AN: A couple of things before you read: 1, the format is intentional. This is a battle/war it's not supposed to be coherent so if you get annoyed or frustrated reading this and keeping up, that is the point. And 2: ...Well, there isn't really a two, it's just people say 'a couple of things' and yeah...

.7: Thanks for your review, you made my day! And to answer your questions: Sheppy won't make commander any time soon (there's still the whole Elysium/Akuze/Torfan mission. Only one though..or two depending on my mood) And Sky...well, let's just say it's complicated and leave it at that, as for Vincenzo, he will definitely try and almost succeed, only cause he wasn't alone and had A LOT of help from Sawyer's worst enemy (who isn't introduced yet).

Anyway, happy reading! (and leave a review)

Milky Way, Terminus Systems, Sigrud's Cradle, Decoris System, Sanctum, Vex, Blue Suns Hideout

July 9th, 2174—Earth Standard

"Listen up, little kids," Staff Lieutenant Mikhail Tarqo called to his group of marines and navy officers in the Alliance shuttle, "We're approaching Blue Suns territory, and I need all of you to be on high alert. The Blue Suns aren't known to be merciful.

"Once we land, Sergeant Lewis will take his squad and infiltrate the camp. Gather as much information as you can. Travel plans, their movements, attack plans, their mistresses. I don't fucking care what you give me, so long as I get something that can help us. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Lieutenant, we're approaching drop point one," the shuttle pilot announced.

"Copy that. Get ready Sergeant," Lieutenant Tarqo yelled, "Everyone else, cover them!"

The shuttle hovered over the ground, and the soldiers could hear shots bouncing off their vehicle. Lieutenant Tarqo pulled out his assault rifle, and everyone in his squad followed his example. The shuttle doors opened, and he jumped out yelling at his squad to start covering Sergeant Lewis' team.

"Move it, Private!" Sergeant Lewis shoved Private Hackett towards the rest of his squad. The shots whizzed by Hackett's head a few times as she ran behind Ensign Shepard.

Everything was quiet, and Sergeant Lewis didn't like it one bit. He silently ordered Chief O'Neil, Ensign Shepard and Private Hackett to go around the corner, and hack the console. As soon as the door closed behind them, Lewis locked it.

Heavy footsteps sounded from behind them, and Lewis pulled out his shotgun.

"Ready weapons," he whispered, "We hold this position until they're done."

"It doesn't sound too good out there," Chief O'Neil whispered, he turned to Shepard, "How's it going there, Ensign?"

"No firewall. Simple," Shepard said, hacking away, "Too simple."

"You think it could be a trap?" Private Hackett asked.

"No," Shepard replied, "Is trap. Activates alarm. Can direct it away," Shepard turned her head to O'Neil, "Where?"

"The south part of the camp," he answered, "That'll take the heat off Tarqo's squad at least for a while."

"Understood. Rerouting."

The building's Virtual Intelligence spoke up, "Alert. Alert. Intruders on the southern premises. Intruders on the southern premises. All hands on deck."

"Who the fuck's on the southern border?"

"No one, sir," O'Neil replied to Lt. Tarqo through the comm. "Ensign Shepard hacked into their alarm system. She has full control."

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Tarqo said, "While she's at it, see if she can do anything about that VI."

O'Neil opened his mouth to relay the order, but Shepard beat him, "Done. Locking barracks doors. Suns trapped. Useless."

"Do you have access to their ventilation system, Ensign?" Lt. Tarqo asked.

Shepard frowned, "Yes."

"Turn off their oxygen."

Shepard froze, O'Neil gasped, and Hackett gulped.

"Well, what the fuck are you waiting for, Ensign?"

"Won't," Shepard replied, "Massacre. Objective information. Not massacre."

"I'm the Commanding Officer of this mission, Shepard," Tarqo growled, "And you will do as I say or I'll get you court marshaled!"

Her fingers twitched over the console, and a hand on her shoulder made her jump.

"Don't do it, Leo," Sky said, "You enlisted to protect. What he's asking you to do is cold-blooded murder."

"C.O.," Leo replied, blinking rapidly that if Sky didn't know any better, she would say that Leo was tearing up, but she knew better. Right? "Outrank. Can't."

"Remember what you told us? You're not a weapon or a tool, Leo. You are your own person."

"Sir, this is a massacre," O'Neil stated, "High Command won't approve."

"Well, they're not here, now are they, Chief?"

Shepard stepped away from the console, and crouched down. She pulled out a panel from the wall, and Sky took a few steps closer.

"What are you doing?"

"Chemistry," Shepard said, "Chief, helmets. Inserting sleeping gas. Sky, need help."

"You deliberately disobeyed a direct order from your Commanding Officer, Shepard!" Tarqo grabbed her by the collar of her armor, "I should have you court marshaled for this! Your little stunt could've killed us all!"

"Didn't," Shepard replied, "Sent warning for helmets. Saved lives. Not just Alliance."

"Their lives mean nothing! They deserve to die for all the innocent people they killed!"

Shepard clenched her fists, "You're no better."

O'Neil blinked, and a crunch later he found Shepard on the ground, blood gushing out of her nose, and a cut on her lip. Everyone was silent.

"Screw this," Tarqo panted, "I'm not getting you court marshaled," he pulled out his shotgun and leveled it to Shepard's face, "Sayonara, shit-face."

"Put the gun down, Tarqo."

Lt. Tarqo turned his head, and grinned, "You gonna fire that flashy gun of yours, Private?"

Hackett steadied her hand, "If I have to, I will."

"Go on then, Private," Tarqo said, "I dare ya."

A shot was fired, and Tarqo dropped to the ground, crying out.

"Don't dare me next time," Hackett lowered the gun, and helped a bleeding Shepard to her feet, "Shit, you alright?"

"Forearm to face. Nose broken," Shepard said, her voice all messed up, "Thanks, though."

"Nose isn't the only thing that's broken," Hackett sighed, inspecting the laceration on the right side of Shepard's lip, "At least now your old scar has a new friend," Hackett said referring to the small straight scar on Shepard's right chin before turning to O'Neil, "Help the scum up, and get his shoulder patched up. We'll deal with him once we get back."

Sergeant O'Neil threw a perfect salute, "Yes, ma'am."