Disclaimer: Most of the characters and all of the locations, technologies, concepts, etc that appear in this story are property of Bioware/EA.


This is War

Shepard…

Where was she? Dark foliage littered the ground before her feet. Black barked trees stretched up to the skies above. A thick fog laid itself across the land as grim clouds traveled overhead.

Shepard…

Jane turned around to see what was calling her. Inky black effigies in the form of Humans floated before her. Faces made themselves visible for brief seconds before fading away with a gentle breeze. The sound of laughing children echoed faintly in the distance. Where was she?

Shepard…

She turned again to see a face she thought she would never see again. A face that wasn't Human.

No… I…

Shepard… It's your fault.

I'm sorry… I did what I could…

The face multiplied into countless more shadowy figures, moving toward her.

You killed us…

Jane fell to her knees, gray and brown leaves springing up from the ground.

I tried… I had to make a decision…

You slaughtered us…

I saved Elysium!

You sacrificed us…

Hands came up to cup her ears as tears ran down her freckled face. Eyes were all around her. Watching her.

You're a murderer…

Please…

You're a killer…

Stop… please…

Why should you live…

Jane felt hands grasping her throat, crushing her windpipe and asphyxiating her.

When we died.

Please…

She looked forward as her vision began blurring. The boy on Earth. His cold stare pierced her eyes. In an instant, he was set aflame.

You watched us die…

Shepard… Shepard…

"Commander Shepard?"

Jane woke with a start, breath heavy and face covered in a light sheen of sweat.

"Commander, Liara would like to speak with you."

"Just… just give me a second, EDI…"

Jane quickly rose up from the bed, putting on a pair of boots as she made her way over to the private bathroom. With a quick splash of tap water to her face, Shepard walked over to the entrance to the captain's cabin, opening the door to find a familiar blue face staring at her.

"Liara… Anything I can do for you?"

The Shadow Broker could see the weary look in her Commander's eyes and the way her mind tiredly dragged itself across her own.

"I've forwarded any and all information I could find on the device to the Turian Councilor… We've deduced that it simply can't be built by the Alliance alone. We need this summit…"

Liara watched as her Commander's eyes shifted to the steel walls around them, sleepy and unfocused.

"Shepard… Is something the matter?"

Jane stalked over to the railing beside the central Normandy elevator. Liara came up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Shepard felt her lover's hand through the white Alliance tee adorning her upper body and took comfort in the warmth it generated.

"The nightmares have been coming back recently…"

Liara's eyes broadened. The last time she had experienced one of Jane's more intense nightmares had been horrifying. The former archaeologist knew of her actions on Elysium. She saw her actions within Shepard's mind and had instantly come to understand why they hounded her almost every night since. There is only so much the mind can take before it begins regurgitating unpleasant memories.

"Jane…"

Liara closed her eyes and gently prodded at her Jane's consciousness. Shepard allowed her inside and Liara could see the images inside of her Commander's head. She saw the dead bodies littering the fields before her, terrible smells of charred flesh and bone in the air. Batarian slaver ships in the skys above, destroying buildings and the people within them. They slowly morphed into the horrid metallic forms of the Reapers. The scene shifted to the Alliance Vancouver base.

Enormous Reapers towered over her as she could hear screaming and gunfire in the streets below. Liara slowly severed the link, eyes watering as she looked into emerald green pools.

"Oh… Jane…"

Liara brought her arms up to hug her Commander from behind. This woman had been through so much. She had gone above and beyond the call of duty, and she had to do it again in a war that they could have, at the very least, been more prepared for if those in power had only listened to her.

The elevator opened behind them.

"Commander, I'm comm Specialist Sam- oh!"

Liara removed herself from her Commander's back as they turned around to view a new face on the Normandy. Black shoulder-length hair framed dark skin and darker brown eyes.

"I-I'm sorry! Am I interrupting something?"

Liara looked back to her Jane and smiled, squeezing thin pale fingers as she began to make her way to the elevator.

'We'll speak later'

Shepard nodded as she read her Asari's gaze.

"I was just leaving."

Saluting, the Specialist reintroduced herself to her new C.O. with a nervous waver in her eyes.

"Commander! I'm comm Specialist Samama- Samantha! Traynor, Alliance R&D. I-I was part of the team outfitting the Normandy retrofits when the Reapers hit, we had to leave immediately or the ship would've been a pile of rubble-!"

"Slow down, Specialist! Take a breath, you're doing fine."

Jane interrupted Traynor's babbling with an open hand and a tired smile. Catching herself, Samantha took her Commander's hand and shook firmly, cheeks blushing a dark crimson.

"Sorry… I've always worked in labs; three years ago I never dreamed I would be serving on the most advanced ship in the Alliance. Much less under the great Commander Shepard."

Shepard allowed a wry laugh loose from her throat as she brought the Specialist into the captain's cabin.

"I'll assume you're here to brief me on the retrofits?"

"Ah! Yes here…"

Traynor handed Shepard a small data pad and began explaining the various changes to the Normandy –including an 'interesting' exchange with EDI concerning voices. All the while, Samantha had to keep the stubborn blush from her cheeks.


"Try not to break his nose, Commander! All the mirrors aboard wouldn't be able to handle it if something happened to that pretty face!"

Lieutenant Steve Cortez shouted across the Normandy shuttle bay with a grin as he observed his Commanding Officer and Lieutenant James Vega begin their sparring match. It was nice to have Shepard visit all the way down on the bottom deck.

"I know you'd be heartbroken, Esteban!"

James shot back his snarky reply with a smirk as he began swinging at Jane. Shepard easily blocked the two straight punches as she retaliated.

"You and Lieutenant Cortez close?"

Vega fired two more punches at Shepard, only hitting thin air as the Commander backed away and moved in again.

"Yeah, did me a few favors back on Fehl-Prime. While I was with my old squad."

"Really, who'd you run with?"

Jane asked as she let loose her own barrage of fists, slowly working off the weariness that still claimed her body during her tour of the Normandy.

"Delta Squad, led by Captain Toni. You kinda remind me of 'im. He was one hell of a hard-ass but he knew how to lead a team."

Another jab was blocked by the Commander, slightly harder than the previous strikes, Jane noted.

"Was?"

"Was. K.I.A. along with most of Delta, protecting the colony from a Collector attack!"

James said in a raised voice as his stance shifted and he began a more aggressive attack on Shepard. His eyes narrowed, trying to find a weakness in Jane's defense when he felt the familiar frustration bubble up within his stomach.

"And the rest of the Colony?"

"Gone. We had intel on the Collectors, intel that could've been used to find 'em and kill 'em! I had to choose, either the colony, or the intel. Guess which one I picked."

Jane stepped forward to land a glancing blow on Vega's scruffy cheek. It did no real damage but the hit only worked to fuel James' anger.

"Sorry… that's a tough call."

"A good soldier follows orders without question, right?"

A humorless smile pulled at his mouth as he began to push forward, each blow blocked or dodged as Shepard danced around him with ease. Several crew mates gathered around the duo as their spar turned into something more fierce than intended.

"Wanna know the best part? We didn't even need the intel! 'Cause while the Alliance was sitting with their thumbs up their asses, you were out there fighting 'em yourself!"

It dawned on Jane why the Lieutenant was angry. She had heard about the actions of Delta squad in the brief weeks before and after her mission to the Bahak system.

"You can't blame yourself for something beyond your realm of control, Vega! Let it go."

"And who the hell says I'm blaming myse-Oof!"

James allowed his guard to drop just enough for Jane to land an actual punch on James' cheek, bruising the tanned flesh.

"I do! That move you pulled on Mars was not only reckless; it endangered yourself, my team and our mission! I don't care how much you want to atone for a mistake you didn't make. I need you to think a bit more before you do something stupid!"

"Or maybe I'm just willing to do whatever the fuck it takes to end thi-!"

Jane smashed her fist into Vega's face, breaking his nose, and then ducked to sweep a leg out into his. James toppled to the ground as Shepard placed her knee onto his throat, squeezing softly.

"We're not ending this war with wild stunts that put the mission at risk! If you're half the soldier you think you are, I need you alive and willing to follow my orders! Understand, Lieutenant?"

"Ergh… Yeah, thanks for the pep-talk, Commander…"

The crowd dispersed as Shepard reached out a hand to help James up, steadying him from his slight daze.

"Let's get you up to the medbay. Doctor Chakwas'll fix you up."

Vega nodded as he held his bleeding nose. They made their way to the armory section of the shuttle bay before Vega turned with a grin on his face.

"Thanks for the dance, Lola."

Jane turned to the Lieutenant, holding her aching knuckles. James' face was just as thick as his ego, apparently. It felt like she had punched a solid wall of granite.

"Lola?"

"You kinda look like a Lola."

Jane chuckled as she stepped over to the armory to lean against the equipment procurement terminal.

"Hah, you're lucky you're cute. So I'll let it slide. For now."

"Aw, don't make me blush now."

They turned to enter the elevator, but not before Steve came up next to James to snicker in his face and tease him. Vega replied by shoving him away with a defeated smile on his lips.


"Major General, did I hear you correctly?"

Hackett asked through the holographic interface.

'Absolutely. I want to be involved in this operation, Admiral. If it is acceptable, I would like to remain on the Normandy.'

"May I ask why?"

Kane looked down at her feet and back up to his bearded face.

'Permission to speak freely, Admiral?'

"Granted."

Alexis took a breath before continuing.

'I've never enjoyed my position. I would prefer to work in a smaller team, more personal. If it means a demotion, then I'll gladly take it.'

Hackett shook his head, holding a stare at the Major General.

"Alexis... We both know it can't just be that. Come clean with me. After what we've been through, and what we're facing now, there's no time for distrust between us."

Kane lowered her head again. The man was right. This was hardly the time for secrets and subterfuge among allies. She brought her gaze back up to her Fleet Admiral.

'Alright, Steven... but this can't leave this communication channel. Do I have your word?'

Hackett smiled at his friend and nodded his capped head.


Jane walked into Liara's office. According to Traynor, the Shadow Broker had claimed the old X.O. office as her own shortly after moving a large amount of equipment onto the Normandy. And it showed, as Jane looked at the numerous display screens, terminals, servers and data pads that littered the space in a chaotically organized pattern.

"Well, you certainly weren't kidding when you said you needed a few things from the Citadel…"

A holographic sphere bounced forward toward the Commander.

"Hello Commander! It is a pleasure to see you again."

"You brought your little helper?"

Liara smiled as she made her way from the bed to where Jane stood.

"Doctor T'soni now refers to me as 'Glyph' instead of 'info-drone' ninety-five percent of the time."

"He's been extremely helpful with maintaining the network. He's also been useful in categorizing all of the information we've found on the Reapers so far. I've been compiling files on the device as well."

Liara turned to the central console at the center of the room, tapping a few keys and causing the entire array of screens before them to read off massive amounts of data about the Prothean weapon. Jane came up behind Liara, resting her chin on her lover's shoulder as she looked down at the screen.

"Do we even know how it'll fire off? What type of weapon is it, exactly?"

Liara pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Uncertainty washed over Jane as a familiar mind snaked its way out to caress her own.

"I'm still not sure. We're still piecing the schematic together but I've come to the conclusion that, if properly assembled, it has the ability to put out massive amounts of power. I've forwarded everything I've uncovered to Admiral Hackett and Councilor Sparatus. Sparatus still won't budge until his Primarch is confirmed to be safe aboard the Normandy."

"Speaking of; have you heard anything about this Primarch?"

Liara shook her head in the negative.

"I know that he was last seen making his way to Palaven's largest moon, Menae. I've received reports of heavy fighting going on there. Hopefully he's either still alive or someone will be there to replace him, as per the Turian Hierarchy succession guidelines."

Shepard hummed as she buried her face into Liara's shoulder, taking pleasure in breathing in her lover's scent of soft lilac. She weaved her arms around Liara's waist, only to have the former archaeologist catch her right hand, inspecting it.

"What in the name of the Goddess happened…?"

Jane smiled sheepishly as Liara turned her red-haired lover's hand over. Shepard's knuckle was bandaged up heavily. She had a hairline fracture in her fourth and fifth metacarpal according to Doctor Chakwas (who had begun to jokingly regret coming back aboard the Normandy).

"I had a… 'talk' with our Lieutenant Vega."

Liara shook her head as she brought the hand up to kiss the white bandages.

"You always did enjoy hitting things. I'll assume he's fine?"

"He'll live. Just had to let him know exactly how I felt about his little stunt on Mars."

Liara cradled Shepard's hand in her own.

"You know, without him we wouldn't have the data…"

"I know… but because of him, you got hurt."

Jane said ruefully as her other hand went down to touch Liara's left leg, just above the steadily healing wound in her thigh. The Asari placed her hand above Jane's, gripping it softly and bringing it up to join it's bandaged twin within her gloved fingers. Liara's eyes went black as she asked yet again for entrance. Jane chuckled and allowed her in again.

You know, you don't need permission.

Jane…

Liara turned to face Shepard fully, weaving her arms around a slender waist.

What is it?

Things are going to get so much worse…

Jane bowed her head.

I know.

Are you sure you want to continue this?

What?

Shepard looked back up into solid black pools, confused and curious.

Of course I do. I made a promise… remember?

Flashes of the Normandy captain's cabin filled their shared consciousness. A dinner, glasses of wine and soft music. Visions of tears, both grateful and fearful for the future. Memories of pleasant sighs and longing moans. Reassurances and warmth.

You did…

And I fully intend to keep it.

If you're su-

Liara.

The look in Jane's eyes pierced directly into the innermost reaches of Liara's mind. The Shadow Broker couldn't even resist (not that she'd want to) when Jane came forward to seal her pink lips with Liara's dark blue lips. Explosions of desire and passion ignited between their minds and Jane could feel Liara's consciousness writhe and twist into her own in a delicious dance of pleasure and need.

They separated with a soft pop. Emerald green bored into black, slowly receding back to regular sapphire blue.

"Okay… okay."

Jane smiled at the familiarity of the situation.

"Okay."

"Excuse my interruption, Commander Shepard, Doctor T'soni."

Jane sighed in irritation as they turned to view the holographic form of Glyph floating up to their faces. Liara smiled awkwardly.

"He does that from time to time… What is it, Glyph?"

"I felt the need to inform you that there is an unidentified life form living inside the engineering deck. Scans indicate that it is not dangerous."

Jane raised an eyebrow and looked back at Liara.

"Perhaps we should go see what it is…"


"Damn it! Boo! Get back here!"

The duo rushed down to engineering, following glyph to the bottom of the deck where many supplies had been stored during the Normandy's retrofits (Jane had even managed to locate some of her model ships).

"Boo! I'm not going to hurt you, just let… me… gra- augh!"

Jane lunged at the mischievous space hamster only to trip over a small crate and fall over. Liara shook her head and smiled widely at the humorous scene before her: Commander Shepard, one of the most feared, dangerous and powerful beings in the galaxy, the first Human SPECTRE was chasing and trying to catch a small hamster.

"C'mere yah little… damn it!"

Failing to catch a small hamster.

"A little help, please?"

Jane looked up at Liara, a pleading look in her eyes as she was bent over another crate to get better access to one of the hamster's hiding places (which had given sapphire eyes a rather pleasant view of a clothed, muscled behind).

"I don't know, perhaps we should follow this creature since he's so adept at outmaneuvering the savior of the galaxy."

Liara teased. Jane pouted and returned to her search for the elusive rodent, muttering something about receiving no respect on her ship. Liara chuckled and bent down, holding out a hand and biotically feeling around a small crevice where she had seen the creature take refuge.

Gently latching on to a small ball of fur, Liara pulled the hamster out of the small space. It was squeaking adorably as it floated weightlessly through the air and was deposited into a gloved hand.

"There, there little one… It's alright now."

Liara cooed to the small pet. Jane turned fully and sat on the crate to watch her lover stroke Boo's small head with a gloved finger. Liara had always been fond of animals, specifically the many breeds of animals with fur that Earth offered in abundance.

Liara giggled as Boo nibbled the pad of her finger.

"Don't you worry, little one. The big scary red monster won't hurt you."

Liara looked to the red monster in question, only to find her lover staring hard at her and Boo, a grim expression on her face.

"Shepard?"

"It's almost time."

The Commander said as she got up from her crate. Liara stood, gently handing Boo to Jane and placing a small peck at the corner of her lover's mouth.


Boo stared out of the clear glass of his case, placed back on the familiar shelf of the captain's cabin. Jane came out of the bathroom, steam wafting off of her toned form as she finished drying off. She put a hand into her moist bronze hair.

"Commander, as per your request, ETA to the Apien Crest is t-minus ten minutes."

"Thank you, EDI."

Jane walked over to the clothing storage compartment, retrieving a bra, an undershirt, panties and a freshly pressed Alliance officer uniform.

The Commander walked out of the central elevator, fully dressed and ready. Specialist Samantha Traynor and several other crew members saluted as she made her way to the galaxy map at the center of the C.I.C.

From her position at the raised platform, Jane could see Flight Lieutenant Jeffery Moreau in his pilot's chair, turned toward the C.I.C. behind him. His bearded face smirked at Shepard as he gave a tip of his cap to his Commander and returned to his pilot duties.

Jane smiled and brought up a holographic interface before her, accessing the audio system. EDI's voice rung out around her.

"The intercom is yours, Shepard."

Jane let out a breath.

'You all know why we're here.'

Every ear on the Normandy perked up as they heard the voice of their Commander.

'Earth is under siege. I will not lie to any of you, you deserve the truth; our world is being torn apart as I speak.'

Engineer Gregory Adams looked up from his panel in the engine room.

'Our enemy is unlike anything we've faced before. The Reapers will stop at nothing until every organic being in the galaxy lies dead at their feet.'

Medical specialist Doctor Karin Chakwas took a sip from her glass of wine, face hardened.

'Right now, families are being ripped asunder. Cities are burning.'

Sweat dripped from James' haired chin as he began performing his normal regime of push-ups, albeit quicker than his normal speed.

'There will be casualties. There's no getting around that. Many will die, but many more will be saved by our actions, here and now.'

Cortez checked the contents of the armory one more time, making sure every weapon was in place and in correct order.

'We will show them that the inhabitants of this galaxy will not go quietly. We will fight!'

Traynor looked up from her terminal at her Commander, beaming with confidence.

'We will fight for every single inch we can! We will meet them on every theatre of war we can, give everything we are for one more breath!'

Liara looked out of her window to the endless expanse of stars before her, sapphire eyes set in a hard gaze.

'If we are to go down, we will not go down screaming. We will go down shouting! We will make them fear us!'

Major General Kane polished the barrel on her recently purchased Widow anti-material sniper rifle within the port observation lounge.

'Because who's like us!?'

A loud and unfaltering response resounded all throughout the SSV Normandy SR2.

"DAMN FEW!"

Alexis loaded a fresh thermal clip into the rifle.

"… and they're all dead."


Thank you all for reading and your kind words. While I am primarily writing this for my own pleasures, it warms my heart to see so many reading and enjoying this.

This chapter was originally supposed to be part of the previous chapter, but I felt it went on for too long so I snapped it in half and modified the results.

Anyway, I hope to have you join me again soon.