This is a bit different format from the last chapters. I felt having dialogue between the time stamps took away from the impact of what was happening and felt strange. The next chapter Exodus II will be similar structure before we go back to Reyes hanging out in the Tempest causing trouble. This is a condensed timeline and will be part of my next fic "the flight of the keelah Si'yah" sorry about the long hiatus life kicked me in the ass. Three fam members almost died and I got into a bad car accident.
Anyway, ONWARD TO GLORY!
2183 UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
They let them go beyond the veil at the call of the old machines. Those that remained continued their functions and stared at the stars.
2183 Feros Colony
Lizbeth Bayham sat in one of the colonist units in Zhu's Hope. The rest of the residents and her mother crowded in front of the vid screen pouring over any news of Commander Shepard as she storms into the heart of the Citadel, and they are afraid as they clasp each other in the dark.
2183 Noveria
Jorun Tann poured over accounting reports. The Galaxy is on fire with the battle of the Citadel, but he finds comfort in numbers. The certainty of them, the odds, the variables, all of them in their place and order.
2183 Earth
Jien Garson was the center of the room until the news began to pour in. The fundraising gala brought to a stand still with the news coming from the Citadel. The room's eyes are glued to the holovid in front of them, the quiet gasps, and fear as Geth and Saren invade the Citadel. Jien can only wonder what on earth is that ship, and the fear that trickles up her spine. Her vision even more important than before.
There is a gloved hand on her shoulder and a Turian smiles at her. "We need to talk, Jien Garson, we believe your organization would benefit from our involvement. We would like to make a donation to your vision."
The Turian smiles and something inside of her shifts between fear, wonder, and hope.
2183 two months later
Lizbeth made it by the skin of her teeth to the Commander Shepard memorial event. She watched from a distance as the crew of the Normandy accept medals for their bravery and placades for the loss of the Commander, the Savior of the citadel. She wonders if these suits know the truth of what real loss means.
Her omni-tool buzzes and she looks at the message.
We would like to schedule a meeting with you and members of Zhu's Hope.
It is one of the board members of ExoGeni, and you cannot turn down a meeting with them. She pulls up her omni-tool and makes plans.
2183 undisclosed location
Liara T'soni found the body is the message it receives. The hope was that it would be first, there was so much at stake here. It will find Shepard Commander.
2183 Omega
"The Shadow Broker has gone silent." A voice carries in the conference room.
"And our agent?
"The package has been delivered in exchange for safe passage into Andromeda."
"Can we use him?"
"Of course."
2183 Citadel
Jien Garson's bank account swells. She does as she is told touching upon the right people at the right time. She is cunning, she is charismatic as the money rolls in. She wonders about the price of her soul as she smiles and shakes hands. Alec Ryder buying into the vision she is selling him.
They want that AI he is developing and she knows that this is quid pro quo. A tit for tat, a favor for a favor. She puts on her best, convincing face and draws the N7 agent in.
He'll know, she feels inside of her, oh god he'll know. Whoever they are, this benefactor, they want this technology, but as the credits pour in she doesn't care much about the cost.
2183 Vancouver, Earth
Alec Ryder sat in front of the Alliance Tribunal. His fist clenched as he refuses to look away. His thoughts remaining on the woman he loves in bed, fighting for her life. Just a little more, just one step further and perhaps he could save her.
2184 Unknown Location, Terminus System
Juliana Baynham holds the card in her hand. "The Noveria Development Corporation?" She twirls it and looks over at the Turian.
"Lorik Qui'in, Synthetics Insights division."
"I thought your company's reputation disappeared after the attack of the Geth on the Citadel." Elizabeth interrupts drawing their eyes to her.
"Have you heard about the Andromeda Initiative?" Torik smiled.
"Jien Garson's pipe dream?" Elizabeth responds.
"And possibly our only hope."
"What do you mean?" Juliana Baynham eyed the man.
"The NDC came across data that was provided by the Shadow Broker about a threat that the council is ignoring." Torik explained. "My colleagues and I believe Commander Shepard's claims about the Reapers."
Juliana chewed her lip. "I'm not sure about the higher ups, but… my daughter and I believe Shepard."
"Which is why we are recruiting you for something… big. Perhaps the survival of all our species could depend on this. Ah, here is the head of the Colonial Division of the NDC, Foster Addision."
Juliana stood and shook her hand. "Pleased to meet you."
"Have a seat, there is much to discuss." Addision smiles in a blue suit that matches her eyes.
2184 Citadel
"How is recruitment going?" the Salarian asks. Jien trying not to look annoyed.
"Alec Ryder and his kids joined up." Jien sighed. "We sure we can afford the AI research as well as the time table you've pushed up again, Zaegar?"
"That is not your concern, Garson." Zaegar Paui fixes his uniform. "Our Benefactor believes that the contribution added this week will be more than ample to expedite the time table."
2184 Perseus Veil
It sits alone on Rannoch watching the stars. The programs inside of it tracking the movement of the comets, of the suns as it fastens the pieces of armor to it's shoulder. A badge of it's differences of red, black, and white as the Heretics were driven from the sky.
2185 Shadow Broker Base, Hagalaz
LEGION hears the crew members arguing over Shepard-Commander's surrender. With the deaths on Bahak and the six months span that Shepard Commander may have bought them he knows it's time to get to work. He calculated his options, weighed them against the actions of the team. Saving them should have priority but he knows Shepard-Commander won't leave until the fight is over, and he wishes to preserve life.
Approaching Tali'Zorah he asks her a question, something he had overheard her talking to Garrus about. The Quarian tight lipped as she thinks, the precipice of friendship they have come upon after the Suicide mission. The hope that a geth and quarian can work together and build something better.
She gives him what he needs, and she has no idea the hope she may have given to the entire galaxy as he steals out the back and heads back to Rannoch.
2185 Citadel
"Alec," Ellen insisted. "Let it go. How is this supposed to help me?"
"It will help you be stronger, faster, SAM will be able to heal or stave off injuries." Alec adjusted another setting on his machine.
"We could go to Vancouver. I hear its nice this time of year. Go to one of the orchards by-" She began before he cut her off.
"I have to work. We're running out of time"
2185 Rannoch
LEGION uploads the code of Admiral Rael'Zorah and the thing in the tank sputters to life as its code boots up and the programs begin to run. LEGION looks at it. Its headlight blinking as if it had eyes.
2185 Citadel
The funeral for Ellen Ryder is a somber affair. Alec watches his children clutch each other like they used to as babes, hands held in secret solidarity with each other. Even now they are like two aliens to him that he only sees the ghost of Ellen in. He wonders what they would do if they knew that Ellen was aboard the Hyperion already as their time table was moved forward once again.
When he looks at his children he feels they are strangers he loves very much. Some hours he feels just as frozen in time as Ellen is with all the words he wished he had said stuck in his throat.
2185 Omega
LEGION approaches the members of the Board. It can see one from each species standing together. They eye it with suspicion. This isn't for it, it knows this as it walks towards them, hands down, not a threat. "We've come to help."
The Heretics follow, Heretics no more. LEGION does this for them, as a way of apology as they join the expedition. PROPHET turns to it, LEGION, and it hopes it finds its place as it did. The pilgrims follow and get to work.
Zaegar eyes them suspiciously, but practically. "You'll do." He shrugs and gets to work. "It should make our time table speed up."
Jien Garson purses her lips as all these moving pieces come together. "Your donation is greatly appreciated." She says through gritted teeth looking over at Zaegar.
"They've almost doubled our income. After what happened with Saren they want out of here just as much as we do." Addision speaks. "Garson, with me. We need to prep the Hyperion."
"But what about the Geth." Jien Garson hisses as they walk out of ear shot.
"The details of their involvement have already been discussed. It is our job to get ready." The woman with the blue eye shadow dismisses her out of hand. "And it is none of your concern."
2185, Launch day for the Nexus
Sloane Kelly has a hangover from the goodbye party the night before. She has one last check on Jien Garson who smiles at her like she has a dream come true. Their hands touch briefly in an unspoken affection as she takes her pod next to Kandros.
2185, Launch Day for Natanus
"I have a bad feeling about this." Avitcus' mandibles purse as Macen holds his talon.
"It will just one long sleep and I'll be there when you wake up." Macen leans down and places his forehead on Avitcus, the nervousness fading.
"Fine, but don't think I like you not being in this pod with me." Avitcus pulled away.
"We'll find a home, Avi." Macen smiles. "I'll find us that beach house we've always talked about."
2185, Launch Day for Leusinia
Sarrisa Therin double checks the vitals on her pod. The Matriarch coming up behind her and places a hand on her shoulder. "There is another Galaxy waiting for us to show it the way."
2185 Launch Day for Paarchero
The energy buzzes through the ark as the Salarians smile at the thought of the wonders they would see. Wonders that would take them many lifetimes normally. As the arguments ended, as the ship began to move and cyro set it Pathfinder Raeka begins to dream.
2186 Andromeda Initiative, Keelah Si'yah – location Terminus System
The ship is dark as the Geth begin their last checks, Lizbeth Baynham watches. Her last letter sent to Shepard, a vague way of saying goodbye. She would have never thought herself here working with the Geth, working with all these organizations to leave silently in the night, away to a new world.
Lizbeth thinks about the promise of a new life, and tries not to see all that they are leaving behind. Not her mother who left her to a new life, age setting into her skin, her soul.
The news channel fills the sound of the hull as the news begin to pour in. Palavan and Earth are under attack by the Reapers. Omega had been invaded by Cereberus and hell follows with them. Lizbeth turns to Raela'Coll vas Leedin the captain of the Keelah Si'yah. "We're not ready." She hears the tremble in the quarian's voice. If Omega has been taken it means they'll be found out soon. The last ark hiding in the Terminus system.
"We have to contact the Benefactor." Lizbeth swallows.
"I'll begin preparations."
"Frightened, my family still isn't here yet." The Elcor turned to them.
"Propsero, we'll do what we can but our clock is dwindling down to zero." Lizbeth says, refusing to think about all the dead on earth.
"Get the pods ready we'll put as many in cyro as we can until the rest of the recruits are here." Zaegar interjects.
"Some of them are not ready for maintain for Drell or Hanar or even the remaining humans." Raela'Coll vas Leeding presses. "Our pods can't handle their immune systems and they wanted-"
"Then we leave without them." Zaegar says coldly. "And we shut our doors. Anyone on the ship stays on the ship. This isn't about us. It is about survival. If any of the humans want off now.. its the time. All of you scientists here volunteered to finalize and stay. You knew what you chose."
"The Benefactor-" Lizbeth begins to argue.
"Is staying behind." PROPHET walks into the light. "The old machines will not stop. Send out encrypted messages to the recruits. They will have a 48 hour time span. We will do what we can to bring everyone to safety."
"Panicked, my family." Propsero says.
PROPHET, a different kind of machine turns to the elder Elcor. "Reapers have already touched down on Dekuuna."
"The rest of the Benefactor board are already en route to Andromeda." Lizbeth spoke up "That means the last of us are here in this ship. If the Benefactor…"
"Their name is LEGION." Raella'Coll interrupted drawing the eyes of the gathering crowd. Her people, her flock that she must save, the humans, the drell, the hanar, the rest of them on them on their ship have never had to make do. The Quarians will show them. They'll show all of them. "We have preparations to make."
Here are the choices my Shepard made:
ME 1
- save the Colonists at Zhu's hope.
ME 2
- rewrite the heretics
- paragon interrupt during Tali's trial, both Legion and Tali's loyalty maintained and a resolution during their conflict.
There will be more things that will be effected by the choices in the original trilogy over the next chapter. :) Anyway lets get this party started. The next chapter will cover the journey to Andromeda. And dear crew of the Quarian ark I AM SO SO SORRY