(1)
Everything was going to hell. The Reapers were decimating the joint-alliance and the Resistance was losing ground fast. To make matters worse the Council was even less helpful than usual, though that wasn't really saying much.
'And they still could never understand why I always hung up on them….'
That was the thought going through the so called 'Last hope for the Galaxy' more commonly known as Commander Sheppard, leader of the joint-alliance and spearhead of the Reaper Attack Force.
To be completely honest they were royally fucked if you were to use the words of his girlfriend-turned-fiancé Jack, aka Subject-Zero, also mother of his recently born child.
First of all they found out that the Prothean weapon codenamed 'Crucible' wasn't even really a weapon, it was actually a modified Mass relay capable of transporting someone through dark space which in reality is the joint nexus of different universes. The true goal of the device was to send the Prothean royal family to a different universe giving them enough time to repopulate, conquer and prepare that universe so they could stave off the Reapers.
"Commander, final preparations have been made waiting for your approval so we can begin." came the slightly hyperactive voice of Mordin Solus, one of the greatest minds to be found among the Salarians, breaking the Commander from his line of thought.
"You're sure this will work Mordin? You understand what's riding on this bet?"
"Of course Commander, that's why I volunteered, someone else could have gotten it wrong," replied the Salarian doctor with a slight smirk, "the final procedures have been done on Jason, being both your soldier training and Jack's biotic abilities to successfully be implanted into his mind, along with guidelines to be used for training purposes added to his Omni-Tool. Legion has already been given the orders to go with him and act as a teacher for both his combat abilities as well as about our universe and the Reapers even though he knows that his AI capabilities could be severely reduced and/or damaged."
That's right. The only plan they had left was to send his son through dark space and cause him to grow up alone, just like he and Jack had to grow up alone during their childhood.
He didn't want this. He wanted to have a family, so did Jack. To be able to live happy and peacefully and to teach his skills to his children and hope they would never need them, while telling them of his exploits with all of the friends he made.
That thought always struck him hard. Out of the whole team he had since his becoming a Spectre, the only ones left were Jack, Mordin, Wrex, Legion, Liara and EDI, the rest were merely a name on a casualty list and a smear on the ground.
"Tell EDI to get the Normandy to the Dark Space Relay as quick as possible, we can't allow the Reapers any more time than they already have."
"No need Sheppard, I have already set course for the station which we'll reach in the next 17minutes," came the synthetic voice of the Normandy AI.
"Make it nine and inform Jack and the others to be ready, things are going too smoothly."
DARK SPACE RELAY STATION
"Liara, how are the final preparations coming along?"
"Nearly done Sheppard, but you do realize there is a very good chance that you'll never see your child again, are you certain?" asked Liara, concern clear in her voice.
Looking down, into the child's blue eyes seeing them trying to battle and lose against the enemy known as sleep, he answered with a defeated tone, "Yes, it's the only chance we have for survival. Jack and I already agreed on it. It's the best for him."
Just as he was about to hand him to Liara the entire station gave a violent shake causing the power to fluctuate. Not missing a beat Sheppard pulled out his pistol and ordered a status report from EDI.
"My sensors have detected a large number of Reaper ships surrounding the station the barriers will not hold long against their assault, I suggest initiating transport as soon as possible."
"Liara, Mordin start the procedures. Legion, you stand guard over Jason. EDI redirect all power to the station shields and the transportation systems. Wrex and Jack you're with me. Let's hustle people we don't have much time," giving a final glance to his son, Sheppard leaves his pistol inside the cradle then runs off down the hallway.
Just after reaching the exit the team finds themselves swarmed by Reaper husks. Trying to stall for time Sheppard and the others try to clear out as many husks as they can, or at least try and prevent the station being swarmed.
After what felt like hours the tower lit up bright blue signaling the departure of Jason. Everyone at the station, even the Reapers, paused to watch this happening before the battle resumed tenfold.
'Good luck kid, show them you don't fuck with a Sheppard' was the unison thought of both Sheppard and Jack.