Harbinger took the last simulation results in stride, chittering to himself, a crackling thunderous noise due to his immense size. No one heard it in the depths of dark space. His human host cursed softly under his breath looking at the electrolytes count for Sheppard. Again she had sacrificed herself for the sake of the galaxy. Her readings were all over the map as her body and mind perceived her death, and attempted to compensate for the imaginary fire and explosions. This wouldn't do at all.
"I failed you again master" he told Harbinger as he released stabilizing chemicals into Sheridan's cocoon. Her fists clawing at the walls of her pod suddenly ran still and she fell into a chemically induced deep sleep.
"Sheppard will be mine, it is inevitable" Harbinger retorted. He wasn't concerned with the poor results. Not yet. He still had several centuries to indoctrinate the nexus of his offspring. He really wanted Sheppard for the role. Nazara had been good but Sheppard was better. Sheppard killed Nazara.
"Give her more pain and isolation next time. She stillcares too much about humanity and the galaxy. Perhaps this time you can make her lover die in her arms ? We need to get her more detached and focused on her own survival. She needs to chose red.
"I will master but we have to let her body recover from last sim. She is near death"
"Don't lose her or i will not let you join the nexus" threatened Harbinger.
"There is no rush. We have at least a century to indoctrinate her properly." he added
"Why her, master ?" asked his host
"She has killed a Reaper. It has been may milenia since I saw that happen. Such quality stock is rare for a Nexus. I want it for my offspring"
"General Nazara didn't work so well.." said his host than crumbled to the ground in a pained yelp as his master punished him
"I rushed Nazara's indoctrination. I was out of time, those Protheans took me centuries to conquer. He resisted too long, i pushed too far. He realized what was going on.I had to mix the nexus with inferior stock after what was left of General Nazara short circuited his brain with biotics. Had little left of his greatness to use for stock on the Nexus. Had plenty of you sycophants, not enough of his leadership. Nazara was a flawed reaper. Useless in the end."
"His only redeeming act was to find Sheppard for me. She will make an excellent core for the Nexus. Provided you stop failing me." said the Harbinger, while he seared the host's mind with pain.
In the pod Sheppard slept a dreamless sleep, exhausted. After going through yet another Earth annihilation by the Reapers, seeing Thane die on that hospital bed and seeing all she believed turn to dust, her body just could not take another round of simulation
Getting up slowly the human host dimmed the lights and went to plan the next round. Master said more pain. Perhaps she could watch her entire squad die on an earth attack ? No, that would stress her body and mind too much. Maybe just two or three. Should he use the kid this time ? Maybe not, it seemed to work last time but the kid shape might have made her more eager to protect the galaxy... perhaps some other shape, less likely to raise Sheppard's protective instincts...