DISCLAIMER

I DO NOT OWN MASS EFFECT. BIOWARE HAS THAT PRILIEDGE. THIS IS MADE PURELY FOR MY OWN BENEFIT AND FOR THOSE THAT READ IT. NO PROFIT IS MADE FROM THIS STORY.

The Normandy was a hive of activity as she came out of FTL in the Amada System. Commander Shepard was in his quarters reading through his orders from the council, for what seemed to be the hundredth time, and a private message.

"Commander, following your efforts in the Verge, you are ordered to take the Normandy to the Amada system and investigate the loss of 3 ships. We believe they have been attacked and destroyed by Geth Forces. You are to use all necessary force to remove them from the area. I repeat all necessary force. Hackett out"

"Mike, I'm sorry I haven't written you in ages. Hackett's got me in charge of a force of cruiser's and frigates. We're doing the same thing you are, Search and Rescue. No sign of anything yet. I hear you're nearby. Well you know, if you need a hand I can be there in a couple of hours. Tell the crew I'm thinking of them…in my nice new ship…that has its own personal shower in the CO quarters. I'll see you soon….brother"

"Pressly you have the bridge. Keep me informed if anything changes, is that understood?" Shepard ordered into the mike.

"Yes sir," Pressly replied.

On the bridge, Joker went through the routine for exiting FTL.

"Disengaging FTL drives. Emission Sinks Active. Board is green we are running silent." Joker was always happy to fly, and this mission was not a problem to him. Others however, were not so laid back.

"We're wasting our time. Four days searching up and down this sector, and we haven't found any sign of Geth activity," Pressly said looking over the navigational information, along with the sensor data. Joker replied in more intelligent way.

"Three ships went missing here in the past month. Something happened to them"

Pressly was not impressed.

"My money's on slavers. Terminus systems are crawling with them."

Before either of them could respond, Ensign Thomas spoke up.

"Picking up something on the long range scanner. Unidentified vessel. Hmmmm, looks like a cruiser"

"Doesn't match any known signatures" Joker replied.

"Joker, continue on mission. Commander, an unidentified ship has entered system. May be what we're looking for." Pressly radioed down to Shepard.

Shepard was immediately up and getting his Colossus VIII armour on. However before he could grab his weapon, the Normandy shook violently, and Joker's voice was piped into his speakers: "Kinetic Barriers Down! Weapons offline! Somebody get that fire out!" Shepard immediately made his way to the emergency beacon and began making preparations to abandon ship. Liara came running up behind him, already in her Phoenix X armour and her helmet on her head.

"Shepard!"

"Distress beacon is ready for launch"

"Will the Alliance get here in time?"

"The St. Helens is nearby. And the Alliance won't abandon us. We just need to hang on. Just one final command to issue. ALL HANDS, THIS IS THE COMMANDER. ABANDON SHIP. ALL HANDS, ABANDON SHIP. Get everyone into the escape shuttles"

"Joker's still in the cockpit. He won't abandon ship. I'm not leaving either."

"I need you to get everyone off this ship, Liara. I'll handle Joker"

"Shepard…"

"Liara go. Please."

"…Aye-aye"

With that Liara run to the escape shuttles, while Shepard launched the beacon and made his way to the bridge. He could hear Joker trying to get help on any frequency.

"MAYDAY! MAYDAY!MAYDAY! This is SSV Normandy! We have suffered heavy damage from an unknown enemy! Come baby hold together, HOLD TOGETHER!"

Why hasn't Jason replied? Shepard thought as he made his way to the command deck and saw just how dead his beloved Normandy was.

There was a hole in the roof of the ship, about 16 foot long and 7 foot wide. The Galaxy map was ruined and seats were floating throughout the ship. Shepard knew that the crew that had manned them were dead the moment the attack began. He looked down to the bridge and saw that the kinetic barrier was up, meaning that Joker still had gravity.

We don't have long, the Normandy is gonna collapse soon, Shepard though as he entered the Bridge.

"Come on, Joker! We have to get out of here!"

"NO! I won't abandon the Normandy! I can still save her!"

"The Normandy's lost. Going down with the ship won't change that"

"Yeah your right…help me up"

Before Shepard could take a step forward, the remains of the ship were bathed in a yellow light as the enemy cruiser came about…to finish the job.

Shepard wasted no more time. He grabbed Joker, ignoring his complaint, and nearly threw him into the Bridge escape pod. However, before he could enter himself, the enemy ship fired and the Normandy shook and started to break apart. Shepard was flung away from the pod.

Captain goes down with the ship, Shepard thought before ejecting Joker's pod.

But not today. I just need to hold on until the recovery crew gets here. This thought comforted Shepard….until he realized that he was losing oxygen. Shepard struggled to fix the breach, but soon accepted the inevitability of his death. Only one thought when threw his mind as he entered the atmosphere of Alchera.

I'm sorry Liara.

6 HOURS LATER

The SSV St.Helens entered the system after picking up the distress call from the Normandy and immediately began S.A.R. operations. They recovered all the escape pods and when they recovered the bridge pod, both JD and Liara were waiting for the Commander to appear….

"JOKER! Where's the Commander?" Asked JD

"He didn't make it….he got me into the pod, but then that huge cruiser attacked again. He didn't have a hope in hell. He was spaced, last I saw him he was losing oxygen. I think he burnt up. Liara….." Joker replied stretching out towards the asari, who was on her knees sobbing.

"Joker, leave her. I'll deal with it. Go get checked out by the doc." JD answered softly.

JD sat down nest to Liara and opened his arms. Liara took the comfort warmly, and they just sat there for a while, before Liara spoke.

"I can't believe he's gone. I love-loved him. And now he is gone."

"I know, you are welcome on my ship Liara. I'm going to find the ship that done this, then introduce it to the might of my spinal cannon!" JD replied.

"Thank you, Jason. I can see why Shepard trusted you with his life."

SSV St. Helens Comm. Room.

"Admiral, I don't understand. We know what we saw"

"I know, but we have to make nice with the Council for the moment. So I'm asking you to just tone down this 'Reaper' claims"

"Sir they are not claims! I know what I saw"

"Captain Davenport, this is an order! You will not mention Reapers to anyone who didn't serve with you. Is that understood?"

"Perfectly…sir"

JD left the Comm. Room and ordered his pilot to set a course for the Citadel. He had a very Illusive Man to find…..

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This is simply an opening based on the people, which I will be focusing more on in this story. I have a co-writer for this one, which should help me out majorly. Please check out his stories they are amazing. Big shout to William War for taking on a nearly impossible task.