It had been six months since Shepard took down the Collector Base and Anderson had stepped down as Councillor become an admiral in the Alliance was looking at two holograms of Admiral Hackett and Rick.

"How bad is it?" Anderson asked.

"Bad," said Hackett. "We lost contact with two of our deep space outposts. There's something massive on the long range scanners."

"We're getting some mixed report of the Citadel as well," said Rick. "Batarian refugees are flooding in as we speak."

"Is this what Shepard warned us about?" Anderson asked.

"I'd stake my life on it," said Hackett.

"It can't be anything else," said Rick.

"How long do we have?" Anderson asked.

"Not long. I've sent word. The fleets are mobilising," said Hackett.

"And we're trying to spread word everywhere else," said Rick.

Anderson shook his head. "God help us all."

Shepard was looking out of the window from his quarters and saw a young boy playing with a modelled Alliance vessels. He was at the moment on Earth, more precisely he was in Alliance HQ in Vancouver Bay, and he had been there for the past six months while the Alliance was trying to verify his story.

Suddenly the doors opened and they very muscular young man entered his quarters. This was Lieutenant James Vega, he basically kept Shepard informed of anything going on that was worth knowing.

"Commander," he said saluting.

Shepard shook his head, James kept on assisting of saluting every time he saw Shepard and calling him Commander even though he was no longer part of the Alliance. "Not supposed to call me that anymore, James."

"Not supposed to salute you, either…" James smiled. He then looked at him seriously. "We gotta go. The defence committee wants to see you."

"Sounds important," said Shepard and for the James out of his quarters.

When he got outside he saw there was a lot of movement going on as everyone was rushing to certain locations, something was definitely going on.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Couldn't say," James shrugged. "Just told me they needed you… now."

Then Shepard saw very familiar face walking towards, it was Anderson wearing an admiral uniform. Shepard knew that Anderson had left the Council, because he was tired of politics and because he wanted to help organise military defence against the Reapers when they arrived.

"Anderson," Shepard nodded.

"Admiral," James saluted.

Anderson automatically shook hands with Shepard. "You look good, Shepard." They then made their way down the corridor and Anderson looked at his stomach. "Maybe a little soft round the edges. How are you holding up since been relieved of duty?"

Shepard shrugged. "It's not so bad, once you get used to the hot food and soft beds."

"We'll get it sorted out," Anderson assured.

Shepard looked at Anderson curiously. "What's going on? Why's everyone in such a hurry?"

"Admiral Hackett's mobilising the fleet. I'm getting word has made it to Alliance Command…" He then looked at Shepard as they climbed a set of stairs. "Something big is heading our way."

Shepard came to a stop and looked at him. "The Reapers?"

Anderson looked back at him. "We don't know. Not the certain."

"What else could it be?"

Anderson shrugged. "If I knew that…"

Shepard looked at Anderson grimly. "You know we're not ready if it is them… not by a long shot."

"Tell that to the defence committee," said Anderson as they continue to walk.

Shepard rolled his eyes. "Unless we're planning to talk the Reapers to death, the committee is a waste of time."

"They're just scared. None of them have seen what you've seen. You've faced down a Reaper. Hell, you spoke to one… then blew the damn thing up! You've seen how they harvest us, what they plan to do to us. You know more about this enemy than anyone."

"That why they grounded me? Took away my ship?"

Anderson turned and faced him. "You know that's not true. When you blow up the batarian relay, hundreds of thousands of batarians died."

"It was that or let the Reapers walk through our back door," said Shepard defensively.

Anderson sighed. "I know that, Shepherd, and so does the committee. If it wasn't for that, you'd been court-martialled and left to rot in the brig."

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "That, and your good word?"

Anderson nodded. "Yeah, I trust you, Shepherd. And so does the committee."

"I'm just a soldier, Anderson. I'm no politician," Shepard pointed out.

"I don't need you to be either," said Anderson as they continue to walk. "I just need you to do whatever the hell it takes to help us stop the Reapers."

They soon reached an office and an Alliance officer met them. "They're expecting you two, Admiral," she said.

She then led them out of the office and towards the committee.

"Good luck in there, Shepard," said James.

Shepard turned around and shook his hand.

Anderson kept on walking until he ran into Ashley, who nodded. "Anderson." She then looked over towards Shepard. "Shepard."

Shepard was quite surprised to find her. "Ashley?" he stared.

"Lieutenant-Commander, how'd it going in there?" Anderson asked.

"I can never tell them. I'm just waiting for orders now," Ashley shrugged.

Shepard frowned. "Lieutenant-Commander?"

"You haven't heard?" said Anderson looking surprised.

"No. I'm a bit out of the loop these days," said Shepard. "I didn't even know that Rick was promoted to Major until a week ago."

"Sorry, Shepard," she said apologetically. "It's been… well."

Shepard nodded. "That's okay, just glad I bumped into you, Ash."

Ashley smiled. "Me too."

The Alliance officer then returned. "Admiral."

Anderson looked to Shepherd. "Come on."

Shepard and looked at Ashley as he walked past. James then approached her and looked at her curiously.

"You know the Commander?" he asked.

"I used to," she said.

Shepard and Anderson soon found themselves in front of the committee which was surrounded by other Alliance officers. The last time something like this happened Shepard was facing a trial as he tried presented evidence of the Reapers, even with the proof he required they still refuse to believe him.

Now they have had worried looks on their faces as if the end of the world was coming and if it was the Reapers that might just happen.

"Admiral Anderson. Shepard," said one of the councillors.

"What's the situation?" Shepherd asked.

"We were hoping you would tell us."

An Alliance soldier then passed Shepherd a datepad with a list of reports.

"The reports coming in are unlike anything we've seen," said a female councillor. "Whole colonies have gone dark. We've lost contact with everyone beyond the Sol Relay."

"Whatever this is, it's incomprehensibly powerful."

Shepard looked at them shaking his head. "You brought me here to confirm what you already know…" He then looked at them with a cold glare. "The Reapers are here."

Everybody suddenly went quiet and looked at one another.

The female councillor looked at Shepard. "Then… how do we stop them?"

They had three years to prepare for an invasion, three years they wasted, and now they are asking for hid help. He also didn't have any information on the recent developments the Alliance had done. He was as much in the dark as everyone else, he didn't even know what happened to his crew.

"Stop them? This isn't about strategy or tactics. This is about survival," said Shepard firmly. "The Reapers are more advanced than we are. More powerful. More intelligent. They don't fear us, and they'll never take pity on us."

Female councillor looked at him fearfully. "But… there must be some way."

There was only one sure way to beat the Reapers, which was the only tactic they seem to be fearful of. "If we're going to have any chance of surviving this, we have to stand together."

Clearly this was not the answer the committee was hoping for.

"That's it? That's our plan?" said the councillor.

An Alliance officer then looked up from her terminal. "Admiral, we lost contact with Luna Base."

Anderson's eyes widened. "The moon? They couldn't be that close already…"

"How'd they get past our defences?" the female councillor stared.

"Sir, UK headquarters has a visual," said the officer.

Everyone turned towards the screen which showed a very blurry image of an Alliance soldier. It was to gargle to make out the words, but everyone could see the fear in his eyes and then there was a huge explosion and the signal was lost.

Suddenly news reports began to stream across the screen and it showed images of large squid-like machines destroying cities all across the world. Shepard recognised the machines all too well as the Reapers and his worst fears were realised.

"Why haven't we heard from Admiral Hackett?" said Anderson confused.

"What do we do?" said one of the councillors.

Shepard turned and looked at the council. "The only thing we can do. We fight or we die."

The councillors looked at one another sombrely.

"We should get the Normandy…" said Anderson.

Then they heard the sound of thunder echoing across the room and everyone turned towards the window they could see what looked like red lightning shoot across the sky.

"Oh, my god…" said the female councillor.

Emerging out of the clouds was a Reaper and it automatically fired beam right in front of them.

"Move!" Shepard yelled.

Seconds later there was a huge explosion as the Reaper's energy beam struck the ground and shattered the windows. The explosion shockwave struck with so much force of the desk the councillors were using was blown into the air as Shepard and Anderson ran as far as they could. Then the Reaper by another beam outside and this time Shepard was knocked back by the explosion.

Everything was blurry and he could hear screams echoing around. Shepard clutched his head in pain as he tried to regain focus.

"Shepard!" said Anderson's voice. Shepard looked up and saw Anderson running towards him. "Shepard!" Anderson then rushed over to him and helped him up. "Come on, get up." Anderson then handed him over pistol. "Here, take this. We've got to get moving."

As they walked Shepard noticed that they were probably the only one still alive in the room and can only imagine what was going on outside.

"This is Admiral Anderson," said Anson reaching for his radio. "Report in. Anyone?" He then remained silent as if he was listening to someone. "Lieutenant-Commander Williams, is that you? What's your status?"

They reached the window and saw more Reapers attacking the city and Alliance dreadnought was engaging it, but they were having very little effect on.

"I can't read the Normandy," said Anderson as he continued to talk with Ashley. "You'll have to contact them. We'll meet you at the landing zone. Anderson out."

Shepard and Anderson looked at one another and nodded before they jumped off the ledge. They landed on a ledge below and out and just stared at the Reapers.

"They're massive," he said. He then gestured for Shepherd to follow him. "Come on, Shepherd. Ashley's heading to the Normandy. They'll pick us up if we can get to the spaceport. Let's move."

Shepard began Anderson across the ledge and suddenly a large beam shot in front of them.

"Look out!" Anderson yelled as an explosion happened seconds later. "How do you stop something so powerful?"

They kept on moving until came to the spot where the Reaper had damaged the building. There was only one way to get the other side and that was by jumping and that is what Anderson had planned.

"Take a running jump. It's father then it looks," said Anderson as he jumped over the gap.

Seeing how he had no other choice Shepard follow him and jumped over the ledge. They then jumped off the ledge of the building and kept on moving. Shepard then saw a fighter flying overhead being chased by several drones which destroyed it and it smashed right into a nearby building.

"Come on," said Anderson as he climbed a ladder. "We'll have to go this way."

They went to cover and Anderson looked over to see the coast was clear.

"Looks clear. Let's go!" said Anderson as he pulled himself up. Shepard followed him and saw Anderson reaching for his radio. "Lieutenant-Commander, you read me? I'm patching in Shepherd."

"We're almost to the Normandy," said Ashley's voice as the sound of gunfire was heard. "I've got Lieutenant Vega with me, but we're taking heavy fire."

Anderson was about to responding he saw something climbing on a nearby building.

"Husks!" he yelled aiming his pistol at them. "Take them out."

Shepard and Alison began to fire at the husks that were climbing the building and together none of them actually managed to reach the roof.

Anderson looked at his pistol. "I'm out of ammo."

They then climbed down the ladder to a porch of a nearby house and more husks climbed over the ledge. Unfortunately, Shepherd was only able to take one out before he ran out of ammo himself.

"Have to take these things out the old-fashioned way," said Anderson.

The two of them then jumped over behind their cover and charged that the husks and dealt them a few good punches before they finally collapsed. Then a Reaper aimed at speeding towards them and it struck the house caught in a massive explosion fortunately they were able to escape the blast in time.

"Gotta find a way out of here," said Anderson as the entered the ruins of the house.

Shepard made his way to the door was open to reveal a husk behind it trying to reach him.

"Watch it!" Anderson yelled.

Shepard activated his omni-tool and is automatically formed a blade which he plunged into the husk killing it. Shepard then began to pry the door open and looked at Anderson.

"Through this way," he said.

Anderson lowered himself and squeezed his way to the other side, but then Shepard had an always in the ventilation shaft. He removed his way from his position and approaches to find the boys he saw playing outside hiding inside event looking scared.

"Hey," he said calmly. The boy quickly backed away from him. "It's okay…"

"Everyone's dying," he said fear stricken.

Shepard reached out to the child, but stopped when they heard a large thundering sound. He turned to find a Reaper walking past which scare the child even more.

He turned his attention back onto him. "Come here," he said. "I need to get you someplace safe." He then outstretched his hand. "Take my hand…"

"You can't help me," he said.

"Shepard," said Anderson. Shepard looked up at him as he re-entered the room. "In here."

Shepard looked back into the vent and found that the boy had gone, no doubt he retreated further into the ventilation shaft. Seeing how he could do nothing more he decided to follow Anderson.

When he met up with Anderson he found the man was trying to move some wreckage. "This is a goddamned mess," he said. "Every minute these machines are here, thousands of innocent people die. I won't be responsible."

Shepard nodded in agreement. "It's hard enough fighting a war, but it's worse knowing no matter how hard you try… you can't save them all."

"Exactly," said Anderson as he moved through the wreckage. He then lifted a beam so that Shepard could pass through. "They hit so fast… I thought we'd have more time."

When Shepard was through he grabbed hold of the beam so Anderson could pass through. "We knew they were coming."

"And they still cut right through our defences. We need to go to the Citadel. Talk to the Council."

"The Citadel?" Shepherd stared. "The fight's here."

"It'll be everywhere soon enough," said Anderson. "You said it yourself… the Reapers will destroy everything if we don't stop them. The Council has to help us."

"You sure about that?" Shepard asked as they manoeuvred past the more wreckage and came across a large gaping hole in front of them.

"No, but you are a Council Spectre, that has to count for something," said Anderson as they shimmied across the ledge.

Suddenly the ledge shape due to an explosion and Shepard nearly toppled over if Anderson hadn't grabbed him.

"Gotcha," said Anderson and pulled him back.

"Thanks," said Shepard as they continue to shimmy across the ledge. "I owe you one."

"More than one," Anderson smiled as they finished traversing the ledge.

They soon came across some thermal clips and took them out to reload their weapons. Shepard haven't really reloaded a weapon for six months and he was a bit rusty.

Anderson rolled his eyes. "Come on—it hasn't been that long since you've held a weapon."

Shepard smiled and he and Anderson jumped out of the window and onto a ledge. Suddenly they witness a large being striking at the bay and seconds later a Reaper landed right in front of them.

"God," Anderson stared. He then quickly reach with radio. "Lieutenant-Commander Williams, we're inside the spaceport. ETA: 3 minutes."

"We've made it to the Normandy," said Ashley over the comm and they could still hear gunfire in the background. "Taking heavy fire… Oh, god! They're gonna take down that dreadnought! Evasive manoeuvres!"

Then they lost the signal.

"Lieutenant-Commander Williams? Ashley? Damn it?" Anderson looked back at Shepherd. "They're in trouble."

Anderson wasn't long, because when they turn round the corner they saw an Alliance dreadnought battling against the Reaper that had just landed. It put up a good fight, but thirty seconds later it was destroyed by the Reaper's main weapon.

The explosion was so powerful that it could be the shockwave where they were and were not backwards. The walkway they were standing on then gave way and they slid down towards the bay.

They pulled themselves up and Anderson reached for his radio. "Normandy. We're going to reroute. Do you copy?" All they could hear was static. "Normandy? Come in!"

Still they heard nothing which didn't bode well.

They decided to keep on moving knowing that it was dangerous to stay in one place too often and then came across a couple of Alliance soldiers. One man had his leg pinned against a large girder while the other one was tending to his wounds.

"You two all right?" Shepard asked as they jumped down.

"Get down!" said the medic. "They'll see you!"

Shepard looked over the other side of the water and saw something monstrous coming towards them. They were like mutated creatures and judging by their faces he had to say they had to be converted batarians and they had a large cannon attached to their right arm.

Quickly Shepard and Anderson took cover just as the creatures fired. Shepard and Anderson then returned fire and soon they flew. Once the fighting was over they made their way back to the soldiers.

"What happened here?" Anderson asked as he bent down.

"Our gunship was shot down… we barely made it," said the medic.

"You have a radio? We're trying to contact our ship," Anderson said.

The medic shook his head. "No. There's one in the gunship, but it's gonna be crawling with those things."

Shepard looked over the water and saw the tail of a downed gunship and looked as if it still had power.

Anderson then stood up. "Stay here, son. We'll get you out of here."

Together Shepard and Anderson lifted the girder up and the medic pulled the soldier away. Once he was there the two of them dropped the girder and it sank into the water, but stay just above the waterline to give them a passage across.

"Come on," said Anderson. "Let's get to that gunship."

They soon turn round the corner and encountered more the same creatures that they bought before.

"What are those things?" Anderson asked as they ducked for cover.

"Judging from their lot I have to say they have to be converted batarians," said Shepard.

Anderson nodded as if he didn't expect anything less. "Makes sense, according to reports from Major Ryder batarian refugees arrived at the Citadel claiming to be attacked by Reapers."

"Whatever they are doesn't matter. Right now we need to get that beacon," said Shepard.

Anderson nodded in agreement. "Agreed."

The two of them then fired at the creatures and using a combination of precise shots and incendiaries there were able to take them down. Once the coast was clear they made their way to the gunship and Anderson automatically bent down towards the beacon and activated it as Shepard grabbed a rifle that was lying on the ground.

"Normandy, this is Anderson… do you read?" said Anderson.

"Admiral. What's your location?" Ashley's voice asked.

"By a downed gunship in the harbour. I'm activating its distress beacon. Send support. We've got wondered down here." Unfortunately, that was the point where they lost the signal. "Lieutenant?" Still there was no signal. "Damn it. I lost the signal."

"Let's hope that beacon does its job," said Shepard.

"And fast… we've got company!" Anderson pointed.

Shepard looked up and saw what looked like meteorites heading towards them. They struck down the opposite end of the harbour and it turned out they were more those mutated batarians.

Shepard quickly went behind cover and he and Anderson began to return fire. They managed to shoot down a few of them, but then shepard noticed that a few of them were leaning down towards the bodies. His eyes opened in disgust as they and apparently they produced some sort of armour around their skin.

Shepard didn't allow this to sway him and continue to fire at the creatures. Using an infernal charge he managed to take down one of them and Anderson produced several bull's-eye shots.

"There's more of them!" Anderson warned.

Anderson was right more and more of these creatures appeared and was apparently they were about overrun. What was worse finally ran out of ammo and they just watch as the creatures advance towards them.

"Cavalry's here, gentlemen!" said a voice over the radio and Shepard could have sworn it was Joker's.

Then Shepard of the Normandy coming into view and bombarded the creatures with several missiles. The Normandy then swung back around towards the harbour.

"About time!" Anderson smiled.

Shepard looked at the Normandy and saw that it was now wearing the colours of the Alliance. There was absolutely no hint that had once been a Cerberus vessel and the new paint job suited her.

"Let's go!" said Shepherd and he and Anderson towards the Normandy.

They jumped over wreckage and ran towards the ramp that led them to the Normandy and saw the cargo bay doors opening. Ashley then appeared with a squad of Marines and Shepherd jumped over the map and landed next to her.

"Welcome back, Shepard," she smiled.

"Thanks," Shepard smiled back.

Anderson however did not jump on board and just looked up at Shepherd. "Shepard!"

"Come on!" Shepard gestured as Alliance shuttles arrived.

"I'm not going," said Anderson. Shepherd stared at him. "You saw those men back there. There's a million more like them, and they need a leader."

Shepard was not going to leave him behind. "We're in this fight together, Anderson."

"It's a fight we can't win. Not without help. We need every species and their ships to even have a chance ay defeating the Reapers. Talk to the Council. Convince them to help us."

"What if they won't listen?"

"Then make them listen. Now go! That's an order," Anderson ordered.

Shepard shook his head. "I don't take orders from you anymore, remember?"

Anderson then pulled out Shepard dog tag. "Consider yourself reinstated… Commander." He then tossed the dog tag to Shepard.

Shepard looked at his dog tags and then back to Anderson.

"You know what you have to do," said Anderson.

Shepard reluctantly nodded. "I'll be back for you, and I'll bring every fleet I can." He was about to walk away, but he looked at Anderson one last time. "Good luck."

"You too, Shepherd."

Shepard then approach Ashley and the two of them watched as the Normandy took off. Anderson saluted them before making his way back towards the harbour.

Shepard then noticed the shuttles landing nearby and saw the soldiers evacuating as many people as they could. Shepard then noticed the boy he saw the ventilation shaft and then saw a Reaper emerging from the smoke.

Unlike the normal Reapers, this one was smaller and it had four legs. Clearly this class of Reaper was more suitable for ground assaults while the others mostly dealt with air defence. They appeared just as the child boarded one of the shuttles.

The shuttle bay doors closed and the shuttle took off. However, they had taken no more than a few feet when the Reaper fired its beam and destroyed the shuttles killing everyone inside. Shepard looked away and felt Ashley placing a hand on his shoulder. He then followed her into the cargo bay as the doors closed behind him.

The Normandy then flew away as fast as it could as more Reapers arrived in the city. More of those asteroids were landing everywhere each containing Reaper foot solider as they began their campaign of destruction.

They managed to escape the upper atmosphere without detection and pass through the remainders of the fleet that defended Earth. The wreckage of those fleet down towards the planned burning up in re-entry. It was now clear to everyone that Earth had fallen and it was only the beginning.