To: BioWare, Edmonton, Canada
Re: One Final Goodbye
From: Allison L. Shepard

There isn't much time. The explosions from the fighting are rattling the walls, and each one feels closer and closer. I just wanted to say, if I don't make it… up until this point, we've had an amazing run. I have no idea what is going to happen out there once Anderson and I begin moving the troops, so I wanted to say goodbye. I wanted to say goodbye in case this was the last time I could. We've had our ups and our downs over the years—you've been a firm friend through all of my transitions, you stuck by me, and you taught me to believe. Because of you, I've been reunited with Major Alenko, and our differences have finally been settled giving us the chance to love one another with all that we can even here at the end. Because of you I've watched the love between two of my most loyal crew, and trusted friends blossom; and I couldn't be happier for Tali and Garrus. I had to really see it to believe it with Joker and EDI, but you've somehow worked a miracle there.

We've lost much over the years—you and I. I could only imagine how difficult it must have been for you when I sent you news on Thane's death. It caused in me a hard pause, I know that much. No one but you knows the tears I shed for Mordin. I remember, when you first introduced us, I wondered how I could ever hope to get along with the little bastard constantly running his mouth. But he came through, he came through and is, I can say, the best damn Salarian there ever was—and ever will be. A bold claim I know but… Thane, Mordin—my only regret is that they never realized that out of the ashes of their past, they became the best of us. Or maybe they did realize it. Neither of us will ever know.

And Legion… Ha, you know BioWare, if you had told me three years ago I'd be shedding a tear for a geth, I would have thought you would need to be committed to an asylum. But here I am—Rannoch still burning at the back of my eyelids, and Legion… going silent.

Then again, three years ago if you told me that touching down on Eden Prime would change everything… it changed everything. It changed EVERYTHING.

DAMNIT. I'm constantly plagued by what-could-have-beens and what-ifs, and… so many faces. So, so many faces that at times I felt like I couldn't take it anymore. I felt—death… was the only solace I had ever known in the past three years and even that was taken from me. Yes, yes Kaidan's arms make everything bearable, but, they don't take away everything that's happened. They don't take away the choking feeling I get when I can't catch my breath as I remember, they don't take away Virmire, they don't take away Ashley's face, they don't take away the goddamn sound of her voice when she says she's going to hold her position, and I tell her I'm deciding her life for her—and his arms do not take away the constant reminder of my failure with each, and every name on that memorial wall in the Normandy. He makes it bearable—but victory will… victory will let me breathe again.

…What's going to happen to us BioWare? I see the looks on the faces of the men and women, and they put on a brave show, but I know—inside—they don't believe we're going to win this day, but they want to. They want to… and that's going to have to be enough. I'm terrified, but you've told me that you are as well, and it's a comfort to know we're in this thing together. All of us.

It's time. I hope this finds you, and it would be miraculous if it finds you well. Should… anything happen to me—please, pass this letter along to Kaidan as well. I want him to know how proud I am of him. I want him to know that he's not only one hell of a soldier—but he's also one hell of a man. I want him to know, how much I love him. And BioWare?

Good luck out there. You're going to need it. We all do.           


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London, England