Wednesday, February 14, 2187 C.E.

Kadara,

Govorkam System,

Heleus Cluster

Shepard, Miranda, and Corporal Melissa 'Ice Blonde' Davis are using a small ship, the Alesia, a Vosges-class Fast Attack Ship, to travel to the planet, Kadara. The Alesia landed just outside of Kadara Port, where the three are met by Kaetus, Sloane Kelly's second-in-command, along with two huge Krogan enforcers.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" asks Shepard, while just exchanging looks at Kaetus, as both are sizing the other up. Kaetus says, "Sloane would like to talk with you regarding why you're here."

"Alright, lead the way," replies Shepard, wondering, 'How did this Krogan get so big? Is there something in the water here?'

Outcast HQ,

Kadara Port,

Kadara, Govorkam System

Shepard, Miranda, and Ice Blonde walk into the Outcast Headquarters, where Sloane Kelly is sitting on her 'throne' like a queen. Sloane asks, "Captain Shepard, what're you doing here?"

"I'm here, searching for someone known as Reyes Vidal. According to Sha'ira, he kidnapped several of her acolytes and is hiding somewhere in Kurinth's Valley," answers Alan, knowing of the valley northwest of Kadara Port. Sloane Kelly seems unimpressed, replying, "Are you sure that intel is right? There's not much in Kurinth's Valley, other than the mining outposts out there."

"There's also some type of alien ruins out there," voices Kaetus, causing Sloane to shoot a shut-the-fuck-up-look at Kaetus. Shepard is surprised and asks, "What type of alien ruins?"

"Unknown," answers Kelly, a former Systems Alliance officer, who was thrown out of the Alliance Military, "They were only recently discovered. My guess would be that they are from one of the many species that was exterminated by the Reapers, that is all."

"Do you think Vidal could be hiding there?" asks Alan, now kicking himself for not bringing the Normandy and his entire squad.

"I doubt it since no one has been able to get close to the ruins," explains Sloane, standing up and walking with Shepard, "Now, if I let you go then I want you to promise to kill Reyes…"

"If?" asks Alan, wondering who this Sloane Kelly thinks she is, but Kelly just continues, "…yes, if. This is my planet and like your friend Aria, I will not let anyone undermine me. Not Reyes, not the council, not the fucking Alliance, and not fucking you!"

Alan steps in closer to Sloane, whose parents are Spanish and Indian, her long black hair down to her back, and says, "Your lips would look better wrap around my cock, but now I'm going to give you a word of advice, please don't challenge me. I don't care about your planet. I only care about saving Sha'ira's acolytes."

"I should kill you for your comment," replies Sloane, but Alan just whispers, "You and I both know that is an empty threat. You can't touch me, plus we both know what would happen if you did."

There're not many individuals, especially men, who can put Sloane in her place, but Shepard woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and itches for a fight or a fuck.

"Maybe, we should let Shepard just handle Reyes, and be done with it," voices Kaetus, wondering if Sloane was in arm's length if she would knock him on his Turian ass right now. Sloane just stares evilly before saying, "Alright, Shepard I will give you this opportunity to prove yourself as a possible ally or enemy…"

Alan just rolls his eyes, before shortly walking out of the building with Miranda, and Ice Blonde, just steps behind him, as Sloane doesn't get a chance to finish. Leaving her steaming mad, as Major Saelen Varn, a former S.T.G. now Salarian Spectre step out of the shadow and voices, "You do well, Kelly."

"I don't like betraying my own kind lizard boy!" replies Sloane, starting at the Spectre, who was sent by Dalatrass Linron and her allies on the Council to set a trap for Shepard. The bait is Sha'ira's acolytes since the council is well aware of Alan and Sha'ira's relationship. Major Varn doesn't pay any attention to Kelly's comment, just saying, "You're going to get your awards."

"What 30 pieces of silver?" asks Kelly, not very religious but even she knows of the thirty pieces of silver was the price for which Judas received for his betrayal of Jesus. The Major continues, acting like a typical Salarian totally unemotional, "No harm will come to you or your forces on this planet for you killing a Spectre. The council will also ignore, your little smuggling operation into the Citadel and Council-control space."

Sloane Kelly wants to do something! Anything! However, she knows it would be futile, as she can't hope to defeat either Spectre…

Kurinth's Valley,

Kadara, Govorkam System

Heleus Cluster, Terminus System

The ND7 Nomad, one of the versions in the Nomad-line of all-terrain exploration-focused land vehicle. The primary difference between the two different version is the top-turret on the ND7. Shepard is driving the ND7, with Miranda in the passenger seat, and Ice Blonde in the second row. Miranda sees the joy on Alan's face when she jokingly asks, "Are you trying to kill us?"

"Oh, everyone in the universe is a critic of my driving," answers Alan, pressing the gas pedal down to the floor causing the ND7 to race off. Ice Blonde laughs, as Miranda asks, "I'm not criticizing, I'm just saying you are driving like a madman."

"You sound like the rest of the group, talking about my driving," says Alan, knowing everyone thinks he is a bad driver.

"Maybe you should take driving lessons," replies Miranda, as Ice Blonde just enjoys the ride as the Nomad moves through Kurinth's Valley. Alan gives Miranda a sideways glare, but the Nomad's alarm sounds, detecting inbound enemy ordinance. Miranda has just enough time to yell, "Shit!" before the Nomad's shields are impacting the enemy ordinance. In a split second, Ice Blonde is at the console of the top-side turret before announcing, "We have incoming ordinances from multiple vectors…"

As the Nomad is impacted from all sides by enemy ordinances, Alan struggles to maintain control of the vehicle. Shepard orders, "Melissa, open fire in all directions…"

"Yes, sir," replies Ice Blonde, as the best she can do is to target some of the incoming ordinances and open. Miranda says, "Alan, whatever they are using is some high-quality ordinances."

"Alright, here is what we're going to do," commenting Alan, as the ordinances continue to impact the Nomad on all sides, "Is there any area of cover, or somewhere we could get out on foot?"

"I think our best option, is simply to floor it to the mining outpost," answers Miranda, though she sees an area of cover, she doesn't want to get pin down by enemy fire. It would be different if Alan had brought the Normandy with them, a decision that Miranda didn't agree with and attempt to convinced Alan that was a mistake, but Alan had other priority, primarily fucking Miranda into next century. While she loved every second of the fucking, they're now paying for him having too much on his mind.

"I agree with the X.O.," voices Ice Blonde, as she is firing randomly, trying desperately to knock down as much of the incoming ordinance as possible. Alan, still having a challenging time controlling the Nomad replies, "Alright, but I don't know if the Nomad is going to make it much far because we're taking…"

All of a sudden, the Nomad is thrown off its wheels and does a barrel roll several times before impacting hard against some rocks. Alan quickly unbuckles himself, getting to his feet and then checking on Miranda. Alan sees that Miranda is breathing, as she seems dazed, as she opens her eyes slowly before she says, "I told you that you couldn't drive very well."

Alan replies, "Miranda, I love you," then kissing her pink lips.

"If you really love me, then you would get me out of the damn seat," voices Miranda, showing her playful side to Shepard. Most think of Miranda, as too formal, arrogant and flippant or bitchy but that's not who she is or how she wants to be seen. Alan unbuckles Miranda's seat, as she slid down, and Alan chuckles. Miranda just stares at Alan. She is upside down, as her legs are over her head and Alan jokes, "We'll have to remember this position for later!" before helping Miranda up to her feet.

"I think you did a number on my pussy the other day," Miranda answers with a deadpan stare, as Alan goes to check on Ice Blonde. Melissa had already unbuckled before asking, "What now?"

"I don't hear any more impacts," voices Miranda, as Alan grab his gear from the back of the Nomad, before handing Miranda her gear and ordering, "Let's get moving, we still have a rescue."

"Who's going to come and rescue us?" asks Ice Blonde, though trying to be funny, it came off as deadpan. Alan doesn't answer, but he knows something is wrong. Even without the Normandy, who would attack a Spectre? The better question is: why attack?

"Come on," orders Alan, pulling Ice Blonde, but Miranda lets out a scream of pain, before she says, "Alan, my ankle is hurting me!"

"Can you make it?" asks Alan, but Miranda shakes her head, 'No.'

"Captain, what do you want to do?" asks Ice Blonde, as Alan is faced with four options: He can leave Miranda and hope she is fine, he can leave Ice Blonde to protect Miranda and proceed alone, or he can try to escape, or simply surrender. Choices and decisions are sometimes the only thing Shepard think that life comes down to. Making his decision, he orders, "Just stay here and protect Miranda. I'm going forward with the mission, alone…"

"Alan waits!" yells Miranda, "This is insane! We're outnumbered, and you don't have a clue what you would be facing alone."

"Sane in an insane world appear insane, Bonhoeffer," replies Alan, referring to the widely misquoted line attributed to the German theologian of the 20th century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Alan gives Miranda one final glare before heading off away from the pair, carrying his five assault rifles. After the end of the Reaper War, Alan realized that he never really used his pistol, shotgun, sniper rifle, or submachine gun and only rarely ever using his heavy or melee weapons. So, given the strengths and weaknesses of his squad, he decided to switch to just carrying assault rifles. The five assault files Alan had with him is, his favorite, P-1 Janiri Particle Rifle, also known as the Prothean Particle Rifle, the R-2 Remnant and R-3 Sweeper both based on Reapers' technologies, and two thermal clip-based guns, the M-43 Pioneer, aka Pathfinder Pioneer and finally the M-80 Ghost, aka the X5 Ghost. Shepard acquiring the Sweeper had caused him to stop using the M-28 Authority, which is only used by Spectres. Not that the M-28 Authority is a bad non-thermal clip-based rifle, it's just he still preferred the Janiri to the Authority.

Ten Minutes Later:

Alan is making his way through the valley, firing as the enemies get into range but nothing is what it should be. The encounter seems random and uncoordinated almost like there're multiple separate groups attacking Shepard at the same location…

"Reloading!" Shepard hears something yelling, while another voice yell, "…Covering fire!" Alan takes cover before realizing whomever these diverse groups are they're not untrained novices. Then he hears, "Shepard over here…fucking leaves the other two…"

Quietly Shepard pulls the trigger on his X5 Ghost, sending several rounds ripping through the unnamed human head, sending the man's brain splashing on the unnamed Turian standing close by near another member of the species known as the Chitauri. However, before Alan can fire another shot, the Chitauri's chest is split open by a Sangheili's energy sword. Alan's eyes stare as Sangheili starts cutting through the variety of enemies. Shepard regaining the initial beginning to engage the now retreating forces. The Sangheili starts moving toward Alan, in a deep-alien voice announces, "Commander, I'm Major Thel 'Vadam, I'm here seeking an audience with the Great Commander Shepard…"

Then with minimal effort, Thel 'Vadam spins around and cuts down another Chitauri. Shepard sees a possible ally and friend when he knows one and voices, "Alright, but first, you must help me with my mission. I'm here trying to save several kidnapped Acolytes…"

"It would be an honor, Commander Shepard," voice the deep-speak Sangheili, as two more Sangheili approaches, with one of them, Uruo 'Losonaee voicing, "Major, the filth's fleeing the battle."

"Commander Shepard, please lead the way," voices Thel 'Vadam, who had heard stories regarding Shepard since the Battle of Virmire in 2813. Alan starts moving in the direction he wants to go before saying, "Oh, by the way, Major 'Vadam it is Captain now."

"I apologize, Com…I mean Captain Shepard," replies Major Thel 'Vadam, bowing his head, a sign of respect in his culture, as his and his men start quietly following Shepard toward the 'abandoned' mining outpost that Alan hopes the acolytes are being held at. As they're moving across the rocky surface of the valley, the ground begins to shake uncontrollably and one of the Sangheili asks, "Major, what is happening? It must be them…"

The Sangheili immediately shut up by a stare from Vadem, causing Alan to voice, "Major Vadem, what the hell is he talking about?"

"My peoples had a story, a very old story about ancient gods known as the Seraphim, according to those stories, they're older than the universe itself," replies Major Thel 'Vadam, as him and Shepard see something massive coming out of the mountainside, causing Alan to voice, "What in the fucking hell is that thing?"

"We called it an Architect," voices 'Vadam, as everyone move to find cover, "It's from the old stories, regarding the Seraphim…"

"Not the shit again!" voices Shepard, as he is realizing he makes a huge, colossally stupid mistake by not bringing his ship. 'What the hell was I thinking?' thought Shepard, as the awe-inspiring Architect, lands its three tendrils on the surface of the planet. Alan looking at this asks, "How do we defeat it?"

"Defeat it?" asks 'Vadam, in his deep alien-voice, "There's no defeating it! Our only chance is to fall back to my destroyer."

"Screw that," answers Shepard, who doesn't believe in an unbeatable enemy, he defeated the Reapers, he will defeat this Architect. Changing from his X5 Ghost to his R-2 Remnant, before he starts opening fire at one of the three tendrils of the Architect. Watching the awe-inspiring sight, 'Vadam rallies his troops to support Shepard's counterattack. Despite the Architect's advanced shield, the R-2 Remnant is able to penetrate them with easy, but the Architect retaliates with an assortment of weapons. Alan is diving through the variety of weapon impacts, while at the same time trying to find cover, but the Architect seems to be able to track him. Despite all of this, he continues to return fire, hitting the Architect's first tendril, causing a very large explosion. Just a millisecond later, the Architect retreats across the horizon, but Alan starts issuing a command, by yelling his orders, "After that damn fucking thing…"

Shepard, 'Vadam, and 'Vadam's men give chasing, making good-time despite the rough surface, the Architect land near the northeast corner of the valley. Shepard reengages the Architect, targeting its second tendril, but the response from the Architect is even more fearsome, with it returning even more fire, including its main head energy cannon, but Shepard divides his forces into three groups. Team A included Alan, Thel, and Gerdon 'Hilot, while Team B is being led by Rtas 'Vadum, along with Uruo 'Losonaee, and Jacul 'Arach. Finally, Team C is being led by Sesa 'Refum with Jaruth 'Ghattam, and Kola 'Baoth. Sesa and Rtas are close personal friends of 'Vadam.

"Team C flanking maneuver, Team B circle around," orders Shepard, as Team A continues to return fire at the Architect, which Shepard thinks is as tough as some of the Reaper-constructs he had fought in the past four years. The second Architect tendril explodes, causing the Architect once again to retreat this time back toward the abandoned mine, but Thel voices, "Shepard, we should bring reinforcement down to add in the defeat of the Architect. My ship, the Sacred Spoils can engage the Architect."

"Wait!" responses Alan, wanting to make sure he heard Thel's correctly, "Is your vessel able to descend into the atmosphere?"

"Yes, Captain Shepard, the destroyer provides fire support to surface forces during ground-based engagements," explains Thel, who know that some species had the ability for their largest ship to enter the atmosphere, but few have the technology that allows for their capital ship to fire while descending into the atmosphere. Shepard's eyes light up like two Fourth of July fireworks, and he says, "Then get me some goddamn fire support…" before he chases after the Architect, once again.

Eight Minutes Later:

Shepard, 'Vadam, and the other six Sangheili, once again engage the Architect, but this time, the Architect had landed at a Seraphim ruin, that Alan doesn't remember ever seeing before. Despite, this and knowing he is probably going to hear about it from Liara and Pebbles, he must stop this Architect and continue on with the rescue mission. The Architect is putting up even more of a fight and deploying units, causing Alan to think 'This just keeps getting better and better!' but also thinking that the Architect may not be actual Seraphim technologies, since it is very similar to Reaper's tech, those it appeared less advance than even Prothean technology. It appeared similar to his R-2 Remnant and R-3 Sweeper, both are developed from studying Reaper's tech, there is even a new Medium Reaper Armor in development, though Alan will stay with his heavy armor until he finds something better. As the two teams target the final tendril of the Architect, Shepard, 'Vadam, and 'Hilot target the Architect's head while trying to avoid the main energy cannon and the other constructs that are spawned around them. The firefight is fearsome and becomes a chaotic free for all when Shepard is blindsided by another creature and sent flying across the landscape. "What the fuck was that?" asks Alan, recovering from the impact of hits, and also from hitting the ground, hard.

"It is an Eiroch," replies a voice, over Shepard's communication system within his suit. Shepard looks around for someone, doesn't see anyone talking to him, wondering how he is hearing the voice, when the voice speaks again, "Oh, my poor Commander…"

"And who the fuck is this?" asks Shepard, as he sees the Eiroch charging at him. 'Oh, fuck!' thought Shepard, as the Eiroch bulldozes him, sending him flying backward. Shepard is out on his back, barely conscious when he sees a shadow standing over him, but, before Alan can say anything he's knocked unconscious…