nina's cluttered shelf

DUTY

“Sure, I can talk about Commander Shepard. Big topic. There’s been a lot written about the Commander, but most of it isn’t true. People are quick to judge. They don’t know the whole story. I don’t even know the whole story. But I know the woman. Worked with her, fought with her. Trust her with my life. Shepard’s had some rough patches. Who of us hasn’t. She’s been forced to fight a lot of battles alone. God only knows how she got out of some of that. Makes your head spin.

Thing is, you never heard a complaint. Never once got “No, sir. I can’t do that.” She never hesitated. Few people know what Shepard’s been through. I’d like to think I come pretty close. And I worry sometimes she forgets: there’s a whole bunch of people who lose sleep over her getting back home. Maybe it doesn’t need to be said. Maybe we’re too dumb to say it.

Soldiers like the Commander are rare. Women like Shepard… even more rare.”