Part I

The Voice and Face of all Evil.

Chapter 9: An injured Shepard

Commander Katherine Shepard stepped through the sleek doors and onto the bridge of the Covenant super carrier The Light of Intent.

Her wounds had been treated, but despite what everyone telling her to rest, she headed up to the bridge. She needed to see who was in charge and why exactly had the Covenant had suddenly come to their aid.

Garrus, Liara and The Arbiter followed behind her, each just as curious as she was.

As they entered the bridge, a familiar elite, in pristine white armor, was standing towards the front of the bridge as he watched his fleet combat the Reaper forces. Suddenly he turned towards them.

"Being the head of the Council allows me certain... Privileges." Thran simply explained with a curt nod as greeting.

"These men will follow me to the death." Thran said turning back to the screen, intently watching the small battle at hand.

"Unfortunately for my actions we cannot return back to our home in the fear that we might be followed, but we will help you in any way possible Commander Shepard. I feel that you need us more than our home does." Thran humbly stated.

"Why did you come?" Shepard asked. She was grateful but still curious. Why would this elite, even if he was a leader, disregard the concerns of his fellow generals and take a fleet to help someone he barely knew.

"Because you need our help Commander. The Covenant, My people, will not stand by idly as the parasite destroys another Galaxy."

Shepard blinked as she took in his words. She couldn't express how grateful she was. She stepped forward to thank him but suddenly a wave of cloudy vision and dizziness fell over her. She stumbled forward and felt two large hands steady her.

Her side and arm throbbed as blood slowly seeped out of the wounds. She was far to injured still to be milling about, but she was stubborn. sometimes to stubborn.

She turned around and was barely able to make out the Arbiter's face.

The elite lifted her back to her feet with ease and steadied her.

Thran and the other were staring at her with concerned looks.

"I believe the Commander needs medical attention." Thran stated.

"Yes, she does." Garrus instantly agreed and swiftly moved towards her. The Commadner however didn't even hear them. Her vision was blacking out and all she could do was focus her breathing and staying conscious.

"Is the medical bay running?" The Arbiter asked looking over at the younger elite. Thran nodded.

"Good." With practiced ease the elite lifted her off her feet and into his arms. Quickly the elite made his way out of the bridge, his jog light and graceful as he hurried to get the commander to the medical bay.

The last thing the Commander heard wasn't the Arbiter voice, the pounding of her heart, the reassuring voices of her friends. No what she heard was a sweet feminine voice full of compassion.

Save him... Was all it said and finally blackness engulfed her.

Shepard awoke with a gasp and shot up in her bed. She quickly looked around her room, surveying everything and once she finally determined nothing was wrong she relaxed a bit.

She felt the dull pain from her injuries and groaned slightly. She was getting tired of getting injured. She belittled herself for performing so badly in battle and promised herself to do better.

Slowly the Commander peeled the sheets off her and got out of bed with a great amount of effort.

Her body screamed with pain as she stood. She gasped and spent a few minutes catching her breath.

After the pain had finally subsided she slowly made her way towards her little office in the cabin. She opened her mail and looked for anything interesting.

After nothing came up she sighed.

"EDI?" She called out softly, her soft voice cracking slightly.

"Yes Shepard?" The AI replied.

"Where are we currently?" Shepard asked. She wanted to go to the bridge and find out for herself but she was too tired.

"We are currently in Earths orbit mam."

Shepard froze and her breath caught in her throat. Her mind was racing and her heart pounding.

"Are we still docked within the Covenant ship?"

"Yes Commander."

Shepard's face paled. Why had they dared to enter Alliance space with her out of commission while onboard an alien vessel. No one had cleared it! The Alliance could've attacked the Covenant and started a whole new war. A grim feeling fell over her and she mentally prepared to run off and find Thran. She need to give him a piece of her mind for just entering human space without clearance.

"Shepard, Garrus also told me to tell you once you woke up that he got it cleared with Admiral Hackett for the Covenant to retreat into Alliance territory. The battle was getting worse and despite their formidable ships the Covenant was greatly outnumbered. The did a slip space jump and got us out of their. Thessia is lost however. The Asari's population has halved and they are currently residing with Alliance territory till a plan can be laid out for their resettlement." EDI stated.

Shepard let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. She had forgotten about Garrus and the others. They had enough experience with strange and tough situations that she knew it would've been easy for Garrus to get the Covenant ships cleared for entering human space.

However, she felt a wave of grief fall over her. It was the second time the Asari had lost their home in only ten years. She could only imagine how she would feel if Earth fell again.

"Mam Admiral Hackett, Fleet Master Thran and Garrus are waiting for you in the war room. The Admiral wants to know whats been going on." EDI informed.

Shepard sighed. She felt a headache already forming as she thought about explaining everything to the Admiral and more than likely the Council.

"Its going to be long day..." She muttered.

"Seems like it mam."

"Not helping EDI..."

A/N I am so sorry for keeping you all waiting for so long! I've been beyond busy and my brain is ready to burst thanks to College. I will try to update more often and hence this is my new offer...

I will try to offer at least a few times a week but! The chapter will be short like this one. Between 1000 and 3000 words rather than the 8000 to 10000 I've been updating.

So whatever the majority votes for I'll do.

Also sorry if this chapter was disappointing but I felt like you guys deserved something to let you know this fic isn't dead and I needed to update you about this new option IM thinking about. Anyway thanks for staying loyal to this fic! Thanks for reading! God bless! have a great day!