A/N: This chapter will be a little different, something we don't really witness in the game again. Hopefully you all will enjoy this!

Onto the next =D

Chapter Ten

Visions flooded her mind, and she could not escape them. Strange beings were being slaughtered all around her, and she could not do anything to stop it. The skies above her were clouded over by smoke, ash, and strange ships. She could hear the screams, the sounds of gun fire and explosions. Death surrounded her, the ground beneath her feet was soaked in blood.

She didn't know where she was. She didn't know what was happening. One moment she could see everything clear as day, the next she was blinded by random pictures, events, sounds of metal on metal. A chaotic jumble that didn't make sense. Fear over took her senses and she struggled to get away, but couldn't even move. She brought her hands to her head, clutching onto her own hair as she felt a pounding headache, wanting to scream in pain, but couldn't find her voice.

Suddenly the image melted away, forming a new scene around her. Torfan, it was all back to Torfan. Dead humans and batarians littered the landscape, the soil under her buried in a sea of blood. Shepard could feel her heart pounding with a mixture of confusion and a sense of fear. All she wanted to do was run away from these god forsaken scenes that played out in her mind. But no matter how hard she struggled she couldn't wake from this continuous nightmare.

Once again the world around her melted until there was nothing but darkness. Shepard tried to look around but wasn't even sure if she was moving. The pitch black felt like it was swallowing her whole. She felt no hope, no sense of direction, and with no light to guide her back she was utterly lost and alone.

Just when she felt like there was nothing she could do to break free of this darkness the world began to light up again. Slowly images began to fill her vision. Buildings, people, the noises of a day to day life.

Suddenly she found herself on Illium. A planet she had once found herself on when she stowed away when she was around thirteen years old. She never stayed in one place long. She would stow away on any large vessel whenever she found the opportunity. Anything to keep away from the police. She had to steal everything in order to survive. She was also able to hack into most terminals in order to get what she needed to through the day. That meant being constantly on the move. Never allowing herself to get comfortable in one place, on one planet.

Shepard wandered the streets of Illium, reliving the past in that moment. It was just the start of what would end up being a long five years. Resorting to crime and theft. It was her means to make it to the next day, whatever it took. She never knew her parents, was abused as a little kid by foster parents, and ran away from them when she had the first chance to. She was on her own, no one to depend on. She raised herself.

And just as suddenly as she found herself on Illium, her surroundings suddenly erupted in flames. Asari, human, and salarian alike found themselves being torn apart by husk like creatures. The skies blackened with giant warships, and explosions were heard from all around her.

The teenaged version of Shepard fled in terror, looking for any place to hide from the sudden horrors going on around her. She could hear the screams returning as the familiar species all around her morphed into strange aliens she had never seen before. More hideous creatures appeared, and began to chase her through the streets of Illium. There was no where to hide. Something in the back of her skull told her as such.

Just as the creatures closed the distance towards Shepard, she let out a horrified scream.

Micah jolted up in her bed, arms suddenly shielding her face and head as she let out a sudden shout. The images from the beacon replayed themselves in her mind's eye as she felt hands grabbing at her arms and she struggled against her assailant. "Commander Shepard, it's alright!" She heard a woman calling out to her. "You're safe, you're aboard the Normandy!" The voice continued to shout.

The visions faded away, but her eyes remained tightly closed as her head throbbed in pain. She let out shaky breathes of panic and pain, but she stopped struggling against the person trying to calm her down. Shepard slowly blinked her eyes open, the dim light feeling blinding as she tried to adjust to her surroundings.

Shepard finally realized she was in the med bay, doctor Chakwas standing over her as the Commander sat on the examination table. Shepard tried to control her breathing, trying to push away the panic that still flooded her system. Once Shepard lowered her arms, Chakwas activated her omni tool running a quick diagnostic scan on the Commander. "Are you alright, Shepard?" She questioned, the concern noticeable in her tone of voice.

Shepard nodded some, inhaling deeply before exhaling. "Yeah, I think so." she said, her voice hoarse and quieter than normal. "Though I feel like the day after shore leave at the moment." she added as she reached up with one hand, placing it over her eyes, the head ache still present.

"Your bio readings look normal, aside from an excess of adrenaline." Chakwas stated as she deactivated her omni tool. "We should really run a few exams before you leave the med bay, however." she then added as she looked at Shepard, noting the paleness in her face. Sweat beaded around Shepard's face as well.

Shepard shook her head as she swung her legs over the edge of the table, letting her hands grasp the sides of it. She then looked up to the doctor, her breathing mostly back in control. "How long was I out?" Shepard questioned. Nausea suddenly filled her senses, but she swallowed hard keeping it in check. It was bad enough she appeared weak and vulnerable in front of the doctor. The last thing she wanted was to start puking too.

Chakwas wandered over to her work station, picking up a data pad as she began typing onto it, "About 14 hours. You had us all a little worried." she informed Shepard. Shepard's eyes narrowed as her brows furrowed. Fourteen hours was a long time to be out. She racked her brain for the last thing she could remember before all the weird visions and nightmares.

She was on Eden Prime. Jenkins was dead, the geth were attacking, and they found Williams. Then they had found Nihlus dead at the cargo port, and the beacon. The beacon had to be the source of these bizarre visions. "Captain Anderson is in the CIC. Once I've cleared you for duty he wants you to meet with him there." Chakwas then said, re-approaching the commander.

"Where are we right now?" Shepard questioned, not feeling well enough to give any resistance to the doctor's examinations. She felt exhausted despite being out cold for fourteen hours. She felt more like she had been awake for two days. She had little fight in her to give any fucks about who wanted what. As long as it meant not having to deal with too much crap.

"We are docking with the Citadel as we speak." Chakwas replied as she ran her tests on her omni tool before hooking Shepard's arm up to a blood pressure machine. Shepard simply nodded as the machine began to run it's readings.

Shepard looked to the screen noting her blood pressure. It looked normal, given the circumstances. "Well everything seems normal, and you should be able to go straight back to duty." Chakwas stated as she began typing away once again at her data pad. Shepard watched the older woman as she began to speak again, "Just take it easy for the next day, drink plenty of water, and have a good meal. It may help regain your strength quicker." Shepard once more just nodded.

Chakwas continued to note the pale complexion, though the sweating had gone away. "How are you feeling, Shepard?" the doctor then asked. Shepard gave her a meek glare. She was hoping that by not resisting all of the medical technicalities she could be on her way quickly.

"Just a damned head ache from hell." Shepard said. Chakwas folded her arms over her chest. She had heard of Shepard's short temper. Her psyche profile was littered with attitude problems, and disciplinary actions. But she supposed if the commander felt well enough to get rowdy than it was a good sign she was fit for duty. "Can I go now?" Shepard then questioned impatiently.

Chakwas nodded as she returned to her work station, once more busying herself with the data pad.

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Liara could barely keep conscious. Exhaustion and her sore limbs kept her from both staying awake and falling asleep. Her hunger and thirst was unbearable and it twisted her stomach into knots. Her head hung forward as she tried to moisten the inside of her mouth and her chapped lips. But it did little to make her feel better.

But she knew she still had to cling to hope for being rescued. She began to feel like it was just wishful thinking however. The geth and that krogan battle master were still trying to find their way in. Whatever hope she had would lie in an army to reach her. But she had to hold on. She kept telling herself she only had to wait a little while longer before someone came looking.

She heard footsteps approaching her cell and she slowly and painfully lifted her head to see the krogan approaching the barrier curtain. "Tell me how to get past this barrier and you might live." He rumbled. She just didn't have the will power to bite back at him anymore. So, instead, she refused to say anything at all.

The krogan kept trying to convince her that her salvation lied in allying herself with the Spectre Saren, but she refused to believe it. If Saren was looking for her and in peace, her whole team wouldn't have been murdered in cold blood. She was naive to the galaxy outside of her studies, but she wasn't stupid. The krogan growled as she just gave him a half hazy stare. The krogan tried ramming himself against the barrier once again. All the while the asari continued to stare at him with silence.

"When I find a way in there, you will regret, asari!" he roared out, ramming himself into the curtain still. Liara just let out a huff of exhaustion before letting her head drop once more, no longer caring about the pain her body was in. Giving in to sleep was all she currently cared about.

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It took some effort. Effort and a lot of running around between the Citadel wards and presidium, but Shepard had exposed Saren for the traitor her was. What was more, it took some extreme patients on her part to convince the council to allow her to pursue the now ex Spectre. With some carefully considered words, and convincing from Udina Shepard was now the first human Spectre.

That was not all she did on the Citadel however. In her investigation against Saren she had recruited the help of a turian named Garrus, a quarian named Tali, and a krogan bounty hunter named Wrex. She also ended up putting a bullet in the face of a man called Fist, an ex employee of the Shadow Broker, and lacky for Saren. She also recovered data from Tali which exposed Saren. Data that also helped Shepard decipher the vision that was burned into her brain.

Reapers. It explained her vivid nightmares while she was out cold after Eden Prime. The war ships she saw in said dreams, also the strange ship her squad witnessed on Eden Prime. The strange beings in the vision could have been the protheans too. So much information was swimming about Shepard's head even she wasn't sure she could believe the beacon's vision, and apparent warning. But she could feel it in her gut, and Anderson was the only one between the council and the human ambassador that believed her.

Now her newly recruited help, along with Ashley and Kaidan, were heading back to the Normandy. Shepard was looking forward to some sleep now. Real sleep, not that crap she experienced after the beacon knocked her off her ass. But once her team reached the docking bay they were greeted by Anderson and the asari councillor.

Shepard motioned for the crew to head into the Normandy as she stopped in front of the asari and the captain. "Shepard." Anderson greeted. Shepard folded her arms, the look on her face telling of her impatience. Exhaustion also etched across her features, and she was sure everyone around her had noticed. She folded her arms across her chest as she glimpsed between one and the other, waiting to hear what they had to say.

Anderson stood straight, folding his arms behind his back. "I have stepped down as the commanding officer of the Normandy. The ship is yours now." He then stated. Shepard perked a brow at him.

"What the hell is going on?" She questioned. It was obvious she wanted a simple answer for her question. The asari observed the newly appointed Spectre with a sense of skepticism. It was something Shepard was use to though, and it didn't seem to bother her in the least.

Anderson looked from the Normandy once back to Shepard, "You're a Spectre now. You need a ship of your own, and you know the crew. It's time I stepped aside." He said. At least he understood Shepard well enough to give her a clear and easy explanation. Shepard sighed all the same as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She was feeling in a hurry to get some sleep.

"Alright," Shepard started as she looked towards the asari councillor, Tevos, "That explains the Captain." She then reconsidered her original set of words. She had to play nice now. Or as nice as she could make herself anyways. "What do you need?" She questioned Tevos. The asari perked her own brow, only made visible by her facial markings.

"I have received word that a prothean dig site has been comprimised." Tevos began with her diplomatic tone. Shepard couldn't help but perk her brow once more. "Dr. Liara T'Soni has been there for some time, researching the ruins." Tevos went on. Shepard began to wonder what the damned point was. "She is the daughter of Matriarch Benezia." Tevos finally stated.

Shepard once more crossed her arms over her chest, shifting her weight onto her left foot. "And you want me to do what exactly?" She questioned impatiently. "Is she in lead with Saren?" She continued to question. Tevos seemed to shift her own weight, with a look that spelled out hesitation. Shepard wondered if this was going to be something she would like or not.

Tevos then straightened out as quickly as she had shown contemplation. "We do not know if she is on Saren's or the Matriarch's side. Asari daughters rarely question the requests of their mothers. Especially if their mother happens to be Matriarch Benezia." Tevos explained. She paused, as if searching for her next set of words. "If Liara is innocent in all of this it would be a personal favor to me to keep her in protected custody." She said, but suddenly stopped.

Shepard watched her expectantly. "And if she's not?" Shepard pushed. She hated when people would beat around the bush. She lacked patients for it. If you were going to say something you had to say the whole thing, or don't bother. That was just how Shepard operated though.

Tevos looked to Shepard with a serious look now. "If she is not, you are to place her under arrest and brought to the Citadel for questioning." Tevos said simply. Shepard nodded once.

Anderson then spoke up next, "The reports say Dr. T'soni is on the planet Therum out in the Attican Traverse. Go to the Artemis Tau Cluster, and recover her." He stated with his commanding tone.

"If we find any more details on Saren's whereabouts, or any suspicious activity from the Geth we will contact you." Tevos then added. "Remember, Shepard. You are a Spectre, everyone will be watching you. Make your choices wisely." Tevos then said before she walked passed Shepard and towards the docking bay's elevator. Shepard had to wonder what the hell that was suppose to mean. But she just didn't have the energy to question it.

Shepard then looked back to Anderson, expecting he had more to say as well. "Take care of the Normandy, Shepard. Stay safe out there, we're all counting on you." He simply commented. He then patted the commander a couple of times on the shoulder before he began to walk off towards the elevator as well.

Shepard sighed as she watched the two step into the elevator, disappearing behind the door as it slid shut. "No fucking pressure or anything." She muttered before turning towards the Normandy. She could only hope she could at least catch a nap before they would reach Therum. She was running on empty and she now faced a long ass mission.

Once she stepped foot into the Normandy, Joker looked over his shoulder at the commander. "Set a course for Therum in the Artemis Tau Cluster, best possible speeds." Shepard ordered as she turned to look at her pilot. "And give me an ETA." She then said, rubbing her hand over her face once.

"ETA, five hours." Joker said as he began to initiate departure from the Citadel. It would take a half an hour before they were given leave from the Citadel, it was standard procedure. This meant an extra half hour of sleep maybe. Shepard turned on her heel, facing the CIC.

She began to march forward, issuing one last command, "Assemble the ground team an hour before we get there. That includes our new... guests." Shepard muttered, leaving the pilot to his duties.

She then rounded the CIC heading for the stairs. She was in dire need of some sleep, and with her newly assigned quarters she could only hope it was better than sleeping in a damn pod. She also hoped that she wouldn't have any dreams given her experience with the beacon. But she somehow doubted it would be so easy. Nothing was ever easy.

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Mkay, gonna end the chapter here. I wanted to skip all the running around the Citadel. It's tedious stuff and would have made the chapter entirely too long. Hopefully by throwing in some differences from the game it made up for all of it.

Let me know what you all think so far! Next chapter: Therum.