Commander Shepard nodded at Tali to activate the lift as the group began to float away from the rest of the team. Garrus stood quietly off to the side lost in thought. Looking back, she could see the Collectors breaking through as the team began to hold the door. With their own enemies coming quickly, the group fought back the waves as they moved into the heart of the station. Eventually, the next lift led to the center.
"This is it. All the tubes lead to this spot," said Shepard. "EDI what can you tell us? What are they doing?" Her mind began to race at all the possibilities.
"The tubes are feeding into some kind of super structure," said EDI. "It is emitting both organic and non-organic energy signatures." The lift was near its destination now. "Giving these readings it must be massive. Shepard if my readings are correct, this super structure… is a reaper. Shepard sucked in her breath at what she saw when it came into sight.
"Not just any reaper," said Shepard in amazement. "A human reaper." The sight made Shepard sick. The life docked at the edge of the half completed reaper. Looking up, it had the skeleton of a human, but did not yet have legs. It seemed to be attached to the ceiling.
"Tens of thousands of humans have been processed into this reaper," said EDI grimly. "Many more will be needed to complete it." Shepard stared up at it and narrowed her eyes.
"This thing is an abomination," said Shepard. "How do we destroy it?" She was determined to bring it down.
"The large tubes injecting the fluids are a structural weakness. Destroying them should cause the supports to collapse and the reaper to fall." Shepard nodded her head as she gazed at the tubes sticking out from the massive shoulders of the reaper.
"Shepard, we've got hostiles," reported Garrus as he took cover with Tali. The Collectors were endless as the trio used up large amounts of medi-gel while shooting at the tubes when they opened. One last shot and it all collapsed. Shepard watched as the reaper sagged forward, and then broke off completely from its attachments. The three moved forward to watch it fall into the abyss. They were almost finished. Shepard radioed the rest of the team.
"Shepard to ground team. Status report." A moment of silence, and then she heard bullets in the background as someone answered her call.
"It's Thane. We are holding, but they keep coming. A quick exit is preferable." Shepard began to walk towards the counsel set in the ground.
"Head to the Normandy," said Shepard. "Joker-prep the engines. I'm about to blow this place." Joker seemed to sound relieved this was almost over.
"Roger that Commander," he said. But as Shepard knelt and pulled up the counsel, Joker brought some unexpected news. "Uh, Commander? The Illusive Man wants to speak with you. EDI's patching it through." Tali stepped forward as Shepard began to tap at the controls. Briefly touching her omni tool, she stepped back as the holographic Illusive Man appeared before them. He seemed quite pleased.
"Shepard," he said. "You've done the impossible." Shepard shook her head. Glancing back from the counsel, she began to speak.
"I was part of a team. I couldn't have done it without their help." He never seemed to understand the bond that she had made with her team.
"Nonetheless, it is still quite a feat. I'm looking at the schematics EDI uploaded. A timed radiation pulse would kill the remaining Collectors, but leave the machinery and technology intact." Shepard couldn't believe what she was hearing. "This is our chance Shepard. They were building a Reaper. That knowledge-that framework-could save us." Shepard stood up and faced the Illusive Man.
"They liquefied people. They turned them into something horrible. We have to destroy the base." A cold look entered the Illusive Man's expression. He spoke with an icy voice.
"Don't be short-sighted. Our best chance against the Reapers is to turn their own resources against them." Garrus seemed uncomfortable but voiced his opinion.
"I don't know Shepard…what happened here was terrible, but if we destroy it then all those humans died for nothing." Tali shook her head and crossed her arms.
"This place needs to be destroyed Shepard," she said. "It's true that these humans will have died for nothing, but we can't just let Cerberus take control of so much power." Shepard pondered her options even though she had already made her decision.
"They were working directly with the Reapers," said the Illusive Man earnestly. "Who knows what information is buried here? We can't just destroy it. Imagine how many lives will be saved if we keep the base intact to thwart the Reapers…imagine the lives that will be lost if we don't." Shepard shook her head with determination in her eyes.
"No matter what kind of technology we find it's not worth it." The Illusive Man seemed to struggle with being patient with her.
"Shepard. You died fighting for what you believed in. I brought you back so you could keep fighting. Some would say what we did to you was going too far, but look what you've accomplished. I didn't discard you because I knew you were valuable. Don't be so quick to discard this facility. Think of the potential!" His face showed that he already saw what Shepard's decision would be.
"We'll fight and win without it. I won't let fear compromise who I am, said Shepard with passion. She once again kneeled next to the counsel. The Illusive Man grew desperate.
"Shepard-think about what's at stake! About what Cerberus has done for you. You…" was all he could manage before Tali disconnected from his signal. Garrus walked forward and handed Shepard the demolition charge. Placing it on and tapping at more controls, Shepard finally lowered the counsel back into the ground.
"Let's move," she said. "We've got ten minutes before this reactor overloads and blows this whole station apart." Standing up, the group turned to leave. But suddenly, the platform shook as they tumbled to the ground. Rolling into cover, Shepard looked up to see the Reaper dragging itself onto the edge of the lift. Its four eyes glowed with power.
"Keelah," breathed Tali. Her glowing eyes were wide with fear as the Reaper powered and shot deadly attacks from the center of its chest.
"This is going to be rough," said Garrus. "We should shoot for the eyes. That seems to be its weakest point." He seemed to have changed his opinion on keeping the base. Shepard glanced left and right and her heart filled with dread as she saw Collectors coming from both sides.
"We can do this," said Shepard. It was a long and hard fight as the waves of Collectors slowed their progress of damaging the Reaper. Shepard began to grow desperate as they ran out of medi-gel and her biotic powers began to be less effective. Garrus and Tali were tiring too. They wouldn't last much longer. But finally, with an explosion, the Reaper threw its head back in anguish, but then crashed forward onto the platform that destabilized it as it began to tilt. In the tremor, Garrus lost his balance and began to slide down the side to the edge. He couldn't stop. Shepard dove after him, quickly gaining speed. She could see the panic in his eyes as he missed grasping her outstretched hand. Just as he fell off the edge, Shepard leaned out and grabbed his hand. With all the strength in her body she pulled him back over the edge. The Reaper fell once again and exploded, causing the platforms to collapse as the three rolled uncontrollably in the chaos on the falling platforms. Stabilizing, they managed to stand just as another lift came crashed into theirs. Blackness overtook Shepard's vision.
Groaning, Shepard woke quickly after the collision. Her head throbbed, but she was fine. Pushing a heavy piece of metal off her, her heart began to race as she saw her two friends motionless bodies beneath other pieces from the wreckage.
"Garrus!" said Shepard in concern. Breathing in, she managed to push the wreckage off his body. He smiled up at her as he woke from blacking out. Smiling in relief, she helped him to his feet.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily Commander," he said.
"Keelah, will someone get this off of me?" complained Tali. Both turning, they hurriedly moved the large metal plates off and helped her up. A panicked voice came over the radio.
"Do you copy?" said Joker. "Come on, Shepard, don't leave me hanging! Do you copy?"
"I'm here Joker," said Shepard. "Did the ground team make it?"
"Everyone's here we're just waiting for you." Shepard sighed in relief. They just might make it out of here after all. Shepard heard a buzzing noise from behind.
"Look out!"cried Tali as the seeker swarm came into view. The three began to sprint back to the Normandy.
"Human," said the echoing voice of Harbinger. "You have changed nothing. Your species has the attention of those who are infinitely your greater." Still running, Shepard took shots at the passing Collectors taking aim at their group. "That which you know as Reapers are your salvation through destruction." Explosions went off overhead. The base was already beginning its collapse. Reaching their docking zone, Shepard watched as the Normandy rose into view. The side hatch opened and revealed Joker holding a battle rifle with a determined expression. He began shooting at the remaining Collectors as Tali and Garrus jumped in beside him. Shepard was not far behind. But before reaching the hatch, falling debris hit the platform, causing it to break away. Shepard quickened her pace and gained speed. Reaching the top, she jumped with all her might across the huge gap. Time seemed to slow down as she thought of everything in those few seconds. Her friends…her enemies…and most of all…Kaidan. She saw his dark eyes and his beautiful smile. The Normandy still seemed so far away. Just when she though she wouldn't make it, time seemed to speed back up and she landed heavily onto the edge of the hatch. Dangling over the edge, Tali reached down and pulled her in.
"Don't worry Shepard," she said. "Your friends are here to look out for you." She could see in her eyes that she was smiling. Joker closed the hatch as EDI began to move the ship. Joker limped back into his chair and took back control. EDI began to speak.
"Detonation in ten…nine…eight…"
"Yeah, I got the gist of it EDI," said Joker in a panic. "Everyone hold on!" Shepard gripped the back of Joker's chair as they began to pick up speed. Zooming out of the Collector base, Shepard looked back and saw the beginnings of the explosions. A last transmission came from the base.
"You have failed," said Harbinger. "We will find another way." Standing next to Tali and Garrus, they looked out the window as they saw the glorious inferno of red flames explode outward as the base was destroyed in one massive explosion that the crew of the Normandy would never forget. Just as the Normandy SR2 was going to be engulfed by the flames, Joker launched the ship with a boost of speed that sent them safely away from the glorious explosion. Shepard couldn't believe it was over. Almost over. She still had one last thing to do. Walking through her damaged ship, Commander Shepard made her way to the Debriefing Room for one last conversation with the Illusive Man. She stepped into the machine, and before her the holographic Illusive Man appeared once again. She could see the murderous look in his eyes.
"Shepard," he said in a barely controlled rage. "You're making a habit of costing me more than time and money." Shepard stood firm with her decision.
"Too many lives were lost at that base. I'm not sorry it's gone." She could care less what the Illusive Man thought of her. In her heart, she knew she did the right thing.
"The first of many lives. The technology from that base could have secured human dominance in the galaxy. Against the Reapers and beyond."
"Human dominance? Or just Cerberus?" Shepard could now see that was what he was probably after all along.
"Strength for Cerberus is strength for every human." He stood up from his chair and walked closer to her, his expression dark. "Cerberus is humanity. I should have known you would have choked on the hard decisions. Too idealistic from the start." Shepard shook her head.
"I'm not looking for your approval. Harbinger is coming, and he won't be alone. Humanity needs a leader who's looking out for them. From now on, I'm doing things my way whether you agree or not." Just as she was about to turn away, the Illusive Man called out once more.
"Don't you turn your back on me, Shepard! I made you! I brought you back from the dead!"
"Joker? Lose this channel." Shepard smiled as she stepped out of the machine. She felt liberated now that the suicide mission was complete. After an assessment of the damage and her crew, she went up to her private quarters. She had a letter to write.
Staff Commander Kaidan Alenko couldn't believe his eyes. Every time he read the message, his smile became wider and wider.
Kaidan-
My team and I have successfully destroyed the Collector base. The Reapers will still come, but they have been weakened. I cut ties with the Illusive Man. The mission is over, at least for now. I do realize that I don't even know if you still love me, but I have already told you of how my feelings will never change.
I want to start over again Kaidan. If you do as well, then please, meet me on the Citadel in a week from today. I'll meet you on the bridge in the Presidium that overlooks the Mass Effect relay we used that leads to Ilos.
I understand if you don't wish to come, but I will wait for you there all day. Please consider my offer. I will always love you.
-Sara
Kaidan felt as if the world was his. That nothing else mattered. Not even the threat of the Reapers against humanity. All that was important to him was the deep love he felt towards Sara Shepard and that he knew she loved him just as much. As soon as he could, Kaidan made his way to the Citadel. Dressed in a suit, he made his way to the Presidium. There, his heart missed a beat. On the bridge overlooking the water was Sara. She was dressed in a black dress with a look of anxiousness on her face. He stared at her black hair and her lovely blue eyes. She was beautiful. Turning, she saw him. A huge smile broke across her face as she ran to him as he ran to her. Falling together, she began to cry as he held her in his arms.
"I was afraid you wouldn't come, Kaidan," she whispered quietly. How she had missed him. Tilting her face up, he kissed her passionately. How he had missed her.
"Love never dies, Sara," said Kaidan. "I will always love you." Wiping her tears, the couple walked through the Presidium for all to see. It was the happiest day of their lives.