Thank you for the review and favs. I always wondered what would have happened if Shepard hadn't been woken up during the attack on the Lazarus facilities, would Cerberus actually tell him/her who they were or would they have been secretive about it an made up a make believe cover story. I guess we will find out ;)


A harmony of medical machinery labored over a faceless corpse lying across a medical bench encased inside a small glass pocket; their white, surgical limbs turning softly as each separate arm carried out its directive. The sound of their analog minds silently ticked with each stroke, tissues serrated and delicately reconstructed to precision as crimson liquids doused their tools in a contrast of colours.

Brisk movements of the instruments jarred pinpointing specific areas of the body as the arms delved within the flesh, small tendrils inserted to render an image of delicate pink muscle fibre on a monitor situated upon a white wall; their wires drilling some form of metallic augmentation into bone structure.

"Graph is almost complete. Fluid rate stable." A male voice stated.

Eyes firmly planted on the corpses monitoring systems, Miranda did little to reply to the comment; her mind set on any miscalculation or alteration that could unfold. The recent addition of cybernetics had always been probable, expected even, but the raven haired woman felt the pit of her stomach grow deeper as each speck of data appeared in front of her.

"Rejection?" She asked.

"None so far." Wilson replied. "All green across the board." The bald man was huddled over the machines operating systems, inputting each command for the droning apparatus to carry out.

Miranda walked from the monitor to stand near the body; muscle tone and bone the only feature to give tale of what the lump of flesh truly was. Over the past weeks reconstruction of Shepard's internal framework had gone smoothly, the growth of tissues and nervous systems returning to pattern the flesh's architecture, bone marrow healing or completing the structure; with the help of some rather expensive and lavish cybernetic implants. However the man's skin and internal organs had yet to be activated as the brain was still in a lifeless state after his death, there for the body was cased inside a bubble to avoid physical contact with a world just waiting to undo Lazarus's work.

"Excellent." The woman folded her arms to peer at the network of muscles lining Shepard's face.

"I want all data forwarded to my personal logs, make sure to monitor his condition for a while before you rush off for lunch break." Miranda looked up to Wilson giving a knowing glare.

"Understood." Came the professional, yet almost insubordinate reply.

Giving a final glance at the project, the Operative walked passed her assistant and exited the plain medical room, activating her personal omni and the audio recorder as she walked through the narrow hallway.

"Progress on subject is slow but shows promising signs of recovery. In an effort to accelerate the process we've moved from simple organic reconstruction to bio-synthetic fusion. Initial results show promise. If subject sustains stability, we will move forward to activate major internal organs including the brain to see the extend asphyxiation had on the mind. I would be lying to say I did not have my doubts." She closed the audio log, a small chime alerting her to an incoming message.

Report.

A single word flashed across the omni, though it was enough to understand even from such a simple statement. Miranda quickened her pace to the conference room to give her employer an update.


The luminous image of the Operative appeared via the inbuilt holographic system integrated within the personal office. As per usual the unnaturally blue eyed man sat at his chair in his stylish black and white suit, drink in one hand and cigarette in the other. The image of the red and orange star rotated behind him as he inhaled from his habit, placing the drink to level with the chairs armrest, cybernetic eyes glancing casually at the woman in the white cat suit.

"It's unlike you to be late Miranda." He commented.

"I apologize. I wanted to ensure Wilson finished the upgrades to the subject." Miranda leaned back on one leg, her figure curving from the action.

The man had a bemused expression playing across his features from her excuse. Rubbing the side of his temple as his head leaned slightly to the right, he sighed.

"I see. A certain level of distrust is healthy Miranda, given the nature of our organisation but to continually question your chief physician at every turn is not in our best interests." He inhaled from the cigarette.

"I...He notified you of this?" Miranda asked.

"Indeed. That does not change the issue at hand Lawson." The man replied.

Miranda felt the colour of irritation and anger flow through her, though she kept her exterior professional. Her distrust of Wilson had formed after she worked with him before; a brilliant medical practitioner but he liked to play fast and loose with what he was given, even more so in his new employers funding; taking short cuts and dangerous diversions. Besides, the man was one of those people that had the mannerism of a stuck up self-righteous...Well, she always felt like slapping him across the face. The Operative noted that the man had gone behind her back to file a report without her knowledge, despite Miranda being the project head, requiring all data to be filed and sorted through her before reporting in.

"I understand sir. I will endeavor to be less...critical." Came the sharp reply.

"Good." The man stubbed the tobacco in the ash tray within his seat. "So, how are we progressing?"

"I thought Wilson already filed the report?" Miranda asked confused.

"Yes, but I want to hear your version. Would I have asked otherwise?" The man said in exasperation.

The Operative nodded in confirmation, understanding.

"We are making head way, though we have had to move on from simple organic reconstruction to infuse with bio-synthetic upgrades in order to stabilize and accelerate the process; we couldn't construct his tissues properly without his internal organs being functional to sustain them so we infused some Ariake tech with our own to build an almost artificial life support system. The upgrades use molecular stabilizers to coincide with their computers trace program to filter blood and 'garbage' such as infections just in case the protective bubble Shepard is in fails, the graphs also give substantial strength his bone structure."

The blue eyed man nodded. "Yes, I had seen the expenses in the budget, it is not a concern. Go on."

Miranda folded her arms. "All that remains is to activate the brain, which will automatically trigger his internal organs, including reconstructing minor things such as the hair and skin. Though that is the easiest part. At this moment we do not know the extent of how damaged the brain is until we mobilize it, or likely until he wakes up. Which leads me onto another issue. I have concerns if we manage to fully restore the subject. Reading his dossier I found that he's the only escaped survivor of the events that transpired on Akuze with the Thresher Maw experiment, one of our previous projects...Given his background and the nature of his past encounters with us; such as the incident with Admiral Kahoku, it would be highly likely that the man would not be cooperative with us, let alone accept any directive we give him. I suggest we implant some form of control chip to ensure we do not waste this opportunity." She concluded.

"No." Came the almost instant reply.

Miranda raised an eyebrow.

"I do not need a mindless drone who knows combat, I have plenty of employees who can fill that role already. I want Shepard and only Shepard. I know you don't understand what he represents, but he is the only one who knows what is truly waiting for us in deep space. Shepard isn't just a man, he's a symbol and we are going to need that symbol when this threat comes knocking at our door; even if it means saving the other races in conjuncture." The man took a small sip from his beverage that was now resting in his hand once more.

"But if we can ensur-" Miranda attempted to intercept.

"The option is off the table Operative Lawson. Bring me back Shepard, no one else. This is not to say that I do not hear your concern; I understand. I know this will be an issue. I want you take steps to ensure he does not find out who we are until he is ready. Make sure the members of Lazarus are aware of this, as a precaution. I am sure you can come up with a valid solution to put your mind at ease." The man's tone softened as he pulled up the omni interface next to his seat, digit hovering above a button.

Finally conceding, Miranda nodded, her head slightly inclined. "Yes sir."

"I would suggest taking some time to re-evaluate your stance on this matter Miranda. I expect another report within the next four days."

The transmission ended.


Softly tanned skin exposed a defined muscular figure; its frame laying down on the same table it had resided upon for the past two years. Trimmed brown hair adorned the man's crown, dark eyelashes showing closed eyelids and defined brows. The slight trace of facial hair was apparent; specks patterning the chin and cheeks. Dotted across several areas of the body were circular nodes with wires extruding that linked to a form of medical apparatus, the bulk of them placed upon the head and major internal organs.

"It's ready." Wilson spoke.

The project head nodded, her features stern and cold, as if bracing herself. Miranda worked away at an orange interfaced console, integrated with a monitoring system to ensure the subject was stable. Her assistant was by Shepard's body; now removed from its isolation pocket due to the body's natural exterior protection, going over several checks before the pair began their work. Wilson delicately opened one of the subject's eyelids to shine a small torch, revealing an emerald iris that did not reflexively dilate before ensuring all nodes were correctly attached to the subjects body. Finishing the final checks, the assistant moved to one of his own consoles, activating several of the robotic arms that came to life, hovering over the body, their hands equipped with needles.

"Activating phase one." The Operative spoke, typing several commands into the interface. "Electromagnetic pulse operational, activating the brain. Be ready to jump start the heart."

A charged sound escaped the nodes as they pulsed through the brain and heart, Shepard's body convulsing from the shock almost violently, his brain's pathways jolted into life.

"Electric current detected within the brain, fully functional. Wilson activate phase two." Miranda peered at the monitoring system. "Quickly, or we are going to lose him again."

Wilson nodded, moving one of the robotic arms equipped with doses of some form of liquid to swiftly inject the area of the heart, the substance drain from its syringe. Meanwhile the Operative used the nodes to jump-start the organ as it was being injected; the body still continuing to convulse.

"Another dose." Miranda commanded.

Another arm rotated to inject tissue, shock waves rippling continually.

"Shit. It's not working." Wilson looked up from his console as he spoke.

"Give him a shot of adrenaline. I'll increase the charge rate." The Operative typed in more commands.

A warning sound erupted from the monitoring systems; a red light flashing to signal the brain loosing oxygen and functionality. The pair looked towards it in unison.

"Now!" Miranda snapped.

One of the robotic arms twitched as it exchanged the current liquid substance for the new injection, plunging its needle deep within flesh. The pair hurriedly worked at their stations as another sound of the nodes echoed through the lab. Miranda peered at the heart monitor, a steady line giving tale of its condition; Shepard's body showed no hints of life despite their effort.

"Fuck." Wilson closed a fist to promptly hit the arms control panel.

The Operative paid no attention to her assistant as she continued to stare at the monitor, hoping some form of miracle. The brain waves flashing across the screen continued to become more erratic from the lack of oxygen, Shepard's mind beginning to starve from the lack of cellular sustenance that would automatically be circulating throughout his body if he were alive. A final instinct told the Operative to wait, her thoughts rushing through variables that could perhaps alter the current situation. Finally deciding to attempt another increased charge rate, Miranda altered the apparatus to go over the recommended limit procured in medical resuscitation, though only emitting a single dose rather than the continual attempts.

"If this doesn't work were back to square one." She muttered aloud, as if to chide herself.

Typing the final instructions into the panel, the Operative peered as the equipment started to tick, charging to the setting inputted, the orange bar filling with colour signifying readiness. As the last inch of energy completed Miranda hastily applied the charge, an almost instant eruption of electricity coursing through the nodes and into the failing body causing a single violent motion of flesh. The monitor continued to flat line. Hanging her head, Miranda sighed running her hand across her brow, displeased with the outcome. She retreated from the console looking at Wilson to confirm their defeat.

"Pull the nodes." She stated. "I need time to figure out what to tell our employer" The Operative looked at the formed body upon the table.

"I'll correlate the data for use next time." Wilson spoke quietly, deactivating the mechanical arms.

Miranda nodded reluctantly, moving to the equipment supplying information, a window opening for shutdown as her digits pressed variable buttons. The sound of a delicate pulse caught the attention of the Operative as she was in the process, her blue eyes looking upwards to see a single line stagger across the heart rate monitor. Freezing her actions, Miranda stared intently at the computer screen, making certain that her imagination was not playing tricks. Sure enough several seconds later another spiking line appeared, a soft sound akin to the hearts pulse filling the room. Turning back to face the Commander, the faint fall of his chest confirmed that she was not dreaming, the shallow rhythm of breathing starting to form in Shepard's body. Swiftly pulling up the monitors systems, the Operative saw normal brain waves pattern the screen, her brows rising in surprise to the new outcome.

"Holy hell." Wilson exclaimed. "Should we..Should we wake him up?" He peered at the heart rate console.

"Don't be a fool." Miranda scolded, recovering from the unexpected surprise, her icy demeanor returning. "We need to monitor his condition, keep him stable. He will stay in a coma until he is ready and we are certain that the cognitive functions are operational. Go file the report, I will ensure he doesn't flat line again." She motioned at Wilson to head to the exit with the news of their success. The man nodded, turning heel to leave the medical room hastily, leaving the Operative by herself.

When she was sure of her isolation, Miranda's mannerism altered as she gripped the white sides of the nodes command console with her hands, hanging her head as she relaxed her frame, letting out a deep sigh. She was a professional at heart, yet being faced with an unknown had eaten away at her proper demeanor for two years that finally released as Shepard drew breath. Stress had taken its toll, though she was glad the hurdles had finally been overcome, a miracle of modern medical science and perhaps a bit of luck. They had brought someone back from the dead... Now it was time to see if it was worth it.