"The closed council session that has been in session the past week is scheduled to end today. What exactly is being discussed is unknown but we do know that representatives from the Alliance and CryNet Systems have been in attendance. What exactly this means following the battle of the Citadel where Alliance and CryNet forces played major roles in the defense of the citadel against Saren and the geth is unclear. Is humanity getting a representative on the council as they have been recently pushing for, especially after the key role Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre played in the capture of rogue Spectre Saren. During the fighting both Turian military personnel and CryNet Enforcement and Local Logistics (CELL) were involved in heavy fighting during the defense of the station and early reports indicate that Civilian Casualties would have been much higher had there been no military presence on the Citadel at the time of the invasion. CryNet released statement yesterday revealing that Director Martin Duncan who had been on the citadel during the battle was killed by the geth in the later parts of the battle. Additionally have heard from an inside source that Several Phantoms, the elite operatives of CryNet who wear the fabled Nanosuit were badly injured in the fighting and that one of them may have been killed in the battle."

Shepard turned from the news broadcast with a start as the doors to her temporary quarters within the CryNet base slid open with a hiss and a woman wearing a grey urban camo uniform walked in. She had her blond hair tied back in a ponytail that had obviously not been taken care of much recently as half of her hair had fallen out. She obviously hadn't brushed or washed her hair in a few days and her eyes had dark bags underneath them from a lack of sleep. Offhandedly Shepard realized that she probably looked in a similar messy state.

"Nova." She greeted quietly as she took in the phantom's appearance.

Nova Terra's eyes flicked over to the news broadcast that was still detailing the casualties of the battle and speculating about the Council meeting. "Anything new?"

Wordlessly Shepard shook her head turning back to look at the screen.

"Martin should be there." Nova muttered "He worked so hard to make sure to get us in this position, capable of expanding our influence. He should be in that meeting-" Nova took a ragged breath and shook her head angrily "They won't even let me see his body!"

"I should be dead." Shepard said hollowly "He pushed me out of the way- he took the hits for me. He sacrificed himself for me. If I had been a just a little faster, managed to charge out of the way. I should have died, not him." She bowed her head and closed her eyes as she saw the broken figure of the seemingly invincible phantom, impaled twice by debris, a piece of railing sticking out of his throat and another piercing clean through his chest hitting both of his lungs and puncturing through his heart. She remembered clutching at him, calling his name as her armor became drenched in his blood. Remembered kneeling on the floor in a small area, mostly cleared of rubble, tears pouring down her face as her companions joined by Raven team and Captain Anderson found them. The shout of dismay that the woman in front of her now had emitted upon seeing Martin's motionless body.

She was drawn back from the nightmarish memories when Nova pulled her into a tight embrace. "We'd just officially become a couple, I was-" Shepard choked unable to say the words now, instead just shaking her head slowly.

"I didn't trust him for the first year after he took me in. I was so sure that he was going to try something, use me for some kind of experiment or what have you. I had myself fully convinced that he wanted something from me. I even tried to run away once. Didn't really get far, he caught up to me real quickly but when he did he just told me that if I wanted to leave I could, that he wouldn't stop me. I thought he was bluffing, called him out on it, said that I wanted to leave." Nova slowly shook her head "He got this sad disappointed look that he tried to hide, he thought that he had failed so badly at taking care of me so much so that I would prefer to live in an alley rather than with him. But he asked me where I wanted to go, took me there and gave me as much money as he could to keep me going. Then there I was, on my own again." She gave a wry smile "After a single hour I wanted to be back with him, but I was too damn proud to call him. I lasted another three hours before I finally called him. He picked me up almost immediately. It just got better from then on. I could never have asked for a better brother, even if we weren't actually related. I loved- I guess I still love him." Nova murmured.

"Meanwhile the galaxy continues spinning." Shepard said.

"What do you think the Council is discussing in those closed meetings?"

"Who is going to be representing Humanity on the council." Shepard answered. At Nova's curious glance she elaborated "Those first few days where I was invited was much of that debating. We had Ambassador Udina putting forth his name, while Director Teems put his name in as well. Last I heard he was doing better than Udina. Udina putting the Normandy on lockdown and being the main reason for the hostilities between CryNet and the Citadel was helping the director far more than it was furthering his own case. Course it helped that I sided with the director as well."

Nova raised an eyebrow "You did? That's surprising. I didn't think that you knew him that well?"

Shepard shrugged "I don't but Martin always spoke well of him and I got the chance to talk to him as well." She bowed her head slightly "He's suffering almost as much as we are. Anyway I wasn't about to nominate Udina." She spat angrily "So it was either nominate someone from the military and there the only one I'd want to see be a councillor would be Captain Anderson, but he's a navy captain. He doesn't want to be a politician, so I threw my lot in with the Director. I think that he'd be more comfortable in that role."

"Probably would be." Nova nodded "I wonder what that will mean for CryNet if he were to become Councillor."

"Probably more phantoms and more missions for phantoms."

"Never a dull moment huh? Oh look the council has announced that their announcement taking place in an hour will be proceeding as planned."

"Now, more than ever is the time for solidarity." Shepard watched the image of councillor Tevos speaking from the newly repaired council chambers. It surprised her to see the chambers repaired to such an extent already that it looked like it hadn't been completely destroyed while the wards still hadn't even started to be repaired. As the camera swept over the council chambers, showing off the grandeur of it all, Shepard's eyes remained fixed on the railing that kept the council from falling off the side of their podium, the railing that had killed Wraith.

"As such we are pleased to announce, that in order to maintain peace and stability and ensure that any threats to the lives of the civilized galaxy are dealt with quickly and efficiently we would like to welcome the newest member of the Citadel Council. Councillor Niel Teems!"

A wave of applause ran through the audience chambers as Councillor Teems walked up to the the new stand that was rising up alongside that of Councillor Valern.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a great honor to have been chosen to serve as Humanity's first councillor."

Shepard slowly tuned out his voice barely listening to how he was going on about how much of a honor it was to have been chosen as she instead studied the faces of some of the people in attendance. Ambassador Udina was conspicuous with his barely concealed anger, anger shared by a few of the Alliance Admirals she saw standing near the ambassador while it seemed that the other half of the Alliance officials, among them Admiral Hackett and the newly promoted Admiral Anderson stood with neutral or even approving looks while the the other members of the crowd stood with varying expressions of interest. She drew her attention back to the newly announced Director who was continuing his speech.

"Many of you may wonder, why it is that it was I to have received this position when there are many other humans in the galaxy worthy. Why perhaps it was not a member of the Systems Alliance. Many of you may know me from Alpha Tech and Sciences or as a Director of CryNet Systems. It is this connection that is the reason for being chosen for this position. For nineteen years now CryNet Systems has been the leading experts on the field of Nanotechnology, biology, medicine and weapons systems thanks in no small part to the Accords signed fifteen years ago. And so it is with great pleasure that I announce a new era of cooperation between the Citadel and CryNet Systems."

A hush fell over the auditorium as Director Teems paused for a second. Both Nova and Shepard were still, with their eyes glued to the screen as Teems continued "May 1st 2175 marked the first field operation undertaken by a CryNet Phantom operative. This operation was a complete success and heralded the dawn of the Nanosuit Program. The men and women who would wear the Nanosuit would become known Phantoms and would in the years after be responsible for hundreds of anti-terrorism and piracy operations throughout the galaxy. Three years ago, 2180 CryNet Systems launched it's second program, the Inquisitor program as a way to cope with the demands of the modern galaxy. These Inquisitors would become highly trained and equipped shock troopers, using the most advanced of weaponry and the newly designed Guardian Heavy Offensive Strategic Trooper Armor to combat threats that Phantoms could not. Just as the phantom program the Inquisitor program was a huge success reducing criminal and terrorist activity across the galaxy by an astounding sixty percent."

"Over the past decade CryNet systems has expanded all across the galaxy, making life safer and easier for men and women all across the galaxy. Now in cooperation with the council we are proud to announce, that CryNet will become the hand of the council throughout the galaxy. Inquisitor and Phantom forces will be deployed throughout the entire galaxy to bring criminals, terrorists and other malcontents to justice. CryNet Enforcement and Local Logistics will become a galaxy wide policing force, operating in much a similar way that C-Sec does here on the citadel. CELL will provide aid and security to where it is needed. We will adapt to whatever threats stand in our way and overcome any adversity. Finally we are proud to announce that CryNet has managed to finally produce Nanosuits capable of being worn by Salarians, Turians, Asari and Biotics. The hurdles that have long since plagued the nanosuit program have finally been overcome! We predict that within the year we will have Nanosuits capable of being worn by many more species and so we commit ourselves to the future of interspecies cooperation."

A somber expression grew on the Councillors face in the moments after during which the crowd around him cheered and applauded.

"Unfortunately all good things come with a price. During the defense of the Citadel director Martin Duncan was killed by the geth near the end of the Battle. Director Duncan was a very good friend of mine whose vision has guided CryNet throughout the years. He took the Phantom and Inquisitor projects under his wing and was responsible for their resounding successes in many ways. He will sorely be missed." A brief silence fell over the crowd as they paid respects to someone who they never really knew, until the silence was broken as reporters began clamoring for questions.

In death he looked far more peaceful than she had ever seen him in life. His features arranged in a neutral position, eyes closed and his hands clasped over his chest. His mask had been taken off and was lying next to his extremely pale skin, in stark contrast to the dark tones of his nanosuit. The damage done to his suit had been repaired leaving no evidence of the injuries that had lead to his death. As she ran her fingers over his neck in the exact spot that he had been impaled through the newly appointed Councillor Teems spoke up from his position to her side.

"It repaired all the damage it took, not too long after we recovered him. It continued it's operations even though it's user was dead, we had to shut it down soon after." He said softly.

"I don't understand." She murmured "Why did you have to shut it down?"

Niel sighed "It was starting to do it's job too well. Releasing it's symbiosis safeguards, trying to resuscitate him. We let it try at first, but we had to call it eventually. The damage had been done, and any more and it would have turned him into a living corpse. A life that I would wish upon no one, least of all him."

Shepard stared at the Councillor "But wouldn't the suit eventually be able to completely heal him? Bring him back to full health?"

He hesitated for a few seconds then sighed "Theoretically yes there is a chance that over time he would heal to such a degree where procedures could be taken to bring him back to full health without the constant requirement to wear the suit. However that chance is very slim. Our estimates put that chance somewhere between five and ten percent chance. It's too risky and if it doesn't end up happening then he would be stuck in there forever. Removing it would be impossible or extremely painful and result almost certainly in his death. He would hate it, any chance of a normal life taken away from him. I couldn't do that to him. He's been through so much already, adding coming back from the dead and being a functioning corpse…" Teems trailed off his eyes on the body.

"But he would never have the chance to experience a good life!" Shepard argued "You say that it would be a terrible life to be trapped in his suit, but there's the chance that he could fully recover, no matter how small and I think that we should give him that chance. Besides so long he is surrounded by those who love him then we can help him through the difficult times and allow him to finally be happy."

Teems gave Shepard a level stare "Are you sure that this is not for your own reasons Commander? I realize that you lost your parents when you were young and see this as a way to keep someone you love alive and with you. I understand that you want to have him back, I do as well. I miss him just as much as you if not more, I watched him grow up as a close friend of his parents. I took him in when they died and grew to see him as my own son. But I also know that sometimes you have to let them go. Death, is meant to be permanent."

"But we are always looking for ways to extend life and prolong death. We already are able to live far longer than we could a century ago, we have prolonged death, we have the ability to resuscitate some individuals within half an hour of death. How is this any different to those cases? If there is the possibility to bring someone back from death shouldn't we take it?" She pressed "If this were someone else, a person who was not Martin Duncan would you feel the same? Or would you try to bring them back? Would he?" She asked nodding towards his body.

Rubbing his forehead Niel sighed "You don't think I thought of that? Of all the scientific data that could be acquired if we were to run through this? Yes if this was a stranger I absolutely would let the nanosuit do it's work. But I am not perfect, I don't care if it makes me a hypocrite in saying that I would do it to someone else. As harsh as it is to say, they are just a name and a face, if their family or they had said that they wished to bring someone back I'd do it. But when making that decision about him? I can't let that happen to him."

"Don't you think that the others that knew him well, that loved him should have a say in that decision?" Shepard asked quietly.

A pained expression grew on his face "He never got that close with too many people. I understand that you started a relationship shortly before he died. But there aren't-"

"Nova was very close to him. She became the younger sister that he never had." Shepard interrupted softly "I know that they weren't as close but the rest of his team are close to him as well. Their voices should at least be heard."

Niel regarded Shepard in silence for a few minutes then finally spoke. "I can see why he fell in love with you." He drew in a long breath and released it slowly "Very well. I will talk to those who knew him and see what they think. I will listen to their opinions and then make my final decision afterwards, but that will be my final decision. If I decide to leave him alone then you will have to accept that decision."

Shepard nodded once "Of course."

"Well I must go. I apparently now have multiple meetings that I need to add to my now already overburdened schedule."

Councillor Niel Teems sat in his office staring at his desk terminal in silence. He had talked to Nova, Raven team and a few other individuals about the possibility of allowing Martin's nanosuit to bring him back to life. The opinions of each person differed from the next. Nova, Jackal, Bolt and Director Petersen all wanted to let him be brought back. Viper, Kestrel, Tigress, Typhoon and Director Antonov believed that letting him rest was the better option. While Teems had been firmly on the side of letting his adoptive son rest initially, he was no more than ever split. Shepard had made an excellent point in mentioning that Nova's opinion would be valuable as the two had been as the Spectre had mentioned, adopted siblings, ever since Martin had found her on Terra Nova.

Slowly turning to his terminal he remembered one other person whose opinion would be of value. "CARLA may I speak with you for a moment."

The synthesized voice of the CryOps AI responded instantly "Of course Councillor is there anything I can help you with?"

He nodded slowly "Yes, but first how are you coping with your new position?"

There was a slight hesitation that Teems took note of, AI's thought extremely quickly so a noticeable pause for humans translated into an extremely long pause for an AI. "Yes, I hesitate to say it but I had already taken over much of the control of CryOps due to Director's Duncan's field work so I am used to the workload. But I miss his presence greatly. The Director's presence was always comforting even in his absence. Now however, I find myself noticing his absence far more than ever."

Niel swallowed thickly "Yes. I think that many people miss him very much. I wanted to ask you about something to do with that actually."

"You wish to ask me for my opinion on whether or not to bring him back or not."

Niel blinked in surprise "How did you know?"

"I apologize director but I couldn't help but check the most recent communication logs." The AI's tone had taken on an almost bashful quality to it.

Smiling in amusement Niel shook his head slightly "I somehow believe that you learned far too many bad things from him during your upbringing. Very well then, what are your thoughts?"

"Bring him back." The certainty with which CARLA spoke brought Niel up short. "I believe that with enough positive support he would be extremely grateful to have a second chance at life. It would require effort from everyone he was close with, but so long as we are committed to assisting him I predict that the chance for any negative outcome to be small."

Niel let out a small chuckle "I can tell that you've thought about this at some length."

"I have."

"Send a message to Nova, Shepard and the other directors. We have work to do."

CRYNET SYSTEM SUIT OS 4.124 STARTUP SEQUENCE INITIATED. . .

Warning, Severe trauma detected;

Safeguards released.

Switching to core function mode. . .

Re-Booting core functions. . .

With a gasp I woke up, eyes darting back and forth taking in the sterile ceiling above me, dimly becoming aware of the medical equipment around before my eyes settled on the face that I had been sure I'd never see again. I lifted a hand to caress her cheek as a beautiful smile graced her lips.

"Vanyali?"

A/N: Well that's a new record for me. A new chapter completely written in 48 hours. A bit shorter than normal but oh well. Don't expect such fast update times for the future, I worked extra hard because of the massive cliffhanger in the last chapter.

So my earlier estimates about this installment being finished at around 43 or so chapters were way off. I think that this is a pretty good spot to end NE: TGC. I will begin working on part 2 Nano Effect: The Collector Crysis. Now NE:TCC will end up diverting far from Canon as it's been bugging me that much of TGC was pretty much just copy pasted from canon. Expect some new stuff to happen and familiar things to be changed.

I will be writing a prologue to that next which I will upload both on this story and on the new Story as well when it's done so you will all know when it's been posted so you can go follow it then. Or you can just follow me instead if you prefer. I think that I will wait with posting the first actual chapter after the prologue until I'm a good ways into writing it, that way if need be I can still change things in earlier chapters to fit new ideas that I have in the future. If you want to keep reading some things from me I am working on a Star Wars/Mass Effect crossover where my Sith Inquisitor from SWTOR, Darth Nox finds himself in the ME universe and wants to take over the galaxy. So if that's for you then please go check that out.

Anyway that's me done for now, I'll get the prologue out sometime in the next few weeks. If you want to get updates on my work you can follow me on twitter LEGION001. Until next time everyone!

~LEGION