The Citadel on the Way to the Portalocity Hub, Thursday Morning

It had been a long couple of days: first the mission, then the debriefing. Not that Kaidan was complaining. It was always good to get some action again. At the same time, though, he was tired, worn out and ready to spend a day or two just unwinding. Maybe call Dean over. That kind of thing.

He settled against the railing just outside the Portalocity office. He still had about half an hour to kill. Took a deep breath, skimmed his fingers over his hair... and stared at the wall on the other side of the walkway.

SHEPARD LIVES, it screamed.

He stared at it for a while longer.

A couple of paces away, a young asari stood, singing at passers-by in hopes of earning a credit or two.

"Hope can drown lost in thunderous sound
Fear can claim what little faith remains
But I carry strength from souls now gone
They won't let me give in...
I will never surrender
We'll free the Earth and sky
Crush my heart into embers
And I will reignite..."

He let out a sigh and dropped his eyes to the floor. He couldn't start letting these weird rumors get to him. He had enough on his mind without digging up past hurts he'd just started to put to ground.

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