engaging Harbinger.”

Hackett – “Glad you could join us.”

Harbinger (husk) – “Your friends are weak. Even they cannot stop me.”

Shepard ducks behind cover as Harbinger throws endless volleys of biotic detonations. He equips his shotgun blade. Preparing to charge him, Shepard looks up.

Hackett to the fleets – “Harbinger has landed on the Crucible. All ships do not let him fire his main gun. Repeat do not let him fire!”

Shepard thinks to himself – “This is it, this is the last charge I’ll ever make in this war.”

(Psychological choice Paragon option – “For the fallen. Time to make it count.” Renegade – “Time to kick some Reaper ass!”)

* Make it Count.

Shepard and Harbinger charge each other as the Earth stands still. The fate of the Galaxy boiled down to these few seconds. Resting in the hands of Shepard’s legacy . . . is a shotgun and a 12 inch blade. Shepard cloaks and ducks left just under Harbinger’s arm’s reach. The monster swinging wildly, emptily from one side to another. Shepard sneaks up behind for an attack on the Illusive Man’s upgraded skull vs. Shepard’s blade. Piercing the skull from behind, Shepard’s blade won out. Shepard – “That was for Kaidan.” Shepard fires a round. “That was for Thane.” another, “That was for Mordin.” another. Firing the last in his clip, “That was for Legion.” Shepard drops the shotgun and powers up his omni-blade for his most powerful melee, “And this, THIS IS FOR EARTH!”

Shepard rips through the Reaper enhanced body with a devastating 5000 newtons, the severed torso flies off into space in pieces.
With the interference gone, Shepard hears Hackett on the com channel.

Hackett – “Hit him now, hit him with all you’ve got. Its shields are down. Its shields are down!”

Harbinger growls in his most menacing tone. Shepard looks up at a Harbinger’s charging laser

Shepard – “Hackett patch this through to the fleet, target the laser cannon. It’s the Reapers weakness.”  Harbinger growls directly at Shepard.

Shepard – “Target the LASER CANNON!”

Hackett – “You heard the man. Shoot it now.”

The allied fleets barrage the Reaper in the thickest fire every ships’ captains had ever seen. But Harbinger, the oldest and the largest of the Reapers stands in the midst of a sea of flames as hot and bright as the Sun.

Joker whips the Normandy around for its final run at the monster.

Joker – “This is for Gunney.” he slams the fire button. With Garrus’ targeting, the shot slams through Harbinger. The Reaper growls not from malice, but from pain. As Harbinger is blown to pieces the Reapers’ chatter grows into an uproar over his death. Shepard runs for the Crucible’s console, inputting the final commands in the Prothean language. Shepard remembers Mordin, “It had to be me, someone else might have gotten it wrong.”

[Epilogue] If your galactic readiness score is below 3500 click HERE now.

If you betrayed the Krogan click: Blood Rage.

Joker – “I’m picking up extreme energy fluctuations from the Crucible. I recommend we evade.”

Hackett – “Take us to a safe distance.”

Anderson – “You’re not really considering leaving him?”

Hackett – “We don’t have a choice.”

Shepard – “It’s ok Anderson. I knew the risks.”

Hackett – “You’re much more than a credit to the uniform. I’m sorry we ran out of time. Joker please send a message to the fleet and to all ground units. The Crucible is ready to fire.”

Joker – “Aye sir.”

The Crucible charges a massive ammount of energy into each of the Citadel arms before fireing its payload. The energy envelopped everything in the Sol system overloading the Reaper’s Mass Effect cores and igniting the Reaper’s internal power distribution architecture.

(Player Dependent Consequences)

If your galactic readiness score is below 3500 click HERE now.

Due to the Crucible’s careful construction and precise engineering by: The Quarrians and Geth, The Rachni, Kenneth and Gabby’s innovation, Jacob Taylor and the Ex-Cerberus scientists, Miranda Lawson and Conrad Verner’s dissertation.

The Crucible was able to channel its energy through the Mass Relays without destroying them. Had the engineers made a single mistake the consequences of the Crucible’s uncontrolled energy would have been devastating.

And Shepard, Shepard *Remains Alive (Keep reading). *Dies (Click link)

Shepard can be rescued from the Crucible in one of three ways: 1 Shepard brokered a lasting peace with the Geth. 2 Shepard saved the Rachni Queen twice. 3 alternatively: Shepard cured the Genophage and Grunt survived with Arlak Company.

If any ONE of these conditions are met Shepard lives. If none of these are met click HERE to see the ending where Shepard dies.

Shepard can be rescued from the Crucible in one of three ways: 1 Shepard brokered a lasting peace with the Geth. 2 Shepard saved the Rachni Queen twice. 3 alternatively: Shepard cured the Genophage and Grunt survived with Arlak Company.

If any ONE of these conditions are met Shepard lives. If none of these are met click HERE to see the ending where Shepard dies.
Anderson viewing the Galaxy map.

Anderson – “It’s a goddamn miracle. Reaper forces are being decimated everywhere.”

Hackett – “This victory came at a huge cost but we couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.”

Anderson – “You could say that twice.”

EDI – “Admirals! I’m picking up life signs from Shepard’s suit.”

Anderson – “Shepard’s alive.”

EDI – “but there’s a problem. Sensors say he’s entering Cardiac arrest.”

Anderson – “Get him evac NOW!”

Hackett – “The closest unit to his position is a Geth Ship. They’re responding. They’re going to pull him out. Joker plot a course for the Geth ship, on the double!”

Joker – “Already set.”

Anderson – “Dr. Chakwas, prepare the medical bay for a patient. It’s Shepard.”

Dr. Chakwas – “Understood.”

The Normandy docks with the Geth ship. A Geth Prime walks through the airlock carrying Shepard and speeds down the hallway.

Prime – “Where are your medical facilities?”

Anderson – “One deck down through the elevator. Follow me.”

Ashley, standing by the mess hall talking to Garrus pours herself a cup of tea to calm down.

Garrus – “Ash, I’m terribly sorry for you.  I wish I could say more. I wish I could do more.”

Ashley – “Yeah, so do I.”

In the time that it takes for a pin to drop from a table to the floor, Ashley turns around to see Anderson lead the Geth Prime and the battered Commander into the medical bay. Her jaw drops, her hand trembles as she drops her cup. The part of her that has hope seeing him rescued is overridden by the part that’s overcome with fear for his life. Her tea cup falling, watching the Commander’s body lifeless in the hands of a Geth. As the door closes behind Anderson and the Prime, Ashley’s tea cup shatters on the floor. Feeling weak Ashley’s legs collapse beneath her. She’s forced to sit on the wet floor between the cupboards, her head laid heavy in her hands.

Garrus shocked – “Ashley what did I just watch?”

Ashley crying – “My worst nightmare.”

Garrus – “Oh what am I thinking? Garrus you’re such an idiot.

Garrus hugging her – “There, there. I’m sure he’ll be alright.”

Garrus – “Go sit down at the table. Let me clean up this mess and I’ll make you another cup of tea.”

Ashley – “Thanks Garrus. I may need help.”

Garrus – “No problem. Let me help you up.”

Meanwhile Dr. Chakwas scrubs in for surgery. All non-essential personnel are evacuated from the medical bay as the assistants continue attempting to resuscitate the commander one of them pulls the med bay’s window shutters closed. Anderson walks out, says a few words thanking the Prime for assistance before it leaves the Normandy.

Ashley – “Anderson! How is he doing? Is he ok?”

Anderson – “I’m not gonna lie, he’s in rough shape. It looks like the Crucible damaged his synthetic implants especially the clamp around his heart.”

Garrus – “If the Crucible affected him, how come it didn’t damage the Normandy?”

Anderson – “It was probably due to his proximity to the blast wave. I’m not sure. But right now Shepard’s in there, fighting for his life and he needs us to stay strong for him. Ashley how are you holding up?”

Ashley – “I don’t know.”

3 hours later Dr. Chakwas finally steps out of the Medical bay. To her surprise the entire crew of the Normandy is there waiting

Anderson breaks the silence.

Anderson – “What is it? How is he doing?”

Dr. Chakwas – “Well I’ve got bad news.”

The crowd groans.

Dr. Chakwas “He’s going to make a full recovery.”

The crowd breathes a collective sigh of relief, followed by cheers and applause. Ashley felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off her chest. She quietly confronts the Dr.

Ashley – “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

Dr. Chakwas – “Sorry I just couldn’t take the tension in the room. We’ve all been through Hell and back for what seems like forever. The air was so thick I was choking.”

Ashley – “It’s hard to believe it’s over.”

Dr. Chakwas – “Shepard’s alive. I can’t think of a better symbol of victory than that.”

2 Weeks later. At a bar on Earth by the Ocean. The cool wind flowing through the open air pavilion. Shepard sits at the bar with Ashley on his left, Wrex on her other side and Garrus on Shepard’s right.

Dr. Chakwas stands up from the corner table, sharing a bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy with Admiral Hackett. At the adjacent table is Anderson with Kahlee Sanders.

Dr. Chakwas – “Glad you could make it commander.”

Shepard – “Thanks to you I did.”

Dr. Chakwas – “Just doing my job Commander.”

Garrus – “Commander have a drink, take a load off.”

Shepard motions to the bar tender to pour him a drink. Taking a sip he says,

Shepard – “Well we did it Garrus, we took back Earth.”

Garrus – “You took it back Shepard because I was there and I had your back. What would you do without me.”

Wrex – “Probably save the galaxy all by himself. Although not at stylishly. Speaking of which. I like the scenery. It reminds me of home.”

Wrex is referring to the piles of Reaper rubble adorning the beach.

Shepard – “Well it’s gonna take some work but we took Earth back.”

Wrex – “Don’t be modest, you did all the work. It was just fun to be along for the ride.”

Shepard – “No I’m pretty sure I couldn’t have done it without you. All of you. I’d like to raise a toast. To the Heroes of the Normandy, the Alliance and the Galaxy at large. Here’s to all who died fighting the Reapers and lastly. Here’s to our friends. Cheers!”

Crowd – “CHEERS!”

Shepard quietly – “Hey Ash, can we step out for a bit?”

Ashley – “Sure Shepard, why?”

Shepard – “Just to take a walk.”

They both get up and take a walk on the beach while holding hands.

Shepard – “You know that part of our relationship that’s going somewhere.”

Ashley – “You mean the part that leads to a long and fulfilling relationship?”

Shepard – “No not that part.”

Ashley laughs.

Shepard – “I’m just kidding. Of course I mean that part.”

Ashley – “Well?”

Shepard – “Well,

(Shepard gets on one knee)

I have a very important question to ask you.”

[End Credits.]

After Credits Scene 1

Garrus – “So we’re on Omega and this is your bachelor party and you DON’T want me to buy you a exotic dancer?”

Wrex – “Shut up Garrus. Shepard’s made his choice.”

Garrus – “I’m just saying if he warned me we wouldn’t have had to come all the way to Omega.”

Shepard – “The party’s fine the way that it is. Thanks Garrus for all your hard work.”

Garrus – “It would be better with dancers.”

After Credits Scene 2

Anderson – “And do you take this man to be your husband?”

Ashley – “I do.”

Anderson – “Do you take this woman to be your wife?”

Shepard – “Oh you bet I do.”

Anderson – “Then by the power vested in me. I now pronounce thee wed. You may now kiss the bride.”

They kiss as people throw rice in the air like falling snow. Camera flash and applause fill the room like thunder and lightning.

After Credits Scene 3

Shepard seen pushing two kids, a boy and a girl, on a swing-set.

Ashley – “Shepard Supper’s ready.”

Shepard looks up and smiles – “We’ll be right in.”

Site-nav

If you haven’t clicked them in the story but would like to see one of the other possible endings:

• To withdraw the fleet click HERE.
• Renegade Choice click the link “Send Anderson.”
• If your galactic readiness score is below 3500 click HERE now.
• If you betrayed the Krogan click: Blood Rage.
• Click HERE to see the ending where Shepard dies.
• Or pick another class: Soldier, Vanguard, Infiltrator
• Author’s note: If you liked any of these stories I ask you to please leave a comment below and/or share them on other sites such as Facebook and forums, e-mail and blogs or any other way you can. Thanks!

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