What did you do today in ME?

But now I can't sleep :C

"Dear Mom,

How are things going on your end? I heard you passed up a promotion to take command of your own ship. I always knew you could do it. Guess it took stories of my death to finally do what you wanted, huh? Well thankfully, your daughter is allowed to write you after surviving a suicide mission. I'm glad I can. My communication codes are locked out and I'm only allowed to talk to family.

You may have heard by now, but the trial was a mixed outcome. The Alliance couldn't find any evidence to directly convict me, but they keep me grounded "for my own safety." Now I have an overseer named James Vega. He's a good kid, but seems like he can be a bit of a hothead. He's a gossip, so he's let me know a little bit of what's been going on.

Like with my ship. At least I know the Normandy is in good hands. Anderson contacted me last week to let me know that they were retrofitting the Normandy to Alliance specs. I know she'll be just fine. A silly part of me wonders what they are going to do with my fish and my ships. I hope they take care of them.

I keep wondering about the crew too. We spent a week after bringing down the Collectors performing cleanup on small pockets still lingering around the most remote colonies. Well, after the day-long binge on booze. Seriously Mom, it was the worst hangover of my life. My only regret is that Kaidan wasn't there. He missed out on some prime blackmail. Remind me never to let Grunt "experiment" with non-ryncol alcohol ever again. Or any krogan for that matter.

Last I heard, Alliance brass were talking to Jack. Asking questions about her abilities, her ties with Cerberus and her life. She had her usual charming attitude, but they were surprisingly good about dealing with her. Maybe they can give that anger some direction. She could do some real good.

Zaeed bailed after the party. He said something about possibly retiring now that he had a "goddamn reason to live." Kasumi also left that same day. "Thanks for the ride Shep. Now I'm going to go somewhere more fun and with a less potential for dying. Don't be a stranger."

Miranda escaped the Alliance and no one knows where she fled. Apparently they knew about her working for Cerberus for several years and were curious about the science that brought me back. She quickly made herself scarce. Jacob privatedly chatted with Hackett.  They concluded that he wasn't guilty of Cerberus' crimes, and did not know about the mission.  They decided to let him go.  I don't know what he's up to now.

Tali went back to the Flotilla after the trial as well. Between you and me Mom, I'm not sure if the Alliance truly cared that much about Tali's involvement. Well, Anderson and Hackett could vouch for her, but I think most members of the brass could care less if the geth and quarians kill one another. I really hope she's alright.

Legion was going back to the Veil to "build a census." Far as I can tell, he's figuring out where any heretics might be and also trying to find other true geth programs. He left a week before I was called back to Earth. He knew that it would "be counterproductive to Shepard-Commander for us to be on the ship." He intercepted the message before Kelly did.

Samara also left just before I went back to Earth. She didn't give any reasons, but she hugged me and smiled as she left. She did say, "Thank you, Shepard. I've been given the chance to make the galaxy a better place than I could have ever imagined. It's been truly an honor. I hope we meet again."

Garrus went back to Palaven to try to talk some sense into the turians. I think I'd have better luck with reasoning with a drunk krogan, but I can't blame him. Liara has been very busy with her job as an information broker on Illium, but otherwise seems to be doing well.

Anyway, this letter has gone on long enough. I love you Mom and I promise if I'm ever declared KIA again, you'll be the first to know I'm alive. Hang in there and stay safe. May the stars guide your way back home.

Love,
Nat"