This chapter does end suddenly but the section in the Leviathan DLC is pretty much rinse and repeat and there's only so many ways I can reword it. I also didn't want to put off writing this chapter again because it has been far too long since my last update. Hope you enjoy.

Also thank you for all of the reviews, favourites and alerts. I appreciate them a lot.

And hope you all have a happy new year! May 2014 be awesome for all of you!

Chapter 21: Race

"Ten years?" Tristan repeated. "They lost ten years?"

Shepard sighed in slight annoyance. All of the ground squad members had gathered in the War Room and were loitering around the large circular terminal so they could discuss what had happened on the asteroid and try to come up with some sort of plan for moving forward. Shepard had already sent her report to Admiral Hackett and had just finished relaying the events to the others. Tristan knew she could have made all sorts of comments – I've heard about losing the keys to your skycar but how do you lose ten years? – but she just couldn't bring herself to be the smartass in the room this time and it had nothing to do with the way Javik kept sending her annoyed glares.

Shepard massaged her temples in frustration. "Yes, Tristan. For the third time, the miners have no recollection of the past ten years."

Normally, Tristan would have ignored her tone but she was in a mood. Instead, she grit her teeth to keep from snapping back and folded her arms in front of her chest. They were both on edge and tense but for very different reasons. Even though Shepard and Alenko had solved most of their personal problems, Shepard was still frustrated with the professional things. They still were no closer to finding the Leviathan and Mahavid only gave them more questions without any answers. Tristan still didn't approve of looking for the Leviathan but her boss' words were what annoyed her the most. She had thought that the conversation with Lieutenant Cortez had eased her anxiety and sense of unease but apparently, it didn't.

The other crew members were starting to notice. Alenko kept glancing between them with a vaguely confused look on his face because it was a rare sight for them to be arguing. Sure, they'd had their disagreements but they had kept things friendly and usually involved teasing each other more than anything else. This was something different entirely and Alenko was one of the few crew members who could tell when Shepard was genuinely annoyed. James kept glancing at her with an almost concealed look of concern and she knew it was because she was acting completely out of character which was something that unnerved James. She could tell that much from the way he had attempted to comfort her after the attempted coup and the story of how Kai Leng nearly killed her. The fact that when she showed her annoyance or frustration could be regarded as being out of character only annoyed her more but she couldn't say why.

Liara cleared her throat nervously. "The events of Mahavid proved that the Leviathan possesses the ability to indoctrinate as well as to kill a Reaper."

"What if the Leviathan is a Reaper?" Garrus asked.

Shepard shook her head slowly. "We don't have enough information to even guess what it could or couldn't be."

"We don't have any information," Tristan corrected softly. When Shepard sent her a glare, she shrugged. "We don't. All we have is Bryson's word that it killed a Reaper and cases of indoctrination that could just as well be explained by Reapers. Everything we have now is circumstantial."

"What about those artefacts?" Liara pointed out.

"We have no concrete proof that they are connected to the Leviathan," Tristan repeated. "For all we know, it could be the equivalent to Prothean Beacons of whatever race existed 50 000 years before the Protheans."

"Why are you fighting this so hard?" Shepard asked impatiently. Tristan had made it clear that she felt searching for the Leviathan was a bad idea.

"It is because she wishes they did not exist," Javik answered instead. "She is scared of them."

A tense silence followed as Tristan and Javik glared at each other. Even Shepard was surprised by the answer, her impatience forgotten. Tristan resisted the urge to jump over the computer terminal and tackle the smug Prothean to the ground. Instead, she had to settle for narrowing her eyes in a look of barely controlled anger. She didn't like what her boss had implied so she definitely didn't approve of what Javik had said outright. A Black Ops agent didn't get scared…or so people kept telling her and she definitely didn't like being told she was scared when she knew she wasn't.

"Listen here, Four Eyes," Tristan snapped and only barely registered that it probably wasn't the best insult ever. Lizard Man wasn't a better alternative. "I am not scared of the Leviathan. We know nothing about it. We don't know its full capabilities but if it can kill a Reaper, then imagine what it can do to us. We have no assurances that the Leviathan will help us. There is no guarantee that it won't simply wipe us out more effectively than the Reapers are currently doing. At least against the Reapers, we have a chance. So, yes, I am being cautious." She emphasized the word to make it clear she wasn't scared. "I just want to make sure we have as much information as possible before we go blindly stumbling after something that could just as easily kill us because information can be a weapon. All you do is remark about our primitive ways so how about you use your superior insight and tell us whatever it is you think we are missing."

"We did not know of the Leviathans in my time," Javik replied and there was a slight hint of discomfit.

Tristan stopped glaring at him but she never broke eye contact. "That isn't what I asked."

When Javik didn't answer, Tristan looked away from him and focused on the computer terminal. She knew the others were looking at her in surprise. She hadn't lost her temper so openly in front of all of them before and she really didn't want to see the looks on their faces right now. And the last time she'd felt this angry, it had been because of Cerberus and not a crew member. She knew this anger could lead back to the cold hearted, emotionless assassin she'd been years ago and that was dangerous territory. She couldn't face the concern she knew she would see on the others.

"Tristan is right," Shepard said after the silence continued for a few moments. "We don't have a lot of information right now. We also don't know how long the Leviathan has been here or why."

"I've been examining Dr Garneau's notes," EDI interjected. "And it would appear that he created a way to block the artefact's mind-affecting properties. It seems that the artefact may be the key."

"Then it would probably be best if we return to Dr Bryson's lab," Shepard decided. "With Garneau's information, we might be able to make sense of anything we overlooked the first time. EDI, I want you with me."

"Of course, Shepard," EDI replied.

"What do you hope to find there?" James asked.

Shepard shrugged. "I want to find out what the hell these artefacts are and what they are capable of doing."

"Whatever they are, they're too dangerous to have around," Garrus commented.

"And we have one sitting right in the middle of the Citadel," Shepard suddenly realised. Then she sighed tiredly. "Meeting's over. Hopefully, the stop on the Citadel will be quick so no shore leave while we're there. Only resupply and refuelling. Get some rest."

They cleared the room in silence as the discussion had been more serious than anyone had expected. Tristan made her way to her quarters without looking at anyone or saying a word. Once inside her quarters, she was at a loss of what to do. All she knew was she wanted to be alone. Now…she had no clue. There might be files from the Alliance – more videos about Reaper combat to review, briefings on the activities of various groups, maybe even some intel on Cerberus' latest activities – but she couldn't work. Instead, she flopped down in front of her computer terminal and stared at her reflection in the dark surface. Things had been so much simpler when she knew what she wanted. Then again, nothing had threatened her job before and truthfully, it was all she had known for most of her life. It was safe and secure in the fact that she knew it. The unknown? It terrified her.

If she ignored her boss and chose Shepard, James and the crew of the Normandy over everything else, what would that mean for her? She could always become a freelance mercenary but then there weren't any rules and regulations to keep her in line and the idea of having that possibility made her worry. She could always become a soldier – a proper member of the Alliance…but they had too many rules and regulations and often depended on team work. Tristan wasn't exactly a team player. Besides, all of this depended on the fact that James and the crew of the Normandy would return her feelings. If they didn't, then she would have given up everything for nothing.

Tristan sighed and placed her forehead on the surface of the desk. She'd always enjoyed taking risks – and had the scars to prove it – but this time, she wasn't so sure. A part of her couldn't help but wonder: would it be worth it? The last time she'd taken a risk like this, it had backfired quite extraordinarily. But James was different…although she still had no idea if he meant any of the flirting, despite what Shepard had claimed during a conversation that felt like a lifetime ago. What makes you happy? Lieutenant Cortez's question suddenly repeated in her mind and she sighed tiredly. All this thinking was making her brain hurt.

Unexpectedly, the computer terminal hummed into life and Tristan looked up in confusion. Instead of her own reflection, she now saw a young girl peering into the computer monitor. Her hair was tied back in a low pony and it was the colour of copper – a mix of her parents' hair colour. Her green eyes were a few shades darker than Tristan's and always reminded her of her brother Dylan. Even though Tristan had made the effort to send messages to her niece and nephew whenever she could, she had avoided making actual contact with them. Yet somehow, her niece was now staring at her in a look of surprise.

"Aunt Tristan?" she asked hesitantly.

Tristan was just as surprised. "Keira?"

"I've been trying to get through for days," Keira explained.

"We've been in Reaper territory," Tristan replied. "No communications."

Keira frowned. "Oh."

When an awkward pause followed, Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Your mother doesn't want you talking to me."

"How'd you know?" Keira asked, shocked.

"Because I am just that awesome," Tristan answered and then shrugged. "I don't want to get you into any trouble with her."

Keira sighed in response. "But she refuses to tell us anything and we're being treated like kids here."

"I hate to break it to you, Keira, but you are a kid," Tristan pointed out with an amused smile. "At least for another three years."

"Ugh. Not you too," Keira whined. "When do I stop being a kid and start being a teenager?"

"When you start bringing boys home that your mother won't approve of and joyride in stolen skycars," Tristan answered.

"Is that a recommendation?" Keira asked with a grin.

"Definitely not," Tristan replied, still smiling. "How are you and your brother doing?"

Keira sighed and all of her amusement vanished. "It's tough here. No one tells us anything although Uncle Steven makes sure we know all about what you're up to. Everyone's so…" She drifted off as she struggled to think of the right word.

Tristan tried to keep smiling but knowing her niece and nephew were with the scientists researching the Crucible was both a blessing and a curse. Admiral Hackett had promised to keep them safe and as long as the Reapers never learnt where they were hiding the Crucible, then Keira and Luca were in the safest place possible. However, it also meant being exposed to a lot of people who knew just how serious the situation was as well as their chances of survival. Tristan wanted them to keep their childhood innocence for as long as possible – a luxury she never had when growing up.

The smile faded from her face and she looked away from her niece. "I won't lie to you, Keira. Things are bad." She looked up again. "But that's why I'm out here, with Commander Shepard. We're doing everything we can to stop the Reapers from succeeding."

"I know," Keira murmured quietly. "Just don't get yourself killed, Aunt Tris."

Before Tristan could say anything to that very serious order, spiky brown hair made its way into frame and then Luca pulled himself into Keira's chair, half pushing her off. He was grinning happily and Tristan knew his childhood innocence wasn't in danger.

"Hi Auntie!" Luca practically shouted.

"Hey, little man," Tristan replied and she couldn't stop the smirk that formed. Even Keira was smiling again.

"Did you really see that Thresher Maw take down the Reaper?" he asked with wide eyed curiosity.

"See it? Your auntie helped make it happen," a voice commented from the door.

Tristan looked over her shoulder to find James standing there, looking all too amused. She hadn't missed the way he'd repeated 'auntie' and knew more teasing was coming her way.

Luca gasped in surprise, first eying the huge Marine and then looking at her again. "You did? Was it awesome?"

Tristan glanced from James' smirk to Keira's knowing smile (what was with teenaged girls and sniffing out romance?) to Luca's awe. "Of course it was. It's me we're talking about." She knew that just gave James even more ammunition to use against her. "James, this is my niece Keira and her brother, Luca."

Before James could reply, Keira's smile had turned into a smirk. "Are you two dating?"

Tristan knew she should have seen that coming but she didn't. "Uh…" she answered eloquently and James cleared his throat awkwardly. If she had been capable of blushing, she probably would have been. Sure, there was something between them and they had gone out together a few times but she wouldn't classify those as 'dates' and she could tell James didn't either considering he didn't have an answer for Keira.

Thankfully, Luca didn't care one bit for this sort of stuff. "Were you there too?"

Tristan could almost feel James' relief at the change of topic. "Of course. I even saved your auntie a couple of times."

She looked at him over her shoulder and found him grinning as he stood just behind her chair. "You did not."

"Yeah, I did."

"No, you didn't."

This went back and forth for a couple of minutes until they realised Keira and Luca were laughing at them.

"He has no clue what he's talking about," Tristan reassured them.

"But I totally saved her," James added in a stage whisper.

She was grinning, despite herself, and she shook her head in amusement. They said their farewells and ended the call shortly thereafter. Tristan strongly suspected that EDI had something to do with the call coming through and James coming into her quarters without her hearing him. It was amazing how three people could turn her mood around so easily. Once she'd turned off her computer, she found James sitting on her bed opposite her and guessed he'd come here for more than eavesdropping.

"Have you made a decision about the N programme?" she asked.

"I'm going to do it," James answered. "I thought about what you and Shepard said and you were both right."

"Congratulations," she replied with a smile. "I would suggest celebrating on the Citadel but that might have to wait a while."

"Are you all right?" he suddenly asked. "I mean, it made a nice change seeing Javik put in his place but…"

"But me being that angry was weird," she guessed and when he nodded, she sighed. "Before Mahavid, I got a call from my boss. On a good day, he's an ass but he was in exceptional form."

"What did he say?" James asked.

"Well, he lectured me for bending a few rules which is nothing new but then he implied that my position on the Normandy – or why he allows it, more like – is dependent on my reporting the crew's activities to him," she explained. "I haven't been doing that, which is why he was so angry, but he also mentioned that if I didn't do it…well, he didn't make that part clear. Either I'll be removed from the Normandy or I'll be fired."

"Did you tell Shepard any of this?" he asked.

She shook her head. "She has enough to deal with at the moment."

"Well, he can't do much while we're in the middle of dealing with the Reapers," James pointed out. "Besides, we won't let them take you away. You're part of the crew."

Tristan smiled. Those words had the greatest effect in improving her mood although Keira and Luca helped quite a bit. "And Shepard wouldn't last five minutes without me," she added.

Since they were nearing the Citadel, James then suggested that Tristan join him and Joker in a game of poker against Alenko. Apparently, James and Joker were setting Alenko up to lose against them as a prank. Tristan agreed, if only for the entertainment value but they only got as far as leaving the elevator when Garrus approached her.

"Garrus," Tristan greeted with a smile. "Done calibrating already?"

Garrus looked like he was about to reply and then chose not to. "You and Javik still having problems?"

Tristan raised an eyebrow. "That makes us sound like an old married couple." James burst out laughing while Garrus was trying very hard not to laugh. She sighed in annoyance. "I've just opened myself up to a whole lot of mocking," she murmured.

"Anyway…" Garrus replied when he'd regained his composure. "I have an idea to fix that."

Tristan looked at the Turian incredulously. "All right, I'll bite. How?"

Those few words led to Tristan and Javik sitting on cots next to each other in the Medical Bay with an unimpressed Dr Chakwas hovering between them. Tristan had a bruise forming on her right cheek and along her jaw, her shoulder hurt and her ribs ached. The knuckles on her right hand were bleeding – she hadn't put on wraps – and her hand was sore. Javik's injuries were less obvious although she was certain his chest was hurt and that he had a split lip. She held an ice pack against her jaw while Alenko dutifully tended to her hand. Dr Chakwas was focused on Javik. She had made the decision to not allow them any medi-gel in the hopes that the pain and slower healing would teach them a lesson. Tristan somehow doubted that. It was then that Shepard marched into the Medical Bay looking somewhat angry. Tristan looked over to Javik and they shared a look that said they knew they were about to get into serious trouble.

"What the hell happened here?" Shepard demanded.

Without removing the ice pack, Tristan decided to reply. "The first rule of Fight Club…" she drifted off when Shepard narrowed her eyes impatiently.

"I'm not in the mood for your jokes, Tristan," Shepard replied. "I expected more from you."

Tristan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? Because I didn't. At least I didn't break the ship," she pointed out hopefully, like it would earn her some points back.

"As Executive Officer of this crew, you can't go around fighting other crew members just because you don't like them. So, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt." Shepard's tone didn't soften. "Explanation. Now."

"Fine," Tristan sighed and then winced slightly. "It was suggested to us that if we were to vent our anger with each other through hand to hand combat, it would improve our relationship and the overall crew cohesion on the ship."

Shepard exhaled slowly. "Garrus?"

"We will not…" Javik glanced at Tristan and then spoke as if the word was unfamiliar. "…snitch."

Tristan fought extremely hard to keep a straight face, especially when Shepard glanced between the two of them with a confused expression. Even Alenko seemed at a loss for words. After a few more moments, Shepard sighed in annoyance.

"When you two are done getting patched up, go to the War Room," she ordered. She spun on her heels and left.

"The Commander is not pleased," Javik commented.

"Well, technically speaking, she never ordered us not to fight," Tristan said.

"That's because an order like that goes without saying," Alenko interjected, trying to keep his tone even. Tristan didn't know if he was struggling to keep amusement or annoyance under control.

Dr Chakwas stepped away from Javik. "You are free to leave, Commander."

Javik bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Thank you, doctor." Then he turned to look at Tristan. "It was a good fight, Agent."

She smiled in return. "That it was. See you upstairs."

The Prothean left the room, making his way towards the elevator. Alenko had finished cleaning the cuts and was starting to wrap a bandage around her hand. Dr Chakwas then started to run the usual tests to check for a concussion. She was making it pretty obvious that she was just as unimpressed as Shepard was about the whole incident.

"Under any other circumstances, it could be regarded as training," Tristan said. "Yet, because we don't like each other, suddenly it's bad."

Dr Chakwas pursed her lips in annoyance as she took a step back. "I believe you're missing the point, Tristan."

"So, it's fine if Shepard spars with James but I can't do it with Javik?" she asked.

Dr Chakwas sighed softly. "I suppose you have a point."

Alenko finished with the bandage and then left. Dr Chakwas cleared her for duty and insisted she keep the ice pack so she headed up to the War Room, keeping it pressed against her jaw. When she finally arrived, it took her a moment to notice that she was the last one to arrive as Alenko had walked off without her when the elevator arrived. They were standing around the circular computer terminal again so she wandered over to an open space between Shepard and Specialist Traynor. A few people gave her amused looks while others avoided looking at her altogether because of Shepard's obvious annoyance.

"Now that we're all here," Shepard began irritably. "EDI and I managed to block the signals from the artefact in Bryson's lab. It also appears that Bryson's daughter, Ann, may have found something important."

"We were able to pinpoint her location to the Pylos Nebula," EDI added.

Tristan glanced up at that. "The Pylos Nebula?" she repeated.

Shepard gave her a tired look in response. "You've developed a thing for repeating things today, haven't you?"

Rather than respond, she shifted the ice pack from her jaw and placed it on her shoulder instead where it balanced perfectly. "I just like to make sure I'm hearing things right."

"Except when it comes to orders," Shepard pointed out and there was a small smile on her face. "What do you know about the Nebula?"

Tristan wanted to argue but Shepard closed the opening too quickly so she decided to move on. "There's been a massive spike in Reaper activity over the past few days."

"How massive are we talking?" Garrus asked.

Tristan considered the question and then turned her attention to the computer terminal. From where she was, she accessed her personal files and a large representation of the galaxy map appeared in the large circular area where Shepard had explained her plan for Tuchanka. A couple of systems flashed red, others remained red and some were blue.

"Just keep in mind that this is technically classified," Tristan began her explanation. "So, don't tell anyone I told you."

"It will be hard to do that if we have no idea what we're looking at," Liara said.

"The galaxy," Tristan pointed out helpfully but before anyone could respond sarcastically, she continued. "Based on reports, Black Ops has attempted to map out Reaper activity. It updates in real time and gives us an idea of where the Reapers are focusing and whether or not there are tactical targets to consider. The solid red systems have the highest numbers of Reaper forces. From what we can tell, they're focusing on systems where there is a heavy Turian or Human presence. Those flashing red – Asari, Salarian, Volus and Batarian territories – do have a slight Reaper presence, basically scouts or chasing others seeking refuge."

"I assume blue systems have little to no Reaper forces?" Alenko guessed.

Tristan was about to nod but then thought better of it. "Yes. This map is from a week ago, roughly, before we started looking for the Leviathan." She hit a few keys and the map shifted. Most of the details were unchanged however another system was now red.

"The Pylos Nebula?" Shepard asked.

"From the data we've collected," Tristan explained, "the Reaper forces in the other red systems took weeks to reach those sorts of numbers. The Pylos Nebula took a fraction of the time and there are no tactical targets."

"So, the Reapers are definitely searching for the Leviathan," James commented.

"It also means we're going to meet heavy resistance going after Ann Bryson," Shepard agreed.

"Are you sure this representation is accurate?" Specialist Traynor suddenly asked and Tristan realised she was staring at the map in something akin to awe.

"Between Reaper interference and damaged communications, it is hard to be sure just how accurate this is but we've done our best," Tristan answered. "Although, it doesn't take into account indoctrination…or husks. Why?"

Specialist Traynor didn't answer immediately. "If you could give me access, I might be able to tweak it and make it more reliable."

Well, her boss was already furious with her anyway… "I can do you one better," Tristan answered. Instead of explaining, she did some more typing. "EDI?"

::Normandy's galaxy map sync has been successful. Specialist Traynor's terminal has full access and Normandy will receive updates as they come.::

Traynor smiled before hurrying out of the War Room and to her console.

"I thought you said this was classified?" Shepard asked with barely concealed amusement.

Tristan also smiled. "Well, it'll probably take Black Ops weeks to figure out what I did, thanks to EDI, and by then, whatever Traynor comes up with will probably impress them. Besides, I don't see the point of keeping that secret."

Shepard then turned serious. "Since we're expecting a lot of Reapers, we're all going to rescue Ann Bryson. She's our best chance of finding Leviathan so I don't the Reapers getting in our way. Make sure all of your gear is prepped and ready to go." Then she glanced between Javik and Tristan. "And you two? Don't even think about asking Doc for some medi-gel."

Javik looked annoyed but he didn't question the order. Tristan, on the other hand, examined her ice pack with a critical eye. "You think if I pack enough of these in my hardsuit, they'll have the same effects as medi-gel?"

Shepard sighed annoyance and put her face in her hand. "Seriously?"

"Besides, where exactly can you fit any?" James asked innocently.

"It's not my fault you lack imagination, lieutenant," Tristan answered with a smirk.

Shepard threw her hands up in mock agitation. "That's it, I'm leaving before this conversation gets any weirder." She did however pause when she reached the door. It was no surprise that everyone started to laugh but it was surprising that Javik was also laughing.

They were able to find Ann Bryson's dig site on the planet of Namakli – an arid planet mostly inhabited by Vorcha. The ground squad wasn't taking any chances: everyone had suited up, even Liara (Shepard and Tristan joked that her archaeologist senses were tingling), and everyone brought every weapon they had been trained with. Shields were fully charged, hardsuits checked and rechecked and all biotics had a stash of energy bars with them, just in case. Everyone also made sure they had as many spare clips as they could carry. It was perhaps overkill but they couldn't be too careful. They were all seated throughout the shuttle, discussing the upcoming mission but silence followed when Shepard stood up.

"All right. We've confirmed that the dig site has been attacked which means the Reapers are one step ahead of us. As much as I want to close the gap, we aren't taking any unnecessary risks. We don't know what we'll be facing down there so, just in case, we'll divide into groups if it becomes necessary. I'm alpha with EDI and Liara. Kaidan, you're beta with Javik, Garrus and James. Tristan, you'll be scout and recon." There was a round of 'aye, aye, Commander' and then she turned to face Cortez. "Steve, have you picked up anything?"

"Ann Bryson hasn't responded to any of our hails," Cortez answered. "But I'm getting some weird signals. Hang on." There were a few moments of silence, then suddenly "We have hostiles."

Shepard's hand immediately drifted to her shotgun. "Take us in."

Cortez then called Shepard into the cockpit. Tristan heard little more than 'That's her' before something hit the shuttle. It went off course and anyone who had been standing – even one or two who hadn't been – were knocked to the floor of the shuttle.

"And cue the Reaper Welcoming Committee," Tristan muttered as she helped Liara up.

"At least we know we're in the right place," James commented as he got to his feet too.

"Tristan!" Shepard suddenly shouted from the cockpit. A silent message passed between them and where Shepard looked less than impressed, Tristan grinned like it was Christmas morning.

Without a word, she headed to the shuttle door and opened it while Shepard got everyone else ready. Cortez aimed the shuttle towards the landing pad and without it slowing down, they all jumped through the door. Tristan, having been trained for this, had taken point and as soon as her feet hit the platform, she tucked into a roll and popped up again with her submachine gun in hand. By the time the others had recovered, she'd already cleared the landing platform of a handful of husks. She looked up just in time to see the shuttle veer away with three Harvesters chasing it. That explained a lot. She hoped Lieutenant Cortez would be all right.

Tristan tore her eyes away from the horizon and focused on the nearby building when she heard someone shouting. It sounded like a woman so she assumed it was Ann Bryson, especially after Shepard started to walk in the direction of it. They moved as a single squad until they had more information but they kept glancing skywards just in case more flaming fireballs rained overheard or if the Harvesters got too close. The last thing they needed was an ambush. As they approached the room, there were a few explosions and whatever electrical devices sputtered dangerously. Walls fell away and they soon found themselves standing above a large ravine with only the remains of destroyed buildings as a bridge. Harvesters swarmed the sky around them and Tristan realised just how much they annoyed her.

"Tristan, take point," Shepard ordered over the radio. There was too much noise to be heard over. "Try to find a safe path across. EDI, try to lock onto Ann Bryson's location."

Tristan wasn't surprised by her new orders. Her hardsuit was the lightest and she also probably had the least amount of gear – aside from EDI, maybe – which made her the best choice. She also enjoyed these sorts of life threatening situations and knew how to move quickly in these sorts of circumstances. She walked forward and didn't bother drawing a weapon. The entire Normandy ground squad had her back and she needed to concentrate. She moved quickly but carefully, making sure the collapsed rooms and walls ahead were safe enough for them to walk across while the short conversations between Shepard and Ann Bryson over the radio faded to the background. As if that wasn't enough, she had to avoid flying pieces of debris and more explosions.

Once Tristan had covered enough ground, she looked up to check her progress and noticed a few husks ahead. Before she could even signal Shepard or draw her gun, the husks ran off the edge of the makeshift bridge. Other husks ran blindly in circles before they too went over the edge. That was unexpected. With the path clear once again, she continued to move forward. She held up her hand to signal to stop as they reached a high edge and a few Cannibals were below. Shepard, Kaidan, Garrus and James killed them instantly, even the ones that had been drawn from their hiding places by the sounds of gunfire and Tristan dropped down. The makeshift bridge didn't move or groan ominously so she signalled it was safe and continued on her way.

Tristan cut through a heavily damaged laboratory and froze when it shook violently. It was over in a few moments and everyone was unharmed. Tristan carefully took a step forward and when nothing happened, she frowned.

"I don't think that had anything to do with us," she commented.

"You think the Harvesters might be trying to prevent us from reaching Ann?" Shepard asked.

Tristan took a few more cautious steps forward. "It sounds plausible. She is their – and our – best chance of finding the Leviathan."

"Everyone, proceed carefully," Shepard warned.

Just as Tristan approached another staircase, a Harvester came out of nowhere and crashed into it. Tristan managed to get out of the way just in time as an explosion followed and the stairs crumbled into tiny pieces.

"I really hate those things," Tristan muttered as she got to her feet.

"Is everyone all right?" Shepard asked and once everyone had answered that they were fine, she continued. "Look for another way."

Tristan turned to face Shepard and then noticed a ladder behind Shepard which she pointed at. "Should I see where that goes?"

"Doesn't look like we have any other option," Garrus replied.

Tristan walked over and started to climb up the ladder. Just as she reached the top, a husk charged at her. Since it was alone, she used her biotics to toss it over the side and then gave the all clear. As they ascended the ladder one by one, Tristan walked over to the edge of the roof and noticed a gap that they could easily jump over to solid ground which looked like part of the large mountain. Tristan cleared the gap easily and took a few steps away to see where the ledge led.

"It looks like there's a bridge down this way," she informed them.

A moment later, Shepard was standing at her shoulder. They approached the control panel and soon discovered that it was damaged which was odd under the circumstances. Tristan decided not to draw attention to this and EDI was volunteered to fix the panel. No sooner had EDI started to work on it then fireballs rained down on their location. At first, it was only husks so the biotics pushed them over the edge of the cliff. Then there were husks and Cannibals. And then, Marauders were added to the chaos. Tristan sighed in frustration. With one hand, she continued to fire her submachine gun and with the other, she used her biotics to throw whatever got too close over the edge. Liara had created a singularity just on the edge so anything caught in its pull would also fall off the edge. Kaidan alternated between using his assault rifle and creating barriers or putting some targets into stasis. Tristan had never seen much point in learning that but after this, she was starting to see why it would be useful.

Once the area was clear, they pushed onward but the Reapers weren't giving up that easily. They encountered many more husks along the way and even a couple of Cannibals. It seemed more like stall tactics than search and destroy. As they progressed further through the maze, they even had Ravagers to contend with. They passed through more husks, damaged laboratories, abandoned dig sites and too close for comfort explosions. Tristan just hoped they would reach Ann Bryson before the Reapers did.