A/N: Well it has been a blast writing part 1. Now we go onto Part 2..


10-30-2183 1275 hours (Citadel standard time)


Palaven

The Normandy landed on the hot dry planet of Palaven, the Turian home world. No less than 36 GMACs and three Hierarchy fleets guarded the planet. Any attack on Palaven would be suicidal.

Stepping down the steps of the dock, breathing deeply filtered air from his helmet into his lungs, Shepard saw that everything had a sparkle like a city of silver.

"Welcome, Commander."

Shepard and his team turned in the direction of the voice. It was a group of people greeting him with a few familiar faces up front. Shepard stepped forward and shook Primarch Fedorian's hand.

"It's good to see you, Primarch" Shepard said. The team was still deeply troubled by the events on Virmire, the death of Saren, and his sacrifice that would eventually lead them to finding the Protheans.

"The feeling is mutual, though I wish it was under better circumstances." Fedorian said.

The two walked in silence for a moment, passing through chairs as people gathered around in wearing outfits. The men and women gathering at the ceremony wore their military uniforms. "The funeral will begin in a few hours, so…if you'd like it would give you time to say goodbye."

"Thank you Primarch."

"Don't mention it Shepard."

The ground team of the Normandy came up behind Shepard as they shared the same grief in their hearts.

After everyone had arrived, the ceremony began. The shots fired from the Turian Phaeston rifles echoed in the air as they gave the twenty gun salute.

Primarch Fedorian gave a speech on a podium. "We are gather here today to pay our respects to an honorable soldier, son, brother, and father. Much like his older brother Desolas, Saren gave his life not only for the Hierarchy, but for all of council space. Many have perished in this awful war from all races and while we wish to pay our respects to them, we simply cannot for they are many. However, we can honor those, whose actions went above and the call. Saren Acterius known to many as a spectre, friend, and family member gave his life so that others may live. It is with my immense pride that I posthumously award Saren Acterius the Nova Cluster medal."

A cheer of applause soon followed, but it was one filled with grief as much as pride. Many Turians were standing proud at having served with such a courageous soul.

Slowly, Saren's casket was lowered into the ground and was welcomed by Palavens soil as if welcoming a lost son.

After the ceremony was finished Shepard told the team to head back to the ship. Of the original crew members only Shepard, Ramirez, Liara, Garrus, Nyreen, Ashley, Kaidan, Chakwas, and Joker remained. Tali and Daro had gone back to the fleet in order to warn the Quarians about the Reaper threat and hopefully talk the Admiralty Board from declaring war on the Geth. Of course Daro, like the cold woman she was broke up with Ramirez. He had taken it pretty hard, the once sarcastic cheery Ramirez was now a shell of his former self. Hopefully with time he would return to his former self, hopefully all of them would return to their former selves. When Saren died, a bit of everyone died with him.

Even Wrex, who had left in order to rally the krogan clans, was a bit sadden at Saren's passing. "At least he died as a true warrior." he told Shepard on the Normandy. Of course Ramirez and Wrex had filled him in on the Genophage cure. Shepard was annoyed deeply, not only had Khirrae lied to him, but also used his team in order to eliminate a threat to the Salarian Union. In order to get back at them, and since he trusted Wrex, Shepard made sure any evidence of the cure being taken by a Krogan were erased.

As they neared the Normandy, Shepard noticed Head Admiral Hackett was standing in front. Walking over to him, Shepard said "Sir, a pleasure to see you." He, along with the rest of the crew, saluted.

Hackett saluted back and said "At ease Captain."

Shepard having heard Captain instead of Commander was utterly confused. "Captain sir?"

"That's right Shepard. You out of anyone has deserved it, though your promotion is not the only reason why I'm here."

"What's going on?" Shepard asked.

"Off the record, the council is building a team and they need someone they can trust to lead them. What do you say Shepard?"

"I'll accept on one condition?"

"Name it."

"I have my same old crew with me, along with any of the council's personal choices."

"Done, though Captain I must inform you that the team, training, and new ship is being handled by Cerberus. Now the Council isn't exactly happy with dealing with a black op team, but they have no other choice. They must be able to disavow any connection with this team and Cerberus handling everything gives them just that." Hackett warned.

"Wait did you say new ship? Sir, I assure you the Normandy is still functional."

"That may true Captain, however it isn't exactly the most advanced warship anymore. Trust me when I say you'll definitely be impressed with your new ship."

"Alright Admiral, you can count me and the rest of the Normandy crew in."

"Glad to hear that Shepard. Rendezvous with Cerberus officials at these coordinates. They'll take you to an uncharted planet, where you and many others will train to become the most deadly team possible."

Taking the coordinates. Shepard gave one last salute and turn to his team. "Are you guys ready for this?"

Ramirez was the first to answer. "Commander Ramirez, now I like the sound of that." he said with less emotion than he normally would have.

"Just remember who's in charge." Shepard teased trying to get Ramirez's spirit back.

"Remember who does everything." Ramirez shot back in an almost whisper like voice. He had a slight smirk though it didn't contain the spirit his remarks usually had. Ramirez then stepped into the Normandy without another word or looking back at his worried teammates.

"Poor James. I hope he gets better, because I have a feeling we're going to need him at his best." Kaidan said with a worried tone.

"Don't worry, he has dealt with worse. He'll be back to the once spirited, sarcastic, and annoying Ramirez we all know." Shepard told him.

"I think you've just described Garrus, Captain." Nyreen remaked.

Garrus shot her a offended look as she said that, though it wasn't serious.

"Well anyway Shepard, you can count on me and Alenko." Ashley stated with confidence. Kaidan gave a nod of his head as confirmation.

"You saved my life once, Shepard. Serving with you seems the right thing to do." Liara stated. She was far from the socially nervous archeologist that he found on Therum. Now she was a confident and capable Asari biotic.

Shepard turned to Garrus to see his answer. "How bout it Garrus? You in?"

"Well you'll need someone to bring style into the team and someone has to cover you and Ramirez's asses. Count me in."

Shepard turned his attention to Nyreen, who he assumed would say yes. "Wherever Garrus goes, I go Captain."

Smiling at the dedication of his team, Shepard led them onboard the Normandy and they all proceeded to fly towards the coordinates.


Location: Unknown

Deep in the outer rim of the Milky way galaxy eerie blackness punctuated by beams of various colors from many ships characterized the space around the lone station. The natural scenery of a thousands, possibly millions, of ships floating around dead in space made the space around the station look like a massive graveyard.

Within the massive station, an arthropod insectoid -like being was typing command into its terminal.

Soon a red hologram of a squid like being appeared on the being's console. Red lighting crackled around its various tendrils and menacing lines of red running lights woven into its hull.

In a deep mechanical-like voice it spoke to the being. "Was the mission successful, general?"

The now identified General replied "Yes Harbinger. Sovereigns distraction allowed us to infiltrate the system and obtain specimens of the Yahg. Their immense size and strength will serve us well in the coming invasion. Already our clones number in the hundreds of thousands."

Harbinger was pleased at the results. "Excellent. Have your Collectors infiltrated the Batarian Hegemony?"

"Of course, however our ships need to remain hidden or they will be exposed. We only have a fleet in the area. The bulk of our fleet is still here, guarding the station."

"Very well. General make sure our plans are not discovered, nor should the location of our Node ever be even suspected of existing."

Said Node was responsible for the power of the Reapers, it served as their brain so to speak. Every Reaper ship ever to be assembled came from the within the large Node. If it was ever to be discovered the survival of the Reapers would be at risk.

"Fret, not Harbinger the organics of this cycle, like the ones before it are unaware of its existence."

"Best to keep it that way General."

"Of course."

Harbinger's hologram disappeared from the screen and the Collector general resumed its task of directing the other collectors around the station.


A/N: There you have it. Please review and tell me how I did with the story. Good? Alright? Bad? let me know.