AN: I don't own Mass Effect Damnit, god I wish I did though.
Once they had rescued Liara, John told Joker to set a course for Noveria as part of their next mission. John meanwhile was heading down to the hanger bay to speak with Ashley. When the doors opened and he stepped out, before he could speak with her, the Normandy Requisitions Officer stepped towards him "Commander, sir?" He asked, "I have a message for you."
John rose an eyebrow at that "I thought you were the Requisition Officer, not a messenger boy." He said.
"I am sir, but this message comes from the guy who sells me the stuff I sell the crew." He said, as he picked up a large package, and a note on top of it. "He said that you'll need these, and...he also told me to tell you he said 'Eye Have You'."
When John heard that line, his eyes widened a bit as he accepted the package and note. On the front of the note, it said 'To: John and Jane. From: You know who (No, not Fucking Voldemort)'
Deciding that it would be best to read the note and whatever was in the package with Jane, he put them next to the elevator before approaching Ashley, who heard the commander approaching, turned to face him "Commander...can we have a minute to talk?" She asked.
John sighed, "Let me guess: Your concerned about Wrex, Garrus, Tali, and Liara, aren't you?" He asked, and Ashley blinked in surprise.
"How did you...?" She asked, and John shrugged "I'm good when it comes to telling what's on someone's mind." He said, "So, let's hear it."
Ashley stared at him for a moment longer before she sighed "Its just...should they really have full access to the ship?" She asked.
"They may not be part of the Alliance Chief, but we're on the same side." John said. "Garrus wants to take Saren down as much as we do, Wrex is here just for the action and has no reason to join Saren,Tali is doing more help than harm in engineering, and Liara...well, I honestly don't think she could be a threat to us."
"I know sir but..." Ashley said, "This is the most advance ship in the alliance fleet, should we really be letting them poke around vital systems like shields, and weapons?"
John sighed, "Listen Ashley," he said, "I can understand why you don't trust aliens, but you need to know that Humanity can't do this thing on its own. If Saren, or someone else, manages to bring back the Reapers, do you honestly think Humanity can do it alone? We need alliances with people other races. If theirs one thing I've learned in my experiences, is that when you stand up for something, you should never do it alone."
"I'm not saying to turn down allies," Ashley said, "I'm just saying we shouldn't put everything on them staying allies."
"Trust is a two-way street, Ashley." John said, "If we can't trust our allies, or soon to be allies, how can we expect them to trust us?"
"That maybe..." Ashley said, "But if the Council, as honorable as they seem, get backed into a corner, they will abandon us."
"Unless we prove to them we're not worth abandoning." John added, "Anyways, back on Topic, just bare with them for now. Who knows? Eventually, you might see them in different light."
Ashley sighed at that "I understand...but, your the commander here." She said, "You say Jump, I ask how high. You ask me to kiss an Asari, I ask which cheek."
John chuckled "I don't tend to bring out the rank structure very often." He said before grinning "Though...about the 'Kiss and Asari' thing...where did that come from?"
The Alliance Marine's face reddened as she turned away "N-Nothing," she said, "Anyways, I got work to get done, see you commander."
John, while Chucking to himself, nodded as he turned back, picked up his package sent by 'you know who' and headed up the elevator.
~In John and Jane's quarters~
"So, Jorn sent us this?" Jane asked as John showed him the package, with the letter in his hand.
He nodded "Ya, it must be important." He said as he opened the letter, and began to read its contents.
John, Jane.
I know you guys are going to Noveria to confront Benezia and the Rachni. I'm glad you two decided to spare the Rachni, but THE most important thing about this mission is that Benezia DOES NOT die, your gonna need her help, trust me.
You know that healing her after the battle isn't the hard part, its afterwards with Sovereign's Indoctrination. Luckly, I have just what you need. Inside the package, you'll find a pack of yellow pills. These pills are pills that will completely cut off the Indoctrinating effects of a person's mind, and return them to what they were before they were Indoctrinated. Give one to Benezia after you defeat her, and she's good to go.
Once you do that, call me on the number on that card I gave you, and I'll take care of the rest. Trust me.
Jorn.
P.S: Also, for you Jane, I got a little surprise for you. Inside the package is a weapon I think you'll enjoy.
Jane blinked as she read the message, and she opened the box and, sure enough, the pills were inside. But she then grinned at what else was inside "Sweeet." She said as she picked up the M-12 Locust Sub-machine Gun inside as well "The one weapon I love just as much as the Black Widow. Thank. You. Jorn."
John shivered a bit, before he asked "What do you think he means by He'll take care of the rest once we call him afterwards?" He asked, and Jane shrugged "Don't know," she said before standing up with the Locust in hand, "But I'm gonna go to the hanger, and test this baby out!" Jane said with a grin as she left the room, leaving behind a sighing Shepard.
~Later, Noveria~
"Approach Control, this is the SSV Normandy," Joker said on the Comm, "Requesting a Vector and a berth."
"Normandy, your arrival was unscheduled." Came the reply from Noveria's Control Tower. "Our defense grid is armed and tracking you, please state your business."
"Citadel Business," Joker replied a bit irritated, "We have a Council Spectre on board."
There was a short pause "Landing access approved Normandy," Came the reply. "Be advised we will be confirming identification on arrival. If Identification cannot be confirmed, your vessel will be impounded." And then they got off the Comm.
"What a fun bunch," Joker said sarcastically "I think I'll take my next lead here!"
John just chuckled a bit at that as the Normandy docked with Port Hanshan. When the ship came to a gentle halt, John, Jane, Tali, Ashley, Nirali and Liara stepped off onto the station. As they continued forward, they soon were stopped by three ERCS Guards.
"Stop right there, that's far enough." The woman in the front said.
"Can I...help you?" John asked, calmly.
"This is an unscheduled arrival." Maeko Matsuo said, "I need your credentials."
"Myself and Jane here are Spectres." John answered, before he could continue the blond-haired woman standing next to Maeko snorted "load of horse crap." She muttered, "Theirs no Human Spectres, let alone two."
John and his team just looked at her like she was an idiot "Have you not been paying attention to the news recently?" Ashley asked Incrediously. "It was all over the news!"
"We will need to confirm that," Maeko said, "But first I must ask you to relieve your firearms-"
(RENEGADE ACTION!)
Jane's eyes narrowed as she drew out her Locust SMG, aiming right at the woman "Take away my weapons, I'll take off your head." She growled out, as the others drew out their weapons, and Liara activating her Biotics, while the ERCS guards aside from Maeko, drew their weapons.
"I wouldn't recommend pissing Jane off, Ma'am." Ashley warned and advised. "Trust me, the last people who did didn't live for long."
"Captain Matsuo, Stand down!" A voice on the intercom said, "We confirmed their identity, Spectres are authorized to carry Weapons here, Captain."
Maeko nodded before turning to the group ahead of her "You may proceed." She said, "I hope the rest of your stay will be less confrontational." The others lowered their weapons "Parasini-san will see you upstairs."
The others nodded as they walked pas the guards, but not before Jane sent a smug look at the blond haired girl's face, causing her to glare at her, not that she cared.
As they walked up the stairs, they soon came to the front desk where an African American woman wearing a red dress was standing there "Sorry about the little incident at the docking bay," she said, "I am Gianna Parasini."
"Your guards could learn to cool off..." Jane muttered under her breath.
"Not now Jane," John said with a sigh, "Thanks for the help." he said to the woman.
"Your welcome," she said "You understand our security chief was only doing her Job. One of my duties is the orientation of new arrivals. Do you have any questions?"
"Has anyone unusual passed through here recently?" John asked.
"Unusual?" Gianna asked, "Well, an Asari Matriarch passed through here not to long ago, Lady Benezia."
At the mention of her name, Liara's eyes widened in fear as her body tensed up. John and Jane noticed this, but they continued speaking with the woman before them. "Do you know where we can find her?" Jane asked.
"Lady Benezia left for the Peak 15 Research lab a few days ago," She said, "To the best of my knowledge, she is still there."
Liara tensed up even more at that, however she felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned to see it was actually Jane, who was managing to give her something of a reassuring smile.
The Asari managed to smile back a bit, and calmed down as John confirmed who they had to go to in order to get clearance to leave and find Benezia, Anoleis.
When they left, Liara turned to face John "I...I assume you want to ask me questions about...about Benezia." She asked, knowing what the answer would be, or so she thought.
"No, I don't." John said, surprising her. "Your not Benezia, your Liara. You may be her daughter, but it doesn't mean you are like her. All I want you to do, is do your Job, and help me in this mission."
Liara blinked a bit before she smiled a bit "T-Thank you Commander." She said, and John just grinned "Don't worry, and just call me John." He said as they turned to leave.
~Later, Anoleis's office~
John and Jane walked into Anoleis's office with others, as the Salarian was sitting on the opposite side of the desk. "You will excuse me if I don't stand up," The Salarain said, "I have no time to entertain refugees from that blight called Earth."
Jane's eyes narrowed as she was about to make a retort before John stopped her, "Do you do business with Saren?" He asked.
"Agent Saren?" Anoleis asked, looking up from his computer "One of your Spectre Compatriots? He is a major investor in Binary Helix Corperation, which is one of Noveria's backers."
"Is Binary Helix developing weapons for him?" John asked.
"Its possible, given his interests." Anoleis said, "What our clients do in their labs is their business."
"We need to get to Peak 15." John said, but Anoleis shook his head. "I am sorry," he said, "But a blizzard has grounded all shuttles, and surface access has been cut off."
John's eyes narrowed "We need immediate access to Peak 15," he said, "Citadel Council business."
"Like I said, all route are cut off-" Anoleis said, before a certain red-head cut him off.
(RENEGADE ACTION!)
Jane growled as she once again drew out her Locust SMG, and pointed it at Anoleis "Listen you bug-eyed asshole," she hissed, "We are Spectres, and we don't need your Authorization to do anything!"
Anoleis panicked, he was about to go for the silent alarm before Jane reached out and grabbed him by the neck. "Now, let me make this simple for you," She growled, pointing the gun at his head "You will get us the access we need, we are hunting a Rogue Spectre and anyone who associates with him, and the council wants them dead or alive." Her grip tightened around both her gun and his neck "If you don't give us the access we want, then I might come under the assumption that you could be another associate of Saren, and you wouldn't want that, right? In order to further motivate you, let me remind you of two things." She pressed the Locust's barrel between his two black eyes "I have a gun," she then clicked a button "And now the Safety is off."
With his eyes wide, Anoleis nodded his head as quickly as he could "A-Alright, alright!" he croaked out, "You have clearance, just-just don't kill me."
'Well, I think it's safe to assume that Jane got things done fast in her universe.'John thought with wide eyes as Ashley shook her head in disbelief.
"H-how, exactly did you meet her Commander?" Ashley stuttered out as John glanced at her.
"Long story."
~Later, in the hanger bay~
John and his team entered the hanger bay, now with all of the clearance they need. However not to long before they stepped inside the hanger, they were soon confronted by a few Geth Destroyers and Hoppers.
"Tali! Grizzly Turret, NOW!" John shouted as Tali nodded as she dashed for the turret of the parked M29 Grizzly IFV, quickly hacking through it and hopped inside. Within a few short seconds, the Grizzly's machine gun tore through the Geth Forces like they were nothing.
"Well...that was easy." Ashley said, as they approached the Mako "But I don't know if we can all fit in the Mako, we may have to-"
"Ahem," Jane said, and the others looked at her as she pointed at the Grizzly, that Tali was still in as she activated its full engines, honking its horn.
When he saw this, John just looked at his wife...and grinned.
~Later, at Peak 15~
Two Geth Shocktroopers stood outside the main entrance to Peak 15, guarding it along with two heavy turrets and a Geth Armature.
However, then their sensors 'heard' something approaching. The Shocktrooper's flashlight eyes blinked once, where could the sound be coming from? No one would be crazy enough to drive a vehicle through the blizzard.
However, their estimate was proven wrong as a M29 Grizzly IFV, along with an M35 Mako charged forward after making a sharp turn. The Grizzly fired off its main cannon twice, destroying the two turrets with ease, while the Mako opened fire on the Armature, destroying it soon after. The two Geth Shocktroopers opened fire, but their fire did little to stop the mechanical beats as the Grizzly ran them over.
Behind the controls of the Grizzly, Tali just grinned behind her visor "EAT THIS YOU BOSHTETS!" She shouted, as she put the Grizzly into full throttle, and rammed it through the main gate, surprising the hell out of the Krogans and Geth who were inside the hanger bay.
Once they entered, the hatches for the two vehicles opened, and John, Jane, Kaiden, Ashley, Liara, Wrex, Garrus, and Nirali jumped out of the vehicles, while Tali stayed in the Grizzly, and Jenkins stayed in the Mako, both firing their respective vehicles cannons.
As the enemy forces began to return fire, the battle began between them as Garrus sniped target after target with Jane, Liara and Kaiden using their biotics against Geth Troopers, while Nirali, John, and Wrex charged forward, destroying anything in between their way.
The battle didn't last to long, and soon the hanger was littered with the corpses of destroyed Geth parts and Krogan Bodies. "Now that was fun!" Wrex said with a grin that could split his face in half.
Achievement Unlocked: Blitzkrieg Warfare! (Storm Peak 15 with Vehicles)
John and Jane Shepard have gained 35,000 Credits
John and Jane have increased to level 20.
"That it was, Wrex." Jane said with her own grin, while Tali and Jenkins left their vehicles. "So, where to now?"
"Now, we head up." John said, and the others nodded as they headed upstairs and into the first elevator.
After traveling up the elevator, they came across a snow-covered room with a handful of Geth inside, however Jane and John both knew that those were the least of their worries after they took them out.
The group heard an insect-like noise coming from above, and they looked just in time to see a small swarm of Rachni Warriors charge into the room.
The team wasted no time, and drew out their weapons as they opened up upon them like a firing line, tearing apart the Rachni as they advanced.
"What the hell were those?" Kaiden shouted once they were all dead, as he poked one with the tip of his rifle.
"Xenobiology is not my field," Liara said, "Perhaps someone in the labs might now what's going on."
After traveling up another elevator, they soon found themselves inside the control room for the station's V.I Terminal Mira. John had Tali enter the mainframe, and repair the V.I.
"It looks like you are trying to restore this facility," the glowing red woman said, "Would you like help?"
"This must be the V.I that runs this place." Jenkins said.
"This system is monitored to respond to the name Mira." She said, "May I have your name?"
"Commander John Shepard of the Spectres." John answered.
"One moment...council authority confirmed." Mira said, "You are entitled to secure access to all systems. Please note that queries regarding corporate secrets require privileged access. Privileged access is only attainable through Binary Helix executives."
"We need to get to find Matriarch Benezia," John said, "I assume that she's in the Rift Station subsidiary labs?"
"Yes, Lady Benezia is inside the subsidiary labs." Mira said. "User Alert: The Tramlines are currently inoperable. Repairs to the fuel lines and landlines are required."
John sighed as he turned to his team "Alright, we split up." He said, "Jane? You take Garrus, Jenkins, and Tali to the Reactor Chamber, get the Reactor working. I'll take Ashley, Nirali, and Wrex to repair the landlines."
They nodded, as they left to do their assigned tasks.
~After making the repairs (Since I'm to lazy to write about how EASY they are)~
After making the repairs, and clearing out the Decontamination chamber, the group soon entered the Tram system, which began to take them to Rift Station. Upon arrival, John, Jane, Ashley and Liara went up the first elevator while the others waited for the Hot Labs to open.
When they reached the top floor, they were soon greeted by a group of armed guards, lead by a man wearing white armor. "Stand down," The man said upon seeing them, and they lowered their weapons as they approached. "Sorry, we couldn't be sure what was on that Tram."
"Those things can use tram controls?" Ashley asked, shocked, but the man just shrugged. "Hell if I know," he said "But I'm not assuming anything." He then sighed "Listen, you're human, so that's enough for me not to shoot you, but I'd like to know who you are."
"I'm Commander John Shepard," He said before pointing to Jane "And that's my wife Jane, we're both Spectres."
The man blinked "Hu...I'll never look a heavily armed horse in the mouth..." he said. "Anyways, my name is Captain Ventralis, The Aliens you've been fighting overran the Hot Labs last week, only Han Olar got out...and he ain't all there anymore. Next thing we knew the bastards were clawing into my command post...we had a lot more staff back then. The board sent an Asari Matriarch to clean up the mess, and she went into the Hot Labs yesterday. We haven't heard from her since."
"We need to get into the Hot Labs," John said. "You know a way?"
"Uhh, ya, here." He said as he handed John a pass card "There's an elevator near the trams, this card should let you in."
"Thanks," John said accepting the card. "We've got work to do."
"Ya, we all got-" Ventralis was about to say before they heard clawing sounds "Ah, shit! Man the Perimeter!"
John and his team turned around, just in time to see two Rachni Soldiers pop out from the ceiling. They took cover to avoid being shot by the poison that they shot their way, and returned fire. The two Rachni were quickly killed by their combined fire.
Ventralis sighed "Thanks for the hand," he said, "Every few hours another group comes up the tram tunnel. Its actually been better ever since we locked the elevator. I don't understand why they keep throwing themselves at us, even animals know not to stick their nose into where it hurts."
"We'll help however we can," John said, before he and the others turned to leave, and went down the elevator.
"We should have killed that guy," Jane said on the private comm channel she had set up with John "We know he's going to betray us!"
"We'll worry about that when it comes up," John replied. "For now, let's just worry about the Rachni."
~Since we all know what happened, and to save time, I'm just gonna skip to the Benezia Boss Fight.~
After dealing with Ventralis, and the Rogue Rachni, John and his team soon found themselves in the chamber where the Rachni Queen was being held. And standing not to far from it, was none other than Benezia.
"You do not know the privilege of being a Mother," The Matriarch said, "There is power in creation. To shape a life, and turn it into happiness or despair..." she then turned towards the Queen "Her children were to be ours, raised to hunt and slay Saren's enemies."
She then turned to face them, she eyed Liara who seemed to shrink under her gaze "I will not be moved by sympathy." She said, "No matter who you bring to this confrontation."
"Liara is here because she wants to be," John said stepping forward "Not because I ordered her to."
"Indeed?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "What have you told them about me, Liara?"
"W-What could I say Mother?" Liara asked, "That your insane? Evil? Should I explain how to kill you? What could I say?"
Benezia just shook her head before she redirected her attention at John "Have you ever faced an Asari Commando before?" She asked, "Few humans have."
"Your willing to kill your own daughter?" Jane asked with narrowed eyes, "Some people may call be crazy, but even I wouldn't stoop that low."
"I now realize I should have been stricter with her." Benezia said, before she began her attack by locking the others into a Stasis field. Then she summoned two Asari Commandos who moved by her side, and began their attack.
Jane was the first to break out of Stasis, and she immidatly drew out her Locust and fired a few rounds at the Commandos. Though it did little against their shields, it distracted them long enough for the others to snap out of their stasis and return fire. Benezia then used her Biotics again, and summoned up additional Commandos and a few Geth Troopers who quickly entered the battle.
Wrex hopped from around his cover, and charged at the first two Commando's, shouting his war cry as he fired his Shotgun. Garrus meanwhile took out his assault rifle and opened fire as well.
John meanwhile drew out his pistol, and fired a few shots into a Geth Trooper, all shots hitting it dead square into its torso destroying it. He then ducked under a Biotic Blast from an Asari Commando, and with his left hand he picked up his Assault Rifle and opened fire on the Asari, taking down its shields while Tali finished it off with a Shotgun blast.
Benezia then used one last biotic, as more Geth Troopers filled the room, but the others could see that she was slowly becoming exhausted from using her powers so much. 'Perfect,' John thought with a grin as he signalled Jenkins and Nirali to attack the next batch of Geth Troopers with Jane, their weapons tearing them apart.
In just a few minutes, the last Geth trooper and Asari Commando was dead, and the group soon approached Benezia in her weakened state.
"This isn't over..." Benezia muttered, "Saren is unstoppable, My mind is filled with his light...everything is clear."
"The Rachni certainly don't seem to agree with you, why should we?" Jane asked, before smirking "Or maybe...is that Sovereign speaking?"
Benezia's eyes widened, while the others had a confused look and John just looked at his wife in surprise "H-How do you...?" She asked, before Jane cut her off.
"That's not important right now," Jane said as she walked forward, "What is important is that you fight off His and Saren's indoctrination. You sealed a part of your mind away from their indoctrination, right? Use it!"
The others, aside from John and Benezia, were continuing to become more confused until Benezia's eyes closed for a moment, and when they opened, Liara's eyes widened a bit. Her eyes no longer contained that hate that seemed so foreign in her mothers eyes. Now they were calm, serine..just like she truly remembered.
"How did you know I sealed a part of my mind away before I was indoctrinated?" Benezia asked, "And how did you know about Sovereign?"
"Sovereign?" Ashley asked confused, "What are you-"
"Sovereign is that ship we saw at Eden Prime, that Dreadnaught." John elaborated. "Its posing as a Reaper Ship, but in truth Sovereign is an actual Reaper itself, left behind to ensure that the Reapers return."
The others eyes widened aside from Jane who just nodded, and Garrrus who's eyes narrowed "And how the hell do you know that?" He asked.
John sighed as he rubbed his temples before glancing at Garrus, knowing that he would need a sufficient answer for the suspicious turian. "Back on Eden prime the Beacon showed me a lot of things through its visions, you can ask Ashley for more details of the mission on Eden prime." He then reached in to his pouch and tossed a green pill to Benezia. "Take this its a special, medication i brought along just in case some of my crew were going to get indoctrinated." At the Asari's confused look he continued "It's an experimental drug that Anderson has some of the scientists in the alliance whip up, just in case the Reaper threat was real."
"You humans never cease to amaze me, but i shouldn't be surprised with short life-spans as yours it only makes sense that you would value life so dearly, and come up with a cure for many diseases..." She trailed of still looking at the pill in disbelief "...even as far-fetched as indoctrination." She ended with a chuckle before swallowing the pill.
'Hope Anderson doesn't mind filling out more fake paper work...he's going to kick my ass one day.'John thought despondently, but retained a cool outer expression. Glancing to the side he saw Jane quickly recover her stoney expression. Jane tilted he head towards him and fixed him with a stare.
'lady's and gentlemen, Commander John Shepard...bullshitter extraordinaire'As if reading her thoughts he returned her look with one of his own.
'You mad at my skills?'He gave a subtle smirk making her roll her eyes.
'paragon, my ass' Jane snorted as she refocused her attention to the matriarch.
'Well...that was freaky, guess i know my self too well.' John thought to himself as he mirrored Jane's actions. "Anyways, could you tell us what exacly Saren wanted from the Rachni aside from making an army?"
Benezia sighed "Saren sent me here to find the location of the Mu Relay." he said, "Its position was lost thousands of years ago after a Star went supernova. The Rachni inhabited that sector of space, and found the Relay. Since memories can be shared between Rachni Queens through their mothers, the Queen you see before you had the information Saren needed. I took the information from the queen's mind...but I wasn't gentle."
"You can still make this right," John said, "Give us the information."
Benezia nodded "I was not myself...I should have been stronger..." she said to herself before she approached him "I transfered the data onto an OSD," she said as she handed John the device "Here."
John nodded as he accepted the data "Knowing the coordinates to the Mu Relay isn't enough," Liara said, "Do you know what Saren plans to do from there?" The Asari Matriarch shook her head "No, Saren did not tell me his destination." She said, "But you must find out quickly, I transmitted the coordinates shortly before you arrived. You must stop him."
"We will," The commander said, "But now we've got one thing we need to take care of." The others, minus Jane, were confused before he took a step to the side, and the Rachni Queen-controlled Asari Commando stepped past them, scaring the shit out of a few of the others as she turned around.
"This one serves as our voice." It said through the Asari, "We Cannot sing, not in these low places. Your musics are colorless."
"Obviously someone hasn't listened to skillet..." Jane muttered, as the queen continued "We Are the Mother," it said "We sing for those left behind, the children you thought silenced. We Are Rachni."
"A lot of other Rachni attacked us without warning when we got here," John said, "Why aren't you?"
"The Children we birthed were stolen from us before they could learn to sing," The Queen said, "They were lost to silence."
"We already took care of most of the other Rachni in the station," John said.
"Then, we are all that stand before you." The Queen said, "What will you sing? Will you free us, or are we to fade away once more?"
"There are acid takes right above the chamber," Garrus said, "It should be enough to-"
"We're not killing her." Both John and Jane said at the same time, surprising the others, even the Rachni-controlled Asari looked surprised.
"W-What?" Garrus asked. "Shepard, that thing is a Rachni! Those things-"
"That Rachni is an endangered species," John said, "I am not going down into history as the man who brought a whole sentient species to extinction. Besides, if this thing does have the memories of its mothers, then it has learned its lesson from the Rachni Wars."
"You...will give us a chance to compose anew?" She asked, "We will Remember. We will sing of our forgiveness to our children."
John simply nodded as he approached the control panel, and the chamber rose up before opening. The Rachni Queen looked back at the group one last time, before it escaped from the facility, the Controlled Asari dropping to the ground.
Achievement Unlocked: Bug Friendly (Spare the Rachni Queen)
John and Jane Shepard have gained +1,200 Credits
John and Jane Shepard are now Level 22
"Well, now that's been taken care of," Jane said as she clapped her hands "Let's hurry up and get back to the Normandy. Its past lunch, and damnit I'm hungry!"
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Later, on the Normandy
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"So, what's the plan now, Commander?" Ashley asked as she and the rest of the party plus Benezia were gathered around in the Comm Room "We make way for the Mu Relay?"
"No, not yet." Jane said, "We know where the Mu Relay is, true. However, a Relay can lead us to dozens of Star Systems. We can't just go blindly running into that place without knowing where we're going."
"Jane's right," Liara said, ''We can't go in blind. We need to know more about Saren."
Ashley's eyes narrowed "And just who put you in charge?" She muttered, before John cut her off.
"Liara is just trying to help Williams," John said, "We're all on the same team here, just like Benezia is."
The Marine sighed "Sorry commander..." she said, and John just nodded "We're all on edge here," he said. "After what's happened this last operation, I am too. All we can do is get some rest. Dismissed."
Soon after, the others nodded and began to leave "Noveria Report is away, Captain." Joker's voice came through "You want me to patch you through with the Council?"
John and Jane nodded "Go ahead," John said, before turning to Benezia who was about to leave "Benezia, you stay." He said.
The Asari Matriarch was surprise, but nodded as she remained in the room. "Patching you through now, Commander." Joker said, and soon after the holographic images of the Councilors appeared.
"Is this report accurate, Commander?" Tevos asked, "You found Rachni on Noveria?"
"And then Released the Queen!" Sparatus shouted, "Do you have any idea what you have done? How many generations until they overrun the galaxy!"
Neither Jane or John seemed phased by the Turian's outburst "We were not going down in history as the people who brought an entire sentient race to extinction, councilors." John said, "Besides, this queen is different. It inherited the knowledge of the queen before it in the Rachni Wars, and has learned its lesson, it understands why they were wiped out before."
"Besides," Jane added "She has something of a grudge against Saren for using her like that, and for trying to turn her children into mindless soldiers. She may actually help us fight the Reapers in the future."
"And how can you be so sure?" Valern asked, and Jane shrugged "If someone used you for their own means, wouldn't you hold a grudge against them?" She asked. "Besides, Benezia already gave us what she gained from the Queen."
"Yes, and now we get to Benezia on your ship." Sparatus said, "I assume you are taking necessary security precautions?"
"She's not our prisoner, Councilman." John said, "She was forced to do what she did, the Indoctrinating effects of Saren's ship forced her to do it against her will."
"How can you be so sure she is telling the truth?" Valern warned, "She could be trying to deceive you."
"She has to be!" Sparatus shouted, "She was working with Saren, she must be imprisoned, interrogated for information, and executed!"
"First off, she is not lying." Jane said, "I am very good at telling when someone is lying or not. Secondly: Liara herself mind-melded with her mother to see if she was withholding any information, which she was not."
"hmph. Humans so naive, you would actually fall for something like that?" Sparatus said condescendingly. John was about to calmly explain why they believed the matriarch to be innocent, when a red eyed Jane put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a firm look.
Paragon acti-
'I got this...'
'Fuck...me..'John stepped back and shook his head, confusing the councilors.
RENEGADE! ACTION!
BGM: Ace attorney: Cornered
"HOLD IT!" Jane yelled at the now shaken Turian, before he could comment on her insolence, Jane continued. "Now listen here I am sick and tired of your racist bull shit!" The councilors gaped and John facepalmed. "Now I ignored it when you tried to save your bare-faced, bare back fuck buddy, but that was only for the public now you will listen to me!"
"How dar-"
"Shut the fuck up! I'm not done yet!" Jane interrupted "Now as long as she is on this ship she will not be a prisoner, her information is too important for this mission she can atone fer her sins and save millions of lives."
"I see your point but someone needs to pay for her crimes." Tevos said slowly and carefully to try to calm the raging human down.
"Fine i'll take her punishment." Jane said flippantly causing Benezia to turn towards her with wide eyes. Tevos narrowed her eyes at the Red haired human before opening her mouth.
"Are you sure? What she has done is punishable by death." To everyone's surprise Jane barked out a laugh stunning the Asari. To them Jane wouldn't even be a toddler in their species and now here she stood giving her life away for and "Adult" Asari the she's never met. John widened his eyes, and to the shock and horror of the council he laughed to.
"What's so funny about your WIFE dying!" Benezia shouted causing the councilors to look at her, surprised that she had some form of a heart. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she turned towards a smiling Jane.
"Calm down, it seems everyone here forgot that I too am a specter, which means the law can go fuck itself when it comes to me." Sparatus looked at Jane sputtering as his mandibles flared.
"b-b-but-"
"You just got loop-holed bitch!" Jane said with a smirk Sparatus looked at her angrily.
"You can't talk to me like that! You must show respect to this council!" Jane snorted before raising her hands and sticking up two fingers on each hand.
"Ah yes, "Respect", the thing i show to people of authority and loved ones?" Jane asked innocently as she made quotation marks around the word respect. John had to cover his mouth to hide his face-splitting grin. "Consider that claim fucking dismissed good day council we'll call you when something major happens.
"Wai-" The Turian was cut off as Jnae turned off the connection. Turning to a stunned Benezia and grinning John she spoke.
BGM: END
Achievement Unlocked: Loop-holes make everything easy! (F**k the council over before the Reaper Invasion)
Jane Shepard is now Level 23
"Man I LOVE screwing the council over!" John just shook his head before clapping the Asari on her shoulder.
"Well welcome to the crew." John said warmly before turning around with Jane and walking away.
"W-wait!" The two Shepards stopped moving and quirked and eyebrow at her in perfect sync. "I promise, I will make this up to you two! You've given me my life and my daughter back."
"Don't worry about it/I look forward to it." John and Jane answered respectively at the same time. John and Jane looked at each other and shrugged and continued their trek.
"Not so fast soldier." John told Jane as they walked through the halls. "You are going to go take a power nap before you do anything else." Jane looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Why the hell should I?"
"Because, your eye's are burning Red and your scars are showing." John stated simply causing his pseudo-wife to widen her eyes and touch her cheek softly,where she felt a burning scar. "We need you alive if were gonna make it through this journey so go relax, that's an order." John said with a tone of finality. Jane was going to argue, but stopped when she saw John's raised an eyebrow.
"Fine... get me when we have another mission." Jane said despondently.
"Only if you actually go to sleep."Jane sighed and nodded her head.
"Okay DAD..."
"Hmm you know I thought that the first time you called me any form of "dad" would be followed with you gasping and begging for more. " John said seriously as he scratched his chin.
He got a raised finger in return, as she walked away, mumbling something about 'not falling for it' before heading to her quarters.
Achievement Unlocked: Noveria Arc completed.
Begin Feros Arc? YES!
AN: WOOHOO! Yes, another chapter done! Sorry it took a bit longer for this one, but I had other fics to work on, and I was helping RebukeX7 a bit. Also, special thanks to him, since he helped me finish this chapter up.
And now, to the reviews!
Mr. Nobody: That is still in debate, and as for Lemons...well, I have to wait for FF to get its head stuck out of its a** before I risk doing that.
Guest #2: *Grins with a glint in eye* Maybe...
Frustration: You'll just have to keep on reading to find out.
Chad001: Buddy, this is only the BEGINNING of all of the firepower you'll be seeing in this fic.
Ciroth: Wow, seriously?
And now, before I leave you, I give you alittle treat:
-Omake-
(Warning: Though there is some comedy, there is a level of seriousness in this which will be explaining a bit more about Jorn and Rebuke's plot. To further understand this, please read his own Life is a Game Fics)
Jorn was cleaning ocelot as a thought occurred to him causing him to stop his cleaning. 'Why the hell haven't I revealed myself to Rebuke yet? It might be good to let him know he has backup after all wouldn't want him to stumble accross my existence one day and get the wrong idea and cause us to have a battle to the death of epic porportions' Jorn snorted 'As if like that would ever...fuck, that will happen won't it?' Jorn nearly cried at the thought when he considered the fact that his luck sometimes fucking sucked.
"Well it wasn't like I haven't tried!"
-flashback-
'Okay how do I do this? Fuck what am I going to do walk up with a grin and say "Hey Rebuke I know you don't know or trust me but I'm going to alter worlds to help you out! You can trust me its not like you ever been fucked over before by other omnipotent beings like ourselves!'Jorn thought sarcastically, but realizing that that was what he would most likely say he sighed.
"Okay Izanami checklist" Jorn heard Rebuke's voice say as a female with white hair pulled out a notebook.
"Me?"
"Check"
"Adamantium katana?"
"Check"
"garlic"
"Check"
"Silver bullets?"
"Check"
"Holy Cross, anti-venom, desert eagles, grenades, and Holy water?"
"Check, Check, check, check, and check okay were good to go!" Came Rebuke's cheery voice.
"Master can i ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Are you fucking stupid, what could possibly make you think that this is a good idea?"The assistant deadpanned causing Jorn to face-fault at the blatant disrespect.
"It's a hard job but someone has to do it."
"WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SAVING THESE WORLDS!" Izanami shouted much to Jorn's confusion. "But you want to go ahead and kill a majority of the "Main characters" As you so eloquently put it?"This caused Jorn to narrow his eyes as he grabbed ocelot.
'That doesn't sound like Rebuke, not that I've talked to the guy, maybe it's mind control?'
"Izanami I'm going to twilight and I AM going to go vampire and werewolf hunting and I will NOT be swayed from this." Jorn's eyes grew wide in realization.
'I'll try to chat later he's about to do God's work.'Jorn thought as he stepped back in to the shadows.
"But why!"
"If I DON'T I'll have Selene, Blade, Moka, and fucking Alucard trying to kick my fucking ass so EXCUSE me if I want to keep my blood."
"How did this even happen?"
"When I was saving their worlds, it turns out that the damn book existed in their worlds as well. When I was about to leave they told me if I not only wanted their help, but also keep my blood that i should go ahead and get rid of the pests."
"Only you could get in this mess... We need to at least come up with a plan-"She stopped as Rebuke started running towards a portal with an insane grin.
"Alright! Let's do this!" Were Rebuke's last words as he jumped into the vortex.
"Fuck my life."
-flashback End-
Jorn chuckled a bit at that 'God I wish I could have been there to see that,' He thought, 'I wonder how Bryanna would have thought of-'
He stopped cleaning his gun as froze for a moment, remembering a blond haired girl with blue eyes. He looked to the side and sitting on a table was a handful of different pictures. One of them had an image of the girl in his thoughts, who's arms were around a boy with short brown hair and brown eyes. There seemed to be another person who was on the photo, but his face was burned away from the photo.
Jorn shook his head as he tore his gaze from the photo 'No, I'm not thinking of that.' He thought as he began to reassemble Ocelot. 'What was I thinking about before…Ah! Right, Rebuke. How the hell am I suppose to approach him…I need to find a way to gain his trust, but how?'
Jorn suddenly stopped his musings as he felt a feeling of absolute dread, it was unlike anything he had ever felt, he felt as though the presence was hatred itself. Jorn paled when he realized that he was feeling the presence from light years away.
'The hell is this!...It's almost suffocating me yet it's so far away!'Jorn thought as he finished putting ocelot together. Quickly closing the shop he loaded Ocelot before fading away into thin air.
HADES GAMMA: DIS SYSTEM
BGM: 'Deja Vu' Ace Combat Assault Horrizon OST
landing on a desolate asteroid, Jorn looked around frantically for the pressence. Seeing nothing jorn holstered his magnum and was about to leave when he noticed something out of place on the abandoned rock. Looking closer he gasped as he came face to face with a single black feather.
'H-h-how...it's too soon for HER to have taken notice of my existence.' For the first time since he could remember jorn felt pure unadulterated fear. Calming himself Jorn try to sense for the presence again but realized that it had left his sector of the multi-verse. 'Wait think carefully if Rebuke didn't show up yet then that means SHE was just passing by...good John and Jane can still finish their journey. If she shows up again i'll have to hold her off myself or atleast lure her away. John and Jane CAN NOT be aware of the true threat just yet.'
*CRACK*
Jorn looked down towards the feather and realized that it was beginning to decay the barren asteroid.
'John...Jane...you need to hurry if you cant finish before that crazy bitch comes back, and most likely kill me, then YOUR entire universe as you know it is forfeit.'
JORNS GENERAL GOODS
When Jorn returned he finally noticed that he was sweating and that his legs were actually shaking. It was then that he realized how close to death he had actually come.
BGM: End
-Omeke End-
~117Jorn~
