Skullface: Short part with Kruger but says it all also the part with Point Man is in first person.

Where one falls another rises.

PS Happy Halloween! Trick r' treat here's your read!\m/ (*_*)\m/

PSS 'The Rise and the Fall' was a story that inspired the name of this chapter, please if you have the time tell the author I would like her to continue writing and check out the story she's working on. From what I've read it seems pretty good and she could use a wider audience.

Kruger watched from a distance far off into the voids of space as the Nightcrawler facility slowly began to destroy itself from the inside from a self destruct siguence he had enabled once everyone was off. His home was being destroyed right in front of him causing a feeling like his spirit was shattered into thousands of pieces like glass tipping over. Pieces of himself were scurried across space as he watched the Normandy fly away from the wreckage. There was no way the Normandy could see them through the camouflage of the starship he and his followers occupied.

The black armor of the Phantom and the stealth systems added to the ship made it so no one could suspect a thing about them if they were to ever intercept a passing vessel. The Phantom as Kruger named this frigate, shaped like a bat with a blade like snout in the front and wings that extend to the side armed with enough firepower to put the hurt towards any one that got in its way.

The Phantom was the last remnant of the Nightcralwer base. This ship was his and his teams. With no where left to go besides Mars he took with him what was left of his team and of his crew from the facility. He waited for everyone to be aboard the Phantom before take off.

At Mars deep within the planets surface lies a hidden facility. His facility. There Antichrist a sleeping secret that longs to wake from her sleep is waiting. The battlefield has been set and is now ready for its players.

On a bed laying down wearing a long black leather coat as well as the black sunglasses he never took off, Kruger sat up from his bed. Curling his feet within his black leather combat boots he combed back his white hair with his gloved hands. His whole attire was made of leather save for his cotton black sweater worn underneath his black leather coat.

Standing to his feet he looked over to his television set. Along next to the T.V. was a bookshelf with pieces by Edger Allen Poe, Stephen King. John William Polidori and anyone else who deemed his interest with tails of the darker side of life and or supernatural walked over to his T.V. and turned it on using a remote laying on the bookshelf.

As the T.V. came on the image of a news reporter appeared.

"Hello I'm Emily Wong and today's bringing you tonight's news on the Citadel. In recent reports regarding the terrorist who was responsible for the 'Citadel Trauma Incident' has gained the attention of the Citadel Council and a lead investigation is to be carried out by Council authorities known as Spectres as per leaked information given by an individual who prefers to stay anonymous. In other news Commander Jane Shepard who some are saying is working for the organization known as Cerberus has stirred up many mixed reactions. Systems Alliance authorities have decided to have Shepard tried for her involvement with the group of terrorist known as Cerberus and are attempting to reason with her returning to Earth for her involvement with the group."

Kruger turned off the T.V. and decided to walk over to his desk. Sitting down in the dim light of his cabin he found it hard to sleep. Life itself was a stir of echos of the previous day repeating in a cycle of endless repetitive flavor no fun, only nothing existed. He lived only for this moment. When everything comes down between two extraordinary fighters and who hold great potential.

The death bells are ringing and soon enough only one will be standing. To decide who is truly destined to change the world forever. The first prototype was impressive. Everything that Armahcam had wanted in a soldier. Where as Paxton Fettle was everything that was needed for one to command in a battalion of super soldiers.

Kruger disregarded these thoughts as he began to think about the jouncy to Mars. In a short time they will be there and he could set the course for one final conflict. Shepard will be there too. Which of them was more superior he wondered.

He thought up on different ways they would kill him. He was curious if Shepard would tear of his head with a biotic attack or just scalp him. He thought up ways he could face off against her if she were to fight him head to head. He would be sure to use a biotic jammer component attached to his omi-tool to dismiss her biotic assaults.

The first prototype he would have to worry about getting to close with. He wasn't afraid of him, or of Shepard. He no longer feared dying or death. For the longest time he knew from the start he would die in misery. It was the fate he knew he would come to face eventually. He wasn't afraid of death, but instead will gladly accept it. He would happily fall into the depths of hell and embrace an eternity of pain and suffering if need be. Anything to be rid of the insanity he is in now. The thought of being in hell was somewhat more pleasing than living this life of lies and conspiracy.

That smell of blood and sweat from the people you kill, their cries forever heard inside your head screaming in eternal agony. Kruger never forgot the dying feeling of those who fell before him. Emptiness swelled up his well of life. Nothing means anything anymore. The only thing left to feel was death. The first time he killed he foresaw their final moments through their eyes. He watched through them a knife cutting the flesh of the neck and creating a smile forever marked on their bodies. He was only ten years old when he killed for the first time.

Life itself was meaningless now, only in conflict does he feel alive and sense the true values of life. As his time in the Alliance military closed and his new career in F.E.A.R. began he was instituted into the arts of combating the paranormal. His time in F.E.A.R. allowed him to better himself by not just killing people anymore but real monsters that seeked out to prey on people.

So many missions in F.E.A.R. and so many people seen and so many monsters put to rest. Kruger would never forget his first mission. He had been sent in to hunt for a vampire that was running around in Japan feasting upon people turning them into other vampires. He was with Raynes and Chen. When they arrived into that blood suckers lair they found a young girl. No more than 16 in appearance and four others.

Killing off one full grown adult male vampire who looked to be in his forties and another vamp who was female who looked to be in her near forties as well, Kruger recalled opening his fire on the two. Fifty rounds from his assault rifle tore both of them down. The shredder ammunition was sure to tear apart bone and flesh leaving only bloodied lifeless husk.

Raynes and Chen dropped the other two vampires as they went out on the search and destroy routine, coming across two other vampires. Both were in their teens but were set on fire by Raynes Chen as they burned them to a crisp with incendiary rounds from their assault rifles.

Kruger was left to face of with the little vampire who was the reason for the other four sorry souls turned into vampires. But when he opened up that blood soaked door and found a little girl sitting with her head bowed and tears flowing from her face he lowered his gun as he saw the child innocence in her face.

"Why?" Was what she said as she stood up and looked up to him with eyes blood soaked and tears falling from a face pale like snow. Her hair was in a frenzy and her clothing was messy from dirt, dust, and blood stains.

"Why did you kill my family?" Was all she kept asking him as he thought back on the two adult vampires who died hand in hand and the other two vampires killed by Raynes and Chen.

"You...monster." Was all she said as he watched her snap a gun from her hand and aim it at him. For a split second he had thought she was going to shoot him. But in a flawless movement she brought the gun to her own head and pulled the trigger ending her long existing life and leaving the world filled with another tragedy for its book of memories.

As that lifeless body just lay there under a moonlight sanctuary Kruger approached the dead body of a girl. Removing a glove from one of his hands he slowly brought his hand onto the girls face. Within only seconds, all through out a series of images he watched her life. From her playing with her real father from what could possibly be the age of when samurai ruled Japan to world war two, and the atomic bomb falling on Hiroshima.

This girl, who had lived for centuries in solitude was tired of life. Spending eternity wondering from place to place trying to find a reason for living. Only to live a world of tragedy.

From there on and forever Kruger had always made a link to those who died by his hand. He felt that by not doing so would be to disrespect them and their lives that lead them to their deaths. With each link he made, more sorrow filled his soul. His heart became black and all his thoughts focused less and less on life and more on death and the sorrows behind the light of life and joy. For the truth was that behind all the beauty that there is, there is always misery and tragedy around each corner.

Opening up a drawer from his desk Kruger pulled out a colt revolver. He examined the gun. He took good care of the gun and never let it get dirty. He made sure to polish and keep it clean. Opening up the cylinder he grabbed a box of bullets he liked to keep. He quickly began to put in five bullets.

One empty cylinder will be fates way of declaring him that today is not his day to die. While the other five are the remedies of his sins. Five bullets are his release from hell, while one empty chamber is his declaration of continuing existence.

Kruger put the loaded revolver to his head and pressed the trigger.

Releasing him from damnation and into the path of redemption.

Only instead of the sound of a bullet being released and painting the walls with is blood, an empty clicking sound filled the ghostly silent room. Pulling the revolver from his head he popped open the cylinder and viewed inside of the chamber. Inside he saw five bullets ready for firing, ready to deliver him. He was so very close to death, fate would have it be different today. He will see tomorrow.

As Kruger opened up the drawer and put the pistol away. Kruger sat in silence within the dark. Thinking about the prototype as well as Antichrist. Within a few days time everything will end. Turning on some music Kruger thought over all his accomplishments and all his faults. The times when he made friends and the memories of sharing pain with comrades. All the good and the bad, there was nothing in the galaxy he would trade it for. But now his life is coming to an end. Within a few days the prototype will come and there will be only one standing. This is the way it must be.

One will die and be spared Armageddon and the other will lead a life of pain and suffering with the coming of the end. Little mattered of that now. This is what is. All his life he has been waiting for this one moment and now its here. Within just a few more days before dueling the prototype. He will tell him everything he needs to know.

Thinking only of his past and the things he had done. All the misery he caused and went through, all the deception and killing. All of it was to end. His final salvation lies within the hands of the first prototype. He will be his escape from madness.

Operative: Point Man (Ghost)

Today was the day Liara was going to leave. That's what I kept thinking about besides where are next move to strike at the Nightcrawlers. From what Shepard was able to receive from the marines of Sonar EDI was able to pinpoint that they're heading towards Mars. For what reason? I haven't got the slightest answer other than it has something to do with my sister. I don't even know her name, she's never told me yet. THan again she doesn't know mine. But what is my name? Ghost? Ghost is a nick name given to me by Shepard and her crew, but for what its worth...its my identity. Again thinking about Liara, she was going tp be leaving today. Shepard is to ride with her in the kodiak to some space ship that's the Shadow Broker's lair. Liara's lair now.

Here I was siting down on my cot thinking these things and waiting until Liara comes down so I can make a final goodbye. She was good to me throughout my time here, a good friend. Closing my eyes I practice my new psychic abilities that my sister said I possessed. As I recall she said something about me being able to sense other peoples energies. I try focusing on the surround living beings. Keeping my eyes shut I sense a certain energy signature. It's faint but I feel it. I can sense my own mother residing inside of me. Her soul combined into mine and drifting through my thoughts and memories. Is there a way to free her? Because of me being alive she's even here along with my brother. I'm the cause for all of this in a way.

It's all my fault. Shepard being caught in my problems, Paxton being unable to stay dead, Alma unable to find peace. However there is nothing I can do about it now, this is what is. All I can do is push forward and see this through the end. I wonder if the guys from F.E.A.R. could have done something to separate Alma from me, but I'm sure that if I can reach Mars I can find some kind of device or machine that can free my mother from me. Paxton won't be so easily rid of. The only way to get rid of him would be to be rid of me.

I stop for a split second, I knew for a while now the only way to stop Paxton.

Suicide. Only through me can Paxton return to life. As long as I live so does he. From the moment I killed him, from the moment we were both locked into our own little prison at the Origin facility a link was made. Even when I was in the army in basic training I received images in my head seeing a man with slick hair and cold eyes. I never told anyone about my visions because I knew they would think of me as being crazy. I was always scared on the inside, scared of something I could never understand. I was afraid of finding out who I really was. Up until the moment I killed my brother I was filled with questions I didn't want answers for.

I didn't kill Paxton because it was my mission, I killed him because he told me the truth. The ugly horrible life scarring truth. And now he can't ever leave me alone because of what I did. Death will be my salvation from all of this, it will also free Shepard and her team from my curse as well. Through me dying I will be ridding the world of my family's wrath.

I shake my head and get off my cot. Thirst was lingering on my mind. I might as well go see if Gardner has anything. I could go for a hard drink.

I leave my cot and head up through the elevator. I press the Crew Quarters button and am up there in moments. I rub my neck as I waited for the door to open up, all of this business with my family worked up my thirst for something to drown the memories of what I've done. When it did I get out and head right through and see Gardner working on what could only be assumed as breakfast.

"Hey new guy." Gardner greats me and I give a nod. I rub my gloved hands and then ask for a bottle of whiskey or brandy whichever he had.

"Gardner I was hoping for a bottle of whiskey or brandy if you had any."

With a shake of his head he acknowledges that Dr. Chakwas would have a bottle of what I'm looking for. "She should have a bottle of the good stuff. She gets her supply from Shepard whenever the Commander leaves for shore duty."

"Thanks anyways." I say and than I head for the med-bay.

I pass by some of the crew members who were talking about when there next shore leave was. As I reach the medical lab I press the large green holographic button and see Chakwas turn in her chair to greet me. She's in her usual doctors uniform and speaks to me in her elder voice which sounds calm yet also wise with experience.

"Oh Ghost how are we doing today?" I shrug my shoulders and then I continue on with asking if she had the time to offer one of her bottles of brandy to me.

"Not to disturb you or anything doctor but I was hoping if you could lend me a glass of some strong liquor if you are in possession of any."

She smiles when I mention brandy and she turns to her desk and opens up a drawer pulling out an ageless bottle of the liquor.

"I always keep a bottle. I was going to have this with Shepard next week, but what's one small glass short of brandy going to do?" She smiles and then pulls out a small glass. Without adding ice she opens up the bottle pouring me a small glass of brandy. I take the glass and drink away.

The brandy was strong and made my lips shrivel up from how strong it was but I was able to hold myself.

I nod my head and she smiles.

"How's about you join me and Shepard next week for our usual drinking night?" I nod yes and she smiles again. "Good to hear. If you don't mind me now, I have work I must get finished with." I nod and I leave her to the files she was going through.

Walking out of the med-bay I think about something to do while I'm up here. Maybe give a little chat to Garrus or Miranda? Although I don't know what I would say, never was a talker. However it won't hurt just to check up on either of them. Taking a moment to think about it I decide to talk with Miranda and see if she has anything interesting to help kill the time before Liara leaves. Besides I want to get to know the 'Perfect Woman' a little more than what I've come to expect.

Entering into Miranda's office I see her working on her terminal. She looks up and acknowledges my presence.

"Ghost what can I do for you?"

"I was hoping for small talk." I say to her.

"I'm not busy, I guess I can spare eight minutes." She says and then looks over at the chair next to her desk. I take my seat and take the moment to analyze on how much Miranda looks so much like a office boss and I'm the intern, minus her cat suit and minus the cyberpunk look I had on.

"So...what is it you wanted to talk about?" She asks and I sigh while shrugging my shoulders.

"Well...if you don't mind me saying I think you have a nice office." I get out.

She nods her head and than says. "It was built into the new Normandy by...my boss." I give a nod and then decide to asks something else.

"So..." I say letting my words slide out my isn't what I was expecting, I have no idea what to say because my whole visit was unplanned and unexpected.

"What do you do?" I ask.

"I go over the mission files and view the records of previous operations and am in second of command of the Normandy." I stay quiet and think of something else to say. Nothing really pops up, until I think about Miranda's sister.

"Your sister, how is she?"

Miranda smiles and I can tell she is thinking about her sibling. "Her name is Oriana. And she's fine...where she's at right now she's happy. That's all that matters." From the sound of her voice I could tell that she was longing to be with her again.

"Do you see her much?" I ask.

Miranda shakes her head and then says. "I suppose you should know Ghost your as much as part of our team we have put together, as we are to you're little... problem." I bow my head knowing that she means my brother and mother. Miranda may know that my family's ghost may follow me, but she doesn't know the weight they put on me.

"My father...he was very controlling. You recall how I said that we were both perfect?" She asks and I nod.

"My father made me that way. I was to be a dynasty to him. He never wanted a child, just a legacy to carry out on his name." I listen intently and proceed on asking a question.

"So your dad made you and your sister to become something that will live on in his name?" I ask in curiosity of how much all of this sounds much like me and Paxton.

"Yes."

I'm too reminded of Harlan when I hear this and then wait for Miranda to say more.

"When I tried to escape from him, he hunted me down. Shots were fired and I escaped only because of Cerberus and a friend of mine who is dead now." Miranda says to me explaining her past. I feel guilty for some reason, here I was thinking I was the one with a messed up family and having Miranda explain her problems to me. when in truth she and I shared something in common. We were both engineered to carry out someone else's will.

"Miranda before saying anything else I want you to know that your not alone in this...in case you didn't know...my grandfather-"

"Harlan Wade...I know Ghost. I've read your file remember. I know that you were made to be something what others wanted you to be." Miranda says reciting what she knows.

I don't know what else to say to her. All of this feels awkward for me. Yet she is the only one besides Jack who truly shares a history like mine.

"So much for being perfect right?" Miranda says.

I nod.

"Two fully grown adults who from birth were already designed to become a tool for others." I say looking down now.

"The perfect woman." Miranda says.

"And the perfect soldier." I say back.

There is a silence in the room as the both of us looked down thinking about the other. With my psychic ability of feeling others emotions I can sense grief coming from Miranda.

"Miranda,"

"Yes Ghost?"

Your a beautiful woman and you deserve your peace. "Promise me when this is all over that you will do whatever it takes to enjoy life with your sister and do what makes you happy." I ask her. For the first time I actually see her smile with joy as I say this.

She responds back to me with. "Promise me you won't ditch us when this is over. We need people like you Ghost...now more than ever we need people like you with your abilities."

"The Reapers." I say folding my hands.

"A menace not to be taken lightly with." I briefly recall the damage Sovereign caused two years ago on the attack of the Citadel.

I take a breath and hold it in.

"Miranda...you'll find peace. I'm sure of it." I say to her standing up. I think its time for me to leave right about now. There's nothing left for me to say. So I get up and head for the door. I reach my hand out and am inches away from the button when I hear Miranda call out.

"Ghost," I turn back and I see her standing up.

"When this is all over. If it will help you, I can set up an identity for you and deposit enough money to get you set up so you can live life how you want. I figured since all that has happened so far the least we can do to repay you would be to give you a head start of your new life." She explains to me and I smile nodding my head.

"That would be great." I say to her.

"You know your not like them."

She means my family.

"Your unique in your own way without your brother. You can do so much more, Shepard in a way opened my eyes up to the possibilities of what one person can do. From what I've read about you, you can achieve greatness. Just wanted to let you know." Miranda motivates me as she says this and I smile a little.

"Thanks." I get out.

"Anytime."

I leave Miranda's office and I look around, thinking of other people I should get to know. It won't be long until we get to Mars, but first we have to drop off Liara. This leaves me a great amount of time to at least getting to know people.

Maybe I should try Tali, she seems nice and truth be told I find her kinda cute even with the mask and the suit. Aside from a sight curiosity in what she looks like under the mask, I wanted to have another conversation with her not regarding one of her and Shepard's adventures through space but of her.

I take the elevator down and in seconds I'm in the engineering deck. For some reason me being here aboard a space ship seems so normal now. Before all of this seemed tripy and out of a science fiction movie, but now its like I'm living in one. I'll never forget the sudden shock I got when I woke up from that tube and found myself staring face to face against a krogan no less. The fear and adrenaline was what helped me survive my fight against those mercenaries who were probably going to ship me to the Nightcrawlers.

I go through a sliding automatic door and I see the quarine working away. I think of an approach but decline this and decide to be as friendly as possible.

"Hey Tali." I say and she turns around.

"Oh Ghost, what are you doing down here?" She asks surprised by my visit and I shrug.

"Just looking for someone to talk to is all." I say honestly.

"Well, its nice to see you down here I suppose." She says awkwardly since she's only spoke to me once, and our last conversation was a little less appealing.

An awkward silence fills the space between us . It makes me feel uncomfortable since I know she's supposed to be working and yet here I am keeping her from her duties. I probably would have better chances with Jack even though she would be planning on stomping my nuts to oblivion. "Hey I can use some help you want to lend a hand?" She asks to which I nod.

"Okay, I just need you to look inside here for me will you, I was trying to reach for something I dropped down in the circuts through the keyboard." Tali says as she shows me the cercutry board.

"Just reach in there and grab the small metal like object in their please." Tali asks and I comply as I reach inside moving my hands around until I find a small little metal round object. I pull it out with ease and I bring it to tali. From what it appeared to be it was a bolt of some kind.

"Well that solves your problem." I say to her and she takes it from me.

"Thanks Ghost." Tali says congratulating me on assisting her.

"Anytime."

I wanted to chat up with her, and now was my chance.

"Hey listen you have some free time right? Your not busy or anything?"

"I was actually kinda in the middle of something, but I suppose I could kill some time." She says.

"Okay, so um I was just wondering if you could tell me a little bit more about yourself. Not about your and Shepard's adventures Tali, I want to hear about you."

"You actually want to talk about me?" Tali asks.

"Well yeah, just about anything. Got a boyfriend?" I ask her.

She shakes her head no.

"What about a mom or dad, brothers sisters?"

Tali looks down and then with a hollowed down voice says. "My...father is dead now."

I'm wordless for a moment as I think about how much of an ass I'm coming off for asking that.

"Hey, Tali I'm sorry for asking if it makes you feel better maybe I should-"

"No Ghost it's fine. you didn't know. It's all perfectly alright." Tali says notifying me its alright.

"Tali look I'm sorry if I brought back unnecessary memories. I just wanted to get to know you is all without coming off as creepy or hostile."

"No its fine Ghost, there was no way you could have known." Tali continues.

"Yeah but for what its worth I'm sorry regardless for your loss." I mention as I look at her purple holographic eyes. I wonder what she looks like under the mask. What kind of face does she carry?

"Hey, come here." I say and I try to give the masked alien female a hug. She takes up my offer and I tell her as I hold onto her. "Sorry about that. I really didn't mean to stir up things you'd like to forget."

*Sigh*

"It's alright Ghost and for what its worth, I'm sorry I called you a bosh'tet behind your back."

I think for a moment on the word bosh'tet and its meaning, but come to no solution.

"What?"

"Oh it doesn't mean anything Ghost."

For some reason I could not help but feel like what Tali said mean me being either an asshole or bastard.

We end up talking for a short while, discussing different things from each others parts. I mainly listen to what Tali has to say, from what she tells me she's a very smart girl and seems kind.

"So pretty much that is my impression when I first met Legion. Still I can't help but feel nervous around it."

I analyze what she's told me about Legion, so far he or she or rather it was a geth, joined up with Shepard after they were boarding a derlect reaper for an IFF. Ran into a bunch of zombie robots or husk, and than met Legion after he was downloading some stuff from the Reaper. Not only that, but the thing wore a piece of N7 armor. I note myself to check up and learn more about Legion due to my interest into the artificial being.

"Legion doesn't sound that bad." I say to Tali stating my opinion.

"Ghost I don't know where you've been these past few years, but incase you forgot the geth are the reason why Eden Prime was attacked and the reason why Saren almost brought the return of the Reapers. Honestly how can you just forget that. Shepard I understand but you, your different."

I want to tell her. I really do, but what good will it bring? In all full honesty Paxton would most likely haunt her in her sleep if I even mention him to her. I hate to do this to you Tali, but I can't tell you the truth. I wish I could. But I can't.

"Well, to me the past is the past." I lie.

"Maybe to you Ghost, but the geth are the reason why my people are practically homeless now. Do you know what that's like?"

I shake my head, but I do know that attacking first makes you look like the bad guy. Honestly how did the quarines think the geth were going to respond? Nicely? They built them with an AI so of course that intelligence is going to expand. Hard to believe that even an advanced group of alien life even makes the same mistakes human beings do.

From the exile of the their home world, to the quarine race becoming lonely vagrants forever drifting in space like in that T.V. Battlestar Galactica.

Sad. And to think that the galaxy doesn't even lend them a hand. How much more selfish can the galaxy be? The humane race was born greedy and hateful, but even out here in the far reaches of space greed and selfishness exist still.

"Enough about the geth and Legion now, how about you tell me about your hobby's what do you do for fun?" I ask her hoping to get an understanding of her interest.

"Well I so happen to like building things and fixing them. Its a talent that I've lived with, how about you?"

I think for a moment on what I like to do. In my spare time I would sharpen my knife or read a book back at base, sand at Fort Bragg I would study and exercise. And when out on duty across the globe I would assist revolutionaries and rebels and even villagers in fighting against the tyranny of their oppressors. To liberate the oppressed and to defend the nation.

"I enjoy teaching and learning." I say being as honest as I can.

"And what is it that you teach." Tali asks.

I be honest. "I show recruits how to shoot straight and follow command."

"I bet your one of the best soldiers where you come from right Ghost."

I don't want to talk good about myself. I don't like boasting or showing off or even mentioning anything about myself. But if I want to have a good relationship with Tali, with Shepard, with Garrus, Miranda and everyone here. I have to let them know at least a little bit about me. What I won't tell them besides the obvious is also my missions in the Special Forces and F.E.A.R. I've made a commitment to keep my lips sealed. All my operations are classified. Just as is the way of the Quiet Professionals.

"I just do what any other soldier does Tali. I do my mission and I don't go back on my word." I say with the utmost truth.

"You commit yourself strongly to your superiors?"

"Don't you?" I ask.

Under her mask I know she's smiling. She respects me for who I am. I can tell because I sense the aura around her body changing color. She's turning onto me. And the truth is, I actually kinda like talking to Tali. Like Liara she is someone who seems to get me.

"Hey Tali how about we get to know each other on a personal scale some time when this is all over alright? I mean come one why not?" I ask.

"Sure why not." She responds.

"That's great. Maybe some time tomorrow?" I ask.

"Yeah, sure tomorrow." She accepts my offer and I feel like I've taken enough of her time.

"Well I got to go, I'll leave you to your work down here." I say.

"Yeah goodbye Ghost."

I smile and I turn away to leave through the door.

"Hey Ghost." Tali calls out to me before I leave.

"Your actually not all that bad...for the silent type."

"And your not so bad yourself."

Deep down inside I knew that she was smiling back at me. I knew it so I smiled back at her. I turn away and this time I leave and decide to go back down to cargo and prepare to say goodbye to Liara before she leaves.

Back in cargo I sit on my cot and check the time on my omi-tool. five minutes until we reach our destination. Its been a long ride but now's the time for Liara to part away from this little crazy journey. I'm going to miss her. But she belongs else where while my purpose remains here with the people who hate me to some degree. But after me being here for almost a month now, I see these people as my comrades. My team members who although may not trust me fully will be willing to catch my if I fall.

I look over at the elevator and I see the door opening up. Out comes Liara and Shepard both. They're walking towards the drop shuttle sparing me a glance. I get up from my cot and head over there to say my goodbye to Liara. When I get to the shuttle I see Liara. The moment she sees me she walks up to me giving a warm hug.

"It's been a good while Ghost." Liara says warmly trying her best not to sound sad but knowing her and the way she felt about me, I could tell she was deepened by us parting ways.

"That it has especially for me." I say assuring her that our time together was special.

Shepard just looks at us as she stands by the drop shuttle.

"We won't see each other for a long time Ghost. I've got important things I have to tend to as the Shadow Broker. You still have a mission to complete with Shepard."

That I do.

"Liara I'm glade for everything you've done for me so far. And one day I'm going to pay you back."

She giggles a little and than says "Ghost its fine. Just go and free yourself from your past once and for all."

I smile and then hold onto her tightly while whispering into her ear.

"My sister has contacted me..." I say and know that she must be upset with me for keeping this from her for so long. "I'm sorry I've never mentioned this to you. It's just I felt that you'd be safer without knowing. I'll do what I can to keep Paxton away from you. " I say to her reassuring her that I was only trying to keep her safe.

"Ghost...its fine really...truth is. She's contacted me too. She wanted me to even give you a message."

"You've known?" I ask surprised she would keep this from me, but then again she probbly was told to keep her message to herself until this very moment which could mean that whatever my sister wants to tell me has got to be important. Buy why would she not tell me herself?

"She said I had to stay quiet and she's done all she can to keep Fettle from searching my memories about our conversations. She's s very pretty girl," Liara mentions of my sisters child innocent look. "But she wants me to tell you that no mater what happens. She will respect and love you always for your decision."

My decision what does that mean?

"Her message... was to find 101."

"Liara what does that mean?" I ask puzzled that my sister would want me to know that she will love me no matter a choice I make and to know of a number.

"I don't know Ghost. Just please be careful." She asks me.

"I will." I say.

We awkwardly hold each other for a few minutes and Shepard begins to cough obviously trying to tell us that we could let go now. We laugh a little and Shepard even smirks.

"Attention passengers we will now be stopping at our destination and thank you for choosing the Normandy as your flight we hope you've enjoyed yourself and be sure not to crowed the exist. Thank you."

Joker...nice funny guy.

I make my final goodbye to Liara, I wave to her as she get's into the drop shuttle and I watch as Shepard sits down next to her. Everything seems to move slowly as I watch from the overview by the elevator as the shuttle door slowly close in as Liara waves to me. I raise my palm up as if to say a final goodbye because when we reach Mars there may might not be a tomorrow for me.

8 Hours Later.

It had been a good while since when Liara left. And I feel alone almost. She had been with me through most of this journey and now she was gone. I felt slightly sad inside. But a part of me knew that we'll see each other eventually. Either alive or in death. No mater what. We all end up in the same boat.

I try my best to go to sleep but I am unable to. In a fortnights time we'll be at Mars. I can't sleep because I'm agitated. I'm so worked up that I begin pasting around back and fourth. Numerous things run through my head. The Nightcrawlers, the New Replicas, Paxton, Kruger, mother. But in the center of it all only one person keeps popping up in my head. My sister.

A girl I've never got to meet up until only weeks ago and now I was going to set her free. Mars is where my final mission lies. Perhaps my greatest. Live or die it doesn't matter. One way I will accomplish what I've set out to do. It's funny to say, but I feel as if it was my destiny all along to be here. To free my sister, to meet the people I've seen to do the things people from my time have never done. All the people I've meet before, back in the Army, Green Berets. The men woman and soldiers I've come across, all of them were a part me now. They live on in my memories.

I will not fail them now, I've come a long way. From being a recruit in the Army, to passing as a Special Forces operative, to teaching small countries to fight against their dictators and even putting to rest paranormal monsters. The time has come for all of that to end.

Defeat and retreat are not in my vocabulary. I will march down the steps of hell, fight off waves of enemy soldiers, bleed my heart out and fall to the ground bones broken. If in the end it means saving the ones I love. Never give up in the face of the enemy and never back down and let down your comrades. Forever stride on and press to victory. I've watched men and woman die, I've fought along side children who believed in defending their homeland from terrorist.

Battling my way through starvation and dehydration in the deserts of my foes, forced my way through the icy weather of countries I was covertly sent into, jungles I've lived off of to achieve in saving important individuals of my peoples interest. There is no place where I will not fight for the name of my country and the sake of my unit.

Never will I let these people who are my comrades down, and never will I abandon them. I will stand by them thick and thin and never will I let them fall.

Liberate the oppressed.

Sister...brothers coming.

Shepard was sitting alone in her cabin. Thoughts concerning the fight ahead and of what will happen afterwards once they've dealt with the merc group known as Nightcrawler. There is still the mater of Ghost. He's gonna have to leave, I can't afford to keep him around here with me and my crew. Not with that crazy brother of his. She could not help it, just how are they supposed to handle something like the supernatural. Was there a way to kill a ghost? Most likely not. Which is why in order to be rid of Paxton Fettle, then they will have to be rid of Ghost.

Killing him might work, Shepard thought. We could do it while he sleeps. I can tell the group what I know, sure they will be upset with me keeping from them the knowledge of a homicidal specter aboard but at least they will know. Shepard dismissed this thought.

Back on the kodiak, Shepard confronted Liara with what she knew and asked the asari why she kept such knowledge from her. Her best friend of all people! Liara said only one sentance 'I was protecting you and everyone else. As well as Ghost.'

There was no denying it, Liara had some sort of feelings for Ghost, whatever it was she saw in him it was enough to convince herself to assist him. Would I be betraying Liara if I kill Ghost? The N7 soldier asked herself. She was only trying to keep him from being shot out of the airlock. And she was most of all protecting me from Paxton Fettle. Speaking of which I could only imagine what kind of hell it was for Liara to keep such a secret locked up to herself.

Shepard reached for her data pad that was laying next to her on her mattress. Going over the files that Sonar had acquired she read on to discover that Antichrist or the Third Child of Alma Wade was located deep within an underground facility on Mars. This should be it, Nightcrawler isn't going anywhere else. However they risked being caught by Alliance officials due to them flying in Alliance space. There was a good chance of them being intercepted before they reach their destination yet they were risking it. Why?

Perhaps they believe that whatever is down there will be more than enough for them to escape Alliance command afterwards. She thought as she read on. She was curious about Antichrist. The third child of Alma Wade, perhaps the most powerful psychic being in the universe was right deep inside Mars. If Antichrist got out into the galaxy who knew what kind of damage she would cause. The safety of the galaxy was a concern for Shepard, ever since she started her fight with the Reapers it has been her responsibility to fight the quiet war against the Reapers.

Killing Antichrist will ensure the safety of the galaxy. Either she dies and the galaxy is left without one more problem or we keep her alive and risk the whole universe itself from turning into one big melting pot of catastrophe. Shepard told herself. There was only one answer to this. Kill Antichrist and prevent the risk of the galaxy from being destroyed. But what would Ghost think of this solution? Does he even know? If he does then perhaps if Shepard tries she can convince him into seeing things her way.

But deep down inside she knew that there was no way in changing his mind. He will try and save his sister, Shepard knew this because she would do the same. Shepard gripped her head, she didn't want to be thinking about this. Having a ghost haunting the Normandy and having a man who's life is made up of ghost in her ship kept bringing a migraine to her. She couldn't think straight. Ever since the carrier in which she as well as the rest of her crew escaped from she's been having massive headaches.

Shepard falls back on her bed and then decides one final verdict. Tomorrow she will ask the crews opinions on Ghost. She will see if they think of him as a fellow soldier or as an outcast. Whichever he is to them, one decision will have to be made by Shepard alone.

What are we going to do about the third child? And what will I do when Ghost knows what must be done?

Shepard thought all night. But no solution came. Mars was just around the corner and now it almost seems like it would be impossible to have a win here. Kill the third and risk Ghost's turning on everyone resulting in them having to kill him. Or risk Ghost saving his comatose sister and then unleashing all hell on the galaxy.

Was there a solution to this? Or will someone have to die?

Kill the third and Ghost.

Or save the third and risk the galaxy.

Shepard couldn't decide.

Skullface: That's it for this interval, I hope you've all enjoyed reading this story so far. I'm close to the ending now and hope to please you all with the ending I've cooked up with. I'm busy with editing and finding inspiration for the final chapters for this story. You know I honestly didn't think I would ever achieve a good viewership on this story. In all honesty I didn't think many people would review or follow and favorite this due to some mistakes I've made in the past such as going into directions that were foolish and mispellings and even getting some things wrong with the characters such as their personalities and accents. I say accents because at a time I had thought Miranda as British and not Australian. I fixed that of course though. Also I know that this story isn't as popular as most other fanfictions such as the Halo/Mass Efect trend or the story Consuming Direct control which is a Prototype and Mass Effect crossover. It would be awesome if I was more noticed like those other authors. I would be lying if I said I wasn't envious over the number of favorites and follows they must have. To me reviews are an opinion but it does help telling the author what you like and dislike. NOT that I hunger for reviews or anything, I'm only saying. What I wish I had for this story is a way of telling people of its existance and an awesome cover art like how you'd find on diviantart. Which by the way if you go there look for this one model by the name Maria Amanda. You'd be amazed by her charms.

I would personally like to thank the following for their support not just with this story but also with advice. Alardem your a pretty good writer and I love the anti-villain known only as 'The Tracker' hope to see more of the your story. wwefolower. Your a good friend. At least I think of us as friends even though we never met in person let alone spoken for a while. DeathDragon. Your very kind and I've never had the time to read your stories however I'm sure I'll find something good in your list.I don't have nothing left to say so I would just like to thank all of you who've been reading my story and will hopefully stick with it to the ending. Yours truely.

-Skullface

PS Have a fun and safe Halloween.