001. video

[servator]

[ If you’ve never seen someone who’s very close to death, you have now. The image broadcast is of a wearied-looking soldier who is fairly torn up, sporting dozens of gashes to the face and badly-cracked military-grade armor. The woman in question looks tired, yes, but there’s something almost relieved about her expression, about the way she sighs long and deep before speaking, taking her time in sending out a message. ]

Never thought being dead would look and feel just like living. [ Does that sound too unamused? Ah, well. She pauses, considers what to say; it’s difficult when you’ve recently been more or less dissolved into atoms and then woke up in a gooey pod. Among... other things. ]

This is Command-- [ The woman cuts off, brows knit as she reconsiders. ] ... This is Shepard, formerly Commander of the SSV Normandy, Alliance Navy. I don’t know where this is, exactly, but I think I know what it’s supposed to be.

[ Do the specifics of the afterlife matter so much once you're dead, though? Shepard smiles distantly, voice surprisingly easy despite all the unknown factors. ]

I need to find the bar. Promised someone I’d be there.

Comments

[video]

[circumitus]

[Squint.


[...Squiiiiint.






[A few seconds of squinting later:] You look different.

[video]

[servator]

[ Shepard blinks, then narrows her eyes in scrutiny. ]

Not sure what you mean. Do I know you?

[video]

[circumitus]

Yes and no. You're not the only one to introduce yourself as Commander Shepard of this SSV Normandy, however. Actually, can think of at least three or four at the top of my head who've used that name, rank, ship, and military branch.

...

Been around here for far too long.

text

[alsohawkeye]

Do you have like a sister or a cousin or something who's also in the Navy?

ETA: and there's a bar on every floor, pretty much. Look for a weird blue glow and you'll find it.

text

[servator]

No living relatives. Is there a reason for all the questions?

Glad to hear it. Not sure how I feel about the blue glow.

video

[godsdamned]

[Hannah squints into the video feed, holding it uncomfortably close, because what the fuck are video cameras even? She's scrutinizing the face on the other side, the cuts and blood, the cracked-but-weird-looking-armor.]

You look fucked up, but you don't look all that dead. [And Hannah knows dead pretty well.]

But damn would I go for the bar right now.

video

[servator]

Tell me how you really feel. [ Rude. But: ]

You and me both. I feel like I need a drink, after--... Anyway. A drink. Or two.

private.

[darkart]

If this is a joke you need to work on your humor.

private.

[servator]

Wish I could say it's a joke, but I don't think I said anything worth any humor.

Is there a problem here?

voice.

[kutte]

[ zero to Strong Emotional Response is go. ]

Bullshit.

voice.

[servator]

[ Great. More people spitting in her face for being someone she's not. Really, she should be used to this kind of thing, but it's been a pretty rough day so far.

Luckily, Shepard's had a lot of those. ]

Look, that's who I am, and I'm sorry you don't want to hear it. I can't change this-- any of this.

video;

[uncurse]

Commander Shepard died four jumps ago.

video;

[servator]

I've died twice, but never on this ship. [ There's a strained silence; tiring though this song and dance is, Shepard isn't a complainer. That's something she's always gotten credit for. So, her tone is soft, almost gentle. ]

I'm sorry; I'm not the Shepard you knew. But I am-- [ She pauses again, jaw locked in concentration, words failing. ] ... I'm not sure I know what's going on, myself.

Video

[acapriciousthing]

[Death never knew the previous Shepard. So she's zeroing in on a different point entirely. One that comes up a lot.]

This isn't the afterlife.

Video

[servator]

So I keep hearing. [ She sighs shortly, but manages a feeble smile. ] Glad to hear it.

video

[conscientiae]

[ Here, at least, is someone who has no idea who Commander Shepard is or was. All she sees is someone who looks hurt. ]

Do you need any help? I've only just arrived myself, but I can help you find the medical bay, or treat some of your injuries myself, if we can find any handy medical equipment.

video

[servator]

[ Hurt, thy name is Shepard. ]

I don't have any Medi-Gel on me or I'd do it myself. [ Maybe they don't use that kind of med tech here, she thinks, but it's worth a shot. ] I think I should stop by the med bay, if there's someone there who can help me.

voice;

[seidhr]

[This man's voice flows like smoke through jagged glass, low and liquid and not as sympathetic as it could be.]

Oh, dear. How awkward for you.

voice;

[servator]

[ First assessment: What a dick. ]

I'd say it's a little more awkward for everyone us, but that's perspective for you.

video;

[dogbane]

Hello ma'am, [William smiles at the camera. The Medical Bay is quiescent and white behind him.]

This is William Tsang, Chief Medical Officer of the Tranquility. I hear you're interested in establishing the genetic differences between yourself and Lydia Shepard. Sadly we haven't got a DNA profile for her on file, but we have got a pretty thorough physical workup for her including her blood type. Come on by anytime-- same place as the slime tubes yous was shot out of a few days ago.

We'll do what we can.

video;

[servator]

"You hear," huh? [ But she makes a stab at a smile, weary and cut-up though she still is. ] Thanks. I appreciate the help.

[ She wonders how far the differences will extend beyond the name and face. ]

I'd like to come over sooner, rather than later, if you've got some time.

[makedo]

Are you really.

[ the flat tone suggests it isn't much of a question, the frown suggests it might be one after all. ]

[servator]

Yep. [ Flat tone noted and returned with an unimpressed expression. ] If you've got questions about my identity, you can take a look at the vidfeed records. Save me the trouble of convincing another doubter.

text.

[brainsqueeze]

( +1 more to the 'do not like' brigade )

What is it supposed to be?

text.

[servator]

[ Joy of joys..... ]

Uh, death? The afterlife? That's what I thought at first.

Not anymore.