As the Normandy began its decent on Eden Prime, the ground team was busy prepping gear and weapons. Jenkins seemed antsy to get moving as he was fidgeting with his gear and bobbing on the balls of his feet. While he and Kaidan were busy doing a final inspection of their weapons, Nihlus pulled Shepard to the side. "When we land, I'm going to scout on ahead of you. I don't have a good feeling about this," Nihlus told her.

Shepard frowned at him. "That's all the more reason we should stick together."

"No Shepard. I want to make sure that we know what we're heading into. We'll keep radio contact the entire time," he assured her.

"Just be careful Nihlus." Shepard's voice was filled with concern.

"I will be. But, I don't want you caught unawares down there." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a close embrace. He breathed deeply, taking in her scent. He held onto it, as he held onto the warmth of her body, wanting to remember the smell and feel of her. If anything were to happen to her, he wouldn't be able to bear it. She was the one thing that truly mattered to him, above all else, quickly becoming the only family he would recognize in this messed up universe.

As they pulled themselves from their warm embrace, he caught a fiery glare from the human male, Kaidan. However, he quickly shrugged it off, concentrating all his attention on the woman before him. He looped his fingers into hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Be ready for anything Shepard."

She nodded squeezing his hand in return. Their eyes lingered on one another's longer than intended until Anderson's voice broke through their trance.

"Shepard. Nihlus. We've approached the drop point. It's time to move out," Anderson informed them.

Tearing their eyes from their gaze they headed back to join Anderson, Alenko, and Jenkins just as the hatch was sliding open. The sound of the wind whirled and roared in their ears and Anderson had to raise his voice over it to be heard by the ground team.

"Remember Shepard, the beacon is your first priority, survivors come second." Anderson ordered.

"Yes sir!" Shepard replied over the thunderous wind.

"Nihlus you coming with us?" Jenkins asked the turian as he moved up to the open hatch.

"I'm going to scout on ahead," Nihlus replied, giving Shepard a final glance before disappearing out the rear of the ship.

Once on ground Shepard had taken a quick moment to observe their surroundings. The planet was beautiful and lush and the atmosphere held a reddish hue, closely resembling an ember sunset. Various spires of architecture jutted from the landscape piercing into the clouds. It was a quite impressive and fine example of humanity's ability to expand their colonies across the traverse.

"What the hell are those?" Kaidan motioned toward some strange floating bulbous creatures.

"Gas bags," Jenkins informed him. "They're harmless. Just don't stand too close if they get caught in the crossfire."

The creatures floated carelessly, their strange tentacled limbs dangling from their core body structure. The gas filled membrane that rested atop the more solid flesh appeared delicate and easily punctured. Taking Jenkins words into deep consideration, Shepard was sure to avoid leading the team too close to the interesting creatures.

Shepard could hear Nihlus's voice crackle through the comm. "This place got hit hard Shepard. Keep your guard up."

As they proceeded, something up ahead caught Shepard's attention. Signaling the others to hold position she intently scanned the area. Nothing stirred, however it wouldn't be wise to let their guard down. She signaled to proceed with caution. Kaidan took caution and edged forward carefully, keeping behind cover while Jenkins moved on ahead, following the path. Suddenly a pair of gleaming lights came into view and before Shepard could make a move to take them out, they fired at Jenkins.

"Jenkins!" Shepard shouted as the young Corporal staggered and fell to the ground. Keeping behind the cover of a large boulder, Shepard drew out her sniper. Peering through the scope, she observed the enemy to be some sort of drone. She took the shot and the drone exploded with a pop and a crackle of electricity.

Kaidan hit the other drone with a Sabotage. The synthetic's guns backfired and it fell to the ground with the pieces of its companion. When the hostiles were cleared they charged toward Jenkins, only to discover they had already lost a squad mate. Shepard's heart felt heavy as she looked upon the body of the rookie marine. Kaidan bent down beside the young man and moved a hand over his face to lid his lifeless eyes. As he stood he shot Shepard a sorrowful glance.

"Ripped right through his shields. Never stood a chance," Kaidan observed sadly.

"As soon as we complete the mission we'll ensure he receives a proper burial," Shepard assured him.

"Aye aye Commander."

The remaining pair proceeded forward on the path. They encountered slight opposition on the way as more drones appeared, however they were quickly taken out. Nihlus's voice hummed in her ears again.

"I've got some burned out buildings here Shepard, and a lot of bodies," he informed her. "I'm going to check it out, and I'll try to catch up with you at the dig site."

"Okay Nihlus," she replied. "Stay alert."

Pushing on ahead they heard an exchange of gunfire. Signaling Kaidan to keep behind her, she edged up carefully until the scene came into view. She could see a few geth, restraining a human man over a strange contraption. The man appeared dazed as his eyes darted around in confusion. A female soldier ducked behind some metal crates, but the geth paid her no heed as they held onto the man, only releasing him when a spike abruptly shot up from the contraption, piercing him through the torso. Shepard could feel a sickening knot churn in her stomach, and without another thought she charged forward to take cover beside the woman, with Kaidan in tow. The three soldiers quickly took out the synthetics, but they still needed to make it to the beacon, and fast.

Shepard turned to the woman. "What's your name soldier?"

After attempting to catch her breath, the woman turned her eyes toward Shepard in relief. "Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the 212. Are you the one in charge here, mam?"

Shepard simply nodded in reply. "Any idea why the geth attacked here?"

"I can't be certain mam, but I think they came for the beacon. The dig site is close. Just over that rise," Ashley said, pointing towards an area ahead.

"We could certainly use your help Williams."

"Aye aye mam. It's time for payback!" Ashley said with venom in her voice.

The reformed team quickly made their way to the dig site. However, to their dismay, the beacon was nowhere to be found. Ashley suggested that it may have been moved at some point, though she couldn't be certain by whom. They decided to press on to the research camp. Following the path that wound up the hill on the other side of the dig site, the camp soon came into view. However they were met by a cluster of spiked contraptions that resembled the one they had seen kill a man.

"Shepard," Nihlus's voice came through the comm, "I see a spaceport up ahead. I'll meet you there. I suspect that's where the beacon will be."

"Okay," Shepard responded. "Just watch your back, there are a lot of geth lurking about."

"Will do Shepard. I'll see you when you get to the spaceport. From there we can secure the beacon and get off this rock." She could make out a bit of longing in his voice and sympathized. She couldn't wait to leave here either. The thought of pulling through this hellhole to finally return to the warmth of his embrace was enticing enough. She had to press on.

When they reached the camp, they had quickly discovered why the geth had been lancing the humans on the stake-like contraptions. They had transformed them into soulless half-human half-synthetic beings. The groans of the undead filled their ears as they charged at the team, existing now only to destroy. They shot them down, one by one, but they continued to come in droves.


Nihlus made his way to the shipping platform quietly. He could see someone meandering about the area; another turian. The turian's scent was familiar, but Nihlus didn't want to take any chances before he could be certain. He quickly pressed forward, keeping his gun pointed towards the individual. As he moved in closer he could make out the familiar pale barefaced features.

"Saren!" Nihlus uttered the name, surprised to see his former mentor.

Saren turned to the younger turian, his teeth displayed in a grin. "Nihlus," he said pleasantly.

Lowering his weapon Nihlus glared at him. "This isn't your mission Saren. What are you doing here?"

Saren paused as the nostalgic scent of flowers filled his senses. He could feel his body grow calm as he breathed in the sweet scent, her scent. "Where is Shepard?" he purred as a flood of thoughts and emotions flowed through him.

Nihlus growled low in his chest as he heard her name emitted from the mouth of her former lover. "She's not here, Saren," he replied bitingly. There was no way he was about to tell him that she was on her way.

Saren snarled menacingly, stepping toward the other turian in challenge. He took in a deep breath as he stood inches away from Nihlus. Her scent was strong, and fact that it lingered on this other turian filled him with an intense darkness. "Why, Nihlus, do you carry her scent on you?" Saren's eyes were filled with a murderous rage as he accosted his rival.

"Saren, this isn't the time!" Nihlus snapped. He couldn't understand why he was confronting him about this, especially now, surrounded by danger. "You abandoned her Saren. She's moved on."

Saren shot him a grin that was laced with hatred and pity. He considered the younger turian for a moment, his cybernetic eyes burning brightly. "Do truly know what it is to love, Nihlus?"

At the mention of the word, an image appeared in his thoughts; an image of the pale-haired human woman for whom he deeply cared. She was his best friend, and his lover. To lose her would mean losing a piece of himself; the piece that made him whole. Shepard, in all of her fierceness and everything that made her who she was, he could no longer imagine life without her. He did love her, and he resolved to make that point clear to her as soon as they got off this rock.

Turning from Saren, he looked out over hill from where Shepard would arrive at any moment, guns blazing. In his mind he could see her victorious smile and gentle eyes as she fought her way towards his location. "Yes, Saren. I do know what it is to love," Nihlus concluded with a toothy grin.

"Then you'll understand that I cannot let you have her," Saren growled coldly, lifting his gun to aim at the younger turian's back.

Sensing the gun at his back, he knew there was no avoiding this fight with his former friend and mentor. One of them would not be leaving here alive, and he prayed to the spirits it would be Saren. "Forgive me Shepard..." Nihlus whispered, hoping she would somehow hear him, as he readied his gun.


Shepard could hear a gunshot echo through the air somewhere up ahead. She was suddenly met with a bitter wave of nausea. Swallowing it down she righted herself. Whatever it is, Nihlus can handle it, she chided her worried thoughts.

Moving forward they could see the shipping platform which was crawling with geth. Surrounding the platform stood more of the spikes that produced the human "husks". On the floor of the platform she could make out a dark figure. Squinting against the sunlight she could make out a turian figure lying on the platform. Then it struck her like a knife to the heart.

"Nihlus!" Shepard cried out, paying no heed to the ramifications of her outburst.

The geth on and surrounding the platform turned in their direction and immediately began firing. Kaidan, taking note of his Commander's distraught frame of mind, pulled her behind the large rock that acted as their cover. He could see she was shaking in both shock and fury. Her eyes held a cold dead stare as she tried to comprehend what she had seen.

"Commander, get a hold of yourself!" Kaidan demanded, shaking her shoulders roughly enough to get her attention.

She turned her eyes to her comrade. Those eyes which were just previously filled with horror and shock, quickly turned into a inexpressible rage. Grabbing her assault rifle she jumped to her feet, carelessly out of the cover of the boulder.

"Commander what are you-" Kaidan started, grabbing for her. However, his hand grasped only dead space as she charged toward the synthetic troops.

"Commander!" Ashley shouted. "What is she doing?" She directed her question at the Lieutenant.

Kaidan had no answer. He had never seen her like this. Reaching for his gun, he knew all he could do was cover her. Moving out of the safety of the rock he could see her determinately pressing toward the enemy, an intense blue glow emanating from the hands that gripped her firing gun. The glow coursed over her entire body as it fortified her shields. He had no idea the Commander was a biotic. Never had he seen her use them as she stuck strictly to guns and knives. However, he had no time to think on it further. He pressed forward, Ashley coming up beside him, to take out what enemies they could.

Shepard's mind whirled in a tempest of turmoil. She was unable to think clearly. She only knew she had to get to Nihlus and she was going to kill anything that got in her way. Her veins seared like molten lava as her biotics flared. A husk that had charged her head-on found itself ripped to shreds by a bolt of blue energy and several others found themselves riddled with bullets from her vengeful assault rifle. She made her way to the stairs, bullets beginning to penetrate her fortification. Two remaining geth stood between her and Nihlus. She launched a Throw at one and it slammed into the wall with such a force that pieces had flown in several directions. The second geth continued to shoot at her relentlessly. Several shots rang out behind her and the geth was down, however she was too livid to notice.

Shepard quickly knelt beside Nihlus's unmoving form, tearing off her gloves to touch him. Deep blue blood poured out from under him and he didn't stir when her hands grasped his face.

"Nihlus? Nihlus, wake up." Shepard pleaded to him. She was desperate to see some kind of movement; a flicker of an eyelid, a twitch of his mandibles, anything. She felt a hand touch her shoulder, but she violently shrugged it away. She wanted no pity, no comfort. She only wanted Nihlus, but he refused to open his eyes.

"Give me some medigel!" Shepard shouted as she lifted Nihlus a bit to place a hand on his wounded back.

"Commander, it's not going to help... he's-" Kaidan protested.

"Just do it Lieutenant!" Shepard commanded impatiently and desperately. As she caressed her lover's cheek, her eyes roamed over his almost peaceful face. She took in each white design that made up his clan marking, memorizing it. She could no longer see nor feel the strong spirit that she had held so dearly, and the realization hit her hard. She could feel a stabbing pain in her heart and every breath she drew caused a burning sensation that coursed throughout her body. A combination of nausea and despair shook her as she realized that Nihlus was gone. Taking his insignia from his body, she gripped it tightly and rose to her feet. A wetness stung her eyes, but she didn't weep. That she would save for a time of solitude.

"Commander, I'm sorry..." Kaidan said sincerely, placing a hand on her shoulder again.

Tearing her eyes from her fallen turian lover, she simply nodded at the Lieutenant and Gunnery Chief. "Move out," Shepard ordered firmly, desperately trying to keep her voice from shaking.

"Wait! Who's there?" Ashley demanded, raising her gun to aim at the stacked crates.

"Don't shoot! Please!" cried a male voice from behind the crates. A human man rose up from his cover, hands raised above his head. Shepard resisted every urge to shoot the man on sight. Consumed by her own disdain, she was more than ready to suspect anyone in the vicinity of having involvement in Nihlus's death, and make them pay. "I know who killed your friend," the man told her.

"Start talking!" Shepard said, aiming her assault rifle at the frightened human.

"H-he was another t-turian," he stammered. Your friend called him Saren."

"Saren?" Shepard asked in disbelief.

"Yeah Saren," the man reaffirmed shakily. "I couldn't hear everything they were saying but they seemed to know each other." He paused for a moment, trying to calm his nerves.

"Go on," Shepard urged impatiently.

"They seemed to be having a disagreement and this Saren held a gun to your friend's back. Before he could turn to engage in a fair fight, he shot him!" he exclaimed with a shake of his head.

Shepard couldn't fathom what this could mean. She hadn't heard from Saren for a month and now she'd learned that he ruthlessly killed Nihlus. She needed answers, but she definitely wasn't going to get them standing around here. "We need to find him. Where is he?" she demanded. It was clear to see that her eyes thirsted for blood.

"I-I saw him heading for the spaceport," the man answered nervously.

"Move out!" Shepard shouted as she stormed towards the area leading to the spaceport. She needed to find Saren and find out what was going on, and she had no intention of letting him survive the encounter. He was going to pay.


They fought their way through hordes of geth as they made route to the spaceport. On the way they found that the geth had been laying armed bombs. Shepard ordered the Gunnery Chief to disarm the bombs while she and Kaidan shot the shit out of the geth that stood in their way. She could have been quicker than Ashley about disarming the bombs, however, she was not the right state of mind and could only concentrate on killing. Right now she was more than happy to blow the heads off of a bunch of geth. She found herself occasionally using her biotics, the pain being a faint deterrent from her sorrow.

Finally, when Ashley has disarmed the last bomb, they found the spaceport, but no Saren. The spaceport was empty aside from a few littered synthetic bodies and the beacon. Shepard felt the rage well up inside her, wanting even more to tear Saren to pieces with her bare hands. He was running like a coward. Swallowing her dark thoughts temporarily, she radioed the Normandy, informing Anderson that they had secured the beacon and were ready for pickup.

While the Commander made her call to the Normandy, Kaidan decided to get a slightly closer look at the beacon. It was awe-inspiring. He hadn't come in contact with many Prothean artifacts before, especially not any in this great of shape. He saw a faint glow being emitted from the object. Taking a few steps closer to get a better look, he felt a sort of magnetic pull grab him, forcing him gradually closer. The force became so strong he was unable to escape it as it drew him in and he became anxious. Suddenly he felt two strong arms hoist him off the ground, tossing him to the side. His head snapped up to see Shepard now caught in the force in his place.

"Shepard!" Kaidan shouted. He tried to bolt to her rescue but Ashley held him back. All he could do was watch as his Commander was lifted off her feet, her body spamming as if met with an electric current. Then, the beacon exploded with a flash of green light, with a force that knocked Shepard to the ground. Kaidan threw himself to her side, checking for her vitals; she was alive but unconscious. He silently prayed for the Normandy to get here soon.


The asari approached Saren, who sat in deep contemplation as he fingered a metal tag attached to a chain. He studied it intently, seemingly oblivious to the asari's presence. She cleared her throat before she spoke, gently bringing Saren from his thoughts.

"We identified the ship that touched down on Eden Prime," she stated. "The Normandy, a human Alliance vessel. It was under the command of Captain Anderson."

To him the presence of Nihlus and Captain Anderson on Eden Prime could only mean one thing. Shepard was there. That bastard turian had lied to him to keep her from him. But he paid for his lies. However, he missed the chance to reunite with his mate, to convince her to join him in his cause. He was certain, with the death of Nihlus, he would have more chances for that later. If Shepard knew of his involvement in her young turian lover's death, she would certainly pursue him for answers. Until then he needed to move on. The tasks Sovereign had entrusted him with were the only things keeping his mind intact. As long as Saren proved useful, Sovereign wouldn't be inclined to break him as he had done countless others.

"What of the beacon?" Saren asked the asari.

"One of the humans may have used it," she answered calmly.

Saren growled, intense feelings of rage sweeping over him. His eyes studied the shiny metal tag one last time before tucking it away. He hoped to the spirits that it wasn't Shepard who had used the beacon. He knew it would either destroy her or warn her of the Reapers. Without him to explain to her the circumstances, she would act brashly, convincing the Council to enact war with the Reapers. He couldn't let that happen. Storming up to the asari he wrapped his clawed hands around her scrawny blue neck and glared at her with deadly ferocity.

"You bring me this human… alive." Saren growled, backing away from her gaze. If Shepard was the human in question, he needed more than ever to bring her to his side. He couldn't allow her to find the conduit before him.


Shepard woke in the med bay. Her head was spinning and her vision was blurry. She could hear footsteps approaching her and it filled her with unexplainable irritation. She just wanted to be left alone.

"You had us worried there Shepard," Doctor Chakwas told her. "How are you feeling?"

"Like shit," Shepard responded flatly.

"You've been out for about fifteen hours," Chakwas said. "Something happened down there, with the beacon I think."

"It's my fault," Kaidan's voice chimed in behind Shepard. "I must've triggered some kind of security field when I approached it. You had to push me out of the way."

"You should have been more careful, Lieutenant," Shepard bit out at him ignoring the hurt expression on his face. She didn't care. She didn't care about anything right now. She hurt, and whoever was around better be prepared to feel her wrath.

"Do you remember anything, Shepard? About the beacon?" Chakwas pressed. "You were experiencing some abnormal brainwaves and an increase in your rapid eye movement, often associated with dreaming."

"I don't want to talk about it," Shepard replied darkly. "I need to speak with Captain Anderson."

The doctor nodded. "Shepard... if you need to talk you know where to find me," she told her before leaving to fetch the Captain.

"I'll be available as well, if you ever need to... you know, talk." Kaidan hesitated for a moment, waiting for a response. When he didn't receive one he left her alone to return to his post.

This was a tough chapter for obvious reasons. Certain parts were painful to write but I knew it had to be done. Pleanty more angst to come very shortly! I've been thinking about this a lot and need to get my ideas down, so the next few chapters may come out rather quickly.