The Illusive Man's words repeated in her mind as she stared out of the windows in starboard observation at the relay glowing a menacing red in the distance, the multitude of warnings flickering brightly to warn ships away.
Once again you fail to recognize the truth. Cerberus isn't just an organization or the people behind it. Cerberus is an idea. That idea is not so easily destroyed.
She'd known he was right but had been unable to stop the events he'd set into motion. It was almost as if she had no choice but to follow the path that unfolded in front of her, constantly driven forward, harder, faster until she finally arrived at the destination. How many times had she felt as if her mind had begun to splinter under the pressure, the constant overwhelming reminders that the future of the galaxy had rested on her shoulders. She alone had caused the Reapers to experience fear but that had not been enough to stop the deaths and torturous experiments committed by Cerberus. She had always seemed to be too late. Their pro-human agenda would always attract sympathetic followers willing to donate to the idea of humanity's supremacy over the other races. Many of them could even be found within the Alliance's own rank she was certain. Shepard had never been naïve enough to think that her actions would lead to the complete dissolution of Cerberus, the Illusive Man had spoken the truth when he'd said it was an idea that lived within the minds of many. What she could do however was make sure that the people responsible for the atrocities they committed were held accountable. It would be impossible to know everyone who had been involved, the soldiers or the scientists. Many of them would simply fade into obscurity or continue to work for the organization out of sight of the Council. Some of the scientists might even manage to find their way back into government programmes in a hope of redeeming themselves but Petrovsky was the one man they could not allow to vanish into the ether.
If she was honest with herself the prospect of going through the Omega 4 relay again left her discomfited. They'd faced death there once before and she was not naïve enough to believe that she would always be able to beat the odds and bring everyone home in one piece but she was going to do whatever she could to make sure this wasn't the time that her luck ran out. Looking down at the ring Kaidan had given her she couldn't stop the twinge of regret remembering the look on his face when he'd asked her to stay. Even now she wished that she could have given him what he wanted but the soldier in her could never accept backing down for emotion's sake. He'd understood because he knew her better than anyone and understood what drove her and because of that he now faced the same dangers at her side.
"Hey Shepard wondered where you were hiding." Jack spoke up behind her. "Should have known you'd be on your own worrying about every damned thing."
As Jack came to stand beside her Shepard gave her a bland look. "Every person on this ship is risking their lives because I asked them to. Would you prefer I went in with a more cavalier attitude?"
She snorted. "I don't think you could if you tried, you always were wound a little tight about that shit."
"I saw you disappear into the comms room for a while. Something wrong?"
"Nah I was just touching base with my students. I was worried they might have gotten themselves into some kind of shit without me there to watch their backs all the time. Guess you rubbed off on me more than I thought huh?"
"I'm sorry I asked you to come."
"Don't be. Hell we already survived this trip once and blew those Collector bastards back to whatever black hole they'd crawled out of. This time should be a walk in the park." Jack snorted with that irrepressible confidence of hers as she stared out at the relay as if daring it to prove her wrong. Shooting Shepard a sideways glance her expression softened. "Besides, I owe you. You've been a good friend to me Shepard – better than I deserved. All that shit that happened to me…. You helped me deal you know?"
"You don't owe me a thing Jack and as for the rest? I was just along for the ride." Shepard teased, earning an eye roll from the other woman.
"Yeah sure. Come on, the others are waiting in the mess to hear some wise words from our great and glorious Commander. Or we could get drunk, that'd be a blast." Grinning mischievously Jack led the way back to the mess, catching her eye as they came into earshot of the others. "Do me a favour though Shepard, let's skip the dramatic jump onto the ship this time ok?"
Shooting Jack a reckless grin she caught the expression on Kaidan's face that said he was pretty sure he didn't want to know. "Oh I don't know Jack, it was pretty memorable."
The biotic snorted. "Yeah I think that covers most of the things I got myself into thanks to you."
"Well at least this time Jack isn't suggesting you go pirate." Miranda added drily from where she stood with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Just waiting until the ex-Cerberus cheerleader was out of earshot." Jack retorted with feigned sweetness as she sprawled nonchalantly into one of the chairs.
"Aww it's just like old times huh Commander?" Joker quipped over the comms. "All the banter, camaraderie and certain death around every corner. Oh and let's not forget the two biotics ready to tear holes in the ship. You know you never did take those pictures."
"Screw you Joker." But there was no real heat in Jack's words.
"Clearly I missed quite the experience." Kaidan murmured to her as he watched the interaction.
"I couldn't have stopped the Collectors without them."
"I still can't believe you not only managed to get them all to work together but form friendships of sorts. You never cease to amaze me."
"You can get laid after the mission Poster Boy so save that sweet crap until the two of you are alone, unless you're looking for company that is." Jack shot Kaidan a wicked grin, throwing her head back with laughter as he went red with shock. "Shit Shepard where did you get this guy? He's just too easy."
"Play nice Jack." Shepard admonished unable to stop herself from grinning despite Kaidan's discomfort.
The crew stayed there for a while longer chatting and joking with one another but Shepard could see the underlying nerves. Eventually they all drifted off to their separate quarters to prepare for the mission ahead. Despite their bravado each of them understood that there was no guarantee that they'd live to see this side of the relay again. Shepard went through her own preparations, checking all of her gear in the armoury and touching base with Joker and every member of her ground team. Just as it had the first time it hadn't seemed enough as she stood in her quarters running through everything to make sure she hadn't made a mistake.
"I never realized how much I'd missed when you were out here." Kaidan admitted softly as he entered her quarters and found her frowning down at her personal terminal as if it held some answer she had yet to discover. "For a long time I just thought of them as Cerberus operatives and you were working with them because you had to. I struggled to accept that it was more than that, that you actually trusted them even when you were flying under the Alliance colours again. You gave Miranda access to Alliance systems without asking for an explanation simply because she'd asked you to trust her."
"They became more than just my crew Kaidan."
He smiled reaching out to twine his fingers with hers. "I know, they're all a part of this crazy little family you have on this ship. I think in a strange way every one of them would be lost without you."
Shepard gave a humourless laugh. "And in return for their loyalty and friendship I bring them out on another suicide mission."
"They're here because they want to be. Miranda was furious when she thought you would try and do this without her and Jack made it clear that she was one of the few people qualified to be on the ship because she'd been through this with you before."
Smiling fondly she gazed at the bare spot on her desk, running her fingers over the smooth surface. "Did you know that I used to keep a picture of you here on my desk?" His eyes widened in surprise. "The whole time we were chasing the Collectors it felt as if we were fighting the clock every step of the way. Colonies were disappearing but we couldn't stop it from happening. I built my team, prepared the ship, did everything I could to give us the best chance of surviving long enough to stop them. I couldn't afford to worry about anything else or to let myself believe that there was a chance we would fail but I thought about you. I didn't know where you were or what mission the Alliance had sent you on but I knew that if I succeeded in stopping the Collectors you would be safe from them. We lived through the nightmare once, I never wanted you to have to experience it too."
Cupping her face gently in his hands he swept his thumbs across her cheeks. "You humble me. Every time I think I couldn't love you anymore than I already do you do or say something that makes me wonder what I ever did to deserve you."
"I love you." He could see the doubts and fears in her eyes but it paled in comparison to her strength and determination.
Winding her arms around his neck she kissed him hungrily, revelling in the way his arms banded around her, pressing her tightly against him. More than anything she needed the security being with him brought her and the knowledge that this time he stood beside her to face whatever waited for them. Kaidan lifted his head long enough to order EDI to lock the door before scooping her up into his arms and taking them both to the bed. Apparently he'd taken Jack's threat seriously but it was quickly forgotten as he followed her down onto the cool sheets and they lost themselves in one another.
The unease of the previous night had been replaced by steely determination as the crew of the Normandy prepared to pass through the Omega 4 relay to face down Cerberus.
"Reaper IFF activated. Signal acknowledged." EDI relayed. "Rerouting excess electrical charge from the drive core."
"Thanks EDI." Joker's hands flew across the console, fingers tweaking every flight control as the Normandy entered the relay corridor.
Steadying herself against Joker's chair she cast a quick glance at where Kaidan and James stood, their eyes riveted to the relay. "You might want to hold on." Space blurred around them as the ship was hurtled forwards.
"Brace for deceleration!" Joker called moments later as the Normandy exited the relay into the wreckage strewn chaos of the galactic core. Only Joker's quick reflexes and the ship's responsiveness kept them safe.
"My god." Kaidan breathed as he took in the nightmarish scene, totally unprepared for the reality of the core. "I read the reports but I never imagined anything like this."
James unconsciously crossed himself, muttering in Spanish as Joker expertly manoeuvred the Normandy safely through the debris. Haunting remains of ships that had attempted to traverse the relay without an IFF lay scattered, each ripped apart like they'd been made of tinfoil and carelessly scattered. The wreckage of hundreds if not thousands of ships littered the accretion disc and as they flew over a larger piece of debris the remains of what could only have been the Collector base came into view. She knew Kaidan caught the tightening of her features as she saw the station where her crew had been held captive, ready for liquidation to build the proto Reaper.
"I have detected an energy signature on the edge of the accretion disc that wasn't there before. I believe it is Avernus Station."
"If they're anything like the Collectors they're going to be sending out a welcoming party."
"We're ready for them." Joker's serious gaze swept across his controls making sure everything was functioning the way it was supposed to. There was no way he wanted to risk the Normandy sustaining damage and going down like she had last time.
"Nice work Joker." She praised, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. Meeting her gaze he gave a barely perceptible nod. He understood how it felt to be back here, to face the nightmare again and that she might not have made it without him at the helm. As they winged their way through the debris towards the wreckage of the Collector base a small station built around an asteroid came into view. "Take us in."
As they approached a couple ships left their docks heading on a direct intercept course with the Normandy.
"Commander those ships aren't flying like they should, something's wrong." Joker was frowning as he watched the way the ships manoeuvred awkwardly.
EDI looked equally concerned. "My readings indicate that they are being controlled by Adjutants rather than a Cerberus crew."
"Then we need to take them out. We can't risk them going through the relay and getting into a populated system. Tell the ground team to get to the shuttle."
Kaidan, EDI and James were hot on her heels as she strode through the ship clipping her helmet into place. As Cortez piloted the Kodiak towards the station Joker banked the Normandy away, drawing the ships after him and giving them a chance to reach the station without being fired on. The station's alarms were screaming as they deployed from the shuttle into the hangar bay. Cerberus assault troops were everywhere but their attention was not on the new arrivals, instead they were rushing around in a kind of panic towards the shuttles. Weapons at the ready Shepard's team moved forward cautiously until one of the Cerberus engineers cried out in alarm. A small group of assault troopers stepped forward to engage them but the others merely redoubled their escape efforts as the first couple of shuttles lifted off and powered away from the station.
"What the hell is going on here?"
"I'm getting readings of multiple hostiles throughout the facility."
"Cerberus?"
EDI shook her head. "No, it appears that this station was home to a colony of Adjutants. They have been released and are attacking Cerberus forces."
"If we don't stop them they're going to take over the station and convert any troops they find into more of those things!" James was watching the entrances to the hangar with trepidation.
"They've already taken control of a couple of the ships. We have to stop them from taking any more." Shepard agreed bringing up the station's schematics on her omni-tool. "Are they being controlled like the husks on Palaven?"
"No Commander, these appear to be free of any direct control. I believe they have been created with a simple goal that drives their existence."
"To create more of their kind." Shepard scowled.
"Precisely."
"That makes no sense. Why would the Illusive Man create these things and use them on Omega without any ability to control them?" Miranda didn't like the implications.
"Maybe that's something you can worry about after we've dealt with them Princess." Jack snapped as she took out another assault trooper.
"Jack's right we need to deal with the situation before it spirals completely out of control."
"I think we might be at that point already." Kaidan said worriedly as another shuttle shot out of the hangar and disappeared from view.
"Not yet." She wouldn't let the danger the Adjutants posed leave this station. "We need to stop these things from leaving the station and find Petrovsky."
"We can't leave this station functional." Miranda pointed out.
"Agreed, we'll do what we did to the Collector base but this time we'll need to spread the charges to stop Cerberus from coming back and salvaging what's left." She met each of their gazes in turn. "EDI, Zaeed and James you take the path on the far side of the hangar and skirt around. We'll head through the main sections and draw their attention while you plant the explosives."
As the other team broke off and began heading towards the side entrance Shepard straightened from where she'd been crouched behind a cargo crate and opened fire on the remaining Cerberus operatives, keeping their focus on her while the others slipped into the bowels of the station. Once they were safely out of sight she signalled to her team and they wasted no time in clearing a path out of the hangar. As they made their way to the main corridor leading through the station their pursuers broke off, more interested in saving their own skins and getting off of the station than chasing down the intruders. They moved quickly and efficiently, years of fighting and combat experience with Shepard allowing them to instinctively move as a unit. What little resistance they encountered was easily dealt with but as they passed deeper into the station Shepard began seeing facilities that looked all too familiar. Memories of Palaven threatened to surface but she ruthlessly tamped them down all the while hoping that she would not have to face such a sight again.
Unfortunately she wasn't the only one to notice though she shouldn't have been surprised that Miranda would pick up on the similarities having nearly lost her life there. "These laboratories look a lot like the ones we saw before."
"At least these tables seem empty." She pointed out grimly as they placed the charges strategically through the rooms.
They continued following the main route as it wounds its way through the station, pausing only long enough to place more charges down some of the smaller detours. As they rounded the next corner the corridor widened into a large foyer clearly intended to serve as a communal area for the staff flanked by doors and smaller hallways leading off in different directions. Out of the corner of her eye Shepard caught a glimpse of movement and dove behind cover, aiming her assault rifle at the Adjutant that was slowly stepping out of the one of the hallways.
As she prepared to fire she heard Miranda shift behind her. "I think we've got a problem."
All around the hall Adjutants were stalking forwards, their eyes focussed on Shepard and her team with sick hunger. They slowly backed up towards the centre of the room as more of the creatures began filing in behind them. Shepard's mind raced as they found themselves surrounded by an ever increasing number of husks. They would have no choice but to fight their way out but with the speed that these things teleported across a battlefield tracking them would be almost impossible. Even if the three biotics could grab them in a stasis field it would still leave others free to charge forwards.
"Don't let your guard down for a second. These things are fast."
As the first Adjutant let out a roar and began to charge forwards they opened fire, targeting the ones closest to them first. A few teleported within range only to be quickly hurled aside with biotic throws but it wasn't enough to keep the creatures at bay. Shepard slammed another clip home and drew on all of her training and experience to make every shot count but the husks kept on coming.
"There're too many of them!" Kaidan called to her as he flung another Adjutant away from them.
"Jack!" Miranda shouted as the blue glow of her biotics enveloped her. Turning Jack met Miranda's gaze for a long moment before giving a barely perceptible nod. Grabbing her outstretched hand Jack swung into place at her back as her own powers flared. "Alenko, protect Shepard!"
"Let's do this Lawson." Back to back the two women brought the full extent of their powers to bear, the glow brightening until it hurt to look at them.
The adjutants swarmed closer as they focussed on the powerful biotics and Shepard fired round and round into them in an attempt to keep them back. As the creatures got within touching distance Miranda and Jack unleashed a powerful biotic attack, putting their full power behind it as Kaidan grabbed Shepard around the waist and yanked her into the dubious safety of a doorway, putting himself between her and the blast as he brought up a biotic barrier around them. Hands gripping his arms she watched as he gritted his teeth against the strain of maintaining the barrier against the force of the blast. She'd always known that Kaidan was a powerful biotic so to see him shake with the effort of holding off the force of their combined attack told her just how strong the explosive power was. The biotic blast travelled outwards, utterly ruthless as it tore through everything in its path, slamming the Adjutants against – and in some cases through – the reinforced walls.
As the power dissipated Kaidan brought down the barrier, sagging slightly in relief. Once she was sure he was ok she hurried over to where Miranda and Jack stood looking slightly dumbfounded. Though they were both breathing hard from the exertion the women shared a smug look as a quick glance showed that all of the Adjutants lay dead where they had been hurled.
"Well that worked." Miranda remarked casually.
"Shepard are you alright?" EDI's worried voice came over the comm channel having picked up the explosion of energy at their location.
"We're ok EDI." She reassured the AI as she spied a door that seemed out of place with the others.
Gesturing to the others they walked forward cautiously, keeping an eye out for any movement around them. Reaching the door they found it secured and as Shepard used her omni-tool to override the locks the others remained alert until finally the door hissed open and they gained access to the private offices beyond. Two troopers stood guard but they were dispatched quickly leaving only the lone figure standing by the window overlooking the remains of the Collector base and the roiling core. His tall frame rigid with military bearing the widow's peak and van dyke beard lent the man's face an almost cruel look in the muted light. The displeasure was clear in Oleg Petrovsky's voice despite the brief glimpse of relief that flickered over his features.
"I never thought I would live to see the day that I would be pleased to see you."
"We're not here to save you."
He snorted as he finally met her eyes, his words couched in sarcasm. "I know all about you Shepard - the legendary Commander of the Normandy and apparent saviour of us all. I don't know whether I'm expected to salute or grovel at your feet."
"You should be begging the forgiveness of the people whose lives you destroyed." Miranda spat.
"Ah yes, the traitor. The Illusive Man was most displeased when you turned your back on Cerberus and everything he'd given you."
"Everything I have is because of my own abilities." Miranda shot back.
"Just put a bullet in his head and be done with it." Jack advised, disgust evident on her face.
Petrovsky gave them a mocking smile. "Oh she won't do that will you Shepard? You're an idealist who believes that we can somehow find a way to coexist amongst races that consider us inferior, attempting to find peaceful solutions when clearly more drastic action is required. No you would never harm an innocent."
"Don't try to convince me that you're innocent, I've seen the torture carried out under your orders. I'm here to see that you pay for those crimes."
"We're both soldiers and you know it's never that straightforward. How many choices have you had to make for the greater good? How many lives did you sacrifice without hesitation because it was the only way?"
"There's no excuse for the things that you've done but when you have the Reapers pulling the strings I guess anything becomes acceptable."
"I was never controlled by them!" He denied vehemently, the cold mask slipping to reveal the depth of his rage. "We knew what we were doing, we had it under control but you ruined everything! Humanity is at risk and yet you would prefer to sit and pander to the Council!" He spat.
"The Illusive Man went too far." She retorted angrily. "Whatever his ideals were in the beginning they became as corrupted as he was the minute he started working for the Reapers."
Petrovsky hesitated. "He may have been misguided in his belief that he could control the Reapers but everything he did was to benefit humanity."
"Do you honestly think that will bring comfort to the families of those that you murdered?" She was appalled at his attempts to justify his actions.
His face twisted into a snarl. "You stand there and judge me but where would you be without Cerberus? You were nothing more than a burned out corpse, a dead hero thrown away like a piece of yesterday's trash, abandoned by the Alliance and everyone you cared about. Without Cerberus you would be nothing more than a footnote – forgotten. We gave you your life back."
The words hit the mark and she felt Kaidan stiffen defensively behind her but there was no way she was going to be drawn into a rash action by such an obvious ploy. "And I did what I was brought back to do, save humanity from the Reapers and from you."
"Everything we've done has been to protect humanity!"
"I saw the experiments Cerberus performed with the Thorian on Feros and with Reaper tech on Sanctuary and Palaven. Those were humans that you sacrificed along with any other race you could get your hands on! You even implanted it in your own soldiers." She gestured to one of the corpses on the ground. "Take a look at their faces and tell me that's helping humanity."
Regret flickered across his features. "I tried to protect my men."
"By turning them into husks?" Shepard's incredulity was clear on her face.
"That wasn't my call but the benefits of that technology are too important to ignore."
"I've heard it all before. I didn't buy it from the Illusive Man and he was a lot more convincing."
"It was a mistake bringing you back Shepard but it's one that can easily be rectified." With surprising speed Petrovsky lunged forward attempting to knock the pistol from her hand but Shepard was ready for him, blocking the move and smashing the butt of the pistol into his jaw. Another cross followed by an uppercut sent Petrovsky staggering backwards.
He started to reach for one of the discarded weapons but froze as a strange look crossed his face. Disbelief marred his features at the blood dripping from the wound in his side as the Adjutant rose from where it had teleported behind him and thrust one of its claws into his back. Without hesitation Shepard's team raised their weapons and fired at the creature as Kaidan brought up a barrier to try and stop any others teleporting close to them. Shrieking the husk fell to the gunfire but it was too late for Petrovsky.
"Make sure there aren't any others." Shepard ordered her team as she stepped forward and put an extra couple of bullets in the Adjutant's head.
Petrovsky sank to his knees staring at his blood covered hands as if he couldn't believe what had just happened to him. Lifting his head he met Shepard's gaze and she could see the understanding in them – he was infected.
"Shepard." Her name fell brokenly from his lips as fear filled his expression. In a stroke the once powerful and self-important general had been reduced to a dying man whose very DNA was being rewritten by the technology he'd sought so hard to control. It seemed fitting somehow.
"The area's clear Commander." Kaidan reported though licks of blue biotic energy still flickered across his armour, he wasn't going to take any chances.
"Are the timers set?"
"Setting the last one now." Miranda confirmed from where she knelt prepping the last explosive.
It was time to put an end to this horror show and get her people home. Contacting the other team she issued the order. "Everyone back to the shuttle."
"Wait! You're not just going to leave me like this are you?" Desperation tinged Petrovsky's voice.
Miranda took a threatening step forward. "This is the least you deserve."
Petrovsky ignored her, holding Shepard's gaze. "Commander – please - from one soldier to another."
"Shepard we need to go." Kaidan stood at her shoulder.
She nodded. "You go ahead. I'll be right behind you." He hesitated but did as she asked.
Waiting until she heard them leave the room she raised her pistol and saw Petrovsky swallow hard as he closed his eyes. "Thank you Commander."
As the echo of the gunshot echoed around the room Shepard barely spared a backward glance as she turned to run out of the office, vaulting over fallen furniture and back down the hallway towards the shuttle bay. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted movement but kept going, pushing forward through the maze of hallways that twisted through the station. Rounding a corner she spotted Kaidan, Jack and Miranda at the doors waiting.
"Move your ass Shepard!" Jack shouted but as her foot touched the ground an explosion blinded her. Buffeted by the shockwave Shepard had a split second to realize what was happening before the floor collapsed beneath her and she fell.
