TITLE: Survival Means Getting Your Hands Dirty

AUTHOR: VisualIDentificationZeta

TIMELINE: post-ME2

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc of the Mass Effect franchise/computer-games/everything-else are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this fic. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

SHEPARD: male, Colonist - Orphan - Sole Survivor - Vanguard. He's a Paragon, but a not politically correct one. Calm and compassionate, opposite of the angry, hate-filled Renegades, this Shep still knows the score and what's at stake, and with the fate of the entire Galaxy at stake he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty to insure survival. Saved Collector base instead of destroying it because he is intelligent enough and not hollier-than-thou to understand it's technology can mean the difference between survival and extinction, doesn't allow the millions of lives to have been lost in vain. If that means getting rid of dangerous self-serving obstacles, then so be it.

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Staring into the sightless eyes Shepard shook his head, sadness filling him. Sadness, but not regret. This had to be one, there'd been no other way and he didn't regret doing it. He couldn't let ignorance and arrogance be the death-toll of every living being in the Galaxy.

The fools. The damn, stupid, blind fools. If only they'd listened... If they'd listened this wouldn't have been necessary.

Sighing deeply once more he turned away and brought a hand to his helmet, pressing the communicator as he looked up into the sky.

"Normandy. Shepard."

He only had to wait a second before a voice came through.

"Joker here, Commander, how did it go?"

Stealing a glance back to the smoking wreckage of the luxury hovercar Shepard began walking towards his waiting transport.

"Operation Euthanasia was a success, looks more an accident than any real accident I've ever seen. Let the Illusive Man know and notify Miranda that Operation Kagemusha is a go. And make sure she knows that this Council is to be smarter than the previous one. We can't allow ourselves anymore screw ups, they have to listen to Cerberus or we're all dead."

"Roger that. Ah, would you mind telling her that part about screw-ups yourself, Shep? I have this weird desire to keep on living for a while..."

"You scared, Joker?" John couldn't help taunting him "Aw, don't worry, I'm sure Kelly'll protect you."

Shepard could hear feminine giggling in the background as Joker shot back "Sure, but who will protect Kelly? Anyway, The Boss has been notified and says he wants to see you as soon as you're back onboard."

"I'm on my way." responded Shepard as he boarded the Kodiak, the wails of sirens growing closer.

Without looking back he closed the hatch and settled on the bench, mulling the truth many a military men had been faced with in all the millenia before him.

Sometimes, in order to protect the majority you swore to keep safe you have to betray the ones you swore to obey.

In the end, even Paragons of justice and compassion have to get their hands dirty.

THE END