Dark crimson rivers streamed effortlessly down the marred gaps in Commander Shepard's armor, painting the normally grey suit in a fresh paint of red. Mimicking the Nile, one rivulet gushed soundlessly to the metallic panels below, pooling outward at her booted feet. The blood's source, radiating away from the ravaged wound in the soldier's chest, was a gaping image of torn flesh, broken only by the presence of the metal within. Protruding from Shepard's shoulder, the dismembered arm of an unfortunate Geth Trooper savagely rested in the cradle of the woman's own body, a testament to the fact that even in death the metallic creatures were still dangerous.

The seasoned soldier slumped forward, wedged between two sets of supporting arms, squad mates who were dragging her limp form toward the closest elevator. Faces stared in wonder at the flurry of activity, watching in horror as their once invincible Commander choked on blood filled lungs. Stumbling forward, Shepard locked emerald eyes on the floorboards, struggling to prevent the inevitable darkness from consuming her vision.

"Commander!" a voice cried in the distance.

Hours seemed to have passed before the commander could force her head up, noting with a measure of panic that the shout had not come from miles away. She was loosing her senses. Suddenly Shepard came to the startled realization that she was no longer on her feet but had collapsed, kneeling in a crumbled mess on the floor. Gurgling back a muffled grunt of frustration, she surged to her feet, prompted by the strong arms of her comrades.

"I could use a cup of coffee, Chief. Care to fetch me some?" Shepard managed to gasp between blue lips.

Ashley blinked in surprise, faltering a step as the woman beside her spoke. Though the situation prevented a smile from enveloping the hardened soldier's face, she managed a weak nod before replying, still dragging her commanding officer forward.

"Sorry skipper, but it looks like the hayride isn't over yet. How 'bout a drink afterwards?"

Shepard managed a weak nod, noticing for the first time that Ashley's usually spotless combat suit was smeared with something red. Another figure in grey marched silently next to her, cold blue eyes trained on the elevator. Gripping Shepard's waist and shoulder, Garrus slammed a fist against the elevator's panel as soon as they neared, forcing the shining metal door to open, revealing a maw of metal. He hauled Shepard in after him, Ashley supporting the woman's weight on the other side.

Like the slow crawl of a turtle, the elevator began its sluggish ascension. Lights flickered and faded as they passed, becoming the only true indication that movement was actually taking place. Ashley growled in frustration and rage, Shepard hanging limp and silent at her side, and Garrus snarled openly. Stealing a glance down, his face drained of all color as he noticed the pool of blood stretching out from Shepard's body, tendrils of scarlet spreading across silvery checkered squares.

Shepard's ragged breaths of fluid filled oxygen precluded splattering coughs of blood, halted only by the rattle of speech. "This elevator will be the death of me," she wheezed, tears of irony and laughter leaking out of the corners of her eyes.

Abruptly the metal maw released its prisoners, the elevator door sliding aside to reveal the worried face of Dr. Chakwas, a gasp escaping thin lips as she saw the Commander's condition: a chunk of metal, stretching to roughly seventeen inches, jutted out from the fleshy softness of Shepard's torso. There was a brief moment of indecision before everyone sprang into action.

Barking out commands, the doctor swiftly motioned for Ashley and Garrus to drag Shepard into the Medical Bay, the doctor's white silhouette not far behind. With an effort all three managed to lift the soldier onto a sterile bed, surgical instruments flashing in the bright lights overhead. Chakwas moved quickly and efficiently, working the jagged metal from Shepard's body without much consideration to the cries of pain. Spurting bouts of crimsons from within its depths, Shepard's body seemed to struggle against the doctor's efforts.

Both Garrus and Ashley, unsure of what to do, stepped clear of the furiously working doctor, standing silently next to each other. Garrus's frustration with his co-worker and Ashley's mistrust of aliens evaporated as they stood and watched, their concern completely overriding any minor grievances they had for each other.  Giving Ashley's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, Garrus patted his comrade before sauntering off, his humanoid frame pausing for one last look at Shepard before he exited the med-bay.

"Dr. Chakwas?" Ashley paused, unsure if she should be speaking. "Is she going to be alright?"

Without turning to address the distressed soldier, Chakwas continued her work on the now unconscious Shepard. "I hope so Ashley, for all our sakes…"