"How is she?"

Upsilon said that to the rest of the team as he arrived in the visitor's center. Helen and Omega were sitting down, both turning to see him come in. The others were standing around except Epsilon who was pacing about, his eyes black in parody of Asari psychic ability.

"Aeian is able to function normally, but still suffers from post-traumatic stress." Epsilon said when his eyes cleared. "We must leave her in the hands of the therapists now."

"If I remember correctly," Added Omega. "You didn't care all that much about her condition."

"I still do not." Upsilon acknowledged. "But I must finish the report on our mission on Tiptree. On that note, I found the identity of the dead girl that was with her."

"Really? Who was it?" Gamma spoke up.

Upsilon didn't answer immediately. "Her name was Hillary Moreau, the sister of Jeff 'Joker' Moreau, pilot of the Alliance frigate SSV Normandy."

Nero let out a audible groan. "That's not what I wanted to hear right now, we just got confirmation that Aeian was the one to kill her while you were away. Is there anyway to suppress this report?"

"Considering the state of the Alliance our report will take some time to get to him."

"But he will have to know soon enough." Rho admitted.

"Such a pity that this had to happen," Epsilon mused. "If only there was more we could do…"

Omega got up to stand beside him. "People weren't meant to fight monsters like this, that's why we take their place."

"Then what does that make us?"

"A sorry lot." Rho chimed in. "It'll be a while before we have to write that report Epsilon. I'll be at that refugee camp to pray, you should come along."

"I will, thanks. What about you guys?"

"Me and Nero will probably explore the Presidium." Gamma said. "Plot our next move."

"I'm going down to the Wards," Helen said. "Maybe I can find myself a drink. Care to join me Johann?"

"I guess I have nothing better to do." Upsilon walked away with her.

"Wait," Epsilon interrupted. "You don't drink Upsilon."

"Neither does she." And everyone left Huerta Memorial Hospital, and Omega.

"Guess that means I'm alone then?" He said with a huff, throwing himself on the bench. "Why is seven a good number? Couldn't it have been an even number?"

"It is."

"No it's not."

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulations worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearth by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good some would even dare to die…"

I let the words hang in my mouth as I heard a soft murmuring behind me. I opened my eyes and looked at myself, half-expecting my armor to have appeared and surprising someone, but I only saw the standard utility uniform. Checking behind me for the sound gave me quite a shock; a group of people gathered around me. Some were looking at me and waiting for my next words, and others were praying themselves. I slowly got up to my feet to see this congregation in full, and there were about twenty, all human. I had decided to continue on where I left off.

"But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Now, in these truly dire times, do not lose heart! We as the children of God have been given strength to weather any torment. It is time for us to give that strength to the rest of this galaxy, and stand in the gap for everyone who is still suffering!"

I was in tears, so overcome with emotion at these people who had been here to find peace I've hopefully been able to give. Some of them shook my hand before they left thankful and full of spirit. They dispersed and left me to myself.

"Not a bad sermon." A woman said.

"I was never a preacher," I responded as I turned to her. She had brown skin and a sharp, aged face framed with black hair. She wore a variant of the old Phoenix Heavy Armor; blue with white trim. Her image was known to every soldier in the Navy, and soon the rest of Council Space will know.

"Lieutenant Commander Williams!" I stood at attention. "Or should I say Specter Williams?"

"Spare me the protocol crap," she waved me off. "I've had enough of it for a lifetime."

"Guess so, you've got a lot ahead of you. What brings you down here?"

"Not church service, that's for sure." She smiled at me. "Here to pray for those who've lost someone?"

"There's little I can do for the dead, besides killing the ones the Reapers bring back. I would like to believe that I protect everyone with my faith just as much as with a gun."

Ashley was amused at my reasoning. "You sound like you were a preacher's son."

"I'm a converted Jew."

She was shocked "Really? Why change?"

"Because I came to like crab a lot." I laughed, but all I got in return was a chuckle. "Okay for real; I was tired of shedding blood that wasn't my own. I realized that I had a responsibility to give salvation to everyone, and there are so many who need it, like you for instance."

"Me?" Ashely asked. "I'd like to hear this."

We sat down on the bench together, watching a window to the outside. "I spoke on tribulation, and you've been through quite a lot: Horizon, Ilos, Virmire, and Eden Prime, and those are just the military battles. Your very name became a mark against you, and lately with the trial against Commander Shepard; you've been tried in many ways. But you are a survivor," I pointed at her. "And now you will represent humanity throughout the galaxy and show them the faith we both believe in."

"Impressive, but if you're expecting me to do that, I might disappoint you." She said. "I've never been a 'turn the other cheek' person."

"Don't try to force it. Act with composer and dignity, and God will guide your steps. It won't be easy, but it's nothing I know you can't handle."

After a few moments we got up and we shook hands. "Thanks, we could all use some of that. Who are you?"

"Staff Sargent Alexander Saul, N7 Paladin." I pointed over to Epsilon, who was playing some Hendrix on his guitar to an assorted group of people. "Over there is my squadmate and friend Lance Corporal Nazareth."

"So your Special Ops? Who's the CO?"

"Split between Gunner Typhos and First Lieutenant Faust." I answered. "But for right now let's just hear some music." And before we came across the door a garbled message from Omega came through on my Omni-tool.

"Guys…in trouble…-berus, it's Cerberus!"

"What?" Ashley got out before the door opened and the gunfire came pouring in. The few C-Sec officers at the checkpoints were the first to be gunned down. We were able to get around a corner before we were targeted. The other officers were organizing a evacuation as well as trying to mount a defense. It turned into a fighting retreat as the Cerberus forces were too well armed, using Guardians to deflect oncoming fire and protect the troopers while they sent blistering fire from Hornets.

A Guardian came around our corner and didn't see us. Taking advantage, I pulled him aside and forced his gun aside and into my hand. The trooper behind him reacted too late and his chest exploded in gore as I shot him. Ashley grabbed the Talon from the body and killed the Guardian as I propped up the shield as more shots came our way.

"Epsilon!" I called out. In a flash he appeared, a Vindicator in his hands. He had erected a biotic barrier to provide greater protection.

"Are the civilians out of the way?"

"They're with C-Sec now, led by a turian named Arilus." Epsilon said, firing with us at the enemy flank. "Now how did Cerberus get into the Citadel!"

"I don't know, and it's not important!" I shot back. "They're here for one reason, the Council; Sir you need to get to the Presidium, and if you can get a message to Typhos!"

She gave us a slight jerk of her head as an acknowledgement and together we backed away, still firing, from the increasing numbers of Cerberus soldiers.