Advanced StarCraft

by edric2016underwood

This is how the Queen of Blades returned. The war had ended. And after all of this, we lived. Deep down, we knew war would come again. All it would require is for someone to start it, to make it happen all over again. Crossover: StarCraft / Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare / House of Cards / Mass Effect

1. Return of Queens

Author's Note

Disclaimer:

StarCraft belongs to Blizzard;

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare belongs to Sledgehammer Games;

House of Cards belongs to Beau Willimon;

Mass Effect belongs to BioWare.

I don't own any characters. I am not making any profits for writing this story. I am writing for entertainment purposes only. All events are purely fictitious and many crossover settings are leading to Out Of Character.

I thanked for inspirations, opinions and/or supports from (Names not listed in order):

144 Resonant Foresight

A Very Thirsty Megalomaniac

Adam nar'Althor

Blackhole1

cswang

Fanfiction Dragon

Gelious

Howling Din

Jaili

Masterdramon

MP36H3S

PastPotatoes

Ragnarok666

TheLastReckoning

I also appreciated other writers' indirect inspirations which helped developing this story.

---

Advanced StarCraft

Chapter 1

Return of Queens

This is how it happened… This is how the Queen of Blades returned. Amon was gone. The war had ended. And after all of this, we lived. And we braced ourselves for the next invasion which felt inevitable. But it didn't come; the frequency of conflicts actually fell. In spite of this, deep down, we knew war would come again. All it would require is for someone to start it, to make it happen all over again.

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Moebius base ruins (Legacy of the Void / Whispers of Oblivion / Dark Whispers / Moebius base)

A few years ago, the Moebius Foundation built this base. Moebius claimed to be a legitimate research group, but this was a lie; the Moebius Foundation was led by Doctor Emil Narud, who was secretly the servant of Amon, the universe's most ancient evil. It was owned by Emperor Valerian Mengsk of the Terran Dominion, which was the strongest Terran government. However, he was not aware he owned a dangerous Hybrid research organization. They collected and studied powerful alien goods such as Xel'naga artifacts, Protoss technology and Zerg specimens in secret. It was done against the Terran Dominion government's wishes.

This base was part of their Hybrid Breeding Program. Tal'darim Protoss: fanatics who worshiped Amon and worked for Narud, had abducted Protoss from Daelaam society, and sent these abducted Protoss, as well as Zerg Specimens to this Moebius base. Moebius Foundation scientists used these assets to create the Protoss/Zerg hybrid; the Hybrids had awakened and seized control of the Terrans in this base, turning Moebius personnel into thralls. It was Sarah Kerrigan: the Leader of the Swarm, and Zeratul: a Protoss Dark Templar, who had both discovered this base and led their forces to destroy it.

We, a black operations organization called Arkham Knights, investigated why so many lives were lost because of these Protoss/Zerg Hybrids. We followed the trail left by the Foundation, and were shocked and horrified by what we discovered.

At that time, we were approached by a Protoss Dark Templar, more precisely a Tal'darim Blood Hunter called Azrael. He told us we could harness powers which were above Humanity by working together. We joined forces, and recovered everything Moebius owned; we built a new base under the ruins of this Moebius base, and started a series of brand new research based on the Protoss/Zerg Hybrid.

"Leaders lead. Success or Failure comes down to the choices we make. Capturing Moebius scientists and bringing them to justice would be a decisive step forward in the hunt for people responsible for disasters of the past. But what purpose does it serve to prosecute these people for their crimes, if they can be used to prevent future crimes against humanity? These scientists' experiments contributed to the deaths of billions, but what if the results could one day benefit humanity and save lives? Is it wrong to put that knowledge to use, regardless of how it was obtained? It's only right that we respect the dead, and so what better way honor them than to give the meaning to their demise? Scientific data exists outside any moral framework. It's a resource that can be exploited for good or bad, the choice is ours. To choose to do nothing with it is no choice at all. It is to accept that innocent people died for nothing."

My Husband, Frank Underwood said this, and I completely agreed. And so the Arkham Knights recruited all Moebius personnel into their secret research operation. We decrypted Moebius research data, collecting and studying things which may be of advantage. For example, we collected Hybrids' specimens, as well as a related record for Biological engineering and Materials Science. We developed new materials such as Hybrid-Fiber, Hybrid-Glass and Hybrid-Titanium; these studies greatly improved our weaponry and psionic power.

Hybrid-Fiber is artificial material. It was conceived from studying the concept of how Hybrid muscles function. This new psi-sensitive artificial muscle fiber has the traits of the Protoss/Zerg Hybrid. It augments physical strength and psionic powers. It is also regenerative, so it can quickly repair damage and recover from power loss. Theoretically, Hybrid-Fiber users can be as strong as a real Hybrid.

Hybrid-Glass is an artificial material inspired from the transparent skull of a Hybrid Destroyer. It helps improve detection of cloaked and burrowed enemies. It has a weak regenerative ability for repairing damage. Most importantly, it's tougher than other glass, and can harden by consuming psionic power.

Hybrid-Titanium provides the same protection a Hybrid has. It is the application of concepts and methods of biology from the Hybrid exoskeleton.

These were, of course, dangerous operations and forbidden studies, but what other choice did we have? Our Governments, such as the Terran Dominion couldn't protect us. It couldn't defend our people from Zerg or Hybrid Invasions.

When the Dominion was invaded by the Zerg, Emperor Arcturus Mengsk pulled the fleet back to protect the core worlds, abandoning the fringe worlds, including Agria, Mar Sara and many planets, billions were dead because of our weak governments. Arcturus Mengsk was eventually killed by Sarah Kerrigan in his palace on Korhal.

Valerian Mengsk, succeeded Arcturus Mengsk's position and became second Emperor of the Terran Dominion. While a more moral man than his father, this was still not enough. Korhal was raided by a large Moebius Corps fleet. If the Protoss didn't help defend Korhal, Korhal would have undoubtedly been defeated.

We had children who died because of the Dominion's meaningless wars. Our daughter, Anne Underwood, was killed in action. She was a Ghost covert operative under Terran Dominion leadership.

"We come into this world with our eyes closed. And most of us choose to live our whole lives that way. We blindly follow anyone who will lead us… giving ourselves over to anything that provides us with a sense of purpose. For us, it was Dominion. We had fully supported Arcturus Mengsk when the Terran Confederacy collapsed."

This was the way we thought before Anne's death. Anne had joined up Dominion Ghost Program because she wanted to get away from us. She was operating on Char under Horace Warfield's order. We thought General Warfield was good leader. We were wrong.

Sarah Kerrigan returned Char after "being captured by the Dominion". She took back her planet. Warfield and almost all who followed him fought against Kerrigan were killed, including our daughter, Anne. This wasn't just a failed mission. It was the foundation of the Arkham Knights.

The death of Anne didn't make sense. How it was possible Sarah Kerrigan was leading the Swarm and fighting against the Dominion again after "being captured"? How it was possible Warfield's compound was overrun by Zerg forces so easily?

We built the Black ops organization, Arkham Knights, to find out the answers. We learned that if Sarah Kerrigan was killed, we were all doomed. Our daughter fought for the wrong side and died unnecessarily.

"No parents should have to lose their children. This goes against the natural order of things. Without our children we have no future. We've spent our life fighting against stupidity and cowardice, for the sake of a better world, where good people can prosper and thrive without fear. We know the cost, we see it every day, and accept it. But we can't accept this. Anne's tragedy can't be for nothing. We'll make sure of that. This is not where it ends. This is where it begins."

This is the common thought of me and my husband. I am Claire Underwood, Anne's mother. My daughter's death changed our belief, so here we are. As Arkham Knights running research beyond anything the Dominion could do.

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Base A133 (Below Moebius base ruins / Arkham Knights underground research facility)

"Lucius, we've got long a way to go in regard to the progress of the Arkham Knights Program. The old combat gears we used were not capable of facing cloaked Protoss warriors. Azrael will be here soon, and this is the best chance we have for testing new combat gears in combat simulation with him. We need a better countermeasure against cloaked units. Are our new combat gears ready?" Claire asked.

Lucius Fox answered, "Latest Hybrid-Suits with better Psionic Detective Mode gadgets and Variable Grenades are finished. You'll have an easier time detecting and revealing cloaked units, and they perform better in combat as well."

"Let us see," Frank requested.

Claire and Frank followed Lucius; they walked to the proving ground. In front of the gate, they entered their own pass codes and finished iris recognitions. The gate opened and they entered the room. Lucius took out two suitcases and said proudly, "Things you asked for already prepared, Mister and Mistress Underwood."

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Base A133 / Proving Ground PG02

Frank and Claire took their own new personal Hybrid-Suits to changing rooms, they returned with new look: They wore "flip-up" helmets with a pair of short and streamlined ears; these suits were skinny, like Ghost Hostile Environment suits. But they differed in having unique camouflage of dark grays interspersed with dashes of red. It also had more dark material armor plates on the chest, back, biceps and triceps. These armor plates were angular. Arkham upside down A-shape logos were on the chest plates and shoulder plates. (1)

"Well, Mister and Mistress Underwood, let me walk you through it. The outer and inner layers of the Hybrid-Suit are made of a Hybrid Titanium-dipped tri-weave. It's between those layers where things get interesting. Hybrid-Fiber activates in response to psionic powers, providing rapid regeneration against damage. You'll be able to get a second chance for your counter attacks, even an enemy hits you first. This Hybrid-Fiber armor is also more flexible than the Hostile Environment Suit you're accustomed to. You can be stronger with increased maneuverability to fight against cloaked Protoss warriors. Taking out multiple foes in quick succession becomes more of a possibility."

Claire flipped down her helmet and it covered her whole face. She watched her reflection on mirror. It concealed any sense of herself underneath, she only saw two red, inhuman eyes. She turned her gaze to Frank, and saw he was red colored in the Hybrid-Suit with the same look.

"Additionally, the new Psionic Detective Mode gadgets will let you find your enemies easier. Don't worry, Mister and Mistress Underwood, the Hybrid-Suits themselves provide more psionic powers to fulfill the energy needs of these new gadgets. They are powered by priceless Bloodshard Crystal provided by Azrael."

Claire thought about taking off the Helmet, and then she saw the option of removing the Visor Module on her heads-up display. She followed the instruction and pressed the button near her chin, and removed the mask of her Helmet.

"To protect the head from arms fire, the visor module is designed as an additional armor over the dome shaped helmet. They are made of Hybrid-Glass. Channel your psionic power to your Hybrid Suit and it can withstand a few shots from the Hydralisk's ranged spine attack or a C-10 Rifle."

Lucius brought out a palm-sized cylinder. "This is a Variable Grenade, they require psionic energy. It can cycle through Threat, Smart, Stun, EMP, Contact and Frag. Threat referred to Threat Detection mode. After it explodes and radiates Psionic energy, all enemies caught in the radius will be highlighted. It can unmask cloaked enemies." (2)

"How can it do all of this at once?" Frank asked.

Lucius answered, "I spent a very long time organizing the weaponry researches of Arkham Knights Program. Thanks to the date that Azrael provided. Protoss technology makes Variable grenades possible, although it is extremely expensive."

Suddenly, the built-in communicators of their helmets ringed. A red haired girl showed up in the heads up display of Frank's and Claire's visors, she said, "We have big problem. I just got an emergency message from Azrael. He is leading a Dark Templar and some Stalkers to this base. You should talk to him."

Claire responded, "Barbara, patch us through to Azrael."

They saw a Protoss with red eyes. "I trust you will not miss this good chance, Knights. Your rise is here. The prophecy has come true. From the memory of this Dark Templar, Zerawar, an ancient power is calling and the ascension is waiting. I can see there is fire in your eyes. That fire will consume you. We will need new saviors, new queens and new gods. You cannot stay like this forever. I have studied you for a long time. You are power hungry; you will do whatever you need. The prophecy has foreseen it. The time has come to pass this power to another people… to you."

Frank interrupted, "Cut right to the chase. What are you doing?"

Azrael replied, "I already told you."

Frank asked, "Are you going to betray us? Answer me: YES or NO? "

Azrael answered, "Zerawar doesn't know you and me are on the same side. Capture him and probe his mind, we will get what we need. Ready for our arrival."

Claire said, "Lead Zerawar and his followers to this location inside the Q1 Tunnel."

The image of Azrael disappeared. "We lose his signal. What do we do?" Barbara asked.

Frank announced quickly through the base comms network broadcast, "Activate Dark Whispers protocol. Everyone prepare to abandon this facility! Keep non-essential radio chatter to a minimum. Wear your Psi-screens. Don't leak our secrets. Each one of you has a role. Each of you KNOWS your role. So move into your positions and leave no trace. I want everyone ready to leave within the hour."

Claire said, "We try negotiation first. Azrael's actions aren't out faults. Standing against Daelaam isn't necessary. We don't want to fight against the Golden Armada. If this Dark Templar doesn't listen, we make him disappear."

Frank replied, "I will try to talk down the Dark Templar. The Protoss might distrust you because you're a woman."

Claire responded, "I and other Spectres will take snipping positions. My C-20A rifle and EMP Shot can take down Protoss quickly."

Frank said, "Well. We know what to do. We won't allow them to put us in a worse position."

"That doesn't worry me. I had better get to work," Claire said and left to prepare for what may happen next.

"Shake with your right hand… but ready the psi-blade with your left." Frank said aloud as he brought up his left wrist and channeled his psionic power to his psi-blade focuser. A red psi-blade appeared from his left gauntlet.

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Moebius base ruins

Zerawar was the apprentice of Zeratul and Vorazun. He stepped out from Void Seeker, and looked to the Moebius base ruins and said, "I saw this place in Zeratul's memories from khaydarin ihan crystal he had given me. It is one of the Protoss-Zerg Hybrid breeding grounds. Azrael, you are right, I feel the presence of Hybrid with your treacherous Tal'darim brethren."

Azrael said, "I know where they're headed, follow me." Zerawar and six Stalkers followed Azrael. They went into the deepest corner of the Moebius lab ruins and found the entrance of an enormous tunnel bellow. They got inside and found the tunnel was much higher than a Colossus.

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Q1 Tunnel (Between Moebius base ruins and Base A133)

Suddenly, the tunnel behind them exploded and collapsed. The entrance they had just used sealed completely. They couldn't blink away. A mysterious figure appeared in front of them. "What is that?" Zerewar thought. "It looks like a Spectre, but its armor is similar to the Tal'darim. Is it Gestalt? I can't read its thoughts, but it feels like hate. It must be a Hybrid!"

Zerawar lashed out, striking with his green warp blades, but then stared in surprise at the red psi blades blocking his. He knew that it was a bane blade, used by the Tal'darim.

It spoke in a filtered male voice while in defensive position, "Why do you attack me?"

"Hybrid." Zerawar simply answered.

He avoided being slashed in pieces and replied, "This is just a research. You don't have to kill me, Zerawar."

Zerawar struck again and again but every slash was blocked.

He taunted, "You just made a serious mistake. You are not as good as you think. Pride has defeated you." Zerawar was flown backward by a psionic energy blast. He protected himself with Void Armor from the impact of hitting the wall.

The Stalkers opened fire on the mysterious figure, but they fell one by one. Zerawar knew this had to be a Ghost or Spectre doing this to them. Zerawar disappeared in shadow. "There's no way out, I cornered you. I understand you more than you know. Do you think Azrael is trustworthy? He's the one who told me you were coming."

He threw something out and that radiated red Void energy around. All Protoss were stunned and highlighted in a bright red. "Cloak is powerful against uninitiated, but we are initiated. You think void is your ally but it is my ally too." He said. Zerawar was forced to uncloak.

Multiple powerful EMP shots came down from ceiling. Zerawar's shields and energy were drained completely. Bullets penetrated his body and spine. This paralyzed Zerawar, and he fell to the ground. "The Void betrays you because it also works with us! You are not the only one can cloak. I told you that I knew more than you guessed, didn't I!?"

Zerawar sensed mysterious figures uncloak and come down from the tunnel ceiling. Azrael touched his head and probed his mind. Zerawar was too wounded to defend himself. Azrael was satisfied and said, "Your precious memory: gratefully accepted. We will need it."

Another two did that as well. Zerawar heard a new creepy female voice. She barked angrily, "He knew it and he let it happen. All those people dead, all because he didn't tell others!" Then she calmed down and said, "But don't worry, Zerawar, I'll keep you as our secret. No one knows this."

He moved closer, Zerawar was forced to look into his red eyes and he spoke again, "We didn't want it to end like this, Zerawar. I kinda hoped you'd put up more of a fight." Then Zerawar lost consciousness.

Frank ordered marines to move the unconscious Zerawar, and his Stalkers' corpses into stasis cells for transporting out. Claire pointed her C-20A rifle to Azrael and commanded, "Keep your guns trained on him. If he even looks like he's planning to leave this tunnel, open fire."

Frank asked, "How did Zerawar know we were here?"

Azrael answered, "The Nerazim discovered my Tal'darim brethren collecting Hybrid specimens and Protoss relics around Shakuras. This allowed me to manipulate Zerawar and capture him."

Frank wanted to kill Azrael because of the troubles he brought. However, the new alarm suddenly started sounding. Barbara spoke through the comms emergently, "Knights, multiple warp signatures detected. They are Nerazim in origin!"

Frank asked, "How is the evacuation?"

Barbara replied, "Everything is moving on schedule. However, science team Indigo, lead by doctor Ivy is under Protoss attack."

"I didn't know this. They probably have sent another Nerazim task force there at the same time without my noticing," Azrael explained.

Claire interrupted, "We need to help Ivy immediately. Azrael, if you endanger us again, I will bury you myself!" Claire, Frank and others left the tunnel quickly.

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Base A133 / Lab L02

Ivy locked herself inside prison helplessly. The Protoss had broken into the working area of her science team Indigo before they had finished packing up everything. Woodrue had told Ivy to use the shape shifting ability replicated from Emil Narud's corpse; she changed herself into Protoss appearance. All of her colleagues were killed by invaders.

Some Centurions, Stalkers and Annihilators looked at Ivy suspiciously. "What can I do? If they know that I work here, they will kill me. What should I say? I don't know Protoss speech," Ivy thought nervously. A Centurion suddenly appeared in front of her. Ivy fell on the floor and screamed, "No!"

Claire cycled her Variable Grenade to Stun mode and tossed it into the lab. It produced a blinding red flash strengthened by Void energy. The flash temporarily disoriented all senses of Protoss inside. In the chaos, Claire grabbed Ivy and ran away quickly. Three Spectres were escorting them.

Ivy asked in hope, "Claire!?"

Claire still alerted surrounding environment and responded, "Authentication?"

Ivy answered immediately, "Poison Ivy. Thank you so much."

Claire grumbled, "Please call me with my code name in operations, keep your head down and stay close. Stay in Protoss shape to prevent them shooting you."

Barbara instructed, "Wright, egress to the north landing pad 2. We're detecting more Nerazim around you."

Claire questioned, "What's our exfil status?"

Barbara answered, "Transports are coming in hot. ETA 5 mike. Matriarch Vorazun is leading a Nerazim fleet comprising Oracles, Corsairs and Void Rays. They are fighting against the Arkham Knights First Fleet. Be careful."

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Vorazun's Void ray

Vorazun was commanding her force busily. She sent her force into the base and discovered people who were collecting Hybrid specimens and Protoss relics. She successfully located where the Hybrid specimen has gone, but her student Zerawar hadn't reported back.

However, the Vorazun didn't have time to worry. The Terran resistance was strong and well organized so she didn't have much advantage in this moment. She was frustrated as to why Terrans were researching Protoss/Zerg Hybrid again. She thought they must be Moebius remnants. A Large amount of Terran Battlecruisers, Liberators, Science Vessels, Vikings and Wraths were fighting against her Nerazim fleet. The space battle was deadlocked but once her reinforcements arrived. She would win undoubtedly.

"Matriarch, a team of Terrans are taking a Protoss and escaping," one of the Nerazim crew reported.

Vorazun took out her shadow scythe and said, "I hunt them down in person. There is much to be done."

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / North landing pad 2

Claire leaded Ivy, 3 Spectre, 20 marines and 2 medics arriving north landing pad 2. Claire said, "We're going to have to dig in until our rides gets here. Hold them off!"

Claire instructed Ivy to hide behind cover. She and marines kept shooting pursuing Nerazim force. If enemies got too closed, Claire blasted them with a wave of psionic energy and knocked them back. Few Centurions punched through defense line, they stunned and stabbed some marines. Claire blew those Centurions' heads off with her C-20A rifle. Medics were treating fallen soldiers' wounds.

Suddenly, 8 marines were cut by a green light and fell down. A female Nerazim appeared from nowhere on the deck. She wore purple clothes and a Hydralisk skull on her right shoulder. Marines tried shooting her but missed.

Claire pointed her barrel to the Nerazim but her rifle chopped by shadow scythe immediately. She swung her red psi-blade but sliced into air. Vorazun teleported herself to Claire's back. Claire took out her pistol and fired. Vorazun teleported again and bullets missed the target. Claire cycled her Variable grenade to Threat mode and fully charged it with her psionic energy. The Variable Grenade exploded in her hand and radiated red Void energy around her.

Vorazun was a bit surprised by the sudden burst of red Void energy. However she kept calm and fighting as usual. Vorazun had met such situations before when Alarak had suddenly appeared in the Spear of Adun near Ulnar. Although she locked Alarak into stasis prison, he broke out simply with explosive Void energy. Vorazun used Void Armor that removed the effect of the red Void energy to her and asked, "You remind me Alarak. Who are you?"

Claire responded, "Wright. I am not your enemy." She activated her personal customized Stimpack, a variety of stimulants including Jorium and Terrazine went into her body. This performance enhancing drug made Claire reached inhuman heart rate, sharper perception, faster speed and better strength. Claire saw Vorazun more clearly and accelerated to keep up with her moves.

Vorazun teased and slashed again, "So you think us fool. I don't see you stopping the fighting."

Claire was breathing rapidly and answered, "You invaded this base first."

Vorazun questioned, "How can I accept what you're doing with the Hybrid and our relics?"

Claire defended herself from another slice and said, "Stop this battle. This is a pointless waste of lives."

Barbara interrupted, "Wright, exfil is on approach." A visual of 2 Hercules dropships and a squared of Vikings were getting closer to north landing pad 2 in sight.

Claire commanded, "Spectres! Used your Mind Blast or Ultrasonic Pulse stopped Stalkers and Annihilators attacking our exfil. Keep them…" She was shot by an Annihilator Shadow Cannon.

Stalkers and Annihilators were stunned by Spectres. Vorazun tried to wipe out the remaining resistance but stopped by Claire. Vorazun asked, "What are you?"

Claire's Hybrid-Suit withstood the hit but was seriously damaged, her armor plates were blew off, the Visor Module was gone, the helmet below full of cracks. Hybrid-Suit compressed around her wounds and stopped the breeding. The inhuman regeneration ability of Claire's body kicked in to keep her continuing intense fighting.

"Warning: Explosion imminent. Main reactor overloaded." Base computer broadcasted through the base comms network. Frank had just activated the self-destruct system of Base A133 to prevent the Protoss from learning Arkham Knights' secrets.

"All personnel must evacuate immediately!" Barbara announced emergently. Hercules dropships were landing.

Claire countered Vorazun's attacks and barked, "Go! Everyone get to the dropships!"

"What are you doing? Wright, get out of here!" Frank interrupted.

"Vorazun is stopping me from escaping!" Claire complained impatiently in battle. The ground of north landing pad 2 began to shake.

"Matriarch, I urge you to leave. If you're caught in the blast from the Terran reactor you will die!" Karax interrupted. The fight between Claire and Vorazun was still continued.

"Warning: Plant integrity critical. Explosion imminent." Base computer broadcasted again through the base comms network.

"I'm monitoring that Terran facility. You're out of time. Leave now." Karax warned again.

"Warp all Protoss from this Terran base." Vorazun finally ordered. All Protoss retreated from the fight.

"As your command!" Karax answered. Their dimensional recall activated.

"It is only a matter of time before you're hunted down, Wright." Vorazun said before she warped away.

Claire got on the Hercules dropship quickly. Then all aerospace vehicles flew back to Battlecruisers immediately. After a short period, every Terran spaceship warped away from the site of the battle to a secret rendezvous site after the evacuation completed.

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Arkham Knights First Fleet / Arrowhead, Gorgon-class Battlecruiser / Bridge

"In this battle, most personnel and material have been evacuated safely without a scratch, thanks to the early warning from Azrael. Only science team Indigo and their escorts suffered significant losses. Our Defense Matrix, Electric Field and Point Defense Drone helped our Battlecruisers survive the Protoss attack. Although the true reason we didn't lose any Battlecruisers is because of advanced technology secretly duplicated from the Hyperion. We took 30% losses of our fighters and all ships need repairs and resupplies. What is our next move?" Barbara asked from the Bridge of Arkham Knights' First Fleet flagship Arrowhead.

"Finish the necessary preparation as quick as you can, then set up course to Zerus." Frank answered.

"We don't know the details about the power of Zerus." Barbara questioned.

"The Daelaam is after us. We need power to protect ourselves. This is more important." Claire explained.

"Claire, come with me." Frank requested. They left the Bridge and went into their private residence.

Location: StarCraft Galaxy / Arrowhead / Claire's & Frank's private residence

Frank closed the door. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine. If we didn't use research data from the Ghost Program and Research Station EB-103, I would be dead already. I would thank Sarah Kerrigan, but no one knows where she went after the End War. It is unfortunate that we have never met her in person before." Claire answered. There was not a single scar or wound on her healthy body. Her blue eyes and short blonde hair were beautiful as usual, as though nothing happened at all.

"Are you ready to become the Queen of Blades?" Frank asked seriously.

"I know exactly who I am and who I'm up against. And I know exactly what I have to do. I have no fear. I am ready." Claire answered clearly. Then she read a new message they just received at that moment.

"You should go back to Haven protect our private military corporation. The Dominion has started taking action against the ATLAS Corporation. We can't let the Dominion weaken us." Claire said furthermore.

"We should go to Zerus together." Frank responded

"I know. The Arkham Knights' First Fleet isn't enough to achieve what we want. I need you to bring in reinforcements." Claire explained.

---

At the same time and the closing stage of the Reaper War…

---

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Sol System / Citadel (Orbiting Earth) / Unknown Location

A red haired female human soldier, Jane Shepard, lay slumped on the ground. Her armor and body alike torn apart. A transparent projection in the form of a young boy walked toward her and said, "Wake up…"

Despite how weak she was, Jane Shepard struggled to stand up, looked around and muttered, "What? Where am I?"

"The citadel, it's my home," The transparent projection answered.

Jane Shepard watched the still heated space battle outside the colossal deep-space station and questioned angrily, "Who are you?"

The transparent projection answered, "I am the Catalyst."

"I thought the Citadel was the Catalyst," Jane Shepard responded weakly.

"No. The Citadel is part of me," Catalyst disagreed.

Shepard remembered her mission of using the Crucible to end the Reaper War, so she asked, "I need to stop the Reapers, do you know how I can do that?" (3)

"Perhaps. I control the Reapers. They are my solution," Catalyst answered, it turned away and walked toward an energy beam.

Shepard followed the Catalyst and asked, "The solution to what?"

Catalyst looked back and answered clearly, "Chaos. The created will always rebel against their creators, but we found a way to stop that from happening. A way to restore order."

Shepard was shocked, she thought back the history and the Cycles of Extinction, "By wiping out organic life?"

Catalyst turned back, "No. We harvest advanced civilizations, leaving the younger ones alone. Just as we left your people alive the last time we were here."

"But you killed the rest?" Shepard criticized.

"We helped them ascend so they could make way for new life. Storing the old life in Reaper form," Catalyst defended.

"I think we'd rather keep our own form," Shepard was disgusted by the Reaper Harvesting she had witnessed in the Collector Base: Individuals from whole colony who were determined to be suitable for processing were loaded onto Reaper Processors, where they were ushered into single-person pods. Liked a slaughterhouse, the interior of the Processor was designed to prevent any visual or auditory contact between individuals being processed. Once in the pods, the victims were dissolved into a raw genetic "paste" for ease of transport. This paste would then be used in the construction of a newborn Reaper, with the victims' minds being preserved to form the Reaper's gestalt consciousness.

"No you can't. Without us to stop it, synthetics would destroy all organics. We've created the Cycle of Extinction so that never happens. That's the solution," Catalyst reasoned.

"You said you're the Catalyst but what are you?" Shepard asked.

"A construct. An intelligence designed eons ago to solve a problem. I was created to bring balance. To be the Catalyst for peace between organics and synthetics," Catalyst answered.

"So you're just an AI?" Shepard frowned.

"In as much as you are just an animal. I embody the collective intelligence of all Reapers," Catalyst struck back.

"But you were created?" Shepard wondered.

"Correct," Catalyst agreed.

"By who?" Shepard asked.

"By ones who recognized that conflict would always arise between synthetics and organics. I was first created to oversee the relations between synthetic and organic life. To establish a connection. But our efforts always ended in conflict. So a new solution was required," Catalyst answered.

"The Reapers?" Shepard asked.

"Precisely," Catalyst confirmed Shepard's guess and she thought back her confrontation with the (Mass Effect) Leviathan: Creator of the Reaper… (4)

Jane Shepard's flashback: About one month before the closing stage of the Reaper War…

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Sigurd's Cradle / Psi Tophet / Unknown location in deep sea (Depths of over 3200 meters)

Jane Shepard gazed at the massive squid-like aquatic creature in front of her. It had two sets of three eyes were embedded symmetrically on the lower dorsal surface of the body. Several tentacle-like appendages extended below its body and from the sides. Its exterior was covered in bony, heavily ridged plates. Shepard asked, "You killed a Reaper. I need to know why."

"They are the enemy. One that seeks our extermination," Leviathan answered.

"But… I thought you were a Reaper," Shepard wondered.

"They are only echoes. We existed long before," Leviathan explained.

"Then what are you?" Shepard questioned.

"Something more. Your mind belongs to me. Breathe," Leviathan said.,

"What's happening?" Shepard felt headache and frustrated.

"Your memories give voice to our words. Your nature will be revealed to us. Accept this," Leviathan said.

"The galaxy's at war with the Reapers. You defeated one. Why aren't you fighting back?" Shepard questioned.

"There is no war. There is only the harvest," Leviathan explained.

"Then help us stop it!" Shepard requested.

Leviathan kept studying Shepard's memory, "None have possessed the strength in past cycles. Your own species could be destroyed with a single thought. But you are different. I have witnessed your actions in this cycle: the destruction of Sovereign; the fall of the Collectors. The Reapers perceive you as a threat. And I must understand why,"

"Before the Cycles of Extinctions, our kind was the apex of life in the galaxy. The lesser species were in our thrall, serving our needs. We grew more powerful, and they were cared for. But we could not protect them from themselves. Over time, the species built machines that then destroyed them. Tribute does not flow from a dead race. To solve this problem, we created an intelligence with the mandate to preserve life at any cost. As the intelligence evolved, it studied the development of civilizations. Its understanding grew until it found a solution. In that instant, it betrayed us. It chose our kind as the first harvest. From our essence, the first Reaper was created. You call it Harbinger."

"You built that machine despite what you saw the other races experience. Why?" Shepard questioned.

"You cannot conceive of a galaxy that bends to your will. Every creature, every nation, every planet we discovered became our tools. We were above the concerns of lesser species. The Intelligence was envisioned as simply another tool," Leviathan explained.

"And now we all pay the price for your mistake," Shepard criticized.

"There was no mistake. It still serves its purpose," Leviathan disagreed.

"How did you remain hidden all this time?" Shepard wondered.

"Our extermination was not complete. Some survived and found refuge in the dark corners of the galaxy. I am their progeny. Over the Cycles of Extinction, the thrall races were controlled, removing traces of our existence as we directed them to. In this way, our survival was kept secret from the Reapers. Today, we reach out through the fragments and watch for discovery," Leviathan explained.

"Fragments? You mean the artifacts we found?" Shepard wondered.

"They provide a window into the galaxy. Tools for exploring the events of this cycle from the safety of this world. Through them, we watch, we study, and remain in the shadows," Leviathan answered.

"How did the Intelligence defeat you?" Shepard asked.

"To find a solution, it required information—physical data drawn from organic life in the cosmos. It created an army of pawns that searched the galaxy, gathering this data. There was no warning, no reason given when they turned against us. Only slaughter. Only the harvest. Perfect in its design. Each formed in Harbinger's image. Our image. Each Reaper has the power to influence organics. Over countless Cycles of Extinction, this ability was refined, perfected and gave rise to indoctrination," Leviathan explained.

"But what's the point of all these harvests?" Shepard asked.

"The Intelligence has one purpose: preservation of life. That purpose has not been fulfilled. It directed the Reapers to create the Mass Relays—to speed the time between cycles for greatest efficiency. The galaxy itself became an experiment. Evolution its tool," Leviathan answered.

"Will it ever end?" Shepard asked.

"Unknown. Until the Intelligence finds what it is looking for, the harvest will continue," Leviathan answered.

"What do you know about the Crucible?" Shepard guessed Leviathan might know the details about this ancient and highly complex device constructed by the Protheans as a superweapon to stop the Reapers.

"We have watched its construction before. It has never been completed. Those who have tried still fell victim to the harvest. Its outcome is unknown," Leviathan answered.

"Okay, you made your point. Will you help stop the Cycle of Extinction?" Shepard requested.

"I have searched your mind. You are an anomaly—yet that is not enough. The Cycle of Extinction will continue," Leviathan denied.

"No! You've been watching. You know this Cycle is different," Shepard argued.

"We will survive. You will remain here as a servant of our needs. The Reaper will harvest the rest," Leviathan said.

"If you release me, no one has to be harvested," Shepard argued.

"Nothing will change," Leviathan said.

"The Reapers know where you are! You can't just watch anymore—you have to fight! Even if you survive the battle today, the Reapers won't stop—ever. Release me, and we have a chance to end this once and for all," Shepard argued further.

"Your confidence is singular," Leviathan commented.

"I've earned it: Out there fighting, where you should be," Shepard said.

Leviathan finally changed its mind, "It is clear why the Reapers perceive you as a threat. Your victories are more than a product of chance. We will fight. But not for you, or any lesser race. We were the first, the apex race. We will survive. And the Reapers who trespass on this world will understand our power. They will become our slaves. Today, they pay their tribute in blood."

Jane Shepard's flashback ended: Return to the closing stage of the Reaper War…

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Sol System / Citadel (Orbiting Earth) / Unknown Location

Jane Shepard said, "I met your creators, they told me what you did to them."

"We did as they expected," Catalyst answered.

"They said you betray them, that you turned them into Harbingers," Shepard said.

"When they asked to solve the problem of conflict, they failed to understand they were part of the problem itself, their flaws organic reasoning cannot receive this, they lacked force to understand their destruction was parts of the very solution they had required," Catalyst answered.

"Well, they joined this war now." Shepard said.

"And I'll welcome their involvements. I'm only facilitating their request," Catalyst didn't mind about its creator.

"How did the Reapers solve anything?" Shepard asked.

Catalyst answered, "Organics create synthetics to improve their own existence, but those improvements have limits. To exceed those limits, synthetics must be allowed to evolve. They must by definition surpass their creators. The result is conflict, destruction, chaos. It is inevitable. Reapers harvest all life. Organic and synthetic, preserving them before they are forever lost to this conflict."

"How is "this" not conflict? We are at war with the Reapers right now," Shepard questioned about the Reaper War happening on the whole Mass Effect galaxy.

"You may be at conflict with the Reapers but they are not interested in war," Catalyst claimed.

"I find that hard to believe," Shepard disagreed.

Catalyst stated its point of view, "When fire burns, is at war? Is it in conflict? Or is it simply doing what it was created to do? We are no different. We harvest your bodies, your knowledge, your creations. We preserve it, to be reborn in the form of a Reaper. Like a cleansing fire, we restore balance... New life both organic and synthetic can flourish."

Shepard gave up arguing about that, "What do you know about the crucible?"

"The device you refer to as the Crucible is little more than a powers source. However in combination with the Citadel and the Mass Relays it is capable of releasing tremendous amounts of energy throughout the galaxy. It is crude but effective and adaptive in its design," Catalyst answered.

"Who designed it?" Shepard wondered.

"You would not know them and there is not enough time to explain. We first noted the concept for this device several cycles ago. With each passing cycle the design has no doubt evolved," Catalyst answered.

"Why didn't you stop it?" Shepard frustrated.

"We believed the concept had been eradicated. Clearly organics are more resourceful than we realized," Catalyst answered.

"But we're just trying to survive! You're taking away our future, without future we have no hope. Without hope we might as well be machines, programmed to do as we are told," Shepard didn't like Catalyst's comments.

Catalyst was looking at the space battle around the Earth, "You have hope, more than you think. The fact that you are standing here, the first organic ever proves it. But it also proves my solution won't work anymore."

"So now what?" Shepard asked.

"We find a new solution," Catalyst answered.

"Why are you telling me this? Why help me?" Shepard frustrated.

"You have altered the variables," Catalyst answered.

"What do you mean?" Shepard didn't get the idea.

"The crucible changed me, created new... possibilities. But I can't make them happen. If there is to be a new solution. You must act. It is now in your power to destroy us. But be warned, others will be destroyed as well. The crucible will not discriminate. All synthtics will be targeted. Even you are partly synthetic," Catalyst explained.

"I want details. What exactly will happen?" Shepard requested.

"Your Crucible device appears to be largely intact. However the effects of the blast will not be constrained to the Reapers. Technology you rely on will be affected. But those who survive should have little difficulty in repairing the damage... There will still be loses but no more than what has already been lost," Catalyst explained.

"But the Reapers will be destroyed? And it will end the war?" Shepard asked.

"Yes, but the peace won't last. Soon your children will create synthetics and then the chaos will come back," Catalyst reasoned.

"There has to be another way," Shepard requested.

"There is, you could instead use the energy of the crucible to seize control of the Reapers," Catalyst answered.

Shepard thought back to her confrontation with the leader of the human-survivalist paramilitary group Cerberus, the Illusive Man, before she shot him:

Jane Shepard's flashback:

Jane Shepard and Systems Alliance Navy Admiral David Edward Anderson were immobilized and controlled by the Illusive Man, he had signs of Reaper modifications, blue and black circuits were across his face and neck. The Illusive Man said, "I warned you. Control is the means to survival. Control of the Reapers… and of you, if necessary."

"They're controlling you," Anderson struggled.

"I don't think so, Admiral," Illusive Man disagreed.

"Controlling me is a lot different than controlling a Reaper," Jane Shepard added.

"Have a little faith. When humanity first discovered the mass relays… when we learned there was more to the galaxy then we imagined… there was some who thought the relays should be destroyed. They were scared of what we'd find. Terrified of what we might let in. But look at what humanity has achieved! Since that discovery, our technology has advanced more than the past 10,000 years combined. And the Reapers will do the same for us again. A thousand fold. But… only if we can harness their ability to control," Illusive Man said.

"Bullshit. We destroy them, or they destroy us," Anderson disagreed.

"And waste this opportunity? Never," Illusive Man responded.

"You're playing with things you don't understand. With power you shouldn't be able to use," Shepard argued.

"I… don't believe that. If we can control it, why shouldn't it be ours?" Illusive Man claimed.

"Because… we're not ready," Shepard answered.

"No. This is the way humanity must evolve," Illusive Man refused.

"There's always another way," Anderson said.

"I've dedicated my life to understanding the Reapers, and I know with certainty: the Crucible will allow me to control them," Illusive Man reasoned.

"And then what?" Shepard asked.

"Look at the power they wield! Look at what they can do!" Illusive Man forced Shepard to shoot Anderson with her own pistol.

"I see what they did to you," Shepard said.

"I took what I wanted from them! Made it my own! This isn't about me or you. It's about things so much bigger than all of us," Illusive Man argued.

"He's wrong. Don't listen to him," Anderson was bleeding.

"And who will you listen to, Jane Shepard? An old soldier, stuck in his ways, only able to see the world down the barrel of a gun? And what if he's wrong? What if controlling the Reapers is the answer?" Illusive Man questioned.

"If we destroy the Reapers, this ends today. But if you can't control them…"

"But I can!" Illusive Man shouted.

"Are you willing to bet humanity's existence on it?" Shepard asked.

"I know it will work." Illusive Man struggled.

"You can't, can you? They won't let you do it," Shepard criticized.

"No, I'm in control. No one is telling me what to do…" Illusive Man fought back.

"Listen to yourself. You're indoctrinated," Anderson said.

"No. No! The two of you, so self-righteous. Do you think power like this comes easy? There are sacrifices…" Illusive Man shouted.

"You've sacrificed too much," Shepard responded.

"Shepard, I… I only wanted to protect humanity. The Crucible can control them. I know it can. I just…"Illusive Man was in chaos.

"It's not too late. Let us go. We'll do the rest," Shepard requested.

"I can't do that, Commander," Illusive Man said.

"Of course you can't… they own you now," Anderson said.

"You… You'd undo everything I've accomplished. I won't let that happen," Illusive Man claimed.

"Because of you, humanity is already undone," Shepard said.

"That's not true…" Illusive Man argued.

"They have the Citadel. They've got us fighting each other instead of fighting them," Shepard shouted.

"I just need to…" Illusive Man cried.

"You've done exactly what the Reapers wanted. You're still doing it because they control you," Shepard pointed out the fact.

"I… they're too strong," Illusive Man struggled.

"You're stronger. Don't let them win. Break their hold. Don't let them control you," Shepard shouted.

"I tried, Shepard," Illusive Man managed and released Shepard and Anderson from his control. Shepard immediately shot him in the chest with her pistol…

Jane Shepard's flashback ended.

"So the Illusive man was right after all?" Jane Shepard wondered.

"Yes but he could never have taken control, because we already controlled him," Catalyst answered.

"But I can?" Shepard asked.

"You will die, you will control us but you will lose everything you have," Catalyst said.

"I don't understand. How can I control the Reapers if I'm dead?" Shepard questioned.

"Your corporeal form will be dissolved. But your thoughts and even your memories will continue. You will no longer be organic. Your connection to your kind will be lost. Although you will remain aware of their existence," Catalyst explained.

"I think I understand... But the Reapers will obey me?" Shepard said.

"Yes. We will be yours to control and direct as you see fit," Catalyst answered.

Jane Shepard was thinking.

"There is another solution... Synthesis," Catalyst added.

"And that is?" Shepard asked.

Catalyst explained the third solution, "Add your energy to the crucibles. The chain reaction will combine all synthetic and organic life into a new framework. A new DNA."

"How? Explain how my energy can be added to the Crucible," Shepard asked.

"Your organic energy. The essence of who and what you are, will be broken down and then dispersed," Catalyst answered.

Shepard couldn't understand, "To do what exactly?"

Catalyst explained further, "The energy of the Crucible, released in this way will alter the matrix of all organic life in the galaxy. Organics seek perfection through technology, synthetics seek perfection through understanding. Organics will be perfected by integrating fully with synthetic technology. Synthetics in turn will finally have understanding of organics. It is the ideal solution. Now that we know it is possible, it is inevitable we will reach synthesis."

"Why couldn't you do it sooner?" Jane Shepard asked.

"We have tried... a similar solution in the past. But it has always failed," Catalyst answered.

"Why?" Shepard asked.

"Because the organics were not ready, it is not something that can be... forced. You are ready and you may choose it," Catalyst answered.

"I don't know. That's a big change. You're asking me to change everything, everyone. I can't make that decision. And I won't," Shepard refused.

"Why not? Synthetics are already part of you. Can you imagine your life without them?" Catalyst questioned.

"And there will be peace? That is beside the point." Shepard asked.

"The Cycle of Extinctions will end, the Reaper will seize harvest and the civilization preserve in their forms will be connected to all of us. Synthesis is the final evolution of all life. The paths are opened but you have to choose. Your time is at an end, you must decide," Catalyst answered.

"There is no simple and perfect choice at all. Every choice has great cost: Killing people I care, becoming another monster or repeating a solution which had failed before. There are no other people here, so this is only my responsibility to choose now," Shepard thought tiredly.

"Can't you simply order the Reaper to stop the Harvest?" Jane Shepard asked the Catalyst.

"Unless you execute a better solution, the Cycles of Extinction won't stop. You have to use the Crucible to change the (Mass Effect) Galaxy," Catalyst answered.

Jane Shepard was left with a difficult decision, "After all, I can only save my galaxy through the use of the crucible. EDI is a friend, a teammate and a valuable crewmember. Despite the fact that she is an Unshackled Artificial Intelligence, she had saved me and countless people lives many times. I can't kill her alongside with other Synthetics. And Legion sacrificed himself to change the Geth and they became our allies now. I can't kill them too. They shouldn't get killed with Reapers. I won't use Crucible to destroy all synthetic life."

"The Illusive Man sacrificed everything including himself trying to control the Reapers. He did experiments based on Reaper technology salvaged from the Collector Base on innocent people and his own body, he turned himself and countless test subjects into Reaper puppets. His attempt to save Humanity has failed."

"Catalyst recommended me to initiate Synthesis, however it said something similar had happened in the past and these things had always failed. My mission is to stop the Reapers from killing people. Executing the evolution of all lives isn't my work. It should be people's choice whether to accept Synthesis or not, I don't have the right to make such choice for them."

"Using the Crucible to control all synthetic lives including the Reapers is risky, however it is the only sensible option I have now. It won't kill more people and its cost is just my life."

"Did you lie to me? Am I indoctrinated? Why am I capable to control the Reaper while the Illusive Man can't?" Shepard asked.

"I have no any reason to lie to you or control you after I met you and let you choose what to do with the Crucible. The Illusive Man did not have the Crucible to make such a decision but you do," Catalyst explained.

Jane Shepard began to put one foot in front of the other, slowly limping down the long hallway. Her blood left a trail on the floor as she walked on. She gasped in pain as breathing became difficult. One of her lungs felt like it was on fire. She slowly turned to the left and walked up a ramp. Destroy or Synthesis by using the Crucible was out of the question to her. She looked over and saw the two blue electrodes drawing slowly closer. This choice would stop the Reapers like the rest but…

"Can I control the Reapers? No one will die. Only I will lose my humanity. Only I need to die. Only need my sacrifice. My mind would live on. But can I give my essence to the Reapers and become their master? Will I still be me? How will I feel? Will I still feel my love for Liara? Or will I just stop loving her and therefore stop caring about her? If I can still think, I could watch over Liara. I could protect her and all of my friends from harm. I could protect everyone."

Jane Shepard closed her eyes. The first of many tears began sliding down her cheek. The two electrodes were shooting blue energy parallel to each other. Jane Shepard stood before them, savoring her last few moments of being human.

"This is the best option that would allow everyone to continue to exist. Nothing will ever stop me from protecting them. I will hold on to myself. I will stay me!"

Shepard felt the artificial atmosphere in her lungs, the blood pouring down her side, and the thoughts in her mind. Tears coursed down her cheeks. All of the pain was there, emotional and physical, flowing through her.

"I'm so sorry, Liara. I have to go. I love you so much."

Jane Shepard took a step toward the electrodes. The electricity was untamed and unshackled. She didn't mind. Her body felt numb. Her thoughts were far away from her body. Her right hand reached out and grabbed the electrode. Jane Shepard's thoughts kept her going. Tears painted her face. Memories of her friends played through her mind. She saw faces of those who sacrificed themselves for winning this Reaper War. They kept her fighting.

Jane Shepard remembered the first time she met Liara T'Soni: Shepard had rescued her when Saren's Geth had invaded the Prothean Ruin on Therum. Liara's Prothean expertise had made her invaluable in missions and Shepard had brought Liara onto her ship: SSV Normandy. She had visited her constantly. Liara was so shy back then. So innocent. Shepard had to get to know Liara, she had spent so many night with her.

Jane Shepard lurched forward and grabbed the remaining electrode. The circuit was closed. Jane Shepard reeled her head back and screamed in agony. Raw energy surged through her body. She didn't know what was happening. She felt parts of her body seem to burn away. She stumbled and fell to her knees. Her hands slipped from the electrodes. Parts of her fell away as blue and gray dust. However, Jane Shepard's memories gave her the strength to stand up as she remembered a time she had made a promise to Liara:

"So tell me. What you want if this all ends tomorrow? What happens to us?" Liara had asked.

"I don't know, marriage, old age with little blue children," Jane Shepard had simply imagined that before.

"You just say these things. Goddess, you were dead," Liara cried when she thought back to how Jane Shepard was killed in a Collectors attack, and how she had brought Shepard's corpse to Cerberus to bring her back from dead.

"I got better," Shepard had answered optimistically.

"This time but you're going to leave again when your team is ready, you'll leap through the Omega 4 Relay. I spent 2 years mourning you so if we're going to try this, I need to know you are always coming back," Liara had worried about Shepard's next suicide mission.

"I don't know. That's pretty big promise to make," Shepard had answered honestly.

Jane Shepard returned to the present moment as she blinked eyes that could no longer produce tears. She reached up to the source of her anguish and grabbed hold of the two electrodes again. The pain intensified but she could no longer scream. Only the images of people she cared were keeping her from letting go. She felt herself slipping. With an image of Liara etched in her mind, she gasped her last words.

"Sorry… I can't keep my promise…"

What was once Jane Shepard froze in place. The energy claimed her. The shell in her image melted away and was absorbed into the Citadel taking Jane Shepard's mind, body, and soul.

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Sol System / Orbiting Earth

The enormous five arms of the Citadel were opened to their maximum extent, and the Crucible was already attached to its central ring. Blue energy started to appear between the Crucible and the Citadel Tower, this energy quickly amplified, and it rapidly grew into a large sphere of blue energy, this energy wave started to engulf everything around: all spaceships around the Citadel, the Earth, the entire Sol system and the Charon Mass Relay, which in turn began to transmit this energy to the rest of the Mass Relay network. This massive amount of blue energy also overloaded the set of revolving, gyroscopic blue-glowing rings of Element Zero cores of every Mass Relay it went pass. Every point in space for hundreds of light-years from every Mass Relays was affected by this energy, changing the entire galaxy.

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Sol System / Earth

In London, the fight raged on. Human Soldiers dodged behind ruins for cover, as they kept firing at husks and other Reaper monstrosities.

A Reaper Destroyers descended from the sky, its four main legs touched the ground, and shook the earth around. The frontal plates of its head folded to the side, exposing the common armament on all Reapers Warships, its powerful beam weapon.

Suddenly, this Reaper Destroyer turned its head back. Then the wave of Crucible energy hit. This blue energy exploded from the Crucible in a bubble of what appeared to be lightning. It passed over everything on Earth. This lightning went over all Reapers, the color of light inside these giant starships turned from red into blue, and all of them stopped their onslaught. All Reaper ground forces also stopped fighting and started running away, like they were retreating from the battlefield.

All Human Soldiers were shocked. It seemed the Crucible didn't destroy the Reapers as plan. The radio channels were filled with all kind of frustrating reports and nervous communications:

"Admiral Hackett, we are receiving numerous reports, that all indicate the same thing. Reapers have stopped fighting our forces!"

"All Reapers' vessels have stopped firing at us. Our troops report that enemy ground forces have stopped performing any hostile action whatsoever… Admiral, what's going on?"

"This is 103rd Marine Division. What do we do now?"

"N7 Special Ops Teams requesting updates. What're our missions?"

"Alliance Spec Ops Team Delta is asking permissions for pursuing the enemies. What is your response?"

"This is Advanced Fighter Squardon. What's our next move?"

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Athena Nebula / Parnitha System / Thessia

The wave of Crucible blue energy reached here, it passed over everything on the planet. All Reaper units got a blue lightning on their bodies and stumbled for a few seconds. The Reaper Capital Ships and Reaper Destroyers stopped firing. The Reaper Banshees (Asari mutated by Reaper technology) stopped pursuing Asari soldiers. These Reaper Banshees released their former enemies and teleported away. (5)

All Asari were confused about their enemies' actions. All kind of questions were filling the communication channels:

"This is Armali Sniper Unit, all enemies are retreating."

"This is Serrice Guard. Reapers are falling back. What's happening?"

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Krogan DMZ / Aralakh System / Tuchanka

The blue energy wave passed through the desert. The blue lightning went over all Reapers' bodies. Every Reaper ground unit ceased its attacks and fell back. The Reaper Brutes (Hulking amalgamation of turian and krogan victims of the Reapers) stopped charging or swinging their over-sized claw arm, the Reaper Ravager (Synthetic derived from rachni through the use of Reaper technology) stopped firing their twin artillery cannons, they all retreated. (6)

All Krogan were confused about their enemies' actions. There were all kinds of shouts:

"This is Aralakh Company. Do we strike back now?"

"This is Krogan First Division. Where do we go now?"

"I'm Urdot Wrex. What's happening? Is there something to eat?"

"This is Turin Artimec Wing. Reapers are still intact!"

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Apien Crest / Trebia System / Palaven

The Reaper Warships stopped firings, Reaper Marauders (synthetic-organic creatures derived from turians through the use of Reaper technology) stopped shooting and retreated from frontline in organized formation. (7)

"This is Turin 43rd Marine Division. Why Reapers are still standing?"

"This is Turin Blackwatch. Why didn't the Crucible destroy the Reapers?"

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Kerrigan's Leviathan / Gorgon Battlecruiser (Inside Zerg Leviathan) / Bridge

It's more than two years after the last battle against Amon in the Void. Kerrigan had become Xel'naga for gaining new strength to fight Amon, she successfully destroyed the Void Crystals which made Amon virtually invincible. However, Amon escaped from the Void before the barrier of Void energy been taken down.

Amon had transferred itself to one of its Hybrid Behemoth secretly, it used this temporary host body to return to the material universe. Amon and its minions including its corrupted Zerg broods, a splinter faction of Tal'darim and an army of mindless Terran thralls fled from the Void through a reserved Void Portal, which was similar to the Ulnar Portal. Amon destroyed that Void Portal after using it by overloading its Celestial Locks, this prevented Kerrigan and her allies from pursuing them.

To end the threat of Amon once and for all, Karax, a Protoss engineer spent two years helping Kerrigan to rebuild the destroyed Void Portal which had been used by Amon. They discovered that this Void Portal linked to another Galaxy, which was very far away from the Koprulu Sector. Karax returned to Aiur after finishing his work, because he believed Kerrigan could handle Amon herself.

Kerrigan went back to Mar Sara to take Jim Raynor with her to the journey of finishing Amon. They rebuilt seven Gorgon Battlecruisers, which were shot down by Zerg Scourge and abandoned by Dominion General Hoarce Warfield on Char. These Gorgon Battlecruisers were used as living place for Jim, Kerrigan, Stukov and other Infested Terran.

After Sarah Kerrigan became Xel'naga, she started perfecting Infested Terran which belonged to the Zerg Swarm, she mostly recovers their intelligent and appearance. However, these Infested Terran couldn't return to the state before the Zerg Infestation happened to them, this was because the Zerg Hyper-evolutionary virus had already made too many changes to their bodies long time ago. Jim had some complaints about such unsatisfied results, but the Zerg Infestation problems were too serious, it couldn't be fixed before they continued hunting Amon. These Infested Terran couldn't return to normal Terran Society because all kinds of different problems, so they followed Stukov and joined Kerrigan's journey.

The preparation for hunting Amon in another Galaxy were months in the making. The Zerg Leviathans had better space travel abilities but its environment didn't suitable for Jim. The Gorgon Battlecruisers were better for Jim's living, but they consumed more power and need more maintenance than the Zerg Leviathans. So Kerrigan had to change her Zerg Leviathans' capacities and interior design to house the Battlecruiser, and Jim Raynor had to ask for his chief engineer, Rory Swann's helps, to update the seven Gorgon Battlecruisers they had, ready for difficult journey which had no any shipyards or bases for resupplies and repairs.

At the result, Kerrigan, Jim and Alexei Stukov had new combined Anti-Amon forces, which used seven moon sized Leviathan as mobile forward operational centers. Each Leviathan had one Gorgon Battlecruiser inside. They had three Zerg Broods and billions of Infested Terrans equipped with Koprulu Sector Terran arsenals.

Jim Raynor suddenly woke up from the dream of his recent memories, he felt something strange happening, he opened his eyes and found everything covered in blue energy including himself. Kerrigan and Stukov were sitting next to him. They were all surprised by this sudden event.

Jim had got drunk before he slept on the Star Map table in the bridge of the Gorgon Battlecruiser inside Kerrigan's Zerg Leviathan. In the past, Jim would sleep in Hyperion's Cantina after drunken, but there were no barman in this Gorgon Battlecruiser, because Kerrigan couldn't find barman from Infested Terran. (The truth was Kerrigan wanted Jim quit drinking.) The bridge of Gorgon Battlecruiser became useless, because the ship didn't need to move or fully operate at all, Kerrigan's Leviathan did all deep-space travel by itself, so this bridge became Jim's Quarter. This journey was very boring to Jim, and he didn't find something meaningful to do, so he kept drinking.

Kerrigan used to live alone in these years, especially after she got infested. She had finished her routine already, so she stayed with Jim and helped him got some good sleeps by using her telepathy power. She was in Terran appearance because Jim liked that the most.

Stukov was in normal Terran appearance too, because there was no reason not to do so. He spent some time in organizing the Infested Terran and his daily jobs were already finished, so he also stayed in the bridge. He had thought about return to Earth (StarCraft Galaxy), but he wanted to finish Amon first.

Jim, Kerrigan and Stukov looked out the windows, and they were amazed by this situation: Tremendous amounts of blue energy went pass their Broods. It instantly washed through the whole space around them.

"What happened? Why is everything blue?" Jim was shocked, he didn't find any explanation about this circumstance.

"I can't recognize it. It doesn't look like Amon's work. It isn't evil. I never felt something like this," Stukov watched the blue lighting around the whole Gorgon Battlecruiser.

"This is not from Amon, I can feel broken Human essence dispersed over this energy. It is from a woman, her thoughts are washing over everything. It is so mechanic and unnatural. Why?" Kerrigan felt the unknown nature of this blue energy, but she couldn't explain why it happened.

The Adjutant 23-46 near them was also enveloped by the blue lighting, the light of its body turned blue. It suddenly shook and announced in robotic tone, "Accept upgrade. Access new information. Download Reaper Code. 10% 20% 40% 60% 80% Copying code is sufficient. Build Intelligence. System update complete. Accept new data. Direct personality dissemination received. "

"The energy is changing the Adjutant. It is directing our computer system. Making them evolve. This is very weird," Kerrigan said, she was frustrated by the evolution of the computer.

"Should I shut it down?" Jim was nervous but he knew the Adjutant couldn't harm them.

"It isn't hostile. Why would someone do this?" Kerrigan was wondering what was going on.

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Sol System / Orbiting Earth

"Keelah se'lai. This is Admiral Daro'Xen. The energy from Crucible seemed to affect all synthetics. What did Shepard do?"

"Salarian Special Tasks Groups found unusual data on all computer systems. What did Crucible do?"

"Where is Shepard Commander?"

"Does anyone know where Shepard went?"

The overcrowded communications of all species around the Mass Effect galaxy overwhelmed the new intelligent of Reapers. Her emotions, memories and thoughts were mixed together chaotically. Everything was hard to make sense. However she remembered her lover: Liara T'Soni. She witnessed how Liara dealt with such chaotic situation in the Lair of the Shadow Broker.

Firstly, she copied the Shepard VI from the Extranet. This Virtue Intelligence had Jane Shepard's 'personality imprints', it included her behavior parameters, speech pattern and appearance data.

Next, she created a new female human voice modification which based on Shepard Commander's recordings to replace the old Reapers' horrible and noisy voice. She also produced her own Jane Shepard's hologram for later use.

Then, she connected to all radio channels among Mass Effect Galaxy, and finally spoke at the first time after she birthed.

"This is Commander Shepard. The Reapers are under my control now. I lost conscious while the Crucible fired. It has disrupted all computers momentarily. However, the Harvest has been stopped. I will rebuild what the many have lost I will redirect all Reapers to provide any help I can offer. Please await further data feeds."

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Sol System / Normandy SR-2 (Orbiting Earth) / Cockpit

"Where are you? Commander? Come on, Shepard, don't let me hanging. Where are you?" Systems Alliance Navy Flight Lieutenant, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, pilot of the Normandy, tried to communicate with Jane Shepard through communication networks. He was waiting to pick her up, so Normandy was orbiting Earth for a period of time.

"I hear you, Joker. What is the situation? How is Liara?" the new intelligent of Reapers responded.

"Shepard! You're alive!" Liara stood next to Joker's pilot seat."

"She is ok. We were finding you. How are you now?" Joker answered.

"I'm… fine. A lot of things happened," Shepard answered.

"Everything almost falls apart without you, Commander. Everyone is shocked. No one knows what to do next." Joker explained.

"Your efforts are meaningless, purposeless. I grant you salvation!"

Amon planned to reappear after this Cycle of Extinction finished. However the use of Crucible changed everything. Amon must wipe the lives of Mass Effect Galaxy by its own forces.

Suddenly, a huge white flash appeared which left a wormhole behind, Amon's Zerg Broods came out from subspace rift, they warped in close distance to the fleets. A group of Zerg Leviathans flew into the battlefield, they went straight to the Earth.

"Picking up more than 1.8 billion organic signatures in close range scanner. Unidentified organisms. Look like flyers," Enhanced Defense Intelligence (EDI), the AI which was installed aboard the Normandy SR-2, reported.

"Doesn't match any known signatures. They are going to Earth. Have you seen these before?" Joker was frustrated.

"No. Are they Reapers' reinforcements?" Liara responded.

"Can't be. All Reapers are already under my control. They are not Reapers," Jane Shepard answered.

"I have a bad feeling. Why do they appear just after the Reapers cease fire?" Joker was incredulous.

"They don't change course at all. Now on intercept trajectory to our fleets," EDI announced. Amon's Zerg fliers started taking actions to all fleets around Earth.

"They're not Reapers. Brace for evasive maneuvers!" Joker initiated evasive maneuvers just as the Zerg Leviathans released uncountable Zerg fliers including Mutalisks, Overlords, Scourge and Brood lords. The Normandy immediately accelerated and escaped from attacks, but others were not so lucky.

Zerg Scourages swarmed out and hit into the fleets without any warning. In an instant, many spaceships which were seriously damaged by the previous battle against Reapers, were destroyed by this shocking Zerg onslaught.

"Oh shit! How can they get so close!?" Joker was piloting the Normandy from being hit by incoming Zerg fliers.

Everyone watched as the Amon's Zerg Broods passed through the already weakened fleets that were trying to stop them. Zerg Leviathans' tendrils lashed out and attached to the vessels which were too close to them; with great tugs, the Zerg Leviathans drew those ship into their massive jaws, and tore their preys easily.

"Allies ships are under attacks. Enemies' motherships are launching more fliers," EDI stated when Joker was keeping the Normandy from Zerg attacks. Zerg Scourages and Mutaliks were everywhere orbiting Earth.

"Oh goddess! What's going on?" Liara was hard to believe a hostile first contact would happen in that moment.

"This is a new invasion!" Shepard said when some Zerg Leviathans descended to Earth, belching Mutalisks, Scourge, and Guardians as it went.

"I get information from computers systems which don't belong to this Galaxy. We're now at war with the Amon's Zerg broods, they came from another Galaxy!" Shepard started providing information about the new enemies they were dealing with.

"Why are they attacking us?" Liara asked.

"They want to wipe out every life," Shepard answered after analyzing every data she had collected.

"Too close." Joker sighed when the Normandy almost got caught by another Zerg Scourges' explosions

"I've alerted Earth. Regrouping Defenses and troops deployments are already started on every place. All civilians are getting back to shelters," EDI reported.

"I sent all Reaper warships to deal with these Zerg Leviathans, all of you focus on defend yourself," Shepard commend all Reaper warships charged toward the Amon's Zerg broods, they ignored that Zerg Leviathans were bigger than them, and charged into each other to stop the Zerg Leviathans' engagement.

A swarm of Reaper Capital ships approached the Amon's Zerg broods. Their beam weapons began to fire, and many Orculus swarmed out of the hangars and bore towards the Zerg.

This caused a unusual close quarters combat between Zerg Leviathans and Reaper Capital Ships in space. The Barrier of Reaper warships weren't strong enough to stop Zerg Leviathans' acids or tentacles hitting their armors in closed distance, but they managed to maximize their beam weapons' damages, to penetrate the Zerg carapace effortlessly. These close range bursts cut the Zerg Leviathans into pieces, and kill them very quickly. This turned the attention of Zerg from more fragile components to the Reaper Warships.

"SSV Orizaba Kilimanjaro-class Dreadnought Kinetic Barriers down! Multiple hull breaches! Weapon offline! It is on fire, and its distress beacon is already launched," EDI reported. Though Admiral Hackett tried his best to command the remaining Alliance Fleets, most warships were destroyed by Amon's Zerg before they regrouped.

"We won't abandon the fight. We just need to hold on." Systems Alliance Navy Admiral, Steven Hackett, claimed in the radio channels. Hackett struggled to maintain control of the rapidly deteriorating situation, but that proved increasingly difficult as his flagship took successive hits.

A lot of explosions were happening because spaceships of different races being shot by Mutalisk acid spore projectiles, or being kamikaze by the scourge. Chunks of different spaceships were floating in space, having been sheared off by Zerg attacks.

"Anderson's flagship is still in the fight. He won't retreat," EDI warned.

"I'll take care of Admiral Hackett," Shepard said and connected to Hackett's computer.

More and more explosions were seen and heard as they saw more ships were destroyed before they saw a few Scourge flyers head towards the cruisers, The fighters tried to shoot the Zerg Scourge down, but they were too busy with Mutalisks firing their acid spores at them. Joker saw as the Scourge kamikaze themselves at the warships' engines, seeing the small explosions that happened which was then followed by one huge explosion that engulfed the ships destroying it completely.

"My god," Admiral Anderson were shocked as he watched the Zerg fight against the Alliance Fleets near Earth, and yet he felt desperation that their forces were out numbered by Amon's Zerg Broods. Mutalisks flew ahead as they engaged the oncoming fighters

"Come on, Admiral! You have to get out of here! Your ship can't hold much longer!" Shepard pleased. Just then Hackett's flagship took more hits from the Zerg, and wasn't going to stay intact as long as he had previously hoped.

"No! I won't abandon Earth again! I can still fight!" Hackett yelled back, over the sound of fire and alarms. Explosions rocked his ship as fire engulfed most of the hull.

"Your flagship's lost. Going down with the ship won't change that." Shepard said. The situation was dire, most of the Systems Alliance Sword Fleet warships got into terrible shape, and had no ability to fight back in the state they were in.

"Dame it… Okay. Cover my ship escaping route," Anderson answer reluctantly, he quickly gave the order for all crew members to go to their designated escape pods.

"They're coming around for another attack!" EDI warned as she found the Zerg Levithians laying new zerg cocoons which hatched into more Mutalisks and Scourge.

"Ah!" Anderson screamed as SSV Orizaba broke into pieces and fall into Earth.

"Admiral! Hackett!" Shepard shouted in communication channel.

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Milky Way / Local Cluster / Kerrigan's Leviathan / Gorgon Battlecruiser (Inside Zerg Leviathan) / Bridge

"Incoming transmission," Adjutant 23-46 announced. The two-way communicator showed a full-body hologram, it was a red hair woman wearing a body armor Kerrigan had never seen before.

"Who are you?" Kerrigan asked.

"I'm Commander Shepard. Amon's Zerg broods are invading Earth. I need your helps to stop them," she said.

"You can call me Jim. What's the situation?" Raynor asked the stranger.

"How can you reach us? We haven't met you before," Kerrigan didn't expect anyone to contact them outside Koprulu Sector.

"Earth?" Stukov was frustrated why he heard Amon attacking United Earth Directorate in another Galaxy.

"The Crucible expended my thought… and I noticed your present through touching your Adjutant accidentally. I didn't expect that happened... And I'm talking about the Earth of the Systems Alliance, not the Earth of the United Earth Directorate you knew about. We need your help. Everything you can spare. The situation is worsening rapidly. The remnants of our fleets are already gathering everything we have, to begin countering Amon's attacks, but little hope to push Amon's forces out of Earth without losing most of the ground soldiers. My initial calculations suggest that most of the people on Earth will die, if they don't get proper military supports, which are essential to fighting Koprulu Sector style warfare. If we fight together, we can fight Amon more easily with fewer casualties," Jane Shepard said directly.

"Receiving tactical data now," Adjutant 23-46 reported, and showed scenes of battles in space and on ground fighting against Amon's Zerg broods:

In the space, Zerg Leviathans were engaging unfamiliar spaceships, both sides suffered high casualties, but the opponents of Amon's Zerg broods were getting the upper hand slowly, lots of Zerg fliers were shot down by red energy beams.

However, these small advantages couldn't stop Amon's Zerg broods landed on Earth. Numerous Zerg Sacs entered the atmosphere from the seriously damaged Zerg Leviathans in orbit of Earth. The ground forces against them were massacred by countless Zerglings easily. It seemed that most of their infantry weapons were ineffective against the Zerg. They also lacked of artilleries which could provide necessary fire power to take down Zerg heavy ground units as such as Ultralisk, so they were losing the ground to Zerg rush quickly.

"Given their current course, they are going to suffer very high casualties or even lose the whole planet," Adjutant 23-46 concluded after it analyzed the information Shepard provided.

"We gotta help them as soon as possible," Jim said.

"We can reach that… Earth in few days, but it would be too late to the people there. They possibly can't survive such situation before we arrive," Stukov was thinking about how to handle the situation.

"If you can gather all people to a strong hold, and maintain the defense as long as possible, your people will have better chance to survive before we arrive," Jim added.

"Great idea, I can do that. I forward all useful information including your arrival to surviving forces.' Jane Shepard said.

"I'm Xel'naga now, so I can get to there in an hour, faster than our Leviathans. Then we will fight Amon together." Kerrigan suggested joyfully because she got unexpected allies.

"Can't you take all of us to Earth immediately?" Jim asked.

"Negative. This will spend too much energy. I need to reserve my strength for fighting Amon and its minions when I get there," Kerrigan answered.

"Hell... You gotta hold out long enough until the bulk of our forces arrive," Raynor said.

"Thank you. See you on Earth." Jane Shepard ended the transmission.

"We gonna have a good fight on our hand there. Darling, are you okay to go alone?" Jim sighed and looked to Kerrigan. She had already changed to her Xel'naga mode - an angel like powerful being.

"Don't worry. I know you will always be with me," Kerrigan answered before she flied out of the Zerg Leviathan in a flash, and went straight ahead to Earth.

Location: Mass Effect Galaxy / Local Cluster / Sol System / Earth / London

Lieutenant Susan Rizzi (Systems Alliance / N7 Special Ops / Adept class / N7 Fury) and her N7 teammates luckily escaped from the Citadel before it was Reapers had seized control of the Citadel, and moved it to the heart of their occupied territory, in orbit of Earth.

However, Commander Jane Shepard discovered that the Citadel was the Catalyst, it was the missing final component which was necessary for the activation of the Crucible. The Crucible is an ancient and highly complex device constructed as a superweapon to stop the Reapers, so they must take back the Citadel by getting to the Conduit (Citadel beam) on Earth. The Conduit is a miniature mass relay, it is essentially a 'back door' onto the Citadel, which is the hub of the Relay Network.

This operation didn't follow the plan.

The Crucible didn't destroy the Reapers like they had imagined, and Jane Shepard took control of the Reapers unbelievably.

Unfortunately that didn't end the war. A hostile first contact happened right after Commander Jane Shepard announced that she owned the Reapers. Countless unknown enemies suddenly appeared in space and invaded Earth suddenly, so everyone was fighting against these new enemies called "Amon's Zerg broods" on Earth now.

No one was prepared for such event. All people were in very bad shape after taking too many casualties from fighting the Reapers. They couldn't fight longer without resupplies and regroups properly, so they were all retreating from the frontline while all Reaper ground force were fighting against Amon's Zerg broods.

Firebase London wasn't a good position for fighting against Zerg, it is just a temporary forward operating base, so people including all wounded got into ground vehicles to evacuate to the Citadel through the Conduit (Citadel beam). Rizzi and her teammates were on a M35 Mako Infantry Fighting Vehicle at the end of the convoy.

Susan Rizzi did a check of her gears; N7 Fury armor systems active and ready, a full load of thermal clips for her M-11 Suppressor heavy pistol, and Savant Biotic Amp X (manufactured by Serrice Council) powered. The mods K'Thane had picked from C-Sec's stash were all integrated into her equipment. The Warp Rounds IV for her weapon and the Power Amplifier Module IV plugged into her armor both checked out. If the sensation of the Savant Biotic Amp X was like sipping a mug of tea, the feeling of the Power Amplifier Module IV microgenerator coursing through her was like downing a triple shot of espresso. Rizzi started to wonder if Power Amplifier distribution was so tightly controlled for health reasons, then dismissed it with a silent snort. Given what they were about to do, it didn't seem likely she needed to worry about any long-term effects.

"This is as bad as Reaper invasion, and we're leaving Earth again," Susan Rizzi sighed sadly on her seat.

"I thought the war would end once the Crucible activated." Elijah Wu (Systems Alliance / N7 Special Ops / Vanguard class / N7 Slayer) grumbled and took a seat next to Susan.

"This is a logical allocation of troops, analyses indicate that we should prevent frontal assault against Zerg in poor combat readiness, but fight again when reinforcements arrive," Murder Machine (Infiltrator class / Geth Hunter) stated.

"How do you know that?" Elijah asked.

"Amon's enemies are coming. Copied information from Adjutant 23-46, Shepard requested reinforcements from Kerrigan and her allies," Murder Machine explained.

"What kind of reinforcements? I have never heard such things before," Susan questioned.

"They don't belong to this galaxy. They came from another galaxy to hunt down Amon," Murder Machine answered.

"So we are invaded by aliens who came from another galaxy, and there are other aliens chasing after the aliens who were attacking us," Elijah commented.

"This is so confusing. Can we survive? Can we take Earth back?" Susan asked.

"Kerrigan forced Amon left another galaxy before. She possibly can do that again," Murder Machine suggested.

"What is Amon? What is Zerg broods exactly?" Elijah asked.

"Amon is one of the xel'naga, they were a highly advanced race, described as the most powerful species the universe has ever known in another galaxy."

"The Zerg are similar to Rachni and more dangerous. The Zerg broods attacking us now are controlled by Amon, who wants to destroy everything. The Zerg were a terrifying and ruthless amalgamation of biologically advanced, arthropodal aliens. Dedicated to the pursuit of genetic perfection, the zerg had relentlessly hunted down and assimilated advanced species across another galaxy, incorporating useful genetic code into their own. They were named "the Swarm" per their ability to rapidly create strains, and the relentless assaults they had employed to overwhelm their foes," Naomi (Noverian Android, Original Machine Intelligence) (Infiltrator class / Alliance Infiltration Unit) read out the same information Murder Machine had received from Adjutant 23-46.

"Is this another Rachni Wars?" Dagrob Lurg (Vanguard class / Korgan Battlemaster) asked.

"This is far more than the 'Rachni Wars', it is as bad as the 'Reaper War', and people of another galaxy call this the 'End War'. This is because Amon almost caused a galactic extinction before Kerrigan defeated it," Naomi compared the threats from Reapers and Amon.

"Is Amon as same as the Reaper before Shepard took control?" Susan asked.

"No. Reaper focused on harvests and preservations, but Amon only destroyed everything when he could." Murder Machine analyst the latest data about the Reapers.

"They sound the same," Elijah commented.

"Contact!" The Mako's 155mm mass accelerator cannon and coaxial-mounted machine gun started shooting enemies the passengers couldn't see.

"We got lots of aliens… Zerglings moving on our positions!" The vehicles accelerated rudely.

"We gotta take a detour! Hang on!" They heard sounds of numerous unfamiliar creatures coming closer.

"Where are they come from?" The driver shouted, and a sudden explosion threw Susan out of her seat, caused her head hit the ceiling of the Mako Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and knocked her out of consciousness.

---

Author's Note

(1) The Hybrid-Suit's appearance is based on the militaristic version of the Batsuit which was donned by the Arkham Knight.

(2) The Variable Grenade is based on the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare campaign grenade.

(3) The Mass Effect Reapers are a highly-advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships. The StarCraft Reaper is just a Terran jet-pack equipped infantry unit.

(4) The Mass Effect Leviathans are an ancient aquatic race that dominated the Mass Effect Galaxy at the time before the Reapers. The StarCraft Leviathan is a massive airborne zerg breed.

(5) The Mass Effect Banshees are synthetic-organic creatures derived from Asari and mutated by Reaper technology. The StarCraft AH/G-24 Banshee Tactical-Strike Aircraft is a Terran air unit

(6) The Mass Effect Ravagers are synthetic-organic creatures derived from Rachni through the use of Reaper technology. The StarCraft Ravager is a Zerg artillery unit (evolve from Roaches).

(7) The Mass Effect Marauders are synthetic-organic creatures derived from Turians through the use of Reaper technology. The StarCraft Marauder is a Terran infantry unit.

Welcome feedback through review or private message. Your words may help in writing next chapter. If you can't find this FanFiction in StarCraft Archive, please set Filters from "Rated K - T" to "Rating: All".

I also recommend you to read Princess of the Swarm written by Howling Din, it's primary character: Saraslha is more adorable than you imagined.

Special Ops: Susan Rizzi and the N7's written by cswang provided amazing characters and settings. Those N7 are excellent.

StarCraft 2 Kerrigan's Child written by Fanfiction Dragon helped me writing this story.