Shepard was now the CIC and plotted a course to the Minos Wasteland which was the location of the Ex-Cerberus scientist. Once in the system he moved to the Arrae system to the planet they were occupying and made a course to the planet Gellix.

Shepard along with Ashley, Garrus, EDI and James made their way to the shuttle and Cortez began to head to the planet's surface.

"What's the word?" said Shepard when he entered the planet's atmosphere. "Do we know how long these scientists have been holed up here?"

"We have not been provided many details," said EDI.

"Sir, I'm picking up chatter from a Cerberus was engaging the supply depot," said Cortez.

Shepard leaned over Cortez and saw to have a look in his eyes widened. "Engaging the scientists?"

"And if I'm reading it right, sounds like more troops on the way," said Cortez.

"Okay, set us down, then get out of here. I need these scientists alive," Shepard ordered.

After the supply depot Cerberus forces were engaging the security force for the depot, who were ex-Cerberus themselves. Unfortunately, the security force was about to be overwhelmed.

"Move in! Cover fire!" the squad leader ordered.

One of the defenders was then shot down by Cerberus and the head of security made a dive for her as the others provided cover fire for him. Unfortunately, when he was about a yard away a bullet struck him in the hip and he fell over.

Then the Cerberus forces saw the Kodiak heading straight towards them.

"On our six!" said the squad leader. "You! Come with me!"

"Sir!"

The two of them then started a file the Kodiak, but their bullets were just bouncing off it. When the shuttle doors opened Shepard and his team jumped out and then Cortez flew away back to the Normandy.

"Holy balls, it's freezing out here!" said James shivering.

"All right. Just keep moving," said Shepard.

It didn't take them long to engage the Cerberus forces and they certainly seemed hell in bent to get the Cerberus scientists.

"What did these people do to bring this down on their necks?" said Shepard as he shot the squad leader.

"Help! We can't hold them much longer!" a voice yelled.

It didn't take them long to deal with the first two soldiers and soon they made their way down to engage the main force. Unfortunately, by the time they dealt with them most of the defenders have been killed.

To make matters worse more Cerberus forces began to appear and the shield was strengthened by shield pylons. Shepard grabbed his sniper rifle and took out the pylons first and Garrus took out the Guardian with a clean shot through the visor on his shield.

James and Ashley pretty much mow down any other Cerberus forces that came there way supported by EDI, who disrupted their shields and confuse them with her decoy.

"Hello? Who's there," said a familiar voice.

"All clear. Any civilians alive?" Ashley asked.

There was only one survivor and Shepard knew him instantly. It was Jacob Taylor.

"Jacob," Shepard stared. He then noticed the bullet wound. "How bad?"

"I'll live… I think," Jacob groaned.

"This is Brynn. If you can hear me, come in," said a woman's voice. "Is there anyone there?"

Shepard looked around and saw a discarded radio. "This is Commander Shepard of the Alliance. The enemy is clear for now. Open the doors."

"Is Jacob there?" the woman asked frantically.

"It's okay, Brynn," Jacob assured.

The heavy doors opened and they black skinned woman walked out. Shepard then put one of Jacobs' arms around his shoulders and guided him towards the doors. The woman, who he assumed to be Brynn, stared at Jacobs' bullet wound.

"Jacob! Oh, my god!" she stared.

"I'm all right," Jacob assured as the doors closed behind them. "The others didn't make it."

"What are you doing here?" Shepard asked.

"I'm supposed to be protecting these people from the Illusive Man and his attack dogs!"

"Are they gone?" Brynn asked.

"For now. But they'll be back," said Shepard. Jacob groaned as he placed a hand over his bleeding wound. "Sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I'll walk it off," Jacob assured. He then smiled at him. "Save my life one more time, and I'll start owing you."

"This one's on the house," Shepard promised.

Jacob then saw Garrus and smiled. "Hey—good to see you, too."

Garrus' mandibles clicked. "Staying out of trouble, I see.".

"Shepard, this is Dr. Brynn Cole," said Jacob gesturing to Brynn. "She's in charge here."

Shepard shook hands with the doctor. "Tell me what's going on. Intel say you're Cerberus."

"We're all ex-Cerberus, scientists, mostly," Brynn corrected.

"Civilians?" Shepard blinked.

"Call us 'refugees.' If we hadn't run, we'd be dead."

"Why does the Illusive Man want to kill you?" Shepard asked.

"Our stories are different, but the themes are the same." Brynn then turned and looked at the loading docks. "We were each using information from the Collector Base to work on the different components of a large tech. After someone completed their component, they disappeared." She then turned to face him. "Nobody's. Just… gone. As we proceeded, we started feeling like we were signing each other's death warrants."

Shepard nodded. "The Illusive Man doesn't mess around. If he can't control it, he'll destroy it."

"The brain trust here must be a significant loss to him," said Jacob.

Shepard looked at Brynn, surprised didn't have better defences. "You have to know they were going to find you."

"It's a pretty smart bunch," Brynn smiled. "We covered our bases."

"But the Illusive Man is one tenacious bastard," said Jacob.

Suddenly the whole complex shook. "Time to evacuate."

"Agreed. Just need to get the AA guns on the roof back online. Cerberus is jamming them somehow. With those guns down, Cerberus will just blow our escape shuttles out of the sky."

"Maybe the network link," said Brynn.

"I'll check and meet you upstairs," said Jacob as he limped away.

"Jacob, you should get that wound looked at," said Shepard.

"I'm good. I mean, I will."

"Commander, I should see to my people. Join me upstairs when you can," said Brynn as he followed Jacob's up the stairs.

"Jacob did not recognise me. It might be an opportunity to surprise him," EDI smiled.

"Let's just focus on the mission, EDI," Shepard advised.

Two doctors were over the body of another, who had been killed by Cerberus during the first push.

"Dr Brown, I'm so sorry," said the male scientist.

The female scientist cried. "Oh, Jamie. I didn't want to come here with these people. It was his idea. What am I going to do without him?"

"Finish the work you started."

Dr Brown looked at him in bewilderment. "Our work? Are you crazy? We're all going to die here!"

Shepard bent down and put a hand on her shoulder. "Your partner was brave. He wouldn't want you to crumble like this."

"He's right," said the male scientist.

"We're getting out of here alive. I promise."

Dr Brown looked at him. "Thank you."

As Shepard climbed his way up the stairs he saw yet another familiar face, but this one was in exactly much of a joy. In truth he was actually surprised to see Dr Archer here.

"Commander Shepard—Dr. Gavin Archer. We… met on Project Overlord," he said extending his hand.

Shepard just folded his arms are now his eyes at Archer. "That's one way of putting it."

Dr Archer had been in charge of the project that was to take control of the geth. In some ways he had succeeded, but only using his own brother, David, as a lab rat. The result was less than ideal as David went crazy and killed everyone.

Archer could sense the hostility and lowered his hand. "Yes, well after you took my brother to Grissom Academy, I tried putting all that behind me. I don't suppose you have any news from there? I've heard rumours the Academy is in trouble."

"I was at Grissom Academy. Cerberus tried adapting the students, but David's okay," Shepard assured.

"Oh, thank God," said Archer as though it's huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Commander… you have no idea what that means."

Shepard narrowed his eyes. "It's a little late to start worrying about his safety now."

"I never stopped. I know you think I'm a monster. And you're right. Not a day goes by where my dreams aren't haunted by what I did to David. All I can do now is hope that one day he forgives me."

"What are you doing here?" Shepard asked.

"I stray too far from the path. This was my only refuge." He then closes eyes as if he was remembering his childhood. "As a boy, I wanted to be a scientist remembered by doing right for the world—curing a disease, or discovering a new element. Not a monster who tortured his own brother."

"What did you say the Illusive Man?"

"I told him that his intentions was to work with the devil, he only had to look in a mirror. I wanted out of his nightmare."

"He just let you go?" said Shepard surprisingly.

Archer raise an eyebrow. "If it had been that easy, I wouldn't be hiding here. Every Cerberus soldier in the galaxy has orders to shoot me on sight."

"What happened at Project Overlord?" Shepard asked curiously.

"After your intervention, the Illusive Man insisted I find another test subject. Someone who shared my brother David's 'abilities.' I couldn't bear the thought of reliving the nightmare. So I destroyed all my research—Overlord is no more."

"I have to go, and I'm not even going to pretend it was good seeing you again," said Shepard bluntly.

Archer didn't look surprised. "I understand. But Commander…" He then gave Shepard a grateful look. "Thank you for saving, David. Both times."

Shepard soon made his way up the steps to the main control centre and he found the largest collection of human scientists in the entire world. Most of them were copying data from hard drives on moving crucial equipment around.

He found Brynn talking to another scientist. "…And make sure those samples from Project Mia get out on the second shuttle."

"I've already dropped one box, my hands were shaking so hard," said the scientist.

"We're going to make it," Brynn assured him.

He nodded and made his way to his post.

"What's the status of the guns?" Shepard asked.

"Still waiting. I have my best people on it," Brynn assured as they made their way to the main console.

"How many scientists are here?" Shepard asked.

"Forty-three plus research assistants."

"You ran with over forty people?" said Garrus looking very impressed.

"When you fear for your life, there's a lot you can do," said Brynn.

Another scientist approached them looking a bit frantic. "Brynn, I can't possibly dismantle the genetic amplification components in time."

"I'm sorry Dr. Baynar," said Brynn with a sympathetic look. "It's important work, but right now you need to tend to your family."

Shepard's eyes widened. "Wait. There are families here? Children?"

"That just upped the ante," said Ashley.

Once Dr Baynar left Shepard approached Brynn. "So these refugees brought everyone with them."

Brynn nodded. "Yes. We have about seventeen kids here. Partners, spouses, parents." She then shook her head. "I promise these people refuge, a new life free from Cerberus. I just never imagined the Illusive Man would…"

"That's what evil counts on, thatt it's hard for good people to imagine," said Shepard.

Brynn nodded.

This sudden information about the children did complicate things. "Okay. Everyone left get out alive. This escape will have to be carefully executed."

"I'd hoped… we try so hard to make sure it wouldn't come to this," said Brynn and made her way to the main console.

Jacob then appeared limping towards Shepard. "What's the news?" he asked.

"Can't tell—I only know I can't fix it from here," Jacob winced still clutching his wound. "I'm going to the roof. Cerberus landed a shuttle there a couple minutes ago. You in?"

"Jacob, you're injured," Shepard pointed out. Shepard then began to walk off. "I'll fix the guns."

"No way. These are my people, I'm going," said Jacob firmly.

Shepard stopped him and made him face him. "Just because you survive one suicide mission doesn't mean you get two."

Jacob could see there was no point of arguing. "Fine. But I'm going to talk you through it from here. Cerberus is probably jamming the satellite link. Radio me when you've found the controls and I'll give you the override code."

"Will do," Shepard nodded.

Shepard then made his way over to Brynn hoping to get a bit more information.

"Dr. Cole? Got a moment?" Shepard asked.

"Of course," Brynn nodded.

Shepard had seen the way the Jacob and Brynn looked at one another and got the impression that there was something more between them than colleagues.

"What's your relationship with Jacob?" Shepard asked. "We went through a lot together."

"An old colleague of his introduced us," she said as she bent down to look at the wires. "Through Jacob's eyes, I started to recognise what the Illusive Man have become. I guess I was so in love with my work that I refused to see the obvious—its sponsor had become corrupt."

Shepard nodded. "I get that. That's why it's important to have good people around you."

"I don't know what we would have done without him."

"What kind of work did you do for Cerberus?" Shepard asked.

"Until the Illusive Man became preoccupied with the Collectors, I work in physics. It was a research's paradise. I had access to cutting-edge technology and all the personnel I needed. The Illusive Man shares no expense for technical perfection."

"That technical perfection's almost killed me a few times," Shepard pointed out.

"It also saved your life. Strange to think about, I would imagine."

"Maybe."

"But then… life is full of uncomfortable ironies. Isn't everyone's?"

"So what's this work of yours that Cerberus wants so badly?" Shepard asked.

"It's based on tech gathered from the Collectors. In essence, it involves dissecting Reaper-to-Collect communications. Dr. Horace Armstrong and I were working on a practical human application, and implant of sorts. Once he'd completed his component and moved on to less 'valuable' work, he disappeared."

"How did you get away?" Shepard asked.

"I was a loyal, senior employee. There's a lot of freedom in that. When our fourth colleague disappeared, we organised and were out the door in days."

"And, until now, Cerberus never suspected you were hiding right under their noses."

"We honestly thought we had it all figured out. It's… humbling."

Shepard nodded. "Thanks, Dr. Cole. I'll let you get on with the packing."

"Thank you again for everything you're doing for us."

Shepard managed to find Jacob in the medi-bay as a doctor was tending to his wound.

"Hey," he said as he approached Jacob. "You okay? How have you been?"

Jacob looked at the doctor. "Give us a minute?" She nodded and left the two of them to talk. "This is crazy. I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"I know the feeling. So how'd you become a gun for hire?"

"Long story. It was an opportunity I couldn't resist for people I came to care about."

"You seem good. You look good."

"These are great people. Defending their ideals… I like it. I think I found what I'm meant to do."

Shepard remembered that the two of them discover that his father had made slaves of his crew. After which his father had been imprisoned in Alliance prison for 30 years, but from what he knew Jacob never went to see him.

"You think about what happened to your dad?" Shepard asked.

"Haunts me, more like."

Shepard could tell that he wanted to change the subject and decided to choose a happier topic. "How long have you known Brynn?"

"We met through a mutual friend in the Mumbai cell. Guess I've known her a year. We have a lot in common… Then she came to me about her missing colleagues. Asked for my protection, my help finding a place to run to. How could I say no?"

"Who is she to you?"

"We're together," he said simply.

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "And you run this enclave with her. You settling down, Jacob?"

"Yeah… maybe. It's just—" He then looked at Shepard with a determined look on his face. "If these are our final days, I want to spend them protecting these people. Building a life—whatever's left of it."

"What's the story, Jacob? Why are you working at a place like this?"

"After we got back… well, things look different when you come back to a suicide mission alive. So, I quit Cerberus. I quit everything and sat by the Mediterranean for a while. That's when I lost track of you."

"And what did all that fresh air and meditation teach you?"

"But what I choose to fight for better means something to me—that it comes from the heart."

"We could sure use you."

"It's real tempting, Shepard, but I like where I'm at. I'm important to these people. I what a life. I want a family."

"Sure. I get that."

"No, Shepard. The Normandy's your real love."

"Doesn't mean I want to say, 'to hell with it,' sometimes."

"But you won't. You can't."

"Anything on Cerberus I should know about?" Shepard asked.

"The Illusive Man became obsessed with indoctrination, I know that. You ever wonder how it all went wrong? I mean… was I blind? I remember him being an idealist. How come I couldn't see the evil?"

"Don't beat yourself up. And if you ever get that crystal ball working, give me a heads-up, 'cause I'd love to know how this all plays out."

Jacob chuckled. "Right."

"I should focus on getting these people out of here," said Shepard knowing that didn't have much time.

Jacob nodded. "You bet. Let's get to it."

Shepard looked around the scientists began to move crates around and then something caught his eye. It was a microscope from what he could tell it contained a toxin that was deadly to turians.

"Some kind of poison… tailored to turians," said Shepard as he scanned the toxin remembering that a turian general was suffering from poison created by Cerberus.

Shepard led his team then to the roof in order to deal with the AA guns. Unfortunately, their path was blocked by Cerberus who had installed shield pylons.

"Hostiles on sensors," said EDI.

Shepard looked through the scope of his sniper rifle. "Okay, I'll cloak and take up the engineer, and once the engineer is down Garrus take down the shield pylons and Ash, you and James take out the remaining troops. EDI hang back and watch our six."

The tactic worked a treat the moment Shepard took out the engineer, Garrus took out the shield pylons with his sniper rifle. The Cerberus troopers were completely surprised and were unprepared when Ashley and James fired their rifles at them.

When they made their way up the slope they saw that another engineer was installing a turret, but EDI was able to stop it shield so that Shepard could hack into the turret and it quickly turned on them. They then joined in and began to whittle down the Cerberus forces that blocked their path.

"We must locate the satellite power," said EDI as she shot a Cerberus Trooper.

"Reinforcements arriving, sir!" said a Centurion.

James and Ashley then tossed several grenades over their shoulders riding the path of the Cerberus troopers that landed on the ground. Next second is a huge explosion and they were taken out before they even touched the ground.

Shepard then quickly made his way to the satellite uplink and began to override Cerberus's control.

"Jacob? Dish should be back online now," said Shepard as the dish began to move into position.

"Affirmative. But the guns are still down," said Shepard. "You'll need to manually activate them. Head back to the front of the facility."

"More hostiles and coming!" said James.

Cerberus was definitely determined not to allow them to reach the AA guns, but Shepard wasn't going to let anything stop him from completing his mission. Shepard let the others into a charge so to catch the enemy off balance and managed to get a firm foothold.

EDI then offered a distraction by creating a decoy and Shepard use that distraction to reactivate his cloak. Garrus used his sniper rifle to pick up the leaders and Ashley and James concentrated their fire on the troops.

Shepard then took out the squad leader and quickly reactivate his cloak before any of the service personnel could realise what had happened. He repeated the process again and again and even use the smokescreens of the Centurions to his advantage.

Unfortunately, a Cerberus soldier managed to access a manual turret and began to fire down upon them. In order to counter this Shepard had to act as a decoy to allow Garrus a clear shot at the soldier and his faith in Garrus paid off as the soldier was taken down by his sniper rifle.

Once the way was clear Shepard climbed the ladder to the AA guns control modules. Shepard quickly activated the first of the control modules bringing the first gun online.

"The other gun is still down—let's get over there," said Shepard.

They quickly made their way over towards the second gun, but one's control module was badly damaged.

"Okay, one of us has to make these repairs," said Shepard. He then turned to EDI, who was the most qualified to repair it. "EDI, I need you to fix this."

"I will make the repairs," said EDI making a way to the control module.

"Okay," he said turning to the others. "It's on."

James reloaded his rifle. "Bring it!"

Shuttle soon landed on the opposite end of the gun controls and Shepard in waste any time to take control of the turret that servitude on them earlier. Cerberus was now sending phantoms to take them down, but with the overwhelming power of the turret they were able to push them back.

Garrus started picking off the leaders with his sniper rifle and Ashley and James suppressed covering fire with their rifles. The shuttle then repositioned itself below them and then dropped even more troopers.

"How are the repairs coming?" Shepard asked as another shuttle appeared.

"More time is required," said EDI.

More shuttles appeared dropping Cerberus soldiers on either the opposite end of the guns controls or directly below them. Shepard focused more on the enemies below them while Ashley led the others to deal with those on the opposite end of the gun controls.

Finally they were able to take out the remaining Cerberus forces and at the same time EDI finish her repairs.

"Repairs are complete," she said. "The guns may now be brought online."

"Gotcha! I'm on it!" Shepard yelled removing himself from the turret.

Once you reach the controls he reactivated the AA gun.

"Shepard! AA guns are back online," said Jacob.

"Copy that." Shepard then turned his team. "Let's get these people out of here."

When Shepard returned to the control centre he made his way over to Jacob, who was now fully healed, and Brynn.

"Okay, the guns are already picking Cerberus ships out of the sky," said Shepard. "Where are we at?"

"On track. The first set was already loaded with anyone under sixteen," said Jacob.

"Commander, when should we leave? What our best chance of survival?" Brynn asked.

Shepard looked at Jacob. "Jacob, would you think? Are we ready?"

"Almost. We could go now. But there's no do-overs here."

Shepard nodded. "Agreed. We get only one shot."

"And we don't want to leave anything behind that could strengthen the Illusive Man's cause. Your call."

Shepard knew it was only a matter of time before Cerberus found a way past the AA guns. The sooner they leave the better. "All right, let's get the shuttles in the air."

Shepard made his way to the control centre and gave the evacuation orders.

"Evacuation is go. Evacuation is go," said the computer's voice. "Stand by the shuttle launch."

Shepard knew this shuttle contained the scientist's children and they probably need more protection than anyone else.

"Have the guns punch a hole in the perimeter, then launch shuttle one," Shepard ordered.

The AA guns and began to fire taking out the gunship that were patrolling the area leaving a gap open for the shuttle. They watched as the shuttle exited from the facility and made his way to the atmosphere.

"Shuttle one is a way," said the computer.

Everyone cheered.

Shepard turned to the scientist. "All right! Everyone had down to the shuttle bay and—" Suddenly the entire facility shock is something very hard struck it.

"Suicide fighter took out one of the guns!" said a scientist at the control terminal. "Cerberus troopers are—"

Suddenly something broke through the window and scientists began scattered. Shepard quickly turned to Jacob and Brynn.

"Get those people out of here!" he ordered.

The two of them nodded and began to evacuate people out of the control centre. No sooner have they done that the Cerberus troopers began to enter through the broken window.

Shepard and his team quickly took cover and began to fire the Cerberus troopers that emerged. Fortunately, the window was only wide enough for them to appear and one of the time which made it easy for them to pick them off.

"Shepard! Shuttles are loaded," said Jacob over the radio. "We need you at the landing area to make sure they get away! I'll meet you down there!"

Shepard and his team started making their way down towards the shuttle bay which was for Cerberus troopers.

"Let's move!" Ashley yelled.

"Clear the shuttle bay first so we can bring the doors up. Then get out to the landing pad," said Shepard.

"Roger that," said James.

They engaged the Cerberus troopers that attempted to take out the shuttle that was preparing for launch. It in take them long to wipe them out.

"Jacob, bring up the main door!" Shepard ordered.

"Got it, Shepard. Will do."

The main door open to reveal any entire platoon of Cerberus forces and Shepard and his team is in waste any time to engage them to distract them from the shuttles.

"Okay, let's get these people out of here," said Shepard. "Here we go!"

The second shuttle took off almost immediately and Shepard and his team kept their part by distracting the troopers to prevent them from taking out the shuttles. Shepard took cover pylons to make things a lot easier for them and they watched as the third shuttle escaped.

"Enemy shuttle on either side," said Garrus looking up at the two landing pads.

"I have a visual," said EDI.

They kept on engaging the Cerberus forces, who are now focusing all their attention upon them and practically ignored the fourth shuttle as it left.

"Jacob, come in. What's your status?" Shepard asked.

"Shepard! The facility's overrun—Cerberus troops are all over the place!"

"One more shuttle of refugees to go, right?" said Shepard notice they were sending phantoms now.

"Affirmative."

"We got this! Just need to hold them a little longer."

They began shooting the Cerberus forces as they came out of the shuttles until finally all the shuttles left and the fifth and final shuttle exited the facility.

"That's the last of the civilians," said Shepard.

"Shepard! Heads up!" Jacob yelled. "The place is overrun. We gotta go! Headed to you with the shuttle!"

"Understood."

Suddenly an Atlas landed on the landing zone and an engineer appeared next to it.

"Heads up! Mech on the field!" Ashley yelled.

"Jacob, hang tight," said Shepard over the radio. "We'll clearly you a landing zone!"

Garrus uses sniper rifle to take the engineer so that he wouldn't repair the mech. EDI then disrupted the Atlas' shields and Shepard, Ashley and James began to attack it on a three-pronged attack. He began to whittle away at its armour until finally it exploded leaving the landing zone completely clear.

"Jacob! Landing area cleared!" said Shepard.

"This place is crawling!" Jacob yelled. "Bringing the shuttle to you!"

"Roger that!"

They watched as the final shuttle from the facility was launched and made his way to the landing pad behind them. At the same time the main doors opened again and an entire battalion of Cerberus forces emerged.

"Echo, Tango, and Delta squads are on the ground!" said the squad leader. "Bring in the heavy!"

Atlas mech suddenly landing on the ground.

"Take out Shepard!"

Shepard was providing covering fire is to allow the rest of his team to get onto the shuttle, but he was being overwhelmed. He made a run towards the shuttle and managed to reach the landing pad, but an Atlas fired a missile. The missile did in his directly, but the explosion afterwards caused Shepard to be blown off his feet.

"Shepard!" Jacob yelled.

"Commander!" Brynn yelled as she and Jacob jumped off the shuttle.

Brynn helped carry Shepard aboard the shuttle while Jacob provided covering fire. He managed to take down the troopers that climb their way onto the landing pad and then fired a very precise hit at a generator. The generator exploded and the shockwave afterwards knocked an Atlas to the ground.

"Reinforcement's arriving sir!" said Cerberus Trooper.

Unfortunately, for them the reinforcement in arrive in time, because Brynn had managed to carry Shepard back on board the shuttle and jumped back on.

"Okay, let's go," said Jacob to the pilot.

Shuttle doors close just long enough Shepard by a few more shots at Cerberus troopers and they took off into the atmosphere.

"Out by the skin of our teeth again, hey Shepard?" Jacob smiled.

"Nice to see you back in action," Shepard smiled back.

"Yeah, feels good," said Jacob as he sat down.

"I was afraid we wouldn't get anyone out alive, but because of you, we got almost everyone," said Brynn smiling at Shepard. "Thank you."

"Dr. Cole, I have a request—one that you can't afford to turn down," said Shepard. "I need your help against the Reapers."

Brynn nodded. "Without a doubt… I'm at your service. And I'm sure you can come from the others as well."

"You too, Jacob. I need you," said Shepard as he sat down next to Jacob.

"Of course. But I wouldn't mind staying with these folks," said Jacob.

"You don't want to join the team on the Normandy?" said Shepard rather surprised.

"I'm torn, Shepard, but looking out for these families is important to me. It's where I'm at right now. I hope you can understand."

Shepard nodded and could respect his choice. "Keep them safe, then. The Alliance needs that Crucible."

"You got it."

"All right. Report to Admiral Hackett for your assignment."

"You know, Commander, I've never met anyone like you," said Brynn. "Just feel better knowing you're on our side."

"Thanks," said Shepard.

"Shepard, when this mission is over, drinks on me," said Jacob. "Be safe out there."

Rick was now giving the Council an recent report to give them the situation on the Cerberus scientists Shepard had rescued.

"So Cerberus turns on their own people," said the Turian Councillor. "Do we have any idea what research they were working on?"

"From what we can tell is some sort of implants for Reaper communication," said Rick.

"Then it is very likely that everyone with these chips will be indoctrinated," said the Salarian Councillor grimly.

"It appears so."

"I must say the Illusive Man's desire for control is a little unnerving," said the Asari Councillor.

"Personally if we have more time and the entire galaxy was a mistake I would say that trying to control them would be a good idea," said Rick honestly. "Of course, anyone who gets close enough to a rebound of indoctrinated so I imagine it is the worst possible idea in the galaxy."

"And yet as smart as the Illusive Man is he could not see the dangers," said the Turian Councillor.

"I suppose in their hands on such viable technology outweighs any risks in his eyes," said Rick. "I can only imagine what sort of technology you would have had if Shepard had destroyed the Collector Base. So far they've only been able required anything they could salvage."

"And they are dangerous enough already," said the Asari Councillor. "Hopefully with these new scientists the construction of Crucible will step up."

"Until then we just have to hold out," said Rick.