Disclaimer: Bioware owns the rights to the Mass Effect series and its characters.

Omega Nebula, Sahrabarik System, Open Space

POV: Commander John Shepard

"Joker, bring us to the Omega 4 Relay. We're ready."

I was standing at the galaxy map on the Normandy SR2, one of the most advanced ships in the galaxy. I had spent the last two months building up one of the most deadly and efficient squads the galaxy had ever seen. I smiled when I thought of all the people I had managed to bring on board. The journey had been difficult, but I could only look back with pride at what my team and I had been able to accomplish. Stopping the plague on Omega, helping the Quarians finish their research on Haestrom, stopping a Collector attack on Horizon, the list goes on.

I stepped backwards as Joker's voice carried across the intercom. "Aye aye, Commander. We'll reach the relay in roughly thirty minutes. The Illusive Man is wanting to speak with you before we leave for the Galactic Core. I'd go see what he has to say before we go."

I nodded, even though no one was around to see it, and stretched. The stress of the mission was starting to get to me. "I hear you, Joker. I'm on my way."

I walked into the Armory where Jacob was polishing one of our M-76 Revenants. He nodded at me half-heartedly as I crossed the room to the entrance into the short hallway where the briefing room was located. I glanced at him, but otherwise ignored the nod. I was set on finding out what The Illusive Man wanted with me before this mission went through.

The briefing room desk slid into the ground as the familiar circle of dim light appeared in the middle. The desk clicked when it reached floor level, allowing me to walk atop it unhindered. I did so, feeling the familiar lurch as I felt my perceptions change.

When the blur in my vision cleared, I noticed TIM standing, facing away from me towards the large sun behind him. I raised an eyebrow at this, as he had always been sitting when talking to me about my mission. I crossed my arms as I waited, knowing that he was aware of my presence.

Sure enough, he eventually turned around, his glowing cybernetic eyes piercing into my face. He took a drag from the cigarette in his right hand before beginning his speech.

"Shepard." He said to me, his face as expressionless as ever, his voice betraying nothing. He exhaled the smoke before continuing. "I wish I had more information for you. I don't like you going into the relay blind, but we don't have much choice." He took another drag from his cigarette as he waited for my response.

I laughed humorlessly for a second, not uncrossing my arms. "You know me. I like the challenge."

I saw a twinkle in the other man's eyes when I finished, which surprised me. I wasn't aware that those eyes could get any brighter than they already were.

He gave a small smile before continuing. "That's why I brought you back, Shepard. Always willing to take on the impossible." He paused, clearly searching for his next words. "Despite the danger, it's a great opportunity." He spread his arms wide towards the air, as if to accent his point. "The first human to take a ship through... and survive."

I raised an eyebrow at this. Opportunity?

I decided that questioning him on this would be a waste of time. Instead, I tried dry sarcasm. "I've got room on the Normandy if you're that eager to see it."

The Illusive Man's grin grew slightly, although the amount of humor shown within it was still zero. "A tempting offer, but it's not my place." He shook his head and took another drag from his cigarette. "I just want you to know that I appreciate the risk you're taking. Regardless of your opinion of Cerberus." He crossed his arms. "Of me. You are... a valuable asset. To all of humanity."

This surprised me. I was prepared to take the ship and anyone on the crew who would come along away from Cerberus' grasp after the mission was over if we ever came back, and I knew The Illusive Man wasn't stupid enough to assume that wouldn't be the case. You don't lead a secret organization for the amount of time he has without getting caught if you don't think of all the possibilities.

Does he really care? I thought. More likely he just doesn't want his several billion credit investment to amount to nothing.

I shook my head and focused back on the other man's face. His grin had vanished, followed by the usual expressionless stare. He sat down in his chair and exhaled the smoke he had inhaled while I thought to myself.

"Be careful, Shepard."

I nodded and walked out of the quantam emitter ring, cutting the connection. I walked back to the CIC through the Armory, this time completely ignoring Jacob. I was stopped by Miranda as I crossed the Galaxy Map on the way to the cockpit.

"I have to say, Shepard. I'm impressed." She had her left hand on her hip, leaning heavily on her right leg. Her face showed a mixed mask between pride and worry. "I must admit, I wasn't sure you'd be up to the task at first, but you've proven me wrong. We have some of the most deadly people in the galaxy on this ship, ready to fight and die for our cause."

I nodded, suddenly feeling weary from her words.

We must win at any cost, I thought to myself with conviction. Everyone must be willing to die in order to save the galaxy.

I shook my head out of my thoughts and turned away from Miranda. She took the hint that I wasn't going to respond and turned on her heels, walking back to the elevator. I walked the rest of the way to the cockpit and leaned over Joker's chair. I saw the Omega 4 Relay in the distance, barely a speck on the screen.

Joker noticed and looked up at me. "Twenty minutes, Commander. If there's anything more you want to do on the ship before we go, it's best to do it now. We might not get a chance to afterwards."

I nodded, picking up the intercom. "All squad members, meet in the briefing room."

I returned to where I had just exited from to notice Miranda, Jacob, and Mordin already there. I nodded to them and took the helm in the very back of the room, on the short edge of the rectangular table.

The rest of the team filtered in over the next minute. Thane and Samara first, then Tali and Kasumi. Jack, Garrus, and Zaeed entered the room last. The ten of them gave me expectant looks.

I leaned on the desk with both hands and looked down at the desk for a moment to gather my thoughts. I looked up a few seconds later, looking at the gazes across the room.

"We're going for it, people. The Reaper IFF is still Reaper technology, so there's no telling what it will do when we go through the Omega 4 Relay. We need to have a plan when we get through, in case the worst happens." The rest of the team nodded their agreement.

I took a deep breath before continuing. "We need to keep an eye on the drive core, make sure it doesn't do anything that could compromise the ship."

I looked up at the rest of the team.

"I can look at it from above," Jacob started. "The armory has a reinforced window that overlooks the drive core. I can keep an eye on it from there."

I nodded my approval and turned to the rest of them. "Someone else should keep an eye on it from the ground level as well, just in case."

Kasumi was the one to speak up this time. "I can do that, Commander." I turned to her. I could have sworn I saw her lip twitch, but I disregarded it. "There isn't very many things a professional thief can do for these types of things, so it's better I do watching duty."

I nodded and the two of them left.

Shaking my head, I continued. "Garrus, you're the gunnery chief, so you have control of the guns. I'd be damned if you weren't the best choice for it considering how many hours you've spent calibrating them." The turian chuckled at my lighthearted jab and left the room after Jacob and Kasumi.

I turned to Mordin next. "Go up to the Medical Bay, Mordin. We might need more than one doctor is things get really ugly."

Mordin nodded curtly and quickly walked out of the room, as was his norm.

I sighed and continued. "Jack, go down to Engineering with Tali and keep us notified of any damage along lower sections of the level. You know that section of the ship more than anyone. Tali, help Engineers Donnelly and Daniels as you have been."

After they left, I turned towards the remaining four squadmates in front of me. Zaeed gave me a slightly frustrated look, while Thane's was unfocused. Miranda and Samara gave their usual expressionless gaze.

"Miranda, as my XO, you're going to be up on the cockpit with me as we go through. If I'm needed anywhere else, you will keep an eye on things from up there."

I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall behind me. "Thane, Samara, it looks like you're getting a pass on this. Work with Kelly to keep the crew calm if they start acting up."

Finally, I turned to Zaeed. "No offense, but I don't trust you to be able to do the same thing, Zaeed." He laughed humorlessly and crossed his arms. "Your skills are entirely combat and leadership related, and I'm sure you'd only cause even more problems if I sent you with Thane and Samara," I continued. He only looked amused at my reasoning, but waved me off and left the room.

I began walking to the entrance. "Dismissed," I told the remaining three inside the room as I walked back out. Miranda followed close behind me as I trekked back again to the cockpit. Thane and Samara entered the elevator along with Zaeed, heading down to one of the lower levels.

The Omega 4 Relay looked closer when the two of us reached the cockpit. We waited several minutes while the relay got closer and closer.

I smirked when I began to notice the small rings circling the mass effect field of the relay. The red tint sent a chill down my spine and removed the grin from my face. We're finally doing it, I thought to myself, the weight of what we were about to do finally hitting me all at once. We're going to hit the Collectors where they live. I hope everyone's ready.

I swallowed my hesitation and grabbed the back of Joker's chair to strengthen my resolve.

"Approaching the Omega 4 Relay," Joker began, flipping the on switch of the intercom to let the entire ship know. "Stand by."

I straightened and clasped my hands behind my back. "Let's make it happen."

Joker smiled to himself and activated several controls, only allowing a small hesitation before hitting the switch to activate the Reaper IFF.

EDI's blue avatar suddenly appeared to the left side of him. "Reaper IFF activated. Signal acknowledged."

I retained my composure as my omni-tool lit up.

"Commander." Jacob's voice rang throughout the room loud and clear. "The drive core just lit up like a Christmas tree!"

"Drive core electrical charge at critical levels." EDI's voice put a sharp pang of fear into my body, but I refused to let it show.

Joker began quickly activating several of the Pilot Terminal's controls. "Rerouting!" he exclaimed.

The Relay began to spin faster and faster as we began linking our drive core to the relay's mass effect field. Watching the blue light outside the ship signaling the presence of mass relay travel, I exhaled. I hadn't even been aware I was holding my breath.

I'm ready.